Chapter 14
A Call

“Squeak.” The door to the meeting room was pushed open, making a slight sound.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads and saw Director Yan and Criminal Investigation Team Leader Lu Qiyuan walking in quickly.

Everyone quickly stood up and greeted, “Hello, Director Yan. Hello, Team Leader.”

“No time for pleasantries; everyone sit down.” Director Yan pressed his hands down, walked to the front of the meeting room, and sat in the empty seat next to Xie Qing. “So, what have you found?”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Director Yan, from the current information, identifying the source of the drugs is crucial. The killer is likely connected to drug users or is a drug user themselves.”

Director Yan nodded, “Qiyuan has already arranged for the first team to fully cooperate with you. Anything else?”

Huang Zhenyi then recapped the information everyone had gathered.

Director Yan said, “These are just surface details. There’s no love without reason and certainly no hate without reason. Everyone needs to dig deeper into the victim’s surroundings, understand his relationships, and uncover his past. Don’t overlook any hidden details.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Understood, Director Yan. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation.”

Director Yan stood up, “I know everyone is under pressure, and that’s something we can’t ignore. Let’s turn that pressure into motivation.”

“Yes,” everyone responded in unison.

Xie Qing’s clear and melodious voice stood out among the group of men.

Director Yan gave Xie Qing a meaningful look, nodded, and left with his hands behind his back.

Lu Qiyuan also smiled at Xie Qing, signaling everyone to continue, and followed Director Yan.

Once the door was closed again, Huang Zhenyi said, “We can’t rely too much on the first team. We need to focus on drug users and Shen Yi’s business partners. Does anyone think we’ve missed anything?”

Second Team Leader Wang Zheng said, “Not much else. The time is short, and our investigation is shallow, so we can’t see much.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “That’s true. As Director Yan said, let’s continue digging deeper.”

While they were talking, Xie Qing and Cao Haisheng exchanged a few words quietly.

Huang Zhenyi looked at Cao Haisheng, “Old Cao, do you have anything to add?”

Cao Haisheng spoke up, “Xiao Xie mentioned a detail earlier, and I remembered it too. Shen Yi’s new shoe was crushed. Could the victim have had an argument because of that?”

Huang Zhenyi shook his head and laughed, “That can’t be. Such a trivial matter wouldn’t lead to murder, would it?”

“Exactly, that’s too far-fetched.”

“Almost impossible.”

“Girls have strange ideas.”

“Just out of school, it’s understandable.”

“Alright, alright,” Huang Zhenyi waved his hand. “It’s the forensic doctor’s job to notice and point out issues. We should still investigate it, just in case. Meeting adjourned!”

As they left the meeting room, Cao Haisheng asked, “Were you discouraged?”

Xie Qing shook her head, “Master, you’re overthinking it. This is nothing. My parents have been discouraging me from being a forensic doctor for five years.”

Cao Haisheng laughed, “I’m also curious how long you’ll last.”

Xie Qing said, “Don’t worry, Master. Even if you leave, I won’t.”

Cao Haisheng sighed in relief, “That’s good.”

They climbed the stairs.

Xie Qing added, “Master, I want to take a leave next week to get a driver’s license.”

Cao Haisheng said, “Alright, just let me know in advance.”

…

In the afternoon, Mayor Ye visited the Shen family. Chai Yu waited in the car and, having nothing to do, called Tan Yi, “Old Tan, got a moment to talk?”

Tan Yi, holding the steering wheel with one hand and a large mobile phone with the other, had a slight smile on his usually cold face, “What’s up?”

“Shen Yi was killed.”

“Who’s Shen Yi?”

“Deputy Mayor Shen’s son.”

“Hmm…”

“‘Hmm’ what?”

“I remember now. Go on.”

“I really admire you. Let me tell you, Shen Yi’s death is related to drugs.”

“As far as I know, Anhai City has done an excellent job with drug control. This case is strange. Any leads?”

“I asked Mayor Ye about it. Shen Yi didn’t use drugs. Someone injected an overdose into his foot, causing his death. He had no known enemies and hadn’t had any conflicts recently. Plus, you know who was with him last night. Guess who?”

Tan Yi said, “It seems the city bureau hasn’t found any key clues. This case is interesting. The only people I know are the Xie family, Gu Ling, and others.”

Chai Yu teased, “Sherlock Tan, can’t you be more specific? Guess who it was?”

“Cut it out,” Tan Yi scoffed. “You think I’m a fortune teller? Besides, Sherlock is a surname, not a first name. But since you insist, I can guess one person. Xie Yun must have been there, right?”

Chai Yu exclaimed, “Wow, you only remember the beautiful woman.”

Tan Yi drove into the compound and braked in front of an old three-story building, “Boring. Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.”

Chai Yu said, “This case is hard to crack. I’m giving you a heads-up so you can be prepared. Don’t be ungrateful!”

With that, he hung up first, smirking, “Let’s see how you like being hung up on.”

Tan Yi was unfazed by Chai Yu’s retaliation. He didn’t rush to get out of the car. Instead, he rolled down the window and lit a cigarette.

Shen Yi didn’t use drugs but was killed by them. This method of murder was rare in the country, and the killer was not only bold but likely a drug user.

So, was it revenge or robbery?

“Knock knock!” The car window was tapped twice.

“Grandpa,” Tan Yi snapped out of his thoughts and picked up a small bundle of thorny plants from the passenger seat, “These are roses I had a friend collect. They’re all varieties you don’t have.”

“Good, my grandson is thoughtful.” Grandpa Tan took the seedlings, his face wrinkling with a smile, “Do they have names? Where are they from…”

“He’s the second grandson. Your eldest grandson died long ago, killed by him.” A cold voice interrupted Grandpa Tan.

Grandpa Tan’s smile froze, but he continued, “Where are they from?”

Tan Yi closed the car door and deliberately avoided looking at Grandma Tan, who was leaning against the courtyard gate. He pointed at the plants, “This is Red Hat, this is Peace, this one grows on the ground, and this is a rose tree, a new variety that supposedly grows like a tree.”

Grandma Tan snorted and turned back into the house when she saw the two men ignoring her.

Grandpa Tan said, “I’ve told you many times, and I won’t say it again today. People need to look forward. Otherwise, you’ll harm yourself and others, like your grandmother. Do well in Anhai, and remember to call me. Use a mobile phone, and we won’t bother her.”

Tan Yi forced a smile, “Don’t worry, Grandpa. Anhai is close to the capital, just over an hour’s drive. I’ll visit often.”

Grandpa Tan said, “You’re busy with work. Don’t worry about me. Anhai is by the sea. If I miss you, I’ll have the driver take me to see you.”

“Bang!” A loud door slam came from the small building.

Tan Yi closed his eyes in pain, “Grandpa, I’ll head back now. I’ll treat you to something delicious next time.”

Grandpa Tan patted his shoulder, “Alright, I’ll be waiting.”

Tan Yi left the compound as if escaping and stopped on the tree-lined road.

Fifteen years had passed, but his brother’s shadow had always been with him, never leaving. He doesn’t blame his grandmother for hating him. If he hadn’t been so playful, Tan Rong wouldn’t have left the compound to find him, they wouldn’t have been kidnapped, and Tan Rong wouldn’t have died.

At least he wouldn’t have died because of him.

Now, he has safely lived to the age of twenty-eight, but the murderer who killed Tan Rong is still at large.

During his years working in the provincial capital of Jinyang, whenever he had free time, he would use it to search for any clues. Carrying the cross for so long, it had fused with his flesh and bones, causing pain with every movement. He didn’t need his grandmother to say anything; he lived in self-reproach every day, never stopping.