CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 180: THE SECRET OF THE SHOES

"We plan to search your room. Here is the search warrant."

In the dim light, the elderly man glanced at it.

"It’s fine! Go ahead and search, there isn’t anything valuable at home."

Mr Li nodded gently. "Could you tell me which room is Liu Dong’s bedroom?"

The elderly man turned around and pointed.

"It’s the one at the far west."

Immediately, Mr Li, leading Mr. Zhao, Jiang An, and others, swiftly began the search for shoes.

They started with Liu Dong’s bedroom.

No matter if it was behind the door or under the bed, they left nothing unchecked, finding all the shoes in the room.

Next, they went outside the bedroom to look for other shoes in the yard.

Suddenly, a pair of white sneakers drying on the windowsill caught Jiang An’s eye.

From the style, it seemed the wearer should be quite young.

Jiang An walked over and carefully observed.

Suddenly, at the heel of the shoes, Jiang An noticed a mung bean-sized circular mark.

His eyes brightened, and he turned to ask, "Whose shoes are these?"

"These are my grandson Liu Dong’s shoes."

Jiang An nodded and said, "Wan, these shoes must be carefully preserved."

Hearing the words "carefully preserved," everyone around felt a jolt in their hearts.

The next second, several people gathered around.

In the intense light beam, they saw only a ring-shaped red mark.

Mr. Zhao asked in a deep voice, "These shoes look very clean!"

"Is there any important trace evidence on them?"

"They don’t seem like shoes worn during a crime."

...

Jiang An said in a deep voice, "I think these shoes were very possibly worn by the perpetrator during the crime."

Hearing this, the others were instantly stunned.

Mr Li turned around and saw the elderly man sitting there, silently crying.

He asked, "Mr. Jiang, how can you be sure these shoes were worn by the perpetrator during the crime?"

Jiang An replied, "Just based on a single drop of blood on the shoe surface."

"A single drop of blood?"

"A single drop of blood?"

"A single drop of blood?"

....

Everyone bent down again to observe carefully, afraid of missing anything.

Moments later, all of them looked at each other in disbelief.

Zhang Yean’s gaze wandered several times, curiously asking, "There’s no blood drop on these shoes?"

"Did the perpetrator wash the blood off the shoes?"

Jiang An looked down and pointed at the circular mark, "This is where the blood drop was."

"But the blood was removed after drying, forming a bloodstain dry ring."

"Bloodstain dry ring?"

"Bloodstain dry ring?"

...

To those present, this was another unfamiliar term.

Jiang An then explained, "From a bloodstain morphology analysis perspective, when blood drips onto an object, it dries over time."

"The center of a blood drop dries and falls off, leaving a dark red ring-shaped bloodstain around it."

Afterwards, seeing the puzzled expressions on their faces, Jiang An made a slightly inappropriate analogy.

"It’s akin to a scab forming on a wounded hand, and after some time, when the scab’s center is picked off, it forms a ring-shaped scar around it."

With Jiang An’s further explanation, everyone understood.

Immediately, Mr Li looked hopeful, "Folks, these shoes are precious."

"We must be extra cautious; we cannot afford any mistakes."

Although they only saw a circular mark on the white shoe surface,

deep down, everyone believed in Jiang An’s theory.

This young man who brought hope of solving the case to the task force,

every investigative idea he proposed was full of anticipation.

With this crucial discovery, Mr Li said in a deep voice, "Let’s go! We must send these shoes to the forensics lab immediately."

As they reached the courtyard gate, Liu Dong’s grandfather rushed over.

Tears streaming down, he grabbed Mr Li’s hand.

"Dongzi is a good boy, although he was mischievous when young, I believe he wouldn’t commit a crime."

"Please give the young man a chance."

Mr Li said solemnly, "Sir, please rest assured!"

"We will investigate thoroughly, and if he’s innocent, we will clear his name soon."

"However, if he is indeed guilty, we will not be lenient."

When they returned to the crime unit, it was already close to 12:30 a.m.

But every office in the crime unit was still brightly lit.

For detectives, overtime is typical; not working overtime is unusual!

As soon as the vehicle stopped, the group immediately headed to the forensics lab with the shoes.

As the elevator door opened, they saw a bespectacled man standing at the entrance.

"Mr Li!"

Mr Li patted his shoulder, "Working late, well done!"

"It’s my duty!"

Mr Li glanced at the evidence bag in the accompanying officer’s hand.

"This is crucial evidence from the suspect’s home; handle with care, examine thoroughly, and ensure no mistakes."

"Yes! Rest assured, Mr Li, I will be meticulous!"

Mr Li’s lips curved slightly, and he said solemnly, "Well done, report back as soon as there’s a result."

"Yes!"

Immediately, he took the evidence bag and said, "Mr Li, I’ll head to the lab now?"

Mr Li waved his hand.

"Go ahead! I’m waiting for your good news."

Then, Mr Li checked his watch.

He turned and said, "Mr. Jiang, it’s late. You three should return to the hotel and rest."

Jiang An said, "I’m not the least bit sleepy; I’m focused on the test results."

"Senior brother, senior sister, please go back and rest first."

Zhang Yean replied with a smile, "I’m quite excited; I’ll stay for the results."

Wan also whispered, "Me too! Not a bit sleepy."

Just as he finished, Mr. Zhao also appeared excited.

"Mr Li, I guess none of us can sleep now."

Mr Li looked around and smiled.

"Since you’re all so excited, let’s wait in the meeting room while having tea."

"How do you all feel about this?"

"Raise a hand in agreement!"

"Raise a hand in agreement!"

...

Immediately, they went to the crime unit’s meeting room.

Mr Li specifically returned to his office, opened a drawer, and took out some Bamboo Leaf Green tea, a gift from a friend.

"Everyone has worked hard solving the case lately. I offer my Bamboo Leaf Green; please have a taste."

Mr. Zhao gave a thumbs up and said with a smile, "Mr Li, this is high-quality tea!"

Then, the group waited for the results while sipping tea in the meeting room.

An hour later, Mr Li’s phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, "It’s Zhang from the forensics lab."

Then, Mr Li raised his hand, extending a finger, and made a "shh" gesture.

Instantly, the bustling meeting room fell silent.

All eyes were on Mr Li’s phone.

Mr Li swiped the screen and pressed the speakerphone button.

"Mr Li, reporting that the test results are out."

"How is it?"

"Mr Li, the circular mark on the back of the shoes contains blood stains that perfectly match the female victim’s DNA."

"Additionally, a small amount of the female victim’s blood was found in the tread grooves on the soles."

Mr Li asked excitedly, "Are the results conclusive?"

"Absolutely certain!"

"Great, thank you for your hard work!"

As soon as they hung up, the meeting room erupted.

Soon, a thunderous applause resounded.

Mr Li stood up, a smile on his face, "Mr. Jiang, we really owe you for this."

"With this solid evidence, no matter how much Liu Dong denies, we remain confident."

Mr. Zhao exclaimed excitedly, "Mr Li, shall we start the interrogation again immediately?"

Mr Li spoke sternly, "Let’s go! Let’s meet him!"

Immediately, they all headed to the interrogation room together.

This time, everyone wanted to personally witness the suspect being brought to justice.