"I didn't, don't spout nonsense!" the girl shamelessly insisted, but when I opened the box and took out those playing cards with gold edges, her expression became extremely flustered.
"Actually, you could have just thrown the playing cards into the sea, why didn't you do that?" I asked.
"I originally intended to, but there were maritime police watching at the time..."
Knowing she had let slip, but the girl was helpless. She suddenly became furious: "I originally thought you wouldn't be able to find me, my plan was already perfect, why did it turn out like this?"
"You call this perfect? If I'm not mistaken, this was a spur-of-the-moment decision. After all, if there was a murder on a cruise ship, no one on board would be able to leave! That would be disadvantageous for you."
"No, I thought the ship would only stop and hand over to the police after reaching Gaogang City, I didn't expect it to be intercepted halfway."
"Heh heh, it seems I overestimated you. But there's one thing I don't understand, how did you evade the surveillance?"
"I didn't evade surveillance. It's just that I hid a needle in the playing card, which contained a hallucinogen. Previously, Madam Qiao had harmed my sister..."
We took the girl back to the police station. During the interrogation, the girl finally told us her name was Zhang Yi Tian, 23 years old. Like us, she once had a happy family, but all of that was ruined by Madam Qiao.
Two years ago, Zhang Yi Tian and her elder sister were admitted to Huagui University. Both of them had good grades, but one day Madam Qiao came to the school to give a lecture and talked about the recent commercial development in Fuming City. However, the sisters were not interested in these topics and dozed off in class. Madam Qiao saw this and was furious. She approached them and verbally abused them.
At that time, the students were all staring at them and secretly gossiping. This would have been nothing, but after class, Madam Qiao complained to the dean. The dean then found Zhang Yi Tian and her sister and severely reprimanded them.
Zhang Yi Tian initially thought that this matter would at most result in some minor punishment. She didn't know why, but a week later, the dean actually expelled her sister.
At that time, Zhang Yi Tian had no idea what had happened. Later, she found out that Madam Qiao was the wife of the old dean. For some unknown reason, Madam Qiao decided to target Zhang Yi Tian and her sister.
This question would probably never be answered, because Madam Qiao was already dead.
Zhang Yi Tian's elder sister was very fond of the weaving major at Huagui University, but because she was expelled, it was like a devastating blow to her. Perhaps some people don't care about degrees or opportunities, but for someone who studies diligently, it is extremely fatal.
Coupled with the scolding from her family, Zhang Yi Tian's elder sister could not bear it and committed suicide by poisoning.
After her death, Zhang Yi Tian was extremely saddened. She had been searching for Madam Qiao's whereabouts, but after that incident, Madam Qiao divorced the dean not long after and then disappeared somewhere.
It wasn't until this trip that she unexpectedly encountered Madam Qiao again on the cruise ship.
At that moment, the image of her sister's suicide kept replaying in Zhang Yi Tian's mind. It was as if she could still hear her sister's words: "Did you see? This is the enemy who drove me to my death. You help me kill her! Avenge my sister!"
At first, Zhang Yi Tian was afraid, but for some reason, she later lost control of her emotions.
She thought for a long time, then suddenly reached for the deck of cards. The deck of cards was a birthday gift her sister had given her.
She never imagined that she would actually use playing cards to kill someone. During the process, it felt as if her sister was pushing her from behind, and her entire nervous system was in a semi-conscious state.
Although Zhang Yi Tian's account was somewhat fantastical, the facts proved that she herself was the one who killed Madam Qiao.
After obtaining her DNA, we compared it with the DNA on the playing cards and the bloodstains, identifying them as Madam Qiao's, thus closing the chain of evidence.
The myth of solving the case within five hours instantly reached Director Zhang's ears. He had wanted to meet us for some time.
Director Zhang was a burly middle-aged man who liked to wear a grey overcoat. His hair was uniquely curled, and his face was full of wrinkles but not old, rather adding a unique masculine charm. He had a Zhonghua cigarette tucked behind his ear, wore leather pants, and a pair of polished and shiny leather shoes to match.
He stood straight in our criminal investigation team's office. Everyone was there, and now they were all waiting for me.
As I walked in, Director Zhang's gaze immediately fell on me: "Consultant He, over here!"
He seemed to have arrived earlier and had intentionally waited for me here.
Seeing me arrive, Liu Yuning kept winking at me, but I ignored her and spoke directly, "Director Zhang, long time no see!"
"Yes, it's probably been 5 years since we last met. I heard you've solved quite a few cases recently. The case in the Silent Tourist Area was solved by you, right?"
"It's nothing much. This is everyone's contribution. Director Zhang, what is the purpose of your visit this time?"
"I want to officially announce something to you. I am going to establish a team here, named the Sin Punishers!"
Seeing me and Director Zhang conversing like old friends, Liu Yuning and the others were all astonished. They had no idea that I knew Director Zhang, let alone that we were on such good terms.
"Sin Punishers? It sounds good, but why establish such a team?" He Xin asked curiously.
"It's naturally because of your strong work capabilities, so I want to concentrate your strength and establish an unprecedented case-solving team. When we encounter suitable candidates, you can let them join at any time. Now, I will announce some information about the team."
"First, the team leader is He Sheng, and the deputy leader is Liu Yuning. Do you two have any objections to this?" Director Zhang looked at us.
"Why is he the leader?" Liu Yuning immediately felt indignant.
"I don't need to say more about the cases these past few times, Captain Liu. Don't you have a clear idea in your mind?" Director Zhang said bluntly to her.
Liu Yuning felt embarrassed, knowing that her abilities were inferior to mine, and she didn't dare to retort.
"Then it's settled. The other members of the team are Gao Mingqiang, Xiao Yuande, Xia Hou Tengfei, He Xin, Xie Chuchu, and Yuan Hezhe."
Upon hearing that he was also included, Yuan Hezhe was extremely excited: "Director Zhang, I only joined not long ago, is that okay?"
"Yes, with He Xin guiding you, I can rest assured!"
"Thank you, Director Zhang, I will definitely work hard!"
"I have high hopes for you. Everyone, come with me to a place now!"
As Director Zhang spoke, we were all quite curious, not knowing where he was taking us. He turned and walked away, his long, slender, and straight legs carrying him out of the criminal investigation team's office with ease.