Miss Forensics – Chapter 22

Mirror

“Miss, that car is still following you.”

Lin Yan raised her phone and glanced through the rearview mirror. She truly had no mood today to deal with anyone further. She tugged at the corner of her lips, uttering a chilling and emotionless sentence.

“Dispose of it.”

After hanging up the call, a black Santana emerged from around the corner on the mountain road, passing by the taxi she was riding in.

Leaning back in her seat, Lin Yan’s gaze drifted into the vast emptiness of the mountainous wilderness. However, her hand gradually tightened around the phone.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at the Taian Mental Hospital.” Lin Yan tossed a few bills out of her wallet, pushed open the car door, and hurriedly entered the hospital, running all the way.

A doctor had been waiting at the entrance, guiding her upstairs with an apologetic expression. “Miss, the patient suddenly had an episode and no one could get close. That’s why we called you…”

Lin Yan strode swiftly, almost sprinting, suppressing her anger. “How long has this been going on? Why are you notifying me now? How have you been taking care of things? What’s the current situation?”

The mental hospital wasn’t large, a three-story building. Passing through the long corridor on the second floor, the innermost room housed a special patient.

The usually locked iron door was wide open. Lin Yan dashed forward in a single swift motion. Just as her hand grasped the door frame, she saw a blue and white figure rushing towards her, a cold glint flashing in their hand.

The doctor nearby had a frightened expression on his face. “Miss Lin, be careful!”

Lin Yan quickly moved to the side, narrowly avoiding the scissors that brushed against her chest. The elderly person in front of her, with gray and bent hair, mumbled with scissors in hand and then turned back.

“Chu Nan, Chu Nan…” The old person said while caressing a yellowed photograph in their hand. They pressed it against their cheek, then carefully tucked it back into their embrace. Every so often, they took it out to look at it again, in an endless cycle.

While speaking, they dragged their unsteady steps, a urinary bag hanging from their waist, leaking with each step, and the murky yellow liquid trickled down their pants.

Hearing that name once again from someone else’s lips, Lin Yan’s eyes also reddened, her palms clenched into fists.

She tilted her head back as if to swallow all the bitterness back down. After taking several deep breaths, she took a gentle step forward, her throat moved slightly, and she called out the name, “Aunt Chen…”

The person referred to as “Aunt Chen” lifted the blanket and threw the pillow onto the ground. “Chu Nan, Chu Nan, where are you… Don’t play hide and seek with Mommy…”

Trembling, she leaned over the bed. There was no one under it. The old person stood up, trembling all over, their lips quivering. Their eyes turned slightly red as they searched in other places.

“Chu Nan, stop hiding… Come out quickly.”

The small room contained only a bed, a wardrobe, and not even a desk, leaving nothing to the imagination.

The old person turned back and forth, but came up with nothing. Their urine had already soaked half of their pants, yet they remained oblivious, gently caressing the paper in their embrace with a gentle expression.

“Chu Nan, it’s time to come home for dinner. Mom made your favorite braised fish. After eating, we can go play shuttlecock.”

“Chu Nan, I’ve put milk in your school bag. Remember to drink it.”

“Chu Nan, it’s getting dark. It’s time to sleep. Mom will tuck you in.”

As they spoke, they used their own clothes to cover the person thoroughly, cradling the photograph as if soothing a baby, gently rocking it. The pair of scissors that had been in their hand was now placed on the bed.

Lin Yan took a step closer, and the old person seemed to suddenly awaken, their expression becoming somewhat unpredictable.

She took out the photograph again, staring at it. “Chu Nan, it’s dawn. Why haven’t you come back yet?”

Lin Yan swallowed hard, wanting to approach and console her. “Aunt Chen, Chu Nan, she’s already…”

The old person tilted their head to look at her, their expression unfamiliar, as if they were also glimpsing a group of people behind her.

Behind Lin Yan was only a pristine white wall.

“Hello, is this the family of Chen Chu Nan from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau? Your daughter’s body has been found.”

“I’m very sorry, when we found her, she was already in this condition. The forensic and trace analysis departments did their best…”

In her eyes, Lin Yan transformed into an odd array of lights – at times menacing, and at other times fragmenting into pieces.

To call it a “body” was really just a pile of decaying flesh lying on the autopsy table.

Through the distant passage of time, she saw the past: the stark lights in the funeral home that night, herself wailing and collapsing onto the ground, and also herself kneeling before the police, clutching at their legs, begging them to solve the case as quickly as possible.

One month went by.

Two months went by.

Three months went by.

……

She wandered day and night at the entrance of the city’s Public Security Bureau.

One year went by.

She went to petition and was driven out, collapsing on the street.

Two years went by. The whistleblower letters she sent to the Provincial Public Security Department, the Discipline Inspection Commission, and the Supervisory Department seemed to sink like a stone in the sea.

Three years went by. She sold her house, ended up on the streets, kept company with beggars, and wherever she went, she carried a stack of missing person notices in her arms.

And so, with a broken bowl in hand, leaning on a stick, wearing open-toed cloth shoes, she walked out of Jiangcheng, out of the coastal province, and journeyed across the length and breadth of the country.

Five years went by, and she became insane.

Tears welled up in those clouded and worn eyes. Holding a pair of scissors, she trembled as she stood up, step by step approaching Lin Yan. “It’s you… It’s you… You killed her…”

“And all of you too!” She waved the scissors haphazardly in the air. Lin Yan stepped back, using her gaze to signal the others to quickly restrain her.

“Aunt Chen…” Her voice was raspy, her opening words difficult. After repeatedly restraining her emotions, she finally managed to say a complete sentence.

“Please put the scissors down first. I’ll take you to find Chu Nan. Trust me… I… I will definitely find her.”

As she neared Aunt Chen, several medical personnel quietly maneuvered around from behind. Sensing something, she abruptly turned around, and the gleaming edge of the scissors gestured towards the faces of the medical staff.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”

In the nick of time, Lin Yan sprang up, gripping her waist tightly from behind and pulling her back.

The elderly person struggled, wailed, their voice incredibly mournful. The sharp scissor tips descended toward Lin Yan’s hand back, stabbing into it one by one.

She didn’t dodge, nor did she want to. She let the sharp scissors create a few small holes on the back of her hand.

The rushing medical staff quickly pressed the person down to the ground, and with the administration of a sedative, the elderly person finally grew calm.

Lin Yan gently lifted the person from the ground and placed them on the bed. She wasn’t very strong, but Aunt Chen was exceptionally light, having become skin and bones due to her thinness.

The medical staff helped her change into clean clothes and replace the bedding. Lin Yan turned around, closed the door, and her subordinate handed her tissues.

“Miss, would you like to take a look?”

She lowered her head to inspect her hand, which was still bleeding. She thought to herself: What is this slight pain compared to Aunt Chen, compared to Chu Nan?

“She’s been perfectly fine all along, how could she suddenly…” The subordinate’s sentence was interrupted by the chilling glare from Lin Yan, silencing him.

That expression in her eyes bore a striking resemblance to the person who had just been recklessly wielding the scissors.

He had no doubt that saying another word might result in his neck being twisted. Unintentionally, he took a step back, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Go away.”

Relieved, he gave a slight bow and hastened his steps to leave.

The corridor was cloaked in silence, interrupted only by the gentle breeze.

Lin Yan slid down against the wall, resting her back against it, and buried her head in her arms. Her voice trembled subtly, “Today… it’s Chu Nan’s birthday.”

*****

The room was hushed, as if quietened by the presence of a frigid cicada.

Song Yuhang led the group, standing in front, absorbing the splatters of spittle from Director Feng.

“You’re all a bunch of good-for-nothings! Incompetent fools! The entire detective squad has let themselves be manipulated, unable to catch the perpetrator, and not even able to determine their gender. Taxpayers’ money is being squandered on you useless bunch!!!”

Feng Jianguo’s fury escalated with every word, his table reverberating with a thunderous crash. “You all swagger during training, boasting about being unbeatable, declaring yourselves the best in the world. But when faced with a real challenge, you can’t even put up a decent fight!”

The two team members injured by the men in black were still lying in the hospital. One had a bruised liver, while the other had a fractured jaw.

The room was hushed, as if quietened by the presence of a frigid cicada.

Song Yuhang led the group, standing in front, absorbing the splatters of spittle from Director Feng.

“You’re all a bunch of good-for-nothings! Incompetent fools! The entire detective squad has let themselves be manipulated, unable to catch the perpetrator, and not even able to determine their gender. Taxpayers’ money is being squandered on you useless bunch!!!”

Feng Jianguo’s fury escalated with every word, his table reverberating with a thunderous crash. “You all swagger during training, boasting about being unbeatable, declaring yourselves the best in the world. But when faced with a real challenge, you can’t even put up a decent fight!”

The two team members injured by the men in black were still lying in the hospital. One had a bruised liver, while the other had a fractured jaw.

“There are indications of a struggle at the crime scene. The deceased Sun Xiangming has extensive abrasions on the left wrist and underarm, consistent with the compression marks on the side of the entrance. His skin tissue was also found in wood shavings.”

“The deceased Li Shiping, a female, has four inconspicuous ligature marks on the left side of the neck, one on the right side, both matching Sun Xiangming’s fingerprints. Fibers from Li Shiping’s clothing were extracted from her nails, and upon analysis, they match the pajamas worn by Sun Xiangming.”

“As a result, we believe that a vigorous struggle transpired between the victims Sun Xiangming and Li Shiping. Despite being at a disadvantage, Li Shiping managed to inject a syringe containing cyanide solution into Sun Xiangming’s neck at a critical juncture, resulting in a lethal blow.”

“Regarding Li Shiping, aside from the ligature marks left by Sun Xiangming, no other external injuries are present on her body. We are initially inclined to consider it… as suicide.”

Feng Jianguo rubbed his brow, grappling with a sense of frustration, “So, how do we account for the appearance of that black-clothed person at the scene?”

Song Yuhang moved her lips, her voice hoarse, “The crime scene was handled very cleanly. Even the doorknob was wiped down. If we hadn’t arrived in time, it would have been a scenario of premeditated revenge killing followed by fear-induced suicide! This person has a keen sense of counter-surveillance and is experienced, or perhaps…”

In essence, it’s someone from within the police force!

She didn’t finish her sentence, as Chief Feng waved his hand, signaling for everyone to disperse.

Following the others, Song Yuhang started to leave. Chief Feng took a sip of his tea, then called out her name.

“Song Yuhang, please stay.”

*****

The Technical Investigation Office.

Fang Xin leaned against the desk, standing, holding a cartoon porcelain cup in her hand, still pondering over Ding Xue’s case: “Was the cause of death really delayed drowning?”

Duan Cheng reclined in his chair, holding an official exam preparation book in his hand, with a flashy swimsuit magazine concealed within.

“How could it be fake? After all, it was determined by Dr. Lin, who is renowned as an authority in Binhai, no, even nationwide.”

Fang Xin took a sip of her milk tea, her gaze carrying a hint of melancholy: “That’s true, it’s just quite regrettable. Can you imagine, in the last few hours of her life, she was in so much pain, yet she still clung to the place where she used to meet Li Shiping? That must have been an immense obsession.”

Perhaps those who work as detectives always participate in the lives of others as observers, feeling the bitterness and sweetness in the details, and then at some point, the human instinct of empathy allows them to sense the victims’ pain. Though it’s just a little, it’s enough to disrupt the tranquility of a young heart.

After she finished speaking, no one else said a word. Zheng Chengrui also put down the chicken leg he was nibbling on, looked up at the rain outside, and watched as raindrops fell from banana leaves, hitting the window frame.

“In fact, I feel,” he let out a satisfied burp, “that this case has also taught us a lesson. Love leading to murder isn’t limited to just romantic relationships between a man and a woman. Even between people of the same sex, there can be heart-wrenching love stories.”

When Duan Cheng heard this, he burst into laughter and poked Zheng Chengrui’s round belly, “Hey, Old Zheng, what’s gotten into you today? Are you transforming into a love guru?”

The somber atmosphere was shattered as Zheng Chengrui pushed his hand away, saying, “Get lost, get lost! None of that Old Zheng nonsense. Call me Brother Zheng!”

In the midst of the commotion, Duan Cheng’s book fell to the ground. Fang Xin picked it up and held the flashy magazine, saying, “Hey, someone like you wants to take the civil service exam too? Let me see what this is… Hmm, Sora Aoi, Maria Ozawa…”

Before she could finish speaking, Duan Cheng blushed and snatched the magazine back, clutching it to his chest like a precious treasure. He muttered under his breath, “I don’t really want to take the civil service exam. I just want to be a photographer in our small county town and live an easy life.”

“What about you? If you weren’t going to be a cop, what would you want to do?”

Fang Xin pondered for a moment and shook her head, “I might be married by now, and as for Old Zheng…”

Zheng Chengrui lifted his head from the computer and pushed up his glasses, saying, “A programmer, I suppose. Writing code, like the kind that automatically collects all the beautiful women’s photos online with a single click…”

Duan Cheng excitedly rushed over with a gleeful expression, “Brother Zheng, you’re my real bro!”

“…”

*****

“Tell me, why do you suspect Lin Yan?” When there were only two people, Director Feng’s tone became gentler, and he gestured for her to sit.

Song Yuhang took a seat on the couch, staring at the disposable paper cup in front of her. “I…”

“Zhao Ting was your mentor, and he also showed favor to me. Back then, he sat in the position I’m in now. He was the former chief of our Jiangcheng City Bureau. What you’ve lost today isn’t just your own reputation, but the reputation of the entire Criminal Investigation Division and the entire City Bureau. You’ve tarnished his reputation too!”

These words were more cutting than calling her a good-for-nothing. Song Yuhang rubbed her forehead, smoothed the disheveled hair from her forehead, and took a few deep breaths to steady herself.

“It’s my fault.”

“When I was a junior officer under Zhao Ting’s guidance, every time he emphasized in our meetings that solving cases couldn’t be presumptuous or ambiguous. We had to speak based on facts, reason, and evidence. We are police officers, not bandits!”

“You bear half the responsibility for Sun Xiangming’s death. If you hadn’t arrested and released him, maybe the situation wouldn’t have alerted the suspect. And now Li Shiping is dead too. So, what’s done is done. You thought the case was solved, but then the mysterious figure in black appeared.”

Director Feng’s expression was filled with frustration. He tapped the table with his index finger in a way that expressed his irritation. “Song Yuhang, oh Song Yuhang, now you’re assuming that Lin Yan is that person in black. Where’s the reasoning? Where’s the evidence? Do you even know who Lin Yan’s father is? Do you know who she is?”

“Believe it or not, just after you arrested Lin Yan, a phone call from the Municipal Party Committee could reach my desk. Handling a case can’t be tainted with personal emotions. You’re an experienced detective, how could you make such a basic mistake?”

In the face of his earnest advice, his patient guidance, Song Yuhang merely bowed her head. Her eyes were reddened, seemingly holding back, yet ultimately not saying a word.

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She usually didn’t believe in any miraculous intuition or deductions. She only trusted the evidence she collected and hypotheses that aligned with logic.

But Lin Yan was an exception.

She didn’t know where this intuition came from. She just had a faint sense of familiarity, that Lin Yan and the person in black were somehow connected.

Moreover, that person in black was actually two individuals.

At that time, she hadn’t yet grasped one thing – intuition must always be built upon a certain understanding of the other person. She knew that her own actions were a subconscious reflection of her inner self.

If it were her, she might not necessarily act any differently.

Genius and madness were not always far apart; it was those who were somewhat alike who could glimpse into each other’s hearts.

Just like looking in a mirror, whether inside or outside the mirror, even if the environment changed, fundamentally, it was still the same person.

As she was about to leave, Director Feng called out to her again, “Didn’t you ask me earlier why I transferred Lin Yan to our city bureau?”

Song Yuhang grasped the doorknob and turned around, her eyes bloodshot, showing signs of exhaustion from several days without sleep.

Her voice was hoarse, “Why?”

“Someone like Lin Yan, if she can’t be a friend, then she’s an enemy. She’s a sharp blade that doesn’t hesitate to kill, and you are the best sheath.”

*****

“Miss, what would you like to drink?” Her gaze drifted aimlessly over the colorful array of beverages displayed on the bar counter.

Seeing her hesitate, the bartender enthusiastically made a recommendation, “We have a special offer on Long Island Iced Tea today, expertly crafted from vodka, white rum, tequila, and more. It’s especially suitable for ladies!”

Song Yuhang stared blankly at his moving mouth, unable to make out what he was saying.

Seeing her lack of response, the bartender switched to another drink and gestured to it, “Would you like to try our signature Mojito? It’s made with white rum, lime, mint, and crushed ice, offering a refreshing taste—”

She didn’t catch much, but one word stood out—MOJITO.

She inexplicably recalled that night at the Randy Bar when Lin Yan handed her a glass, exuding a flirtatious charm as she flipped her hair.

She casually asked, “What kind of drink is this?”

With a charming smile, the other person replied, “A Mojito.”

The bartender continued to chatter on, “Especially suitable for free-spirited souls…”

Song Yuhang took out money from her wallet and handed it over, saying, “This one.”

*****

The wind chime at the entrance of the shop tinkled as a man entered, folding his umbrella and walking straight to the bar to order a shot of depth charge.

The bartender watched as he picked up his drink and walked over to the table where the woman had been lost in thought.

Glancing behind him, the man noticed only a curious little bartender peeking around and leaned his umbrella against the table before taking a seat across from Song Yuhang.

“How did you…” Song Yuhang began to speak, but her words trailed off as she looked up. The man had already removed his duckbill cap, revealing a bandage wrapped around his head, stained with faint traces of blood.

She immediately tightened her grip on the glass in her hand.

The man put his hat back on. “I’m a professional hitman. I managed to save my own life.”

Song Yuhang gritted her teeth. “I really underestimated her.”

The man took a sip from his glass. With the brim of his hat pressed low, his face was hard to discern. “She’s extremely vigilant, surrounded by skilled individuals. I’ve been exposed already. It’s not advisable for me to pursue further.”

From the crisp aroma of the liquor, Song Yuhang sensed a bitterness. She was unwilling, yet temporarily powerless against it.

“You’ve worked hard. Rest well.”

This was her informant she had been working with for many years. Song Yuhang reached into her pocket and handed him a stack of money.

The man took it and put it in his own pocket. He couldn’t stay for too long; he was getting ready to leave.

As he stood up, Song Yuhang noticed a slight curve of his lips. “You seem like you’ve never had a drink during working hours.”

Song Yuhang was taken aback, accidentally making the ice in her glass clink loudly.

“Taking a vacation.”

The man didn’t say anything more. He slung his shoulder bag over his shoulders and walked away briskly.

After he left, Song Yuhang opened her palm. A thin piece of fabric had been crumpled up in her hand.

It was something she had torn from the black-clad person. She hadn’t handed it over as evidence to the authorities; she had kept it with her.

Now, she raised her right hand to her nose and took a deep breath.

The warmth brought by the alcohol didn’t manage to melt the icy determination in her eyes.

Lin Yan, Lin Yan.

How many more surprises can you bring me?

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