Chapter 351: Key Evidence (2/2)

After speaking to the call operator, the courier was convinced we were the real deal. He politely explained that he was supposed to deliver a parcel to the neighborhood in the afternoon, addressed to Mrs. Ding. But because he couldn't get through to her, he called the alternative contact number provided in the details which was Mr. Ding’s. He described the parcel as a rectangular box, though he couldn’t say what the contents were.

”Come to the station and drop it off here!”

There was a hint of reluctance in the courier's voice, ”I still have a lot of parcels to deliver. Can this wait?”

”Come now and I'll tip you 200 yuan,” Xiaotao offered.

”I'll be right there,” The courier's attitude immediately underwent a 180 transformation.

Fifteen minutes later, the courier came in his battery car and handed us a package. Upon opening it, we were greeted with the exact fruit knife as the murder weapon, still tightly bound with bubble wrap.

”Take it for fingerprint analysis!” ordered Xiaotao.

”There’s no need for that,” I asserted. “This is a new knife, and it’s also key evidence!”

”What do you mean?” Xiaotao had her reservations.

I turned the box in front of her and smiled, ”Don't you understand? Why did Mrs. Ding purchase an identical knife?”

Bingxin was first to wise up to the fact. ”I see! The original knife was missing!”

Bingxin’s words had Xiaotao knocked for a loop. Although Bingxin's little head was usually filled with all her wild imaginations, this time she was right on the money. ”You’re right,” I nodded. “This knife has solved two points of uncertainty.”

The knife used to cut the apple was temporarily used as a fruit knife because the real one was lost.

Then there were the fingerprints on the murder weapon which could now be explained. The murderer had stolen the fruit knife before committing the crime. Since the knife originally belonged to the Dings, it wasn’t at all surprising to find Mr. Ding’s fingerprints on it. As for the knife in our hands, it was the replacement Mrs. Ding ordered after losing the fruit knife.

In other words, the murder weapon was brought into the crime scene by the murderer–it wasn’t originally there!

”Who would’ve thought we’d have such an important piece of evidence delivered straight to our door!” Xiaotao snapped her fingers. “I’ll immediately apply for a reinvestigation!”

While Xiaotao went through the formalities, I dropped by the detention room. Mr. Ding was still sitting listlessly in his chair, looking forlorn. Upon noticing me, he perked up. ”Officer, have you found any clues?”

”Do you have any enemies?” I asked cryptically.

Mr. Ding took a moment to respond, ”I’m just an ordinary Section Chief. Why would I have any enemies?”

”What about your wife?” I added.

”My wife?” Mr. Ding shook his head, “She’s just an ordinary housewife. How could she have any enemies?”

Clearly, we needed a detailed investigation into the couple's interpersonal relationships. ”Don't worry,” I assured him. “We’ve made some significant progress. We will definitely catch the real murderer and prove your innocence!”

Mr. Ding excitedly wiped away his tears, ”Thank you, officer! I’m so lucky to have met you! How should I address you?”

I was most afraid of people looking to repay my kindness so I modestly replied, ”I’m just a criminal consultant. I don’t have any authority.”

”Don't lie to me,” cried Mr. Ding. “The captain even brought you a chair and listened to you. You must be some big shot! By the way, can I go home now?”