Chapter 2: The Murderer _1

The stench of blood and the sight of mutilated corpses were the basic elements that made up the crime scene.

As the task force commander of the 17th District Law Enforcers, Lu Xiang had mentally prepared herself before leading the assault team into the scene, the gunshot earlier was a signal from the criminals—they had never intended to negotiate with them from the get-go.

Yet even so, when the breach team broke through the door, she was still shocked by the sight that greeted her.

Crimson blood slowly spread across the floor, and two quivering hostages huddled in the corner; she bent down to check the girl with her hands tied behind her back and, realizing she was still breathing, the paramedics who had been on standby outside quickly put her on a stretcher.

The last hostage, however, was not so lucky.

A bullet had penetrated her skull, and the sight of white matter mixed with other fluids was horrifying. Lu Xiang lifted the cloth that covered the dead woman's head and had already guessed the victim's identity based on her clothing and expensive jewelry.

Angel Foster.

The 17th District's prosecutor, who had recently gained notoriety in their city for her involvement in Chai Ke's case.

At this moment, Angel's eyes were wide open, as if filled with confusion and disbelief in the moments before her life ended.

And Chai Ke, the criminal who had been arrested half a month ago on 11 charges, was now lying peacefully on the cold floor.

Shot through the chest, one could look straight through the hole and see the view on the other side.

The criminals who had planned this operation with Chai Ke had all met the same fate.

Executed with precision, a testament to the assailant's ruthlessness.

The image of a professional assassin flashed through Lu Xiang's mind, but she immediately dismissed her first impression.

If the perpetrator was a ruthless professional assassin, why would they leave three survivors?

"Boss, the surveillance here has been destroyed."

The technician brought the expected news quickly.

Considering the Foster Family's standing with the United Government, any criminal in their right mind wouldn't dare show their face at the crime scene.

"Seal off the area and take Angel Foster's body back to the station first."

Lu Xiang's right eyelid twitched violently; she could already foresee the public outrage this incident would incite. Chai Ke was a notorious public enemy of the 17th District, and Angel, responsible for his trial, had become a heroic figure in the people's eyes by logical extension.

And now, their hero had been gunned down.

In the days to come, the outraged public would certainly question them—how could Chai Ke, already in custody, have escaped, abducted, and murdered the prosecutor in charge of his trial?

Lu Xiang, too, wanted to know the answer to this question.

But the more pressing issue at the moment was the destroyed surveillance footage, and all the eyewitnesses were dead except for those three hostages who had somehow fortunately survived…

Hostages?

Lu Xiang suddenly considered another possibility.

From the moment they arrived at the scene, they had cordoned off the surrounding area. Considering the criminals were armed, snipers had also taken positions immediately.

To date, she had received no reports of anyone leaving the house.

From hearing the gunshot to storming the scene, it took less than ten seconds; the crime scene had been preserved in its original state, which meant that the real perpetrator might still be on the scene.

Her gaze swept over the two trembling people in the corner, and she instructed the person next to her, "Take those two back to the station as well, and then you personally lead a team to the hospital, guarding the injured around the clock."

...

20:30.

"Today, a violent incident occurred in the south of the city, and High Prosecutor Angel Foster unfortunately fell victim. Let us remember the hero who tirelessly fought on the front lines against crime and gave her life for this city…"

An hour later, the report aired on schedule on the nightly news channel of the 17th District.

In mourning for the High Prosecutor's death, the nightly news broadcast turned black and white.

Song Lan had prepared a sumptuous dinner, and watching the black-and-white television, he clasped his hands together and sincerely mourned the passing of the City Hero.

This vicious crime occurred around 19:30, and he had miraculously brushed past the Grim Reaper himself, returning to his apartment just in time.

Grandpa Li, the doorman of the apartment, saw him as he was carrying a bag of ribs upstairs.

According to reports, the criminal had taken four hostages, while he had someone at the scene fill his absence.

Walking home from the crime scene took at least ten minutes, all of which undoubtedly served as the best alibis.

The restlessness deep in his heart gradually calmed down.

Song Lan remembered that a book on crime psychology mentioned that the first step to a perfect lie was to convince oneself.

Many criminals could not do this and it was ultimately how their lies were exposed.

Just now, Song Lan had successfully convinced himself.

Objectively, he didn't have the possibility of being involved in this vicious case.

Thus, the fragments of memories lingering in his mind were just an illusion, a nightmare.

His life continued to maintain its steady pace.

Then, as expected, a call interrupted Song Lan's thoughts.

He answered after the phone rang four times, and a slightly weary female voice came from the other end.

"Hello?"

"I'll be working late today, coming home late."

"Ah, Director Lu, is it an emergency overtime? I'll come over right away!"

Song Lan's voice conveyed the perfect amount of surprise.

"No need..."

"Oh, then do you have any requests, Director?"

"I'm hungry."

Her tone was still terse, "I'll be home around twelve."

"Got it."

"Mhm."

After hanging up, the office was left with an unsettling silence. Lu Xiang looked at the sky that had completely darkened, clenching her fists in regret.

Not again! Again and again, failing!

She pushed aside the book titled "A Love Tip Every Day," even though she had mentally rehearsed before making the call, the moment she heard the other party's voice, everything reverted to the usual business reporting routine.

Work is important, stop thinking about these unnecessary things!

Lu Xiang steadied her mind and looked at the neatly organized files on the desk.

She had brought Angel Foster's body back to the department immediately to gather firsthand information before the Foster Family could be notified.

Her judgment proved to be correct.

Even though Angel Foster was dead, the high-tech prosthetic eye she had implanted recorded what had happened before they stormed the crime scene.

Even though Angel's head was covered with a bag the whole time, every sound in the room was recorded exactly.

It was this decrypted original sound that made Lu Xiang feel that this case was probably not simple.

She heard a gunshot.

Apart from the gunshot, there was no other sound.

The two shivering hostages seemed to have been frightened into a stupor by the gunfire, unable to utter a syllable in the following six seconds.

Six seconds later, she led her team to break in.

In other words, someone had taken out everyone at the scene except for the hostages in those six seconds, and either blended in with the hostages or completely vanished under their meticulously laid trap.