CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: YOU SOLVED THE CASE BEFORE WE EVEN ARRIVED?

"I remember, at the time when the family massacre occurred, I was surfing the internet in a nearby shady internet cafe."

"Around three in the morning, I walked out of the cafe and saw two people leaving stealthily."

"The next day, I saw many police officers and a cordon; that’s when I realized a family had been killed."

After hearing this, Captain Li Jian sat down.

This case has always been a major concern for the Jiangcheng criminal investigation team, and it’s a personal worry of his.

Since taking on a leadership role, he had publicly vowed to solve this case during his tenure as head of the criminal investigation team.

Over the years, he has conducted secret investigations.

However, there hasn’t been much progress.

"How did you know those two people were related to the case?"

Jiang Yu said, "At the time, I was so exhausted from playing games online that I could barely keep my eyes open. As I walked out, I brushed past them in an alley."

"I remember, as they passed by me, there was a faint smell of blood on them."

"However, at the time, I didn’t pay much attention, because who would connect this to a murder case?"

"It was only the next day when I heard about the massacre that I recalled the two people I brushed past the night before."

Chen He asked seriously, "Why didn’t you report it to us then?"

Jiang Yu said, "That case was big back then. I thought the murderers must be very violent, and I was afraid of retaliation, so I didn’t say anything."

"Did you get a good look at their faces?"

Jiang Yu replied, "It was too dark to see their faces clearly, and they were wearing baseball caps."

Captain Li Jian recalled.

Back then, a detailed examination of the scene led the task force to deduce that two adult males committed the crime.

He continued to ask, "Is there any other valuable information?"

Jiang Yu thought for a while and said, "After walking a short distance, I looked back and saw them getting into a sedan at the end of the alley."

"Did you see the license plate?"

Li Jian asked.

"It was too far, couldn’t see clearly!"

"Anything else?"

"Officers, that’s all. Can I earn a commutation?"

Li Jian said, "The clues you provided have already been recorded."

"If these clues indeed offer significant help in solving the case, we will certainly consider preparing a formal document to apply for a commutation for you."

Then, the two walked out of the interrogation room together.

They had just solved a murder case, and the murderer was caught.

But Li Jian still wore a troubled expression.

The two of them walked into the hallway.

Li Jian patted his pocket, then turned and said, "Do you have a cigarette?"

Chen He said, "I do!"

Then, both lit a cigarette and smoked quietly.

After a long while, Chen He said, "Mr. Li, do you think this person might just be desperate, throwing out a random clue to fool us?"

Li Jian shook his head and said, "I don’t think he’s lying."

"When this case happened, you were still training at the grassroots police station."

"You might not be too familiar with the case details."

"A family of three died at the scene—it was very tragic. If the child hadn’t been in a full-time kindergarten, they might have been killed too."

"At the time, this case caused a big stir. A lot of forensic and trace experts from the higher criminal investigation teams came to the scene and concluded there were two murderers after their investigation."

Then, Li Jian sighed.

"The task force operated continuously for over a year, and still there was no trace of the culprits."

"Were the murderers really that cunning and cruel?"

Chen He’s face showed a look of horror after hearing this.

Even though he’s been in the police force for a long time, often dealing with cases.

This was the first time he had heard such a thing and he found it hard to accept.

"Did the extensive investigation back then really yield no clues at all?"

Captain Li Jian said, "There were two suspects, but they were eventually cleared of suspicion."

After a long time, Chen He asked, "Perhaps the leads provided by Jiang Yu today might be helpful!"

Li Jian said, "This case is concluded. Since there’s time, let’s revisit that case!"

"Hmm!"

Chen He added, "Jiang An is resourceful. Let’s see if he has any ideas when the time comes."

Li Jian nodded.

Suddenly, Captain Li Jian’s phone rang.

He took out his phone and glanced at the screen.

"Mr. Guan!"

"Mr. Li, we’ve exited the highway and will be there soon."

Li Jian was suddenly taken aback.

He had been so busy with the interrogation that he had forgotten about this matter.

"Mr. Guan, I’m terribly sorry. I’ll lead the team to welcome you immediately."

Guan Hong said, "No need for formalities, it’s not my first time in Jiangcheng. I’ll head straight to your bureau."

"Additionally, time is tight. As soon as I arrive, I want an immediate briefing on the Li Yan murder case."

"Prepare yourself!"

"Yes!"

After ending the call, Captain Li Jian immediately arranged for the staff to prepare tea and conference materials in the meeting room.

He and Chen He went to the entrance of the Jiangcheng City Bureau to greet them.

It was already somewhat inappropriate not to personally greet them at the highway exit.

It wouldn’t be right if they didn’t greet them at the bureau entrance!

Fifteen minutes later, two black business cars turned the corner and arrived at the main entrance of the Jiangcheng City Bureau.

Just by looking at the license plates, it was clear they were vehicles from the provincial capital.

Li Jian and Chen He hurriedly went up to greet them.

"Mr. Guan!"

"Mr. Guan!"

Guan Hong shook hands with each of them and, noticing their tired faces, softly said, "It’s not easy for grassroots criminal police; you’ve worked hard!"

He then turned and looked behind him. "But don’t worry," he said.

"I’ve brought you elite support, including forensic experts, criminal investigation experts, trace experts, and criminal psychology experts."

Li Jian and Chen He shook hands and exchanged greetings with each one!

Mr. Guan said, "The case of the university student Li Yan being killed is very complex. We attach great importance to it and have invited so many experts specifically to guide and support."

In an instant, Li Jian and Chen He were stunned, not knowing what to do.

Seeing their reaction, Mr. Guan reassured them, "Captain Li, I personally recognize the capabilities of the Jiangcheng criminal investigation team."

"But walking by the river frequently, one cannot avoid getting their shoes wet."

"Don’t lose heart; there’s still time for everything."

After a slight pause, Li Jian awkwardly smiled and said, "Mr. Guan, the case has been solved."

In an instant, Mr. Guan’s expression froze.

"Solved?"

Li Jian replied, "We’ve already solved it. The culprit was caught last night and is in the interrogation room."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

After a long pause, Mr. Guan turned to the experts behind him and gave an embarrassed smile.

He said, "I told you Jiangcheng’s investigation team is highly capable!"

"We just got here and they’ve already solved the case."

"Seems we arrived a bit late!"

Captain Li Jian quickly said, "Not at all, not at all, we’ve always looked forward to Mr. Guan’s guidance and shared wisdom to the Jiangcheng investigation team."