Chapter 51: The Hammer Fiend Case (Part 20)
Page 1/3
In the twilight, the police car drove away from the crime scene. Xiao Wang curled up in the back seat, his face pale as paper, his uniform still stained with traces of vomit. Li Rui glanced at him through the rearview mirror and suddenly pulled the car over to the roadside.
“Get out,” Li Rui’s voice was firm and unquestionable.
Xiao Wang staggered out and found himself facing a vast golden wheat field. The setting sun dyed the wheat ears crimson, and the evening breeze stirred the waves of grain. Li Rui lit a cigarette, the glowing tip flickering in the dusk.
“My first time at a crime scene,” Li Rui exhaled a smoke ring, “I vomited even worse than you. For three whole days, I couldn’t eat a thing, and every time I closed my eyes, all I saw were corpses.”
Wen Rou leaned gently against the car, her hair fluttering in the evening breeze. “I remember my first autopsy—the tremble in my hands was so bad I could barely hold the scalpel. Li Rui stood by, patiently teaching me how to hold it right.”
Xiao Wang lifted his head, catching the tear glistening in Wen Rou’s eyes. The sunset edged her profile with a golden rim, breathtakingly beautiful.
“After working in this line for a long time,” Li Rui stubbed out his cigarette, “it’s not that your heart grows cold, but that you learn to turn anger into strength. Every victim is waiting for us to seek justice.”
In the distance, the whistle of a train startled sparrows in the wheat field. Xiao Wang inhaled deeply; the fresh scent of wheat softened the sickly sweet stench that haunted his memory.
“Eight o’clock tomorrow morning,” Li Rui opened the car door, “meet me at the evidence room. I’ll teach you how to identify the characteristics of murder weapons.”
Xiao Wang nodded firmly, his clenched fists slick with sweat. Beneath the sunset, his shadow stretched long, gradually merging with Li Rui’s and Wen Rou’s.
At that moment, he seemed to glimpse his future self—not the rookie who vomits at corpses, but a detective who could speak for the dead.
---
Page 2/3
The next day, five in the morning. The fluorescent lights in the evidence room hummed softly, casting a pale light over the bloodstained octagonal hammer, which shimmered with an eerie purple glow. Li Rui put on gloves and gently traced the dent on the hammer’s head with his fingertips.
“Look here,” he handed Xiao Wang a magnifying glass, “the edges of the indentations where the hammer struck the skull have fine serrated marks. The killer struck too hard, causing the hammer head to slip on the bone.”
Xiao Wang leaned in close, his nose nearly touching the hammer face. The heavy smell of rust churned his stomach, but he forced himself to focus on the hairline scratches.
“Now look from this angle.” Li Rui adjusted the desk lamp so the light slanted over the handle. “Five overlapping bloody fingerprints, but the outermost print shows faint fabric patterns. The killer was probably wearing cotton gloves or…” He hesitated, “wrapped his hand in bandages.”
Wen Rou entered, holding the latest lab report. “The DNA comparison results are in. A mixed sample from a man and a woman was detected, with parts matching the DNA from hair found at the scene. It confirms the DNA profile of the ‘October 18th Case’ killer. Additionally, sulfonamide powder was found in the mixture, indicating the killer had an injury.”
Li Rui scanned the dense data. “Xiao Wang, remember, a murder weapon is more than just a tool—it’s the killer’s signature. Every scratch, every wear mark tells a story.”
He picked up another hammer. “This is a new one from a hardware store. Compare the two.”
Xiao Wang examined both, suddenly pointing at a tiny dent on the old hammer handle. “Looks like something bit here?”
Li Rui’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Exactly. That’s a bite mark, likely made when the killer lost control. These details help us reconstruct the killer’s state of mind.”
The clock struck eight; it was time to start work. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting intricate patterns on the floor. Xiao Wang straightened up, his back soaked with sweat—not from fear, but from concentration.
“This afternoon, to the shooting range,” Li Rui removed his gloves. “Sometimes, catching a killer requires not just brains but…”
“A brave heart,” Xiao Wang completed, his voice filled with unprecedented determination.
Wen Rou stood at the door, watching this mentor and apprentice. The sunlight lengthened their shadows, merging with photos of predecessors who had cracked great cases.
At that moment, she seemed to see justice’s legacy quietly continuing beneath the evidence room’s fluorescent lights.
“Oh wow, what a party!” Lei Chen walked in, carrying several bags filled with steaming breakfast.
“Xiao Wang’s here too?” Lei Chen smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were here, so I only brought two breakfasts.”
“No problem, Captain Lei. I’ll just buy my own at the cafeteria later,” Xiao Wang replied.
“You’re too late, it’s already work time. The cafeteria’s closed,” Lei Chen said.
“No worries, eat mine. I’m not hungry,” Li Rui said calmly.
Lei Chen glanced at him and then at Xiao Wang, leaning in to ask, “Hey, how’s Xiao Wang doing?”
“He’s good,” Li Rui replied flatly.
“Any potential for training?” Lei Chen pressed.
---
Page 3/3
Wen Rou watched nearby, smiling quietly.
Li Rui shot him a glance. “What, interested?”
“Of course!” Lei Chen said loudly. “I’m telling you, young people this hardworking and humble are rare these days. Such qualities are precious!”
Li Rui knew what he was up to and looked at Xiao Wang. “By the way, I just remembered I have something to do this afternoon. Let Lei Chen take you to the shooting range. He’s a shooting champion—a sharpshooter. Learn well from him.”
“Huh?” Xiao Wang was momentarily confused.
Seeing this, Lei Chen puffed up his chest and teased, “What, not happy? Don’t think you can look down on me, huh?”
Xiao Wang quickly explained, “No, no, I didn’t mean that. Of course, I want to practice shooting with Captain Lei.”
Satisfied, Lei Chen smiled. “That’s more like it.” He clapped Xiao Wang on the shoulder. “Listen, since you’re going to be a detective, shooting is your foundation. As for evidence and all that, it’s good to know a lot, but not knowing isn’t a big deal.”
The two of them headed out the door.
“Hey, wasn’t that clearly meant for you? Aren’t you mad?” Wen Rou came up to Li Rui after Lei Chen left.
Li Rui snorted coldly. “Mad at him? Am I really that petty?”
“Hmm,” Wen Rou nodded, “Actually, you are!”
“Uh… you…”
Before he could protest, Wen Rou was already smiling and walking away. “See you at the shooting range this afternoon. I want to fire a few shots myself, to blow off some steam!”
“Good grief, what kind of people are you guys?” Li Rui muttered in frustration.