"To speak so definitely is too arbitrary. I think the killer may not necessarily be someone from Yanjing University, but must be very familiar with Yanjing University, and at least should know some deep secrets."
"Another point, the victims all had regular lifestyles; this would require prior observation. But after their disgraceful acts hit the news, they were killed within a couple of days. That is to say, the killer had no time to observe the victims’ routines. Therefore, there is only one way." Ye Shikai paused, then stated firmly, "The killer must have asked people familiar with the victims, and through this, managed to grasp the victims’ movements."
"So, who would disclose such information?"
"There might be too many, they are all social scum, there are countless who would kick someone when they’re down. I think many are probably secretly pleased." Ye Shikai sighed; it was indeed a case of many helping to push a wall that was about to collapse—it now seemed like retribution.
"I think Chen Xietian’s wife is one of those who revealed secrets." Ye Shikai spoke coldly, "We must use this as our lead."
"Then let’s call Song Rong back," said Zhang Ting.
"Yes, I’ll send her a message now."
"Right, you go do something." Ye Shikai brought his mouth close to Zhang Ting’s ear and whispered a few sentences...
With the "invitation" of two police officers, Song Rong was brought to the police station once again.
"Officer, what else do you want from me?" Song Rong’s attitude this time seemed impatient, which fit Ye Shikai’s conjecture.
"I already said it, Chen Xietian and I have completely cut ties. What else do you want to ask?"
"Ms. Song, I haven’t even spoken yet." Ye Shikai’s calm remark instantly choked off Song Rong’s arrogant defense. This kind of bold counter-argument seemed more like an admission of guilt, not protesting too much...
"Cough cough, I guessed. You’re looking for me, it must be about this matter," Song Rong’s face slightly changed, but she still defended herself.
"Ms. Song, in the past few days, has anyone asked you about your ex-husband’s personal matters, such as his daily routines?" Ye Shikai deliberately emphasized the last sentence while staring intently at Song Rong’s elusive eyes. Sure enough, when this question was brought up, Song Rong deliberately looked away, not daring to make eye contact with the two.
"Ms. Song, I can give you another chance. Failure to report knowledge of a crime and sheltering a criminal is also an offense," Ye Shikai said coldly, psychologically intimidating Song Rong.
"I don’t know anything. What do you want me to admit? I’ll sue you for slander if you believe it or not."
"Then, has your bank account received any large sums of money recently?" Ye Shikai changed tack, not continuing the interrogation but shifting the topic.
"Lying to the police is also a crime. I will give you another chance," said Ye Shikai coldly.
"I... don’t know." Song Rong still did not admit, but her tone had changed, Ye Shikai’s purpose was reached.
"It looks like you won’t cry until you see the coffin, Zhang Ting." Ye Shikai called out, and Zhang Ting entered from outside, holding a document in her hand.
"Song Rong, you received a payment of two million four days ago, and you also confirmed the signature. Do you still want to deny it?" The document in Zhang Ting’s hand shattered Song Rong’s psychological defenses. Yes, Zhang Ting, acting on behalf of the police, had checked Song Rong’s account and, as expected, found something fishy. Two million, a hefty sum, came from a foreign account, and it was most suspicious that this foreign account had not been used for eight years, nearly a "zombie account," yet it transferred two million to Song Rong’s account.
"After your divorce from Chen Xietian, you lacked a financial source. I think two million is enough for you to spend the rest of your life," said Ye Shikai lightly.
"Who gave you this money?"
"Still want to deny it?" Ye Shikai suddenly raised his voice, not only startling Song Rong but also Zhang Ting.
"I’ll tell... I’ll tell everything..." Song Rong suddenly broke down in tears, showing a look of panic and regret.
"Hmph, a confession means leniency." Ye Shikai waved his hand, and an officer came up to record. Sure enough, Ye Shikai’s guess was correct. The two million in exchange revealed Chen Xietian’s daily routines and personal information, and this sum of money was what the killer had given Song Rong. It was her who disclosed some details about Chen Xietian to the killer.
"One day, I received a phone call. He said he needed Chen Xietian’s information. Originally, I didn’t want to provide it, but..."
"But he offered a high price of two million, willing to pay you an advance of five hundred thousand as a ’deposit,’ so you agreed," Ye Shikai interrupted Song Rong.
"Did he tell you that he needed this information for murder?"
"No, absolutely not. If I knew he was going to kill, how could I dare to take that money." Song Rong immediately responded, rapidly shaking her head.
"You’re not lying to me," Ye Shikai probed.
"Of course not, I really dare not." This time Song Rong was almost crying, and Ye Shikai believed her, Song Rong, even if she hated Chen Xietian, could not handle matters of human life. The color fades regarding an average person discussing it, Song Rong lacked a financial source, with a strapped life, the temptation of two million was self-evident; she was just a person blinded by self-interest.
"That’s good, I believe you. Now tell me more about the situation that day," Ye Shikai’s purpose was achieved, so the interrogation began. These details could be said to lift a corner of the "mysterious veil" off the killer.
His voice hoarse, the first thing Ye Shikai thought of was a synthesized voice. Generally, killers would not directly reveal their real voice. Moreover, the foreign account had been investigated; it hadn’t been used for eight years, but the owner was a legitimate citizen. This meant the account was merely a "cover" for the killer.
...............................
"You have quite a knack for interrogation, you actually had me fooled there," Zhang Ting laughed as they left the interrogation room. "Have you done interrogation work before?" New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
"During my time in the special forces, I suppose, but for someone like Song Rong, such interrogation techniques are overkill.
"This data, I think, will definitely help us to find the killer," Ye Shikai said, holding the transcription.
"Yes, I’ve already asked the technical investigation department to look into that account. There should be some clues."
"Ha ha." Suddenly, Ye Shikai laughed out loud.
"What’s so funny?" she asked.
"Do you think the killer would be unprepared? I think he surely has taken preventive measures already." Ye Shikai’s reasoning was sound. According to the description, the killer was definitely a hacker, and an exceptional one at that.