Chapter 361: The Death of Lin Xiaolan (2/2)

”Are you sure?”

”I don’t know. It’s my intuition talking,” I admitted.

On the way there, I tried calling Lin Xiaolan but her cell phone was turned off. The whole situation seemed suspicious.

Xiaotao ordered the other officers to look for Lin Xiaolan at her usual hangouts and assigned several of them to join us at the school.

When we arrived at the school grounds, we immediately dispersed and went in separate directions looking for Lin Xiaolan. As the students were on holiday, the entire school was currently empty. I proposed we check the girls’ dormitory. Led by the dormitory manager, Xiaotao and I soon arrived at the building where the students of ‘95 used to live.

The dormitory manager eagerly chatted with us on the way as most ordinary folks did when they saw the police on the move. However, we were on tenterhooks and too strung up to answer her inquiries about the case.

As soon as we reached the first floor, the overpowering smell of blood assaulted my nose.

I dashed towards the public restroom from where the smell emanated. Upon entering, I saw a lifeless Lin Xiaolan sprawled on the ground, head covered in blood.

At the sight of the body, the dormitory manager screamed with fright. The blood on the ground was still pouring from the wound, not at all solidified. ”The murderer is nearby!” I shouted. “Comb the place now!”

Xiaotao radioed the rest of the officers and instructed them to stop and carefully observe each and every person on the school grounds. The Imitator could be anyone.

Just before leaving the dormitory, my eyes fell upon the dormitory manager. Xiaotao immediately got the message. ”Excuse me, ma’am!”

Frisking the dormitory manager, Xiaotao made sure she had nothing suspicious on her and no disguise.

There weren’t many people around, only a few workers and teachers who were marking examination papers. As soon as they were gathered, an officer reported, ”Everyone is here.”

”Search outside the school!” I ordered.

The officer spoke into his radio and left.

As we questioned the teachers and workers one by one, I carefully observed them with Cave Vision but none of them was the Imitator.

The officers who had gone searching soon returned with street vendors and passers-by, none of whom were the Imitator.

I was disheartened. Could the Imitator have disappeared into thin air?

”Do you want to look at the body first?” asked Xiaotao.

Sighing, I turned to leave when a thought suddenly crossed my mind. I swept my gaze across the officers and ordered, ”I want to see every officer here! Now!”

The officers quickly lined up before me, standing motionless as I examined each and every face. When I had finally inspected the last man, I was so shocked I felt cold sweat pouring down my back. Perhaps I had made a mistake so a second inspection was required.

”What's the matter, Song Yang?” Xiaotao interjected. “Do you suspect the Imitator has infiltrated the police?”

”No, I don’t suspect. I know for sure,” I sighed. “He was just talking to me a while ago. I told him to look outside so he must already be gone...”

I was frustrated with myself. What a daring man! He had full confidence in his acting skills and didn’t bother hiding.

”The Imitator couldn’t have gone far! Find him!” yelled Xiaotao.

”We won’t catch up with him,” I lamented. “With our intel, he must have changed immediately after leaving the school. He’s probably disappeared into the crowd.”