Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Studying Detectives? Isn’t That Just Training Anti-Detection Skills!

"Are you saying you suspect everyone is involved in this case?!"

Han Zai asked in shock.

Chen Xiao nodded without hesitation.

The Power of Bathing allowed him to discover the old scar on Jiao Yan’s arm.

Chen Xiao had once wondered who that old scar pointed to.

Although this kind of thinking was a kind of clever thinking, he thought it was something worth considering.

But as the investigation deepened, Chen Xiao always felt that something was off about the case.

If it was just a matter of something not being right, that would be fine, but the key issue was, no doubt had a definitive answer.

When you think it’s wrong, it seems to make sense.

So when various thoughts clashed together.

Chen Xiao wondered if this was a case carried out with the joint effort of several people?

Madman Zhang might be an executor.

But Madman Zhang was also very likely a patient with intermittent mental illness.

He couldn’t maintain enough rationality, meaning he couldn’t avoid the police at all times.

So, behind him, there might likely be an instigator.

For this instigator, Chen Xiao once suspected Xiong Nan, despite how honest Xiong Nan appeared, Chen Xiao wouldn’t easily give up suspecting anyone involved in the case.

He even once suspected Wang Dahe and Wang Jun.

Of course, his suspicion towards Wang Dahe and Wang Jun was not due to the latter extinguishing a cigarette, but because of the book "Before and After People".

However, thinking back now, Chen Xiao thought that if Qiao Zhiyuan, Xiong Nan, and Madman Zhang were linked together.

Then the problem seemed to become much simpler.

Qiao Zhiyuan had a reason to kill Jiao Guoxuan.

Xiong Nan and Qiao Zhiyuan shared a time of friendship in the detention center.

Most importantly, the case happened just over two months after their release.

There was enough time for planning and execution.

Of course, such speculation still required clarification of a few issues.

The first issue: Did Xiong Nan really participate, and what was his purpose?

Second: What was the state between Xiong Nan and Qiao Zhiyuan in prison.

Lastly, Chen Xiao remembered that both Qiao Zhiyuan and Xiong Nan had said they rarely contacted each other after release.

Chen Xiao believed there was a problem with this statement. Two people who established a deep friendship in the detention center shouldn’t have such little contact after release.

It shouldn’t be just Xiong Nan going to Qiao Zhiyuan’s house for a meal, so simple.

Han Zai also pondered the reasonableness of Chen Xiao’s speculation.

The more he thought, the more he felt it made some sense.

"If what you’re saying is right, then all three of them being confused could really leave us baffled." Han Zai squinted, speaking in a ghostly tone, and Qiao Zhiyuan’s seemingly manic-resistant scene began to surface in his mind.

Chen Xiao took a deep breath, looking at the river, "Today, when I went to the slaughterhouse with Xiong Nan, he told me something."

"What?"

"He said the police investigating cases often have quirks. Some like to smoke continuously without using lighters during a case investigation. Others like to eat noodles, plain noodles in broth without any flavor." Chen Xiao said, and asked Han Zai:

"Do you think there’s any deeper meaning in this, Teacher Han?"

Han Zai became serious: "They have studied detectives! If my analysis is correct, the one who likes smoking, you’ve also met, Yue Kai from the Hongzhou Criminal Investigation Team. The one who likes eating noodles is Zou Hao. Yue Kai always has a cigarette in hand when thinking about a case. Zou Hao likes to have a bowl of plain broth noodles cooked by the kitchen when thinking alone."

"So it’s them."

"Yes, researching detectives can actually be approached from another angle, which is that they are accumulating anti-detection abilities and experience while researching detectives!"

Saying this, Han Zai continued, "I’ll take Xiaoxi to the detention center, it won’t help to talk to their guards. If you want to know their real situation inside, you have to find someone who shared a cell with them. In the eyes of the guards, they are mostly people who obeyed education and truly repented."

"But if we solely rely on the guards’ perspective of the detention center, why are there so many repeat offenders, treating the detention center as home!"

Chen Xiao didn’t speak, just nodded silently.

After Han Zai left, Chen Xiao still didn’t hurry to leave the riverside dam.

He felt that the wind blowing across the river would make his mind much clearer.

And he also knew very clearly, even if Qiao Zhiyuan and Xiong Nan’s cellmates told the police that the two of them were always plotting something during their sentence, it wouldn’t be very helpful in identifying the perpetrator.

Evidence is key!

Or, perhaps there is one person who is likely still alive!

That would be Madman Zhang!

Where could he be?

Chen Xiao seriously contemplated this question for the second time.

The first time he thought about it was when Madman Zhang disappeared and later, a backpack was found on the river surface.

But on that night, Chen Xiao had no leads.

But now linking all three together, Chen Xiao was wondering if he might have overlooked any places he visited related to the case?

With this thought, Chen Xiao thought of one.

It was the place where Qiao Zhiyuan was grabbed - that house!

Qiao Zhong said that on the night of the crime, Qiao Zhiyuan was living alone in another property at home.

Nobody could provide an alibi for Qiao Zhiyuan in that house.

In other words, no one would currently go to that house!

Thinking of this, a thought suddenly flashed in Chen Xiao’s mind.

No...there is one person who would go!

Qiao Zhong!

He had been exhausting all his abilities trying to get Qiao Zhiyuan out of jail during these days.

When Chen Xiao came, it was said that for Qiao Zhiyuan to self-exonerate, the simplest method would be having someone testify that Qiao Zhiyuan did not have the time to commit the crime that night.

So, was there a possibility that Qiao Zhong might have gone to Qiao Zhiyuan’s property?

Without much thought, Chen Xiao immediately drove towards that house.

The house’s address was clearly documented in the case file, so Chen Xiao knew exactly which building and unit it was.

He didn’t contact Qiao Zhong, but knocked on the door of the house opposite.

A young couple lived inside, and they looked at Chen Xiao with confused expressions, but Chen Xiao promptly showed his identification.

"I am a criminal investigation consultant with the county police department. I would like to stay at your place for a little while. If you have any objections, you can contact the county police, or even the city police at any time."

After formally notifying them, Chen Xiao continued, somewhat apologetically:

"Due to the urgency, I will have a notice delivered later. Until I leave, I kindly ask that the two of you not leave this room. I apologize for disrupting your lives."

The young couple initially felt a bit displeased.

But seeing Chen Xiao’s earnest attitude, the husband nodded, although he still asked worriedly:

"Is there anything serious?"

"Rest assured, it’s just to verify some things and won’t affect you."

"That’s good." The husband let Chen Xiao into the house.

Then, Chen Xiao dialed several numbers.

The first call he made was to Qiao Zhong!