"So it's really this kind of relationship. Why would he target people he stayed with in a rehabilitation center?" Gao Mingqiang wondered.
"Isn't it obvious? He was probably bullied by someone in there before!" Liu Yuning said.
"That's a possibility. Didn't he go back to the rehab center for a memorial? Did someone who helped him die back then?" I speculated further.
Liu Yuning nodded. "I thought of that too. This situation isn't hard to figure out. We've encountered similar scenarios in past cases, just in different settings."
"Right, but won't this be too simple?" He Xin remarked.
I shook my head. "Actually, many cases are quite ordinary. Sherlock Holmes said that the more serious a case appears, the more clues can be found, while the more ordinary a case seems, the more troublesome the investigative process will be in the details."
"Yes, alright, we can get the arrest warrant now!"
As Liu Yuning spoke, she went to find Director Zhang.
All public security bureaus, police stations, and sub-stations in Guangming City immediately cooperated with our provincial department to dispatch officers.
We posted a reward notice throughout the city: 100,000 yuan for any information that could provide clues to the case, and 500,000 yuan for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.
We expected the strong man would soon see he was wanted and go into hiding. However, within two days, two more male corpses were discovered in a convenience store on Futao Avenue in Guangming City.
The surveillance footage captured the same strong man attacking the back of the victims' heads with a sheep horn hammer, causing their deaths.
When Liu Yuning and I arrived at the scene, the victims were already dead. The time of death was likely around an hour prior. This time, we found them relatively quickly, as convenience stores are frequently visited, unlike secluded locations.
This strong man's crimes were very direct. He showed no concern for hiding his identity or disposing of the bodies. He killed people and brazenly left under surveillance, as if he didn't take the police seriously at all.
Gao Mingqiang offered his opinion, but I waved it away. "This isn't recklessness; it's likely that he simply doesn't understand counter-surveillance. He's filled with hatred and only wants to take these people down. If I'm not mistaken, the victims this time were also people who had been in the rehabilitation center!"
Indeed, when the bodies were returned to the provincial department for autopsy, it was discovered that the two male victims had residual traces of etizolam, a main component of drugs, along with some methadone. This indicated they were attempting to quit drugs recently but still had a habit of using.
"Based on their body's toxins, they've been using for at least 8 years!" Xie Chuchu said, holding a test tube. Little Dong beside her was helping to collect urine samples for re-examination. I stood aside as the bodies were opened. Their internal organs showed signs of necrosis and pathological changes, all consequences of excessive drug use. The victims' organs were completely twisted and deformed, which is why I urge everyone to stay away from drugs.
I once dealt with a drug dealer who murdered his own mother to fund his addiction. He constantly extorted money from her for drugs. Eventually, their family conditions worsened. His mother, unable to do anything else, began selling her own organs for him. Yet, even after all this, the drug addict felt no shame. On a stormy night, while arguing with his mother for drug money, they struggled fiercely. He eventually pushed her onto a coffee table, causing her to hit her head and die. After the incident, the addict's only thought was of drugs; he made no attempt to hide the body. He left home, and the next day, neighbors discovered the body and reported it. In the afternoon around 2 PM that day, the police apprehended the suspect.
I've heard countless similar cases over the years, all reported by the anti-drug team. From the surveillance footage, I could see that Cao Leping likely wasn't using drugs anymore, as his body appeared very strong and his complexion was normal.
I didn't want to examine the bodies any further, as I had seen too many recently. This wasn't my primary job anyway, so I left it to the specialized forensic examiners.
As I walked out, I felt my nerves were a bit taut, probably from seeing too many corpses lately. I returned to my office, brewed a cup of coffee, and drank it slowly while browsing some information on my computer. Suddenly, my phone received some messages. I initially thought it was someone I knew, but upon looking, I was surprised to find it was an unknown WeChat account.
"He Sheng, I'm back. Surprised, aren't you? But it's okay, it seems I have to step in this time!"
I was very curious. Who was this? Why were they saying they were back?
I immediately replied to the message, and the other party responded, "I'm someone very familiar to you, but due to certain circumstances, I can't be by your side for the time being."
"Oh? Really? What do you want to tell me?"
"I know where that strong man is hiding!"
"How do you know?" At that moment, I thought I had encountered a scammer, or perhaps someone trying to confuse the police to cover up Cao Leping's crimes, similar to Zhang Erniu's case. However, the other party quickly replied with an address.
I thought it might be a trap, but I immediately called for backup and drove to the location.
Given Cao Leping's dangerous nature, regardless of whether he was there, the special police team was mobilized. Li Fan led a squadron of officers, along with dozens of members from the criminal investigation team. They quickly surrounded a unfinished building at the address.
This building seemed to have been constructed by the government for a residential development project, but for some unknown reason, the construction was halted and has remained undeveloped until now.
It was evident that this location was indeed convenient for hiding, but was Cao Leping really here?
As we went upstairs, the special police led the way, cautiously aiming their assault rifles. Since it was night, they used night vision goggles to guide us.
Upon reaching the rooftop, a muscular figure leaped down towards the ground. Fortunately, we had already set up an ambush below.
Many officers lunged at Cao Leping. This guy was indeed incredibly strong; Dian Wei himself would likely be no match. As the officers surrounded him, he forcefully grabbed a few men's arms, crashing them into each other. He also kicked several detectives and knocked a deputy captain down with his forehead. Then, he used his own head to knock down a burly police officer.
Later, I, along with over a dozen special police officers and several detectives, managed to subdue him.
In reality, I didn't go upstairs; I was monitoring from below, which allowed me to react immediately. I took out the handcuffs from my belt and fastened them behind his back. "Cao Leping, I am a police officer from Guangming City. I am now formally arresting you for multiple homicides. Please come back with us to the police station for investigation!"