Chapter 209: Statemen (1/2)

Officer Lu said respectfully, ”Forgive me for offending you earlier. Please don't make any reckless statements when you get back. Thank you.”

”I won’t. I’ll just tell my father how you yelled at us. We’ll see if you can still be Captain!” Bingxin pouted.

Officer Lu folded his hands and implored, ”Please don't. How about I take you two for lunch later as an apology?”

”Hmph, who cares about that?!” Bingxin snorted coldly.

I thought that we had given him enough of a lesson and calmly added, ”Officer Lu, let me give you a little advice. It doesn’t matter if we’re officers or if we’re acquainted with the Director. Could you be more polite in your future? Is this how you usually speak to the public?”

”Yes, yes, you’re right. My attitude was wrong. I’ll definitely change!” Officer Lu nodded repeatedly.

Then, he turned to the villagers who were watching and said, ”Everyone, these two have been sent by the city bureau. It’s all just a misunderstanding. He’s a real police officer.” The crowd smiled as if they were happy to hear that.

After clarifying the misunderstanding, Officer Lu enthusiastically asked me about the case.

I couldn’t help thinking what a chameleon the man was. With the snap of a finger, he had transformed into someone else entirely. I was a little reluctant to render my services to such a man. I made up my mind to solve the case on my own. With Bingxin–my personal “license to act”–by my side, I reckoned there wouldn’t be any problems in terms of procedure.

I gave a brief introduction of the case and said, ”I’ll need to borrow your morgue. We’re going to continue the autopsy there.”

Officer Lu replied, ”Of course. I’m a little embarrassed to say that our team isn’t equipped with a coroner. We really appreciate your advice on the case. These people are my subordinates. You may order us for anything you need.”

”Okay, let's transport the body back first!”

These amateur criminal investigators’ ability to handle the situation, or lack thereof, was immediately demonstrated. They came without a body bag and had to borrow sheets from nearby houses to wrap the body. Officer Lu had even obtained some string and traced a line around the body.

”Why are you doing that?” I wondered out loud.

”Don't you usually do this?” Officer Lu blinked in confusion.

”Just take a picture.” I snickered.

Officer Lu immediately instructed a subordinate, ”Go borrow a camera and buy a roll of film.”

I slapped my forehead. These officers were completely unprepared so I might as well do everything on my own. When I told him I would handle it, Officer Lu asked, ”Do you need me to do anything else?”

“Take their statements.” I answered.

Officer Lu eagerly went on his way. The officers worked separately as they questioned the onlookers one by one. But due to poor division of labor, the same person would be asked the same questions by several different police officers. It was a miracle if they could solve any crime with that level of efficiency.

I asked the owner of the car to bring me some envelopes to replace the evidence bags, two pairs of rubber gloves and a packet of milk powder.

While waiting, Bingxin asked, ”Song Yang-gege, do you really want to help this sort of man solve a case?”

”I won’t be someone else’s cat’s paw. Can we take over this case?”

Bingxin explained, ”Neither of us are officers so theoretically, it’s impossible. But I’ve thought of something!”

She called Sun Tiger and said, ”Dad, give me a position!”

”Stop making a fuss!” Sun Tiger shouted at her from the other end.

However, Bingxin continued to act willfully. ”I'll be joining the police force next year anyway. It’ll happen sooner or later.”

”No way! Give the phone to your Song Yang-gege. I'll talk to him,” said Sun Tiger.

Sun Tiger wasn’t concerned with the details of the case. He worried if there might be any danger for fear of our safety. Knowing he fretted over Bingxin, I clarified the situation. ”Uncle Sun, this doesn’t seem like a case of intentional homicide. I get the feeling it was an accident.”

”Oh, I'm relieved to hear you say so. Do you need help with anything, kiddo?” he asked.

”Can the city bureau take over the case?” I suggested.