Free Web NovelChapter 876: Chapter 459: Apprehending the Suspect!
According to the pre-arranged reporting order, the leader of Group One rose first to report the investigation results: "Our group was responsible for systematically investigating all medical institutions within the designated area, covering the time range of three months before and after the incident."
"During this period, among the injured recorded by all hospitals and clinics in the area, we did not find anyone who matched the characteristic of ’right-hand fracture’."
"We encountered one case of a left-hand fracture, but after detailed verification, the cause, time, and specific characteristics of the injury did not match the target scenario, so it was ruled out."
Immediately afterward, the leader of Group Two stood up to report, with a trace of regret in their voice: "During our group’s investigation of the area, we also did not find any records of right-hand fractures."
Subsequently, Groups Three, Four, Five, Six, and then Seven, each group leader rose in turn, yet their reports were strikingly similar—they all failed to find a target person who met the criteria.
A series of "not found" echoed throughout the meeting room, and the originally solemn atmosphere gradually became heavy and oppressive.
The attendees exchanged glances unconsciously, and silent anxiety permeated the air.
Political Commissioner Li and Mr. Qin were particularly tense, their brows furrowed, unable to hide their urgency.
Even the usually composed Director Hou and Jiang An coincidentally picked up their teacups for a light sip, as if this brief action could relieve the pressure in their hearts.
Up until this point, seven of the eight investigation teams had completed their reports, all without substantial progress.
In terms of probability alone, the hope that the remaining last group might bring a breakthrough was only a mere 12.5%.
Next, Political Commissioner Li spoke in a deep voice: "What’s the situation with Group Eight?"
As soon as the words fell, the leader of Group Eight immediately stood up and reported: "Report to Director Hou and Mr. Qin! During our group’s investigation, we discovered two cases of left-hand fractures."
"One of the injured individuals is named Guo Yong, who was injured while working at a construction site and currently resides in a village west of the crime scene."
Upon hearing this, the previously silent meeting room was instantly ignited.
Those present couldn’t help but engage in low conversations, with expressions of surprise and hope intermingling in their gazes.
Political Commissioner Li and Mr. Qin’s tightly drawn facial lines finally relaxed, and their lips unconsciously turned up slightly, revealing a rare relaxed expression.
Then, Political Commissioner Li raised his hand to indicate and spoke decisively: "Quick, directly state the relevant details, the more detailed the better, don’t beat around the bush."
As soon as the words dropped, everyone’s gaze instinctively focused on the leader of Group Eight, making him the most conspicuous person in the room at that moment.
The leader of Group Eight cleared his throat slightly, pondered briefly, as if quickly organizing the thread of clues in his mind, then calmly began to report: "We found a record at the specialist outpatient clinic of the orthopedics hospital in West Suburb, which showed that Guo Yong had his right hand caught by a machine at a construction site four years ago—fifteen days before the incident, resulting in a fracture of the radius."
"After the accident, his coworkers immediately took him to the hospital for treatment."
"At the time, since the fracture’s ends were fairly aligned, the doctor directly performed a manual reduction without surgery."
"It’s noteworthy that after reduction, Guo Yong failed to return for follow-up in a timely manner and only revisited the hospital for an X-ray six months later."
"The imaging showed the fracture was well-aligned, and the healing was generally normal."
"Therefore, we found two clear records of his visits in the hospital archives."
He paused slightly, glanced around, and continued to add: "More importantly, Guo Yong is from the same village as the deceased, which has been confirmed in the household registration system."
Then he mentioned another person: "The other person, from what we preliminarily gathered, was injured in a traffic accident, being knocked off his electric bike by a vehicle."
"However, this individual is a college student who came from another area to study here, his family is not local, his social connections are relatively simple, and no obvious connection with the deceased has been found for the time being."
Upon hearing this, Political Commissioner Li turned his head thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping across Director Hou and Jiang An’s faces, and said in a grave tone, "Given these findings, this Guo Yong... is indeed very suspicious."
Director Hou and Jiang An almost simultaneously nodded.
Director Hou took the conversation further, analyzing: "As it stands, Guo Yong not only shares geographical overlap with the deceased—being from the same village."
"More crucially, the timing of his right-hand fracture is very close to the time of the incident, and in certain scenarios, this type of injury could turn into a motive for the crime."
"I believe there’s ample reason to list him as the next focal point for investigation, to thoroughly explore his motives, whereabouts, and behavioral trajectory post-injury."
At this point, Mr. Qin suddenly furrowed his brows slightly, lifted his head slowly, and said, "This Guo Yong... I seem to have some impression of him."
He paused a little, then continued: "I remember, during the investigation of the Wang Xiu death case, amongst those assisting the deceased’s family in handling the aftermath, there was someone with their right hand bandaged, very conspicuous."
"At that time I paid special attention to him—because among all the people helping out, he was the only one with his right arm in a sling, his movements not too nimble."
"What is his relationship with the deceased?"
Political Commissioner Li suddenly interjected, with a tone laced with vigilance.
"He seems to be a cousin of Wang Xiu, not a direct relation, but he was indeed present helping at the scene."
This remark plunged the entire meeting room into a brief silence.
Everyone looked at each other, feeling a chill rise uncontrollably in their hearts—if this Guo Yong was really involved in the case, then the motive and storyline behind it would indeed be bewildering.
