Simulating_Crimes_C30

Chapter 30: The Rapid Progression of Depression – Is Someone Guiding the Victim to Suicide?

The term “suspect” or perhaps “witness” may not be an accurate description for the second person involved in this case, who is rather special.

It can be confirmed that within a short time after the fall, she cut the victim’s radial artery, causing further injury.

However, judging by the warm scene on the rooftop cloth and the letter left by the victim, she seemed more like…

The only friend who accompanied the victim in their final moments.

But no matter the role she played, in order to fully clarify this case, finding this person is absolutely crucial.

At this moment, prompted by Su Ming’s reminder, Xu Changsheng immediately realized that based on the current details, the possibility that the witness to the victim’s fall was also about to commit suicide was very high. Otherwise, why would she only erase her footprints?

Xu Changsheng also considered another point. Even if these two children had been ignored and bullied by those around them, making the decision to commit suicide was not that easy, let alone both of them making such a decision. Does this suggest…

As Su Ming had speculated, that there might be a bigger hand behind this fall, guiding and manipulating everything?

Without much thought, Xu Changsheng immediately took a few steps up and called out to Su Ming at the rooftop door.

“Xiao Ming.”

“Let’s proceed with the investigation as you suggested, dividing it into two main aspects, but the focus should be on locating the suspect.”

“This is the most important lead right now, we can’t let it break off.”

“Let’s go. We’ll head down first.”

“Let the technical team handle things here and hope they find other useful clues.”

After determining the focus of the investigation, Su Ming and Xu Changsheng slowly walked down the abandoned teaching building, continuing to observe the dust traces, though no new discoveries were made.

When they exited the building, they saw Shen Lin had already covered the body with a body bag and was taking off her rubber gloves, her brow furrowed and her expression grave.

Clearly, she had found something new during the autopsy.

Xu Changsheng quickly approached and asked anxiously.

“Medical Examiner Shen, do you have any new findings?”

While cleaning her tools, Shen Lin spoke in a serious tone.

“Just now, when you two went upstairs, I lifted the victim’s arm and found numerous small knife wounds. Based on the direction of the cuts, it seems to be self-harm.”

“Most of them have already healed and scabbed over, with only a few that are recent, but they definitely occurred before the fall.”

“However, what’s puzzling is…”

“Even though there are many cuts on the arm, there are no visible scars from any of them, which clearly indicates…”

“The self-harm behavior of the victim must have started only recently.”

“But if it was depression that triggered the suicide, self-harm should have started at least a few months before, not so suddenly.”

“Why did the emotional progression happen so quickly?”

After Shen Lin finished speaking, Su Ming suddenly thought of something and immediately asked.

“Medical Examiner Shen, did you collect the victim’s blood?”

“Could you please test it immediately to see if there are any traces of drugs or other substances, especially drugs?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Changsheng understood and clapped his hands in realization.

“Right!”

“If, according to the autopsy results, the victim’s self-harm escalated so quickly into suicide, that’s definitely a bit too fast!”

“It’s likely… some drugs or substances triggered the rapid emotional change, and as a 15-year-old middle school student, how would she get access to such substances?”

“If any traces are found in the blood, it would prove…”

“Someone has been guiding the victim to suicide!!!”

Standing by, Su Ming nodded in agreement.

It was clear that Xu Changsheng, the head of the Huaihai Criminal Investigation Team, had exceptional case-solving skills. He immediately deduced from the self-harm injuries on the victim’s arm…

Someone had been secretly controlling the case from behind the scenes.

Shen Lin also understood the implications. She quickly put on her rubber gloves again and said resolutely.

“Actually, I thought…”

“A 15-year-old student wouldn’t need an immediate test for drugs or other substances. We could just wait until we returned to the technical department.”

“But now it seems…”

“This case is far more complicated than it appears!!!”

“Give me a moment. I’ll start testing the victim’s blood right away.”

With that, Shen Lin opened her forensic toolbox, took out the blood sample tube, and gently shook it to mix the contents. Then she dripped the blood onto test strips for drugs and other residues.

At the same time, Su Ming and Xu Changsheng saw the deputy principal, Zhang Heng, approaching with a middle-aged woman who appeared to be about 40 years old, her face full of sorrow.

Without much thought, they deduced that this woman was probably the victim’s homeroom teacher.

Xu Changsheng patted Su Ming on the shoulder and took out his phone, signaling him.

“Xiao Ming, you talk to them first.”

“I’ll go inform the technical team to check the SkyEye surveillance footage near Shude High School from last night to see if we can spot the other person’s movements.”

“This case…”

“It’s becoming more and more serious!!!”

From a simple suicide fall at the beginning to the discovery of wrist cuts, and now the possibility of malicious inducement, the case was undoubtedly evolving into something much more significant.

Finding the truth was becoming increasingly urgent.

Su Ming walked over to Zhang Heng and the middle-aged woman, stopping them at the police line and pointing to the chairs nearby.

“This isn’t a convenient place to discuss everything. We need to process many leads and tasks.”

“Let’s talk over there.”

Zhang Heng quickly nodded, leading the middle-aged woman to the nearby chairs. He introduced her, lightly tapping her finger.

“Officer Su, this is Wang Limei, Zhang Wan’s homeroom teacher. She’s been working at Shude High School for nearly 20 years and has taught dozens of graduating classes.”

“Her teaching philosophy and experience in managing classes are outstanding. There are very few people in the school who are as dedicated and experienced as Teacher Wang.”

As Zhang Heng finished speaking, Su Ming frowned slightly, keenly noticing something unusual in his words. He turned to Wang Limei and asked.

“Teacher Wang, before we ask about Zhang Wan, I’d like to ask you something else first…”

“Normally, with just a few months left before the high school entrance exams, even if the homeroom teacher doesn’t have class that day, they would still go to the classroom during morning study sessions to check on the students.”

“As a homeroom teacher for many years, you must have this habit as well.”

“So, during the morning study period, up until the second class in the morning, did you notice that Zhang Wan was absent from her seat?”