19: Why do you have to take me with you?

“Master, back then on the bus, with so many smells mixed together, I could still pick them out. Don’t you think I can smell blood and disinfectant?”

Xie Changkun, hearing about the bus arson case and then thinking about catching the wanted criminal, looked at Ye Lin with a changed expression.

Could this kid be a genius?

Chief Xie was still hesitating when He Xinmin spoke, “Chief, I think that makes sense. How about we investigate in that direction?”

“Ye Lin, tell me, how should we investigate?” Xie Changkun asked Ye Lin.

The Chief’s tone had clearly changed, showing a hint of wavering.

“It’s simple. Check water consumption and records of disinfectant purchases. These two points are enough.”

Xie Changkun’s eyes lit up. That made sense, and checking these two things wouldn’t be troublesome at all, nor would it alert the suspect.

“Investigate!”

With Chief Xie’s decision, everyone’s focus began to shift.

Zhang Degen quickly returned with news.

“Chief, there really is an anomaly.” As soon as he entered, Zhang Degen, disregarding his profuse sweat, excitedly exclaimed.

“Hurry and tell us, everyone is waiting.”

Now, the people in the Police Station had pulled back. Apart from a few quietly monitoring Zhang Jun, everyone else had returned with information.

“According to Zhang Jun’s description, his wife has been missing for three days, and he reported it on the third day. For the first two days, his household’s water consumption surged. The total for those two days was roughly ten times the usual amount, almost a month’s worth of water.”

“Also, these are his records of purchasing disinfectant.”

“Chief, Zhang Jun definitely killed his wife and then dismembered her in the bathroom.”

Xie Changkun pondered for a moment and asked, “What about the body? Without the body, everything is useless. It can only be considered speculation. He could even say he bought disinfectant for cleaning.”

“Ye Lin, where do you think the body is?” Xie Changkun looked at Ye Lin.

Ye Lin smiled calmly, “There’s an 80% chance it’s in the septic tank.”

“Why?”

Everyone was a bit confused as to why it had to be in the septic tank.

“First, let’s look at Zhang Jun. From his behavior over these three days, I think the most fitting description for him is: as steady as an old dog.”

“He didn’t run, nor did he show any abnormality. He engaged in normal social interactions, even daring to contact the media. Everything was a normal person’s reaction.”

“That indicates his psychological fortitude is extremely strong, and judging by the thoroughness of the cleaning at his home, he was very meticulous.”

“We don’t know the circumstances under which he killed his wife, but he must have calmed down very quickly and planned everything step by step.”

“I’ve seen Team Leader Zhang’s preliminary report. Qu Xiaoli wasn’t seen on surveillance, only Zhang Jun. And Zhang Jun didn’t enter or leave the complex multiple times, nor did he carry out any large objects. So, the body should still be within the complex.”

“Given the current weather, after three days, if it were buried, there would definitely be an odor. With his intelligence, he would have considered that.”

“So, in this weather, I think the least likely place for it to be exposed is the septic tank. After completely disposing of all body parts, they would be flushed down the drain into the septic tank.”

“Without a trace!”

“Undetected!”

“This is also why he waited three days to report it.”

After Ye Lin finished speaking, the air instantly solidified, and the whole place fell silent.

Everyone looked at Ye Lin with expressions as if they were seeing a ghost.

“You…”

“I feel like I’m watching a detective movie.”

“I think so too.”

Xie Changkun swallowed, and after hearing Ye Lin’s analysis, he actually felt a little nervous, an excited kind of nervousness.

To be honest, when he asked the Branch Bureau for one day’s time, it was more of an explanation to Zhang Degen, to prevent his subordinates from thinking he, as the boss, wasn’t fighting for them.

As for solving the case, he had never even considered it.

Qu Xiaoli had been gone for three days; unless she had gone out to play, something must have happened.

How could the Police Station’s resources possibly find her?

Now, after hearing Ye Lin’s analysis, coupled with the water consumption and Zhang Jun’s disinfectant purchases, he suddenly felt like it might actually be solvable.

He checked his watch. It was 11 o’clock; there was still time.

“So, Ye Lin, what do you suggest we do?”

“Uh, Chief Xie, actually, that’s all I’ve thought of. Team Leader Zhang surely knows what to do next. How about we just let Team Leader Zhang lead the search?”

“Don’t try that with me. I know some of your Police Academy leaders teach you not to claim credit or be greedy for achievements, but that’s not necessary here. Old Zhang is also a veteran police officer of many years; he’ll have that much awareness. Speak boldly.” Xie Changkun decisively cut off Ye Lin’s retreat.

Zhang Degen also quickly stated, “Xiao Ye, we’ll do whatever you say. We’ll listen to you.”

Ye Lin’s face darkened with a black line.

Bosses, are you mistaken?

I’m not trying to share the credit with you; it’s just that the work afterward is too difficult, and I don’t want to do it.

“That’s right, hurry up and tell us. We guarantee you’ll get the first credit.” Old He also got excited.

“Yes, hurry up.”

Ye Lin, with an extremely grim expression, said, “Then, then we’ll drain the septic tank and look for the body.”

…“Ugh.” Older Sister He, hearing this, imagined the scene for a moment and couldn’t help but run out to vomit.

The others weren’t much better. Imagining a large expanse of golden-yellow being pumped out, with a yellow gas rising into the sky under the blazing sun, they couldn’t help but retch several times.

They all looked at Ye Lin simultaneously. Damn it, you little rascal, no wonder you wanted to escape.

Ye Lin felt as if a dozen knives were piercing his body, and he shivered.

“Then let’s do it! What’s there to be afraid of!” Zhang Degen, the brute, was indeed fierce enough.

As soon as Ye Lin spoke, he didn’t care what disgusting scenes he might face; it was just one word: do it.

“Good! I’ll contact people immediately to pump the septic tank!”

“The Baiyun Police Station’s comeback depends on this. Everyone, let’s go all in.” Xie Changkun spoke passionately.

However, apart from Zhang Degen, the brute, no one responded.

“Since everyone is silent, I’ll take it as everyone’s default. Let’s get to work.”

Damn it, when it comes to shamelessness, you, Chief Xie, are truly the most shameless, Ye Lin secretly grumbled.

However, they were all People’s Police. To be honest, if something truly needed to be done, no one would back down.

Soon, all police forces from the Baiyun Police Station were dispatched. Their only jeep also drove out, leaving Instructor Huang Xuliang at the Police Station to answer calls; it was truly a full-scale deployment.

Chief Xie, relying on his long-standing connections in the Baiyun Street area, managed to coordinate five septic tank pump trucks to come and start pumping the septic tank.

Such a large commotion immediately attracted all the residents of the complex, and even several neighboring complexes specially gathered to watch, regardless of the smell.