Chapter 1: The Storm of Peaceful Town
The gentle sunshine of the small town falls on the quaint streets, illuminating the old but tidy shops and reflecting the familiar and calm faces of the people. However, a piercing scream suddenly shattered the tranquility, like a sharp blade, instantly tearing apart the peaceful atmosphere of the small town.
The scream came from the ancient estate, with its grand gates tightly closed and the surrounding walls towering and majestic. People stopped their work one after another, their faces showing fear, and looked towards the direction of the estate.
The detective in charge of this case, Li Ming, dressed in a simple gray windbreaker, rushed to the estate with firm steps as soon as possible. He has sharp eyes, a serious expression, and exudes a calm and composed demeanor in every move he makes. Entering the estate, the garden was neatly trimmed, with colorful flowers swaying gently in the breeze. It should have been a beautiful scene, but now there was a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
Li Ming stepped into the study and saw the owner of the estate lying in a pool of blood, which had dried up and formed a dark red mark on the ground. The owner's eyes were wide open, with a frozen expression of fear on his face, as if he had seen something extremely terrifying in the last moment of his life. He carefully observed the scene, not missing any detail. In addition to the owner's body and missing items, there are also some subtle traces visible in the room, such as wiped water marks on the desk and inconspicuous dragging marks on a corner of the carpet, as if someone deliberately cleaned it up in an attempt to conceal some key clues.
He began to inquire with the butler and other servants. The butler is an elderly man with graying hair and a nervous expression. He trembles and says, "The master seems to be in contact with a mysterious merchant recently, discussing the sale of some collections. I once heard them arguing fiercely in the study, but the specific details are unclear." The other servants also look at each other with fear and confusion in their eyes.
Li Ming frowned and fell into deep thought. Who exactly is this mysterious merchant? What are the intricate connections between their argument and this case? Is it a simple commercial dispute, or is there a deeper conspiracy hidden behind it?
Chapter 2: The Mystery of the Crime Scene
Li Ming stands in the center of the study like a sculpture, with sunlight pouring through the narrow gaps of the thick curtains like a golden stream. Dust danced freely in these rays of light, like a long imprisoned elf trying to break free from its constraints, adding a touch of restlessness and unease to this originally oppressive and dull space.
He had a solemn expression, slowly putting on those snow-white gloves, and every subtle movement seemed to be slowed down by time, appearing particularly cautious. It seems that what he is touching at this moment is not an ordinary object, but a mysterious key that can solve the mystery. If he is not careful, this key will disappear without a trace.
That messy desk felt like it had experienced a doomsday catastrophe. The documents and papers were scattered like snowflakes, some crumpled into a ball, some torn into irregular fragments, as if they had been mercilessly ravaged by a storm. The once exquisite and luxurious fountain pen now rolls lonely on the cold and dusty ground, with a severely curved tip and a metallic luster that has dimmed like the fading stars in the night sky. Li Ming gently picked up the pen, his fingers gently caressing the tip, and his thoughts seemed to travel through time and space, returning to the thrilling night of the crime. Various possible intense scenes involuntarily emerged in his mind. Perhaps in the last moment of his life, the owner of the estate tightly held this pen and tried his best to leave a cry for help or a key clue to the identity of the murderer on the paper, but fate did not give him this opportunity.
His gaze slowly shifted towards the tall bookshelf, where the neatly arranged books were now in chaos. Several heavy books on antique appraisal and collection were roughly pulled out of the shelf and casually discarded on the side, leaving deep creases on the spine and obvious signs of the pages being hastily flipped over. Li Ming carefully picked up one of the books, and the faint friction sound between the papers appeared particularly clear and abrupt in this quiet room where one could almost hear their heartbeat, as if it was the only voice of life in this dead space. The piece of paper sandwiched in the book caught his eye, with the strange string of numbers and symbols written on it, like mysterious talismans, and also like obstacles carefully arranged by the murderer. He furrowed his brow, his eyes burning like torches, staring intently at the note without blinking, trying to find even the slightest clue from this seemingly irregular combination. However, as time passed by minute by minute, his brow furrowed and became tighter, and a sense of frustration surged in his heart like a tide.
Li Ming crouched down, his eyes sharp like a falcon, tightly locking onto the elusive drag marks on the carpet. This trace winds and twists, like a secluded path hidden deep in the darkness, extending all the way to the window. Although the window was tightly closed, the fine dust on the windowsill was scraped away, leaving a few faint but not to be ignored scratches, as if someone had left a panic mark when fleeing hastily. He gently reached out his hand and slowly pushed open the window, and a gentle breeze with a rich floral fragrance blew towards him. The colorful flowers in the garden sway lightly in the breeze, like a group of dancers dressed in fancy clothes showcasing their graceful and charming charm. But upon closer inspection, there were obvious signs of the flowers and plants in the garden being trampled on recklessly. The delicate and juicy flowers were mercilessly broken, and their petals fell into mud, like a beautiful woman shedding tears, as if silently crying out all the sins that had happened on that terrifying night.
At this moment, Li Ming's assistant Xiao Wang rushed over with hurried steps like the wind. His forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, shimmering in the dazzling sunlight, like dewdrops glistening on lotus leaves in the morning. His breathing was rapid and heavy, his chest heaving violently, as if he had just finished a fierce race against time. Detective Li, this is a background investigation report about the estate owner, "Xiao Wang gasped heavily as he handed Li Ming the document in his hand, which contained hope and mystery. His voice was filled with eagerness and anticipation, as if this report was the key to solving the puzzle.
Li Ming quickly took the document and flipped over the paper with both hands. The sound of the paper flipping was particularly loud and urgent in this quiet room. Originally, the owner of the estate was quite famous in the collection industry, but he also had grudges with others over the ownership of some collections, "he murmured softly, his voice filled with deep contemplation, as if carefully sketching a complex network of interpersonal relationships in his mind.
Xiao Wang stared at Li Ming intently, his eyes filled with confusion and unease. He couldn't help but urgently ask, "Detective Li, do you think this might be a bloody revenge caused by a dispute over the collection
Li Ming slowly lifted his head and looked deeply and firmly at Xiao Wang, as if he wanted to see the essence of the matter through his eyes: "It's hard to say yet, but this is undoubtedly an extremely important direction of investigation. We must not let go of any possible criminal motive. Perhaps behind this lies not only a simple conflict of interests on the surface, but also a deeper and more sinister conspiracy waiting for us to uncover
Xiao Wang nodded thoughtfully, furrowed his brow, and his tone was filled with anxiety: "So where should we start next? It feels like every clue is like a tangled mess, making it difficult to start
Li Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze crossing Xiao Wang's shoulder, and looked out at the seemingly peaceful but mysterious garden outside the window. He said in a deep voice, "First, carefully investigate the traces of these destroyed flowers and plants to see if we can trace the accurate route of the murderer's escape. In addition, we will investigate the detailed background of that mysterious merchant, dig deep into all his recent movements and specific transactions with the estate owner, and not miss any details
The study fell into a brief yet solemn silence once again, with only the gentle breeze outside the window still blowing gently and gently, swaying the curtains like waves. The sunlight gradually tilted westward, and the light and shadow in the room quietly changed accordingly. The originally bright corners were gradually engulfed by shadows, as if time had become particularly heavy and slow at this moment.
Chapter 3: Clue Pursuit
Li Ming and Xiao Wang decided to split their forces. Xiao Wang went to investigate the background of the mysterious merchant, while Li Ming stayed at the estate to continue exploring the clues in the garden.
Li Ming walked out of the study and into the garden. The afternoon sun was hot and intense, enveloping the entire garden in a golden hue. Under the scorching sun, some of the flowers lowered their heads slightly, appearing listless. But Li Ming had no desire to appreciate the beauty of this summer, his gaze fixed tightly on the trampled traces of flowers and plants.
He walked cautiously along the trail, with a slight "creaking" sound coming from the grass beneath his feet. Sweat slid down his forehead, dripping onto the dry ground, and disappeared instantly. A butterfly fluttered around him, seeming dissatisfied with his intrusion.
Li Ming crouched down and carefully observed the shape and depth of the footprints. He found that some of the footprints were large and deeply sunken, seemingly left by a tall and heavy person. And other footprints are relatively small and shallow, could it be that there were women involved?
Just then, a gust of wind blew and the leaves rustled. Li Ming looked up and found an old tree in the corner of the garden with a piece of clothing hanging from a branch. He walked over cautiously and reached out to take off the hem of his clothes, only to find that it was a piece of high-quality fabric, not something that ordinary workers wear.
Li Ming secretly pondered in his heart, "Could this be left behind by the murderer, or is it just a coincidence
He put away his clothes and continued to search for clues in the garden. At this moment, he found some climbing marks on the edge of the garden wall, and there were also signs of falling tiles on the top of the wall.
Did the murderer escape from here? "Murmured Li Ming to himself.
At the same time, Xiao Wang searched around the town for information about the mysterious merchant. He walked into a noisy tavern, filled with the smell of tobacco and alcohol and the noise of people.
Xiao Wang walked up to the bar and asked the bartender, "Do you know the mysterious merchant who has been in contact with the estate owner recently
The bartender wiped his glass and looked up at him, saying, "I've heard of him, but I don't know much. I only know that his whereabouts are unpredictable and mysterious
Xiao Wang frowned and continued to ask, "Has anyone seen him arguing with the estate owner
At this moment, a drunken man next to him interjected, "I've seen it! Just a few days ago, they were arguing fiercely on the street, apparently because of some antique
Xiao Wang's eyes lit up and he quickly asked, "Do you remember the specific situation
The drunken man shook his head and muttered, "I don't remember very clearly, I only remember they were arguing fiercely, as if they were about to take action
Xiao Wang thanked the drunkard and bartender and left the tavern. He was filled with doubts, what exactly was the origin of this mysterious merchant? What is the connection between his argument with the estate owner and this case?
Chapter 4: The Clouds of Doubt Gradually Grow Thick
Li Ming's discovery in the garden made his mood even heavier, and he returned to the study with that mysterious hem and many questions. The atmosphere in the study is still oppressive, and the sunlight is gradually slanting westward. The dim yellow light makes the shadows in the room even deeper.
Li Ming placed the hem of his clothes on the table and carefully examined it again. He attempted to infer the owner's identity and occupation from the material, cutting, and degree of wear and tear of the hem of the garment. Just as he was lost in thought, Xiao Wang hurriedly returned.
Xiao Wang's face was tired but his eyes were filled with excitement. As soon as he entered the door, he couldn't wait to say, "Detective Li, I have found some important clues. That mysterious merchant's name is Zhao Kun, and he has a bad reputation in several surrounding towns. He often participates in some shady antique transactions. Moreover, some people say he will do anything to achieve his goals
Li Ming raised his head and asked sharply, "What about his recent whereabouts
Xiao Wang took a breath and continued, "It is said that he appeared at a nearby inn a few days before the incident, and no one has seen him since then
Li Ming stood up and paced the room, thinking and saying, "That's strange. If he's the murderer, why did he suddenly disappear without a trace? Are there other accomplices
Xiao Wang agreed, "I don't think things are that simple either. By the way, I also heard that Zhao Kun and the owner of the estate had a heated argument over a rare antique. It seems that the owner of the estate discovered that the antique is a fake and wants to return it to Zhao Kun
Li Ming stopped and clasped his hands in front of his chest, saying, "This is very likely the trigger for this murder. However, killing just because of this seems a bit too impulsive
At this moment, a sudden barking of a dog came from outside the window, breaking the silence inside the room. Li Ming walked to the window and saw a stray dog running around in the garden, seemingly searching for something.
How did this dog suddenly appear here? "Xiao Wang asked in confusion.
Li Mingruo has some thoughts: "Perhaps it can bring us some unexpected clues
After finishing speaking, Li Ming and Xiao Wang decided to go to the garden again to check. At this moment, night has fallen and the moon hangs high in the sky, casting a cool glow. The flowers and plants in the garden shimmer in the moonlight, as if hiding countless secrets.
Chapter 5: Exploration in the Dark Night
Li Ming and Xiao Wang walked briskly towards the garden with hurried and cautious steps. The moonlight poured down like water, casting their figures onto the ground, stretching them long and twisted like ghosts stretched by invisible hands. The chirping of insects in the grass echoed one after another, like a mysterious and melodious nocturne, appearing particularly clear and eerie on this quiet night.
The stray dog stopped anxiously in a corner of the garden, its paws relentlessly digging the ground and raising a small piece of dust. Li Ming and Xiao Wang exchanged a glance, their eyes full of vigilance. They approached cautiously, taking every step as lightly as possible, afraid that any movement would disturb them and miss important clues that may exist.
The small hole dug by the dog gradually became clear, revealing an object inside. Li Ming slowly squatted down, his movements gentle as if he were dealing with a fragile treasure. He gently pushed aside the soil covering it, and a tattered pocket watch appeared in front of him. The surface of the pocket watch is already covered with scratches eroded by time, crisscrossing like wrinkles telling stories of vicissitudes. The pointer had already stopped rotating, frozen in an unknown moment, as if time had also come to a halt for this mysterious case at that moment.
Curiously, Xiao Wang leaned over and stared closely at his pocket watch, murmuring in confusion, "Is this watch related to the case? It looks so old, maybe it was just casually discarded here
Li Ming frowned slightly and held the pocket watch in his hand, flipping it over and over repeatedly. Moonlight shone on the watch, reflecting his focused and serious expression: "It's hard to say yet, but appearing in the garden at the crime scene at this time is not accidental. Perhaps it's the key to solving the puzzle, or maybe it's just a trap that misleads us, but no matter what, we can't easily miss any detail
They stood up and continued searching in the garden. The night breeze blew, with a hint of coolness, brushing over their cheeks, as if a cold hand gently caressed them. The trees around swayed in the wind, their branches and leaves rubbing against each other, making a rustling sound as if whispering an unknown secret. The moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting silver white spots like broken mirrors, scattered haphazardly on the ground.
Suddenly, Li Ming's flashlight beam froze on a tree by the wall. A new scratch stood out on the tree trunk, as if it had been fiercely scratched by something sharp and sharp, leaving a deep mark. He shone a flashlight on the scratch and slowly approached to examine it, gently touching the rough bark with his fingers.
This looks like a trace left by a fierce fight, "Li Ming's voice sounded particularly low and serious in the quiet night.
Xiao Wang looked around nervously, his eyes filled with unease: "Did the murderer have a fierce conflict with the estate owner here? But why aren't there any more signs of fighting
At this moment, the stray dog seemed to have discovered a new target and started barking loudly again, its voice echoing in the night sky, appearing particularly mournful. It turned and ran towards the depths of the garden, its figure quickly disappearing into the darkness. Li Ming and Xiao Wang followed closely without hesitation, and the grass beneath their feet made a faint sound.
In the depths of the garden, an abandoned cottage appeared faintly in the moonlight. The door was half closed, as if waiting for their arrival or resisting their approach.
Li Ming took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the door with his hand. A stale and decaying aura rushed towards them like a tide, choking them and making them cough uncontrollably. The room was piled up with disorderly clutter, with old furniture, rusty tools, and some unclear objects placed haphazardly. In the corner, a broken shovel was leaning against the wall, with its head twisted and deformed.
Xiao Wang walked up and picked up the shovel, carefully examining it with a tone of uncertainty: "Could this be a tool used in the crime? It looks severely damaged
Li Ming shook his head and scanned every corner of the room, saying, "I'm not sure yet, but I'll take it back for a check-up first. Maybe we can find some useful clues from it, such as fingerprints or bloodstains
They walked out of the hut, and under the moonlight, the entire garden looked even more eerie and terrifying. Those elusive flowers, plants, and trees seem to have transformed into monsters hidden in the darkness, ready to pounce at any moment.
Chapter 6: The Truth Gradually Reveals
Li Ming and Xiao Wang hurriedly returned to the study with the pocket watch and broken shovel they found in the garden. The light in the study was dim and weak, and the flickering light seemed to carry a hint of unease and anxiety, casting a oppressive and dull atmosphere over the entire room.
Li Ming gently placed the pocket watch on the table, took out a magnifying glass from the drawer, and focused on carefully observing every detail of the watch. The metal shell of the pocket watch emitted a dim luster under the light, and the small letter "Z" engraved on the back, like a mysterious symbol, deeply attracted his gaze and plunged him into contemplation.
Xiao Wang paced anxiously aside, staring closely at his pocket watch, and couldn't help but ask, "Detective Li, could this letter be the abbreviation of the killer's name? Perhaps this is the key clue we have been searching for
Li Ming shook his head slightly, furrowed his brow, and said in a low and solemn voice, "We cannot draw a conclusion easily yet. This letter may just be a coincidence, or some special mark of the original owner of the pocket watch. But anyway, it is indeed a clue worth our in-depth investigation
At the same time, they quickly sent the broken shovel to a professional inspection department, filled with anxiety and anticipation, hoping to discover some key evidence that could uncover the truth. Every minute and second of waiting seemed so long, as if time had frozen in this tense atmosphere.
The next day, when the test results finally arrived in their hands, both of them were extremely nervous. The report clearly shows that not only blood stains belonging to the estate owner were found on the shovel, but also some fingerprints that did not belong to the estate owner were detected. These fingerprints seem like mysterious codes hidden in the darkness, waiting for them to decipher.
Li Ming held the inspection report tightly, his gaze firm and sharp, as if he could see through the thin paper and see through the truth behind it. He said firmly, "It seems highly likely that this shovel was the weapon used to kill the owner of the estate. Next, we must quickly identify the owner of these fingerprints and reveal the truth to the world
Subsequently, they immediately launched a fingerprint comparison of all personnel in the estate. This is a long and tense process, and every person called in to compare their fingerprints has a face full of anxiety and anticipation. Some people were so nervous that their hands trembled, while others pretended to be calm, but their eyes revealed an undisguised panic.
Finally, after countless comparisons and investigations, they found that a gardener's fingerprint matched perfectly with the fingerprint on the shovel. When the evidence was firmly presented in front of him, the gardener's face instantly turned pale like paper, and beads of sweat as big as beans rolled uncontrollably from his forehead, hitting the ground as if it were a manifestation of his inner fear.
Li Ming's eyes lit up as he sternly asked, "Tell me, why did you kill the owner of the manor? You should know that any sophistry is futile in the face of evidence
The gardener's body trembled like fallen leaves in the wind, and his voice was filled with tears as he trembled and said, "I... I was just lost in thought for a moment. The owner of the estate found out that I had stolen precious flowers from the garden to sell, and he was very angry, saying he wanted to drive me away. I was afraid of losing this job, and I had a sick mother and young children to support at home. I was really at my wit's end, so
Xiao Wang angrily pointed at the gardener and loudly said, "That's why you committed such an unforgivable crime! Don't you know that life is priceless? Your momentary impulse not only destroys the lives of others, but also yourself and your family
Despite the gardener's confession, Li Ming still felt that something was wrong in his heart. He stood by the window, gazing out at the still beautiful garden and lost in deep thought.
Chapter 7: There are also hidden secrets
Li Ming stood quietly by the window, gazing at the scenery outside with a furrowed brow, as if two deep grooves were carrying endless doubts in his heart. In the gloomy sky, dark clouds accumulate thicker and thicker, like a huge black curtain slowly pressing down, making the whole world appear dull and oppressive. The wind quietly blew, stirring the curtains and also stirring Li Ming's restless heart.
Xiao Wang stood aside, looking at Li Ming's solemn figure with a puzzled expression on his face. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Detective Li, the gardener has already confessed. Is there anything else? I think this case is already very clear
Li Ming slowly turned around, his gaze deep and sharp, as if he could penetrate all mist. The matter is not that simple. A reason for impulsively killing someone to keep their job is too hasty and cannot withstand scrutiny. Moreover, just think about it, this study is not easily accessible to anyone. How could a gardener kill their master in the study so smoothly? There must be a key link in this that we have not discovered yet. "His voice was low and powerful, echoing in the quiet room.
Upon hearing Li Ming's words, Xiao Wang's eyes widened like a sudden enlightenment. "Are you saying that someone is behind his orders? But who could it be
Li Ming nodded slightly, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and began pacing back and forth in the room: "It's possible. We can't be fooled by superficial phenomena, we must reorganize all the clues and suspects, not letting any trace go
After speaking, they returned to the crime scene once again - the study room filled with mystery and tragedy. The room still exuded a faint smell of blood, although it had been cleaned up, the chilling aura seemed to deeply penetrate every inch of the wall.
They carefully looked around, not leaving any corner untouched. At this moment, Li Ming's gaze was suddenly drawn to a dark compartment in the corner of the study. He walked forward and gently pressed the switch on the dark compartment, revealing a yellowed ledger inside. He picked up the account book and gently opened it, on which were densely recorded some transactions with the mysterious merchant Zhao Kun.
Xiao Wang leaned over and saw the contents of the ledger, so surprised that he almost shouted, "Oh my god, is Zhao Kun the real culprit behind the scenes
Li Ming's finger lightly swiped across the page of the ledger, his expression becoming increasingly serious: "Very likely. From these records, it appears that there is a huge conflict of interest between the estate owner and Zhao Kun in some antique transactions. Perhaps Zhao Kun, in order to achieve his own goals, did not hesitate to bribe the gardener to take action against the estate owner
Xiao Wang clenched his fist angrily and said, "This Zhao Kun is really despicable
Li Ming pondered for a moment, his eyes revealing a firm determination: "No matter how cunning he is, we must make him show his true colors
Just as they were about to leave the study and further investigate Zhao Kun, suddenly, a hurried knock on the door broke the calm.
Chapter 8: New Crisis
The urgent knocking sound suddenly rang out in the silent corridor, like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's heart fiercely. The sound was sharp and urgent, echoing continuously in this empty space, as if an ominous alarm bell sounded by fate. Li Ming and Xiao Wang exchanged a glance, and they both saw a hint of unease in each other's eyes.
Who? "Xiao Wang raised his voice and asked loudly, with a hint of vigilance and nervousness in his voice.
A trembling voice came from outside the door, as if swaying in the wind, filled with fear and panic: 'It's me, the butler.'
Xiao Wang quickly stepped forward and opened the door. The butler rushed in with a panicked expression, his face pale as paper, and his eyes filled with fear and panic. He was panting heavily, his body still trembling as if he had just experienced a terrible nightmare.
Not good, detective. Someone just broke into the estate and threatened me not to say anything about the case, "the butler's voice was filled with tears and his words were intermittent.
Li Ming furrowed his brow like two inverted mountain peaks, his eyes revealing sharpness and seriousness: "Have you seen that person's appearance clearly
The butler shook his head desperately, and beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks. "He covered his face and couldn't see his features clearly, but he felt very fierce. That person's gaze was like that of a bad wolf, making people shudder
This shows that our investigation has touched the nerves of some people, "Li Ming's gaze was as firm as iron, as if burning an eternal flame," but the more we do this, the closer we are to the truth. No matter who or what forces are behind it, we cannot back down
Xiao Wang's face showed a worried expression, his eyebrows furrowed, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists: "What should we do next? These people are so arrogant, I'm afraid they won't give up easily
Li Ming pondered for a moment, and the air in the room seemed to freeze as well. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes filled with determination: "First, strengthen the security of the estate, and no one can take advantage of it anymore. Arrange more manpower patrols to ensure that every corner is under surveillance. Then continue to investigate Zhao Kun's whereabouts and background, his interpersonal relationships, financial situation, and every detail cannot be overlooked. We must find concrete evidence and catch them all
Just as they were discussing countermeasures with serious expressions, Li Ming's phone suddenly rang, and the sharp bell sounded particularly piercing in this tense atmosphere. Li Ming quickly took out his phone and saw that the screen displayed a call from the police station, which made his heart tighten.
Detective Li, we have found that Zhao Kun has left the town and his whereabouts are unknown. "The voice on the other end of the phone was filled with anxiety and helplessness, with noisy discussions and keyboard typing in the background.
Li Ming's heart sank instantly, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss: "Immediately issue a wanted notice, use all resources, and prevent him from running away. Notify all transportation hubs to strengthen inspections and find him
Hanging up the phone, Li Ming felt an unprecedented pressure pressing on his shoulders like a mountain. This case seems even more complex and tricky than he initially imagined, and the hidden forces behind it are even larger and more mysterious. However, he knew deeply that he could not back down, justice must be upheld, and the truth must be revealed.
Chapter 9: Turning the Peak and Turning the Road
In this increasingly tense and uncertain situation, Li Ming and Xiao Wang decided to adjust the direction of their investigation, starting with Zhao Kun's business partners, in an attempt to find key clues that could unravel the mystery. They were like travelers groping in the darkness, carrying firm beliefs and running around tirelessly, visiting one person after another who had interacted with Zhao Kun.
On this day, the sun was scorching and glaring, scorching the earth. They arrived at the home of an antique dealer named Chen Hong. Chen Hong's mansion is located in the bustling area of the small town, with a majestic vermilion gate and a stone lion standing at the entrance. Entering the house, the atmosphere inside is even more extraordinary. The rockeries in the courtyard are layered and varied in shape, and clear water flows along the small streams between the rockeries, making a crisp and pleasant sound. Pavilions, terraces and pavilions are scattered in every corner of the courtyard. arch of wooden architecture cornices and carved beams and painted rafters buildings show luxury and delicacy.
Li Ming and Xiao Wang, guided by their servants, walked through the winding corridor and arrived at the living room. Chen Hong sat leisurely on a carved imperial chair, playing with a pair of jade balls in his hand. His expression seemed leisurely, but there was a hint of subtle vigilance in his eyes.
What are you looking for me for? "Chen Hong raised his eyelids slightly and asked slowly, with a hint of laziness and indifference in his tone.
Without any hesitation, Li Ming said straightforwardly, "We are investigating Zhao Kun's involvement in a murder case and hope you can provide some valuable clues
Chen Hong's face slightly changed when he heard the three words' murder case '. Although the momentary panic was brief, it was still captured by Li Mingmin's sharp gaze. However, he quickly returned to normal and pretended to be calm, saying, "Zhao Kun? I only have business dealings with him, and I am not clear about his other affairs. I am busy with my own business, so I have no spare time to meddle in other people's affairs
Li Ming stared closely into Chen Hong's eyes, not letting go of any subtle changes in his expression, and slowly said, "Mr. Chen, this is a matter of life and death. If you conceal anything, once discovered, the consequences will be unimaginable. I believe you don't want to be caught up in this mess, do you
Chen Hong fell silent for a moment, and the living room fell into a suffocating silence, with only the sound of flowing water still echoing tirelessly. Finally, he seemed to have made up his mind and spoke up, "Well, actually Zhao Kun has been having a big financial problem lately, borrowing money everywhere and causing a lot of trouble. He came to me and wanted me to lend him a large sum of money, but how dare I? His business situation is so bad that I lent him money, right
This news lifted Li Ming and Xiao Wang's spirits, as if they saw a glimmer of dawn in the darkness.
After leaving the Chen residence, Xiao Wang excitedly said, "Detective Li, Zhao Kun's economic crisis may have been his motive for committing the crime. He could do anything to get out of financial difficulties
Li Ming nodded thoughtfully as he strode, "It's very likely, but for now this is just our speculation. We need more concrete evidence to prove it. We can't draw a conclusion based solely on this
Just as they were preparing to further investigate and contemplate their next action plan, Li Ming's phone suddenly rang a beep and he received a mysterious text message. He opened the text message and what he saw instantly widened his eyes, causing a wave of excitement in his heart. This text message seemed like a lightning bolt in the darkness, bringing unexpected breakthroughs to their investigation.
Chapter 10: Truth Revealed
Li Ming opened the text message and saw it briefly written: "Zhao Kun is in an abandoned factory in the outskirts, come quickly." These words seemed to carry an intangible sense of urgency, making his heart beat faster in an instant.
He and Xiao Wang dared not delay at all and immediately drove towards the outskirts. Along the way, the scenery outside the window quickly receded, and the wind whistled in my ears.
The abandoned factory is located in a barren land, surrounded by overgrown weeds. The tall grass sways wildly in the wind, as if telling the story of the forgotten past here. The factory wall has collapsed by a large part, and the rusty iron gate is half covered, as if powerless to resist external intrusion.
They walked cautiously into the factory, the ground beneath their feet uneven and emitting a putrid odor. The smell was mixed with rotten wood, damp soil, and unknown chemicals, nauseating. The dilapidated factory building made a creaking sound in the wind, as if it were the painful groans of this abandoned factory.
They vigilantly observed their surroundings, holding their weapons tightly in their hands. Suddenly, they heard a chaotic and heavy sound of footsteps.
Who? "Li Ming shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the empty factory with full dignity and vigilance.
It's me, I knew you would come, "Zhao Kun's voice slowly came from the dark shadows, carrying endless despair and exhaustion. With the sound, his figure gradually emerged from the darkness, his face filled with despair and regret, his once neat clothes turning dirty and his hair disheveled.
Li Ming took a step forward, his eyes shining brightly as he stared closely at Zhao Kun, saying, "You can't escape, Zhao Kun. Honestly confess your crimes. The net is vast, and you will eventually pay the price for your actions
Zhao Kun let out a long sigh, his body seeming to have lost all strength, and his voice trembled as he said, "Okay, it was me who instructed the gardener to kill the owner of the estate. Because he found out that the antiques I sold him were fake and wanted to expose me. My business relies entirely on reputation, and if this matter is made public, I will be completely ruined. For a moment, I was lost in my wits and thought of this foolish way, thinking that I could deceive the world
Xiao Wang angrily pointed at Zhao Kun and loudly said, "You killed someone for your own benefit! Do you know that you not only destroyed a person's life, but also the happiness of a family and the peace of the entire town
Zhao Kun lowered his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "I regret it, I truly regret it. Since committing this crime, I have lived in fear every day, without a moment of peace. I know I was wrong, but it's already too late
Li Ming looked coldly at Zhao Kun and said, "It's too late to regret. Your crime must be punished by the law
Subsequently, the police arrived and took Zhao Kun away. With the arrest of Zhao Kun, the truth behind this shocking case in the town has finally been revealed.
In the end, justice was upheld and Zhao Kun was brought to justice. The small town has regained its former tranquility, and people's lives have returned to normal. But the pain and lessons left by this case will forever be engraved in people's hearts.