Chapter 37
Suspicion
“Three months? This case is going to be difficult to solve. After such a long time, I’m afraid the evidence that we need would have vanished long ago.” Zheng Ling shook her head and packed the fingers again before putting them into the freezer.
Just as Shen Yin returned to the office to finish her report, Wu Zheng returned with his team.
They brought with them ten toes, which they placed on the autopsy table.
“Why three months?” Wu Zheng asked, frowning at the autopsy report.
Shen Yin concentrated on manipulating the new body parts. Without looking up, she replied, “Most people begin to decay after death, so bodies can only be preserved under very strict conditions. However, if there’s an environment in which the temperature is 0 degrees that can be used to preserve the body, the body will not decay. However, such circumstances are very rare.”
She picked up one of the toes and pointed to the large yellow-brown area above it. “If the body was simply stored in a freezer at minus ten degrees, it would still change over time. The most obvious thing is the color of the body. Look, Captain Wu.”
She placed her toe in front of Wu Zheng and continued to explain, “There is a protein in the human body. After a person dies, this protein will gradually break down into a substance similar to melanin. This causes the corpse to turn black and yellow, which is the color you see now.”
She pointed to the corpse’s long, thin fingernails again and explained, “This phenomenon doesn’t mean that a person’s nails can still grow after death. It’s a visual bias caused by dehydration of the body. The desiccation of the fingers and toes makes the nails appear long, and it takes at least three months to achieve the effect you see now.”
Wu Zheng nodded. “Then we’ll have to check the missing persons reports from three months ago.”
He looked at Meng Heng. “What about the owner of the restaurant?”
Meng Heng looked away and avoided looking at the zombie-like toes. “The owner should be above suspicion. This batch of frozen goods is from the supplier. I suggest we start investigating from that end.”
Wu Zheng agreed. “We have to find all the body parts first and identify the deceased as soon as possible.”
“I’m afraid it will be difficult.” Shen Yin interrupted Wu Zheng, who looked over in surprise, waiting for her to continue.
Shen Yin said calmly, “If the body has been preserved for three months using only the freezer, I’m afraid it will be difficult to clearly see it’s appearance.”
“Then check missing persons’ list first.” Wu Zheng looked at Zou Sheng. “Check all the missing persons’ cases, starting from three months ago. Focus on those related to the supplier or those living near Tongjiang Street in the New District.”
Wu Zheng was very organized. After instructing Zou Sheng, he turned to Meng Heng and said, “Follow me. The team will search the New District for body parts.”
After issuing instructions, Wu Zheng turned to Shen Yin. “Thank you, Dr. Shen. Once we find more body parts, I’ll have to trouble you to help identify the deceased.”
Shen Yin smiled and nodded. “No problem.”
It was time to knock off, but everyone in Team Three was concentrating on the case.
Shen Yin followed Wu Zheng and Meng Heng out of the police station and bumped into Lian Jing, who was standing at the entrance. He was leaning against the Maserati.
He narrowed his eyes. His large hand was still in his pocket as he pointed at Shen Yin. “I’m here to pick Yin Yin up from work. Officer Meng, I’m sure you’re busy. Go ahead.”
Meng Heng could not help but take a step forward, but Wu Zheng grabbed his arm tightly. “Let’s go handle the case first.”
“I believe President Lian also wants us to solve the case as soon as possible.” Wu Zheng pulled Meng Heng behind him and returned Lian Jing’s provocative gaze.
“Of course. Captain Wu, you’ve worked hard.” Lian Jing took two steps forward and wrapped his arm around Shen Yin’s shoulders possessively. “All the best to you, then. We’ll go home and eat first. I’ll remember to ask the secretary to prepare a sumptuous dinner for the hardworking police team.”
“Yin Yin.” Lian Jing leaned close to Shen Yin’s ear. “You promised me yesterday.”
What had she promised?
“Grandpa has been discharged,” Lian Jing reminded her kindly.
Realization dawned on Shen Yin. She shook off Lian Jing’s arm uncomfortably and said, “I have to go.” She blushed and got into Lian Jing’s car.
Even after the Maserati had driven out of the police compound, Meng Heng continued standing there, staring blankly in the direction they had taken.
Why had Sister’s attitude toward him changed so drastically overnight?
He shook his head with a bitter smile and turned to get into the team’s jeep. In the deepening night, he continued to try solving the case, which was like looking for a needle in a haystack.