Chapter 364: Launching The Eyes Of Yama (1/2)
Xiaotao and I explored the rest of the unit, heading to the room in the back. We found many secretly taken photos stuck on the walls, including the four victims and their husbands, the officer who was impersonated and some people I had never seen before.
Xiaotao pointed to one of the photos and said, ”The owner of that restaurant is on there.”
”This man is rather professional!” I said, opening a cabinet filled with wigs, fake beards, clothing and shoes from all walks of life, and a voice-altering device.
Additionally, there was silicone padding used in cosmetic surgery clinics, possibly used to change his body shape by wrapping them around him.
”Let’s leave first and get some officers to monitor the place,” I suggested.
When we exited, I noticed a broken mechanical pencil lead on the floor, caused by the opening of the door. The Imitator must have placed it on the door hinge. ”This guy is so cautious! You stay here and call your men. I’ll run down and purchase a lead refill.”
I dashed downstairs but found no convenience stores nearby. In the midst of my search, I received a call from Xiaotao. ”Song Yang, a man just passed by and left after glancing at me!”
”Describe him!”
”His clothes were dirty and he looked like a migrant worker with a toolbox in his hand,” answered Xiaotao.
My heart sank, ”That’s probably him. I'll go after him now!”
I turned around and used Cave Vision to detect clues within the crowd. As I passed an alley, I noticed a puddle on the ground and a trail of footprints extending into the lane. Rushing in, I found a migrant worker's clothes lying on the ground.
The Imitator had changed out of his clothes here so he could be anyone now. I called Xiaotao, ”It's too late to call for reinforcements! He’s our guy,” I declared. “Come down so we can look for him together. I'm in the alley diagonal to the building.”
A while later, Xiaotao arrived with several officers, having successfully called all the available traffic police in the vicinity.
”Thank you, everyone, for coming. If we catch the suspect, you’ll get a share of the bonus!” Xiaotao announced.
An auxiliary officer asked, ”What distinct characteristics does the suspect have?”
”The suspect should be a middle-aged man of about 175 centimeters. He’s good at hiding himself in different getups,” I surmised. “You should pay close attention to old people, beggars and porters–those who usually go unnoticed.”
When everyone had dispersed, Xiaotao and I walked through the alley and came to the street. Looking at the passers-by going back and forth, I was at a loss.
”Do you think he’ll dress up as an auxiliary police officer?” asked Xiaotao.
I suggested we spread out and keep our cell phones on call. As I walked down the street, I kept my gaze fixed on every passing face and noticed a beggar on the side. The beggar didn’t shy away from my direct stare, shaking his broken bowl in my direction instead. ”Show some pity!”
I was about to walk away when a thought suddenly crossed my mind. Turning around, I leaned in towards the beggar, grabbed a handful of money from his broken bowl and sniffed. ”You played the role perfectly but there’s still a tiny flaw,” I sneered.
The beggar turned a deaf ear and shook his bowl.
”Opposite you is a thriving fried chicken restaurant. If restaurant patrons throw you their change, it’s reasonable to say that the money you receive should have the heavy smell of oil and chicken. But I don’t smell anything!”
I intentionally said this so that Xiaotao would know our specific location through the phone.
The beggar raised his blank eyes, ”I don't know what you’re talking about.”
”You can keep pretending. I don’t mind!” I scoffed.