Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 20 — Brothers in Hardship
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After an afternoon's investigation, Zhang Jingfeng and Liang Huan had figured out why the BMW's driver wasn't visible on camera.
Forensics found adhesive residue inside the BMW's windshield, confirmed to be from a type of window film. Experts suspected the culprit had tampered with the glass, likely using a one-way film that allowed the driver to see out but blocked outsiders from seeing in.
While some high-end car tints achieve similar effects, none could make the driver completely invisible, not even a silhouette, like on that day's BMW.
Thus, the culprit must've used a specialized film. After relentless digging, forensics identified its brand.
Surprisingly, this one-way film was used by magicians for large-scale illusions, enhancing visual effects.
The material was rare, not produced domestically, and only imported from abroad.
"I'd say…" Liang Huan, seeing few people around, lit a cigarette, took two deep drags, and continued, "this Hand-Chopping Case is nearly done! The seniors taught us, the more a culprit tries to make a crime perfect, the more evidence they leave. This time's no exception."
"Why?" Zhao Yu asked, intrigued.
"That film's so niche, just check purchase records, online or direct sales, and we'll find the target in no time!" Liang Huan puffed a smoke ring. "Little Zhao, looks like your packed whiteboard was a waste of effort!"
Oh…
Zhao Yu mulled it over. Being a perfect criminal wasn't easy, the more you planned, the more gaps you left. If the Hand-Chopping culprit was caught via the film, they'd regret it big time.
That meant Qu Ping's team was likely chasing this lead too. Good! I'll keep tabs on them, and once a target emerges, I'll move first.
Zhang Jingfeng and Liang Huan tidied their desks, grabbed some files from a drawer, and started putting on their jackets to leave.
"What, clocking out?" Zhao Yu glanced at his watch, still over an hour till quitting time.
"Pfft!" Liang Huan grinned, "If we didn't have to report to Great Leader Qu, we'd be home by now!"
"Little Zhao," Zhang Jingfeng patted his shoulder, "stop fussing. No matter how hard we work, the credit'll go to Qu and Team B! Take a break. Wanna join us for some pool?"
Zhao Yu sized them up, feeling a mix of emotions. Not all cops were the same, clearly these two weren't as driven as others. No wonder they'd been shunted to the Cold Case Squad.
"Nah, I've got stuff to do, you guys go," Zhao Yu said, at a critical juncture, no way he'd play pool.
"Alright," Zhang Jingfeng shook his head, "we're off to play! Once we're reassigned to traffic, no more fun!"
With that, they grabbed their things to leave.
"Hang on," Zhao Yu remembered something, "how's that murder case you're on? The one from ten years ago? Find the wife?"
"Ugh, don't ask!" Liang Huan flicked his cigarette ash, "Hit a wall! We found the victim's wife, but Old Zhang nearly got a frying pan to the head from her new husband!"
"What happened?" Zhao Yu, curious, pressed for details.
Just then, a female detective stood from a cubicle, spotting them and shrieking, "Liang Huan! Have some decency, put that cigarette out!"
"Right, right…" Liang Huan stubbed it out, muttering, "Tigress…"
"That's the worst part of old cases," Zhang Jingfeng continued, "think about it, the victim's wife finally recovered from her trauma, rebuilt her life, has a new family, kids. Then we show up, digging up old wounds, rubbing salt in. Who'd be happy?"
"Oh…" Zhao Yu nodded, "so you got nothing, just kicked out?"
"Not quite," Liang Huan jumped in, "we did some convincing, we're here to serve the people, after all! After some back-and-forth, we got through. But her statement was the same as years ago, the victim was a rotten guy, tons of enemies, his windows often smashed, door splashed with paint. That's it, nothing new!"
"Neighbors confirmed he was hot-tempered, beat his wife regularly," Zhang Jingfeng added, "honestly, she probably wanted him dead!"
"What about an affair? Any chance?" Zhao Yu, eager to test his instincts, asked.
"No way!" Liang Huan said firmly, "we dug through piles of data, talked to witnesses. The victim kept her on a tight leash, she barely left the house, let alone had an affair! She only met her current husband two years ago. Before that, she was single."
"Hiring a killer's out too," Zhang Jingfeng said, "they were dirt poor, drowning in debt, couldn't afford a five-yuan hitman!"
"Like all old cases, we went in circles and ended up nowhere," Liang Huan sighed, "just a heap of bad luck, and back to directing traffic!"
"Brother," Zhang Jingfeng said earnestly to Zhao Yu, "take my advice, whatever you do, don't get stuck in this squad! It's a pit, no one climbs out! Take care, we're off!"
Zhang Jingfeng waved, Liang Huan followed, and the two brothers in hardship strode out the office door. Watching their backs, Zhao Yu felt a tinge of tragic resolve.
Sigh!
Would he end up like them years from now?
No way!
Unwilling to give in, Zhao Yu rallied his spirits. No matter what, he couldn't lose this Hand-Chopping Case bet!