Chapter 2: The Crime Scene

Uncle Lin, come quickly and take a look...

Zhou Senyuan also does not particularly like this person, and even harbors a deep-seated aversion.

The report was made by the servant of the Sheerkin family. She had prepared breakfast in the morning and went upstairs to call the master down for the meal. After calling for a long time without any response, she went upstairs to check and found Sheerkin dead in bed, having been killed by a single stab.

The case of the Special Agents Division of the Police Department

Upon closer inspection, the man's head does indeed seem somewhat disproportionate to his body, in other words, it is a bit large

Like the stars surrounding the moon

This reaction is indeed an instinct inherent to the original self, it seems that this fellow of the original self

Zhou Sen knew he could not refuse and could only nod in agreement

"Why don't you go in and take a look? This is also part of your job. I'll wait for you outside." Lin Dakuan chuckled, displaying an attitude of not leaving easily.

Of course, even without a reminder, Zhou Sen is aware of this; after all, he has been a writer for many years and has specifically studied the intelligence agencies during the puppet Manchukuo period. The Special Agents Division of the Harbin Police Department is operationally guided by the Harbin intelligence agency.

... ...

"Oh, Uncle Lin, good morning, what a coincidence!" Zhou Sen immediately changed his demeanor, making an effort to force a smile as he trotted over a couple of steps.

As they spoke, the two of them arrived at Shelkin's bedroom upstairs

In fact, Zhou Sen had already noticed the fireplace that had long been extinguished, which had a chimney leading outside. The murderer most likely entered and exited through here

What did you see

As a patrol officer, he naturally developed a keen eye; on the streets of the Ice City, he could recognize any car, big or small, just by looking at its license plate and know whose vehicle it was

In simple terms, the work of the intelligence agency can operate independently of the police department

Lin Dakuan has already come over and saw the two of them, Lin San'er and himself, smiling broadly.

A cordon has been set up at the entrance, surrounded by armed police officers, all of whom are from the Ice City Police Headquarters

"Your complexion looks so poor, this street is your patrol area, isn't it?" Lin Dakuan, who is slightly shorter than Zhou Sen, spoke while slightly raising his chin.

He has just been promoted from sergeant to inspector, and theoretically, he should no longer have to endure the elements on the streets.

"Not bad, you are quite observant. The murderer indeed escaped through the chimney of this fireplace," Lin Dakuan couldn't help but smile with pride. "So tell me, how should we go about capturing this murderer?"

I know that you are well aware of the people and things in your patrol area, could you help me analyze how Xie Erjin died?

"Not bad, others say you are a carefree young master who lacks ambition, but in fact, you have not focused your thoughts on the right path," Lin Dakuan said with a slight smile and a nod

"Uncle Lin, are you testing me?" Zhou Sen stood up and offered a smile. If nothing is said today, it is likely that I will not pass the test. He hurriedly added, "This person can enter and exit through such a narrow chimney, so he must be very slender and skilled at climbing. To be able to kill with one strike, he must have received training, and his strength and accuracy are certainly steady and precise. It is rare to find someone with such skills in Ice City; we can start by checking the archives of suspicious individuals from the cases handled in Ice City over the years."

Yes, Director Lin

The steps of this unrecognizable kinship, in the ice city, apart from the Special Agents Division, there are no others.

However, this Lin Dakuan seems to have a good relationship with the current incarnation's father, so when they meet, he still has to call him "Uncle Lin"

No, Uncle Lin, I ... ...

However, it is not yet clear how the murderer avoided the high temperatures of the burning fireplace and left no traces in the room.

What is going on? Could it be a cold? That shouldn't be the case!

The courtyard gate of the small building was suddenly pushed open from the inside, and a group of individuals dressed in black police uniforms surrounded a middle-aged man of short stature, wearing a leather trench coat and a mink fur hat as he stepped out.

That is absolutely something one must not interfere with, as it could lead to the loss of one's life; this is a constant reminder in Zhou Sen's memory

Zhou Sen turned his head and said, "San'er, didn't you mention that there is a good lamb noodle restaurant last time? Come on, hurry up and take me there!"

Upon witnessing the scene before him, he instinctively recoiled. The car across the street, he recognized, belonged to Lin Dakuan, the investigation director of the Special Operations Department of the police. This fellow had a large head, often squinting his eyes, and when he smiled, it was rather sinister. In reality, he was a staunch traitor, known for his treacherous and cunning nature. He also had a nickname, "Lin Big Head," but no one dared to call him that in his presence.

"You little rascal, always trying to be clever," Lin Dakuan said, pointing at Zhou Sen with a smirk. He then turned his head and coldly instructed, "None of you follow us in. I will go in with Officer Zhou Sen for a moment and will be out shortly."

"Brother, the matter is settled. What shall we do now?" Ye San'er asked, approaching with a pleasing demeanor and clasping his hands together.

After walking around the room and looking around, Zhou Sen pretended to ponder and said: "Uncle Lin, you just mentioned that Xie Erjin was killed by a single stab, which clearly indicates it was a homicide. However, there are no signs of forced entry on the windows or doors. How did the murderer get in and how did they leave..."

On the bedside table sits a glass, which most people use for drinking water, but Zhou Sen knows that the Belarusians prefer to use it for drinking alcohol

"No, Uncle Lin, how can I let you suffer from the cold outside? You are working hard. Could you teach me how to survey the site?" Zhou Sen hurriedly complimented, knowing that when dealing with Lin Dakuan, one must be cautious. It was absolutely impossible to survey the site alone.

"Eat!" Zhou Sen gritted his teeth and said, after a night of consumption, coupled with the excessive reception of the original body's memories, how could it be possible not to eat something to make up for it?

On the bed, the bloodstains on the quilt appeared splattered, and there was a patch of blood under the pillow that was nearly dried. It was evident that Shelkin had been caught off guard while sleeping, as someone had pulled back the quilt...

The cases investigated by the Special Affairs Section are all related to "anti-Japanese resistance against the Manchukuo regime" and Soviet espionage, among other matters that ordinary citizens are generally not exposed to; the depths of these issues are quite profound

The deceased was a White Russian editor from a newspaper, not a Japanese expatriate. Why did the Special Services Bureau get involved? A gut feeling told Zhou Sen that this case was somewhat unusual

A distinct smell of alcohol is noticeable in the room, specifically vodka; this scent is all too familiar to me

The smell was somewhat pungent, and Zhou Sen couldn't help but feel an itch in his nose, leading him to sneeze and quickly cover his mouth

Lin Dakuan took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, coughed twice, and said: "What you see at the scene is like this, go ahead and speak."

The fireplace in the bedroom has long been extinguished, yet the room is still much warmer than outside, at least it is free from the cold wind

"Don't rush, I still have something to discuss with you," Lin Dakuan said, "How about we find a place to have a drink?"

Are we not going to eat lamb noodles anymore

The nickname "Big Head Lin" is indeed quite fitting

Murder is classified as a major case and a significant matter, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Division of the Police Department

Zhou Sen and Ye San'er got off a Mercedes carriage

Zhou Sen cracked a smile; he knew that this was Lin Dakuan testing him

Uncle Lin, my experience is limited, and I truly cannot discern it.

The scene should not have changed significantly, and Shelkin's servant also understands the importance of preserving the scene, so they called the police immediately and waited for the officers to arrive.

It truly is a case of bringing up the wrong topic, Zhou Sen feels an impulse to strangle this guy. How did he not realize before that this person is lacking in common sense?

"Regarding the matter of the case, do not speak of it; just keep it to yourself." Lin Dakuan glanced at him and reminded him, "Also, avoid getting too close to women. Look at you, so young, yet your health has deteriorated to such an extent."

However, it is precisely because Lin Dakuan, the investigation director of the Special Agents Division, must personally intervene that either the identity of the deceased is unusual, or the murderer is exceptional

"Uncle Lin, you are putting me in a difficult position. I haven't even seen the scene, how would I know how Xie Erjin died?" Zhou Sen said with a sense of grievance. He only knew that an editor from the "Songjiang Daily" lived in this small building, but how this person died, he was not a deity, so how could he possibly guess?

"Yes, Uncle Lin, I received the message from the department and came over immediately." Zhou Sen hurriedly replied, lowering his head

Lin Dakuan's inquiring gaze was masked by his awkward smile

In cases like this, it is best to avoid them if possible. The people in the Special Services Division are all unscrupulous individuals, and the citizens of Ice City have come to despise them. Too many patriots who opposed the Manchukuo regime and resisted the Japanese have died at their hands

The "Songjiang Daily" is indeed an important platform for promoting anti-Soviet sentiments and for the Japanese to embellish peace in the Ice City. The death of Shelkin is by no means a simple act of revenge.

"Fireplace, what is so special about this? Could it be that this person can actually crawl in from here?" Zhou Sen pretended to be surprised as he walked over, squatted down, opened the fireplace door, and peered inside.

In fact, he is very interested in solving cases; however, in the past, he never had this opportunity, and everything was merely a product of his imagination

Zhou Sen is merely a minor patrol officer affiliated with the Nangang Police Station in Ice City. His usual duties involve patrolling and maintaining order in the city, and occasionally he handles some petty cases of theft and minor crimes.

"Uncle Lin, it seems that I have seen signs of someone climbing on the inner wall of the chimney"

"Komori..."

However, the new job has not yet been arranged, and he must continue to serve as this "patrol leader"

"However, today is indeed not a suitable day. How about this: tomorrow at 11:00 AM, at the Iberia Hotel. You are not allowed to miss it, and you are even less allowed to be late. This concerns your future, do you understand?" Lin Dakuan did not insist, but he set a commitment for him.

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Xielin. Can I leave now?" Zhou Sen said eagerly

"Do you really have such a disdain for Uncle Lin?" Lin Dakuan's expression instantly darkened.

"No, Uncle Lin, you are here to handle a case. I wouldn't want to delay your investigation; that would be too costly for me." Zhou Sen truly did not wish to be in the company of someone like Lin Dakuan, who exuded negativity.

"Brother, Mr. Qiu Shan's order is for you to come to the crime scene immediately..." Lin San'er casually reminded him, lacking the insight to grasp the situation.

This skill was not innate; it was taught to him by his adoptive white Russian father (with the help of a whip). With this skill alone, he is unparalleled among the patrol officers of the six precincts in the ice city.

This case is not simple at all; for such a straightforward murder case, it would suffice to send over any experienced police officer.

In Nangang District, at the entrance of a two-story European-style building on Gogol Street (New Business Street), a black sedan is parked across the street

......

Zhou Sen smiled awkwardly and then also came out from the Sheerkin's house

"Xiaosen, why don't you take a look at that fireplace?" Lin Dakuan said with a slight smile, pointing at the fireplace.

"There is nothing worth seeing downstairs; the crime scene is upstairs, and the body has already been transported back to the mortuary in the hall. The forensic expert will conduct further autopsy..." Zhou Sen stepped forward to open the door, while Lin Dakuan followed behind, explaining the case to him.

Feeling a bit eager yet suddenly tense, Lin Dakuan's actions today seem somewhat unusual; it is better to be cautious.

A person like Lin Dakuan must never be offended; at least until he fully understands his situation, the best approach is to first "develop cautiously"

The smell of blood is a bit too strong, and Zhou Sen almost couldn't hold back again

"Go home," Zhou Sen said irritably

Zhou Sen knew that he had at least attended a police academy and could not appear too incompetent