Silent Testimony - Chapter 86

In the Major Crimes Unit meeting room on the third floor of the administrative building, He Ying represented the Technical Unit for the case analysis meeting, presided over by Wang Cen.

“The victim, Du Guozhou, male, 49 years old, was a professor of forensic medicine at Shujiang University and a doctoral supervisor. Time of death was approximately between 11:00 PM and midnight last night. The body was subsequently dumped in Nanhe Town.”

Wang Cen displayed the autopsy photos. “He was stabbed thirty-eight times. The first thirty-seven avoided vital organs, while the final blow caused a traumatic aortic rupture, leading to death.”

Old Xu summarized tersely, “This indicates the killer is an expert in anatomy.”

Qiu Wan emphasized, “However, in the victim’s social circle, there are many people who possess that skill.”

“True. Therefore, I intend to expand the investigation beyond the five people at last night’s gathering.” Wang Cen scrolled through photos of Du Guozhou’s five students. “Based on current information, Li Hewei is a major suspect. However, no suspicious traces were found in her vehicle, and the dashcam was never powered off or tampered with.”

At the mention of Li Hewei, everyone frowned and remained silent. Old Xu speculated, “What if she switched cars midway? Or what if she had an accomplice?”

“Agreed,” Wang Cen replied. “I’ve already assigned someone to watch her.”

Officer Zhou, who was coordinating the surveillance, reported in real-time: “Sister Wang, she went grocery shopping at noon and has been staying at home since.”

“Good. Now look at the other four. All have witnesses or surveillance footage proving they didn’t leave home after returning.” She deployed the next steps. “Expand the search. Xiao Lyu, take a team to Du Guozhou’s workplace. Old Xu and Xiao Liao, canvass the residents around the dump site. Everyone else, keep screening suspicious vehicles.”

“I have two points to add,” He Ying said, flipping through her notebook. “First, the killer has strong counter-surveillance skills. The dump site at Yazikou in Nanhe Town was chosen specifically because there are no cameras along that stretch of the tracks. Second, the killer wore the foot covers of a mascot costume; all footprints found nearby are size 45.”

She showed a photo of the prints. “Shape comparisons confirm they are from a ‘Little Green Dragon’ mascot suit. The manufacturer states that the standard 170cm–180cm suit comes with size 45 covers, unless customized.”

Officer Zhou knew Li Hewei was at least 170cm tall. “What’s Captain Li’s shoe size?”

“Size 38,” He Ying replied.

Old Xu pressed, “Could someone with small feet wear oversized shoes?”

He Ying shook her head. “If small feet wear large shoes, the pressure points are different. We ran tests. Xiao Zhao and Captain Li both wear size 38. The pressure points when they wore the mascot covers were completely different from Officer Zhou, who wears a size 44. Furthermore, the edges of the prints from the smaller feet were blurred and incomplete. Officer Zhou’s prints were clear and matched the pressure distribution found at the scene.”

“So, the killer should be over 170cm tall with a shoe size around 45?”

He Ying nodded. “To be precise, a shoe size between 43 and 45.”

Officer Zhou said excitedly, “Does that mean we can clear Captain Li?”

He Ying didn’t answer directly, instead showing two more photos. “There are no drag marks at the scene. This suggests the killer carried the body to the dump site.”

“Good grief. Du Guozhou looked thin, but he must have weighed at least 140 pounds?”

“144 pounds,” He Ying summarized, closing her notebook. “I’m leaning toward the killer being a physically strong male.”

Qiu Wan finally spoke. “Two possibilities: he is just an accomplice helping dump the body to distract us, or he is the killer who is also an expert in anatomy.” She inserted a USB drive into the computer. “We need to clarify two things: First, is the person who dumped the body an accomplice of Li Hewei? Second, we could find plenty of men with shoe sizes 43–45 right here in the Major Crimes Unit, let alone among the victim’s acquaintances.”

“Who can tell me what our next move should be?”

The room fell silent.

“Fine,” Qiu Wan said, closing the computer. “Proceed with Sister Wang’s original plan. Move out.”

Near 6:00 PM, Cheng Yingqiu pushed open the front door to find Li Hewei sitting cross-legged on the sofa watching a movie. The coffee table was covered in snacks, and she was holding a bag of cucumber-flavored Lay’s.

“Sister, tell me you aren’t turning your grief into an appetite?” Cheng Yingqiu tossed her bag aside and snatched the chips.

“Hey!” Li Hewei reached for them.

“Are you okay?”

Li Hewei smiled brightly. “What could be wrong? I’m on paid leave. It’s quite relaxing.”

“Really?” Cheng Yingqiu was skeptical.

“Why not?” Li Hewei fed her a chip. “I didn’t even rest when my anxiety was at its worst last year. This is a godsend.” By December, her physical symptoms had vanished, reaching clinical recovery.

“Fine,” Cheng Yingqiu said, opening a bag of sunflower seeds. “Optimism is better than anxiety. But why are you moving back home for a few days?”

“Tao Tao is an investigator. She has no legal grounds to recuse herself from work, so I have to be the one to keep my distance.” The recusal principle for investigations applied to close relatives or interested parties of a suspect.

“I see. No wonder Sister Qiu said she handed the case to a colleague.”

“Mhm. Tao Tao will be back soon. I’ll leave after we eat.” Li Hewei moved to the kitchen. Cheng Yingqiu followed, gasping, “Sister! You actually know how to make soup?”

“What, you look down on me?” Li Hewei tasted the broth for seasoning. “It’s chicken soup. I learned a few tricks from your sister-in-law.”

While cooking, Li Hewei spoke casually. “I’m planning to come out.”

It was a bolt from the blue. “What? Come out to Mom and Dad?”

“Mhm. I have to tell them eventually. I don’t want to hide for the rest of my life.” The “original” host had requested Li Hewei’s help with this. The original host had realized that her previous plan—finding a “beard” (a fake husband) to have a child with via IVF to satisfy her parents—was foolish. If both she and her cousin liked women, why not set an example instead of living a lie?

“Sister, you’re already divorced. They won’t nag you anymore; you don’t really have to tell them.”

“It’s about being a role model, understand? I’ll test the waters for you first.” Li Hewei started the stir-fry.

Cheng Yingqiu hugged her arm. “Aw, you really are my sister.”

Tao Ling arrived home exhausted, but her face brightened the moment she saw them. “Welcome home.”

“It’s because my sister made chicken soup!” Cheng Yingqiu cheered.

They sat down for dinner. The atmosphere was lively, but Tao Ling noticed the packed bags. She realized Li Hewei was serious about leaving to protect Tao Ling’s professional standing.

After dinner, while the dishwasher was running, Li Hewei showed Tao Ling the stocked fridge. “I’ve prepared three days’ worth of food. There’s shrimp and beef in the freezer, and the sausage your father sent.”

Tao Ling looked up at her, her eyes reddening. She wrapped her arms around Li Hewei’s waist, leaning her head against her chest. “When are you leaving?”

“Right now,” Li Hewei whispered, holding her tight. “Everything is packed.”

“Mhm,” Tao Ling grunted softly. She tilted her head up to kiss the lips so close to her own.

Li Hewei met the kiss, her heart overflowing with a bittersweet ache. The kiss deepened, becoming fierce and unrestrained.

During a brief gap for air, Li Hewei whispered in her ear, “You’re getting bolder. Yingqiu is still in the living room.” In their three months together, Tao Ling had usually been the shy one. But now, she held on tightly, unwilling to let go.

“I want you… don’t leave yet…” Tao Ling murmured against her lips, circling her neck for another heated kiss.

They didn’t know how long they stayed like that until Cheng Yingqiu, the unintended spectator, yelped from the doorway: “Good heavens! Please, carry on!”