Wrong Interrogation Room, The First Cracked Case Shocked the World

Chapter 44: The real murderer appears, complicated family situation!

"Because..."

Ning Cheng studied the wounds on the deceased old lady, Zheng Ling. Seven deep cuts marred her body, the fatal one a slash across her throat. But why so many injuries? If the old lady was already dead, why would the murderer inflict such brutality?

Ning Cheng suspected a deep-seated hatred. Only someone consumed by rage would inflict such violence on a corpse. This meant the murderer knew the deceased, an acquaintance driven to this act.

"Tang Xin, Liu Qi, take the body back to the station," Ning Cheng instructed, "and have the forensics team analyze the wound order." If the neck wound was the fatal blow, and the others inflicted afterward, it would confirm his suspicions.

As Tang Xin and Liu Qi departed with the body, Mu Xiaoyu finished questioning Zheng Yunyun. "Xiao Ning, here's Zheng Yunyun's statement," Mu Xiaoyu said. "Her family situation is complicated. Her parents are divorced. Her father, Li Ming, left the city over ten years ago. Her mother, Zheng Ran, works for the government and never remarried. She and her grandmother raised Zheng Yunyun and her younger sister, Zheng Lingyun."

Ning Cheng studied the statement. "How was the relationship between your mother and grandmother?" he asked Zheng Yunyun. "Any conflicts?" He suspected an internal conflict, possibly with Li Ming. After a car accident years ago, Zheng Ran had been persuaded by Zheng Ling to divorce Li Ming. This might have created a rift, especially considering Li Ming's position as a son-in-law. Zheng Ran might also have had conflicts with her mother.

Zheng Yunyun shook her head. "My mother and grandmother had no conflicts. My mother always listened to her."

Ning Cheng glanced at the statement. "You're 24, a nurse at a provincial hospital, right?"

"Yes."

"And your sister, she's 17 and in her second year of high school?"

"Yes."

"How is her relationship with your grandmother?"

"Normal. My sister, grandmother, and I have a normal relationship. She's old, and there's a generation gap. I don't usually interact with her. My mother handles communication with her."

A beautiful middle-aged woman entered the room, her face etched with grief. "Where's my mother?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"This is my mother," Zheng Yunyun explained.

It was 4:00 pm, far from the usual quitting time. Zheng Ran's hair was disheveled, suggesting she had rushed here upon hearing the news. Ning Cheng used his system to analyze her, seeing a guilt score of 50. Normal people scored 0-30. Scores over 100 indicated major guilt, such as murder. Zheng Ran's score suggested minor offenses, but not murder.

"Ms. Zheng Ran, I'm sorry, your mother has been murdered," Ning Cheng said. "The body has been sent for autopsy. You can visit it later."

Zheng Ran nodded numbly, her eyes welling up. She sank onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands and sobbing quietly.

Mu Xiaoyu, being a woman, stepped forward to comfort her. Zheng Yunyun stood by the door, gazing outside.

"What are you looking at?" Ning Cheng asked.

"Waiting for my sister. She'll be here soon."

"She just notified me on VX. She'll be here soon," Ning Cheng said, his gaze shifting to Zheng Ran and then to Zheng Yunyun. Their mother-daughter relationship seemed strained. If they were close, Zheng Yunyun would be comforting her mother, not Mu Xiaoyu.

"Sister~"

A young girl, flushed and breathless, rushed to the door. "Did Grandma really get killed?"

"Don't worry, the police are here. They'll handle it," Zheng Yunyun reassured her.

"I know," Zheng Lingyun said, her voice trembling.

Ning Cheng's eyes narrowed. He saw a guilt score of 200 hovering above Zheng Lingyun. She was the murderer. But why?

"Chen Yang, call some colleagues over and take them to the station for statements," Ning Cheng instructed.

"Yes," Chen Yang responded. He notified his colleagues and escorted Zheng Yunyun, Zheng Lingyun, and Zheng Ran to the station.

The investigation at the house was complete. No further evidence was found.

Ning Cheng and Mu Xiaoyu went to interview the neighbors, while Chen Yang and Liu Qi visited the elderly residents at the community park. This was Zheng Ling's network, a potential source of valuable information.

"Xiao Ning, do you suspect an internal relative?" Mu Xiaoyu asked.

"I said this was an amateur burglary scene. Experienced robbers wouldn't leave so many clues," Ning Cheng replied. "And the seven wounds on the old lady's body, the fatal one being the neck wound, suggest an acquaintance driven by a deep conflict."

"The autopsy report will confirm my suspicions," he said.

"You're amazing, Xiao Ning," Mu Xiaoyu said, her voice filled with admiration. "Who do you think the murderer is?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Ning Cheng said, a smile playing on his lips.

He and Mu Xiaoyu approached Zheng Yunyun's house and knocked on the door.

"Hello, we're investigating the case involving Zheng Yunyun and Zheng Ling, the residents of the house across the street," Ning Cheng said, showing his badge.