Chapter 45-1
White Whale
When was the last time you saw her? Inside the police station, Song Yuhang gestured for the person to sit down and poured a cup of hot tea for her.
The woman held the paper cup, wiped the corners of her eyes with a tissue, and choked up, unable to speak.
The man who accompanied her gently patted her back and comforted her in a soothing voice, Dont cry. First, explain everything to the police.
Song Yuhang, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, waiting for the family member to regain her composure.
After crying for what seemed like a while, the woman finally spoke in a soft, trembling voice, Yesterday afternoon, that was the last time I saw her.
What time did you go, and for what reason? Song Yuhang was responsible for asking, while the young police officer beside her quickly took notes.
Probably around five or six oclock. I was going to bring her dinner and, well discuss her decision to repeat a year in school, the woman replied.
Song Yuhang raised her eyes and glanced at her.
When it came to repeating a year, it seemed like the woman had a lot to say: I thought a girl could just study a normal major in English or Chinese, something practical for a future civil service exam. But she insisted on studying fine arts, with her heart set on entering an art school. We argued about it constantly from her childhood until now.
Even after someone has passed away, they still find themselves dwelling on past family conflicts.
Song Yuhang remained calm, shifting the conversation from the womans nagging about her daughter to the case at hand. How long did you stay?
Less than an hour, and we had another argument. I slammed the door and left in anger, the woman wiped away tears, sobbing, If I had known she would commit suicide after I left, even if she chased me away, I wouldnt have left
The man beside her appeared to be her current husband. He pulled her close, wiping her tears and said, Dont cry, its not your fault, Linlin sigh
He let out a long sigh, looking troubled. If you make yourself sick from crying, there wont be anyone to take care of our little treasure.
The woman gathered herself with some effort, and Song Yuhang continued to ask, Did she ever have suicidal thoughts before? How were her relationships at school? What was her usual personality like?
A trace of overwhelming grief appeared on the womans face. When the college acceptance letter came, I forced her to go to school. She once cried and said, If I cant get into the art school, I might as well die. I I didnt take it seriously either Who who would have known!
The man interjected at this moment, We cant blame her mother entirely either. Her mother was also doing it for her own good. Pursuing art doesnt provide the same stability as a career in public security. Her mother just wanted her to lead a stable and peaceful life. Who would have known that this child would be so stubborn? In the end, we compromised and agreed to let her repeat the year. But now, whats happened Isnt this just another episode of her drama? Is she deliberately trying to make her mother live the rest of her life in guilt?
Guilt wasnt something to be felt early or late; it only came after a person had passed away.
If Lin Yan were here, she would probably have erupted into a furious outburst.
But Song Yuhang calmly retrieved an evidence bag from her file and placed it on the table, pushing it towards them. Take a look at this medication. Do you recognize it?
Inside the transparent bag was a small medicine bottle, covered in English names and complex chemical terms. Both of them examined it briefly and shook their heads.
The mother of the girl was still sobbing. What what is this medicine? I never heard that she was sick.
Its Sertraline hydrochloride, also known as Zoloft, the first-choice medication for treating depression.
We also found a hospital report from her home, confirming a diagnosis of severe depression.
It hit them like a bolt from the blue, and the girls mother cried even harder. Why why didnt she tell her mother if she was sick Silly child Youre taking your mothers life away!
Song Yuhang collected the items and handed over a tissue. Condolences.
Years of investigative work had left her with enough sympathy for the victims but never quite enough for their families.
In an avalanche, not a single snowflake is innocent.
* * *
When did you and your wife divorce? The man sat in the visitors room, occasionally taking calls and sending messages.
As Song Yuhang began to speak, another call came in. The man waved her off, indicating that he would talk later, and turned his face away.
Hello? Business matters? Cant Old Wan handle those? Cant I leave for a while? Whats the point of having your employees if they cant handle this? What? The other side insists that the CEO must attend the meeting to take on this project?
The man appeared frustrated. Fine, fine, Ill tell them. Ill make time to go over there this afternoon!
Song Yuhang waited for him to finish.
The man placed his phone inside the inner pocket of his suit. Im sorry, works been quite busy My wife and I divorced a long time ago, probably around middle school for our daughter. I essentially started anew, leaving the house and assets to them. When she comes of age, everything will be in her name.
Has your daughter had any recent thoughts of suicide?
The man shook his head, his face carrying a hint of sorrow. I wouldnt know about that Our divorce wasnt amicable. I rarely see the two of them. We hardly cross paths throughout the year, so I wouldnt have known about these things.
Well, it seems there wont be much more to uncover.
At least the woman knew how to shed some tears, but it seemed like the mans heart and mind were preoccupied with his business.
The few young detectives accompanying the questioning exchanged glances and shrugged.
According to regulations, you can go see your daughter one last time.
Upon hearing this, the man struggled visibly, and after a while, he gritted his teeth and said, Forget it, I wont go. Seeing her will only bring more sadness.
Song Yuhang stood up and shook his hand. Thank you for your cooperation. If needed, we will contact you again.
Alright, youre welcome. Its been tough, really tough.
* * *
What?! The family doesnt agree to an autopsy? No, I have to go
Lin Yan was saying as she rushed to leave but was stopped by someone.
Youre going, but what for? To argue with people?
Just as Lin Yan was about to retort, Zhang Jinhai walked in, holding a teacup.
Weve discussed this case thoroughly. Through on-site investigation, interviews with the surrounding people, and reviewing surveillance footage, weve ruled out any signs of homicide and can conclude it was a suicide.
The He Miao case was an exceptional one, Dr. Lin, dont overcomplicate things.
How am I overcomplicating things? Isnt pursuing the truth the duty and responsibility of the police?
Yes, but the issue is that you conducted the autopsy yourself. Have you found any suspicious points? If there are no issues, we can continue the investigation without further delay.
The head of the criminal investigation team and the chief of the forensic department clashed, and the subordinates remained silent, their heads down, in an awkward silence. Song Yuhang also furrowed her brow.
I Lin Yan hesitated for a moment. Indeed, the autopsy hadnt revealed any suspicious points. There were no external injuries, and there were no signs of sexual assaulther hymen was intact.
She thought for a moment and phrased it differently, There are certain suspicions that cannot be uncovered through a simple autopsy. I must perform a full autopsy.
Yes, public security authorities have the right to decide on a bodys autopsy and notify the family to be present. However, thats only allowed when there are clear indications of a criminal case or significant doubts. Right now, you have nothing, so how can I inform the family? Miss, conducting an investigation isnt just your personal desire. We have to respect the facts, the familys wishes, and public opinion. Once a person has passed away, cant you at least leave them with their body intact?
Zhang Jinhais words were reasonable and pointed out her willful and spoiled temperament as a young lady.
Someone below softly chuckled.
Lin Yans face couldnt bear it, and she was about to rush forward when someone grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the meeting room.
Let go of me! Let go! Lin Yan struggled, and she was dragged up to the rooftop before Song Yuhang finally released her, watching her pant heavily.
Hes right. Without finding any doubts, we cant classify it as a criminal case, and if the family doesnt consent to the autopsy, conducting it forcefully would be illegal. Youd have to bear the responsibility.
For some reason, when others advised her, she could tolerate it, but even when Song Yuhang said this, her anger suddenly surged.
Im breaking the law? What has the law done for the victims? It cant punish Sun Xiangming, it cant save Ding Xue and Li Shiping. Even the vulture who harmed He Miao is dead, and her treacherous uncle, who betrayed her, will serve three to five years and then come out to live happily ever after with his family!
What about the deceased?! Only this one life! Whos going to protect their rights?! If you ask me, Fan Lins death is a result of her parents long-term neglect. They are the indirect killers!
Is the law effective? Lin Yan spat bitterly. Its useless! Even if we pursue responsibility relentlessly, it wont bring back the life lying cold and motionless in front of me. I cant see her anymore.
The law may be powerless, but conscience resides within our hearts, Song Yuhang said, placing a hand on her shoulder and looking at her. Its true that not every pair of parents in this world are qualified parents. When Fan Lin died, you didnt see how devastated her mother was in front of me. The burden of guilt, as heavy as a mountain, will haunt her for the rest of her life. Its not necessarily less painful than physical suffering.
Lin Yan, you cant view the issue so one-sidedly. Are you going to give up pursuing the truth just because the law is ineffective?
Lin Yan moved her lips, and she had answered that for her.
You wont, because the law is the last line of defense in human society. No one can cross it. Crossing that line is a crime, and our purpose as police officers is not only to maintain social order but also to bring those who cross that line to justice one by one.
You say the law is useless, but look
Song Yuhang led her to the edge of the rooftop.
In this era of peace and prosperity, the streets were bustling with life, a continuous flow of people and vehicles.
A white dove glided through the sky above their heads, leaving a trail of feathers.
You can stand here, and thats why the law isnt completely useless.
Lin Yan bit her lip, and the cool breeze on the rooftop ruffled her hair, dispersing some of the heaviness in her heart.
She reached for a cigarette, lit it, and placed it at the edge of her lips, leaning on the railing with her high heels tapping on the ground.
I just feel that, when it comes to being parents, why isnt there a test one has to pass? Even if its a stranger who has passed away, they should
Empathy is indeed a human instinct, but not everyone possesses it naturally. We cant demand cruelty from others; we can only strive to live up to our own conscience.
She reached out to Lin Yan and asked for a cigarette, then leaned forward to borrow a light.
Amidst the swirling smoke, their eyes met, and their lips were inches apart. Song Yuhang quickly withdrew, taking a few puffs from her own lit cigarette.
But I still think empathy is a good thing. All things have spirits, and it makes you feel like a living, breathing person rather than a zombie. People who can empathize can experience the ups and downs of life more deeply, and they can also find pure happiness more easily than others.
Lin Yan sneered, taking a drag of her cigarette and leaning casually against the railing. So, according to your logic, I should be able to find happiness more easily. Then why is all I experience pain?
Song Yuhang blew a smoke ring and looked at her calmly. Thinking about your father, perhaps?
Lin Yan turned around, maintaining her nonchalant appearance, but Song Yuhang could clearly sense a hint of desolation in her gaze.
No, why would I think about him? I just feel that since these people dislike children so much, have no intention of being responsible for them, and lack the commitment to raising them and growing old together, why do they even bother having kids?
Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. They might as well exist on a piece of toilet paper.
The cigarette in her hand was about to burn her fingers, so Song Yuhang extinguished it against the railing.
I cant judge what kind of person your father was. Let me tell you about my dad. He was a special forces officer, and during his lifetime, he received the third-class medal of honor four times, the second-class medal twice, and the first-class medal once. When I was ten years old, he sacrificed himself in a drug sweep operation coordinated with the Border Narcotics Brigade to cover his teammates.
You could say that during my long childhood, he was absent from almost every parent-teacher conference, never took me to an amusement park, and was not there for my middle school exams, high school exams, my entry into the police academy, or the start of my career Every significant moment in my life that required a parents presence, he was nowhere to be found.
For a while, I used to watch other kids call their dads, cuddle with them, sit on their knees, and I even wondered why this person suddenly appeared in my life, why I should call him Dad, when he couldnt provide me with any meaningful companionship.
But it doesnt matter, Lin Yan. She turned to face her and called her by name.
What you cant understand now, what you cant figure out, someday, time will reveal the answers to you.
Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback as she met her gaze. Those light brown eyes seemed to possess a magical quality, effortlessly calming the turbulence within her.
The cigarette had burned her fingers, and she flinched, causing the ash to drop from her fingertips, leaving a large red mark on her pale skin.
Ouch that hurts.
Lin Yan seemed to have just snapped out of it. She tossed the toffee aside like a piece of trash, and Song Yuhang had already picked up her hand and gently blew on it near her lips.
Are you okay? How did you get so careless?
The warm breath gently brushed over her fingertips, and the burned area became even more itchy and uncomfortable.
Lin Yan withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted. Im fine
I have some burn cream on my desk. Ill get it for you in a moment.
No need, Im not that delicate, Lin Yan said, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions. She steered the conversation back to the case.
Do you think there are any similarities between this case and the He Miao case?
They are both suicides, and they both left suicide notes at the scene. Moreover She thought about the cartoon drawings by He Miao and the pictures of whales in Fan Lins phone album.
They both share a common interest or hobby, related to the ocean or whales.
Impressive deduction from the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, always thinking critically.
Lin Yans lips curled into a faint smile, but she quickly suppressed it.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺