Chapter 48: We’re Not Here to Reason

“A case from four years ago?” The manager’s pupils narrowed momentarily, yet his demeanor remained unchanged. “Officer, I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

While such subtle changes in the eyes might elude the average person, but Xiao Yu, with his ‘Falcon Eyes’ activated, saw them with crystal clarity.

‘Typical of a seasoned bureaucrat,’ Xiao Yu thought as he fixed his gaze into the manager’s eyes. “Are you certain you don’t recall?”

“I genuinely have no idea what you’re referring to,” the manager replied with detachment.

Xiao Yu ceased his questioning, his thoughts racing. Clearly, the manager remembered. Why then would he lie? The shift in his pupils suggested a vivid memory of the event and inner turmoil. What exactly was he hiding?

Xiao Yu glanced at Guo Qiang.

“On September 13, 2017, the police received a report stating…” Guo Qiang outlined the details of the case and the subsequent police investigation.

Throughout this recounting, Xiao Yu’s focus remained on any flicker of emotion across the manager’s face. The man’s expression was exceedingly composed, which to Xiao Yu, signaled something amiss all the more.

This was indicative of guilt. Even though he tried to appear composed, his steadfast gaze instead highlighted his unease. 

There was a problem here.

Solving a case is just like this. Spotting one issue often means there are many more hidden. Just like seeing a single cockroach suggests your house is infested.

“Oh, you’re referring to that incident.” The manager nodded with feigned realization, adopting an enlightened demeanor, “I remember now, yes, there was such an incident. However, our crematorium has already filed a lawsuit against those accusers for their false allegations. They were clearly trying to extort us.”

“Extortion?” Xiao Yu asked with a smile, “What for, exactly? How much were they trying to extort?”

“This…” The manager’s expression briefly faltered, and he shook his head, “I can’t quite remember the details from over four years ago.”

Was it truly a lapse in memory, or was it an attempt to shift the police’s focus?

“Alright, would it be possible for us to take a look inside?” Xiao Yu asked calmly, “Areas like the corpse refining room, for instance.”

“That might not be possible.” The manager frowned, “Our crematorium has strict rules regarding outsiders.”

A search warrant was taken out from a briefcase by one of the criminal investigators. The sight of the warrant silenced the manager, causing his expression to shift uneasily.

“We didn’t come here to discuss rules or reason with you,” Xiao Yu’s voice was detached, “We are the police. Your cooperation with our investigation is required.”

Typically, a search warrant was only requested after case details have been confirmed, with the issuance facilitated by the prosecutor’s office. Under exceptional circumstances, the Criminal Investigation Brigade could also issue one directly.

The manager’s complexion soured as he coldly regarded Xiao Yu, “Comrade, even though you’re police, surely reason must prevail, right?”

“Reason?” Xiao Yu asked calmly, “Which holds more weight, your so-called reason or the laws of our nation?”

Confronted with this, the manager fell silent, his face turning a shade darker.

“Let’s go.”

Xiao Yu, paying the manager no further attention, exited the office, leading his team straight into the depths of the crematorium.

If initially he suspected something amiss with the manager, now he was convinced the crematorium itself harbored significant irregularities.

They first entered an internal area, a hall akin to a miniature funeral home, designated for families to conduct memorial services for the deceased.

Xiao Yu and his team arrived just in time to witness a body being prepared for entry into the cremation room.

The presence of police clearly surprised the staff.

“There’s no need to worry, we’re just having a look around,” Xiao Yu reassured them.

After asking two criminal officers to wait outside, Xiao Yu, Guo Qiang, and a staff member entered the cremation room.

Inside, they encountered two more employees, whose shock and confusion at the sight of police were palpable. Such reactions were unusually tense.

At a glance, their behavior might seem appropriate, yet upon closer inspection, hints of unease were detectable. Unlike the manager, these employees couldn’t maintain composure. Their guilty avoidance of eye contact when faced with Xiao Yu’s direct gaze was telling.

What were they so afraid of?

With a calm demeanor, Xiao Yu subtly signaled Guo Qiang.

Understanding the cue, Guo Qiang stepped outside to conduct a quick investigation.

Xiao Yu remained, observing the cremation process firsthand, an experience he found unnervingly enlightening.

A visit to the crematorium was an inevitable journey in life, yet it was a source of universal dread. The method of cremation, particularly the preparation of the body in a disposable bag and the division between standard and environmentally-friendly furnaces based on technological sophistication and price, spoke volumes about the solemnity and complexity of the process.

After the body was introduced, the second phase of the cremation process began. At this juncture, the body was punctured with steel ingots or blades to allow internal organs to release. Without this step, the sudden heat could cause internal pressure to build, leading to the body exploding during incineration.

Following this, diesel or gasoline was sprayed over the corpse before it was officially introduced to the cremation furnace. 

Thus, after about half an hour of burning, the body started disintegrating. An hour later, the intensely heated slab, emitting thick white smoke and carrying the acrid scent of scorched flesh and bone, was removed from the furnace. 

A specialized mechanism then pushes the ashes into a metal trough, reducing the body to a heap of bone fragments and dust. Upon request, these remains could be ground into a finer powder by the staff, a service that incurs an additional charge. Alternatively, the family might opt to directly collect the ashes.

This process encapsulated the entirety of cremation.

Exiting the charnel house, Xiao Yu nearly lost his composure. Taking a deep breath, he regained clarity in his gaze. 

Only with an unflinching heart and spirit could one dare to challenge the norm and forge ahead with courage. What use was being a police officer without enough courage?