Chapter 199: Unraveling Clues from the Initial Investigation

Chapter 199: The Initial Investigation

Live skinning… making wax figures… art pieces?

This revelation had everyone in the room gripped by an uncontrollable sense of horror.

Finally, some murmurs began to break the silence in the meeting room.

Someone shifted in their seat, the sound of a chair scraping the floor echoing softly.

If they stayed silent, they’d be unable to contain their inner shock and awe.

It made one wonder, can the authenticity of this deduction really be trusted?

But the person who made this claim was none other than Xiao Yu.

With four first-class merits under his belt and a prestigious reputation as the strongest young detective, his word carried weight.

Would you doubt his deduction now, when such an officer speaks?

Is he really joking about this matter?

“How did you find him?”

After a brief pause, Wang Dong, the overall commander of this case, fixed his calm gaze on Xiao Yu.

“I don’t know,”

Xiao Yu exhaled a cloud of smoke, squinting as he added, “It’s virtually impossible to pinpoint a person just from an indoor photo taken in a room made of magnesium-aluminum alloy. I’ve already analyzed everything visible in that photo – following any clues from it would be like chasing shadows.”

“Since the culprit dared to take such a photo, I suspect it was intended for certain eyes only.”

“Magnesium-aluminum alloy, surgical scrubs, surgical 930 tools, and medical procedures… He would have erased every trace he could leave behind. So finding any clue in that photo…”

A cold glint shone in Xiao Yu’s eyes as he uttered two words, “Impossible!”

Everyone’s hope plummeted to rock bottom.

“But still…”

Xiao Yu suddenly smiled. “An old saying goes: ‘He who plays with fire gets burned.’ And in our line of work, we have a saying: ‘Where there’s a crime, there’s always a clue!'”

The room fell silent in confused unison.

“What exactly are you saying?”

Nonchalantly dismissing their stares, Xiao Yu picked up a tablet. “The photo might not give us any clues, but right in front of us is a clue… a theft case!”

Everyone: ???

They weren’t interested in playing pawn.

We’re talking about a ‘human skin wax figure’ here – and you want to drag a theft case into it? Seriously?

“If we want to find the culprit behind the creation of this human skin wax figure, we need to go back to the beginning of the case.”

Xiao Yu lifted his hand and scanned the room. “It’s the only trail left behind by him, the sole mark he ever left.”

“First, there was a train theft case where a family of three reported a missing Platinum Sphere… Yes, the Platinum Sphere must have been lost on the train.”

“But the thief didn’t take what was inside the Platinum Sphere – a phone SD storage card. That card stored the photos related to this case.”

“Three troubling points.”

“First, why did the Ji family have these photos, and why did they meticulously store them on a card tucked inside the Platinum Sphere?”

“Second, did the Ji family anticipate that someone would attempt to steal the SD card, deliberately allowing the Platinum Sphere to be taken on the train, only to report it missing…? What was their motive?”

“Third, the circumstances of the Ji family’s deaths were highly suspicious – it wasn’t a suicide, but a homicide. This can be confirmed by the autopsy. The reappearance of the Ji family in connection with the stolen Platinum Sphere only deepens the mystery.”

“Based on these three points, let’s hypothesize: Could the person who stole the Platinum Sphere on the train – the one who brought it back to the Ji family, and who is suspected of murdering them – be the same culprit behind the creation of the human skin wax figure?”

“If all these assumptions hold true…”

Xiao Yu stated, “All we need to do is catch that thief, and it’s over.”

It’s a simple, straightforward logic.

The thief’s main target was the Platinum Sphere.

Or rather, it was the storage card inside it.

Let’s not worry yet about whether the thief was the one who killed the Ji family.

And we won’t concern ourselves with whether he is also the culprit in the nine-photo series of crimes.

One thing’s for sure – he’s deeply implicated.

If we pursue this lead, we’re bound to uncover something significant.

As for catching a thief… in our profession,

that’s about the most fundamental skill there is.

Forget about the train theft case from six years ago.

Even if it were ten years ago, as long as any clue is left behind,

the entire police force will be mobilized.

Unless you’re reduced to ashes and vanish into nothingness,

how do you expect to get away?

……

Bincheng – A Railway Police Station

Xiao Yu, Wang Dong, Yun Xiangguo, the Provincial Boss, and others arrived…

When they saw several of the visiting officers in crisp white shirts,

one could only imagine the feeling among the local police.

Damn it – a group of big bosses showing up out of nowhere.

The overwhelming presence was enough to scare anyone to death.

What on earth is going on here?!

Twenty minutes later, inside a business van,

two police officers sat before Xiao Yu, their faces a mixture of fear and puzzlement.

“Six years ago, on a train, there was a theft case involving a Platinum Sphere.”

Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on the officers and said, “You were initially in charge of this case… Liang Du? Wei Xingyuan?”

“It was us!” both officers nodded.

A case on a train is a rare event.

When passengers misplace a valuable like a Platinum Sphere, it leaves a lasting impression.

Later, word spread that the passengers, a family of three, all ended up committing suicide, causing a huge uproar.

It’s hard not to remember such a case!

“May I ask, what exactly happened?”

The question came from Liang Du, a first-class inspector under forty with a medium build.

“Sorry, but you don’t have the clearance to know—this is a classified matter,”

Wang Dong replied politely, showing his credentials.

Not a police ID, but an investigation permit!

The two officers’ expressions instantly changed.

National Security!

Wang Dong wasn’t trying to intimidate anyone.

The details of the case were just too ghastly; if they leaked, no one could imagine the consequences.

Right now, all information is on lockdown, known only to a select few.

Even Guo Qiang and the others have been silenced.

They aren’t even permitted to be involved in the case.

That alone speaks volumes about how severe this case is…

“Understood!”

The two officers wore solemn faces; as professionals, they respected the confidentiality protocols.

Yet, internally, their emotions were in turmoil.

If even the National Security had to step in, this must be a case of the highest order.

“Can you recall any details from that time?”

Not wanting to waste time, Xiao Yu asked straight away.

The two officers exchanged glances before Wei Xingyuan spoke, “I remember clearly – I received a call from a train attendant and rushed to the scene…”

Then, Wei Xingyuan recounted the events as he remembered them.

After receiving the alert, arriving on the scene, and conducting a sweep, nothing suspicious was discovered.

It was nearly identical to the case file from six years ago.

The Platinum Sphere had simply vanished.

The only suspect present was a female passenger, but after screening, she was ruled out.

The item was never found on her…

Listening intently, Xiao Yu furrowed his brows.

His first thought was: something wasn’t right.

His mind began to churn in ways that ordinary people couldn’t comprehend.

After a full five minutes,

Xiao Yu suddenly snapped his head up and barked in a cold tone, “Find out all the personal details of that female passenger!”