Chapter 289: Fishing Line Suicide (1/2)

After a moment’s contemplation, Officer Ouyang replied, ”No, we might have missed it.”

Director-General Cheng was the first to realize the implication of my words. ”Song Yang, do you mean to say that Officer Niu’s head was severed by a fishing line?”

I nodded. Most people simply couldn't imagine how strong a fishing line was. In the past, I had purchased more than a dozen fishing lines precisely for tension tests and found that the strongest ones could lift an adult man without breaking.

Apart from fishing lines, I had also experimented with a variety of items in order to accumulate practical knowledge for solving crimes. My odd collection included more than a dozen buttons, cloth, daggers, syringes and so on. I appropriated part of my bonuses for this purpose.

”This is very similar to the Headless Rider case from a few years ago,” remarked Xiaotao. “But it was ruled a homicide and the victim was on a motorcycle whereas Officer Niu was in a car. How exactly did it happen?”

I pointed to the photos that clearly captured glass fragments on the ground about five meters behind the car which had aroused my suspicions. According to the angle and inertia of the impact, broken glass would only fly forwards, not backwards. How did the broken glass get there?

Additionally, Officer Niu had a bruise on his right elbow suggesting that he bumped into something before his death. I was inclined to believe it was the rear windshield. In line with the shape of the car’s body, I surmised he was standing beside the rear of the car when he struck the windscreen with his elbow, which also explained how he got dust on his clothes.

But why break the rear windshield?

The answer was to tie up the fishing line. In the photos, I noticed a utility pole behind the car. My guess was that Officer Niu tied a fishing line to the utility pole, got into the car and tied the other end of the line to his neck. Then, stepping on the accelerator and brake at the same time, he waited for the right momentum to release the brake. The huge force from the car accelerating instantly sliced off his head!

I myself verified if this was engineered by a third party.

For example, he might have already been dead at the time so the murderer faked a suicide in this manner. However, the evidence on the body substantiated that the man was alive at the time of decapitation.

The fact that Officer Niue was properly dressed in a pristine uniform decorated with all his medals and his police cap intimated his state of mind at the time. Combined with that fact, an otherwise teetotaler had consumed a lot of alcohol pointed to one thing–he was determined to commit suicide!

Upon hearing my conclusion, Director-General Cheng and Officer Ouyang heaved a heavy sigh.

”Xiao Niu, why are you so hard on yourself...” cried Officer Ouyang with tears in his eyes.

”You're welcome,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind if I ask. Was Officer Niu troubled over something recently?”

”In fact, he sent me a text right before he committed suicide,” mused Officer Ouyang. “All he said was: he's back, it's your turn to repay the debt!”

”He’s back?” I furrowed my brows. ”Can you think of anyone you might have indirectly or directly harmed?”

”That’s a difficult question to answer,” admitted Officer Ouyang. “As police officers, we’ve both caught quite a few criminals, and in the process, indirectly destroyed families or reduced them to destitution and ruin.”

I personally agreed with this statement. Seeing Deng Chao in prison had reminded me that I indirectly destroyed many lives.

”I hope my question doesn’t offend you,” I added. “Have either of you committed anything unconscionable?”

“I swear I’ve never done anything to dishonor the uniform I wear,” Officer Ouyang calmly replied. “I can also vouch for Officer Niu’s integrity. After all, I know the man inside out.”

Director-General Cheng chimed in, ”Officer Niu was also my classmate and friend. He’s an upright and selfless man.”

Judging from their microexpressions, they were telling the truth.

In the end, Officer Ouyang and Director-General Cheng decided to personally delve into the questionable aspects of the case. Although it had been quite some time since they last involved themselves in a case, the tragic death of their good friend demanded their participation.

When we left the morgue, Xiaotao turned to me and asked, ”By the way, does a beheading hurt a lot?”

”Not at all,” I replied. “In fact, decapitation is the least painful of all ways to die.”