Chapter 29: Crime of Passion

This was not something that should have been said by Yu Dazhang, yet coming from his lips, everyone felt it was exactly what needed to be said.

At this moment, everyone, including Lu Zhongxin, was looking at Yu Dazhang with a serious expression.

"Master, you continue with the interrogation of the suspect; that remains unchanged."

He then swept his gaze over the others and continued:

"I need four more people, split into two groups, to investigate the social connections of both the suspect and the victim."

Yu Dazhang did not assign them directly because he was not very familiar with these team members. Even in his previous life, his acquaintance with them went no further than a nod in passing; he did not even know most of their names. After all, they were not from the same brigade and had never worked together, so their interactions were minimal.

"I’ll go. I drive fast and steady."
"Count me in. Tracking and investigation are my specialties."
"I’ve worked in household registration management, so it’s easier for me to pull files."
"..."

Four people stepped forward quickly and split themselves into two groups. Yu Dazhang nodded in satisfaction. It seemed these people were even more anxious than he was; they were truly easy to work with.

Before leaving, one of the team members looked at Yu Dazhang and said:

"Let's be clear, I’m not questioning you. I just want to know why we still need to investigate the social connections of both parties when the suspect is already in custody?"

The other three also looked at Yu Dazhang; clearly, this was a shared doubt. Especially the two tasked with investigating Kong Lingjie—they had 'incomprehension' written all over their faces. He was the only one in his household register, with no relatives or friends in Songhai; what could there possibly be to investigate about a person like that?

*Would you dare ask a superior like that?* Yu Dazhang asked back with a smile:

"Can you be certain that Kong Lingjie is definitely the murderer who killed Zhang Yan?"

"This..." The man was stumped by the question. After a pause, he could only admit the truth: "I can't be certain."

When he first joined the special investigation team, he had been sure, but not anymore. This fat man had played this case to a new level. Even the primary crime scene had been ruled out; no one could say what would happen next.

"Then let us assume," Yu Dazhang continued, "let's assume tomorrow's interrogation results come back and Kong Lingjie is not the killer. What does that imply?"

The team member’s head buzzed at the question. *It implies that this case is about to become a cold case because of you. It also implies that we are all going to be in trouble. What else could it mean? Asking such nonsense.*

He only dared to think these things in his heart. Currently, this fat man was effectively their team leader, and no one dared to openly defy him. If he walked out on them, they would truly be at a loss. He was a newcomer and didn't fear much, nor did he have to bear much responsibility, but they couldn't afford that. So, he could only shake his head, indicating he couldn't figure it out.

Yu Dazhang put away his smile and said with a solemn face:

"It implies that this case is not a crime of passion."

When the professional term was spoken, everyone present immediately grasped the key point. If Kong Lingjie was not the killer, then he must be taking the fall for someone else. There was a crucial issue here: crimes of passion do not require someone to take the fall.

Does it feel a bit convoluted? That’s fine. Let’s first define what a crime of passion is. Simply put, it is an intense emotional outburst that reaches a point of being uncontrollable.

For example: two strangers brush shoulders on the street.
"Are you blind?!"
"Can you talk like a human being?"
"Damn you, you..."
"Who are you talking to!"
Draw a knife—
Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—
One person falls in a pool of blood...

If a crime like that involved actively seeking someone to take the blame, wouldn't that be pure self-deception? You and the victim were complete strangers with no relationship, yet you insist on presenting the police with someone who has a connection to you. Are you afraid the police won't be able to find you? Anyone with a brain wouldn't do that.

Therefore, someone who can actively find a scapegoat most likely has an inseparable relationship with the victim. And this kind of relationship easily brings certain things to mind—for example, enemies, creditors, lovers...

This was the purpose of Yu Dazhang sending them to investigate Zhang Yan’s social connections.

*What kind of brain does he have...* Everyone was shocked once again by Yu Dazhang’s logical thinking. Being able to anticipate the direction of events and immediately put them into action—was he really just a newcomer?

"Um, I have another question," one of the members investigating Kong Lingjie asked: "The suspect's social relations are already very clear. Is there a need to dig deeper?"

"Of course." Yu Dazhang nodded affirmatively. "If he is taking the fall for someone, what kind of relationship would it take for him to do that? You must realize, the verdict will very likely be the death penalty."

Exactly, this was another key point. First, rule out the possibility of taking the fall for money. He was the only one on his household register; even if he took the money, there would be no one to give it to, and it was even less likely he could spend it on himself.

Let’s play out a scenario...

"Ten million to take the fall for a crime."
"Sure! I’m in. What's the crime? How many years?"
"Intentional homicide. Execution by firing squad next April."

Who in their right mind would take that job? Therefore, if Kong Lingjie was not the killer, his relationship with the real murderer must be extraordinary.

The team member nodded thoughtfully: "Then which direction should we investigate? The obvious connections have all been checked." It wasn't that he was giving Yu Dazhang a hard time; he genuinely couldn't think of anything. Everything that should be checked had been checked. Even if one wanted to check what shouldn't be checked, one needed a lead.

"Time," Yu Dazhang reminded them. "Expand your time horizon. Since the recent social connections are clear, go and check the suspect's past. Ten years ago, twenty years ago. The suspect is forty-three this year. Even if he entered society at twenty, that’s twenty-three years of social experience. I don't believe he hasn't had a single acquaintance in all these years."

Yu Dazhang had explained it so clearly that even Qian Cheng from the technical department understood. The team member’s face flushed red. He was a veteran criminal investigator, yet today he had been prompted to this extent by a newcomer. It was almost as if Yu Dazhang had to hold his hand to show him what to do.

It wasn't that he was slow-witted or lacked experience; it was simply that this case was overly complex. For a case this complex, there must be a leader with superior intelligence. Solving a case is all about using your brain!

"I’ll go check right now." He hurriedly pulled the other person along and rushed out the door. He really had no face left to stay in that room.

"We’re going too," the other group said. Before leaving, fearing that Yu Dazhang would give them a similar reminder, one of them added: "Don't worry, we won't miss a single person connected to Zhang Yan."

After they left, Lu Zhongxin and another member went to the interrogation room. There is a written regulation that there must be no fewer than two investigators when questioning a criminal suspect. Finally, only Yu Dazhang and Qian Cheng remained in the conference room.

"Do I have a task as well?" Qian Cheng asked, looking at Yu Dazhang.

"Your task is also quite arduous," Yu Dazhang said with a serious expression. "Go to the technical department. If I’m not mistaken, the extract from yesterday is an important piece of corroborating evidence."

Qian Cheng immediately recalled the small black particle extracted from the rental unit yesterday.

"Could it be..." Qian Cheng’s eyes widened in shock. "Did you guess what that is?"