Perfect Site

By Shwetha Jayachandran

Several unrelated cases are brought together by a painting of Solomon's Judgment. The murderer was originally one person, but all the clues point to different suspects. When the police are at a loss, Li Xingwen, a trainee police officer, enlists the help of Zhou Hitomi, a brilliant deductive reasoner, who turns the case into a deadlock. However,

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Colon
• Release date: Jan 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869269331

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Perfect Site

Copyright © 2024 by Shwetha Jayachandran

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Ebook ISBN: 979-8-8692-6933-1

Cover designed by Shwetha Jayachandran

Edited by Shwetha Jayachandran

Perfect Site

Chapter 1: Do you know your sins?

Luo Zihao likes to have a regular life, such as waking up at seven and a half every day, eating breakfast at eight, arriving at the unit to work at nine on time, eating Chinese food at twelve and a half, and leaving work at five ...... If one day is not disrupted by an accident, then it is really a perfect day for him. However it so happened that he was doing the most irregular and unplanned job - a police officer, not only a police officer, but also in the busiest serious crime unit. He had been planning to quit his job and get a free and regular job, but apparently, so far, he hadn't found one.

At 4:59 p.m., Luo Zihao looked at the wristwatch on his hand, there was still one minute left for him to get off work, and the day was one minute away from being perfect. But something unfortunate happened, his phone rang, and a sense of foreboding gripped his heart.

Sure enough, there was another case. Luo Zihao has been very puzzled, the world how can not stop a little, even if one day, just one day, he is also satisfied. But this is not the most depressing for him, what makes him even more worried is that this time he has to go to the crime scene through the city's most congested second ring road, and now it is the peak of the off-work period.

Luo Zihao grabbed his jacket, removed the car keys hanging on the wall, and took a large sip of coffee in an effort to cheer himself up.

However, his actions quickly caught the attention of the new trainee police officer, Li Xingwen. If he was off duty, Luo Zihao wouldn't be driving a police car, and now that he had taken the keys to the police car, he was obviously going to work on a case.

Rocco, can you bring me along? Li Xingwen flashed her own signature smile with an innocent look.

Luo Zihao had always sympathized deeply with such people who had nothing to do, but he could understand the young man's motivation.

Well, it might be a little bloody, will it work?

No problem! Li Xingwen nodded with certainty.

As expected by Luo Zihao, the original fifteen-minute journey took a full hour. By the time he arrived, the sky was already dark.

The entire apartment building had been cordoned off by the police, and there were three or four police cars parked downstairs, flashing their lights and attracting attention. There were also some watchers gathered around, stretching their necks and pointing, and some young people even took photos and videos with their cell phones, excitedly uploading the picture images to social media.

Luo Zihao shook his head, there was no way he could like these boring spectators.

The police officer in charge of the blockade recognized Luo Zihao and hastened to pull open the blockade for him.

Luo Zihao led Li Xingwen into the apartment building. It was an old apartment building with only one entrance and exit, no elevator, no property or security guards, and close to the street. The hallway was a bit dim, it should be that the lighting hadn't been replaced for a long time, and some of the floor lights weren't even on at all anymore.

The two went up to the seventh floor, the door of the room where the crime took place was open, and several officers were busy, with heavy faces, and it seemed that the situation was very bad.

Luo Zihao and Li Xingwen took gloves and shoe covers from a police officer and put them on skillfully.

The officer in charge of the scene was called Mo Kai, and when he saw Luo Zihao come in, he rushed to welcome him.

Rocco, it's been a long time since I've encountered this kind of case, so I have no choice but to ask you to run. Mokai blushed a little.

Luo Zihao nodded slightly, didn't say anything, and walked straight towards the bedroom.

Li Xingwen also felt the oppressive atmosphere and didn't dare to make a sound, following Luo Zihao.

It was a two-room apartment with an area of about sixty square meters. The room was full of feminine flavor, both in terms of decoration and furniture.

The bedroom door was open and Luo Zihao walked in and froze.

Li Xingwen followed closely behind, squeezing half her head out from behind Luo Zihao, and when she saw what was in front of her, she immediately felt a wave of dizziness, her intestines churning uncontrollably.

Yeah ...... sorry ...... Li Xingwen turned and stormed out of the room, grabbing a bag and bursting into vomit.

Mo Kai glanced at Li Xingwen, shook his head, and walked over to Luo Zihao's side and began to briefly introduce the case.

The deceased's name is Yang Yingying, female, 27 years old, occupation secretary. The body was found at about ten minutes past fifteen this afternoon, the person who called the police was the cleaner in charge of cleaning the house, the first batch of police officers arrived at thirty minutes past fifteen and immediately secured the scene, the forensic pathologist preliminarily deduced that the time of death was around four in the morning, other clues are still being collected, I'm afraid that the details will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

Luo Zihao did not say anything, he has experienced a lot of murder cases, but such a big deal is the first time. A smart criminal would not make such a big fuss, the more you do, the more clues you leave behind. The murderer didn't seem to care at all. All the furniture in the bedroom had been moved by the murderer, the bed had been stood up, and the victim had been nailed to the bedpan. What was even more exaggerated was that the murderer had painted a picture on the ceiling. Although Luo Zihao didn't really know much about painting, in terms of the painting itself, it was definitely better than the collections in some third-rate art galleries, even though the murderer had only used one color - red.

Luo Zihao carefully stepped over the bloodstains and took a few more steps forward as he began to look at the dead man up close.

The deceased was completely naked, below the abdomen and above the thighs, and was so nearly bloody that it was difficult to see his original appearance. The hands and feet were pierced by slightly exaggerated large head nails, firmly nailed to the bedboard. The rest of the body was intact, and with her delicate features and fair skin, it was easy to see that the deceased was a very beautiful woman. The deceased suffered such torture, but could not see much trace of resistance and struggle, which shows that the murderer either used drugs on the deceased, or fiddled with these complicated things only after the death of the deceased. Although the autopsy report had not yet come out, Luo Zihao preferred the former.

The murder weapon has not been found yet, but it has been determined that the wounds of the deceased were caused by the repeated thrusts of the blade ...... What a pervert! Even for a well-informed police officer like Mokai, remembering the murderer's crazy behavior, he couldn't help but feel a pang of revulsion.

It's not just perversion, look at the whole crime scene, it's full of rituals. The murderer must be quite fanatical about something! Luo Zihao agreed, but added, What are the clues in this painting?

No clue yet. Mokai shook his head.

Solomon ...... is very much like The Judgment of Solomon ......, said Li Xingwen, covering her mouth and trying not to look at the corpse.

What Judgment of All Gates? Luo Zihao asked with interest.

Not all the doors, but Solomon, oil on canvas, by Poussin, painted in 1649 ...... Li Xingwen said and ran out again.

Luo Zihao had experienced this when he first became a police officer, so he didn't laugh at Li Xingwen.

It's fine, you'll get used to it later when you throw up. Luo Zihao wasn't very good at comforting people.

Li Xingwen took the tissue he handed over, dried her mouth, and took a deep breath, which slowly slowed her down.

You know a lot about oil painting, don't you?

Took art in college ......

What exactly is the origin of this Judgment of Solomon? Tell me in detail, it might help in solving the case. Luo Zihao fished out a box of cigarettes, Do you mind?

Li Xingwen waved her hand, but she still adjusted the position she was standing in before explaining the details about the oil painting work Solomon's Judgment to Luo Zihao.

The Judgment of Solomon oil on canvas, painted in 1649 by the French painter Poussin, depicts the story of Solomon, son of King David and Bathsheba, during his reign over Israel, who wisely and justly tried two women for their babies. The two women came to King Solomon, who was known for his wisdom. The two women lived together and each had a baby. One of the babies died during the night, and both claimed that the living baby was their own. In order to find out the truth, Solomon took a sword and threatened to cut the child in half so that each of the two could have half. Immediately the child's real mother preferred to give it up out of natural motherhood, while the impostor was willing to watch the child die.

Poussin has succeeded in profoundly representing an earthly drama with the utmost simplicity. He portrays the most tearful and intense emotions - which in the 17th century were called 'soul passions'. At the same time, he contrasts it with perfect reason, symbolized by King Solomon. Solomon knows right from wrong and sees good and evil in the midst of chaos and confusion. ...... As if by rote, Li Xingwen blurted out the comments she had once learned about the painting.

So, the murderer is the self-proclaimed embodiment of justice? Luo Zihao stubbed out his cigarette.

He left this painting behind, he should have wanted to express such a meaning. Li Xingwen pinched her nose.

How can there be such boring and perverted guys these days! Luo Zihao sighed, looks like he'll be working overtime again tonight.

It was almost nine o'clock when Li Xingwen returned home from the scene of the crime, and as soon as she entered the house, she saw her mother shedding tears with her aunt, while her father was sitting on the sidelines, sighing.

She immediately remembered that today was the anniversary of her cousin's death.

Mom, auntie, don't be sad, it's been so long. Li Xingwen sat down and put her arm around her aunt's shoulders.

Wen good, aunt knows, just think about it, still can not help ...... she so young ...... if she is still alive, surely also like you have a good fortune... ... Auntie touched her face.

Wen Wen ah, you are now a police officer, you can help your aunt to do the Lord, her family is all torn apart by that what is called Zhou pupil bad guy, you can not arrest him ...... Li Xingwen's mother righteous indignation.

Shu Yun, don't add to the blindness, what are you talking about! Li Xingwen's father couldn't sit still at this time.

Li Ying ...... Li Ying is a good girl ah, you know your cousin's, she is a big good person ah, why ah, why God is so cruel, even my only daughter is not left to me? I hate that man to death, hate him to death! Auntie had by this time gone from crowing to bawling.

Li Xingwen thought of her cousin Li Ying also can not help but gloomy, she is three years younger than Li Ying, when she was a child, often followed this righteous cousin ass behind the mix. She was bullied, it is Li Ying to help her out, teach the bullies; she was aggrieved, it is Li Ying to comfort her; her first like boys, but also secretly tell this cousin ...... Li Ying is not only just her cousin, but also her idol, best friend and playmate, however, the cousin is so young ... . so young she ...... left. To this day, when she thinks about it, she feels unbelievable and hard to accept.

Zhou Hitomi, who the hell are you?

Whenever Li Xingwen spoke this name, her emotions were far more complicated than she herself could have imagined. She was very clear about how much this cousin Li Ying loved him, even risking her life to find him, but the end result was also really ...... And all sorts of rumors about Zhou Hitomi, or rather legends, on the first day she entered the police academy, she had more or less heard some of them from her classmates and instructors around her, even though she had tried her best to avoid them. What was even more unimaginable to her was why such a person would not accept any more commissions and just go to be a history teacher at ease.

Li Xingwen felt a strong drowsiness and finally slowly closed her eyes ......

Luo Zihao thought that this Solomon case would be unusually complicated, but what is unimaginable is that the murderer has left too many clues, and all the clues point to one person - Liu Kui, who is Yang Yingying's boss and also her lover. His fingerprints were lifted from Yang Yingying's room, which is of course not unusual, but the fact that his fingerprints were also collected from the top of the wall cannot but arouse suspicion.

The night before the murder, Liu Kui and Yang Yingying had dinner at a restaurant. According to the waiter, Liu Kui and Yang Yingying had a big fight, and the fight was about Yang Yingying forcing Liu Kui to get a divorce. This gives us a motive for the murder.

Liu Kui also had no alibi; he said that he went home and read alone in his study until late at night, then fell asleep in his study and did not wake up until after eight o'clock the next day, so no one could prove exactly where he was that night.

Liu Kui was a highly talented student who graduated from the Department of Fine Arts, and the paintbrush lines searched in his studio were consistent with the paintings on the wall of the deceased.

The most important piece of evidence, however, is the murder weapon, a sharp fruit knife, that the police found in Liu Kui's house, and the police found bloodstains belonging to Yang Yingying on the knife.

The police arrested Liu Kui and interrogated him, but he never admitted that he had killed Yang Yingying.

The murder weapon was found in your study, how do you explain that?

I've never seen that fruit knife before, and if it's really a murder weapon, why don't I throw it away and leave it at home? Liu Kui argued with reason.

We found a painting at the scene of the murder, and the brush used to paint it was identified as the same one in your study. I advise you to confess, we already have solid evidence. Interrogators continue to coerce.

I don't even understand what you're talking about, killing someone and painting? Liu Kui was simply confused by the interrogator.

You are still sophomoric ...... I ask you, is Yang Yingying forcing you to divorce and making you pay a large amount of youth loss?

I did have a conflict with her and had a few big fights, but even so, I didn't have to kill anyone, did I? Officer, you believe me, someone must have framed me ...... I really didn't kill anyone!

Luo Zihao could barely listen outside the interrogation room, although the evidence and the motive for the murder were conclusive, Liu Kui really didn't look like a paranoid person who would kill for the sake of justice.

Luo Zihao actually believed Liu Kui more, he was skeptical about the investigation result, and his intuition also told him that Liu Kui wasn't the real murderer, but he couldn't find any evidence that could prove it. This is undoubtedly a great irony! He tried to explain to his superiors that he couldn't close the case hastily, but he didn't have any convincing evidence, and there was no way for the leaders who were eager to solve the case to accept his idea. The only person who was on the same side as him and trusted his intuition was only one person - Li Xingwen. Although this weak female trainee police officer would vomit at the sight of a corpse, she has a very sharp judgment and a ponderous knowledge of all kinds. Luo Zihao came to this conclusion after a month of contacting Li Xingwen. He sometimes even joked with people that if Li Xingwen went to participate in a TV program like One Stop to the Bottom, she would definitely become a hopeful.

A week after Liu Kui's arrest, the prosecution filed an indictment against him.

Everyone thought that this case would end here, even Luo Zihao and Li Xingwen, who were still skeptical, but another case with a nearly identical modus operandi occurred.

Nong Shao-Shi loved money, he desperately exchanged his power for money, but never dared to spend it, he had so much money that he could buy the most luxurious skyscrapers in the city, but he still lived in an apartment, rode a bicycle to and from work, and wore patched clothes. Yet it didn't matter, the thing that made him happiest was the thrill of pulling out stacks of hidden money from all different parts of his solitary apartment in the dead of night and counting them over and over again, there was no substitute for that for him. He longed for every time he woke up from his sleep, he was lying in that ocean of countless bills.

On this day when Nong Shao Shi woke up, he realized that there was a slight difference from the previous days, the money was still there, but the money went deeper into his skin than usual, or more accurately, one banknote after another was inserted into the cuts on his body.

Ah ....... Nong Shao Shi's mouth issued this strange moan, intense pain, but shouting not being able to cry out, how horrible it was.

He could see on the wall opposite him at that moment, a puzzle of human skin, showing a man with a crown on his head seated high above a throne, and below him, kneeling and crouching.

A man with a crown on his head and black robes slowly walked in through the door and approached him one step at a time.

Help ...... help me ...... Nong Saoshi tried to make every word clear, but it still sounded so muffled and softly inaudible.

Do you know your sins? The man's voice was low and thick.

Luo Zihao had always thought that there was a limit to both imagination and human cruelty, but the murders that had occurred once again had far exceeded what he had thought was the limit.

Li Xingwen unsuspectingly threw up again, and vomited whatever she ate for two days, and her mom kept asking her who really did it.

And this is the question that Luo Zihao and Li Xingwen are struggling to find out, who did it?

Liu Kui is in the detention center, he can't do it, I'm afraid that even the last case may not be his doing.

Luo Zihao finds the leader again to discuss the case about Liu Kui.

This time the leader expressed understanding and sympathy, but still shook his head, and although there was a new case, he still could not find evidence to prove that the last case was not the work of Liu Kui.

I can only help you delay it, solve the case as soon as possible, solve the case, find the real culprit, with evidence, any problem can be solved! The leader spoke in a serious tone.

Luo Zihao couldn't refute it, speculation alone couldn't solve the problem, he must produce evidence.

Luo Zihao with a group of men began to visit day and night, collecting clues and looking for a breakthrough in the case.

However, this case was just as easy to find evidence for, and all the evidence pointed to another suspect.

Wang Guofa, a real estate developer, approached Nong Shao Shi for a piece of land. Nong Shao Shi received money from others, but the matter was not accomplished, Wang Guofa has been making trouble, the day before the crime, Wang Guofa was seen in Nong Shao Shi's office to beat the table, and threatened Nong Shao Shi.

Wang Guofa likewise had no alibi, was alone, and had ample time to commit the crime.

As for the evidence, Wang Guofa's fingerprints were also found in Nong Shao Shi's home and on the banknotes affixed to his flesh and blood, as well as Wang Guofa's shoe prints on the floor, and even a scalpel was found in Wang Guofa's home, on which Nong Shao Shi's blood was likewise found.

Motive, evidence, all of it. It's impossible not to arrest someone.

But Luo Zihao just didn't feel right, feeling that the real culprit must be laughing at them from some dark corner.

This time, not only Luo Zihao and Li Xingwen, the atmosphere of the entire task force is depressing and dull, no one is happy for solving the case, but instead more desperately looking for evidence that it is not Wang Guohua who committed the crime. But the result has not changed much, the deeper the investigation, the more evidence can be found to prove that the murderer is Wang Guofa.

Like Liu Kui, that is Wang Guofa, in the face of so much evidence, vehemently denied that he had killed Nong Shao Shi.

Luo Zihao really had no choice, and at the task force meeting, he could only announce the closure of the case.

No way! Li Xingwen couldn't sit still and stood up to object.

Luo Zihao smiled bitterly.

What do you propose?

We should ask for help from the higher authorities! Li Xingwen couldn't think of anything else.

The evidence is overwhelming, the suspect is in jail, what do we turn to higher authorities for?

Li Xingwen was speechless, but she was stubborn and remained standing without sitting down.

Alright, I understand your feelings, sit down, don't be unreasonable. Luo Zihao was not only advising Li Xingwen, but also himself.

We ...... have one more person we can get to help! Li Xingwen gulped.

Who?

Hitomi Chou!

The entire venue was silent, everyone looked at Li Xingwen as if she was a visitor from Mars.

Chapter 2: Zhou pupil

Luo Zihao still remembers Zhou Hitomi, the first time he met Zhou Hitomi, he was just a general police officer, responsible for guarding the periphery, while Zhou Hitomi discussed the case with the leader of the special criminal investigation team, he was wondering at the time, a worldly high school student, how capable? Then later, he realized that the case that had been pending had been solved by this high school student. But even then, he didn't pay much attention to the boy. It was only as time went by that various rumors and stories about Zhou Hitomi came one after another, and behind one shocking case, there were surprisingly shadows of him. Although he didn't know the details of most of the cases due to classified reasons, but being in the police world, there were always various channels to find out the news, and no matter how many exaggerations and inaccuracies there were in these news, he also had to admire this brave youth.

This legendary figure, however, suddenly faded into obscurity a few years ago and never heard of any case again.

And now, a female police trainee offered to go to Hitomi Zhou for help.

Luo Zihao wasn't someone who couldn't let go of his face, and he never valued the so-called face, so if he could really catch the murderer, it wouldn't be a big deal to let him dance in a skirt.

He approached Li Xingwen privately and asked, On what basis did you ask him to help us?

He owes me a debt, so he has to come! Li Xingwen said with a firm voice.

Kai Kwong Middle School, an unheard of junior secondary school, is hidden amidst the high-rise buildings, and if you do not have the intention to look for it, I am afraid that even if you pass by, you will not pay special attention to it.

Li Xingwen stood at the entrance of the school, her mood surprisingly a little nervous. She took a deep breath and cursed herself for being untalented.

As a police officer, it was naturally a very easy task to get into a school.

Classmate, may I ask which office is Mr. Zhou Hitomi Zhou in? Li Xingwen stopped a male student who wore glasses and looked very honest.

The male student took a look at Li Xingwen, held his glasses with his hand, and asked with a smile, You're looking for Mr. Zhou?

Li Xingwen nodded.

The male student pointed to an office beside him, then lowered his voice and said furtively, I'm telling you, our teacher just fell out of love and her temper isn't very good, so be careful!

Li Xingwen cried and laughed at her words, patted her young classmate's head, and walked towards the office labeled 203.

Say again, who started the 'Xi'an Incident'?

Jacky Cheung ...... Jacky Cheung ......

Tomo your sister, have you ever read a book or not, a topic that even elementary school students know, is Liang, Liang, Liang, Zhang Xueliang!

A young, bearded, unkempt teacher wearing glasses, tapped a student on the head with a book while lecturing the student.

Li Xingwen still remembered that when she used to look at her cousin's graduation handbook, she had once seen Zhou Hitomi's photo, which was of a handsome and arrogant teenager, and nowadays, although she could also vaguely recognize it, there was still a huge contrast. In terms of age, Zhou Hitomi was only twenty-seven or eighteen, but now he looked like an older man.

Hello, is this Mr. Zhou Hitomi Zhou? Li Xingwen knocked on the door, for her who had only seen a mere photo, she needed to confirm first, whether out of politeness or official business.

Zhou Hitomi raised her head and froze for a moment, a little out of breath, too much like it, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't after all.

Ah ...... I am ...... Zhou pupil came back to his senses and patted the student in front of him, You go out first, copy the 'Zhang Xueliang' three words copied fifty times, memorize them for me.

The student spat out his tongue, but didn't dare to retort and slunk out of the office.

Li Xingwen saw the student go out and backhanded the door.

Mr. Zhou Hitomi, I've heard a lot about you, I'm Li Xingwen, a criminal police officer from the Serious Crimes Unit. Li Xingwen opened the door.

When Zhou Hitomi heard this, his face was not ugly, but instead he playfully smiled.

Beautiful, I wonder what I can do to help?

Li Xingwen didn't expect him to be so good at talking, completely different from the rumors, and her originally thought out lines couldn't be used instead.

Well, we have a very tricky case on our hands right now, and we'd like to get Mr. Zhou's help.

Since she had a request, Li Xingwen was still polite.

Police-civilian cooperation? That's the way it should be. Say, what's the matter? Zhou Hitomi leaned her back against the chair and stretched her legs.

Two months ago, there was a very bizarre murder, and the killer ......

Li Xingwen tried to narrate the case very seriously, but before she could finish a sentence, she was interrupted by Zhou Hitomi.

I'm sorry, could you please wait a moment, do I have anything to do with this case?

Li Xingwen froze for a moment, but she shook her head.

The case has nothing to do with Mr. Chow, but we hope ......

Did you get a paycheck?

...... has ......

"Very well, get paid and do your job, I'm not on your payroll, the school pays me and I have to attend classes. I'm sorry, it's time for class, take your time and don't