Chapter 400: The Old Man’s Help (1/2)

Xiaotao rapped her knuckles on the table, ”We’d like to ask you about something!”

”Go ahead,” nodded the receptionist. “But don't take anyone away this time.”

When we described the appearance of the four suspects, the receptionist had a vague impression of them, though she couldn’t recall their names because of the sheer amount of clients she saw daily.

I asked to see their technicians, but upon questioning, none of them admitted to ever seeing our suspects.

I whispered to Xiaotao, “The two technicians and the manager were the only ones who can lead us to the suspects, yet they’ve been taken away by this mysterious man. He’s cleaning up the murderers again!”

Bereft of speech, Xiaotao bit her lower lip.

Before we left, the receptionist inquired about the manager's whereabouts once again. Since we couldn't divulge the truth, we assured her we would look for him.

After heading out of the spa center, Xiaotao solemnly acknowledged, ”We underestimated this man. He may be the one who arranged the disappearance of the owner of the breeding compound, cutting off our lead. From the first case, he had begun cleaning after the murderers. What do you think is his motive?”

My intuition told me this was an affluent man with possible connections to the organization. Wasn't the Jiangbei Daggers best at harboring criminals? But at this point, this was merely a conjecture, so I kept mum about it.

On the way back to the station, we were both too upset by the turn of events to speak.

The murderers left so many clues which led me to believe their arrest was close at hand. But out popped this mysterious man to intercept our investigations, thwarting our efforts to catch our suspects.

”What about using the most brainless method, that is, investigating the rich kids of Nanjiang City one by one?” I suggested.

”I'm afraid that would prove very difficult,” admitted Xiaotao. “Knowing the temper and arrogance of the rich, they won’t cooperate with the investigation.”

I spent some time contemplating any clues we might have missed when I was suddenly struck with an idea. ”I got it!” I cried. “Whatever he’s covered up is exactly what he doesn’t want us to know–the victims’ identities! If we can determine that, we’ll be able to move forward with our investigation.”

”Anything that can be tested has been sent to the lab. What else are we supposed to do?” said Xiaotao. “Unless we wait for the missing reports of each district, and that will take at least two days.”

“Let’s pick her up now!”

As soon as we were seated in the car, Xiaotao ordered an officer to send the bodies to the Necropsy Workshop while I called Bingxin. Her voice sounded muffled, as if she were speaking from under a blanket. I could faintly hear Sun Tiger's thunderous snoring.

”My dad is at home,” whispered Bingxin. “I won’t be able to go out.”

”Nevermind then!” I said.

”No, no! I'll try to sneak out.”

”Don’t…”

Bingxin hung up the call before I could finish speaking. Five minutes later, she phoned back, ”Hey, I made it out! Freedom finally! I’ll wait for you downstairs of my apartment building!”

”That silly little girl,” chuckled Xiaotao.

After picking up Bingxin, we headed back to the station. Upon seeing the bodies, Bingxin exclaimed in shock and asked about the case. I roughly summed it up, omitting the cruel details.

All the tools I needed were already prepared in the Necropsy Workshop. I placed a layer of charcoal in the trench on the ground and ignited it, waiting for the flames to rise enough before pouring white vinegar onto the charcoal. The fumes had Bingxin choking and sneezing. With her help, I transferred the bodies into the trench and spread a straw mat.