Chapter 109: A New Crisis Unfolds

Chapter 109: Another Crisis Unfolds

“Dead?”

Xiao Yu, now with the Criminal Investigation Team, stared in disbelief at the pale-faced Captain Li, feeling as if his mind was spinning out of control.

He was so stunned he nearly lost himself.

What happened?

The person who made the false alarm and was sent to the Detention Center by Captain Li… is dead!

Can you believe it?

Not only did he die, but it was a suicide.

But that’s not the worst part.

The worst part is…

Before dying, the victim used his blood to write three words on the wall.

“I’m wronged!”

Then disaster struck!

The forensic team confirmed it was indeed a suicide.

He died in the Detention Center’s solitary confinement cell!

Why was it the solitary cell?

That afternoon, the victim tried to self-harm but was stopped.

Does the detention center spoil its charges?

Obviously, the solitary cell was chosen.

At that time, Captain Li had sent him to the detention center planning to lock him up for three days.

After stopping his self-harm, the detention center just wanted to scare him by putting him in the solitary cell.

But less than an hour after being locked in…

He was dead!

Cause of death: ruptured carotid artery, massive blood loss, shock, and organ failure…

And the suicide tool? A metal button!

Can a button cut a vein?

Yes!

Many metal buttons are actually thin metal sheets pressed into shape.

They can be bitten open to revert back into a metal sheet.

The metal sheet is hard and sharp—though not as fine as a blade,

it’s more than enough to slice through soft neck skin.

How did they discover it was suicide?

Wasn’t there already a self-harm incident that afternoon?

After stopping the incident, the detention center locked him in the solitary cell and called Captain Li.

Xiao Yu had been handling other matters, but when Captain Li arrived at the center to begin the interrogation,

the guards went to fetch him from the solitary cell… only to find him dead!

Both the detention center staff and Captain Li were completely shocked when they found the body.

The death itself was a huge matter, but dying in the detention center and leaving behind the words ‘I’m wronged’ made it even worse.

Can you imagine the fallout?

What caused his death?

A false alarm, Captain Li’s arrest, sending him to the detention center, locking him in the solitary cell… and death!

If responsibility is to be assigned, both Captain Li and the detention center guards are in for a hard time…

So why call Xiao Yu over?

Since it’s confirmed that the victim committed suicide and that those three words were written just before his death,

what does that imply?

It suggests he might indeed have been wronged!

Regardless of whether he was unstable, the case must be thoroughly investigated.

After all, this incident stemmed from Captain Li’s response to an emergency call, and now it’s escalated.

Thus, the case must be handed over for higher-level handling.

Xiao Yu was called in to conduct a thorough investigation.

There was another reason too: Captain Li’s luck had run out in an unforeseen way, but since he works in the Criminal Investigation Team…

Zhao Changshan instructed Xiao Yu to notify the higher-ups.

Secure the suspect for now; wait until the investigation is complete before taking any further steps.

Does Xiao Yu really have that kind of clout?

What nonsense!

Xiao Yu pulled out his phone and personally called Yun Xiangguo at the City Bureau.

Yun Xiangguo replied simply, ‘Alright, you have our backing, but make sure you resolve this case properly. If Captain Li is off the hook, he stays as he is. But if he’s at fault, be prepared—a scandal of epic proportions, at the very least an internal warning, and if severe enough, a complete disgrace!’

A complete disgrace?

That means stripping him of his uniform and ejecting him from the force.

If any regulations were breached, a conviction could even be on the table.

That serious?

Exactly. It’s as grave as it gets.

A mistake by a police officer is a crime of a higher order!

…

Did Xiao Yu ever have relic fragments on him?

Does he even take on cases like these?

No, he not only lacks relic fragments,

but sometimes, in the pursuit of criminals, his heart can turn as cold as stone!

However, after three months with the Criminal Investigation Team, he had seen Captain Li’s true character.

Though a bit slippery at times, Captain Li was a genuine detective with solid morals.

Even those who keep pets have feelings.

After three months of working with colleagues he trusted, he knew he’d lend a hand if needed.

Immediately, Xiao Yu led his team to the detention center to inspect the crime scene.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by the new warden.

Not long ago, the detention center had a major incident—the previous warden was fired.

This new warden had just been transferred, only to be caught in this mess.

But they all belonged to the city police system.

Does anyone in the system not know Xiao Yu’s name?

He commands the entire city’s Criminal Police, Armed Police, SWAT teams… even National Security.

Who would dare treat Xiao Yu as just some minor officer? How many counterfeit toasts does it take?

When Xiao Yu arrived, not only did the warden welcome him, but high-ranking officials were also present.

Even though his rank was low, his reputation was formidable!

“No need for formalities,”

Xiao Yu smiled and said, “Let’s focus on the case first!”

They entered the detention center’s special cell—the solitary cell.

In plain terms, it’s just a confinement room.

It’s used to hold unruly suspects and prisoners.

There’s nothing mysterious about it.

Yet as he stepped inside, Xiao Yu frowned, feeling an eerie chill.

It was early spring—the cool weather, lack of heating, dampness, and poor lighting all gave the room an unsettling atmosphere.

The body had already been taken away, but bloodstains still spattered everywhere.

That’s normal.

After all, human blood vessels are under pressure.

When a vessel, especially a major artery, is damaged,

the blood doesn’t spout like a fountain but still bursts forth powerfully.

Once the pressure was released, blood could spurt a fair distance.

“Where is the suicide tool?” Xiao Yu asked.

Guo Qiang produced a small transparent bag.

Inside was a detached button.

In its normal state, the button is very small.

Once unfolded, it expands to more than twice its size.

One can clearly see the dental marks on it.

They were made by the victim’s teeth just before his death.

This was corroborated by the marks found on the victim’s own teeth.

What marks?

The button had a metal coating that, when bitten open, left behind residual particles.

This was the key evidence that confirmed it was a suicide.

A stack of photos was handed to Xiao Yu.

They depicted the entire crime scene, including photos of the victim’s body.

Xiao Yu picked up one photo showing the victim’s neck wound; a single glance made his heart skip a beat.

It wasn’t just one cut—it was multiple!

Just imagine.

The victim repeatedly slashed his own neck with the thin metal sheet from the button until his artery was severed.

Xiao Yu felt a chill run through him.

How many people, under normal circumstances, could do that?

No one—even those who are unstable—could endure such agony.

“Did the victim have any history of mental illness?” Xiao Yu asked in a deep tone.

“Yes!”

Former team member Li Xin handed over a tablet.

Now, Xiao Yu was no longer the team leader but the deputy.

Former team leader Guo Qiang had taken charge, with Li Xin and Liu Hongqiao as members of the team.

Yet, the three still reported to Xiao Yu.

They were familiar with each other and used to working together.

When they arrived at the detention center, Xiao Yu brought all three along.

After glancing at the tablet, Xiao Yu raised his eyebrows.

“Autism?!”