CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 82: A CONFUSING CAUSE OF DEATH_1

Facing the inquiry, Foreman Dam put on an innocent face, saying anxiously, "Detective, I’m just worried that Jerry’s death will affect my construction schedule. The Z government has given us a very tight timeline."

Dean noticed that while Dam spoke, he frequently glanced down, avoiding eye contact.

A classic sign of lying!

Dean was about to say something when he suddenly remembered the words on Anthony’s note:

"I have discovered a very interesting case that’s about to happen.

It might help you understand the essence of the Mind Reading Technique."

...

The human heart, huh!

It dawned on Dean; he seemed to be grasping Anthony’s meaning.

Snapping back to the present, Dean looked at the anxious Dam and sneered, "Mr. Dam, it’s more than just that, isn’t it? People who land Z government projects usually have connections. Are you worried Jerry’s death will draw attention, ultimately implicating the person who pulled strings for you?"

His words hit home.

Dam’s expression changed, and he quickly defended himself, "I won the project through legal bidding. There’s nothing to worry about! Besides, that bastard Jerry seemed to have started gambling again recently. He was always distracted at work, making mistakes. I’ve scolded him several times. For someone like him to slip and fall, it’s hardly surprising!"

"Are you saying he’s been distracted while working lately?" Dean asked, puzzled.

That doesn’t match what Jerry’s coworker said.

But Dam nodded firmly. "Yes. I’ve known Jerry for over a decade. When he was younger, his gambling addiction led to his wife divorcing him. If I hadn’t pitied his sick daughter and if he hadn’t later shown remorse, I would never have let someone like him work for me."

"Got it." Dean glanced outside as several cars arrived and stopped the questioning. "Keep your phone on. You can leave for now."

Dam breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave.

The occupants of the newly arrived vehicles were all acquaintances of Dean: Lawrence, Harry, and Holz from the forensics department with his colleagues.

"Dean, what’s the situation?" all three asked in unison.

Although Dean hadn’t been at the detective bureau for long, his outstanding performance had led Harry and the others to a basic consensus: following Dean meant good things were sure to follow!

Dean briefly explained the situation and then began assigning tasks.

"Harry, I have a feeling there’s something off about Foreman Dam. Investigate his background, and find out whose connections he used to land this project."

"Lawrence... the deceased, Jerry, has a sick daughter. If possible, I’d like you to take Phoebe with you. While you investigate Jerry’s situation, have Phoebe talk to his daughter. It would be best if we could get some valuable leads from her."

"No problem!"

Harry and Lawrence, who had just arrived, left once more.

Holz, who remained, looked puzzled. "Dean, you seem quite certain this is a homicide?"

"Yes," Dean nodded. "Don’t ask me why I’m so sure. Holz, I’m going to the watchtower to investigate the scene. I need you to determine Jerry’s cause of death as soon as possible."

"Alright," Holz didn’t press further. "I took your advice and brought a full set of tools this time. A preliminary examination of the cause of death will be quick."

With that, Holz and his colleagues carried various toolboxes from their car to the deceased’s body and got to work.

It sure feels good having people to command,

Dean smirked to himself as he walked towards the watchtower.

Setting up a prison required not only dealing with people from the judicial department but also preventing prisoners from escaping. A prisoner dying wasn’t a major issue; there were plenty of excuses for that. But if one or two prisoners escaped, it would be troublesome, leading the Z government to distrust the prison. Regaining that trust would cost a lot of money. Therefore, the tall watchtowers, manned 24/7, were the second most important part of the prison after the control room.

This construction site already had three completed watchtowers, positioned in three different directions. The watchtower from which Jerry had fallen was located near the main entrance.

When Dean went up, he found the somewhat cramped interior of the watchtower filled with various electricians’ tools. On a wooden cabinet used for storing miscellaneous items, there was a pink, pig-shaped lunch box.

This must have been the late-night snack Jerry’s daughter prepared for him.

He touched it; the lunch box was still warm.

Unfortunately, Jerry would never feel his daughter’s love again. He was dead.

Towards the interior of the construction site, most of the trench for burying wires had already been dug. The trench extended from the ground, ending at a point halfway up the wall. Jerry had fallen from there.

There was a cement barrier about half a meter high, and the external iron railing hadn’t been installed yet. Normally, no one would fall from there unless there was an accident. This was also why Jerry hadn’t been wearing a safety harness while working on the slot.

Dean had asked the electricians who worked with Jerry. At the time of the incident, Jerry was the only one on the watchtower, so it was impossible for someone to have pushed him.

Logically, he either suffered a sudden medical episode, causing him to lose control of his body, or for some other reason, he completely lost control, stumbled sideways, and happened to fall.

Of course, the possibility of suicide couldn’t be ruled out. Dean remembered Dam mentioning that Jerry’s daughter was ill. If her treatment required a lot of money, it was possible Jerry had committed suicide for an insurance payout.

The drill he had been holding had also fallen with him. It was the tool for cutting the slot.

Wearing gloves, Dean followed the power cord hanging over the cement barrier and pulled up the drill. Before he could even examine it, he smelled a faint burning odor.

An electrical leak?

Dean looked puzzled. He took the drill to the power socket and began to inspect it carefully.

It wasn’t the sixties or seventies anymore. Electrical work, a high-risk job, involved very strict procedures and requirements during construction. For instance, electricians had to wear insulated safety shoes, and sockets were required to have leakage protection devices. So, a death by electrocution like Jerry’s should have been very rare.

Upon closer inspection, Dean immediately spotted the problem! There were signs of tampering on the socket. The plug’s contact blades had been cut with pliers! Even more tellingly, a pair of black-handled pliers lay beneath the socket, almost as if intentionally left in plain sight.

When Dean first saw the damaged leakage protection device, he had almost concluded Jerry was murdered. But the sight of the pliers made him hesitate.

Could it be that Jerry, the idiot, staged it all himself, trying to disguise it as an accidental death for the insurance money? After all, if it were an equipment malfunction, not only would the insurance company have to pay out, but Foreman Dam would also be liable for a large sum.

Dean filed this thought away for the time being.

Since the leakage protection device was damaged, the drill in his hands must also have a problem!

Dean immediately turned his attention to the drill. The power cord connection point on the drill also looked loose.

Dean had used these kinds of tools extensively in his previous life. Manufacturers usually sealed such equipment to prevent tampering; opening it voided the warranty. After any repairs, the manufacturers would reseal the connection.

So, someone had opened this!

With a light tug, Dean easily pulled off the external casing of the connector. By the light, Dean noticed that the drill’s internal wiring was crossed, the polarity reversed.

An image flashed through his mind: Jerry, as usual, holding the drill, stood at the edge of the watchtower wall. He turned on the machine, ready to drill and cut a slot. The next moment, the current surged back. Jerry was struck by the electricity, his body instantly rigid. Then, in a stroke of terrible luck, as his body went out of control, the momentum from the drill in his hand caused him to lurch sideways and fall...

As for sabotaging the protective safety shoes, that was even simpler.

Just inserting a nail into the sole would do it.

Dean couldn’t yet confirm whether Jerry’s death was suicide or homicide, but he was now fairly certain that Jerry had died from electrocution. He needed Holz to confirm this.

Taking the pliers and the drill, Dean went downstairs.

"Holz, did Jerry die from electrocution?"

Holz had already completed a preliminary examination of the body. Hearing Dean’s question, he looked at him with a puzzled expression, "I only found injuries consistent with a fall, Dean. The victim died from the fall. He couldn’t possibly have died from electrocution."

Dean was stunned.