After returning home from the police station, Wang Jian couldn't wait to mosaic the photos and post them online.
"After days of sleepless investigation, I finally found some clues, but it was too late and another woman was murdered. Alas, I'm deeply saddened, but I did find some leads and already told the police what I know. I hope the police can crack the case soon. And I'll keep working hard to identify the killer as soon as possible."
He posted two photos, one from the crime scene and one taken when leaving the police station.
He wasn't stupid. Before calling the police, he had uploaded the crime scene photo online and deleted it from his phone. This way, the police didn't find it.
Last time he got lucky that his phone fell into his down jacket so the police didn't see it. And he had fainted then, so the photo was spared.
This post immediately caused a sensation online. While marveling, netizens began flattering him.
"Damn, Brother Jian, I thought you were bragging but didn't expect you to be for real. You're truly a private detective, awesome!"
"I wronged you, Brother Jian. Turns out you're a formidable figure. Little brother is impressed."
"Nothing but praise for Brother Jian. Anyone who bashes him from now on is my enemy."
"Wow, amazing. My Jian."
...
Seeing the netizens' flattery, Wang Jian was extremely smug from head to toe. He typed: "Sit down, sit down, keep a low profile. Nowadays, who doesn't have side gigs? No big deal, no big deal."
He sounded casual but his face was grinning like a bun, no, it had already become a bun.
Special Investigation Team office, the 5 members were discussing the case.
Forensic Doctor Qin reported the appraisal findings: "The two female victims were in their 20s.
The cause of death was stab wounds to the head, inserted directly through the forehead with great force. The killer is likely male.
The victims had sex before death, which also indicates a male killer.
Let me explain that the victims were not raped but had consensual sex before death, otherwise there would definitely be signs of struggle and skin damage.
The victims' faces were skinned in a clumsy manner, likely the killer's first crime.
Although no substantial physical evidence was found at the scenes, many things were left behind.
So in my opinion, the killer is not experienced but a novice. However, he has high intelligence and strong anti-investigation awareness."
After Forensic Doctor Qin finished, Li Yang said: "There are no surveillance cameras in the old residential areas where the victims lived. But based on the roads leading into the complexes, I believe road cameras may provide useful intelligence. If the two victims took the same car the night before, then the car owner is likely the killer."
Zhao Xiaobao then reported: "According to the neighbors, the victims were single young women living alone and didn't interact much with others. But the victims didn't have good reputations. People didn't feel much pity for their deaths."
"Reputations? Were the victims call girls?" Wei Dongqing asked.
Zhao Xiaobao shook his head: "No, just heard the victims were money-oriented, lived loosely, and had bad attitudes."
Wei Dongqing nodded and looked to Wu Xin: "Any conjectures?"
Wu Xin frowned slightly: "A bit uncertain. The victims' faces were skinned, which shows the killer's extreme disgust for those faces. But the victims were young women with ordinary looks. This is odd.
If they were beautiful faces, it's likely hatred towards pretty women.
If ugly faces, it can be explained as hatred for ugly women.
But these two victims had ordinary looks. I can't quite understand. In college, I didn't encounter such cases."
Wei Dongqing thought for a moment and summarized: "For this case, let's investigate by the book. The killer should leave some evidence.
Also, the killer is targeting the Judge. The Judge definitely won't ignore this.
We have a good opportunity now. We must identify the killer quickly. This time, don't let the Judge get away again."
At the archives, looking at the online photos and information, Su Mo had an odd expression:
"What is this person thinking? Competing with me? Quite interesting though."
He held his head in his hands, leaning on the sofa analyzing:
"The two victims were women. Judging by their figures and room layouts, they were young women.
Their faces were skinned. The killer must really hate those faces. Poor thing, he must be deeply hurt by such faces.
Living alone and willing to sleep with a man just met, most likely met at an entertainment venue.
Nightclubs, bars, dance clubs, private clubs have high probability. I'm quite certain.
The killer should be good-looking and rich. Hmm, his car is probably flashy. Girls like that.
Oh right, making me judge him shows great confidence.
So the killer must have more than one car. Otherwise, committing crimes with the same car would easily be caught on surveillance.
Well, I was wondering how to shake off that silly Li Danting. Going clubbing should make her dislike me now."
This is the difference between the police and Su Mo. The police handle cases like going through levels in a video game. Follow the clues level by level until reaching the boss, the killer, then defeat him.
Su Mo is different. He doesn't need to consider the levels. Based on the criminal's habits, he directly searches for the killer.
Because he himself is a criminal, an experienced and highly intelligent one. So compared to the police, he understands better what a criminal is thinking and how to commit crimes more skillfully.
It was Friday night, 8 pm. Su Mo drove towards Honglou Street.
Honglou Street was a famous bar and club street in Xikang. The venues here were higher-end, attracting many wealthy patrons.
Of course, more were not wealthy, mostly women coming to hook a rich guy. The men knew this too, but welcomed it, so they could have more fun. Mutually beneficial.
Su Mo was quite certain the killer must have targeted victims here. No evidence needed, because if he were the killer, he would also find targets here.
After parking, Su Mo walked onto the vibrant, bustling street. Many touts were soliciting customers outside.
Su Mo had no better way than starting from the beginning, checking the venues one by one. Frankly, it was a bit of a shot in the dark.
But he had other advantages. He would sense it when seeing the killer, an absolute insight higher beings have towards lower ones of the same kind.