Netherworld Investigator

Looking at the corpse, I could almost see the murderer hiding in a dark room, playing with the corpse. The murderer’s characteristics gradually formed in my mind. 

"What kind of person do you think the murderer is?" I asked.

At my sudden question, Bingxin paused for a moment and replied after further contemplation. "The murderer knows a lot about ancient costumes and has the money to spend on these things. I think he’s quite rich! In order to achieve the desired results, he can persist for so long which tells me he’s perseverant. On top of that, his composure and patience suggest he has committed a crime before."

"I'm not sure if he has money, but this is most likely the murderer’s first crime, evident by the indecision and capriciousness,” I analyzed.

"What?" 

"Song Yang, stop teasing us. Just tell us your thoughts!” urged Xiaotao. “It's too cold here.” 

I smiled, "The murderer first bludgeoned the victims to death and froze the two bodies for about two days. During this time, he came up with a plan to deal with the bodies. In order to achieve his desired effect, he had to lengthen the dead man's hair, but because he failed at installing hair extensions, he gave up halfway, shaved the victim’s hair and used a wig instead. The head injury was the first wound inflicted, followed by the one on the victim’s abdomen. Where’s the missing piece of skin and what was the murderer’s purpose for removing it? Much like the disfigurement of the victim's face, I suspect the murderer is trying to hide something. Is there a unique characteristic on the victim’s abdomen? Perhaps not. So the next reasonable explanation is to conceal the weapon he used. The murderer began opening the victim’s abdominal cavity with a certain tool but was afraid this tool would expose himself. Thus, he cut off all the surrounding skin with scissors which shows his lack of confidence. He’s definitely a first-time offender."

"The wounds to the face and fingers were inflicted last. Once the murderer finished his masterpiece, he was afraid the victim’s identity might expose him, so he destroyed his face and fingerprints. Judging from the age of the wound, it took him two days to complete his ‘work.’ The murderer is undoubtedly a rookie who’s killed for the first time."

After my lengthy analysis, the room fell into stunned silence. 

"So the victim and the murderer are acquaintances," mused Xiaotao.

"Very likely!" I nodded.

"Although this guy is unskilled, he’s got the essentials covered. Cases where the victim’s identity cannot be determined are usually the most difficult to solve. He may have learned from films and TV shows."

I turned to Captain Tang. "What were the victim’s stomach contents?"

"Fish, shrimp, a variety of different foods,” he replied. “This must be a rich couple!"

"Hand me a detailed analysis!" I ordered.

Captain Tang left for a moment and came back with a list. I noticed dozens of foods were found in the victims’ stomach, though in small amounts. Fortunately, I had asked to see the list. 

"Captain Tang, you’re mistaken. Even if the victims were wealthy, they wouldn’t order such a large variety of foods for one meal."

"Um...” Captain Tang scratched his face awkwardly.

"They probably returned from dinner! These ingredients are diverse enough to make up a banquet."

Realization was written all over their faces.

Ashamed of their oversight, Captain Tang said, "Thank goodness for your careful observation..."

"It’s got nothing to do with being careful," I chuckled. “I’m speaking objectively.”

"Alright, stop showing off,” huffed Xiaotao. “So what if it was a banquet? Do you have any clues that will help solve the case?"

"Yes, the male victim drove."

Glancing at the list, Xiaotao smiled, "I know! The female victim had alcohol in her stomach, but not the male victim. I’ve caught up to your reasoning!"

"Let’s look at the last body. Bingxin, please read the results aloud!"

Female victim no. 2 was twenty-eight years old and slim. The time of death was about ten days ago and the cause of death was judged to be asphyxiation caused by choking her throat, as evidenced by the strangulation marks on her neck. The slight dislocation of her spine indicated the murderer had choked her from behind.

Female victim no.2 was also disfigured by hydrochloric acid, and her fingerprints were removed with a knife. Another important clue was the large amount of bleach in the vaginal canal, suspected to have been introduced after death. At the same time, semen was also found, but the DNA had been destroyed.

As I listened to Bingxin read the report aloud, I pulled out my cell phone to check on something.

"Song Yang-gege, are you listening?” Bingxin stomped her feet. “Why are you playing with your cell phone?"

"Sorry, I suddenly thought of something.” An awkward smile rose to my lips. “Go on, I’m listening!"

"What did you think of?" Xiaotao asked.

"I’d like to keep this to myself for the moment. Song Xingchen, hand me my Autopsy Umbrella."

Xiaotao tutted in annoyance.

Female victim no.2 could be said to have a perfect figure. The coroner concluded the victim had been raped, so there was one thing I had to confirm.

While waiting for Song XIngchen, I picked up the victim’s hand and sniffed her fingers. Unfortunately, it smelled of formalin.

A while later, Song Xingchen returned with the Autopsy Umbrella. The Autopsy Umbrella twirled under the ultraviolet light, revealing a shocking sight–countless handprints all over the corpse. Although the handprints were faint, it was clear the murderer had thoroughly run his hands all over the victim.

There was even a tooth mark on her nipple which indicated the murderer had special feelings towards the victim. Perhaps he once had a crush on this woman.

After a moment of speechlessness, I said, "The murderer already has a certain amount of experience. This time, he’s done a clean job of dealing with the victim."

"You’re clearly ignoring the most important clue!" retorted Xiaotao.

"Don't worry, I'll talk about the murderer's feelings for female victim no.2 later.” I shook my finger. “Before that, I have a hypothesis to share... I suspect the three victims and the murderer were high school classmates, and the murderer currently works as an educator. They attended a class reunion on September 7th."

"What?" The others shot a look of astonishment at me.

With wide eyes, Xiaotao queried, "How did you come up with that?"

I turned to Bingxin, "When did you graduate from high school?"

"Sixteen. What about it?" replied Bingxin.

"Ugh, you child prodigy!” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll ask someone else. Xiaotao, what about you?"

"Eighteen! Most people graduate from high school at that age." My question seemed to set the gears in her head in motion. "You mean to say the three victims were celebrating the ten-year high school graduation anniversary, as suggested by their age?"

I nodded, "That’s just one aspect. It’s too much of a coincidence that all three victims are 28 years old. The first thing that comes to mind is classmates. Additionally, September 7th, the night when the couple was murdered, was a weekend when they usually hold class reunion dinners. Another important point to note is the deliberate disfigurement of the victims’ faces. Obviously, the victims’ identities would expose our murderer."

"Then what about the murderer's occupation?" Xiaotao asked curiously.

"The date!" I smiled, "The murderer killed the second victim ten days ago. Coincidentally, so was the first victim. Look at the date!"

"September 10th... That’s Teacher's Day!" Xiaotao and Bingxin exclaimed in unison.

"Yes, when the second corpse was dumped, it happened to be the weekend. The murderer only has free time on the weekends and Teacher's Day. He’s either repeating his studies or he’s an educator!" I declared.