Replacing the Evil Way

Chapter 12: Impossible Crime

He Wei might be gay, which was never mentioned during the investigation by Xiang Yang and Ke Dongrui. Including his parents, they didn’t mention any related information. When they asked why He Wei didn’t live at home, his parents simply said that the child had grown up and had his own ideas, and they couldn’t control his decision to move out.

However, Cheng Zesheng was certain that He Lu, He Wei’s younger brother, knew something. He believed that He Lu’s reaction to his brother’s death might be related to this aspect, so he wanted to investigate it further. Yang Xiang looked at Cheng Zesheng curiously and asked, “Vice-Captain, do you think He Wei’s death is related to his younger brother? But his brother was out of town attending a meeting in the past two days and couldn’t have committed the crime.”

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that He Lu killed him. We can’t rule out the possibility of someone hiring a hitman or instigating the murder,” Cheng Zesheng replied, holding He Wei’s information. “The social connections of the victim can be summarized on a single sheet of paper, and we can count the number of acquaintances around him on our fingers. There are very few breakthrough points, so we can’t overlook any possibilities.”

Cheng Aiyue stood at the office door and knocked, saying, “Vice-Captain, here’s the trace inspection report of the crime scene.”

Xiang Yang eagerly fetched it, and Cheng Zesheng asked, “Has the analysis of the skin tissue come out?”

“Boss, Xiao Liu just brought the samples. They need to be extracted, separated, and compared. It’s not as fast as making coffee,” Xiang Yang replied.

Cheng Zesheng opened the report and read two pages, frowning. “Are all the fingerprints found at the scene his? Including the ones on the murder weapon?”

Cheng Meiyue nodded, “Yes, including the skin cells found in the gaps of the hemp rope. They were all carefully examined and determined to be his DNA, with no signs of another person.”

The report included a labeled diagram depicting each fingerprint found on the murder weapon, the hemp rope, clearly. Cheng Zesheng handed the picture to Xiang Yang and said, “Take a look. All the fingerprints on this are from the same person. If we rule out self-strangulation, how could this be explained?”

Realizing that Cheng Zesheng was about to teach him again, Le Zhengkai leaned forward with interest, while Ke Dongrui sat down. Cheng Aiyue left, as she needed to expedite the examination of the skin tissue so that Cheng Zesheng wouldn’t have to rush again.

Xiang Yang became instantly nervous. Based on the labeled positions of the fingerprints in the picture, he clenched his fists and gestured back and forth, expressing his thoughts, “If we assume that he was killed by someone, the killer would have held his hand and strangled him…”

“That doesn’t hold up,” Cheng Zesheng interrupted him. “If that was the method used, there would be compression marks on his finger joints and the back of his hand. If the killer had enough strength, it could even cause bone fractures. But his hands were clean, except for the skin tissue left from struggling and fighting on his fingertips; there’s nothing unusual.”

Xiang Yang’s eyes flickered. “The killer wore gloves throughout the entire process, strangled the victim first, and then gave him the rope to hold, leaving fingerprints.”

“Why would the killer make the victim hold it?”

“…To make us, the police, think it was self-strangulation?”

“Firstly, after death, muscle tension disappears; the whole body relaxes and becomes limp, unable to leave such clear and distinct fingerprints. Including the skin tissue on the hemp rope, those are all marks that can only be produced by exerting force with bare hands.” Cheng Zesheng pointed to a photo of the corpse among the scene pictures spread out on the table. “Secondly, there’s the deviation in fingerprint positioning. Try holding a rope with this hand gesture and see what kind of fingerprint pattern it leaves.”

Le Zhengkai smiled mischievously. “Xiao Xiang Yang, the rope was held in the hand. If the killer wanted to create the illusion of self-strangulation, why would he take it off? He could just put it directly around the neck to avoid suspicion.”

Ke Dongrui sighed, “The killer obviously didn’t want to hide or conceal anything. They killed openly and boldly, so I don’t think gloves were used.”

Xiang Yang looked at the three senior detectives, his hands nervously twisting together. He strained his mind and squeezed out an idea, “Could they have used fingerprint film?”

“Starting to let your imagination run wild?” Cheng Zesheng tapped his head with the report, “Do you have any other reasonable explanations?”

Xiang Yang shook his head. Since he started working with Cheng Zesheng, he felt like he had wasted several years studying at the police academy. His knowledge seemed useless when faced with complex cases. Cheng Zesheng gave him the materials and asked him to look closely at the rope in the evidence room and then go to observe the body carefully in the forensic department. Jiang Tan’s autopsy should probably not be finished yet, so he could catch up with the exciting parts by going there now.

Xiang Yang wore a pained expression as if he were about to face execution. Ke Dongrui closed the files and focused on investigating He Lu, while Cheng Zesheng asked Le Zhengkai, “Have you been to the victim’s house?”

“I just came back from there. He lived in a small, rented house. The door lock was intact, and there were no signs of disturbance inside. His bank cards and valuable belongings were all there,” Le Zhengkai replied. “I feel like the method used in this case is too strange. Let’s try searching the bar. We might find some unexpected leads.”

“I’ll go to the bar, and you go back to the crime scene with the team again,” Cheng Zesheng said, picking up the car keys. “Search it thoroughly once more, and don’t miss anything.”

“Earlier, you didn’t clarify things for your apprentice. Did you realize that based on the evidence we have, the crime scene you speculated about is not plausible?” Le Zhengkai suddenly approached, lowering his voice. “Zesheng, do you believe in ghosts in this world?”

“I don’t believe in ghosts. I only believe in people causing trouble.”

———

Avenoir was a music bar located at 36 Xu’an Road. The bar operated from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., but after 8:00 p.m., it became a gathering place for men who loved men. A few years ago, Cheng Zesheng apprehended a suspect who couldn’t control his desires and even dared to have a one-night stand in the bar’s restroom while on the run.

The decor and style of this bar were different from typical entertainment venues. Many bars liked to ignite the atmosphere with loud and noisy music, hiding all the dirt and grime behind punk and rock. However, Avenoir lacked an ambiguous dance floor, a magical and hazy crystal ball, or even a DJ spinning records. The only background music in the venue was soft, giving it a distinct artistic flavor.

As Cheng Zesheng pushed open the door, all sorts of eyes turned toward him; some in curiosity, some in admiration, and some in appreciation and intrigue. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and faded jeans, a modest and low-key outfit that should have blended in with the crowd. But good looks couldn’t go unnoticed. As soon as he sat at the bar counter, it was as if a spotlight was shining on him, making wherever he was a stage.

“Hey handsome, you look new here. Is it your first time?” The bartender wiped a highball glass with a smile. “What would you like to drink?”

“Soda water.” Cheng Zesheng surveyed the place. “Where’s your boss?”

“Our boss usually arrives after 10:00 p.m.,” the bartender pushed the menu toward him. “Would you like to have some snacks? We have a discount of 20% off for the current promotion.”

Cheng Zesheng raised his wrist and checked the time. It was already 10:00 p.m., with just a little over an hour left. He didn’t have time to waste here for so long. He was about to disclose his identity when someone sat beside him. “Can you get this gentleman a Mojito, please?”

“……,” Cheng Zesheng coldly refused, “No need, we don’t know each other; save it for your lover.”

The man hesitated for a few seconds, and before he could connect the rejection to the recent hit song, suddenly, he became interested and placed his hand on Cheng Zesheng’s shoulder. “Drinking soda water here is boring. Order whatever you want, my treat.”

Cheng Zesheng felt disgusted but didn’t rush to drive away the slick-looking man. Instead, he took out a photo of He Wei. “Do you know this person?”

The man casually replied, “I don’t know him.” Cheng Zesheng nodded. “Okay, you’re of no concern. Get lost.”

“Why? Is he your boyfriend?” The man’s tone was full of implications. “Not many people who come out to play develop genuine feelings. I hope you’re not being fooled.”

“Heh.”

The man snapped his fingers and asked the bartender to make a Long Island Iced Tea for Cheng Zesheng. His voice became low, and his tone became ambiguous and sultry: “Fast romance is the norm these days; it’s all about physical desires and not genuine emotions…”

Cheng Zesheng’s gaze glided from the glass of Long Island Iced Tea to the man’s face. He understood perfectly well that it was a tacit suggestion, implying, ‘Drink my drink and come with me tonight’. Cheng Zesheng extended his well-defined fingers and tapped the rim of the glass, causing a glimmer of delight to flicker in the man’s eyes. Suddenly, he heard Cheng Zesheng ask, “Have you chosen a place?”

“Anywhere you want to go.”

“Oh, alright.” Cheng Zesheng nonchalantly pulled out his police badge and casually tossed it onto the bar counter. “Let’s go here then; I’m familiar with it.”

The man’s face immediately turned sour as he scrutinized Cheng Zesheng. He never expected him to be a police officer. The difference between the image of a police uncle and Cheng Zesheng was too great. With his looks and figure, he could easily be mistaken for an internet celebrity or model.

The man forced a smile and sulkily moved away. The bartender was also dumbfounded. Cheng Zesheng put away his identification and asked again, “Does your boss arrive after 10:00 p.m.?”

“I-I’ll call him right away. Please wait a moment.”

In less than half an hour, a man dressed in a beige windbreaker and with a gentle and jade-like appearance appeared. “Officer Cheng, it’s been a long time.”

“Yeah, it has been a while. About two years, right?” Cheng Zesheng pointed upstairs. “Let’s find a place; there are too many people and prying eyes here.”

The bar owner, Lian Jingyuan, instructed someone to bring tea and led the way until they reached the second floor. He was curious about why Officer Cheng had sought him out today.

“Do you know He Wei?”

Lian Jingyuan nodded. “He was my senior in college.”

“He’s dead.” Cheng Zesheng pulled out a chair. “Strangled to death. I came to ask you for some information regarding him.”

After sitting down, Cheng Zesheng looked up, only to find Lian Jingyuan frozen in place, motionless. His fair cheeks turned pale, and he asked in a soft voice, “When did it happen?”

“On the night of the 14th.”

“That’s impossible.” Lian Jingyuan clenched his lips firmly and spoke resolutely, “He came to the bar to see me that night around 1:00 a.m.”

———

Jiang Tan was already preparing to go to bed when he received a call from Cheng Zesheng. “There was no alcohol in He Wei’s stomach?”

“No, his last meal was rice. Doesn’t the report mention it?” Jiang Tan was confused. “Can’t I detect whether he had been drinking or not? After all, I’ve been a forensic expert for ten years!”

Cheng Zesheng persisted, “What about blood tests? Are you sure there was no alcohol?”

“You’re questioning my professional competence?” Jiang Tan said, bewildered. “Do you think I can’t determine if someone has been drinking? I’ve been a forensic doctor for ten years!”

Cheng Zesheng wasn’t convinced. “What about the time of death? According to your report, it was around 3 a.m. Could there be a possibility of miscalculation?”

“!” Jiang Tan sat up abruptly, startled. “Cheng Zesheng, I’m angry! You’re really insulting my abilities. There was no air conditioning or ice present at the crime scene, and there were no measures taken on the body that could affect the time of death. I guarantee, based on my ten years of experience, that I didn’t make a mistake!”

“Beep, beep.” The other person hung up the call.

“Damn, what’s wrong with him?” Jiang Tan slammed the phone down and went to sleep in frustration.

Cheng Zesheng carefully read through the autopsy report from beginning to end, as well as the report on the skin tissue. The DNA comparison confirmed that it was indeed He Wei’s DNA, but there were no matching scratch marks anywhere on his body.

He slowly closed the report, and Lian Jingyuan’s words still echoed in his mind.

“He came to the bar drunk at the time. He was feeling down and upset. We talked for a while, and he left around 3:00 a.m. I remember it very clearly.”

According to Lian Jingyuan’s testimony, there was no way He Wei could have been killed at the mansion, regardless of any unexpected deviations in the time of death or Lian Jingyuan’s memory. But what about the crime scene reconstruction?

In the morning, while Cheng Zesheng was refuting Xiang Yang’s arguments, he was also speculating about the crime scene. The ligature marks on He Wei’s neck only had one loop and no knot. The killer would have needed to put forth their full strength for a swift and precise act to ensure a fatal outcome. Therefore, the marks on the rope reflected the true nature of the crime, leaving behind fingerprint imprints that were both unblemished and unhidden.

However, the test results indicated that they all belonged to He Wei. This was the reason why Cheng Zesheng had been unable to reconstruct the crime scene effectively. Based on this evidence, the only image that came to Cheng Zesheng’s mind was that He Wei had strangled himself from behind. That’s why Cheng Zesheng instructed Le Zhengkai to revisit the crime scene and try to find other evidence that could refute this idea.

It was an impossible crime.

Cheng Zesheng leaned back, his back against the small sofa, and looked up at the ceiling.

There must be some evidence that they haven’t been found yet. In this world, there is no such thing as an impossible crime.