Zhou Tong Detective Series

Chapter 68 Zhou Tong Detective Series IV: The Skinner (2)
"I don't want to sell it. If you have nothing else to do, please go out. Our shop is today..." Gar Dongzan was only halfway through chasing customers, but found that the man in black suddenly rushed in front of him with a sharp knife. The dagger stuck into his chest without hesitation.

Gal Dongzan's eyes were wide open, his eyes were full of puzzlement, the corners of his mouth were twitching constantly, and he tightly grasped the handle of the knife on his chest.

The man in black lifted the veil, and then slowly pulled the knife out of Gal Dongzan's chest, with a pleasure-filled smile on his face.

"You... so it's you..." Gal Dongzan looked at the man in black in horror, and desperately stretched out his hand, trying to grab him, but after all, this was just the last futile struggle, the hand hanging in the air seemed to be a movement The last note in the song came to an abrupt end, and fell into a pool of blood along with the body.

The sky is so blue that it makes people feel relaxed and happy; the clouds seem to be within reach.In the distance are towering snow-capped mountains, and in front of you are crystal-clear streams.There are also the friendly smiles of the Tibetans, and various local specialties with unique styles, which are dizzying.

Both Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie came to Tibet for the first time, and they were extremely excited and full of curiosity about everything around them.However, due to the lack of oxygen on the plateau, they still tried their best to control their emotions and walked slowly in the streets of Lhasa.

Of course, they will never miss the prestigious Barkhor Street.

The weather on the plateau is changing rapidly. The sky that was still a bit hazy in the morning is now sunny.But today's Barkhor Street is not only bustling and noisy, but also full of surprises.

Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie saw a corner of Barkhor Street from a distance, pulling a long cordon, many tourists and local people watched curiously around the side, and a few policemen stood beside the cordon as if facing a formidable enemy , maintaining order at the scene.

"Do you want to go over and have a look?" Yan Yongjie asked tentatively.

"A lot of people, chaotic, what's there to see. Let's go over there for a stroll." Zhou Tong avoided these things in fear, and there was no way to get up by himself.

After finishing speaking, Zhou Tong took Yan Yongjie's hand and walked in the opposite direction.However, they didn't expect that as soon as they turned around, they ran into an old acquaintance head-on.

"Yan Yongjie! Zhou Tong!"

"Liang Xiaowu!"

Yan Yongjie suddenly saw her former colleague, and happily patted the little junior on the shoulder.

Zhou Tong smiled bitterly, he had a bad feeling that he would get into trouble again this time.

When Liang Xiaowu joined the special criminal investigation team three years ago, Sun Yaoming arranged for him to study with Yan Yongjie, but Yan Yongjie resigned not long after.

"Why are you here?" Liang Xiaowu has always regarded Yan Yongjie as a teacher, respecting and admiring him, and when he met here by chance, his face was also full of excitement.

"We're here for a trip." Yan Yongjie held Zhou Tong's hand and said with a sweet smile.

"What a coincidence..." Liang Xiaowu was about to say a few more words, but was suddenly interrupted.

"Liang Xiaowu, who are these two?"

Only then did Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie notice that there was a man and a woman standing beside Liang Xiaowu. The man had blond hair, black eyes, and a high nose bridge. Good temperament.

"Let me introduce them to you. They are Yan Yongjie and Zhou Tong who are often mentioned by Team Leader Sun Yaoming." From the Special Criminal Investigation Team."

Yan Yongjie sized up the two of them, feeling very unfamiliar. They should have joined the special criminal investigation team after she left.

"Hello!" Yan Yongjie greeted with a generous smile.

Zhou Tong just nodded reluctantly.

"Nice to meet you. I have often heard Team Leader Sun mentioning you before, and you are indeed brilliant." Chen Siguo held Yan Yongjie's hand, bent down, and kissed deeply.

Yan Yongjie was a little overwhelmed by his sudden attack, but hearing what he said, she still felt sweet in her heart.

This kind of etiquette is very common in foreign countries, but Zhou Tong on the side didn't like it. His instinct as a man told him that the blond boy in front of him definitely had "bad intentions" towards Yan Yongjie.

"Hello, my name is Chang Ning, and I hope to have the opportunity to cooperate in the future." Chang Ning looked at Yan Yongjie with a trace of jealousy that was not easy to detect.

Zhou Tong was left aside in the cold, although he was angry, it was not easy to explode.

"I originally met the two of you for the first time, and we should chat for a while, but now we have an important case to deal with, so we can only find time." Although Chen Siguo said it was "two people", his eyes never left Yan Yongjie.

"Yong Jie, Zhou Tong, I'll treat you to dinner when I'm done." Liang Xiaowu asked enthusiastically.

"Well, you guys go ahead." Yan Yongjie looked at them, thinking of her current job, she felt an indescribable feeling in her heart.

"Let's go." Zhou Tong, who had been silent all this time, took Yan Yongjie's hand at this moment, eager to leave.

When Chen Siguo saw the closeness of the two of them, a look of disappointment flashed across his face.

"This is my contact information. If you encounter trouble, you can contact me." However, he still hurriedly handed Yan Yongjie a business card of his own.

Chen Siguo, Chang Ning, and Liang Xiaowu came to the "Jubaozhai" antique shop, and a police officer was already there waiting for them.

"I'm Zhuoga, Captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the City Bureau. I'm very glad that you are here." A burly man in a police uniform with a dark skin and a strong body stepped forward to shake hands with them one by one, but his expression was a little dignified.

"You're welcome, let's check the scene of the crime first." Chen Siguo was also polite and went straight to the point.

"Okay, this way please." Zhuoga led Chen Siguo and the three of them inside while introducing the case, "It is estimated that the incident occurred between [-]:[-] and [-]:[-] in the morning. There was no sign of a struggle at the scene. It should have been done suddenly."

"What's the loss of the property in the store?" Chen Siguo asked.

"There is no loss, but there is one very strange thing." Zhuoga frowned and said, "A whole piece of skin was peeled off the back of the deceased. I suspect that this case is related to the previous murders, so I invite you to come here immediately." .”

"The previous victims were all young women. According to common sense, the murderer's target was more targeted, but this case should not be the same murderer in terms of the method and the condition of the victim." Chang Ning had already After a preliminary understanding of the case, from her perspective of criminal psychology, the murderer's behavior in this case was completely inconsistent with the previous cases.

"There has never been a similar case here before. Judging from the time and method of a series of murders and skinning crimes, it cannot be ruled out that the murderer is not the same person." Zhuoga originally thought that the experts from the Ministry of Public Security must be highly respected. Experienced criminal police, but unexpectedly they are a few young people under the age of 30. I feel a little disappointed, and doubt whether they can handle such a case.

"But……"

"Now is not the time to argue, we need more clues and information." Chen Siguo interrupted the debate between the two, "Where is the body now?"

"It has been sent to the autopsy room in the bureau. I believe the autopsy report will come out soon." Zhuo Ga was too embarrassed to argue further, after all, the other party was arranged by the superior.

"Xiao Wu, go to the autopsy room immediately and assist the forensic doctor. It's up to you." Chen Siguo patted Liang Xiaowu on the shoulder. If Liang Xiaowu takes the second place in autopsy, it will be very difficult to find the number one in the country.

"I see, I'll go over right away." Liang Xiaowu nodded and left immediately.

"Captain Zhuoga, we still want to take a look at the scene." Chen Siguo turned his head and said to Zhuoga.

"Okay, if you have any needs, you can contact me at any time." After finishing speaking, Zhuoga also left. In his heart, he already felt that the higher-ups were dealing with it, and sent a few people to go through the motions. To solve the case, he had to rely on himself .

Chen Siguo didn't say much, he knew that to get the approval of others, he relied on his strength, not his lip service.

"What clues do you think the murderer will leave here?" Chang Ning asked beside him.

"Of course." Chen Siguo smiled mysteriously at her, then walked straight to a square table, picked up a thangka placed on it, slowly unfolded it, and looked at it carefully.

"Is there anything wrong with this thangka?" Chang Ning also stood by and looked at it. This is just an ordinary thangka, which can be found in the streets and alleys of Lhasa, and there is nothing special about it.

"Everything in this store has not been touched, only this thangka was taken down and placed on the table, don't you think it's a bit strange?"

"Maybe the boss took it down to show the customer and forgot to put it back."

"En." Chen Siguo nodded thoughtfully, but still sealed the thangka with an evidence bag.

"There is no loss of property here. The only thing the murderer took from here was a piece of skin on the back of the deceased. It can be seen that the murderer's purpose is very clear. It seems that the key to this case should be what is so strange about the piece of skin on the back of the deceased. Let the murderer not hesitate to kill and flay you." Chang Ning spoke out his thoughts.

"We must collect as much information as possible about the deceased Gal Dongzan, and maybe there will be some clues." Even Chen Siguo, who has been in the special criminal investigation team for many years, has encountered many difficult cases, but also Not having these few cases is a headache.He suddenly thought of Yan Yongjie and Zhou Tong, if they were in such a case, what would they do?

"What are you thinking?" Chang Ning patted Chen Siguo who was in a daze.

"Oh, it's nothing." Chen Siguo smiled wryly, but Yan Yongjie's graceful figure still remained in his mind.

Section 3 Namtso

The day after Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie met Liang Xiaowu, Liang Xiaowu called and asked them to go to a teahouse for dinner. Although Zhou Tong didn't want to, Yan Yongjie readily agreed, so he had no choice but to go with him.

The teahouse was not far from the hotel where they were staying, and the two walked there holding hands. Liang Xiaowu saw them from a distance on the second floor, and immediately leaned out half of his body from the window and waved to them.

The two also looked up and waved and smiled.

Walking up to the teahouse, Zhou Tong was finally relieved to see that Liang Xiaowu was alone. If the blond boy was there, his meal would be really hard to swallow.

The three of them sat down and chatted, but Zhou Tong only occasionally said a few words politely, most of the time it was Yan Yongjie and Liang Xiaowu talking about some interesting things in the special criminal investigation team, and Yan Yongjie was also very concerned about the former colleagues of the criminal investigation team We asked many colleagues about their current situation.

But as he was talking, Liang Xiaowu suddenly mentioned the case he was investigating.

"It's so cruel. It's been a long time since I've been in the group. This is the first time I've encountered this kind of case. The murderer actually skinned people alive." Liang Xiaowu sighed as the tragic situation of the deceased appeared in his mind.

"There is such a thing? Yesterday you..." Yan Yongjie was about to ask clearly, but Zhou Tong interrupted him at this moment.

"Your soup will be cold if you don't drink it."

Of course Yan Yongjie knew why Zhou Tong interrupted her, and remembered her promise to him, so she didn't continue to ask.

Looking at the expressions of the two of them, Liang Xiaowu remembered that Yan Yongjie, whose career was in full swing, resigned suddenly, and Zhou Tong, who was like a detective, also disappeared. Obviously, they didn't want to deal with these things anymore.He also changed the topic along the way, and didn't mention anything related to the case.

After a meal, talking and laughing, several hours passed without knowing it, and it was time for the teahouse to close.

Lhasa at night is quiet and mysterious, which makes people feel awe.The three stood on the street, saying goodbye.

"Sister Yan, Zhou Tong, you really look like the legendary 'Condor Heroine' now, but you can't be so old and 'invisible', and occasionally you have to come up and make a fuss." Liang Xiaowu laughed jokingly.

Yan Yongjie and Zhou Tong also looked at each other and smiled. Zhou Tong didn't have a deep impression of Liang Xiaowu before, but tonight he also has a good impression of this funny and enthusiastic Liang Xiaowu who is about his own age.

"When I go to Beijing, I will definitely visit everyone in the group."

"Well, then let's meet in Beijing." After Xiao Wu finished speaking, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

"Xiao Wu, be careful in everything!" Yan Yongjie had an indescribable feeling in her heart, maybe it was some kind of intuition from years of handling cases, the case they encountered this time was full of dangers, and she couldn't help but worry.

"Yeah." Liang Xiaowu turned his head and blinked playfully, and then made a fist movement, "Don't worry, I have learned ancient boxing techniques from you."

Yan Yongjie laughed, but it didn't ease the worry in her heart.

Zhou Tong also noticed her worry, put his arms around her shoulders, and watched Liang Xiaowu's back disappear into the night with the same worried eyes.

Namtso Lake is the largest inland lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the highest saltwater lake in the world.In Mongolian and Manchu, it is called "Tenggri Nuoer", and in Tibetan, Namtso Lake means Tianhu.To the south of Namtso lies the snow-covered Nyainqentanglha Mountains all the year round, to the north and west there are plateaus and hills, a vast lakeside, and grasslands surrounding the lake.

Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie stood by the lake, with the breeze blowing, the surrounding mountains loomed, and the main peak of Nyainqentanglha Mountain was reflected on the vast lake, just like a fairyland.

They have been in Tibet for a week, but this is the first time they have come to Namtso Lake. Facing the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, they forgot where they were.

He held her hand, and she leaned on his shoulder, letting time flow, like a frozen oil painting.No one can bear to break this peaceful and beautiful picture, but the bright red blood slowly seeps out of the picture like a long-dormant demon...

"Zhou Tong, look, what is that?" Yan Yongjie's serene eyes suddenly flashed surprise.

Zhou Tong looked in the direction of Yan Yongjie's finger, and suddenly there were ripples on the calm lake in the distance, red blood spread in the lake water, and a corpse surfaced.Before he had time to think about it, he immediately jumped into the lake and swam towards the floating corpse.

The lake water was icy cold, like a piercing steel knife, Zhou Tong dragged the floating corpse to the shore with all his strength.

"Xiao Wu, it's Xiao Wu!" Yan Yongjie couldn't help shouting as he looked at the corpse dragged up by Zhou Tong.Liang Xiaowu's face was pale, a water gun was pierced through his chest, and blood gushed out like a spring.

Yan Yongjie immediately stepped forward to hug him, covered his wound with one hand, and slapped his face vigorously with the other, hoping for a miracle.

"It's useless, when I hugged him, he was already out of breath." Zhou Tong sighed, and gently helped Yan Yongjie who was still desperately trying to give first aid to Liang Xiaowu.

"How could this happen?" Yan Yongjie's face was covered with tears, she never expected that she had a meal and chat with this little junior in a tea house in Lhasa a few days ago, and found his body here a few days later.

"He was shot in the water, but why did he dive under Namtso Lake?" Zhou Tong was puzzled.

"I must find out about Xiao Wu's death!" Yan Yongjie said as she punched down the rock beside her, only to hear a "bang", the rock as big as a watermelon split into several pieces.

Zhou Tong knew that once Yan Yongjie made up his mind, no one could change it, but the scene of Li Ying lying in a pool of blood still unconsciously appeared in his mind, and his whole body couldn't help but twitched.He suddenly hugged Yan Yongjie tightly in his arms, as if she would disappear before his eyes.

"Do you have to take care of it?" He knew the answer, but he still asked.

Yan Yongjie snuggled into his arms, but said firmly, "I know what you're worried about, but I can't stand by and watch this matter."

Zhou Tong nodded silently.

In the meeting room of the Lhasa Public Security Bureau, Sun Yaoming saw Zhou Tong and Yan Yongjie who hadn't seen each other for a long time again.

After he learned that his team member Liang Xiaowu had an accident, he rushed to Lhasa immediately.

"Uncle Bald, I didn't expect that we would meet again here." Zhou Tong still looked at Sun Yaoming with that cynical look.

"Team Leader Sun." Yan Yongjie saluted unconsciously, as if she had forgotten the police force she had left long ago.

Sun Yaoming looked at them, feeling indescribably relieved.

(End of this chapter)