SFTD -Chapter 67 Who’s Next? (Part 5)

“Take the pubic symphysis of Victims A and B. Let’s go upstairs.”

Zhou Hai shook his neck and blinked hard. A sharp pain suddenly stabbed his left eye, forcing him to lower his head. It felt as if tears were about to fall.

Chu Menghan quickly reached out and supported his arm.

“What’s wrong?”

Zhou Hai waved her off.

“I’m fine. Something got into my eye. You go up first. I’ll wash it out and change my clothes.”

He headed quickly toward the changing room.

Xu Biao exchanged a glance with Fengzi and gestured that he would follow.

He hurried after Zhou Hai. As soon as they entered the changing room, Xu Biao helped Zhou Hai sit on a bench and locked the door connecting to the autopsy room.

“Where’s the medicine you took last time?” Xu Biao asked in a low voice.

Zhou Hai didn’t hesitate. He pulled out his car keys and tossed them over.

“In the car!”

Still wearing slippers, Xu Biao rushed out. Not long after, he came back carrying a bag.

“There are so many bottles, all foreign labels. Which one?”

Zhou Hai picked up a blue bottle, swallowed two pills, eyes still closed. The scar above his left eye became more prominent as he tensed.

Xu Biao knew Zhou Hai had secrets. He didn’t ask—he simply accepted it. The scar from brow to eye corner must be something Zhou Hai never wanted to mention. And perhaps neither did his family.

After drinking some water and resting for over ten minutes, the painkillers began to take effect. Zhou Hai gradually relaxed and patted Xu Biao’s arm.

“Thanks, Xu Biao.”

“What for? If you’re feeling better, let’s go to the meeting.”

Zhou Hai nodded.

They changed clothes and went up to the fourth floor. Everyone was already seated. Before Zhou Hai could apologize, Xu Biao pushed him into an empty seat at the round conference table.

“Sorry for the delay. Dr. Zhou found some new observations, so we rechecked the photos. My apologies.”

Liu Da nodded seriously.

“Alright. No problem. Dr. Zhou, please analyze the current evidence. I heard from Chu Menghan that the search scope is too large. If we can narrow it down, that would be best.”

Chu Menghan looked at Zhou Hai expectantly.

Zhou Hai opened two autopsy reports in front of him.

“Alright, I’ll skip the known details. We’ve completed the autopsies on Victims A and B found yesterday. Both died from neck slashing and dismemberment. No hands or feet were recovered. Based on the method and disposal pattern, we believe the perpetrator is the same person. The cases can be combined.”

“Victim A only has skeletal remains, so information is limited. What we know:

Female;

Dead for over one month;

Age 25–27;

Blonde short wavy hair;

Height 155–160 cm;

Most distinctive feature:

Left clavicle fractured within the past two years. A metal plate was found, marked with letters and numbers.”

Xu Biao pulled up the corresponding image.

“This code: BX 07A 9-hole left XX070601A 14 CE0434. I think it’s a surgical identifier used to trace the victim’s identity. Such fractures are common, but this clavicle had a congenital curvature. The surgeon would have had to adjust the plate during surgery. The attending physician would likely remember her. Moreover, it’s almost time for the plate removal procedure. If it was treated in a formal hospital, the doctor would have contacted the patient to schedule the surgery.”

Everyone quickly wrote notes. Chu Menghan circled key points in her notebook.

“Victim B is also female;

Time of death: 3–5 days;

Age: 23–25;

Purple long hair;

Height: 158–162 cm;

Seven piercings in each ear;

A 0.5 × 1.2 cm oval pigmented mole behind the ear;

Due to decomposition, facial features are distorted, but she has well-defined features. There is a red tear-shaped mole under the left eye;

An intrauterine device was found in the uterus;

Multiple hymen reconstruction surgeries;

So I suspect she worked in nightlife entertainment.”

Liu Da recorded everything and looked up.

“Have you done a psychological profile of the killer?”

Zhou Hai closed his eyes and thought for a moment.

“I can only attempt a preliminary profile. The unidentified victims limit accuracy.

Male;

Right-handed;

Short stature;

But strong and physically capable;

These three residential areas and the pedestrian street are likely his frequent activity zones;

Occupation likely butchery, cooking, or similar fields—he is clearly familiar with dissection and anatomy.”

Fengzi frowned.

“You said ‘dump far, bury near.’ If he operates in these areas, wouldn’t the bodies be discovered easily?”

Zhou Hai patted his shoulder.

“Good question. Most killers do follow the ‘dump far, bury near’ principle. In this case, it still applies in a way. The sewer system is underground and rarely accessed. Also, locals know it’s cleaned once a year, usually in spring. If the bodies were discovered during that cleaning, much less evidence would remain. Doesn’t that count as a form of burial?”

Everyone nodded.

Chu Menghan rubbed her index finger thoughtfully.

“So since the cases are combined, you think both victims were nightlife workers?”

Zhou Hai nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, highly likely. Both are nightlife workers. This profession has high mobility, so disappearances are not easily noticed.”

Liu Da closed his notebook.

“Your analysis makes sense. We’ll have the technical department sketch the victims’ faces.

Then we’ll divide the investigation into three groups:

Team One, led by Chu Menghan, focuses on identifying victims—checking nightlife venues around the commercial district and pedestrian street for women missing since August. Also verify hospital records for females who had clavicle surgery in the past 2–3 years and cross-check implant codes.

Team Two, led by Wang Man, reviews surveillance footage, especially near the two suspected sewer entrances, tracking all individuals during the time of death.

Team Three, led by Hu Xiaotian, investigates the residential areas, focusing on sewer blockages and long-term missing residents. Conduct this thoroughly with household registration police.”

The meeting quickly ended.

Soon after, a police officer surnamed Pang came to see Zhou Hai. At the entrance, Xiaoli brought him upstairs.

“This is Officer Pang. Chief Liu asked him to consult you about the victims’ facial reconstruction.”

Zhou Hai looked up and nodded, opening the tablet to the victim’s head photo.

“Come here. Look at the photo first. I’ll tell you how to adjust each feature.”

Officer Pang took the tablet, glanced at it—and his hand immediately shook.

The device slipped from his grasp.

“Oh my god…What… what is this?”