Chapter 1103 - 564: First Direct Contact (2)

"No wonder you look so exhausted. Are there really big problems with these two cases?"

Jiang An replied, "For these two cases, the skeletal remains are only partial, leaving just the skull and the pelvic bones."

From the location where the remains were found, there’s a significant similarity, especially with the fire at the village clinic."

Upon hearing this, Director Hou instantly became interested.

He had been involved in this old case several times before.

To be honest, every time he participated, he gave it his all.

But the results were never satisfactory.

Regarding the two cases they reviewed last night, Director Hou hadn’t seen them directly, but he trusted Jiang An’s judgment.

He said, "Mr. Jiang, although I haven’t seen this case myself, what you’ve just told me seems quite intriguing."

After a short pause, Director Hou continued, "However, reinvestigating the fire at the village clinic would indeed be challenging."

Jiang An took a deep sigh and said, "Indeed! It’s been so long."

"If the bones from back then still exist, it would be straightforward."

"If the remains were disposed of, there might not be much left for us to investigate."

As the two were discussing, Qin Feng walked in with a key.

Director Hou glanced at Qin Feng, whose face still showed signs of exhaustion.

Qin Feng stepped forward, ready to briefly report last night’s work, but before he could begin, Director Hou interrupted him, "Mr. Jiang already told me about last night’s events."

"It’s good that you young folks have ideas and thoughts. Just follow your lead in the investigation."

"We’ve gone through six investigative teams in the preliminary stages of this case without solving it. We must change our thinking and approach, or we won’t be able to handle it."

Hearing this, Qin Feng immediately saluted and said, "Director Hou, don’t worry."

"Even though this is our seventh attempt to reopen the case, we’ll still give it our all."

While speaking, he glanced at Jiang An and said, "Especially with Mr. Jiang here, his perspectives are quite innovative. I feel like we’ll crack this case soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang An burst into laughter, "Mr. Qin, you make it sound like there’s a lot of pressure on me."

"If we don’t solve it, I’ll bear quite a bit of responsibility."

Qin Feng laughed, "You can solve it, don’t worry. With you here, no case can remain unsolved."

"Let’s go. I’ll drive you to meet that village doctor, Zhang Xiang."

Jiang An nodded and then said, "Director Hou, we’ll go investigate today. I’ll report any developments to you separately."

Director Hou laughed and said, "Go ahead, I’ll be waiting for your good news."

Then, Qin Feng and Jiang An walked out of the office.

Forty minutes later, the police car parked at the entrance of a village clinic.

The clinic door was open, and the two got out of the car and entered the clinic.

The middle-aged man sitting inside saw Qin Feng and immediately stood up to greet him, "Mr. Qin, do you feel unwell? Want some more medicine?"

Qin Feng waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhang, we’re not here for treatment today but to understand something and investigate a case."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang put away his smile and his gaze moved back and forth between Jiang An and Qin Feng a few times.

"What case?"

As soon as he spoke, Jiang An said, "The case of your wife’s death, Li Ailing."

Jiang An originally wanted to build up to it, but being direct might solve the problem more effectively.

Zhang Xiang said, "My wife, Li Ailing? Wasn’t it closed 15 years ago? Why reopen it?"

Seeing Zhang Xiang’s displeasure, Qin Feng quickly said, "We think it may relate to other cases we’re investigating now. We want to understand the situation better."

Zhang Xiang asked, "Related to other cases? Wasn’t this case already concluded as accidental death caused by fire?"

Qin Feng replied, "Yes, we know."

Then, Jiang An asked, "Could you please tell us how your wife Li Ailing’s remains were handled at the time?"

Upon hearing, Zhang Xiang spread his hands and said, "What remains? Only the head and pelvic bones were left."

Jiang An asked again, "Where are these bones? Were they cremated?"

Zhang Xiang replied, "No, I kept some of the bones for remembrance. Initially planned to cremate them, but my in-laws were strongly opposed, so we placed them in a coffin."

Jiang An asked, "Where is that coffin now?"

Zhang Xiang replied, "On the hill behind the village."

Qin Feng turned to Jiang An, asking, "Should we gather more information first?"

Jiang An clapped his hands and said, "Mr. Qin, I think we should first have Dr. Zhang show us the location of the coffin, then discuss the follow-up."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang suddenly realized something and said, "Why are you looking for the grave?"

"Are you thinking of digging up the grave and opening the coffin?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang An looked straight at him and said, "If necessary for the investigation, we don’t rule out this possibility."

Suddenly, Zhang Xiang became upset and waved his hands, saying, "No, absolutely not. We’re very concerned about feng shui here."

"If opening the coffin affects our family’s feng shui, who will bear that responsibility?"

"Plus, Li Ailing’s parents are already over 70 years old. If they learn their daughter’s grave has been disturbed, the two elderly might not withstand the shock. I think this matter..."

He glanced at Qin Feng while speaking.

Qin Feng nodded to him and said, "As Mr. Jiang mentioned earlier, for the investigation, if we need to exhume the body, we’ll surely communicate and discuss with you thoroughly.

Rest assured, us policemen are very civilized nowadays and will never act against family wishes."

Zhang Xiang quickly grabbed Qin Feng’s hand and said, "That’s good! That’s good!"

"Mr. Qin, you know I’ve been practicing medicine here for many years, helping many people."

Therefore, considering my years of effort, can you leave my wife’s grave intact?"

Just as he finished speaking, Jiang An said, "Mr. Zhang, we understand your feelings."

"But what’s more important than this is to uncover the truth of the case."

"Imagine if we find that the coffin doesn’t indeed contain Li Ailing’s remains..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang’s face instantly changed, then he said, "What do you mean?"

"Officer, be careful with your words."

"It’s well known that my wife died heroically at the workplace."

"You must not tarnish her reputation. She cared a lot about her honor during her life."

Seeing this, Qin Feng went over and patted his shoulder, saying, "Mr. Zhang, don’t mind. Mr. Jiang might speak a bit bluntly."

Zhang Xiang questioned, "Being blunt means this? Accusing victims’ families?"

With this, Jiang An looked at him again and asked, "Mr. Zhang, may I ask, did you remarry afterward?"

Zhang Xiang replied, "Remarry? No!"

"I’ve held deep feelings for my deceased wife; therefore, I haven’t remarried."

He continued questioning, "Isn’t this investigation a bit strange today?"

"Doesn’t follow the usual procedures?"

After a long silence, Jiang An said sternly, "Mr. Zhang, how we investigate is up to us!"

"I trust you’re proficient in medicine, but perhaps not in solving cases!"

Finally, Jiang An spoke each word deliberately, "Mr. Zhang, let’s go! Lead us to your deceased wife’s grave!"