I explained the general direction of the investigation to Liu Yuning so she wouldn't go down so many wrong paths. When investigating a case, one must focus on certain key points rather than randomly sifting through everything. This approach is a complete waste of time and can lead to more victims due to delays in seizing the optimal moment.
Therefore, I had time to spare to meet with the victim's family.
I had intended to ask He Xin how she knew about Liu Shuhua's situation earlier, but I recalled that Xiao Dong seemed to have a good relationship with her, so she probably mentioned it on WeChat.
Upon arriving at the morgue, I saw an elderly couple inquiring about Liu Shuhua. I approached them and said, "The body cannot be taken away at the moment. We still need to conduct an examination. If the case is solved, we will return it, so please don't worry!"
However, Liu Shuhua's father impatiently replied, "How am I supposed to know when you'll solve the case? If it takes a long time, will my daughter's body be kept here indefinitely?"
"No, if the examination yields nothing further, it will be deemed complete. You don't need to be so anxious!" I said, intentionally probing slightly. I noticed that Liu Shuhua's family seemed overly eager.
"Hmph, please hurry up. My daughter already died a tragic death, and now she can't be laid to rest soon. I'm sure she's in great pain, and as her parents, we are suffering too!" Liu Shuhua's mother said.
"I understand. Please go back for now. If you have anything to say, you can contact us anytime!"
I spoke politely, but Liu Shuhua's father began to scold me, "You don't know anything! You don't have a daughter, so you can never truly understand the grief of parents sending off their child. You can never comprehend the feeling of the elderly burying the young!"
I replied, "Mr. Liu, I know you are upset, but please try to remain calm. Losing your temper won't solve anything. By the way! Do you have anything you want to tell me now?"
"Let's find a place to talk. Her husband will be here soon too!" Liu Shuhua's father said.
I also wanted to meet her husband, so I decided to wait in the small conference room.
Before Liu Shuhua's husband arrived, I poured two cups of tea for the elderly couple and asked, "Has Liu Shuhua recently gotten to know anyone who works as a veterinarian or in a hospital?"
"A hospital? None of her friends work there, and she doesn't have any pets. How could she be involved with a veterinarian?" Liu Shuhua's mother asked, confused.
"I'm just asking questions. Please tell me what you know. You don't need to elaborate on anything else!"
"Alright, Consultant He, what do you want to know?" Liu Shuhua's father asked.
"How long has it been since you last saw your daughter? How well do you know her?"
"It's been quite some time. She's usually very busy with work. If not for her wedding, she probably wouldn't have invited us. Who knew this wedding would be our last time seeing her!" Liu Shuhua's mother recounted, her voice breaking as she brought up the subject, and tears welled up again.
"Does she not come home for long periods?" I inquired.
Liu Shuhua's father recalled, "We live in the village, so she only returns for a few days during Chinese New Year. But each time, she's in such a rush to get back to work. While she's young, of course, she needs to work harder. Otherwise, in old age, you end up like us!"
I could sense that Liu Shuhua's parents didn't seem to know their daughter very well, or rather, due to their infrequent contact, they knew too little about her.
I decided not to dwell on this, as it was their family matter. I shifted the topic, "So, did Liu Shuhua call you before the incident?"
"Yes, she called about the wedding! I remember she was in a very good mood then. How could she have been murdered?" Liu Shuhua's mother said.
"Did she mention anything strange to you? Or perhaps, did she meet anyone new recently?"
"No, she only mentioned the wedding and asked us to be there on time," Liu Shuhua's mother replied.
I thought, it seemed Liu Shuhua herself didn't know she would be a victim, and even at the moment of her death, she was unaware. Was this a random act?
Seeing my silence, Liu Shuhua's father became a bit anxious. "If there's nothing else, we'll be going. You can meet her husband yourself later!"
"Alright!"
I wasn't sure what they were going to do, but I had a feeling they didn't particularly like Liu Shuhua's husband.
After seeing them out, I finally obtained Liu Shuhua's husband's information. I had asked He Xin to investigate and send it to my phone.
Yu Lihui, 41 years old, male, an employee of Fuming City Weihe Pharmaceutical. His economic condition seemed ordinary, and he was a bit short and stout. I speculated that perhaps due to Yu Lihui's less-than-ideal circumstances, Liu Shuhua's parents didn't think highly of him.
When Yu Lihui arrived at the police station and saw his wife's state, he broke down in tears again. He told me that he was the one who found the body. At the time, he thought he was dreaming. When he held the body, his hands were covered in blood. The police had even suspected him initially, but later, his suspicion was cleared through the surveillance footage from the wedding venue and the testimonies of several of Liu Shuhua's relatives.
"Consultant He, you must help me find the murderer of my wife!" Yu Lihui said emotionally, grabbing my hand.
"I will! Mr. Yu, you must know a lot about Liu Shuhua's situation, as you were always together. Now I have a few questions for you!"
"Ask away, Consultant He. I'll tell you everything!"
"First question: How was your relationship with Liu Shuhua?"
Mentioning this, Yu Lihui frowned. "Consultant He, really? Are you also suspecting me like those police officers?"
"No, I'm just conducting a routine inquiry," I replied casually.
"Alright, we were very good, of course. We were inseparable and deeply in love. What do you think?"
"And your last meeting was before she went back to the room?"
"Yes, she said she had drunk a bit too much and wanted to rest in the room. I originally wanted to accompany her, but some friends insisted on drinking with me. If I had gone back to the room with her then, no one would have been able to harm her! But we checked the surveillance footage, and no one entered our room at all! It's so strange! And there was a bloody hole on my wife's neck. Could this be the work of some evil spirit?"
"Mr. Yu, please don't speculate wildly. The police are conducting a thorough investigation, which is why we need the cooperation of the family."
"I understand, Consultant He. What else do you want to know?"
I paused to think, then said, "Does she have a friend who works in a hospital?"