Silent Testimony - Chapter 61

Two colleagues from the Serious Crime Squad helped untie the restraints on the deceased, laying him flat on the wooden floor. Tao Ling, wearing gloves, examined the surface of the body, while An Yu was responsible for recording.

“The skin on the corpse’s surface shows parchment-like changes; the cornea is cloudy and lightly turbid; rectal temperature is 25∘C; dark purple lividity is mostly distributed on the calves and feet…”

Qiu Wan negotiated with the assistant traveling with Ma Zhiming to determine the time of their last contact—10:29 p.m. last night. She then asked Tao Ling, “Xiao Tao, around what time do you estimate the death occurred?”

“Based on the rectal temperature and the degree of corneal cloudiness, the time of death is estimated to be between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.”

Li Hewei agreed with her assessment, noting that the deceased’s rapid blood loss would accelerate the drop in body temperature, meaning the standard methods for estimating time of death could not be strictly followed.

Qiu Wan pressed, “What about the cause of death?”

“Look,” Tao Ling gently held Ma Zhiming’s wrist. “The deceased’s left and right wrists show obvious bruising, but the ligature mark on the neck is very faint.” She pried open the corpse’s mouth and continued, “Furthermore, the position of the tongue tip is normal, and the color of the teeth hasn’t changed.” Usually, in strangulation cases, the surface of the teeth may present a rose-colored pale reddish-brown, commonly known as “Rose Teeth.”

Li Hewei pondered, then asked her, “You suspect it wasn’t death by hanging?”

“Correct. The killer likely first used a sharp instrument to stab the deceased in the abdomen and right chest, then used hemp rope to bind his left and right hands and hang him in the air. After the blood had drained completely and Ma Zhiming was confirmed dead, they then wrapped the hemp rope around his head.”

He Ying frowned, “Wouldn’t that be an unnecessary step?”

Tao Ling nodded, “That’s why I said the killer murdered him by following the methods described in the author’s published work—the steps are identical.”

Qiu Wan quickly asked, “Is it his latest published book?”

“No, an old book, Dark Night, which was published around August 2013.” Tao Ling pulled back her gaze and inspected the victim’s wounds. “However, further autopsy is needed for confirmation. After all, my judgment might be affected since I’ve already ‘made a presumption.'”

“Alright.” Qiu Wan turned to He Ying, “Sister He, what about the forensics? Any findings?”

“We are still conducting a carpet search. The killer is extremely cunning and has strong anti-reconnaissance capabilities. They likely wore gloves and booties, as we haven’t found any fingerprints or footprints yet.”

“Understood.” Qiu Wan rotated her neck and looked out the window at the congested road, letting out a long sigh. “Ma Zhiming has a high level of public visibility. The news of his murder has already hit the headlines and is third on Weibo’s trending topics. Director Liu has therefore given us a five-day limit to crack the case.”

“Five days? That’s asking for too much,” He Ying rolled her eyes. “She really speaks without feeling the pressure.”

Qiu Wan offered a wry smile, “Director Wei demanded a three-day resolution. Director Liu has already resisted pressure to secure two extra days for us all.”

“Fine.”

Qiu Wan turned and walked into the living room to assign subsequent tasks: “Xiao Zhou and Xiao Lu, you two go canvass the surrounding businesses and try to find any surveillance footage; Xiao Liao, you check the residents on each floor and ask them if they noticed anything unusual last night?” She lowered her voice, instructing Old Xu beside her, “Please take Xiao Liao with you. He can be a bit careless with his work.”

“Will do.”

“Sister Wang.”

Wang Cen was communicating with Ma Zhiming’s assistant and subconsciously responded, “Yes?”

“We need Ma Zhiming’s entire itinerary for the National Day holiday period.”

“Understood.”

In the bedroom, Li Hewei stared at the words “Should Die”  written on the bay window, pondering the stroke order. Her sharp brows were tightly furrowed. She asked Tao Ling, “You have an eye for calligraphy; come and take a look.”

Tao Ling straightened up and looked at the window ledge. “Hmm?”

“Is the stroke order and point of impact different from what we’d typically expect?”

Tao Ling examined it closely: the points of impact were indeed different. “Is the killer left-handed?”

“Yes. Look at the bloody imprint; there is none on the right side of the two characters, but it’s very distinct on the left.” Li Hewei raised her voice and called out the door, “Xiao Ting, we need photos.”

Zhao Xiaoting’s voice came from the kitchen: “Where?”

“The bedroom.”

Qiu Wan followed Zhao Xiaoting in to understand the details, voicing a doubt: “Xiao Tao, you suggested the killer stabbed the victim with a weapon while he was sound asleep. Didn’t he resist?”

“There are no defensive wounds. I suspect the deceased was in a state of deep unconsciousness at the time, perhaps having consumed a large amount of sleeping pills.” Tao Ling signed the preliminary inspection form for the body, handed it to An Yu beside her, and added, “The specific reason requires blood testing.”

“Alright, I’ll have people take the body back. Thank you for your hard work.”

Tao Ling’s lips curled into a slight smile, “You all are the ones working hard. The autopsy for this case won’t be complicated, but the investigation in the interim is the most challenging.”

Qiu Wan returned the smile and reached out to lightly pat Li Hewei’s shoulder, “Let’s go, back for the meeting.”

“Me?”

“Yes, with Director Liu, Director Wei, and the leaders of each squadron.”

“What a hassle.”

“I know you don’t like meetings.”

As they chatted and laughed, they walked out of the apartment building where the incident occurred. Qiu Wan instructed the police officers guarding the cordon, “Tell everyone to disperse.”

Down the street, by the roadside, she unlocked her car and was about to sit in the driver’s seat when Cheng Yingqiu intercepted the door, holding two bags. Her tone was gentle, “Officer Qiu, eat first.”

Qiu Wan was surprised, “Aren’t you working?”

Cheng Yingqiu scoffed, complaining, “You’ve blocked the entire corridor. How are my colleagues and I supposed to take photos? Filling our stomachs is more important.”

A smile surfaced on Qiu Wan’s cheek. “Okay, thank you for the meal, Teacher Cheng.”

“What ‘Teacher Cheng’?” Cheng Yingqiu pretended to scold, though her heart was pounding. The change in her nickname, corresponding with “Officer Qiu,” seemed to signify a step forward in their relationship.

Qiu Wan didn’t reply but reached out and handed the first bag to Li Hewei in the back seat.

Li Hewei accepted the bag, her expression meaningful.

Cheng Yingqiu waved her hand. “You two eat. I’ll head back to the unit’s vehicle.”

Qiu Wan casually offered, “Stay and eat before you go.”

Cheng Yingqiu immediately pouted. “I wish I could, but the Director is also here. She knows the chief editor of Zhongyun Publishing, so she’s paying special attention to Ma Zhiming’s case.” She leaned down, her right hand resting on the car window, and sighed, “The media is all over this, indirectly putting pressure on you.”

“We are prepared for a tough fight,” Qiu Wan said, a smile playing on her lips. “Go on now.”

Cheng Yingqiu walked away, looking back three times. Li Hewei sent her a WeChat message: [What’s going on between you two?]

[Tell me.]

[It’s really nothing. I’m just a restless sleeper and used Sister Qiu as a human bolster. Half my body was pressed against her.]

[Was it intentional?]

[I swear it wasn’t! But I saw her face turn red! Sister’s blush is deadly. (Screaming emoji)]

Feeling smug, Li Hewei bit her lip and exited the chat box. She couldn’t just sit idly by; she needed to take action. After a moment of thought, she asked Qiu Wan, “Sister Qiu, didn’t you know a lawyer friend? I want to ask her to introduce me to a lawyer specializing in civil litigation.”

“Of course. I’ll forward her contact card to you later.” Qiu Wan observed her via the rearview mirror and asked, “Is it about the divorce?”

“Yes. I plan to let a lawyer handle it.”

“That’s right. With the current case, you don’t have time to run back and forth to the court.” Qiu Wan, who knew a little about civil law, paused for two seconds and continued, “However, your divorce should be simple. Since there’s no division of property or custody of children involved, it should take at most ten days to get the certificate.”

“I hope so.”

Before the meeting, Li Hewei received the lawyer’s contact card, added her as a friend, and messaged her for consultation.

The lawyer replied: [Officer Li, just get the documents ready, and I’ll have a colleague come pick them up.]

[Won’t that be too much trouble? I can drive them to your firm.]

[Why be so polite? Putting aside my relationship with Old Qiu, we are getting paid.]

Li Hewei no longer refused: [Okay, I’ll bring them to the police station tomorrow. You can have your colleague come directly.]

The meeting organized by Director Wei ended, and the internal meeting for the Criminal Investigation Department immediately began, chaired by Qiu Wan.

“The deceased, Ma Zhiming, male, 35 years old, a popular best-selling author, lived in Yancheng long-term. He and his assistant arrived in Shujiang by plane at 3:27 p.m. on October 4th. After transferring vehicles, the assistant checked into the Puchen Hotel at 4:11 p.m., and Ma Zhiming subsequently moved into Apartment 2 on the third floor of Puan Community.”

“Look at these books.” Qiu Wan displayed the pictures. “The deceased started writing at age 23, specializing in suspense and mystery novels. Eight of his books have been published, with total sales exceeding three million copies.”

Xiao Liao and Xiao Lu discussed in low voices, “Impressive.”

“Pay attention to the novel titled Dark Night. The film and television rights were sold in August this year for a staggering 3.2 million yuan.” Qiu Wan scrolled down the interface. “The scene described in the second story, specifically Paragraph 21 of Chapter 13, is exactly the same as the scene of the crime in this case.”

Wang Cen added, “The murder method is also similar. The novel ultimately explains that the killer, who believes in Judaism, hated the victim profoundly. Therefore, even though he knew the victim was already dead, he still bound his head to make him look more like he was nailed to a cross.”

Xiao Liao gasped, “That’s twisted.”

Qiu Wan raised her hand and tapped the projection screen, reminding everyone, “However, the killer in this case does not necessarily believe in Judaism; they might just be following the steps, imitating the book.”

Li Hewei received a message from Tao Ling, composed her thoughts, and reported the situation: “Benzodiazepine-class sleeping pill components were found in the blood.”

Qiu Wan said seriously, “Good. What about the cause of death? Is there a conclusion?”

“The internal organs show no significant changes, ruling out death by hanging. Forensic Pathologist Tao has confirmed that the deceased died from excessive bleeding caused by the two stab wounds.”

“Understood.” Qiu Wan typed notes, then looked up. “Now that the cause and time of death are confirmed, let’s hear the findings from canvassing the neighbors. Xiao Zhou, start with you.”

Xiao Zhou opened his notebook. “We haven’t found any surveillance cameras in the nearby shops yet.”

“Old Xu, what about you and Xiao Liao?”

Old Xu replied, “They were sleeping soundly. Everyone said they didn’t hear anything unusual.”

Qiu Wan’s gaze shifted left to Wang Cen, “Sister Wang.”

“I’ve already sent you Ma Zhiming’s itinerary. As for the surveillance footage from the art museum, I am currently negotiating with them.” The new book signing event on October 6th was held at the Puchen Art Museum.

“Okay, what about the 5th?”

“On the 5th, he visited his deceased father’s grave in the morning. He spent the afternoon with the publishing house staff and returned to his residence around 10 p.m. that evening.”

Li Hewei was recording the key points of the meeting when a new message alert suddenly popped up on her left phone screen. She tapped to view it.

Tao Ling: [Sister Wei, you could try going to Youlin County in Shujiang.]

[Why?]

[A hunch.]