Chasing Murder

Chapter 3

While Harper was performing the autopsy, Benjamin pulled me aside and whispered, "Can you work overtime today?"

I glanced at my watch and chuckled softly. "Working overtime is fine, but I probably won't stay too late. Today is my mom's birthday, so I can only stay until nine."

Because my relationship with my dad wasn't particularly good, I had been living in the dormitory since I turned eighteen. Living like this, I didn't feel very attached to home anymore. So even though we lived in the same city, I didn't often go home. After all, no one wants to see that face they've always loathed since childhood every day.

But he's him, and my mom is my mom. Even if I loathed him, it had nothing to do with my mom.

　　"Alright, I'll transfer you some money later, you can send it to Auntie as a token of my appreciation. By the way, what are your thoughts on this case?" Benjamin took out his phone and swiftly transferred two thousand bucks to me, then asked in a hushed tone.

I pursed my lips and smiled, saying, "My thoughts are whatever yours are."

"Oh? Tell me."

I glanced at Benjamin, the corner of my mouth twitched, and I continued, "First, the two victims knew each other. Second, the way they died. Third, don't you think the coincidence of us discovering both victims is beyond ordinary?"

"Fourth, Luna's death scene was equipped with comprehensive surveillance, yet we found no anomalies in the footage. And in Scarlett's death scene, the surveillance footage only showed her entering the restroom. After Scarlett, hardly anyone else entered. So strictly speaking, both scenes are locked room murders. No, strictly speaking, Luna's scene is a locked room disposal. Therefore, these two cases are likely the work of the same person," Benjamin habitually stroked his jaw, and said to me with a chilling realization.

I smiled and said, "Indeed. The killer is meticulous. Considering Luna's disposal scene, there are two crossroads within fifty meters on both sides, each equipped with surveillance cameras. Beyond the crossroads is the bar, and on the right side, there are shops. Even a reasonably sane person wouldn't choose to dispose of a body here."

As I glanced at Benjamin, I suddenly noticed something unusual behind him. Just as Benjamin was about to speak, I slowly pushed him aside and examined the window.

The window was closed, but unlike the other walls in the restroom, this one had faint traces of wiping on the glass. The marks were subtle, but noticeable up close, with many sesame-sized smudges on the inner side of the glass.

I attempted to open the window, but there was nothing outside. I couldn't even see a footprint. It was only when I retracted that I noticed a dried bloodstain on the outer window sill.

Yes, the killer likely exited through this window. And if they could exit from inside, they could also enter from outside.

Instinctively, I touched my nose bridge and said, "Suppose the killer climbed in from the outside, hid in the restroom, and waited for the victim to arrive. Upon seeing the killer, the victim would scream, attracting people from the bar to investigate. But that didn't happen. So, the killer and the victim must have known each other. But even if they knew each other, appearing suddenly in a place like this would always elicit a first reaction."

Benjamin listened attentively and promptly responded, "They must have arranged to meet here, right? But... who arranges to meet in a restroom? Even if the killer wanted to meet Scarlett here, Scarlett would have to agree, right? Also, how did the killer kill Scarlett, then escape through this window from the inside and lock it from the outside?"

"Benjamin, the peripheral evidence collection work is almost done. Now it's up to you guys inside..." Evelyn stood outside the restroom, clutching a notebook, her heart still racing as she looked at us.