As Li Qiao had anticipated, after an extensive search, they finally heard news about the victim at a guesthouse.
According to the clerk's description, a woman closely matching the victim in height, build, and attire, carrying a woven bag and presenting a letter of introduction, had registered for a room. Her name was Niu Yanyan, from Niujia Gully in the Bear Township of Shuhe County, South Province.
She was 37 years old.
A man came to her room on the night she checked in.
The man did not register himself.
The next night, the clerk saw the man leave.
He was carrying the woman's woven bag and never returned.
They assumed the woman had left with the man early on.
Colleagues inspected the room where the woman had stayed, and although it had been cleaned many times, they still found traces of blood in the pillow core.
Everyone was almost convinced.
This was the scene of the first crime.
