Chapter 970 - 500: Officially Launching the Cold Case Investigation (Part 2)

"Such individuals might appear no different from ordinary people on the surface, even possessing certain daily life functions, but their inner world is distorted and filled with violent impulses, which under certain trigger conditions, might erupt into extremely cruel behavior."

After saying this, He directed his gaze toward Director Lu and Zhang Biao, waiting for their response.

Zhang Biao glanced around before finally setting his sight on Director Lu.

Director Lu slowly withdrew his gaze, cleared his throat, and calmly said:

"The analysis just presented by Director Hou and Mr. Jiang indeed feels enlightening to me, and it has untied a heavy stone and an old wound in my heart that’s been there for years."

"Since the initial investigation of this case, I’ve always vaguely felt that our investigative direction might be somewhat off, but I’ve never been able to pinpoint the issue."

"Now looking back, perhaps we really have insisted too long on a wrong path—ten long years, digging deeper, and constantly checking but never making any breakthrough progress."

"And this ten-year stalemate, incidentally, proves that our initial direction might have been misguided from the start."

"The guidance provided today by Director Hou and Jiang An is very profound and highly constructive; we fully accept it and need to thoroughly implement it in our upcoming work."

"I require that the whole task force, immediately adjust the investigation strategy according to the ideas posed by these experts, elevating psychological profiling and psychiatric anomaly checks to the same level of importance as relationship network investigation."

"Specifically, on one hand, we need to continue delving into the social relationships of the two victims, especially concerning emotional aspects and personal interactions; on the other hand, we must organize forces to systematically screen the areas surrounding the crime scene, focusing on individuals with a history of mental illness, psychological treatment records, abnormal behavior, or extreme psychological traits."

The meeting continued until half past one in the afternoon.

As everyone gradually exited the meeting room, long since hungry and exhausted, many couldn’t help massaging their temples or quietly complaining while clutching their empty stomachs.

A group of people virtually rushed into the cafeteria, hastily gobbling a few bites, barely savoring the taste of the food, before quickly tidying up their gear and engaging in intensive field investigation.

Zhang Biao swiftly assembled the criminal investigation team members and divided them into six groups to carry out checks.

Ten minutes later, Zhang Biao drove a police car with three young officers from his group onto the street.

Just after the vehicle left not far, a young officer seated in the front passenger seat couldn’t contain his curiosity, turned aside, and asked, "Captain Zhang, during the meeting, Mr. Jiang explained everything clearly and logically, yet I’m still a bit uneasy—do you think our investigation direction is truly reliable?"

Zhang Biao’s face remained expressionless, his gaze directed straight toward the traffic ahead, his hands steadily gripping the steering wheel, and after a moment’s silence, he spoke: "It’s too early to say right or wrong now."

"But since the experts have deployed it this way, we should follow suit."

"There are considerations above, executing properly is the most important for us."

After these words, the two officers in the back seat couldn’t help but laugh, and one of them jokingly said: "Experts move their mouths, we break our legs just like moving bricks!"

Zhang Biao, however, slightly shook his head, his tone serious: "You can’t really say that."

"Just now in the meeting, I felt that Jiang An’s analysis is quite insightful. Though I’m not in forensic expertise, his deduction about the crime scene, interpreting of the trace, sounded logically rigorous and profoundly layered, not merely a baseless conjecture."

A nearby officer followed up, half-jokingly and half-doubtfully saying: "Captain, he is a veteran forensic expert; if he intentionally misleads us outsiders, wouldn’t it be easy?"

"Mislead?" Zhang Biao paused, "I don’t think so."

"Jiang An’s expertise is likely deeper than we assume."

"During the meeting, I noticed he stopped talking after mentioning some points, not fully revealing everything."

"This modus operandi indeed feels a bit unsatisfying—since guiding the case-solving, why hold back? Afraid for ’teaching disciples, starving the master’?"

The young officer laughed upon hearing this.

"It’s a narrow view you hold; didn’t you notice that Director Hou was present at that time? He’s a leader from the provincial department."

"Though Mr. Jiang is the chief of criminal investigation at the municipal bureau, appearing alongside provincial experts, leaving some room in speech and not stealing the spotlight is rather reasonable, that’s called having tact."

"The way you say it now, I do understand." The young officer took the cue and teased: "Captain Zhang, you really have insightful vision!"

Zhang Biao laughed heartily and waved his hand: "Insightful vision? It’s merely empathy."

"If you place me in his position, I might be even more cautious than he is."

Meanwhile, Jiang An and Director Hou, guided by Director Lu, walked into the modestly decorated reception room next to the director’s office.

As soon as the three were seated, Director Lu stood up with a gracious smile, speaking gently: "Please sit for a moment, I’ll go get some tea from my hometown for us to enjoy."

Director Hou, hearing this, asked curiously with a smile: "Oh? Director Lu’s home produces tea?"

Director Lu responded while walking inside and turned back with a smile, explaining: "Yes, it’s grown on the hills in my hometown, considered high mountain tea."

"Every year around Qingming, family members will send some over, knowing I’ve loved tea since young."

He paused his steps slightly, as if recalling something, then jokingly added: "Just to clarify—this is purely homegrown local tea, absolutely no violation of gift receiving rules, hah, I’ve always strictly adhered to discipline in this regard."