Chapter 298 170: A Crucial Clue for Connecting the Dots! 'Grab!

There's a cardinal rule in criminal investigation: 'Every action leaves a trace!'

Many people believe that if they manually clean up any traces, no one will ever know. Or that if they act secretively enough, they won't leave any clues.

But in truth, that single principle governs every case.

This current case is no different.

For instance.

Luminol reagent reacts with components in blood to produce a faint blue glow, clearly revealing its presence. Police can use this fluorescence to analyze blood spatter, helping them deduce the murder weapon and reconstruct the fight to uncover clues.

But here's the problem: Luminol only reacts once.

If a killer cleans the scene with Luminol after the murder, the blood will no longer react. The fluorescence won't appear, making it impossible to gather clues from it.

However...

'Every action leaves a trace!'

Have you ever considered how few people would know that Luminol can be used to clean a crime scene?

And how many could prepare such a solution?

What about the raw materials? The lab equipment? Or did they buy the reagent pre-mixed?

They'll only start to panic when the purchase records are staring them in the face!

When the police find a murder scene with signs of a struggle but no blood, they immediately suspect something like this or other cleaning agents were used. And with today's internet, they can dig up dirt on everyone in the vicinity within hours...

This is another form of a 'trace'.

You may have cleaned the traces at the crime scene, but they haven't truly vanished. They've just been transformed and moved elsewhere.

'It's the same with Wang Chao's case.'

'The killer cut off a crucial investigative lead—one that could have led directly to the final resolution of the case.'

'On the surface, with this chain of evidence broken, the case seems to be at a complete standstill. But in reality, that break is a clue in itself.'

'This clue indirectly validates my previous line of thinking, giving my theory a foundation.'

'And now, all I need to do is build upon this foundation...'

Xu Huo's voice sounded softly.

He was standing at the entrance of a hospital, taking in the cool yet busy scene and the distinct smell of disinfectant that hung in the air.

"And add a few more specific filters to it, and we can pinpoint the suspect's identity!"

Traces are often reciprocal.

Just as taking a step forward leaves a footprint behind.

Whatever the victim, or the victim's associates, did to the killer must have left a physical mark on them!

The only thing you can't see... is mental trauma.

Mental torture can completely destroy a person, but it's never the preferred method for buyers of this sort.

Why?

Because mental anguish saps the soul, which in turn causes the body to weaken.

And whether we're talking about slave labor in illegal brick kilns, human experimentation for new drugs, or even the pursuit of so-called elixirs of life...

These all require a healthy physical body as the foundation; there's no room for purely mental torture.

Therefore, whatever the buyers inflicted on the killer...

...could only have been physical. In other words, beatings and other forms of assault!

With this in mind.

Without another word, he quickened his pace and headed purposefully into the hospital.

It was getting late—already ten at night—and they needed to get some rest.

Rest was crucial for criminal investigation; unless you had a constitution like Xu Huo's, exhaustion did more harm than good.

"Room 404..."

The two of them searched the ward building for a while before finally stopping in front of a particular room.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

A moment after the knock, the door swung open.

"Who... Huh? Brother Huo?"

Wang Chao, who had opened the door expecting a doctor, was surprised to see a familiar face.

He froze for a second, then his face lit up with a surprised delight, a grateful warmth shining in his eyes.

"Brother Huo, did you come all this way just to see me? My injuries aren't actually..."

"Mm, good to hear they're not serious."

Xu Huo waved a hand, dismissing the sentimental moment.

"Tell me everything you remember about the killer's appearance from that night."

'In the end, the case still comes first...'

Wang Chao grumbled inwardly. After a moment's thought, he said:

"I didn't see much. I already told you pretty much everything back at the office."

"Pretty much?"

Xu Huo's brow furrowed. While Wang Chao had said a lot at the office, it wasn't what Xu Huo needed now.

He mulled it over for a moment before asking,

"During the lightning flashes, did you get a clear look at any scars on him?"

Wang Chao thought hard, then shook his head.

"No. So far, I've only seen the animals he had with him, and the fact that he's a monkey trainer."

"But the trainer kept his back to me. I couldn't get a clear look at his physique."

'His back was turned...'

'This is tricky.'

"Did he have a limp when he walked?"

Xu Huo asked.

"He swayed a little, but not by much. I can't be sure if it was a limp or just the way he walks."

"What about the monkey? See any distinct features?"

"The monkey... I couldn't tell. It seemed unusually smart, but other than that, it looked no different from any other monkey."

Wang Chao shook his head again.

'Couldn't see clearly...'

The people behind the victim... if they tortured the killer, then the killer should have corresponding scars.

But...

...he just couldn't see them.

The early January night was unnervingly dark. It was raining, and the only moonlight was completely blotted out by thick clouds.

Only the momentary flash of lightning provided a glimpse, illuminating the scene in a pale, stark light.

"What about the other animals?"

Xu Huo pondered for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought.

'The killer had many animals with him, all of them strangely obedient. It was like he was carrying around a personal zoo.'