CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 204: EXPLORING A POSSIBILITY!

They were all waiting for the laboratory test results.

o’clock in the afternoon.

Just out from the cafeteria, Li Jian’s phone rang.

He took out his phone and glanced at it, showing the lab’s landline number.

He immediately answered the call.

"Mr. Li! Has the preliminary result of the pectoral muscle test come out?"

Li Jian raised his hand and looked at his watch, "So soon?"

"Reporting to Mr. Li, this is merely a preliminary pre-test that confirms both pectoral muscles contain carboxyhemoglobin."

"Really?"

"What is the concentration?"

Li Jian hurriedly asked.

"Mr. Li, this is a qualitative analysis of the pre-test, the specific content will wait for machine analysis, which will take about an hour."

In the end, the lab technician on the other end said: "Although the experimental data hasn’t been detected yet, by comparing the color strips from the pre-test, I feel that the carbon monoxide poisoning in the bodies of the two deceased is not low."

After a long pause, Li Jian said solemnly: "Appreciate it! Inform me first as soon as you have specific figures."

"Mr. Li, got it!"

After hanging up, Li Jian turned and said: "Brother Jiang An, you were right, both deceased have carbon monoxide components in their bodies, and the concentration is not low."

"Really?"

"Really?"

Zhang Yean and Wan stared at Li Jian, looking incredulous.

Li Jian merely nodded lightly.

However, no surprise was visible on Jiang An’s face.

All of this was within his expectations.

After a moment of amazement, Zhang Yean asked: "But where did the carbon monoxide come from?"

"Yeah! It’s so strange!"

Wan also patted his hands, looking puzzled.

Li Jian’s mind again conjured up the image of the original scene.

At this moment, Jiang An said: "Mr. Li, I want to return to the original death scene for another look."

Li Jian nodded, "Let’s set off right away."

Forty minutes later, the four drove the police car to Jiangcheng Talent Apartment Building A.

The crime scene is at Building A, 4th floor, Room 1.

After parking the police car in the community, the four went straight to the 4th floor.

Just at the door, a young man in a police uniform was waiting.

"Mr. Li, I am Zhou from the local police station, here specifically to deliver the keys."

Li Jian nodded, "Thanks for your hard work! You can open the door."

With a "squeak," the security door opened.

Upon entering the room, the four donned shoe covers to prevent destroying site footprints.

Jiang An walked into the room, from the foyer to the living room, then from the living room to the kitchen and balcony.

The two-bedroom apartment looked tidy.

Following behind, Li Jian said: "These two deceased were hired in last year’s talent recruitment and lived here for free."

"Earlier, our investigation revealed they met through an organizational event half a year ago, confirmed their romantic relationship three months ago, and began cohabiting."

"Both are from other provinces, with no relatives locally."

Jiang An nodded and returned to the bedroom door, asked: "Has anything inside the bedroom been moved?"

Li Jian replied: "No!"

"In our first site investigation, we only extracted some valuable evidence, unrelated items were in original conditions."

Then, Jiang An walked into the room, found two people’s pants and tops scattered on the bedside table, underwear at the foot of the bed.

"Are these clothes also in original condition?"

Li Jian nodded, "Personally, I think these clothes indicate the two engaged in intimacy immediately after returning."

At this time, Wan clicked his lips and said: "Probably couldn’t resist after having drinks."

"You seem very experienced?"

Zhang Yean gave him a sidelong glance.

Soon, Jiang An entered the bathroom.

He found two pairs of plastic slippers standing against the wall.

"The ground is already dry, it’s impossible to tell if there’s been a shower."

Then, Jiang An asked: "Did they return home by themselves on the night before their death?"

Li Jian glanced at the magazine on the coffee table, said: "The male deceased had a bit much to drink, both were returned by two other friends."

"Have any footprints been found inside?"

Jiang An squatted down, looked at the ground.

"When we arrived here for the scene investigation, many people had come already; not just friends and doctors, but also two leaders from their units."

"The scene was heavily compromised, making footprint differentiation infeasible."

Meanwhile, Zhang Ming from the fax room hurried to Mr. Ma’s office door.

"Knock knock knock"

"Come in!"

"Mr. Ma! There’s good news to report!"

Mr. Ma put down the file in hand, asked: "What good news?"

"The Provincial Criminal Investigation Corps has sent a letter of thanks and awards!"

"Oh?"

Instantly, Mr. Ma reached for the file, carefully started reading.

Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau: We hereby draft Jiang An, Zhang Yean, Wan Junjie from your bureau to the criminal investigation team to participate in difficult case studies. In case handling, these three comrades showed indomitable spirit and remarkable wisdom, actively contributed their insights. Particularly Jiang An laid a solid foundation for solving the case, overcoming the final hurdle in cracking it; we express gratitude.

Meanwhile, to honor excellence and boost morale, Jiang An is awarded Individual Second Class Merit, issued certificate and 10,000 yuan. Zhang Yean and Wan Junjie each receive individual commendation, issued certificates and 2,000 yuan.

Mr. Ma’s solemn expression instantly relaxed a lot.

His mouth slightly lifted, reading the text again to savor the joy within.

This kind of appreciation letter and reward from the Provincial Hall is his first time receiving.

After a while, he said with a smile: "Post this document on the honor wall immediately, so other departments’ officers can learn from the exemplary force."

"Yes!"

When Zhang Ming stepped out, Mr. Ma smiled standing up.

At this moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of Jiang An, pondering why an officer so new was so outstanding.

Regarding the Provincial Hall’s thank-you letter, not only for a novice, even seasoned officers might not receive one of these.

Mr. Ma lit a cigarette, took two puffs, muttered to himself, "This young officer is becoming more substantial!"

Ten minutes later, Jiang An returned to the balcony off the kitchen.

His gaze focused on the gas water heater.

"Was the kitchen sliding glass door closed then?"

Li Jian replied: "When we investigated the scene, it was open."

Then, he asked: "What’s the matter? Are you suspecting the carbon monoxide from the gas water heater drifted into the bedroom?"

Jiang An turned to look at the heater’s exhaust pipe.

"The exhaust pipe is exposed; there might be some carbon monoxide residue."

"If the wind direction that day was northeast, the generated carbon monoxide could indeed drift into the kitchen and eventually enter the bedroom."

Listening to Jiang An’s analysis, Zhang Yean’s gaze shifted from the kitchen balcony to the bedroom.

"Really! If the wind direction is right, it can form a pocket-like structure."

Wan’s eyes lit up too, "I just saw the window in the bedroom closed. If the door was open, carbon monoxide might accumulate."

At this moment, Li Jian slightly squinted, his mind recalling the image of the initial scene.

He remembered leading technicians to the scene, the kitchen door was open, bedroom door open, the window and curtains were closed....

Could it really be carbon monoxide flow and accumulation?

Immediately, he dialed a number.

"Mr. Liu, would you mind running over to the meteorological bureau and checking the wind direction on July 24?"

Mr. Liu from the criminal investigation team was drinking tea, "Checking wind direction?"

"What for?"

"Can’t explain over the phone, check it first, I’ll tell you the reason later."

Mr. Liu put down his teacup, muttered a few words.

"Detectives investigating, I’m hearing for the first time that they need to check wind direction?"