C9 The Characteristics of the Murderer

Lee Yi skeptically eyed the tracks on the ground and asked, "Miss, do you suspect this murder was committed by passing travelers?"

Tang Wan'er crouched down to examine a shallower wheel track and shook her head. "Zhongshan County is just a small place. Most travelers passing through would stop here for a rest, not choose it as a spot to dump a body."

"Then who could it be?" Tang Zhong was exhausted. Just moments ago, three officers reported back with no findings of any riverbanks or hidden caves with the distinctive ferns they were searching for.

"Hmm? This wheel track..." Lee Yi pointed at a track on the ground, hesitating.

Tang Zhong leaned in, inspecting it closely. "What is it?"

"Do you think there's something odd about this track?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels strange."

Tang Wan'er smiled approvingly. "I didn't expect you to be so perceptive."

Lee Yi bowed slightly in thanks. "You're too kind. Please, enlighten me."

"Look at the tracks around it," Tang Wan'er pointed to the deeper wheel tracks nearby. With just a hint, Lee Yi realized, "Ah, the tracks on this trade route are deep, except for this one, which is shallow."

"And what does that mean?" Tang Zhong asked, unconvinced, not seeing the issue.

"The depth of the tracks relates to the weight of the cargo. Those deep tracks are from heavy wagons, while the shallow ones? They're from lighter loads," Tang Wan'er explained with a wink. Tang Zhong slapped his forehead as it dawned on him, "Oh..."

Turning serious again, he said, "But so what?"

This time, Wan'er was completely speechless. "The tire tracks show the vehicle wasn't carrying any cargo. If you add the victim's weight to that of a six-foot man, it roughly matches the depth of these tracks. Plus, there are four distinct deeper points, indicating the vehicle stayed here for a while. It's very likely these are the tracks of the cart used to transport the body."

Lee Yi caught up and added, "The killer is local."

"Exactly, and he owns an ox cart. The ox's right hind leg has a limp," Wan'er had barely finished speaking when Tang Zhong shouted to the workers still handling the body, "You, and you, after you're done at the morgue, go find that limping ox."

"And list everyone who's used an ox cart in the past few days. The killer should be among them."

"You heard that? Hurry up, get moving, quick, quick, quick!" Tang Zhong urged them on, then turned to Wan'er with a proud smile. "Daughter, didn't I handle this well?"

Wan'er smiled slightly. "Father, your actions are always swift and flawless."

Tang Zhong couldn't suppress his grin, and Wan'er seized the moment to say, "Father, since there's nothing else, I'll go help find the initial crime scene."

Just as Wan'er was about to slip away, Tang Zhong called out, "Wait! You plan to go alone? Where's Xiaocui?"

"Mr. Xu got injured, so I sent her home to visit her family."

"What? Xiaocui isn't around, and you still dare to wander off? Get back home immediately."

Tang Wan'er glared, displeased, and questioned, "What, don't you trust me, Father?"

Tang Zhong felt uneasy under his daughter's sharp gaze and reluctantly shook his head, "Sweetheart, please don't be reckless. What if the culprit is still out there? How am I supposed to face your late mother if something happens to you?"

"Fine, then I'll go to the memorial and tell Mom how you don't trust me or treat me like your own daughter." With anger, Tang Wan'er turned on her heel and headed straight toward the courthouse.