Mad Detective
[Author: Kuang Hai Wang Hu]
[TL: Spades]
[PR: Blitz]
[QC: Lumi]
Chapter 28 — Who's the Next Victim?
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"Ten people, three already got their hands chopped!" Li Beini said, peeling shrimp and pointing at the list, "Is the culprit among the remaining seven?"
"Maybe…" Zhao Yu mused for a few seconds, "But… the top three can probably be ruled out. They scored so high, why would they chop the losers' hands?"
"Good point…" Li Beini buzzed with excitement, "Look, Senior, the first victim, Gao Tian, was 6th in the piano competition, then Yuan Lili, 5th, and Luo Meina, 4th… The culprit's chopping in order! I bet they're outside the top six, 7th to 10th, these four are the most suspicious!"
"Right!" Zhao Yu nodded, "Since it started with 6th, 7th is the prime suspect. I'd say 80% chance it's them!"
"No, no…" Li Beini shook her head, "I checked their backgrounds! The 7th, Sheng Lei, died in a car crash 10 years ago. No way it's him!"
"What? Then…" Zhao Yu was caught off guard, "only three suspects left?"
"Two!" Li Beini said firmly, "9th has bone cancer, hasn't left bed in years! Only 8th and 10th are possible, but 8th lives out of province. That leaves 10th as the best fit!"
"No way?" Zhao Yu tensed, fearing this lead, like others, would fizzle despite hitting a critical point.
"Don't lose heart!" Li Beini encouraged, "I'm still digging into the out-of-province guy's address! This afternoon, let's focus on 10th. Maybe… it's her?"
Zhao Yu eyed the 10th name, a woman's. His heart raced with unease and excitement. Could the Hand-Chopping Case culprit really be a woman!?
"Senior, besides finding the culprit, there's something else we can't ignore!" Li Beini reminded, "Tomorrow's the 26th. If the culprit hasn't stopped, we need to prep…"
"Oh, right! Got it!" Zhao Yu pointed at the list, "If they strike again, the next target's likely 3rd, right?"
"Not necessarily!" Li Beini shook her head again, "3rd, Shao Lulu, immigrated to Australia with her family! Would the culprit cross oceans to chop her hand? Also, the champion, Lu Tao, is now a dean at the Capital Music Academy, a bit far. I think the 2nd place is the most likely next target!"
"Li Xinhua?" Zhao Yu glanced at the list, "What a plain name, male or female?"
"Female!" Li Beini answered, "She's the principal of Tongxin Feiyang Art School, lives in Qinshan City. If I were the culprit, I'd pick her!"
"Then we've got a heavy load!" Zhao Yu sighed, "Catch the culprit and protect the next victim! Time's tight!"
"Yep!" Li Beini, done eating, sipped juice, "But first, we hit the office! I haven't got these people's full addresses yet. Plus, I want to check the competition's organizers, judges, and staff, see if they know anything."
"Thorough, I like it!"
Zhao Yu wolfed down a few bites, paid, and headed back to Team A's office with Li Beini.
Talk about bad timing!
As they entered, they spotted Liu Changhu, hands behind his back, studying Zhao Yu's case analysis whiteboard with keen interest.
It was lunch break, the office empty of other detectives.
"Well, well, so dedicated?" Liu Changhu, unfazed by their arrival, grinned, "Not even resting at noon?"
"Captain Liu!" Li Beini greeted politely.
Zhao Yu, arms crossed, strode up to Liu Changhu, snapping, "Got something to say, spit it out. Nothing? Get lost!"
"You!?" Liu Changhu's eyes bulged, then he sneered at the whiteboard, "Alright, Zhao Yu! Looks like you really want to win, huh? Case about to break, is it? Should I prep your 1800 yuan now?
"Giggle…" He smirked smugly, "Think you're up to it? Team B's working round the clock, a whole squad, and they've got nothing! A muddle-headed punk like you thinks he can beat them to the punch? Hmph! Delusional! Be smart, apologize to me now, and when you lose, I'll go easy, just a few jabs. Otherwise, I'll make sure you never live it down in front of the whole team!
"Beini…" Before Zhao Yu could retort, he turned to Li Beini, "Take my advice, don't get too close to this guy! You're a fine officer, but hanging with a thug like him will ruin you!"
"…" Li Beini, face tight, lowered her head, neither arguing nor agreeing.
"Beini!" Zhao Yu patted her shoulder lightly, "Grab me a coffee, will ya? Big cup!"
"Zhao Yu! Don't try that!" Liu Changhu caught his drift, thinking, you gonna throw a coffee cup at me again? He jabbed a finger at Zhao Yu's nose, "I let you off last time, but try touching me again, see if I don't get you fired!"
Liu Changhu wasn't wrong. Per the latest laws, assaulting a police officer could lead to up to three years in prison for serious cases. Even as a fellow officer, Zhao Yu would face dismissal.
Last time, Zhao Yu's reckless move came from the thrill of transmigration, not caring about being a cop. Now, things were different, he wouldn't be so rash!
But while he couldn't get physical, as a shameless punk, Zhao Yu had other tricks. As Liu Changhu brushed past toward the door, Zhao Yu spun around and let out a deafening yell behind him!
"HOO!"
The thunderous shout made Liu Changhu stumble hard, crashing into a pile of files in a clatter.
Already wary of Zhao Yu, Liu Changhu was genuinely spooked, his face pale as a ghost.
"You… you…"
He pointed, trembling, speechless.
"Hahahaha…" Zhao Yu cackled like a slaughtered pig, doubled over, thinking, Scaring you's not a crime, is it? What you gonna do? Huh?
His smug, punchable grin made Li Beini burst out laughing, but seeing Liu Changhu's murderous glare, she forced it down, struggling to stay composed.