I shook my head."No, I just want to confirm a few things."
Then I went upstairs and sprinkled some flour in various corners. After finishing, I went back down and told Luo Weiwei to lock the door—we were about to leave.
Huang Xiaotao asked, "Where to now?"
"The cops haven't come back yet. I'm starving. Let's eat first. Didn't you say you'd treat us to roast duck?" I said.
Luo Weiwei got excited—she must be a foodie like me. "I know a shortcut. Let me take you to Binmanlou. Their roast duck is famous—you guys definitely haven't tried their 'three-ways duck'..."
I cut her off. "No, you're not coming. Go back to the station and run some lab tests for me—focus on the nasal residues and stomach contents of the deceased. Check for any stimulants."
Her face instantly fell. "But I thought no autopsies were allowed?"
"Don't worry, I've finished what I needed to check. Do whatever you want." I waved it off.
"Oh, got it."
...
After Luo Weiwei left, Huang Xiaotao laughed. "Song Yang, you're so shameless—being so harsh to a girl like that!"
"She lost the bet herself. I told her she was just a free driver. Why should I buy her dinner?" I sneered.
"You don't seem like the warm, nice guy type... but I like it. Haha!" Huang Xiaotao patted my back hard a few times.
Her praise made my face flush red, so I quickly changed the subject. "I don't think the tests will show anything. But ruling things out is necessary."
"So it'll be just like the last case?" Huang Xiaotao asked.
"No. We're making progress, just slower this time. Wait and see," I answered.
The three of us headed to Binmanlou. The roast duck there was really expensive—over 400 yuan a bird. With side dishes and service fees, the bill hit around 600 to 700 yuan. Huang Xiaotao paid generously. I asked her, "You spend money like crazy, drive a better car than your captain... does your police salary cover all that?"
She poured herself a coke. "Haha, my salary's just pocket money."
"Your family must be loaded?"
She winked. "That's a secret for now. But it's definitely not from stealing or robbing, so just enjoy your meal."
We ate heartily. Afterward, I packed some food for Wang Dali—he must be lonely alone at the hotel.
In the afternoon, we returned to the police station. The investigation team gradually came back. I gathered them in the second-floor conference room. Bai Yidao arrived too, shooting sharp glances at us—looks like he still hadn't gotten over Wang Yuanchao's beating!
I asked everyone to share their findings. Most cops found nothing. A few photographed some cat paw prints, but comparing them showed those prints didn't match the cat we were looking for.
Honestly, based on Zhang Liuer's confession earlier, I suspected the cat might not even exist.
I turned to the forensics team. "How about the test results?"
One cop replied, "We've only tested a few substances."
He explained to me that there are over a hundred types of stimulants to screen for. So far, they tested methamphetamine, cathinone, DMT, and amphetamine— all negative. The full results would take three or four days.
I nodded and assigned the next tasks.
First, analyze the deceased's phone data.Second, investigate his business contacts—he was a supplier-distributor.Third, check if the empty house across from the crime scene had been rented recently.Fourth, bring in the victim's daughter. I have some questions for her.
At that, a cop raised his hand. "Consultant Song, the relatives are keeping this from the girl. She's only twelve and studying away from home. Is it really right to tell her her parents are dead?"
I sighed. "They'll find out sooner or later. You expect to hide it forever?"
The cop added, "Can't you just interview the relatives instead?"
I asked, "How many uncles do you have?"
He looked confused. "Four."
I continued, "Then tell me, when's your fourth uncle's birthday?"
The cop was speechless. I explained, "Family ties are often more distant than friends. The people who know someone best are their direct relatives. Bringing the girl here is the right choice."
After assigning the tasks, I dismissed everyone, telling them to regroup first thing tomorrow.
Only Luo Weiwei and Bai Yidao remained. Bai Yidao lazily leaned back, hands behind his head. "Detective Song, what do you want us to do?"
I pulled out a sheet of paper I'd sketched during lunch. It showed three mask designs. Tossing it to him, I said, "Find a carpenter to make these masks for me. Also, there's a list of herbs on the back—go collect those."
Bai Yidao protested, "You just want me to run errands?"
I countered, "What else can you do? I checked your background..."
"Why'd you ask about my dad?" Bai Yidao snapped angrily.
I laughed. This guy thought everyone cared about his captain father. I said, "I'm talking about your record. You've been a cop for three years, involved in a dozen investigations, solved only two cases—one theft, and one homicide where the suspect confessed himself."
Cops like Bai Yidao, who got in through connections, usually have poor records. I wanted to hit a nerve.
He glared and pointed at my nose. "You..."
I said, "Get those things ready and bring them here tonight. If you don't follow orders, you're off the task force."
"Fine, I'm out!" Bai Yidao stood up to leave. Luo Weiwei quietly called after him.
I stopped him. "Think it over. This is a major provincial case. The Provincial Public Security Department is watching closely. I've never lost a case as a consultant. This is your chance to make a name."
Bai Yidao grumbled but took the paper, shooting me a dirty look as he left.
Luo Weiwei was more reasonable. "Should I still be your driver this afternoon?"
"No. You're a forensic doctor—driving is a waste of talent. Do your job," I waved.
Her face lit up. "Anything you say!"
"Get me two lab rats."
"What?!" Luo Weiwei twitched. "Hey, please respect my profession!"
"Fine. Then do a full autopsy on the three bodies. Assess mechanical injuries, complications, hidden lesions. Do brain, bone marrow, and joint exams. Check gray and white matter changes in the spine. Also, I need samples of major organs, serum, and platelet isolates. Write a 5,000-word autopsy report and submit it tomorrow."
I rattled off the instructions. Luo Weiwei's eyes went wide—she hadn't expected me to know so much about forensics. After a long pause, she stammered, "Uh... how big should the lab rats be?"
"Two or three months old."
After she left, Huang Xiaotao couldn't hold it in anymore. She bent over the table laughing, pounding the desk.
"Song Yang, you're incredible. Did you see her face just now? Like she tasted crap! Hahaha... I'm dying, my stomach hurts from laughing!"