Chapter 9: Suicide or Murder

Su Kai also said: "By the way, the deceased was the director of the Health Education Office of the Municipal Health Bureau, named Fu Chengyuan"

The car entered the community and stopped under Building 16, Unit 3. A police car from Donghu Police Station was also parked there, and Wang Bo was leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette

Ling Li asked Wang Bo: "Who discovered the body, was it the family of the deceased"

Liu Xiaolu has already put on gloves and is carefully examining the body

Wang Bo nodded: "The deceased's wife, however, she went back to her parents' home with the child yesterday, and went directly to work in the morning. It was only at noon that she discovered it and then reported to the police. She also does not believe this is a suicide; she said the deceased could not possibly have committed suicide. Last night, she even spoke with the deceased on the phone, discussing the dinner plans for the child's teacher tonight."

Su Kai shook his head, stating that he had indeed asked, but Director Wang replied that one would know after going to see it.

Wang Bo, the director of the Donghu Police Station, was a classmate of mine at Lingli Police Academy and is a very capable individual, albeit with a bit of a bad temper. He originally worked in the criminal investigation team, but due to frequent confrontations with his supervising leaders, Director Lei transferred him to the police station. Director Lei stated that this was to help him temper his disposition, as an excellent criminal investigator cannot be overly emotional; otherwise, he may easily be swayed by emotions, which could affect his normal judgment.

Liu Xiaolu got into the car and pouted, saying, "I said, Ling Li, you haven't even cooled your own porridge yet, why are you meddling in so many things? Wang Bo is the same; isn't it just a suicide? He can't possibly be confused about whether it's a suicide or not, can he?" Liu Xiaolu originally intended to take a nap during lunch, but just as she had barely rested her head on the table, Ling Li pulled her up, filled with resentment.

A sudden, urgent knocking on the door sounded, and Ling Li hurriedly opened it to find Su Kai standing outside

Ling Li shot her a glance and said, "Can you stop complaining so much? Don't you know Wang Bo? If he weren't truly facing a problem, he wouldn't have called me."

Liu Xiaolu turned to Ling Li and said, "Say something."

Liu Xiaolu got out of the car and immediately said to Wang Bo, "I say, Wang Dapao, don't you know we have a case on our hands? We're busy, and you're just adding to our troubles!" Liu Xiaolu usually has a good relationship with Ling Li and Wang Bo, so she naturally speaks without any reservations.

Ling Li said, "I heard Director Wang mention that you suspect your husband was murdered, and you mainly requested the police to intervene in the investigation, is that correct?" Sun Xiaohong nodded vigorously, "Yes, he could not have committed suicide." Ling Li neither affirmed nor denied, "If we need to conduct an autopsy, can you agree to that?"

The Lakeside Community is located right by East Lake, featuring a beautiful environment and is considered a high-end residential area in Leizhou

Ling Li said, "Call Dr. Liu, let's go take a look"

This is Captain Ling from the Municipal Bureau's Criminal Investigation Team. You can discuss any thoughts you have with him. Wang Bo introduced Ling Li to Sun Xiaohong, who stood up and extended her hand. Ling Li gently shook her hand and asked, "Where is the child?"

Wang Bo said: "It was she who suggested that the police conduct an investigation; she has already actively requested the police to file a case. I was uncertain, which is why I called you here. I had previously discussed the autopsy with her, and she said she agreed. Now she is at the station, and she expressed that she does not want the child to witness this scene, so we intercepted the child downstairs when they returned from school. She took the child to the police station first, and I have arranged for someone to take her statement."

Ling Li lay on the sofa in the office, hands clasped behind his head, his brows furrowed together.

"How could this possibly be a suicide?" Ling Li looked bewildered as he turned to Wang Bo. Wang Bo shrugged and said, "Aside from the somewhat strange appearance of his suicide, everything else is quite consistent! I also know that, logically speaking, if he had struggled with all his might, he could have saved himself. Perhaps he was simply intent on dying."

The time of death should be between 6:00 and 7:00 this morning. It was indeed a death by asphyxiation, with only a single ligature mark on the neck. There are no signs of struggle at the scene. To suggest that it was a suicide is rather suspicious; even if one is intent on ending their life, the instinct to struggle in the face of death is inherent to human nature, especially when experiencing intense pain. I personally believe it is more likely a homicide. Perhaps he was rendered unconscious before the so-called suicide. However, I checked and found no signs of external injury. I suspect that drugs may have caused him to lose consciousness, creating the illusion of suicide. A post-mortem examination will likely be necessary to determine the truth.

Wang Bo threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it, saying: "I know you are busy with a major case; if it weren't for the fact that this matter is somewhat peculiar, I wouldn't dare to waste your precious time!" Ling Li replied: "Enough with the nonsense, what exactly is going on?"

The police officer took him to get something to eat, as he still had classes in the afternoon. Sun Xiaohong and Tu Shu sighed: "I really don't know how to explain to the child. I only said that there was a thief in the house and that we couldn't go back for the time being. He asked me where his father was, and I..." Her voice was somewhat choked.

Ling Li said, "Alright, Xiao Lu, this matter is entrusted to you. Cannon, go to your office; I want to meet his wife"

Three days have passed since the incident on May 20, and during this time, they have conducted a thorough investigation, yet there remains no clue whatsoever

Fu Chengyuan's wife, Sun Xiaohong, is the head nurse of the surgery department at the First Municipal Hospital. She is thirty-six years old, has well-proportioned features, and a good figure. She is wearing a black dress, black stockings, and black high heels, and is sporting a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, with a look of deep sorrow on her face

Ling Li pondered and said, "Cannon, how about this: you talk to the deceased's wife and see if she agrees to the police conducting an autopsy on the deceased, after all, there is currently no clear evidence of homicide"

Wang Bo led the two individuals into the elevator, arriving at the entrance of Room 1202 on the 12th floor. A young police officer was standing there, and upon seeing Wang Bo, he called out "Director Wang." Wang Bo responded with a brief "Mm" and walked straight in with Ling Li. Inside the room, two other police officers were busy conducting a scene investigation, one of whom was holding a camera.

In Ling Li's view, Wang Bo should have the capability to make a determination regarding a suicide case. His decision to personally make a trip indicates that there is indeed something peculiar about the situation.

"I will agree to anything, as long as I can capture the murderer of Old Fu"

Wang Bo gave a wry smile and said, "Go ahead, you will understand once you see it."

"It's the middle of the day, are you out of your mind? Can't you be a bit gentler?" Ling Li said somewhat displeased. Su Kai replied, "The Donghu Police Station received a report stating that someone committed suicide in the Hubin Community. Director Wang took his team to the scene. From what we observed, it does appear to be a suicide, but Director Wang mentioned that this is the first time he has encountered such a case. He is somewhat uncertain, so he would like you to personally go and take a look."

Ling Li and Liu Xiaolu fell silent. This room should be the deceased's study, where he "hanged himself" while sitting at his desk. His entire body leaned slightly forward, yet he maintained a sitting posture. The rope was tied to the horizontal beam at the top of the large bookshelf behind the desk, which was originally a decorative feature of the bookshelf, unexpectedly serving such a purpose.

Ling Li asked, "Did he not explain what was going on?"

Have you ever seen a suicide by hanging like this