Chapter 27: Is It a Ghost?

After the detachment leader departed, the eight detectives in the hall eyed the tall young man before them with curious glances.

“Hello, seniors, I’m Xiao Yu,” Xiao Yu greeted them with a warm smile, radiating a sunny disposition. “I look forward to your guidance and support.”

Being overly courteous never hurts, and a sweet talker is always well-received. By addressing them as ‘seniors’ and placing himself in a humbler position, he subtly encouraged them not to be too harsh on a junior, right?

Indeed, a few of them responded with smiles, and the rest regarded the young man with amused expressions.

“Wait a minute… Xiao Yu?” One middle-aged detective exclaimed in surprise, looking at Xiao Yu, “Are you the Xiao Yu who cracked the warehouse murder case a few days ago?”

His remark sparked a change in the others’ expressions. Bencheng was a small place where news, especially within the system, spread quickly. 

Gossiping wasn’t just a pastime for women, men enjoyed it too.

Just yesterday, they had been mocking the Criminal Investigation Brigade for their lack of competence. Had they run out of capable people, having to rely on a trainee officer to solve a case? And now, that very trainee officer was standing right before them.

“It’s just luck,” Xiao Yu said, shaking his head with a smile. “I alone don’t have such great abilities. It was a case our team cracked together through a united effort.”

“Good, the young man speaks well and doesn’t hog the limelight,” another veteran detective remarked with a nod, his gaze softening as he looked at Xiao Yu.

In police work, greed for recognition and rash actions were frowned upon. Those who sought undue credit were often ostracized, while the impulsive ones were prone to mistakes.

“Time is pressing, let’s focus on the case,” spoke a first-level police inspector. 

He was the task force leader and the head of the first squad in the Criminal Investigation Detachment, Niu Peng. Most of the others were from his squad, with three members from the city bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division.

“We have a new discovery,” Niu Peng, who had just received this new information, announced a fresh lead in the case. 

The source of this new lead was Xiao Yu himself. Before he could share it with the team, Xiao Yu had already joined them.

As the details about the inconsistency in the suspect’s timeline were discussed, the team’s view of Xiao Yu shifted significantly. There was no longer a hint of underestimation. The young man clearly had some tricks up his sleeve, which explained why he was directly appointed by the higher-ups to join the task force.

“Xiao Yu, what are your thoughts on this case?” Niu Peng asked, seeking input from the team member. 

The collective wisdom of a united group was indeed more valuable than any single genius, embodying the very essence of the task force’s formation.

“I just returned to work today after a few days off and have only had a chance to go through the case file,” Xiao Yu said with a smile. Outwardly, he maintained a polite smile, “I would like to visit the crime scene first.”

“No problem,” Niu Peng agreed, nodding. “Old Five, please take Xiao Yu with you.”

“Understood,” responded an experienced detective, standing up.

Twenty-five minutes later, the detective known as ‘Old Five’ led Xiao Yu to a residential building in a community. The crime scene was located in a duplex apartment on the sixth floor. Such duplexes, typically found in top-floor units with attics, offered larger spaces at more affordable prices. 

However, their high location and lack of elevator access in such designs were significant drawbacks. Most attics had uneven heights, and poor waterproofing on the roof often led to water leakage.

As Xiao Yu entered the crime scene, he was immediately hit by an overwhelming stench that nearly made him gag.

Frowning, he moved forward under Old Five’s astonished gaze. 

Although the bodies had been ‘handled’, the scene still resembled hell. Particularly striking was the wall in the hall, where a ghastly image had formed from the dried mix of blood and bone powder.

A Gate to Hell!

The unbearable stench inside was due to the windows being sealed to preserve the scene. Opening them for ventilation risked contaminating evidence, as fresh air could carry in dust that might obscure crucial clues.

“Kid, you’re pretty tough,” remarked Old Five, following Xiao Yu into the lobby. 

He smiled and added, “Generally, trainee officers just out of police academy can’t handle such scenes, right?”

His comment held truth. It was rare for anyone, aside from seasoned detectives or those used to handling corpses, to withstand their first exposure to such a gruesome crime scene. 

In his previous life, Xiao Yu’s first encounter with a dead body had been while solving a case and nearly made him vomit. That case was still vividly etched in his memory.

The victim’s body had been chopped into pieces by the murderer and boiled in a large pot. Confronted with the bizarre aroma and the sight of the corpse in the pot, it was quite remarkable that Xiao Yu managed not to vomit right then and there.

Although the current crime scene was indeed horrific, it was just that – horrific. Xiao Yu remained emotionally unaffected.

He was almost amused by Old Five’s comment.

“I specialized in autopsy during my time at the police academy,” Xiao Yu explained. “I’ve seen my fair share of dead bodies.”

Indeed, police academies did offer training in autopsies, but it usually involved practical sessions at medical universities or forensic departments.

“Impressive!” Old Five gave a thumbs up. “I’m Qian Wu, but my colleagues all call me Old Five.”

“Understood,” Xiao Yu replied with a smile, “Let’s take a closer look at the scene first.”

He didn’t focus on the ‘Hell Gate’ on the wall. The dossier already had detailed notes and records, including photographs.

Visiting the crime scene was essentially an on-the-ground investigation.

What’s the process for solving a crime?

You observe the scene, gather clues, hypothesize boldly, and verify cautiously. Piece by piece, you unravel the puzzle to uncover the truth of the case. Finally, you compile all the gathered information to formulate a plan, cautiously scrutinizing the process to assess the plan’s viability.

Xiao Yu had already hypothesized that the prime suspect was not the actual perpetrator.

Once this hypothesis was established, the real challenge began.

How did the true murderer manage to enter the house, commit murder, and leave without leaving any trace?

Could they be a ghost slipping in and out without a shadow or a sound?