Because he was a demon, but I had made a promise to him, and I could not go back on my word.
But all this was over. I closed my eyes and recorded it again in my clumsy and verbose writing, the process of the case. Closing the laptop, I came to the morgue and looked at the portraits of my ancestors. For some reason, I found myself kneeling before them.
"Ancestors, grandfather, father, thank you for always protecting me and allowing me to solve so many cases."
"I will not fail your expectations and will surely shine the light of justice into every corner of the world, making all evil disappear and filling the world with happiness. By then, we police officers might be able to retire, though that's just a dream. Even if it's impossible to achieve, having such aspirations is our motivation to strive forward!"
"Grandfather, father, I don't know how you are doing in that world. I hope you can see me. I know you have never left, and you are still by my side!"
As I spoke, my phone suddenly rang again. I took it out and saw that it was from "Dad" on WeChat. "Child, you did well. You make me feel incredibly gratified. Keep up the good work. Guo Dafu was just the beginning; even more heinous things will happen next!"
"Dad, I understand. I won't be afraid of a small setback. How have you been lately?"
"Every day is pretty much the same, but it's still fulfilling."
I didn't send any more messages. Sometimes I felt awkward chatting like this. No one knew the secret between me and "Dad."
After the Tangshan assault incident broke out, our public security's vigilance increased significantly. Now, you can see many police officers patrolling when you go out, and police cars parked on the streets. This day, Mingqiang and I were taking Da Hei and Xiao Niu for a walk. Several police officers greeted us. I asked them not to call my name to avoid being crowded.
Mingqiang and I tied the two police dogs to a guardrail next to a milk tea shop and then sat inside. We casually ordered two cups of juice and started talking about his affairs. If he hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known that this guy had gotten together with Xie Chuchu.
"You're really something. I never saw you interact with Chuchu usually. How did you manage to win her over?"
"You're talking nonsense. She pursued me. I didn't do anything at all. She texted me and asked, 'Are you often with Group Leader He?'"
"And what did you reply?"
"Of course, I said sometimes. What's wrong?"
"Does she often ask you about me?"
"How did you know?"
"Uh..." It seemed Xie Chuchu didn't actually like Gao Mingqiang. I swallowed. I don't know if it was because of the increased police presence everywhere recently, but I found that we were a bit idle, having the time to concern ourselves with such personal matters.
I didn't bring it up again and deliberately changed the subject. Just then, an urgent call came to my phone.
"I just received a report. Director Huang has something to ask of us. It's said that a case of extremely heinous nature has occurred in Fuming City. This is the third time, and a baby-sized handprint has appeared on the chest of all the victims!"
"What? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I only found out just now myself. Director Huang can't handle it, so he's asking us to go and help!"
Since it was Director Huang's invitation, we decided to go. I told Gao Mingqiang the situation. He didn't waste any time when there was a case and quickly paid the bill and left the milk tea shop with me. We first drove back to the provincial department, and then Liu Yuning and Xiahou followed us. This time, we were going back to Fuming City.
The members of the Punishment Brigade, including the forensic team, were all present. We used two police cars to transport everyone. After some time, we finally returned to Fuming City. However, this time we weren't at the police station but at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Director Huang had been promoted, and his office was now at the municipal bureau.
Meeting Director Huang again, he shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "He Sheng, we must ask for your help this time. Without you, I won't be able to solve this case. The case here is temporarily being handled by the new Captain Li, but it's been a week. We've discovered a pattern in the killer's behavior: he likes to kill one person every two days. The body found in the garbage dump today is the third one."
"Alright, Director Huang, don't be nervous. We will investigate thoroughly. Can we examine the body immediately?"
"Of course, He Sheng, you're as proactive as ever."
"Yes, this is our job. Let's go!" I said to the other members of the Punishment Brigade. Then Director Huang called Captain Li over. This Captain Li seemed very sincere and very flattering towards us.
Upon arriving at the forensic department, a forensic doctor named Zhong opened the shrouds of several bodies for us. I looked at the first body and found it was a child about 10 years old, male. Indeed, there was a baby's handprint on his chest. I measured it with a ruler. Before I could speak, Forensic Doctor Zhong said, "This handprint appears to be from a newborn baby."
"A newborn? How is that possible?" Liu Yuning, who was beside me, exclaimed in surprise.
"We conducted comparative experiments and found that it is indeed so," Forensic Doctor Zhong replied.
I nodded. "You are correct." I observed the boy's body. There were no wounds on him, and his skin was fair and extremely clean. The only mark was that handprint. It was the first time I had seen such a clean corpse.
Could the cause of death be this handprint?
However, this handprint didn't seem to have damaged the skin; it was just imprinted on it like a tattoo.
I looked at the autopsy report, which also did not specify the cause of death.
I said, "Forensic Doctor Zhong, you still haven't determined the cause of death?"
Hearing this, Forensic Doctor Zhong replied with embarrassment, "Yes, yes. Having been in the forensic profession for so long, this is the first time I've encountered such a body. This corpse is too clean!"
At this moment, even Xiahou, who had little forensic experience, said, "That's right, how could this be? No wounds at all. Have the blood and urine been tested?"
"Officer Xiahou, I know what you're trying to say, but the deceased genuinely showed no signs of poisoning. I've already checked it carefully several times," Forensic Doctor Zhong replied.
I touched the deceased's skin and suddenly noticed something. The deceased's fingers were covered with many heat patches. Forensic Doctor Zhong noticed me looking there and said, "I've examined these, and there's nothing unusual."
"No, the body should have been covered with these heat patches. The report states that the deceased suffered from severe dehydration, organ failure, and cardiopulmonary damage, all of which are symptoms of heatstroke."