Chapter 10: The Return to the Scene
The case files handed over to him did not mention any relevant evidence; if there were any, and the police department's special agents deliberately withheld it, then there is nothing he can do
"Boss, are you checking the fingerprints on this glass?" Gu Lao Liu, who also referred to the old police officer, thought that if one could not understand at this point, it would truly be better to buy a block of tofu and end it all.
In response to Mr. Shibuya, my subordinates have acted according to your instructions. We intended to transfer him directly to the Special Operations Department, but he has shown considerable resistance
... ...
However, two days have passed, and the police have not come.
In the heavy snowstorm, the trams operating within the city have also come to a halt. At this time, aside from one's own two legs, the only means of transportation available is the horse-drawn carriage. If it gets any later, it is likely that even the horse-drawn carriages will be unavailable. In the outskirts, sleds may be a more suitable option.
The wealthy socialites, dignitaries, and the overbearing Japanese invaders are all seated at this moment in a room as warm as spring, savoring tea, drinking coffee, watching the drifting fluff outside the window, and enjoying a life of comfort
It is very clean
It is better to establish a long-term rental agreement with the transportation service, notify them in advance when in use, make timely payments, and usually travel by tram, which is low-key and economical
The telegram was sent three days ago from the Japanese Embassy in Turkey, classified as top secret
The name of the street is Shan Street
Feiya informed them that the upstairs area is where Xie Erjin resides, and since the police had come, she had not set foot there again
"Director Lin, have you arranged everything I asked you to?" Saburo Shibuya asked while flipping through the documents.
Was this a result of rough handling and negligence in the case, or was it intentionally left at the scene?
Snow falls down, striking the pedestrians on the road
Standing before him was a person whom Zhou Sen would certainly recognize if he were here; it was Lin Dakuan, the investigation director of the Special Operations Department of the Ice City Police Department
What happened, boss? Gu Lao Liu was so frightened that he shrank back his hand
No. 3 Haicheng Street, Zhou Sen's warehouse stronghold
A Russian grandmother is indeed not accustomed to using Chinese cosmetics, but as for milk powder, it is something that every Russian household typically has
At this moment, Lin Dakuan, compared to the spirited and arrogant figure standing in front of Zhou Sen, truly appears to be two different individuals
Old Anthony is considered a wealthy man in Ice City, yet he does not have a carriage specifically for his own use, as it would be too wasteful of money
There is a sour and foul smell in this room, which is not easily noticeable unless one pays close attention. This fellow must have consumed quite a bit of alcohol before he was killed, right? Gu Lao Liu remarked
The situation in the bedroom was no different from when he and Lin Dakuan had entered; it was just that at that time he was not in the mood to conduct a detailed examination. At most, he had only conducted a cursory glance, much like a forensic examination of a corpse, merely observing the surface characteristics of the body without performing a detailed autopsy.
Because the bedroom has been closed for two days, there was already a smell inside. With this enclosed space fermenting further, it naturally became quite strong
Zhou Sen suddenly felt that there might be a slight problem with his sense of smell
Descending from Jihong Bridge, there is a wide avenue running north along the railway line
The one who opened the door was the White Russian maid from the Sheerkin family. This maid, dressed simply and somewhat deformed in figure, recognized Zhou Sen.
After once again confirming their identities, Feiya invited the two of them into the house
On both sides of the street, a thin layer of white snow quickly settles on the fiery red leaves of the sugar maple trees. When the leaves can no longer bear the weight, they will tremble slightly, aided by the force of the wind
The wind swirls the snowflakes, which fall gracefully and abundantly.
Old Gu brought the milk powder, and Zhou Sen took a little with a spoon, then brought it close to the glass cup and gently blew around it.
After inspecting the scene that day, the police sealed off the bedroom on the second floor, stating that they would return at any time
Let us go and take a look at Sheerkin's study
In an instant, the milk powder formed a small cloud of dust, settling on the outer wall of the glass cup
"Yes, it is a lesson from Mr. Shibuya." In fact, Shibuya is younger than Lin Dakuan, yet Lin Dakuan appears like a young junior in front of Saburo Shibuya
The bedroom and study have been sealed, with the seal bearing the words "Ice City Police Department," along with the time and date, and the official stamp of the police department.
... ...
"Lao Liu, do not move!" Zhou Sen commanded.
Saburo Shibuya's lips curled slightly in a hint of bitterness; he had also participated in this plan, investing tremendous effort, yet it still ended in failure. Someone must bear the responsibility
"The boss is treating us to a meal, that sounds great." Ye San'er chuckled, although patrolling the streets was a bit tough, in this cold winter, there wasn't much to do, and there were plenty of ways to slack off.
On the second floor, in a large office facing the sun to the south
Xie Erjin died in the bedroom, so Zhou Sen and Gu Lao Liu naturally began their search in the bedroom. They tore off the seal and entered the room.
Knock on the door in front of you
"Boss, is there something wrong with this cup?" Seeing Zhou Sen suddenly staring blankly at the cup on the bedside table, Gu Lao Liu reached out to pick up the cup.
Before sleeping, Xie Erjin had consumed alcohol, and he drank quite a bit, as evidenced by the empty bottles on the floor. He certainly wouldn't have been wearing gloves while drinking, although I have not seen his corpse. However, when he was killed, he should not have been wearing gloves. Yet, there are no fingerprints on this glass. Isn't that rather strange?" Zhou Sen chuckled.
"Is the wine glass still there?" Gu Lao Liu exclaimed in surprise as he glanced over and noticed that the wine glass was still on the bedside table
"You are too anxious; such matters cannot be rushed," Saburo Shibuya said, raising his eyelids slightly. If he had not decisively called a halt, it is very likely that his plan would have deviated.
On that day, when he entered with Lin Dakuan, he did not mention any details regarding the footprints or fingerprints left at the scene from beginning to end
Previously, Zhou Sen was merely a small patrol officer; let alone owning a horse-drawn carriage, even renting one was not permitted by Old Man Anthony
This feeling, when Zhou Sen first came in, I had this feeling; at that time, I didn't think there was anything wrong.
Behind the spacious mahogany desk sits a middle-aged man in a black police uniform. The shoulder insignia features a large plum blossom emblem, indicating his rank as a police chief. The man maintains a good physique, has a crew cut, is of short stature, and wears a solemn expression, exuding an air of meticulousness.
The red solid wood door swings open to reveal a spacious interior, with a thick Persian carpet on the floor that muffles any sound made when stepping on it. A crystal chandelier illuminates the room brightly, creating a stark contrast with the dimness outside.
Zhou Sen questioned himself, believing he could not compete with someone as experienced as Gu Lao Liu in such specialized matters, and thought it best to leave these tasks to the professionals.
Our work is not merely about capturing one or two Soviet spies lurking in Ice City. Remember, our target is likely behind him, so you should refrain from any contact for the time being
Although it can be determined that Sheerkin's death was caused by the stab wound to the right side of the neck, according to the investigation procedures, all suspicious items at the crime scene must be taken away for examination
The pungent smell caused Zhou Shen to cough directly. However, Gu Laoliu seemed unfazed, showing no reaction at all
When discovered, there was still a little less than half a cup of leftover wine in the cup by the bedside, but now it has all evaporated. Zhou Sen had a strange expression; the smell was clearly very strong, so why did he still need to smell it carefully
It is uncertain whether she will come, as her master has already been killed. No one is paying her salary anymore, and she is also worried, after all, her family relies on her commission for their livelihood
Saburo Shibuya, the Deputy Director of the Ice City Police Department and the Head of the Special Operations Division, also concurrently serves as the Director of the Special Operations Office of the Matsue Police Department, which is essentially the Security Bureau of Ice City
It also serves as the location of the puppet Manchukuo Songjiang Province Police Department, a building with two signs, merely sharing office space.
At this time, those who are still struggling through the wind and snow are the common people at the bottom of society, who toil hard out of necessity for their livelihoods
The large horse-drawn carriage is generally operated by Belarusians, accommodating four to five people, providing great comfort, and offering protection against wind and cold. Of course, relatively speaking, the price is not inexpensive
"Old Six, what did you see?" A glimmer of brilliance flashed in Zhou Sen's eyes; this outcome took him by surprise
Immeasurable humility, slightly bowing, lowering the head, afraid that even the sound of breathing would be too loud
Has the murderer cleaned up the scene?
The traces on the ground have long been destroyed, and after the incident, it is unknown how many people have entered. There are too many footprints, making it impossible to extract and identify any.
Gu Lao Liu is a highly experienced veteran police officer. Although he has not led the resolution of any major cases, he has participated in quite a number of them, and his keen eye is certainly not lacking.
The Ice City Police Department is located on this street
Being present at the scene is a technical task. Old police officer Gu, with his experience, was designated to accompany them, and Ye San'er could not contest this decision.
This is a three-story building with a white facade, designed in a classical style. At the top of the high steps, six massive Corinthian columns stand majestically, exuding an imposing grandeur. The cornice on the top level is inspired by the "pediments" of Greek temples
Such heavy snow and wind make it impossible to ride a bicycle. Zhou Shen and Gu Lao Liu could only call for a small cart.
"San Er, you will be in a group with Wun, do not let anyone patrol alone in the freezing cold. I will go with Lao Liu to the crime scene again. Let's find a hot pot restaurant for lunch, and when we return, I will treat everyone to a meal." Zhou Sen instructed Ye San Er.
"This matter must not be mentioned to anyone; the Empire will not treat loyal and reliable friends like you poorly," said Saburo Shibuya as he watched Lin Dakuan leave, gently moving his hand aside to reveal a telegram pressed underneath.
In later generations, the scenes in television and movies depicting the ice city filled with small cars are, in fact, something that Zhou Sen never witnessed; they are all fabricated and deceptive
The operation 'Bear' has failed, and there are suspicions of Soviet spies within the action team, with identities unknown
The small cart is generally driven by Chinese people, typically accommodating two to three individuals, and the price is naturally relatively inexpensive
The wine glass containing residual wine was the last item the deceased came into contact with; both the residual wine inside and the glass itself must be taken back for examination
The stove is burning vigorously
His salary is simply insufficient to support both the car and the driver
The day before yesterday, that somewhat dim-witted Chinese police officer came to my home and conducted a private investigation of the victim's bedroom.
"Lao Liu, go downstairs to find Feiya and get some rouge or powder. If there is no rouge or powder, milk powder will do, but it must be fine!" Zhou Sen sniffed the glass cup and then gave the order.
If a murderer is highly skilled, they can completely eliminate their target and leave without a trace. The only flaw would be the climbing marks in the chimney; they left in such a hurry that they did not clean up the traces, or perhaps they did not fully clean them. In any case, they would be discovered, so it is better not to waste time.
"Boss, aside from the messy footprints on the ground, the scene is truly clean!" Gu Lao Liu exclaimed after carefully inspecting every corner of each room.
The Security Bureau is a secret counterintelligence and espionage prevention agency, and it operates with confidentiality to the outside world This may be somewhat different from what people generally imagine
"Yes, Mr. Shibuya." Under the invisible pressure, Lin Dakuan's forehead gradually began to sweat
This time, without Lin Dakuan watching from behind, Zhou Sen felt much more relaxed. After asking Feiya some questions and looking around downstairs, he finally had Feiya take the two of them up to the second floor
Gu Lao Liu glanced at the cup and immediately nodded. Although he did not know what Zhou Sen intended to do, it was always right to listen to his superior's words
"It is very likely, but why would he do this, and what is his motive?" Zhou Sen continued to ask, suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him, "Could there be the murderer’s fingerprints on the wine glass, which he has cleaned off?"
Zhou Sen subconsciously nodded, but soon became stunned. Such important environmental evidence was not taken back for examination after the on-site investigation?