I Play Dungeons in the Police Station-Chapter 424 - 256: Tracing the Source of the Corpse
Li Xiang had already assumed that Li Wenna was using a fake ID. She rented an apartment with a fake ID and likely her job credentials were also fake. However, it was unclear why she needed to use a fake ID. Moreover, when Li Wenna went missing, her workplace didn’t report it to the police.
"I’ve looked into it as well. Her boss said that Li Wenna’s work was quite unstable. She had worked at several nearby bathhouses and was somewhat well-known in her circle for quitting jobs after short stints. Everyone was used to her behavior, so when she disappeared this time, they thought she had just switched jobs again. She still had over six thousand in unpaid wages, but since she didn’t come to claim it, the boss didn’t bother to pursue her, which worked out well because no one was around to ask for the payout."
Qiu Cang clearly held disdain for the boss’s behavior, but there was nothing he could do; society was just like that these days, and such practices had become the norm.
"How about on your end?"
Li Xiang then shared the situation regarding the surveillance footage with his counterpart.
"Your analysis makes sense. The suspect and the victim surely knew each other. I suspect his motive for murder was a crime of passion. According to Li Wenna’s colleagues, her personal life was rather chaotic, and she often went out with clients. If we follow this lead, we should be able to quickly identify the suspect."
As more clues emerged, the original mystery unraveled, revealing more leads. By following these, they believed they would eventually uncover the entire story behind the case.
Just then, good news arrived.
Qu He approached Qiu Cang and said, "Captain Qiu, the Guizhou police have sent word. They recognized Li Wenna from the wanted notice we issued. Her real name is Li Na. They had encountered her during a police operation, so they recognized her at once."
"Li Wenna is really Li Na, there’s no doubt about it."
As soon as these two names appeared, Qiu Cang took them very seriously.
Because the two names differed by only one character.
It couldn’t be just a coincidence.
"The Guizhou police have sent over her identity information."
"Let’s go have a look."
The police systems across the country work efficiently. Once Li Wenna’s photo was released by Longhai police, law enforcement agencies nationwide could view it, and any leads would be quickly relayed to the Longhai police team.
The origin of the body had been found.
Li Na, female, from Guizhou, aged 30, married, had a police report filed on May 12, 2022, involving debt collectors threatening her at home over high-interest loans, prompting her to call the police.
The Guizhou police remembered Li Na from this incident when they saw the wanted notice issued by Longhai police. Recognizing her photo, they connected the dots.
They reviewed their records and forwarded her information to the Longhai special investigation team.
"By the look of the photo, it’s her."
They brought up Li Na’s photograph which matched the fake ID of Li Wenna, confirming that Li Na was indeed the victim they were looking for.
"We have a lead on the identity of the body, but we still need to confirm it. The field team will need to go to Guizhou, gather more information, and collect DNA samples from her parents for comparison."
"Understood."
The field team had their work cut out for them. Once given the task, Qu He immediately purchased tickets to Guizhou, and they set off urgently.
"Everyone else should stay proactive. Start investigating Li Na’s mobile number and bank accounts. I believe the suspect will soon slip up."
Qiu Cang organized everything meticulously. With the case progressing to this point, Li Xiang felt his role was diminishing.
It was a good sign, meaning the case was nearing resolution.
So, he naturally fell into a state of idleness, watching others bustling around with their investigations.
Soon, the officers who went to the telecom company to print call records returned.
"Li Na’s last call was at 11 p.m. on October 3, with someone named Yu Lu, who is from Northern Shaanxi. His phone has since been turned off."
Could Yu Lu be the murderer?
"Pull up his identity information, check his height, weight and photo, and carefully compare it to the person on the surveillance footage."
The team reviewing the video footage had just found a suspect not wearing a mask. Cross-referencing with Yu Lu’s identity information, they had almost certainly identified him as the suspect.
"Yu Lu is highly suspected of committing the crime, begin tracking his movements immediately."
Now armed with the suspect’s name, investigating him became significantly easier for the police.
The first step was obtaining Yu Lu’s communication records. By reaching out to several numbers, they quickly pieced together his situation.
"He’s from Northern Shaanxi and came here to work with fellow countrymen. But the project is finished, and he’s already returned to his hometown in Northern Shaanxi."
"Hmph, he thinks he can hide in Northern Shaanxi? I’ll personally lead the team there to bring him back."
Qiu Cang was resolute, knowing that this person had nearly forced the investigation team to lose face; they had to seek help from the provincial department to keep the case moving forward.
Otherwise, there is no telling how long the killer would have remained at large.
Qu He again arranged to buy tickets for Qiu Cang and the team heading to Northern Shaanxi to apprehend Yu Lu.
At that moment, the investigation team had two groups out in the field, one group headed to Guizhou to learn about the victim’s situation, and the other led by Qiu Cang to apprehend Yu Lu.
The field team first arrived in Guizhou, contacted the local police station, and met the officer who recognized Li Na.
Under his guidance, the field team arrived at Li Na’s home.
Upon learning the police had arrived, Li Na’s husband, Gu Jianhua, rushed home.
"Hello, officers, I’m Li Na’s husband, Gu Jianhua. What brings you here?"
"We’re from the Longhai police. Have you been in contact with your wife, Li Na, lately?"
"We haven’t been in touch for over a month, why do you ask?"
"She may have met with foul play. We’re here to gather information about her and collect DNA samples from her parents to confirm her identity."
The field team explained their purpose briefly, but to their surprise, Gu Jianhua did not seem very upset upon hearing of Li Na’s death.
"You don’t appear very saddened by this news?"
"I wouldn’t say I’m completely indifferent, there’s some sadness, we were married after all, but it’s not overwhelming. Our feelings for each other had faded; I knew when she left, she wouldn’t come back."
"You say she ran away?"
"Pretty much, she was running from creditors after getting herself into debt. She wanted to dabble in minor cosmetic procedures despite my strong objections. All those unknown injectables into people’s faces were bound to cause trouble, but she wouldn’t listen and insisted on doing it, even borrowing money at high interest. She didn’t listen no matter how I cautioned her, and then as expected, trouble arose. One customer ended up with facial paralysis from an injection, her business collapsed, and she was left with huge debts. I used up our savings, but they weren’t enough, and when debt collectors came knocking, the home became unlivable. That’s when Li Na left to hide from her debts."
"Did the creditors come after you?"
"They did, but Li Na and I arranged a divorce, so they couldn’t hold me accountable, and I don’t have the money to pay them back."
After gathering information about Li Na, the field team located her parents and collected their DNA samples.
Upon hearing of Li Na’s death, her parents were grief-stricken, finding it hard to accept. They insisted on going to Longhai to retrieve her body.
"That’s fine, but the victim’s identity hasn’t been conclusively confirmed yet; we need to compare DNA data back in Longhai. It might be best if you waited for confirmation before making the trip."
After persuading Li Na’s parents, the field team set off back to Longhai.
Meanwhile, Qiu Cang’s team had arrived in Northern Shaanxi.
With the assistance of the local police, they quickly found Yu Lu’s home.
