Chapter Seven: Strange Footprints

Lu Hehuan headed straight for the forensics lab as soon as he returned to the police station, hoping to find new clues in the autopsy report since the investigation had hit a dead end.

He knocked on the door of the lab, and inside, Bao Rong’s gentle voice replied, “Come in.”

Bao Rong was focused on organizing files, not looking up until Lu Hehuan entered and approached her. Only then did she realize it was him.

“Hehuan, what brings you here? Please, sit down.” Bao Rong’s face lit up with delight.

Lu Hehuan took a seat, glancing at the files in her hands.

“Rong, I wanted to ask if there’s anything new in the autopsy results from Jin Lu’s murder case.”

Bao Rong set down her papers, shaking her head. “Same as before. No progress. How’s your side going?”

“I suspect Dagen, the rickshaw driver, murdered Jin Lu, but after interviewing his wife, their neighbors, and the victim’s neighbors, they all consistently claimed that after Dagen took Jin Lu home, he returned to care for his injured wife and didn’t leave the house again.”

“Is it possible that Dagen didn’t go home immediately after dropping off Jin Lu, but arranged to meet her again, then killed her in the vacant house on Locust Lane?”

“I’ve considered that scenario, but…” Lu Hehuan, glancing aside, saw an old map of the district and picked it up, pointing as he spoke, “Look, Dagen’s home is here, Jin Lu’s is here, and Locust Lane is on the opposite side from Dagen’s house. If Dagen took Jin Lu home, then arranged to meet her and killed her in the vacant house, he wouldn’t be back home until at least ten o’clock. That doesn’t match his wife and neighbors’ account of nine o’clock.”

Bao Rong nodded, sighing deeply. Both fell into a nameless disappointment.

Suddenly, Ying Xi’s voice sounded behind them.

“In that case, this has nothing to do with Dagen. Jin Lu must have gone out later to meet someone else and was assaulted and killed by Dabao in the vacant house,” Ying Xi declared proudly.

“Dabao couldn’t be the killer. While investigating Dagen, I felt something was off with him and his wife, though I couldn’t pinpoint what,” Lu Hehuan retorted.

“A top student returned from Scotland, yet you rely on feelings instead of evidence? Didn’t you just say Dagen has a solid alibi? How could he have killed anyone, unless he can be in two places at once?” Ying Xi spoke with certainty.

Lu Hehuan froze, as if struck by inspiration, repeating Ying Xi’s words in a low, deliberate tone, “Two places at once…”

A police officer entered the lab. “Inspector Ying, Chief Bao wants to see you.”

“Understood. I’ll be right there.”

Ying Xi turned and left, deliberately leaving Lu Hehuan and Bao Rong with a dashing silhouette.

“I need to visit Jin Lu’s house again,” Lu Hehuan resolved.

“I’ll go with you.”

Bao Rong followed him out.

Ying Xi jogged to the door of Bao Kang’s office and knocked respectfully.

Chief Bao’s familiar voice drifted from inside. “Come in.”

“Good afternoon, Chief Bao!”

Ying Xi entered with a bright smile, but was greeted by Bao Kang’s gloomy, knotted brows.

“Ying Xi, the Chief Inspector just called. Jin Lu’s case has made a big impact. I’ve promised him it’ll be solved within two days.”

“From now?” Ying Xi was startled, glancing instinctively at the wall clock.

Bao Kang shook his head, and Ying Xi slipped into despair.

“So today is the second day…”

“The sun hasn’t set yet. Is that a problem?” Bao Kang’s brows twisted even tighter.

“Not at all!” Ying Xi, well-versed in Bao Kang’s temperament and fearing his wrath, could only force himself to agree.

The sun began to dip westward, casting slanting rays on the Frost & Joy Detective Agency’s signboard. Liu Rushuang hurried out, heading purposefully toward the police station, her reluctant sidekick Bai Yulou trailing behind.

Liu Rushuang glanced at a fruit shop by the street, wanting to reward Ying Xi. “Bai Bai, go buy some fruit for Joy. Who knows if Jin Lu’s case is wrapped up yet? Joy must have been working night and day recently. You know how taxing investigations are—he needs a proper supplement.”

“When has Ying Xi ever used his brain to investigate?” Bai Yulou muttered under his breath.

“What did you say?”

“I said he needs a proper supplement for his brain.”

Afraid Liu Rushuang would get angry, Bai Yulou quickly corrected himself. Liu Rushuang laughed, satisfied. “That’s more like it.”

She was right; Ying Xi did need a supplement. At that moment, he and Dabao were locked in a battle of wits in the interrogation room, but Ying Xi was clearly at a disadvantage. He looked exhausted, clutching his hair as if on the verge of collapse. Two police officers beside him yawned listlessly.

“Innocent! Innocent…” Dabao sat across from Ying Xi, crying.

“Is that all you can say? You’ve cried innocence one hundred and twenty-seven times now.” Ying Xi, impatient, yawned too.

“I really am innocent!”

“Seems you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. If I don’t use some harsher methods, you’ll never know the power of this inspector!” Ying Xi steeled himself, signaling to the officers. “Bring out the heavy punishment!”

“Inspector, aren’t you afraid Lu Hehuan will file a complaint against you?” the officer hesitated.

“Better to be complained about than driven insane.”

“Yes, sir!” With Ying Xi backing them, the officers perked up instantly.

“No, please, no…”

Dabao resumed his endless cycle of pleading innocence. The two officers, now full of resolve, lifted him onto a chair. One officer removed Dabao’s shoes, propped his legs up with bricks, arranging him as if for the tiger bench, while Ying Xi watched coldly.

“No, I don’t want the tiger bench.”

“This isn’t the tiger bench. It’s my own invention: ‘Sole-Piercing Punishment.’” Ying Xi corrected fiercely.

“I’m innocent, truly innocent!”

“Stubborn! Begin the punishment!” Ying Xi ordered angrily.

The two officers brought over feathers and started tickling Dabao’s feet.

“Haha, Inspector, hahaha, I’m innocent, hahaha… innocent…” Dabao laughed uncontrollably while still protesting his innocence.

Seeing Dabao unable to withstand it, Ying Xi raised his hand solemnly. “Stop.”

By now, Dabao was laughing to tears. Ying Xi wiped them for him, switching to gentle persuasion.

“Dabao, I advise you not to struggle in vain. If you did it, admit it.”

“Inspector, it wasn’t me, truly not me.”

Ying Xi immediately put on a stern face. “Hmph, you won’t confess until you see the coffin! Use ‘Blazing Fire Punishment,’ burn his insides.”

An officer grabbed a handful of chili peppers from a bamboo basket, tore them up, and stuffed them into Dabao’s mouth.

Dabao gasped for air, “It’s so spicy, Inspector, so spicy…”

“Dabao, will you confess?”

“Innocent… spicy… innocent spicy…” Dabao was nearly overwhelmed, yet still protested his innocence.

“Dabao, you’ve forced my hand.” Ying Xi’s eyes grew sinister, and failing one method, he tried another. He addressed the officers, “Use ‘Heartbreaking Punishment.’”

The officers exchanged glances, rooted like wooden posts, unwilling to move.

Ying Xi looked at one officer. “Baldy, get the tools.”

“Always me?” Baldy grumbled.

“Hurry up!”

Under Ying Xi’s impatient urging, Baldy reluctantly left.

“Soon enough, you’ll beg for death, unable to survive or die,” Ying Xi glared fiercely at Dabao.

“Inspector, spare me, I really am innocent.”

“Hmph, seeing your cowardice, I know you’re not innocent!”

Baldy returned with a basket of onions, stood before Dabao, and began peeling them. In moments, both Dabao and Baldy were streaming with tears, the punishment affecting the enforcer as much as the victim—hence Baldy’s reluctance.

“Just confess, and we’ll both suffer less,” Baldy urged, feeling Dabao’s pain.

“I confess… I confess…” Dabao finally broke down.

“Stop, let Dabao down,” Ying Xi’s anger vanished, replaced by a benevolent expression.

The officers helped Dabao back to his chair. Ying Xi leaned forward, giving a thumbs up.

“Dabao, you’re sensible. Now that you’ve confessed, sign the record.”

The officers spread the case file before Dabao, but he looked bewildered. Ying Xi grabbed Dabao’s thumb and pressed it firmly on the document.

Staring at the blood-red thumbprint, Ying Xi felt triumphant. Dabao slumped in his chair, dazed, tears streaming down and soaking his prison clothes.

Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou arrived with the fruit, seeing Dabao’s tear-soaked clothes and feeling immediate sympathy.

“Inspector Ying, did you punish Dabao?” Bai Yulou asked, covering his face in fear.

“This inspector is interrogating, not your place to interfere.”

Bai Yulou looked at Liu Rushuang, who seemed conflicted.

“Now that Dabao has confessed, it proves my deduction was correct.”

“Clearly a forced confession—who cries like that after admitting guilt? His clothes are drenched.” Bai Yulou, gathering courage, glanced again at Dabao.

“You know nothing. Those are tears of remorse,” Ying Xi lied with a straight face.

“Joy…”

Liu Rushuang couldn’t stand it, wanting to speak up for Dabao, but Ying Xi cut her off harshly. “Are you trying to oppose me too? Then we need not meet again.”

Liu Rushuang swallowed her words, looking sympathetically at Dabao, then tried to comfort him.

“Dabao, don’t worry. When the case is over, I’ll pay to get you out. You’ll just bear the reputation of a murderer, not the punishment. The downside is people will point fingers behind your back, but the upside is, in person, they’ll treat you with respect. You’ve made a name for yourself on Locust Lane.”

Ying Xi snorted, ignoring Liu Rushuang, and signaled the officers, “Take the prisoner back to the cell, organize the files, prepare to close the case.”

Ying Xi strode off with the files, Liu Rushuang chasing after him.

“Joy, wait for me, I bought you fruit.”

“Unlucky fellow, I can’t help you now,” Bai Yulou sighed, glancing at the crying Dabao and following out.

Ying Xi returned to the office with the files, slumped lazily in his chair. With the case closed, the burden in his heart finally lifted.

Liu Rushuang and Bai Yulou followed, Liu Rushuang placed the fruit on the table and smiled at the other officers.

“Inspector Ying is treating everyone, help yourselves.” Liu Rushuang resumed winning favor.

“Thank you, Inspector Ying.” The officers eagerly took fruit.

Ying Xi cast a disdainful glance at Liu Rushuang, unimpressed. “Always up to nonsense.”

Liu Rushuang shrugged it off, while Bai Yulou, still thinking about Ying Xi’s harsh interrogation, muttered quietly, “And you forcing a false confession is nonsense too?”

“What did you say? Want me to throw you both out and ban you from the office?” Ying Xi scolded Bai Yulou.

Liu Rushuang, hearing Ying Xi’s threat, became anxious and scolded Bai Yulou. “Bai Bai, if you upset Joy again, I’ll fire you tomorrow.”

“Joy is wise and mighty, all right?” Bai Yulou quickly relented.

“That’s better.”

Ying Xi’s anger dissipated; he stroked his beard and began reviewing the case files.

Suddenly, Lu Hehuan rushed in, Bao Rong following.

Ying Xi, seeing Lu Hehuan, quickly put away the files, worried they’d be snatched—specifically, worried Lu Hehuan would take them.

“Lu Hehuan, you’re too late. Dabao has confessed.”

“Ying Xi, you forced a confession to close the case quickly. That’s against the rules,” Lu Hehuan said angrily.

Ying Xi was unfazed, hands behind his back, chin high.

“Which eye of yours saw me using torture?”

“I just saw Dabao in the cell—he was so distraught he couldn’t even describe your interrogation.”

Ying Xi chuckled. “That’s just side effects from the ‘Blazing Fire Punishment.’ Tomorrow he’ll speak clearly.”

“You’re playing with lives!” Lu Hehuan grew angrier.

Liu Rushuang rushed over, standing between them as if daring Lu Hehuan to challenge her.

“Lu Hehuan, how dare you speak to Joy like that? Never mind that you’re fired—even as an officer, you’d be under Joy’s command. Show some respect, will you?”

“Go away, little girl. This is none of your business,” Ying Xi dismissed Liu Rushuang, impatiently pushing her aside, then turned to Lu Hehuan, chin raised. “I’m telling you, these are the station’s rules. If you’re so capable, go complain to the chief. The case is almost closed anyway; what can you do?”

Lu Hehuan was momentarily speechless. Bao Rong, seeing his gloom, spoke up against Ying Xi.

“Inspector Ying, Hehuan needn’t complain to my brother. I’ll do it on his behalf.”

Lu Hehuan, grateful for Bao Rong’s support, murmured, “Rong…”

Bao Rong glanced at him, then fixed a stern gaze on Ying Xi.

Ying Xi put on a helpless expression. “Rong, don’t side with outsiders. Chief Bao is eager to solve the case, and I’m just trying to ease his mind.”

“That doesn’t justify rushing and wronging the innocent.”

“What innocent? Dabao confessed himself. If he didn’t kill, why admit it?” Liu Rushuang, unwilling to let Ying Xi be outdone by Bao Rong, stepped up again.

Bao Rong sneered, “If Dabao had been interrogated properly, he might not have confessed. I fear this is a forced confession.”

“Which eye of yours saw Joy force a confession? Just because you’re the chief’s sister doesn’t mean you can slander people! I, Liu Rushuang, am not afraid of those with connections!” Liu Rushuang replied harshly.

Bao Rong, exasperated by Liu Rushuang’s obstinacy, nearly lost her temper, though she was too refined to make a scene. “You… are impossible!”

Lu Hehuan held her back, softly advising, “Let it go, Rong.”

“She’s really gone too far,” Bao Rong said, aggrieved.

Liu Rushuang, hearing this, wrapped her left arm around Ying Xi, put her right hand on her hip, and grew even more arrogant.

“You’re the impossible one, right, Joy?” Liu Rushuang rolled her eyes.

Ying Xi shook her off. “Enough, stop arguing. Chief Inspector Gordon ordered the case be closed today. If you can’t bring new evidence, I need a quiet place to organize the files. Tonight I have to report to Chief Bao.”

Ying Xi turned to leave, Liu Rushuang wanting to follow, but he gestured at her. “No one follow me!”

Liu Rushuang pouted, unhappy. Ying Xi carried the case file out of the office.

Ying Xi returned to his dormitory, spreading the files across the sunlit table, satisfied with his work.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open and Lu Hehuan, still angry, stormed in.

“Inspector Ying, I have something to say!” Lu Hehuan was relentless.

“Troublemaker, what now? It wasn’t easy working my way up to inspector; stop trying to thwart me,” Ying Xi complained, his tone both threatening and pleading.

“The Jin Lu case is full of doubts. Dabao is not the killer,” Lu Hehuan declared righteously.

“Then who is? You or me?” Ying Xi retorted.

“I suspect Dagen is the real murderer!” Lu Hehuan said without hesitation.

“Then bring evidence, top student from Scotland Yard! I can’t write ‘maybe Dagen is the killer’ in the case file, can I?” Ying Xi was helpless.

“You have evidence for Dabao’s crime? You’re reckless and irresponsible, eager for credit. You’re unfit to be inspector!” Lu Hehuan turned his words against him.

Ying Xi, caught off guard, grew angry. “If I’m unfit, are you fit? Lu Hehuan, don’t get cocky here! You think you can teach me at Old Gate Police Station? If you’re so capable, stop wasting words—go catch the real killer!”

“No need for your advice. I will catch the real killer!”

Ying Xi grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at Lu Hehuan. “Then hurry up! And don’t come back tonight to annoy me. Go find your murderer!”

He shoved Lu Hehuan out, tossing his luggage after him.

Lu Hehuan picked up his things, just as Bao Rong appeared at the door.

“Rong…” Lu Hehuan felt awkward.

“Are you all right?” Bao Rong asked with concern.

Lu Hehuan straightened his clothes. “I’m fine. I’m going to Jin Lu’s house again.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Bao Rong followed him out.

They arrived together at Jin Lu’s house. The evening sun filtered through the broad sycamore leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Yet the pair were too focused on their investigation to appreciate the beauty.

The shifting light flickered over the string of high-heeled footprints at Jin Lu’s doorway.

“These must be Jin Lu’s final footprints before her death,” Lu Hehuan said with sudden emotion.

“If she’d known what awaited her, would she have changed her mind and stayed home?” Bao Rong wondered aloud.

Lu Hehuan sighed. “Sadly, there are no ‘ifs’ in life.”

“That’s true.”

The sycamore outside seemed to understand, its branches swaying with a rustling sound.

“Rong, what made you want to become a forensic doctor?” Lu Hehuan changed the subject.

Bao Rong lifted her head, the sunset casting a sacred glow on her face.

“Forensics is a noble profession. No matter who the deceased was in life, to us they’re all equal. When examining a body, I face not just a cold corpse, but their final struggle. I’m not only dissecting, I’m communicating with them, listening for the messages they leave behind.”

“Chief Bao must be proud of you.”

“My brother? He wouldn’t understand. He’d just say (imitating Bao Kang), ‘Rong, can’t you stop rambling? What’s the point? You just think forensic work is decent, right?’”

Lu Hehuan laughed at her impression.

“Hehuan, my brother isn’t a bad person. Just a bit ordinary.”

Lu Hehuan nodded. “And a little coarse.”

“You’re still as straightforward as you were when we were kids.” Bao Rong smiled.

Lu Hehuan felt awkward, then focused on the high-heeled footprints, lost in thought. Suddenly he noticed something, pointed at a footprint, and spoke excitedly.

“Rong, do you see something different about this footprint?”

Bao Rong looked where he indicated.

“It is different—the inner and outer edges are pressed unevenly.”

“This is a footprint from a twisted ankle,” Lu Hehuan deduced.

Bao Rong nodded. “But it’s not uncommon for women to twist their ankles in heels. I’ve done it several times myself.”

“But if there are two twisted footprints within three steps, that’s odd.” Lu Hehuan examined the footprints ahead, concentrating.

Following his gaze, Bao Rong spotted another high-heeled footprint showing signs of a twisted ankle.

“Here’s another. Judging by the imprint, it was a bad twist. Jin Lu wore heels often—how could she be so careless?”

“It wasn’t Jin Lu’s carelessness, but the killer’s…”

Staring at the two twisted high-heeled footprints, Lu Hehuan suddenly saw the truth.