Chapter 36: It’s Cold, Bury Yourself a Little Deeper

“33 hours, was that the time you meticulously calculated? Considering our police have never identified the caller, it leads me to believe that you made the call, am I right? All this effort was to cast doubt within the police force, suggesting that the real perpetrator is someone else, to let the dominant personality appear innocent. No, your dominant personality truly is innocent, completely unaware that this heinous act was carried out by an alter ego. The lie detector test came back inconclusive, believed to be telling the truth. Coupled with the mismatch in timing, it solidified his innocence.”

Xiao Yu paused, reflecting, “I must admit, it was cleverly calculated.”

“So, if it was all so flawlessly executed,” a look of confusion appeared on He Xiao’s resentful face, “How did you figure it out?”

“Overdoing it,” Xiao Yu retorted with a hint of sarcasm. “There was no need to leave your own fingerprints on the crime tools. I understood you wanted to suggest that the real killer was mocking or challenging us.”

“What’s wrong with that?” He Xiao frowned, his gaze turning icy. “That’s not a reason you can think of me.”

“Indeed, a normal person would assume the murderer was taunting, and you did manage to convince us of that.” Xiao Yu, recalling the task force’s frustration, allowed a small smile. “To clean up traces, to drill locks, to sweep rooftops in the dead of winter. How could such a person leave such obvious clues, fingerprints… Is that logical?”

“That’s not a convincing reason,” He Xiao shook his head.

“Isn’t it?” Xiao Yu’s gaze shifted, focusing on He Xiao’s hands, “And then there’s your hands.”

“My hands?” He Xiao looked down in astonishment, observing his handcuffed hands.

“They’re too steady,” Xiao Yu’s expression turned peculiar. “It was your hands that reminded me of that multiple personality murder case. The suspect in that case, who also had multiple personality disorder, had hands just like yours. But those hands only started to tremble after the alter personality had committed the crime and the case was being solved.”

This was a peculiar phenomenon observed exclusively in patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Research indicated that each distinct personality in individuals with DID was often associated with specific habits. These habits act akin to the central nervous system’s influence, enhancing the nerve control over certain body parts.

For instance, He Xiao’s hands were remarkably steady. A typical person, when lifting a hand and spreading their fingers, would experience uncontrollable trembling and shaking of the fingers. However, individuals with DID could keep their fingers completely still, a truly fascinating ability.

Xiao Yu recalled a scholarly article from his past life. It stated that the primary personalities in most DID patients possess exceptionally steady hands. When someone with DID spread their hand and straightened their fingers, there was no shaking or trembling observed.

One must be cautious.

“So, it’s like that.” A moment of realization dawned on He Xiao’s cold face, his gaze shifting from his hands to Xiao Yu, his smile sinister, “Even if you’ve figured it out, what then? Your speculations can’t be used as proof.”

In an era governed by law, what use was reasoning without evidence? Mere conjecture amounted to nothing substantial.

‘Quick-witted, rapidly formulating a strategy,’ Xiao Yu thought as his expression was complex.

Not just anyone was qualified to have this disorder. Among these individuals, often one personality was extremely intelligent, possessing a high IQ. Thus, the only thing that could silence a criminal wasn’t rhetoric but concrete evidence.

“Evidence?” Xiao Yu shook his head, “The evidence from the past is already sufficient to prove that you are behind the massacre.”

“What do you mean?” He Xiao was taken aback. Suddenly, his expression underwent a dramatic change.

Originally, all evidence pointed to him as the perpetrator. He deliberately introduced inconsistencies to mislead the police into believing in his innocence and suspecting another murderer.

But once he was identified as the murderer, why bother looking for more evidence? The existing evidence was already conclusive. A clever attempt that backfired.

“You know, you should’ve never come out,” Xiao Yu mocked, “Your mere presence brings everything to a close.”

Indeed, if He Xiao’s alternate personality never surfaced, Xiao Yu’s deductions would remain unverified, merely speculations.

The dominant personality was undoubtedly innocent, a fact corroborated by the lie detector test. Even with ample evidence, convicting him posed a significant challenge.

Yet, ironically, this overconfident alter ego exposed itself.

By doing so, it sealed its own fate. Whom could he blame?

“What difference does it make?” Having realized this, He Xiao oscillated between terror and rage, “The worst-case scenario is incarceration, not death.”

He clung to the belief that mental illness exempts one from the death penalty. This was his greatest assurance.

“I’ve heard of foot binding, but brain binding is a new concept,” Xiao Yu quipped, “Do you believe death to be the ultimate terror?”

“Is there a fate worse than death?” He Xiao scoffed with disdain.

“Never heard of a fate worse than death?” Xiao Yu scoffed, “Imagine being confined daily to a tiny room, strapped to a hospital bed, subjected to relentless injections, medication, and treatments, all without a glimpse of sunlight. Under such torment, even the sanest might lose their mind. That physical and mental agony? Can you bear it? You might want to die to escape, but unfortunately, that option won’t be available to you. Such days will accompany you throughout your life until your natural death.”

“…”

He Xiao went ghostly pale, his scalp tingling and every hair on his body standing on end at the mere thought of such a scenario. Indeed, a swift execution might seem merciful in comparison, sparing him further suffering.

“Actions have consequences, and the heavens are always watching.”

Standing up, Xiao Yu addressed the ashen-faced He Xiao, “Who escapes divine retribution?”

Remember for your next life. When it’s cold, cover yourself with more earth, and don’t wander needlessly.