Pristine Darkness

Chapter 75

Bo Jinyan and the others close in a suspect, but is he really the one they are looking for? Meanwhile, Jian Yao is following a hunch, motivated by a desire to prove herself to someone. 

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Translator: shl

Editor/ Proofreader: Summer

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Jian Yao knew that going by herself was dangerous; she knew that the facts of the case were already just within reach. However, when she thought about how Bo Jinyan looked standing there talking about love, thought about how, the previous night, he had obstinately insisted that she return to Beijing first, a sense of pain, of being forsaken, surged in her chest, spurring her on to do something bold.

She wanted him to see that she could be successful in whatever she wanted to do.

——

"Found the suspect!"

An Yan's cool yet strong voice resounded in the empty office.

Fang Qing and the others surrounded him. Only Bo Jinyan remained at his spot by the window. In his mind, finding the suspect was just a matter of time. Since they were unfamiliar with Xun City, An Yan could even be said to be slow.

It's just that Jian Yao had gone downstairs a while ago and had not returned. He knew that she was even-tempered and rarely got angry or suffered from turbulent or fluctuating emotions. But what she had said just now had both wounded and melted his manly heart. Then, she had evaded him.

When a woman who was too tender lost her temper, even that was silent and distant.

Bo Jinyan touched the ring in his pocket. Cold, hard diamonds, protruding branches. From the time he had left her, he had not worn it, although he always carried it with him. He worried that he would drop it in carelessness or bump it against something. He feared that wearing it would mean he had a tangible reminder of his longing for her, and it would be difficult to dismiss it.

Now, he drew out the ring and placed it on his ring finger. Then he let his hand drop.

He wanted her to see it in a little while, so she would no longer be angry. Thinking about this caused him to heat up.

"Black Toyota, market price ¥200,000 to ¥300,000. Drove past the target intersection at 3:05 a.m. last night," An Yan reported at a rapid speed. "The car owner is Shi Peng, 28 years old, from Li county, a technical engineer at a tyre company. Height 176 cm, lives in Jiamei Mingyuan."

Bo Jinyan smiled grimly before commenting, "We must hurry. Not much time has elapsed between the second murder and now, and he intends to continue committing crimes. Thus, the tools he used and other items of evidence and traces of his actions are very likely still in his home or his car."

Shao Yao commanded, "Let's go! Catch him!"

"Wait!" a criminal investigator abruptly interrupted. "I think I've seen this car somewhere before!" Everyone looked at him while he furrowed his brows in concentrated thought. Then, slapping his head, he said, "The carpark! Three days ago, at our carpark! Feng Yuexi's friend, who came to pick her up! A black Toyota and the licence plate number is the same!"

The criminal investigators made ready to set out, including Shao Yong and An Yan. Bo Jinyan also donned his coat and walked out with the other criminal investigators. Oh, how interesting is this? Turn and turn again, and now they were back to where they had first started on this case. Such boundless cruelty, but perhaps concealing the comparatively insignificant and vulgar truth.

Bo Jinyan once again took out his cellphone and called Jian Yao, but no one answered.

It had happened before that Jian Yao had refused to accept his call when she had lost her temper. Bo Jinyan put away his cellphone and thought, just as well, by the time we've caught the killer, her anger would have dissipated. He even came to a highly perceptive conclusion: the current Jian Yao's temperament was a little more extreme and a little tougher, and it would be wiser not to provoke it carelessly . . .

——

Jiamei Mingyuan was located 4 km east of Wangjiang Park and was less than 3 km from Nie Shijun's home. Of course, it was not the only residence within the suggested range. There were both newer and older residential communities, such as the Wangjiang community, the teachers' new housing development, the new housing development on Guangbo Road, and so on. However, Bo Jinyan inferred that this was the only place of residence for the killer because it best corresponded to his preferences, whether in terms of quality, how new or old it was, and his temperament. On this count, Bo Jinyan had hit the mark.

The criminal investigators speedily arrived at their destination. As they were trying to avoid causing much alarm, they were all dressed in plain clothes. Some of them took control of the elevators and main entrance, while others headed for Shi Peng's floor in a single file.

All this while, An Yan was still ceaselessly collecting new information pertaining to the suspect and relaying it to Bo Jinyan and the others.

"Shi Peng has a high school education, but did not qualify for university; this is contrary to your inference," said An Yan. "He muddled along at home for two years, then studied at a vocational high school. Clearly, he was a very good technician and joined this tyre company upon graduation. Within 5 or 6 years, he rose from being an ordinary technician to being a technical engineer. I accessed the company's internal database. His annual performance evaluation has either been 'excellent' or 'very good'. His superior's main comment is 'Thinks about others, highly diligent. Although he has a quick temper, his interpersonal relationships are great . . .'"

Bo Jinyan was stunned.

At this time, the criminal investigators had already knocked on Shi Peng's door. A sleepy-eyed man wearing a singlet and underpants poked his head out. Before he could react, Fang Qing and another criminal investigator had surged forward and pushed open the door, pinning him to the ground. The other criminal investigators rushed in and took over the entire apartment.

Shi Peng was tall, with bushy eyebrows, big eyes , and dark skin. His entire being exuded the aura unique to technical workers, of being straightforward and uninhibited, bold in decision-making and meticulous in thought. He was utterly confused, and was yelling in shock and anger as he was pinned to the ground, "Who are you? What do you think you're doing?".

Fang Qing whipped out his credentials. "Police! Tell us the truth!"

Befuddled, Shi Peng struggled mightily to break free. "Police? I have done nothing wrong! How can the police just come and grab people any old how!"

The police rapidly searched the entire apartment but did not find the tools or any other items. Fang Qing sneeringly asked, "Where are your car keys? Your black Toyota, licence plate number A67GT3!"

Under interrogation at the doorway, Shi Peng's eyes opened wide. After a pause, he answered, "The car keys are not with me. I've been on shift at the factory for the past few days. I gave the car keys to my friend, who was supposed to take the car to the 4S repair shop for maintenance!"

Fang Qing and the other criminal investigators were struck dumb.

While the criminal investigators conferred briefly with each other, Bo Jinyan had An Yan lead him on a quick tour around the apartment and describe the furnishings in a low whisper.

"The apartment is very messy, with instant noodle bowls and fast food boxes around. There are no books, only some car magazines . . . the clothes are mostly T-shirts and jeans, the furniture is a set of old, red rosewood furniture, one table has lost its leg but it hasn't been repaired . . ."

Bo Jinyan had already turned and walked out of the room. He fired off a question in Shi Peng's face, "Does your friend also live in this residential community?"

The other criminal investigators were puzzled. Shi Peng was startled when he saw Bo Jinyan's countenance, and replied, ". . . Yes."

Bo Jinyan's words came out fast and furious. "About 175 cm tall? Graduate degree? Car is better than yours?"

" . . .Yes. But . . . how did you know all these?"

"Are he and Feng Yuexi also very close?"

". . . Yes. The three of us grew up together."

A criminal investigator's face changed. In a low voice, he told Fang Qing, "Yes, I remember, there were two men in the car which picked up Feng Yuexi from the police station."