Chapter 495: Crimson Clues
by xennovelChapter 495: The Wretch, Less Than an Animal (Update 3)
He stepped down from the entrance into the crime scene and arrived at the cell.
Activating his Falcon’s Eye, Xiao Yu scanned every visible corner.
Soon after, his Wangdie’s Nose kicked in, sniffing every scent inside the cell…
A minute, ten minutes… an hour passed.
Suddenly.
“Why… are there only the scents of twelve people?!”
“Ten victims, a suspected lunatic, suspect Zheng Jie… so then, who is that female suspect Shi Yanwan mentioned?”
“The investigation has covered nearly every detail by now; the main suspect is largely identified.”
“Then why isn’t there any trace of that female suspect anywhere?”
“And…”
Standing inside the cell, Xiao Yu squinted at the exhaust vent on the wall. “Why… does the cell carry only the scent of nine people?”
So much time had passed since the crime scene.
Yet Xiao Yu could still detect the smell of human bodies.
Because… blood!
Throughout the cell, Xiao Yu detected the distinct blood scent of nine different individuals.
Many know that the smell of paint can linger for months.
But few are aware
that the scent of blood can last between 75 and 90 days.
Over 90% of plasma is made up of water.
It contains proteins, ions, urea, creatinine…
So blood really contains urea?
Exactly!
Not only does it contain urea, but it also emits its own distinctive odor.
Ordinary people might not notice it because their senses aren’t sharp enough.
Yet some animals can pick it up.
Like those with a strong territorial instinct.
They often mark their territory with urine.
That odor can persist for months, serving as a deterrent to intruders!
“Only nine scents in the cell?”
Muttering to himself, Xiao Yu walked to the cell’s iron bars. His eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on them. “Huh, there’s an extra person’s blood scent here!”
He began to carefully inspect the bars, examining the bloodstains.
What use could these bloodstains have?
They can reveal where blood droplets fell, hinting at the injured person’s condition at the time.
For instance… Xiao Yu stepped out of the cell and stood outside the bars, extending his arms into the gap.
He could see where his arms met the bars marked with splatters of blood.
Or, for example… with his body pressed against the bars, the blood traces on both him and the bars formed a… large pattern.
“Someone was tied to the bars and then… torn apart?”
Taking a few slow steps back, Xiao Yu stared at the cell’s iron gate for a long moment. “No, it looks like someone from within was grabbed and pulled onto the bars… savagely torn and injured!”
Xiao Yu sneered contemptuously, “Could this be Shi Yanwan?”
If it were her, why would she be outside the bars?
Why would a victim inside end up tearing her apart?
And why did Shi Yanwan claim she was assaulted?
Is it possible that she wasn’t assaulted at all?
Instead, she might have been involved with someone outside.
Deliberately lying by claiming she was assaulted?
Turning on his heel, Xiao Yu headed toward several adjacent rooms.
The surveillance room showed no signs of disturbance.
The storage room was clear as well.
In the lounge… Xiao Yu’s cold gaze fell upon the floor, where he once again spotted bloodstains.
They matched the scent of blood on the iron bars!
“Heh, heh!”
With a mocking laugh, Xiao Yu muttered, “You’re really a victim. Then why are you here? Would the orchestrator of this killing game really bring you in to patch you up?”
“Or perhaps there really is a killing game, but with only… nine players?”
“Nine victims… a lunatic, Zheng Jie, Shi Yanwan; exactly twelve people, twelve distinct scents!”
“So, it turns out Shi Yanwan was never a victim.”
“Instead… she’s the mastermind behind this killing game?”
“No, that can’t be right. The mental trauma Shi Yanwan suffered is genuine.”
“Those psychological reactions aren’t feigned either.”
Xiao Yu frowned, “What does this all mean?”
Suddenly, his phone rang.
“Zheng Jie has found something—there’s a minor issue.”
Wang Dong’s oddly tinged voice came through the phone, “He took his own mother hostage!”
Damn… Xiao Yu gasped in shock.
How low can someone sink to use their own mother as a hostage?
Why haven’t Wang Dong and his team taken action?
Key point.
In some cases, before an investigation is fully wrapped up…
… Flowers, please…
A living suspect is invaluable.
A dead suspect is utterly worthless!
…
Outside a villa.
“The opposition has strong counter-surveillance— they’ve drawn the curtains to foil any snipers.”
“Although the front door has been breached, for the hostages’ safety our team hasn’t acted rashly.”
“The main issue is that the suspect is wielding a compact cannon equipped with three hand grenades.”
“One of the hand grenades had its safety off but failed to detonate; the suspect still clutched it.”
“Taking him down on the spot could easily lead to unnecessary casualties and dangers.”
“We originally planned to bring in a negotiation expert with psychological skills… and now we need you.”
……….
Wang Dong grinned as Xiao Yu arrived, “Care to give it a try?”
“Do you always treat your minions like tools? Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?”
Xiao Yu glowered at Wang Dong in irritation.
“Who’s really in charge here?”
Wang Dong winked, “Bro, man!”
“Who do you call brother?”
Xiao Yu sneered, “Wasn’t it just plastic the other day?”
“Really now?”
Wang Dong’s expression conveyed a triple denial, silently saying, “I didn’t, it wasn’t me, don’t talk nonsense.”
“Long time no see, bastard. I heard you’ve perfected being one.”
Xiao Yu scoffed, “I’m as shameless as ever!”
“Thanks for the compliment!”
Wang Dong folded his arms, standing with the air of a wise sage.
His face was just an accessory—dispensable!
“We’re friends. If you want my help, it’s doable.”
Xiao Yu retorted disdainfully, “Unless you pay up!”
“…”
Wang Dong couldn’t hold back, “Your wife is so rich—how can you even ask?”
“Money isn’t the problem; exclusive supplies are what count,” Xiao Yu chuckled happily.
“Aren’t you trying to quit smoking?” Wang Dong asked in surprise.
“I don’t smoke. Even my underlings have to smoke,” Xiao Yu shrugged.
“Wait, since when did you have underlings?”
Wang Dong looked completely puzzled.
“Mind your own business!”
After thoroughly surveying the villa’s interior, Xiao Yu strode forward, “You owe me a case of exclusive supplies!”
EMMMMM… Wang Dong seethed internally, a storm of frustration leaving him hopeless.
Damn, next month we’re going to be out of supplies again!