On the evening of October 22, 2017, Gu Song and Xia Shi returned to R City. Although the investigation work in Sanqiao Village has made some gains, there are still many thorny problems that have not been solved.

First of all, the whereabouts of the suspect Liu Fan are unknown. The police speculated that Liu Fan had already fallen into the hands of the "clownfish killer" and was likely to have been killed, but Liu Fan's body has not yet been found.

Secondly, who is the "clownfish killer" who killed Ma Zhichen and Li Baofang? Through the investigation of the two cases, the police found that the physical characteristics of the suspects who killed the two victims were not the same, and if the two cases were committed by two murderers, what would be the relationship between the two people?

In addition, how did the murderer grasp the movements of the police investigation? Why is it always possible to punish the so-called sinners before the police?

The more I thought about these questions, the more Xia Shi felt a headache. The intricacies of the case weighed him down. In order to solve the case as soon as possible, he had to find his former partner, the man who was supposed to be at home to take care of his seriously ill wife, and hired an excellent criminal psychology expert as a consultant, but instead of solving the mess, the mess in his hand became more and more confusing.

What started as a seemingly simple burglary murder case slowly evolved into a vicious serial murder case, and the suspect they initially locked on was also killed, and then a series of bizarre and bizarre cases occurred, involving more and more ancient old events.

Like a snowball, Xia Shi watched as the fist-sized snow mass grew bigger and stronger, but he was powerless to stop the worsening disaster.

It is said that the three stinkers are the top of one Zhuge Liang, but he didn't expect the three of them to be led by the nose by the cunning murderer together, which really made him feel humiliated and angry.

"I'm sorry, I'm dragging you down this time." In the small restaurant on the side of the road, Xia Shi said to Gu Song with a sad frown while smoking a cigarette. Although he hadn't eaten all day, he couldn't muster his appetite at all. Not only that, but his stomach problems also raged wildly and wreaked havoc on his nerves, giving him a deep sense of powerlessness.

"What, you regret coming back to me? Think I didn't help you? Gu Song glanced at Xia Shi and said half-jokingly. After going through the same thing, Gu Song didn't have much appetite, but he didn't want to fight with his stomach like Xia Shi. He ate a few bites of the food in the bowl, put down his chopsticks and comforted Xia Shi and said, "No one thought that the case would develop like this." You don't put too much pressure on yourself, we've done our best anyway, and we can only take one step at a time. ”

"Hmph, that's a light thing you said." Xia Shi smiled bitterly and slammed the cigarette butt on the table, "Dare to love that you are not the captain of the criminal police team, not the head of the task force, you don't have to withstand the pressure of the leadership and public opinion, let alone endure those secret cynicism." Gu Song, do you know that since I sat in this position, how many people have been waiting to see my jokes, wishing that I would capsize in the gutter, pat my ass and leave. This time I should be unlucky, as soon as I took office, I encountered such an evil case, I think it's time for me to get out of the way. ”

Seeing Xia Shi's depressed look, Gu Song not only did not show the slightest sympathy, but laughed out loud without conscience, "I said Team Xia, what is the mess in your mind?" The people waiting to see your jokes are in the minority after all. They envy you for having a father who is an official, and they are jealous that you can be reused by the leaders at a young age, but they themselves know very well that you can sit in this position today because of your own ability, based on your past performance and dedication, and not because of anything else. ”

"Alright, don't comfort me." Xia Shi smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "Even if I don't rely on relationships to get to the top, but the current situation is in a mess, how can I still have the face to continue to stay in the city bureau." After speaking, he glanced at Gu Song unapologetically, "It's you, this time I forced you back as a criminal investigation consultant, and now that it's like this, your reputation is ruined." ”

"Hey, how can I have a good reputation......" Gu Song smiled self-deprecatingly, "What a detective, what a 100% crime solving rate, it's not just a joke I said casually." You forgot about the case that happened in Jinshui County last summer, and I couldn't find evidence of the suspect's crime until I left my job. At that time, no one except the two of us wanted to continue wasting time on that case, and the case was closed. ”

"At least in that case, we know the identity of the murderer, and that person finally committed suicide because of a relapse of depression, this can be regarded as God's punishment for him."

"But our failure to convict him with the weapon of the law and to make him accept just punishment is a dereliction of our duty. But then again, no one in our line of work can guarantee that all the cases they handle will be successfully won. You see, Professor Huo, such a powerful criminal psychology expert, also retired with some regrets. So, ah......"

Speaking of this, Gu Song suddenly remembered something, "By the way, why didn't you ask Teacher Xiaohuo to come out to eat together?" Our case is far from the time to give up, why are you so pessimistic? ”

"Oh, then you can give her a call." Xia Shi also seemed to think of Huo Yan at this moment, and smiled at Gu Song a little ambiguously.

"Your own girlfriend, why are you asking me to call?" Gu Song looked at Xia Shi puzzled, a little confused about what the other party was thinking.

"What a girlfriend, I haven't skimmed the eight characters yet. And she ......" Xia Shi muttered to himself, then took out his mobile phone and skillfully entered a string of numbers. Before the other party's call could be connected, another call came in. Seeing that the caller ID was a colleague in the team, Xia Shi picked up the call first.

"Hey, Team Xia, are you back?" The person on the other end of the phone asked anxiously.

"I just came back and I'm eating out. Is there a situation? ”

"A male corpse has just been found on the Mozi Bridge, which may be related to the nail killer, and the specific situation needs to be further confirmed."

"Okay, I got it, I'll be right there." Xia Shi put down the phone and said to Gu Song with a serious expression, "Let's go, there is a murder." ”

Gu Song just took a sip of tomato and egg soup, and almost squirted out when he heard this, "What's the situation?" Dead again? ”

"Hmm." Xia Shi got up and put the cigarette case and lighter on the table into his pocket, and beckoned the waiter to settle the bill. "Either Liu Fan killed someone again, or he was killed. I think the latter is more likely. ”