Chapter 42: A Request for Help from the Neighboring Criminal Investigation Detachment

"Question: What do bones look like?"

Qin Yong's expression at this moment vividly illustrated the answer.

"They're all here."

As the detachment leader, Qin Yong rarely visited his subordinates' offices under normal circumstances. Most of the time, it was others coming to him to report work, rather than him proactively seeking them out.

However, the recent performance of the Forensic Identification Office had forced Qin Yong to come for "condolence visits" time and time again.

And all of this stemmed from Lu Chuan, who had just joined the force three months ago.

In the past three months, three major cases had occurred within the Haizhou Criminal Investigation Detachment: the Zhang Wen murder case, the Happy Reservoir corpse dumping case, and the hotpot restaurant skeletal remains case.

Lu Chuan had played a vital role in every single one of them.

In the Zhang Wen murder case, it was Lu Chuan who discovered the cigarette butt clue, directly locking onto the suspect. In the reservoir corpse dumping case, it was Lu Chuan who collected crucial fingerprints from an electric scooter and analyzed the physical characteristics of the footprint owner, thereby solving the case. As for this latest skeletal remains case, Lu Chuan was the first to discover it, and the subsequent skeletal identification and analysis report he produced confirmed the identity of the remains.

Speaking of the skeletal identification and analysis report, Qin Yong felt he could hold his head high this time. Having a capable subordinate under his command who could rival Zhang Yuanchao—the top forensic expert at the Provincial Department—in the field of skeletal analysis would make anyone happy. Not to mention, there was now a request for assistance from the neighboring criminal investigation detachment.

"Captain Qin, what brings you here?"

Liu Guodong set down his teacup and stepped forward. Lu Chuan stepped away from the red palm print and saluted.

"Don't be nervous," Qin Yong said, repeatedly pressing down on Lu Chuan's hand with his palm facing down. "The Forensic Identification Office has been working very hard lately; I've come to check in on everyone."

Yang Sen and Old Bai, who had just set down their teacups, felt their mouths twitch. What was so "hard" about holding an enamel mug? Sigh, would the detectives from the Action Group cry if they heard this?

"Thank you for your concern, leader," Liu Guodong replied smoothly, his expression making Qin Yong quite satisfied.

After a few pleasantries, Qin Yong went straight to Lu Chuan: "How has your rest been lately, Xiao Lu?"

"The skeletal remains case was solved thanks to you. You did a great job this time."

Qin Yong spoke these words with particular sincerity. Setting aside the skeletal analysis report, even the discovery of the primary crime scene where Huang Lan was murdered was due to important clues provided by Lu Chuan. Although Mount Jiguan was vast and searching the mountains had taken considerable effort, the final result was good, and that was enough.

"Thank you, Captain Qin. It was just my duty; it's what I should do."

Lu Chuan was full of energy, his back straight and tall. This attitude made Qin Yong's smile grow even more genuine.

"Good, good, good. Stay humble and composed. By the way, Xiao Lu, do you have much on your plate right now?"

*Hmm?*

Lu Chuan was slightly stunned. What did Qin Yong mean by that?

Beside him, Liu Guodong quickly stepped in: "Captain Qin, I recently assigned Xiao Lu to organize some data from previous cases, but he can clear some time."

Lu Chuan nodded hurriedly. Old Liu was truly a great leader; even his lies were seamless. He expressed that he was busy while simultaneously avoiding offending the leader—a true master. If it had been Lu Chuan himself, he definitely would have said he had nothing to do.

"Since you can clear some time," Qin Yong nodded, clearly very satisfied with Liu Guodong's answer, "the neighboring criminal investigation detachment has a skeletal identification request that needs our support."

Qin Yong looked at Lu Chuan again: "Xiao Lu, come and help out on short notice."

"Yes, Captain Qin!"

***

In the Forensic Office.

Lu Chuan met Wang Changjiang and Shen Yan once again.

"Haha, Xiao Lu, come, come, come! Sit down, sit down!"

Old Wang appeared exceptionally enthusiastic, and Shen Yan, standing beside him, also had a smile in her eyes.

"Forensic Expert Wang, you're too kind. Captain Qin said the neighboring detachment needs support with a skeletal identification, so he sent me to help."

A mature professional must learn to respect the respect others show them. Lu Chuan was clearly qualified; in the face of Wang Changjiang's politeness, he maintained the appropriate level of respect.

"Haha," hearing Lu Chuan say this, Wang Changjiang's old face crinkled into a wide grin. "Don't be so formal, Xiao Lu. You can just call me Old Wang or Brother Wang."

"Brother Wang."

"Old Wang" was clearly inappropriate, as that was how Liu Guodong addressed him.

"If the neighboring detachment needs skeletal identification, why didn't they ask the Provincial Department for technical support?" Lu Chuan asked, somewhat puzzled. Requests for skeletal identification were rare, and the Provincial Department generally wouldn't refuse such a request for technical assistance.

"Forensic Expert Zhang Yuanchao from the Provincial Department just went on a business trip yesterday to attend a conference in Jingzhou," Wang Changjiang clicked his tongue. "Aside from Zhang Yuanchao, no one else at the Provincial Department is particularly proficient in skeletal identification and analysis. The case next door is also very urgent, so Zhang Yuanchao recommended you."

Lu Chuan nodded. So, it was Zhang Yuanchao's recommendation. However, he wondered why Wang Changjiang was so excited just because he was providing technical support.

Seeing Lu Chuan's confusion, Shen Yan smiled and poured him a cup of tea. "Li Kai, the forensic expert from the neighboring Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment, is a classmate of my mentor."

*Oh!*

Lu Chuan understood. When an old classmate comes to you for help, what could be more delightful than that?

"Actually, Li Kai's skills aren't inferior to mine; he's just a bit too high-profile. Look, now he's come begging us for help."

Wang Changjiang's expression held an uncontrollable sense of pleasure, much like Qin Yong's earlier reaction.

To be honest, the Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment was a step ahead of the Haizhou Detachment in terms of both scale and combat effectiveness. Tianzhou had three forensic experts, and their forensic identification and trace evidence units were separate. One could tell from these details that Tianzhou was stronger.

In the past, it was always the Haizhou Detachment asking Tianzhou for technical support—for things like identifying a footprint or performing complex fingerprint comparisons. Even on the forensic side, there were many toxicology tests that Haizhou couldn't perform due to a lack of equipment, requiring them to borrow from the other side. It could be said that for years, the Haizhou Detachment had been in a subordinate position to the Tianzhou Detachment.

But today, the captain of the Tianzhou Detachment had personally called Qin Yong to ask for help. This made Qin Yong feel exceptionally vindicated.

The person handling the specific details was Wang Changjiang and the opposing forensic expert, Li Kai—classmates from twenty years ago.

"He's always relying on having more money and better equipment to look down on our 'shabby' Haizhou Detachment. But what's the use? In our line of work, the key is technical skill!"

The logic was sound; not everyone could master a skill in ten minutes. Having technical expertise meant you would never lose out, no matter where you were. Wang Changjiang spoke with a certain air of authority, looking as if he were about to take flight.

Lu Chuan didn't have a deep understanding of this, as he hadn't had to ask anyone for a favor since he started working. However, Shen Yan clearly had a profound understanding; she nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Brother Wang, what is the specific case? Do we need to go there?"

Wang Changjiang nodded. "Last night, a set of skeletal remains was unearthed at a highway expansion construction site in Tianzhou. They need skeletal identification and analysis. Because the remains are difficult to move, we'll have to make a trip to Tianzhou."

Lu Chuan nodded. Tianzhou wasn't far; it was only about a two-hour drive.

"When do we leave?"

"Now."