Xiahou Shi was usually very proactive and confident, but for some reason, he seemed a bit dejected and hesitant this time. I could only pat his shoulder and say, "Don't worry too much. Things will work out. Kelly has done so many bad things, even heaven won't forgive her."
"I hope so!" As we were talking, we heard two sets of footsteps outside. I knew it was Liu Yuning and Lily Ke returning. When they entered, I saw that Lily Ke's complexion had improved greatly, likely because she had eaten enough. But as soon as she came in, Liu Yuning told us, "This little one seems to know some secrets about Kelly. She said there's a notebook on the balcony."
"Oh? It seems helping her was somewhat useful!" Xiahou Shi, whether excited or not, actually said something like that. I asked Lily Ke to come with us immediately to find it, but she shook her head and said, "My mother only allows me to give these things to a police brother. You two look too old!"
"What?"
Did Xiahou Shi and I look that old? We were only in our thirties. It seemed we needed to find a younger policeman. Dealing with children could sometimes be simple, but also troublesome, because children's thoughts are very pure. You can't reason with them; you can only follow their train of thought.
So, we called Captain Guo over. Although he was a police captain, he was only 25 years old.
In Guangming City, he was already an outstanding individual. When he knew what we had found, he came to assist us in communicating with the little girl.
Indeed, upon seeing him, Lily Ke's eyes lit up as if she had found hope: "This is the police brother I was looking for."
She quickly tapped a spot on a wall, and after brushing away some mud and sand, we discovered a notebook. As we held it, we saw a string of strange numbers and some equations.
Well, we figured we'd have to go back and decipher them. However, Lily Ke had said that this was her and her mother's secret, and perhaps these were Kelly's design blueprints for the ichthyosis medication.
We went to the Health Bureau, and with the help of some experts, these items were quickly deciphered. They were indeed related to ichthyosis, and the numbers represented a pattern of cyclical evolution that only someone in the know could understand. Liu Yuning and I felt like we were looking at a book with no words; we couldn't make out anything.
Even though my forensic science skills were good, this was a situation I had never encountered before. This was in the realm of high-end biology, vastly different from dissecting corpses.
Later, we arranged for the child to be placed in a welfare institution. It was the only option we had, as Kelly was likely not returning, and her father was unknown. Where else could she go but a welfare institution?
After all, I had no intention of adopting her myself, and besides, she was Kelly's daughter.
With the evidence in hand, we proceeded to the courthouse. Upon arrival, I saw the prosecutor submitting the evidence we had collected to the judge. This time, even the cunning and treacherous Lawyer Lei was helpless. No matter how much money Kelly gave him, the situation was irreversible.
Faced with irrefutable evidence, all procedures, methods, and defenses seemed pale and powerless. After the judge and jury had carefully reviewed the documents, the prosecutor said, "Your Honor, I believe everyone understands now. This is all evidence of the crimes committed by the defendant, Kelly. Such compelling evidence is more important than anything else. According to the regulations, with such a trial, I don't need to say more; Your Honor will naturally know how to handle it."
"Rest assured, we have understood the situation. Now, we will pronounce the sentence..."
Kelly was ultimately sentenced to death. When she heard the verdict, her expression was calm, as if she had expected it. As the bailiffs led her away, I requested to see her.
If Director Zhang hadn't intervened, I probably wouldn't have been able to meet Kelly so easily. In a very small room, two bailiffs stood guard, with several more outside. I stared intently at Kelly: "I believe you hired Lawyer Lei not for a last-ditch effort, but to stall for time, didn't you? By today, ichthyosis has spread. Even in your final moments in prison, you can see the harm they are causing, and you are very pleased, feeling like the ultimate winner?"
"Indeed, nothing escapes the eyes of Detective He. That's right, I never expected to win this lawsuit. Even if I did, I would still be investigated. Now, after such a long delay, it's enough. Can you still control ichthyosis?"
"Kelly, your outcome is unchangeable, but if you reveal the formula for the antidote now, you could save many lives. It's already this late, why are you still so stubborn? Do you enjoy watching people die so much? We're not talking about one or two lives; we're talking about tens of thousands of lives!"
"Don't preach to me with such righteous words. We are criminals. We like to commit crimes, we like evil, we like killing, we like harming people. Seeing so many people suffer is what gives us pleasure. How could I possibly reveal the formula for the antidote!"
"So, there actually is an antidote!"
I had only said that to trick her into revealing something, and I didn't expect her to actually confirm it.
"I don't know what you're talking about. There is no antidote. Don't try to trick me. Detective He, this trick works on ordinary criminals, but it won't work on me!"
"Haha, didn't you just say it? Don't you know there are recording pens in this world? Do you want me to play it for you!"
"Hmph, so what? Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you. What can you do to me?" Kelly looked at me triumphantly, her eyebrows raised, her lips curling slightly, her disdain evident.
This was the first time I had encountered a criminal so shameless in such a situation. She intended to conceal this earth-shattering secret until her death, letting the people of Guangming City slowly be tormented by ichthyosis, and then fall into an inescapable abyss?
What was her heart made of? I felt this wicked woman was more venomous than a snake and scorpion, her mind filled with criminal intent, her entire heart as black as ink.
I slammed my fist on the table and roared, "Kelly, tell me quickly, what is the formula for the antidote?"
"Officer He, what are you doing? Trying to hit me? Then you'll have to prepare to take off your uniform. Oh, I forgot, you were a forensic examiner. I wonder how you became the leader of this Sin-Punishing Team? Isn't this a promotion beyond your rank?"
"Who told you a forensic examiner can't become a team leader? It's about analyzing specific problems. This world looks at ability, you know? Status, position, and rank all change because of your abilities. Don't change the subject. What is the antidote?"
"I certainly understand these principles, Detective He. I admire you. Starting from the bottom, you now have power and influence. If it weren't for you this time, I might have been able to conduct more interesting experiments. I, this great scientist, have been defeated by a genius detective like you!"
"Stop the nonsense! Tell me quickly! The antidote!" I yanked Kelly's collar hard. The bailiffs behind us became alert simultaneously, stepping forward and grabbing my arms, pressing down on them: "Officer He, don't get excited, calm down, you must calm down!"
"Leave me alone! Even if I cripple this woman today, I will get the antidote formula!"
"Antidote, antidote! Why do you keep harping on this topic!!" Kelly glared at me contemptuously. Her veins bulged with agitation, her face full of anger, and her cold eyes seemed capable of killing all living things!
"Because this thing is your masterpiece, you couldn't possibly not have made an antidote! Because you were afraid of being infected yourself one day! Am I wrong?"
"Heh, that's right, Detective He, you've even figured that out. But it's no use. I'll say it again, I won't tell you!"
At that moment, I truly wanted to break free from the two bailiffs and beat this woman to death on the ground. However, reason still prevailed, and I merely pushed them away and slapped Kelly hard!
Her face swelled from the blow, but Kelly didn't cover it. Instead, she spat on the ground and cursed, "Detective He, even if you kill me, I won't tell you! Hahaha! Let this secret rot with me forever! I will make this secret a nightmare in your dreams, making you feel immensely guilty for this matter your entire life, preventing you from continuing in criminal investigation. Soon, you will be forgotten by this world!"
"You!!"
I didn't strike again, but simply pushed her back into her seat. I raised my finger in the air: "You will be executed soon, Kelly!"
"I know. I hope that before I die, I can see the terrified and helpless expressions of you fools. Let me tell you, I love this look of yours the most. I enjoy this feeling. Let me see it one last time before I die, Hahahahaha!!"
I rushed out of the room immediately, as I was genuinely afraid that if Kelly continued to provoke me, I would lose control and slam her against the wall and beat her to death. This woman was deliberately trying to provoke me, hoping I would retaliate. If I had done so, I would likely have been suspended, and then the ichthyosis issue would be even harder to resolve.
Despite failing to get the antidote information, I wouldn't be so foolish as to fall into her trap.
Returning to the provincial department, I found my mood was not good. He Xin seemed to read my mind: "You went to see Kelly again?"