The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 1157 Investigation in Three Directions

"The silvery-white wool fibers found in the rose bushes are different from the lining of the deceased's jacket. Infrared spectroscopy analysis shows they contain 30% cashmere, commonly found in high-end menswear. The cigarette butts at the scene were Zhonghua brand, and the DNA from the filter did not match the skin tissue under the deceased's fingernails, ruling out the possibility of self-inhalation." Veteran detective Zhou Jianguo suddenly interjected, "Wearing handcuffs after death, was the murderer trying to disguise it as torture? Or did they have a special fetish?" Xiao Yang shook his head: "It's more likely to be to confuse the public and cover up the true motive—if it were a revenge killing, there would be no need for such a step."

Zhang Lin opened the autopsy report, the table estimating the time of death casting a clear shadow on the screen. "The deceased died from mechanical asphyxiation," he circled key data in red pen, "Incomplete fracture of the greater horn of the hyoid bone, periosteal hemorrhage at the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage, the causative agent should be a soft, band-like object 3-4 cm wide with smooth edges—excluding sharp-edged tools like steel wire ropes." He pulled up microscopic images of muscle fibers: "Myocardial cells show hypoxic contractile necrosis, and the protein content of the pulmonary edema fluid is 5 g/L, all supporting the diagnosis of asphyxiation."

"The time of death is accurate to 11:30 PM on May 14th, ±1 hour," Zhang Lin added. "The digestion of the stomach contents indicates that the last meal was around 8 PM, consisting of rare steak, red wine, and broccoli. Combined with the titanium alloy powder and clothing material, the deceased likely worked in business or finance and frequented upscale establishments." Young officer Xiao Zhao suddenly raised his hand: "Mr. Zhang, could it be a professional killer? The methods are professional, and they even know how to counter-surveillance." Zhang Lin frowned: "Suffocation death involves violent struggle, but there are no obvious signs of a struggle at the scene. It's more likely an inside job, striking when the victim was off guard."

Xiao Zhou slammed the missing persons comparison list on the table; the exclusion markers for 1003 entries looked like a red net. "Male, 35-40 years old, height 175-180cm, with a scar on the right eyebrow and a mole behind the left ear—there are no perfect matches in the database," his knuckles turned white from the effort. "We checked 237 entries that met the basic criteria, and 20 key suspects were excluded due to discrepancies in details, including former criminal police officer Chen Mingliang and security guard Wang Haitao." He pulled up a skull reconstruction: "The technical department did a 3D simulation, highlighting the scar and mole, and sent it to various police stations for assistance, but there's been no feedback yet."

Li Ming's fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm matching the wall clock. "The problem is clear now," he suddenly began, "the victim's identity is unknown, the killer's motive is unclear, and the evidence at the scene points to chaos. Let's discuss freely, even if it's just speculation." Zhou Jianguo spoke first, his cigarette butt sparking in the ashtray: "I lean towards it being an inside job," he said, pointing to the handcuffs, "The fact that the victim was handcuffed after death suggests the killer wanted to convey some message, either revenge or framing—both of which require knowing the victim."

“But the deceased’s identity is unknown, how can we investigate someone we know?” Xiao Zhao retorted. “Could it be a random crime? For example, a robbery where the victim accidentally killed someone, and the handcuffs were to impersonate a police officer.” Zhang Lin shook his head: “A rare steak with red wine, someone of that spending level, going to Beishan Park late at night? It’s more likely that he was going to meet someone he trusted.” Xiao Yang added: “The black resin button found at the scene matches the missing button on the deceased’s jacket, and it was found near the fountain, indicating that the argument started there, and then he was dragged to the bushes—only a crime committed by someone we know would involve an argument.”

The debate centered on the weapon used to injure the victim. "The strip-like object is 3-4 cm wide," Zhang Lin gestured on the blackboard with a ruler, "a belt, tie, or canvas belt are all possibilities." Xiao Yang suddenly remembered something: "There was a trace of engine oil in the soil next to the cigarette butt at the scene, which matches the tire tracks of the motorcycle beside the national highway. The perpetrator may have ridden a motorcycle to and from the scene. This mode of transportation is convenient for carrying long, narrow tools, such as canvas straps used for binding." Zhou Jianguo scoffed: "A motorcycle rider carrying Zhonghua cigarettes? And knowing how to use handcuffs? I think it's more like someone with a military or police background, using a standard belt."

"We must investigate the military and police background," Li Ming suddenly decided. "The handcuffs are the standard Type 99, which is difficult for non-professionals to obtain; the DNA from the skin tissue under the deceased's fingernails, if compared with the police personnel database, might yield results." Xiao Zhou, however, looked hesitant: "There are over 5000 men aged 35-40 in the city with military and police backgrounds, and it's unrealistic to investigate them one by one." Zhang Lin pointed to the deceased's photo: "Narrowing down the scope, there's an old scar on the right eyebrow and a mole behind the left ear. These two features are quite obvious. Combined with the high-end consumption habits, we should focus on those who have been dismissed for disciplinary violations in the past three years. These people might hold a grudge."

Regarding the direction of the investigation into the deceased's identity, several plans were proposed. "Start with upscale Western restaurants," Xiao Zhao said, pulling up surveillance footage from "Black Knight Steakhouse." "The mysterious man at 9:15 PM on May 14th, although he didn't have a mole behind his left ear, wore clothing made of a similar material to the deceased's jacket, which could help us check for recently missing regulars." Xiao Zhou added, "Watch repair shops and dental clinics are key. The forensic doctor said that only three clinics in the city use the deceased's ceramic filling, one of which is near the park."

The debate raged until noon, the sunlight streaming through the windowsill and casting swaying shadows on the floor. "I believe the murderer is male, 175-180cm tall, with experience in the military, police, or security industry, and acquainted with the victim," Li Ming summarized, listing characteristics on the blackboard. "The murder stemmed from debt, emotional, or professional conflict; the handcuffs were used to mislead; the crime was committed on a motorcycle; and the murder weapon was likely a standard leather belt or canvas strap." Zhou Jianguo still had doubts: "If it was an acquaintance, why didn't they remove the victim's distinctive features? Like scars and moles—that doesn't make sense."

“They probably didn’t have time,” Zhang Lin explained. “After suffocation, the murderer might have frantically dealt with the scene. Handcuffing and dragging the body were impromptu actions, and he might not have known the importance of these features.” Xiao Yang suddenly marked the motorcycle tire tracks on the 3D model: “From the national highway to the west gate of the park, then to the fountain, and finally back, the route is clearly planned, indicating familiarity with the terrain—either they live nearby or work in the vicinity, which can narrow down the scope of the investigation.”

The final investigation direction gradually became clear on the whiteboard: First, visit upscale Western restaurants, bars, and luxury watch repair shops to screen for missing persons matching the characteristics; second, check the medical records of three dental clinics, focusing on male patients aged 35-40; third, compare the DNA of people with military or police backgrounds throughout the city, especially those with disciplinary records or who ride motorcycles; fourth, conduct visits to residential areas and workplaces within a 3-kilometer radius of Beishan Park to find witnesses to the events of the evening of May 14.

"Xiao Zhou, lead the technical team," Li Ming assigned tasks. "Continue to expand the scope of the missing persons comparison, add tags such as 'high-end consumption,' 'luxury watches,' and 'specific dental treatments,' and contact the provincial information center for assistance; Xiao Yang and Xiao Zhao are responsible for the investigation around the scene, focusing on finding the motorcycle owner and witnesses; Zhou Jianguo will lead the team to investigate personnel in the military and police system who have violated discipline, especially those involved in the abuse of handcuffs; I will follow up on that Black Knight Steakhouse to see if we can find more clues about the deceased."