Criminal Investigation: Lost

[Next up: "Crime Investigation: The End of the Road". Add it to your collection from the author's page.]

Also known as "Captain Jiang's Heartbeat Signals". Blurb:

1.

Jiang Wenzhou first noticed Lu Huaizhi because of a gruesome dismemberment case that shocked the whole city.

Thanks to increasingly advanced forensic techniques, the criminal investigation team solved the case and caught the suspect in three days.

But before the interrogation could even begin, the suspect started shouting, "I'm mentally ill. I'm not legally competent, so I can't be held criminally responsible."

Jiang Wenzhou: "..." What the hell was he talking about?

Later, Jiang Wenzhou heard that the suspect came from a wealthy family. He had been worried that someone might exploit a loophole to evade punishment.

To his surprise, when the assessment results came in, among all the professional terminology and analysis, someone had added four words in neat handwriting at the end of the report:

"Not ill. Faking it!"

Jiang Wenzhou was astonished, then thought, Interesting.

His gaze fell on the signature line for the assessing physician, and he murmured Lu Huaizhi's name.

2.

Lu Huaizhi had known Jiang Wenzhou for a long time. It had taken some effort to become his neighbor.

The trouble was, Jiang Wenzhou was busy with work and often went out on calls in the middle of the night, keeping everyone awake and frazzled.

Apart from Lu Huaizhi, nearly every neighbor above and below him had lodged a complaint.

Back then, though, the crime-obsessed team captain had eyes for nothing but his cases and barely noticed Lu Huaizhi.

Who knew when he had started taking an interest in him?

Just as Lu Huaizhi was sticking to his professional principles, offending people and facing relentless retaliation, threats, and intimidation, with no peace to be had,

his handsome neighbor across the hall finally couldn't hold back. He knocked on the door and said, "If you're really scared, why not move in with me?"

Lu Huaizhi remained unruffled: "..."

He glanced down at the fourth mysterious package he'd received that month, then looked at Jiang Wenzhou. Only then did he let go of his composure and put on a frightened look. His voice, however, remained calm and steady as he said, "Ah, I'm so scared."

(P.S. In a high-level hunt, the true hunter often appears to be the prey.)

Coming soon: "Crime Investigation: The End of the Road"

1.

Eight years after they parted.

Jiang Xusi was transferred to the Yun Jing City Public Security Bureau for work. The first case he took on was the death of a man surnamed Si, age forty-three. The victim's son, Si Baiyu, was being questioned by the police as a major suspect.

His fingertips trembling slightly, Jiang Xusi looked at the gloomy, withdrawn young man before him, his eyes and brows steeped in detachment. A dull ache spread through his chest.

He summoned all his strength, yet couldn't ask the question: "Was it you?"

A Yu...

The boy's eyes curled upward at the corners. He wore a cunning smile, inscrutable and full of meaning. In a frigid voice, he said, "It was me, gege."

2.

Si Baiyu had once had a brief taste of a perfect family.

His beautiful older brother, with his seductive eyes, had handed him a piece of candy.

He'd picked him up from school on his bicycle, helped him with his homework, and chased off the kids who bullied him. After that, a little shadow that wouldn't leave him alone followed him everywhere.

With his life lit up, even the wind from the back of the bicycle felt sweet. His short legs swung happily as he basked in the warmth of the sun.

But his thoroughly wicked father destroyed it all.

That man was the reason he had lost his brother and his home.

He wanted to kill him.

3.

After their reunion, Jiang Xusi tried with all his might to make it up to Si Baiyu, but the other man wouldn't accept it. Jiang Xusi had had his reasons for what happened back then, but there was no way to defend himself.

His younger brother's personality had changed completely. He was moody, obsessive, and unhinged.

No matter how Jiang Xusi tried to make amends, he remained unmoved.

Until one night, Jiang Xusi saw Si Baiyu bring a man home from a bar. He rushed forward and demanded, "What do you want from me?"

What will it take for you to forgive me...

Si Baiyu stared at him coldly for a long moment, pushed away the person in his arms, grabbed Jiang Xusi by the collar, dragged him into the room, and pinned him against the wall.

In the darkness, every sense sharpened. His low, hoarse voice made Jiang Xusi's scalp prickle as he spoke beside his ear, fingertips grazing the side of his neck.

"You're staying here tonight."

"Then I'll tell you what you need to do..."

Reading guide:

* Redemption and solving crimes.

* A younger, unhinged, highly intelligent brother.

* The main characters are all good people.

* They have different fathers and mothers, and aren't on the same household registration.

Theme: Light will ultimately triumph over darkness