I let out a cold laugh, "If you people are capable of doing such things, then if I were the murderer..." I didn't finish. This time I demanded to see Lan Bantao's home. She hesitated, seemingly afraid, but finally couldn't withstand my fierce gaze. About 10 minutes later, I arrived at her apartment. It was not far from the provincial department. It seemed to be a decent complex. Upon going upstairs to apartment 301, I was hit by a foul stench of decay. I couldn't help but cover my nose, "Lan Bantao, are you sure this is where you live?"
"Ugh, isn't it awful? It's all that dead old man's fault. His room was always like this, and we never cleaned it!"
"Then, as a woman, couldn't you have done something about it?"
"I'm busy with work!"
I was speechless. Putting on a mask, I entered the apartment. The overall space seemed quite large, with three rooms. The outer room was clearly the biggest, and there was a very small room inside. As I walked over, I found the door slightly ajar. Pushing it open, I saw garbage scattered everywhere, looking like it hadn't been cleaned for months. Remnants of food were on the bed, and the walls were exceptionally dirty. I also noticed a guardrail by the door of that room. If someone were alone in there, it would be difficult to get out. No wonder Lan Bantao had said they confined the old man. What was the difference between this setup and a prison?
Going to the window, I found that opening it revealed a horrifying sight: a considerable amount of garbage was also dumped not far away. No wonder it smelled so bad. It wasn't a designated garbage area, but rather what residents from above had thrown down. Apparently, this was a common issue for apartments on the second or third floor, coupled with inconsiderate residents. Within months, all sorts of household waste would accumulate on those platforms. I had even heard of sanitary pads being stuck directly to the walls.
The management of this complex was also terrible. Coupled with the windows seemingly always being kept shut, it was no wonder the old man's room had become like this. I could hardly imagine how an old man lived here.
Let alone an old man, even a beggar would find this place repulsive. The murderer must have known this and felt that the victim and his wife's actions were too cruel, hence deciding to act as heaven's emissary? Considering themselves arbiters of the world? Upholding all justice?
If this was the line of reasoning, then the perpetrator would certainly believe their actions were justified.
In fact, I had started considering this possibility from the beginning. Seeing me staring at the room, Lan Bantao's expression turned extremely awkward. She stammered as if wanting to say something, but I cut her off, "No need to explain. I see clearly what you did to the old man. Perhaps the murderer came for this reason."
"Then aren't I in danger? You know, back then, I also..."
"We will have someone keep an eye on you. If you don't want trouble, Ms. Lan, please cooperate!"
Lan Bantao nodded frantically, as if any delay in her agreement would bring danger. "I understand, I will cooperate. Didn't you say there was another victim? Then protect his wife too!"
"You want to keep her company?" Lan Bantao's words made me suspect her ulterior motive.
"Wouldn't that be good? Two women together."
"That's the thing, the first victim's wife is no longer around. You don't need to worry about that!"
"Uh, I understand."
Theoretically, this was true. And if the murderer intended to harm them, seeing the two women together might incite them even more, possibly increasing the chances of apprehension. But Old Chen had been divorced for so long, the murderer probably wouldn't target his ex-wife.
I didn't answer immediately. I first took Lan Bantao back to the provincial department, then gathered everyone for a case discussion.
Earlier, I had asked Xiahou and the others to visit Old Chen's home again and find the place where the old woman used to live. I could have guessed it even without investigating; the situation was indeed the same as in Lan Bantao's home, with the elderly person treated like cargo and confined to a smelly, cramped room.
When Old Chen was still married, such situations seemingly didn't occur. I wasn't sure if it was the shock of the divorce, but regardless, it was disheartening to see a former security guard in such a state, even if he wasn't a colleague. It was even more so for those involved.
"This is what we've found. Everyone has seen the photos of the elderly from these two houses!" I analyzed on the whiteboard. Everyone looked intently. Gao Mingqiang raised his hand, "The murderer's methods in both cases were very artistic. Although no agate was found the second time, the state of the body looked like a meticulously painted oil painting. This is the latest lab result."
He must have obtained this information from Xie Chuchu. The forensic team had just arrived. As Xie Chuchu sat down, she continued, "That's right. Later, I re-examined the condition of both bodies and discovered that oil paint pigments were present on them. Perhaps the true connection lies here."
"Oh? Oil paint? What colors?" I asked.
"Primary colors. You wouldn't notice them without a close inspection, and the murderer used a dilution method to fade the colors. The pigments have completely penetrated the skin. You'll need to see the report for specifics!"
I stared at the report, but it was filled with complex professional terminology. In essence, it meant that after death, the victim was treated as a canvas by the murderer. Analyzing the outlines, I was surprised to discover a pattern.
As I looked up, I met Xie Chuchu's stern gaze. But she spoke before me, "That's right, it's a goat's skull. However, this goat doesn't look like the ones we usually see."
"Indeed not. And I remember seeing it somewhere? Isn't this the Goetia?"
"The Goetia??" Everyone looked at me in astonishment.
At that moment, I spoke like a learned scholar: "The 72 demons of the Goetia are 72 demons recorded in the first part of the occult book 'The Lesser Key of Solomon,' known as 'Ars Goetia.' Each has their own rank (King, Duke, Marquis, Earl, etc.), retinue, and seal (also known as pillar). They are said to be summonable to gain abilities, assistance, or knowledge... We investigated a vampire case before, which involved this demon!"
"I remember that, but why does the demon's goat head appear again this time?"