Chapter 14: Time

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According to the information given in the prompt box, starting from the first bucket, the earliest time of death was three years ago. However, the most recent victim died just a month ago, and some bodies buried in cement had not fully decomposed. In terms of timeline, there was a one-year gap between the first and second murders committed by the killer. Yet, from the time of death of the second skeleton onward, the killer’s pace accelerated. In fact, the interval between the penultimate and the last victim was less than two months.

“What is it? You’re frowning like you’ve figured something out?”

Liu Yufeng approached Tang Jianing, holding some processed photos of the crime scene.

“There are definitely some problems here, but…”

Tang Jianing glanced around the warehouse complex before posing her own question.

“A deranged serial killer whose intervals between murders are growing shorter—would he stop killing at some point?”

“No. According to criminal psychology, the timing of murders is driven by the killer’s desire, much like an addiction to drugs.”

Tang Jianing briefly went over the death times of the last two skeletons, then fixed her gaze on Liu Yufeng.

“So, based on this theory, the killer should have murdered at least four people within these three months, but we haven’t found their bodies, right?”

Hearing this, a grave expression appeared on Liu Yufeng’s face.

“You mean the killer changed where he buried the bodies?”

Tang Jianing pinched the bridge of her nose and offered her speculation.

“Right now, based on these skeletons, I can only deduce two possibilities.”

“Either the killer switched to a different burial site, or his urge to kill escalated to the point where this method of hiding bodies no longer satisfies him.”

“If it’s the first, the number of victims in those three months could be unimaginably high.”

“The second possibility is that the killer interrupted his killing spree for some reason—illness, injury, or even death.”

Tang Jianing’s words struck Liu Yufeng like a heavy blow.

The first scenario would be the worst: if more victims exist, the case could spiral beyond comprehension. Over twenty victims pose a tremendous challenge for both the detectives and societal stability.

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The second scenario isn’t any better. If such a monster died somewhere unknown without being caught, it would leave a dark shadow over the entire criminal investigation unit.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Yufeng looked seriously at Tang Jianing.

“Miss Tang, I know your abilities are excellent. I hope we can cooperate on this case.”

Until now, he had been completely baffled, with no clear leads. If Tang Jianing could assist, it would bring an extra force beyond just the police, within society itself.

“I will definitely help with this case, but as for formal cooperation, I’ll pass. I’m not suited to working alongside the police.”

Tang Jianing was determined to get involved, driven not only by her desire to solve the case but also by a need to capture this killer who had disrupted her own plans—to show him what the underworld is truly like.

“Thank you, Miss Tang. If we get any news, we’ll inform you immediately.”

“Do you have confidence?”

Tang Jianing’s sudden question made Liu Yufeng pause briefly, then a bitter expression crossed his face.

“To be honest, not much. The bodies were handled very cleanly, and there’s little to find at the scene.”

“This place is just a burial site, not the original crime scene. The evidence here is extremely limited.”

After a pause, Liu Yufeng glanced toward the forensic pathologist studying the bones.

“Now it depends on whether the forensics can glean anything from these two severely decomposed skeletons.”

Seeing Liu Yufeng’s worried look, Tang Jianing offered some reassurance.

“Don’t be too pessimistic. My suggestion is to start by identifying the victims.”

“Among so many, at least some identities will be found. Crucially, the identities of the first and last victims will provide plenty of clues.”

Tang Jianing had some ideas about how to approach the case. After all, the prompt box had revealed many clues, some requiring lengthy forensic work to uncover.

One or two clues might not amount to much, but when accumulated, they could point in a clear direction.

The earliest victim appeared three years ago. As the killer’s first target, that person’s identity was especially important.

“Alright, notify me as soon as there are results. Anything else?”

Liu Yufeng took Tang Jianing’s words seriously and quickly arranged the work.

“We just have to wait for the victims’ identities. This kind of case can only be solved step by step.”

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Unless the original crime scene is found, Tang Jianing knew she had limited options.

The whole city had countless people working in construction, making it impossible to find the killer without police support.

Glancing at the detectives still working on-site, Tang Jianing stretched.

“I won’t stay here much longer. Contact Da Hu anytime. If he needs to give a statement, send him over.”

“Got it!”

Liu Yufeng nodded and quickly rejoined the investigation with his camera in hand.

“Da Hu, go home!”

“Alright!”

Da Hu ruffled his buzz cut before starting the car and heading toward the villa.

Stepping through the villa’s front door, Tang Jianing saw Tang Liqian reclining on the sofa, leafing through documents.

“Done?”

Seeing his daughter return, Tang Liqian smiled warmly.

“We’ve basically acquired more than half the shares. Except for the Liao family’s own shares, most other shareholders have chosen to sell.”

Tang Jianing’s strategy was ruthless. Since her brother’s crime was exposed, the chairman of Liao Liquor had no time to manage company affairs.

As the news spread, shareholders couldn’t bear the pressure and began selling their stakes.

Rather than watch the Liao family go mad over Liao Wenjie and have their shares become worthless, it was better to cash out while they still had value.

“How much in total?”

“Sixty-nine point five percent—just enough for absolute control.”

Hearing her father, Tang Jianing’s eyes flickered with a smile.

“And you? How’s the inspection of the eastern land?”

“Commercial street is basically impossible. I went there tonight and found many dead people. The criminal investigators are busy with that now.”