Chapter 50
Antique

The master and apprentice returned to the bureau, just in time for the final case analysis meeting before the Spring Festival. The focus was on the Lu Jing wife’s murder case.

Captain Huang also attended.

As usual, each team summarized their findings.

Wang Zheng reported, “Our second team focused on investigating Wei Fenfang’s close female classmates, a total of five. They all said Wei Fenfang was good at getting along with people, not someone who always wanted to be the best. They hadn’t heard of her having any enemies, and she didn’t have any issues with men. Despite her family’s poor financial situation, she never borrowed money from her classmates.”

“Her classmates knew Lu Jing was abusive, so they never visited Wei Fenfang’s home. Gatherings were held at classmates’ homes or small restaurants. Based on the sub-bureau’s findings and our supplementary investigation, Wei Fenfang’s classmates are not suspects.”

Fu Da put down his water cup, “Our first team investigated the brewery. We found the female workers who had visited Lu Jing’s home. One of them, who went to get pants for Wei Fenfang over half a month ago, said Wei Fenfang unexpectedly got her period and soiled her pants. She had to take leave to get clothes from Lu Jing’s home and left immediately after. The others went home with Wei Fenfang.”

Tan Yi, taking notes, asked, “Why did they go to Lu Jing’s home, how long did they stay, and did they meet Lu Jing?”

Fu Da replied, “Wei Fenfang liked knitting and was skilled at it. They went to her home to learn knitting patterns. Wei Fenfang usually brought people home when Lu Jing was on night shifts, so they never met him.”

Xie Qing looked up at this.

Tan Yi exchanged a glance with Huang Zhenyi.

Tan Yi said, “Verify with the paper mill if Lu Jing changed shifts.”

“I’ll go.” Li Ji stood up and left.

Fu Da, frustrated, slapped the table, “Right, whether for money or personal reasons, they should have acted when Lu Jing wasn’t home. If Lu Jing was home, someone must have gotten the information wrong.”

Huang Zhenyi reassured, “It’s easy to miss details when you’re focused on investigating the brewery workers. It’s normal.”

Fu Da scratched his head, “True, I won’t blame myself then.”

The older detectives in the first team looked at him and laughed mischievously.

Fu Da scolded, “What are you laughing at? As if you didn’t go with me. If I’m useless, none of you can escape.”

Du Zhun said, “Don’t worry, I never planned to run.”

Everyone laughed together, “Hahaha…”

Seven or eight minutes later, Li Ji returned, “Two days before the incident, someone swapped shifts with Lu Jing. Because of the shift change, he couldn’t adjust back.”

As expected.

Huang Zhenyi took a drag on his cigarette and said, “It seems likely that Lu Jing was wrongfully accused, but we still need evidence. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and this case won’t be easy to handle.”

The police could work overtime, but the general public wouldn’t. Visiting people’s homes during the New Year to ask about the victim and suspecting them of being involved in a murder would definitely get them kicked out.

Huang Zhenyi took a few more puffs of his cigarette and said, “Let’s not rush the Lu Jing case. During the New Year, let’s try not to disturb the public. The duty officers will need to work harder, focusing on the motive and the entry and exit routes of the crime. See if we can find any clues.”

Du Zhun perked up, “Does that mean we don’t all have to work overtime?”

Huang Zhenyi nodded, “It’s been a busy year, especially these last few days before the Spring Festival. Everyone has worked hard. My suggestion is to follow the duty schedule. If something comes up, the younger officers will need to work a bit harder. What do you think, Captain Tan?”

Tan Yi said, “Don’t worry, Deputy Captain Huang. I’ll be on duty.”

Li Ji quickly added, “Deputy Captain Huang, Captain Tan, don’t worry. I’m available. Just call me!”

Li Ke and Ren Yaguang said in unison, “I’m available too.”

Huang Zhenyi laughed, “You’re all good kids. Let’s settle it then.” He clasped his hands together and said, “Happy New Year in advance. I wish you all the best. Meeting adjourned!”

Everyone exchanged New Year greetings and left, chatting and laughing.

Xie Qing went to the cafeteria to eat alone. After getting her food and sitting down, Tan Yi came over with his tray. He sat across from Xie Qing, nodded at her, and started eating quietly.

Xie Qing did the same but ate slowly, savoring each bite of her fermented bean curd pork trotters, cleaning each bone thoroughly.

Tan Yi finished his meal quickly. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, “I’m going to the crime scene later. Do you want to come?”

Xie Qing replied, “Yes.”

Tan Yi smiled, “You’re very interested in criminal investigation.”

Xie Qing picked up a fried yellow croaker, “Love the job you do.”

Tan Yi was about to say something when his phone rang. He quickly answered it and walked out while talking.

Xie Qing heard the word “grandfather” and thought: The elderly man is getting old. Tan Yi not going home for the New Year might lead to future regrets. She shook her head, thinking that being a police officer meant dealing with such regrets unless one left the job.

…

At 6 PM, Tan Yi’s Santana stopped at the entrance of Lu Jing’s alley.

With New Year’s Eve approaching, several households had hung red lanterns at their doors. The red glow wasn’t very bright, but it was enough to see the general layout of the alley, reducing the gloom brought by the Lu family murder case.

Du Zhun, who was on duty that night, came along. He was quick with his hands and feet, swiftly removing the seal and opening the door.

Tan Yi stood outside, sweeping the gate and courtyard walls with his flashlight. The glass on the walls reflected the light, creating a dazzling effect.

Du Zhun said, “The glass on the wall makes it difficult to climb, but with a rope, it would be easier.”

Xie Qing asked, “Where would the rope be tied?”

Du Zhun replied, “On the glass shards, of course!”

The glass was short and brittle. One or two pieces might not hold, but a whole row?

Tan Yi thought it made sense. He found a short rope in the trunk, threw it over the wall, looped it around a row of glass shards, and pulled. The glass didn’t break, but the cement on the wall crumbled.

Du Zhun chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I guess I was wrong. But in the dead of night, in the dark, I think the killer could have brought a stool.”

Xie Qing’s gaze fell on the end of the alley, a dead end with a pile of bricks outside the last house. She said softly, “No need to bring a stool. A few bricks would do.”

Du Zhun shook his head, “And then take them back? Why? Did the killer have a grudge against Lu Jing and wanted to frame him?”

Tan Yi said, “It’s possible the killer observed the alley after midnight. Someone might have an early shift, and the killer feared the victim might not die completely or that they wouldn’t escape far.”

“Right, my family sells seafood. My old man sometimes leaves at two or three in the morning.” The neighbor aunt opened her door and came out, “You all work hard. It’s almost New Year’s Eve, and you’re still investigating this case.”

Du Zhun smiled, “It’s our duty. Sorry to bother you.”

The aunt waved her hand, “Not at all. Poor Fenfang. I’m not afraid.” She asked Tan Yi, “So, does this mean Lu Jing isn’t the killer?”

Tan Yi took two steps forward, “Did you notice anything unusual at the crime scene?”

He pointed to a spot where a piece of glass was missing from the wall—where they had found the fabric fibers.

The aunt looked, “When we heard someone died, everyone rushed over. Who would notice such details? Besides, you police didn’t find it either.”

This sounded like an accusation.

Xie Qing intervened, “So, the crime scene was indeed tampered with.”

Du Zhun kicked the muddy ground twice, “It’s possible the killer wiped their feet before leaving.”

Tan Yi walked towards the pile of bricks.

Du Zhun and Xie Qing understood and immediately followed. Each of them carried a stack of bricks and placed them at the base of the wall, raising it by about fifty centimeters.

Du Zhun stood on the bricks, grabbed the top of the wall, and jumped but couldn’t get over. He awkwardly jumped down, “My arm strength is enough, but my height isn’t.”

Tan Yi handed his bag to Xie Qing, stood on the bricks, grabbed the top of the wall, pushed himself up with his feet, and swung his right leg over, squatting on the wall. He walked along the edge of the wall to the east, turned north at the end, and climbed down using the coal bin in the yard.

After coming out, Tan Yi said, “Someone a bit shorter than me could probably do it too.”

Du Zhun was 1.75 meters tall, while Tan Yi was 1.88 meters.

Xie Qing nodded, “The killer was meticulous, not only using the brick pile and coal bin but also knowing that these two alleys didn’t have dogs.”

“Sigh… There used to be dogs, but my old man would leave early, and the dogs would bark, disturbing everyone. The neighbors had to give them away. If we had known someone would die… well, nothing more to say. You all carry on. I’ll head back. Let me know if you need anything!” The neighbor aunt wrapped her coat tightly and walked back heavily.

“Money can’t buy foresight. Let’s go inside.” Du Zhun led the way into the yard, “We have a rough idea of how the killer got in and out, but we still don’t know why they came. Not for sex, not for money, no grudge. What were they after? The Lu family’s poverty, Lu Jing’s mess, or just for the thrill?”

Xie Qing thought Tan Yi bringing Du Zhun along was a great idea. It not only perfectly alleviated the awkwardness of being alone with a man but also made it feel like listening to a comedy show, making her thoughts more active.

Tan Yi didn’t answer, clearly deep in thought.

Xie Qing said, “If it was for the thrill, that’s the most troublesome. Let’s not consider that for now. The victim wasn’t sexually assaulted, so we still need to look for a financial motive.”

Du Zhun looked at the three dark rooms and clicked his tongue twice, “It’s almost a bare house. Captain Tan, where do we start?”

Tan Yi said, “Start with the yard.”

“Huh?” Du Zhun was puzzled, “What could be in the yard?”

Tan Yi asked Xie Qing to hand him his bag and took out a camera with a flash, “I don’t know what’s there, but we can take some photos and let Lu Jing identify what’s missing from his home.”

Xie Qing immediately remembered Tan Yi staring at an oil pot mark for a long time, “Captain Tan suspects the Lu family had an antique they didn’t know about, which was seen by one of Wei Fenfang’s colleagues. They didn’t dare steal it at the time, so they came back at night to steal it, but the victim discovered them?”

Tan Yi smiled, “You’re right. My grandfather called and asked what gift I had prepared for him for the New Year. I said I found a snuff bottle at an antique stall, and suddenly I had an idea.”

Du Zhun, an experienced police officer who had handled tomb robbery cases and knew how antique dealers operated, clapped his hands and exclaimed, “That’s a brilliant idea!”

Tan Yi said, “It’s only brilliant if it’s correct. Otherwise, it’s just wild speculation. You two look around while I take photos.”