Chapter 987 - 508: The Outcome Came Too Easily!

At this moment, Lu Shaohua’s heartbeat was still somewhat rapid.

As a veteran detective with several decades on the force, he was long accustomed to facing all kinds of sudden situations; moments that make his heart race like this were indeed rare.

But this time was completely different—the case in front of him was about to set a record for the longest investigation duration in the history of the East City Public Security Bureau.

From the beginning of the case to now, ten years have passed; he had been drafted into the special task force multiple times, personally participating in each intense analysis.

He clearly remembered that after the crime occurred, he was on the scene commanding, personally overseeing and directing the investigation.

Over the years, the case was like a heavy stone pressing on his heart; every time he thought of the unresolved mystery, he found it hard to let go.

But today, after a stalemate and silence that lasted 10 years, the case finally reached a significant breakthrough.

The psychological defenses of the suspect were completely breached, and the final disguise crumbled.

Thinking of this, Lu Shaohua was filled with excitement and couldn’t help turning around to say, "Director Hou, we really must thank you!"

"Coming all the way to the city bureau to guide the investigation, this support was crucial."

Director Hou, hearing this, showed a hint of shame, smiling bitterly as he shook his head, "Director Lu, I’m quite ashamed."

"I’ve assisted in the investigation of this case more than once, and each time we were just a bit away, never able to break through..."

Speaking of this breakthrough, Lu Shaohua’s eyes gleamed, and he waved his hand repeatedly, "Don’t say that."

"Every investigation is a gathering of strength; it’s just this time we were more coordinated and precise in our efforts. Look—"

He looked toward the interrogation room, "The suspect’s attitude has softened, and he’s willing to confess the process of the crime."

"Today is the day this case is truly solved."

Immediately, both of them simultaneously turned their gaze toward the transparent glass window.

Inside the interrogation room, the questioning was in tense progress.

At this moment, Zhang Biao’s heart was also tumultuous.

From an ordinary police officer to becoming a criminal investigation team leader, along this path, he never forgot the once city-shaking family massacre case.

A family of three innocents were murdered, and the murderer remained at large for years.

Over the years, he meticulously reviewed the clues and adjusted his direction, but always fell short just before reaching success.

Therefore, when the case was reopened this year, he did not hold much hope.

After all, too much time had passed, evidence might have disappeared, memories could be blurred; many old cases gradually get sealed as eternal mysteries amidst repeated "unresolved" endings.

But who could have imagined that when the case was revived this time, the original deadlock was rejuvenated, and the truth finally surfaced.

Zhang Biao took a deep breath, steadied his slightly trembling fingertips, and looked across.

At this moment, Jiang An’s gaze was as calm as a deep pool, yet a layer of indescribable heaviness gathered between his brows.

He leaned forward slightly, and in a low, clear voice asked, "Explain in detail your crime process back then—how did you enter the scene, what methods did you use, and why did you insist on killing that family of three?"

As soon as the words fell, Li Mountain only smiled bitterly and shook his head, a sense of bewildered fatigue visible in his expression.

"Officer, it’s not that I’m unwilling to confess... I genuinely don’t know."

"At that time, my mental illness acted up severely; I was like living in a dreamwalk, and my memories were all fragmented."

"Honestly, I don’t have any complete impression of the whole crime process."

"Then why do you so firmly claim that you killed them?"

Jiang An watched him, not missing any subtle changes on the other’s face.

"Because when I woke up, I was... covered in blood."

Li Mountain lowered his head, his voice gradually trembling, "On my clothes, on my hands, even my face was smeared with blood."

"Later my family also told me that I ’caused big trouble’ that night."

Jiang An pondered for a moment before questioning, "How can you be certain the blood on you came from that family of three?"

"Sigh..." Li Mountain sighed deeply, "News spread through the village the next day that the Zhao Family trio were all gone, and the police came wave after wave, but the murderer was never found."

"And that bloody clothes on me... besides that tragedy, what else could it be for?"

"Although my mind was unclear at the time, I acknowledge this incident."

"It’s a sin I committed, and I should bear it."

"Even if I acted in a mentally unstable state, I’m directly responsible for the outcome... whatever the judgment, I accept it."

His confession sounded sincere and heavy, even carrying a certain kind of painful remorse.

However, Jiang An listened silently to the end, without showing any relieved or sympathetic expression on his face.

He slowly leaned back on his chair and shook his head.

Next, he carefully asked again, "So, that’s all you can recall? No complete memory of the crime specifics, not even a fragment or a sound?"

"No! Officers, I truly can’t remember anything."

"I only recall those days after the crime; I was in a stupor, and when I looked down, all I saw was blood; the rest... all blank."

"What happened to the blood-stained clothes back then?"

"Long gone," Li Mountain tugged at the corner of his mouth, "It’s been so many years, if you hadn’t come knocking today, I might have... nearly buried this matter in the darkest corner of my heart."

At this moment, Zhang Biao turned his head and said softly to Jiang An, "If he was indeed in a period of mental illness, memory gaps make sense."

"In cases like this, it’s not particularly uncommon for suspects to be conscious of their actions during the crime and unable to fully recall them afterward."

"Especially... since this case happened so long ago."