Free Web NovelChapter 265: Chapter 262 Scratches of Paint on the Bridge_1
Mr. Zhao finally managed to disperse the enthusiastic workers, and Xu Guanhai then led Zhou Ning and the others to the bridgehead at the northeast corner.
It could be seen that the stone bridge must have been replaced not many years ago, and it was probably a preserved part of the maintenance work done on Yue Lake this time.
However, at the northwest corner, a new railing had been constructed around the bridge, made of blueish-white stone with carvings, which was very beautiful.
But at their feet, this was a stone embankment with no protection; one could easily jump into the lake with a lift of the leg.
"Director Zhou, look, we’ve analyzed that this is where the victim fell into the water. We found the tire tracks of the victim’s electric scooter on the ground. However, when the person who reported it found the body, it was floating under the bridge pier on the far northeast side. It seems it was the fishers who, tugging on their fishing lines, pulled the body up.
When we inspected the site, we found the heel plug from the victim’s shoe caught in this crack. This is the picture we took at the time; the plug has also been sent for examination and has been confirmed as the part that came off the victim’s heel."
Zhou Ning glanced at the picture on Xu Guanhai’s phone. Although the phone wasn’t any fancy model, the picture was still clear. After comparing the location, Zhou Ning squatted down, checking the gap between the stones, and pressed on the stone next to it.
With some shaking, the stepping stones under his feet indeed moved, and the gap was large enough to insert the heel of the victim’s shoe. Zhou Ning looked at the distance from the edge of the lake and the distance from the bridge pier before patting his hands and standing up.
"From this spot to where the tire tracks disappear is about five meters. That is to say, the victim walked from here, since the heel plug caught in the picture is from the right foot, yet most people stepping off an electric scooter would use their left foot.
If the victim had fallen into water where the tire tracks were, according to the residue of the water line, during the flood season, the water level would be about seventy centimeters above the stone edge of the lake shore. But at this height, it would be impossible to hold onto the victim’s hair and push the victim into the water."
Xu Guanhai was taken aback for a moment before sneaking a glance at Zhou Ning. Considering what Zhou Ning had said, he thought carefully.
"Last May was rather dry, not the flood season, so the water level was even lower. The water depth we measured back then was at the base of the bridge pier where the body was found, where the water is deeper."
Liu Yongxin narrowed his eyes, moved closer to Zhou Ning, looked at Xu Guanhai, and in a voice only the three of them could hear, said:
"Apprentice, do you suspect that the victim was pushed off the bridge, and the person who pushed her into the water fell in as well? All this talk about grabbing hair and pressing someone underwater, that all happened in the water. And the contusions on the victim’s back also required a certain height to cause the fractures, so was the electric scooter thrown off the bridge?"
This analysis overturned the initial judgment direction of the criminal police team. Xu Guanhai saw that Zhou Ning did not argue but instead nodded on the side. Subconsciously, he wanted to doubt this analysis, but opening his mouth, he didn’t know what to say for a while.
Zhou Ning clearly saw Xu Guanhai’s feelings, which he understood very well.
"Doctor Xu, I noticed that both sides of the bridge have been blocked off with barriers, but it’s still possible to pass beneath the bridge. So there should be some traces retained on the bridge and the pathway stones on the bank. Let’s go take a look. No matter how reasonable the analysis, it all depends on the evidence."
With that, Zhou Ning silenced Xu Guanhai. Xu Guanhai nodded vigorously as Zhou Ning gestured, and Mr. Zhao and Yang Xuetong, already poised to move, rushed forward upon seeing Zhou Ning’s gesture.
The material of the bridge and the stepping stones was similar, making an antiqued patchwork, with railings on both sides and columns at intervals. The tops of the columns were toads, each with a different posture. Zhou Ning took an extra look at the intricately crafted stone bridge in a park.
Both of them inspected inch by inch. Xu Guanhai nudged Liu Yongxin’s elbow, his face showing impatience.
"Come on, you’re not worried at all, are you? I checked the top dozens of times. No blood, mud, footprints, fingerprints, nothing. Now, nearly a year has passed; there can’t possibly be anything left." freёweɓnovel.com
Liu Yongxin smiled at Xu Guanhai, who was anxious.
"Don’t worry, just wait and see. I think we will definitely find something. By the way, where is the victim’s electric scooter?"
"It’s parked in the bureau’s garage. Xia Lirnin’s husband, Zhang Wei, came to ask for it once. We told him that it’s evidence, and we will return the scooter to him once the investigation is over. He hasn’t come to bother us since."
"What’s the husband like? I mean his appearance and financial status and all that?" freewēbnoveℓ.com
Xu Guanhai thought carefully, seeming to have a faint impression of the man.
"You’ve got me there; I don’t have much impression of Zhang Wei. He looks good, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he’s tall, slightly shorter than your apprentice, but definitely not as handsome as your apprentice."
Liu Yongxin raised his hand.
"I mean, could you use someone else as a reference? Why bring up my apprentice all the time? Speaking of looks, my apprentice could hold his own even in the entertainment industry. But we’re getting off topic. Continue, do you know anything else about this guy?"
Xu Guanhai shook his head.
"The investigation into Xia Lirnin’s social relations was conducted by Zhang Da and his team. I wasn’t involved. But just married for half a year, right in the middle of their honeymoon period—the mother-in-law coming over several times certainly gave Zhang Wei a hard time."
Liu Yongxin nodded; indeed, that was the case. Just half a year into the marriage, the girl died under mysterious circumstances, and the public security bureau had yet to give a clear statement, keeping it hanging. Any mother-in-law would have a hard time accepting it.
At that moment, Mr. Zhao raised his hand, his face alight with excitement.
"Doctor Xu, may I ask if the victim’s electric scooter is white? No, I mean, it has a grey section at the bottom, right?"
Xu Guanhai was startled and nodded before hurriedly rushing over. He didn’t know what Mr. Zhao had found, but being able to describe the original color of the scooter so suddenly got him excited.
While running, he had already found a picture of the scooter on his phone.
"This is the victim’s electric scooter; the upper part is white, and the lower half is grey. What did you all find?"
By then, Zhou Ning and Liu Yongxin had also arrived on the bridge, with Yang Xuetong holding the camera, while Mr. Zhao, grinning, lifted a bag containing several swabs.
"On the outer edge of the railing, we found two scrape marks. I think it’s paint. After all, it’s not very easy for someone to touch this spot intentionally."
Zhou Ning glanced at the photo on Xu Guanhai’s cellphone, then looked at the paint markings on the stones; they were mere scratches, about the size of two mung beans, and finding them really showed Mr. Zhao’s meticulousness.
The discovery of these scratches further confirmed Zhou Ning’s earlier judgment that the electric bicycle had been thrown off the bridge: one reason was to destroy evidence, and the other was to ensure that Xia Lirnin was beyond the possibility of survival.
But who was the person who threw the electric bicycle off the bridge?
Is it the same person who made the appointment with Xia Lirnin?
Zhou Ning took a deep breath and looked towards Xu Guanhai.
"Doctor Xu, we’d like to take a look at the electric bicycle—it’s stored at the Rudong Municipal Public Security Bureau, right?"
...
Approaching noon.
The group returned to the Rudong Municipal Public Security Bureau courtyard.
The electric bicycle was stored in the garage, covered with a rainproof cloth which, when removed, emitted a pungent stench.
Without wasting any words, Mr. Zhao and Yang Xuetong began to search and found two areas where the paint had chipped off on the side of the front wheel housing and the edge of the footrest, resembling two scratch marks, albeit only superficial layers of paint were peeled off.
The bike had been running in the water for two days before it was salvaged, and its marks had not attracted attention, making Xu Guanhai’s brow furrow.
Liu Yongxin patted his shoulder, with a comforting smile on his face.
"That’s enough, what’s it with you, do I really need to coax you now? We’re here to solve the case, aren’t we? Not to provide psychological counseling. Stop acting like an inexperienced kid. You’re nearly at retirement age, so don’t pull that face with my apprentice."
Xu Guanhai couldn’t help but laugh at Liu Yongxin’s blunt words; although a bit harsh, what he said made sense. They had asked for assistance from the city bureau to solve the case, so why get all complicated over finding a clue? Shaking his head, he also moved over to join the group.
"Have it sent to the city bureau for testing. If the paint scrapings collected from the scene are consistent with the bicycle, then we can conclude that the bike was thrown from the bridge."
Mr. Zhao quickly marked the spots and placed the samples into a box. Before Yang Xuetong could take it, Xu Guanhai had already walked over.
"I’ll arrange for someone to send it for testing. However, Director Zhou, still speak with the city bureau to expedite the testing process."
Zhou Ning nodded, Xu Guanhai would arrange things and naturally the call would be made by Mr. Zhao who volunteered.
"Mr. Yang, ask Director Xu if they’ve found anything on their side."
Yang Xuetong dialed Xu Dayuan’s phone. The ringtone seemed to sound not far away, and following the direction of the sound, Zhou Ning turned his head and saw Xu Dayuan and his group quickly approaching. Yang Xuetong didn’t dare to say anything and hung up the call.
"Leaders, have you made any progress?"
Xu Dayuan nodded, his eyes briefly scanning Zhou Ning’s face before he looked somewhat displeased.
"It seems you’ve made some finds on this end?"
Zhou Ning smiled, seeing Xu Dayuan’s expression, he suddenly felt the morning’s hard work wasn’t in vain; frustrating the leader can be satisfying.
"Shall we have lunch first, then discuss it at the meeting after?"
Xu Dayuan gestured dismissively.
"I think that’s a good idea, let’s hurry up. Everyone go have lunch, and after that, we can hold a case meeting to consolidate the findings from all our investigations."
Mr. Zeng was overjoyed.
"Forensic Doctor Zhou, no I mean Director Zhou, we’re all starving."
Zhang Sannian came up from behind, looking apologetic.
"I’m so sorry. Let’s head to the cafeteria, I’ve already arranged everything. Hey, where’s Doctor Xu?"
Liu Yongxin nodded towards the direction of the main gate, just as Xu Guanhai was hurrying back. Seeing Zhang Sannian, a smile broke out on his face, and Zhang Sannian immediately brightened.
"It seems you’ve made a discovery! Tell me, what have you found?"
Liu Yongxin poked Zhang Sannian’s arm and pointed at Xu Dayuan and the others before slowly saying:
"Zhang Da, if you want a horse to run, you first have to feed it. Stomachs are empty here."
Zhang Sannian smiled awkwardly.
"Let’s go, let’s eat first. I was just so excited. You guys don’t know; this case has been tormenting me to the point where I can’t eat or sleep. The family of the deceased comes making a scene every few days; it’s driving me crazy."
