SFTD -Chapter 97 Man in the Wall (Part 7)

Zhou Hai was looking at a salt analysis report. It was just coarse salt used for curing, produced locally in the southeast region. But after being messed around with Fengzi and Xu Biao, he had lost interest in it.

“Stop teasing Fengzi. Xu Biao found out what this nail is used for.”

“What’s it used for?”

Xiao Liang leaned over as well. Zhou Hai opened the computer, found the image based on Xu Biao’s notes, and clicked into the page. The explanation was very detailed.

This type of nail was called an outdoor three-prong ground stake. Its uses, how to use it, and even what kinds of ground it is suitable for were all described.

Camping.

Barbecues.

Tents.

Such leisurely, enjoyable activities felt completely out of place when compared to the dirt found in the victim’s fingernails.

A middle-aged man with a slight limp in one foot, with dirty hands covered in grease, preparing skewers for a barbecue?

Let alone eating it—just imagining it already felt uncomfortable.

Fengzi also froze when he saw the page.

“So Xu Biao’s analysis was right. The substances in the fingernails really are related to barbecuing.”

Zhou Hai slightly tilted his head back, narrowing his eyes as his fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.

“I’ve been at the center since June 2014. I remember that month in Southeast City had a lot of rain. Xiao Liang, check the weather from June 2nd to June 5th.”

“Xu Biao, in a rainy season like this, where would be suitable for camping, barbecuing, and setting up tents?”

Fengzi knew Xu Biao was the most experienced in eating and enjoying life, so he was the best person to ask. Xu Biao thought for a moment seriously, then suddenly widened his eyes.

“Maidao!”

“Maidao Resort Area! There’s a road connecting it to Southeast City. It’s a real island. There are beaches, reefs, pavilions—and on top of that, there are high-end villas and a golf course. Of course, it’s quite expensive. Many wealthy people like going there for camping and barbecues.”

Fengzi searched further.

“A golf course? That makes sense. Japanese Zoysia grass is used for high-end courses. It’s extremely expensive turf.”

“Boss, I’ve got it!”

“On June 2nd last year: moderate rain, 20–16°C, east wind level 5–6.

June 3rd: showers, 22–18°C, north wind 3–4.

June 4th: showers, 23–17°C, north wind 2–3.

June 5th: clear, 29–18°C, south wind 2–3.”

Fengzi gave Xiao Liang a thumbs-up while taking off his white coat.

“Then it’s June 5th. I’ll go ask Captain Chu to send people to Maidao with us.”

Just as he was about to leave, Chu Menghan and Wang Man rushed in. Zhou Hai immediately knew they had found something.

“Found it?”

Chu Menghan handed him a list. One name was circled in red.

“His name is Song Guangjun, 48 years old, from Migaoshi City. Slight right foot limp. He came from a poor background. Worked in a cement factory in his early years, then came to Southeast City to work in construction. Six years ago he started running a commercial concrete mixing station. But in August 2014, due to long-term wage arrears and unpaid material costs, his business was sealed by the court. Since then, he has disappeared.”

“His family doesn’t know where he went?”

Wang Man checked the family records.

“His wife has a disability in one hand and is taking care of their intellectually disabled second son back in his hometown. She only found out about the company issues when creditors came. After that, they lost all contact. Relatives came to Southeast City to search, but found nothing.”

“Wait—second son? So there’s an eldest son. How old? Where is he?”

“The eldest son is Song Kainian, 24 years old. After graduating high school, he worked with his father. After Song Guangjun disappeared, he also went missing.”

“Neither of them reported a missing person?”

Wang Man shook his head.

“No. Everyone assumed they ran away to avoid debt…”

Zhou Hai took the tablet from Wang Man and reviewed it carefully. When he saw Song Guangjun’s photo, he became even more certain.

“This is the victim.”

“Check Song Guangjun’s social connections. As for the son, ask former employees of the concrete station. Find his residence in Southeast City. Contact the court—see if any property was included in the seizure. Apply for a search warrant. Captain Chu, send people to assist Xu Biao and the Fengzi in Maidao, pull surveillance, and conduct a wide-area search!”

“Maidao?”

“What did you find?”

Zhou Hai held up the photo of the three-prong ground stake.

“This was extracted from the victim’s skull. It’s a professional high-end tent stake used for camping. And there are substances under the victim’s fingernails linked to barbecuing. Combining time of death and weather conditions, we now strongly suspect the primary crime scene is at Maidao.”

Chu Menghan stared at the scar under Zhou Hai’s left eye, silently processing everything. In just a short time, this man had found so much information—without even telling her earlier.

But regardless, the case came first.

“Wang Man, take two teams. Cooperate with forensic examiner Xu and Dr. Luo. Conduct a detailed search of Maidao. Call me if you hit any obstacles.”

It was already around 6 p.m., and outside, darkness had fully fallen.

“At this time, outdoor searching won’t be effective. Either go tomorrow, or just check surveillance today,” Zhou Hai said.

“Fine. We’ll check surveillance first and start the field search tomorrow.”

Wang Man left with Xu Biao and Fengzi.

Chu Menghan looked at Zhou Hai.

“What next?”

“First check with the court whether Song Guangjun’s assets were sealed. If so, we go take a look. I’ll explain the rest on the way. Let’s go.”

After making a call, Chu Menghan returned and leaned forward, staring directly at Zhou Hai.

“The court coordination is done. I’ll go back to get the search warrant tonight. Tomorrow morning we can search. Now you should tell me—what else did you find?”

Xiao Liang quickly raised his hand.

“I’ll leave first. You two talk.”

And he slipped out of the office.

Zhou Hai shrugged slightly as he pulled a chair over.

“Sit.”

Chu Menghan sat beside him and looked at the on-screen crime scene photos.

“You see this hole here?”

The wall in the photo had a section of its soft padding missing, revealing exposed concrete underneath. Black adhesive fasteners were still stuck on the surface, likely used to fix the padding panels.

At first glance, nothing unusual stood out.

“Yes, I see it. What’s the problem?”

“We tested the hardness. The concrete matches the same batch as the sample. That means this wall was cast at the same time during construction. But a reinforced concrete wall isn’t just concrete poured into a mold. It requires steel rebar as a skeleton to meet building standards. Yet here, a fire extinguisher cylinder was able to smash open a large section easily. So… where is the steel reinforcement in this wall?”