The Forensic Trace Examiner: Silent Clues

Chapter 5 Criminal Suspect

The body was unearthed at dawn, and by the time the autopsy reached its conclusion, the afternoon sun was already casting long shadows. After donning fresh attire, Wu Jun tugged at Jiang Yuan, leading him to a secluded nook. In a hushed tone, he murmured, "Scrounge up some cardboard or the like and k****e a fire." "A fire?" Jiang Yuan's mind was still ensnared by the macabre images of the autopsy, his thoughts sluggish to shift gears. "I'll explain once you've fetched it," Wu Jun dismissed with a wave of his hand. Jiang Yuan trudged out in silence and returned, bearing two cardboard boxes which he proffered to Wu Jun. Wu Jun tore them asunder, ignited them with a flick of his lighter, and as the flames crackled to life, he rubbed his hands together and declared, "We'll leap over this blaze to banish the ill fortune." "Surely, this isn't necessary?" Jiang Yuan demurred, his voice laced with doubt. "Don't scoff. I've witnessed my fair share of strange happenings..." Wu Jun quipped, then, bounding forward like a stubby - legged corgi, he launched himself over the flames with a determined leap. "Your turn," he beckoned, urging Jiang Yuan to follow suit. Jiang Yuan sighed, "Today, it's my seventeenth uncle. He was such a kind - hearted soul. Every time he returned to the village, he'd greet everyone, acquaintance or stranger, with a warm smile. This seems... excessive." "But what if he made some unwelcome company last night?" Wu Jun countered, standing on the far side of the fire. The dancing flames cast an eerie glow on his face, his shadow writhing like a living thing. Jiang Yuan paused for a moment, weighing his options, then, with a short run - up, he vaulted over the fire in one fluid motion. They watched in silence as the cardboard boxes smoldered into ashes. Only then did Wu Jun light a cigarette, his eyes fixed on the dying embers. "I'm off to report to Captain Huang. You tidy up here, then head to the cafeteria. See if there's any sustenance left. If not, grab some instant noodles and bring them to the office adjacent to the autopsy room. Such is the life of a cop. You'll grow accustomed to it in time," he instructed. "Understood," Jiang Yuan acquiesced without a word. "The cafeteria lies this way," Wu Jun gestured, just as his phone rang. He nodded briefly to Jiang Yuan and answered, "Captain Huang, we've confirmed a fracture of the second cervical vertebra. No other injuries to speak of. Estimated time of death is around 7 a.m... No pre - mortem wounds, but clear signs of post - mortem movement..." Jiang Yuan listened distractedly for a while, then, once Wu Jun had finished his report, he borrowed tools to sweep up the ashes and made his way to the cafeteria. The autopsy had left him famished, his stomach growling in protest.

The funeral parlor boasted a cafeteria, a restaurant, and a small convenience store. The latter two catered to the bereaved families, their prices exorbitant. Many who arrived before daybreak and lingered until noon, unable to withstand the pangs of hunger, found themselves at the mercy of these overpriced establishments. In contrast, the cafeteria, a modest space, served as a haven for the employees, offering reasonably - priced meals. As a forensic doctor, considered an external staff member of the parlor, Jiang Yuan presented his identification and was handed a temporary meal card. Approaching the serving counter, he beheld a young woman with a cascading ponytail. She rose from her seat, her face unmasked, and greeted him with a beaming smile. "There's just a smidgen of food remaining. We weren't expecting visitors. You must be the new forensic doctor from the county bureau?" she inquired. "Indeed. How did you guess?" Jiang Yuan returned her smile, his eyes scanning the meager offerings of stir - fried greens and bean sprouts, their appearance lackluster at best. "Word spreads fast. We heard the new doc was quite the giant. Plus, the folks who frequent our cafeteria are either from the parlor, the Civil Affairs Bureau, or the Religious Affairs Bureau. We know them all by sight," she explained, her dimples deepening as she spoke. "If you're not in a rush, I could whip up a bowl of noodles for you?" she offered. Jiang Yuan's gaze drifted to the small kitchen at the rear of the cafeteria. Two simple stoves stood there, surrounded by baskets filled with assorted vegetables. An idea sparked in his mind. "Do you have any rice? I was wondering if I could whip up a batch of fried rice?" he asked. The girl with the ponytail hesitated momentarily, her eyes appraising Jiang Yuan's tall, refined frame. Then, her smile returned, "Our little establishment isn't overly formal. But it's rare to find someone eager to cook for themselves. Do you know your way around these stoves?" "I do," Jiang Yuan affirmed. "Then, by all means, come on in," she said, lifting the counter flap. "Just so you know, even if you're making your own fried rice, you'll still be charged the standard price for egg - fried rice," she added with a wink. "Fair enough," Jiang Yuan replied, stepping into the kitchen. As he grasped the large ladle, a sense of familiarity washed over him. The ponytailed girl fetched the rice and eggs, and Jiang Yuan deftly separated the egg yolks, using the shells in an alternating motion. He poured the beaten yolks over a mound of rice, enough for four or five servings. Then, with a flick of the switch, the stove roared to life, and he poured in the oil, setting the rice to sizzle. Jiang Yuan, who in school had only ever added an egg to his instant noodles, now seemed to possess a new - found skill as he expertly flipped the ladle, sending the rice dancing in the pan. The girl watched, her brow furrowed. "You're welcome to use more ingredients, you know," she chided gently as she saw him sparingly adding a pinch of diced r****h. Jiang Yuan paused, ladle in mid - air. "No need. This is plenty," he replied firmly. "Don't be so reserved," she persisted. "I'm not," Jiang Yuan countered, his focus returning to the task at hand. He was operating on muscle memory, following the exact method his seventeenth uncle had taught him, using the ingredients with a frugal hand. The girl watched, a twinge of sadness tugging at her heartstrings. Such frugality in cooking spoke volumes about a life of hardship. What a shame. "I'll set aside a portion for you to sample," Jiang Yuan announced as he finished cooking three servings of fried rice. He filled bowls for himself and Wu Jun, then added a third for the girl. "Oh, you really don't have to. I've already eaten," she protested, her eyes fixed on the golden - hued rice in the bowl. It was astonishing that a single egg could yield enough fried rice for three. "Nonsense. Dig in," Jiang Yuan urged with a smile, then, picking up the lunch boxes, he took his leave. The girl watched him go, then, looking down at the fried rice, she decided to give it a try. She retrieved a spoon and took a bite, her eyes widening in surprise. "Well, I'll be. This is actually delicious," she murmured to herself. She resolved to save a small portion for the chef to taste, then, with gusto, she devoured the rest.

Back in the office, Wu Jun took a bite of the fried rice Jiang Yuan had brought. "This is amazing! Has the cafeteria chef been taking cooking lessons?" he exclaimed. "There was hardly anything left in the cafeteria, so I made this myself," Jiang Yuan explained, pausing to raise his bowl in a silent toast to his seventeenth uncle, whose spirit seemed to linger in the simple act of cooking. Wu Jun's eyes lit up. "Why, you're a culinary wizard! Why didn't you tell me?" "I only know how to make fried rice, and that's thanks to my seventeenth uncle," Jiang Yuan interjected, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. Wu Jun fell silent for a moment, looking at the fried rice, then, shaking his head, he wolfed it down, washing it down with a gulp of tea. "Once we're back at the station, sort through the photos, complete the autopsy report, and offer a hand to any colleagues who return. Understood?" he instructed. Jiang Yuan nodded. Wu Jun regarded him carefully before continuing, "Captain Liu found traces of cleaning agent in the kitchen of the deceased's restaurant, along with bloodstains. The prime suspect at this stage is the deceased's wife..." "My seventeenth aunt?" Jiang Yuan's eyebrows shot up in surprise, though not entirely shocked. In cases of spousal homicide, such scenarios were all too common. He let out a sigh, a mixture of sadness and resignation. Satisfied that Jiang Yuan was holding up well, Wu Jun nodded. "The second team is out searching for the murder weapon. Everyone else is at the crime scene. We'll stay behind and man the fort," he concluded. "Got it," Jiang Yuan replied, quickly finishing the last of his rice, his mind already turning to the tasks that lay ahead.