"Look at you, just look at yourself! Always causing trouble for me!" Director Evans glared angrily at Ryan Foster with a look of utter exasperation, then turned to Logan Clark, forcing himself to use a more restrained tone: "Everyone has emergencies at home, but don't leave early next time, okay? You need to submit a leave slip—do you understand your mistake?"

Logan Clark replied meekly, "I understand."

Before Ryan Foster could open his mouth, Director Evans cut him off with a decisive shout: "Enough! He already said he knows he was wrong!"

"………………"

Director Evans shooed the two of them away like chickens: "Don't start lecturing me with your criminal investigation squad's theory that not working overtime is the same as not working at all. The Caiying District police station just reported a suspected vicious homicide. The details have already been sent to your team's number two, Brian Hughes. Now shut up and get out there to handle the case!"

Although Director Evans was usually an easygoing and approachable old man, when he was truly angered, he could shout with the best of them.

Caiying District was at the far edge of the Nancheng sub-bureau's jurisdiction, covering a large area of urban-rural fringe, and had always been one of the regions with poorer public security. Their police station chief, Old Baker, was an old comrade of Director Evans from their days sent down to the countryside. In Director Evans's view, even if Old Baker hadn't achieved much, he'd certainly worked hard over the years. He had hoped Old Baker could finish his last year in peace and maybe even get a promotion with a final push; but if a vicious homicide really occurred, not only would his old comrade's career be over, even a decent retirement would be in jeopardy.

"Vicious," Ryan Foster muttered, quickly flipping through the complainant's statement, frowning. "That can't be right. Only one suspected victim's body was found—a female, preliminarily estimated to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. Reportedly, time of death was about a day and a half ago. No signs of robbery, rape, or any factors likely to cause widespread public concern... Even though she's a minor, why is it considered a vicious case if the number of deaths is less than three?"

As the elevator descended floor by floor, Director Evans said in a low voice, "Because the person who reported it claims to have witnessed the murder firsthand."

Ryan Foster's brow twitched.

"He said he saw the killer was a corpse that crawled out of the river."

The elevator stopped, and the doors slowly opened. Director Evans patted Ryan Foster on the shoulder. "You may be a bit of a theory-head, but you really are the best at solving cases. Your Uncle Morgan has made a military pledge to the city committee to solve this case within a week. Whether our Nancheng district can save face depends on you."

"Uncle Morgan" was none other than the Deputy Mayor of Jinhai City and Chief of Public Security, badge number 001, the big boss Paul Morgan.

Ryan Foster grunted, lifted his foot, and walked out of the elevator, when suddenly Director Evans called out from behind: "—Hey, wait!"

Ryan Foster turned around.

"I know you're capable and look down on those who pull strings, but this Logan Clark hasn't used his city committee connections to cause trouble in the team. He's just here to work and collect a paycheck, and he's always been polite and tolerant with you. Why do you have to drive him away right away?"

Polite... tolerant...

Director Evans probably saw the look on Ryan Foster's face and quickly added, "Even if you want to get rid of him, there's no need to rush—just think of it as doing your Uncle Morgan a favor for the sake of appearances at the city committee, don't you think?"

Director Evans waited expectantly for a long moment before Ryan Foster finally spat out a few words: "I got it."

He turned and walked out, but before he could get far, Director Evans called out again: "Hey!"

"?"

The elevator doors were about to close. Director Evans stood inside, hesitating, but finally couldn't hold back at the last second before the elevator ascended:

"Wipe your crotch!"

Ryan Foster: "......"

The elevator closed with a ding, rising upward in an indescribably awkward atmosphere.

"Mr. Brooks isn't a bad person, you know? It's just that his temper is a bit—"

Logan Clark replied honestly, "I know, Mr. Hughes."

In front of the Criminal Investigation Squad building, Brian Hughes stood by the police car, lighting a cigarette, then pulled out another and handed it to Logan Clark, lighting it for him with genuine concern. "—Yeah, as long as you know. Actually, Mr. Brooks's personality has a lot to do with his family history. His situation is pretty complicated, and people don't like to talk about it. You're new, so it's understandable you don't know. In the future, if there's a chance... Hey, Foster's Team!"

Brian Hughes turned around to see Ryan Foster striding down the building steps, frowning. "What are you two chatting about? The crime scene is near Xiaogang Village, Silihe, Caiying District. The local police station's forensic doctor is already on the way. Brian Hughes, go notify the tech team and get Old Martinez to send a few people for the scene investigation. Let's move!"

Brian Hughes hurried off in quick little steps, and a dozen or so people on the open ground responded in unison, splitting up into several vehicles.

Logan Clark leaned against the black door of the police SUV, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette. The hem of his white T-shirt was casually tucked into his police pants, and he wore a pair of dusty combat boots. Ryan Foster suddenly stopped in front of him, looked him up and down, and asked, "Are you okay?"

Logan Clark lowered his head and replied, "I'm fine, thank you, Captain."

He had returned to that same old state—putting it nicely, calm and unruffled; putting it bluntly, half-dead and indifferent. His messy black hair hung down, as if he couldn't even be bothered to lift his eyelids.