hip militia. If they didn't hold a significant position, it often wasn't recorded in official files," Lao Chen explained.
"Regardless, try to get as much detail as possible. This is very important," I said seriously. This request was partly for the case, but also for personal reasons.
I believed that finding one of these men could reveal information about my father's past, possibly shedding light on his murder. I always suspected my father had enemies. His murder was designed to disgrace him, suggesting a deep vendetta. Knowing Lao Wang's connection strengthened my suspicions.
"Xiao Lin, do you know this person?" Lao Chen pointed to my father, looking at me curiously.
"Uncle Chen, this is my father," I admitted honestly.
Having been a seasoned detective for over twenty years, Lao Chen had sharp observation skills. From my recognition of Lao Wang, I knew I couldn't hide the truth from him. Plus, my resemblance to my father was strong.
"It really is your father." Lao Chen seemed surprised. "I just thought you looked a bit like him. But how..."
"My father was murdered when I was a child. I became a police officer to investigate his unsolved case," I explained.
"How's the investigation going?" Lao Chen asked with concern.
"I haven't found any clues yet," I said, shaking my head with a bitter smile.
Although I had collected information about my father's case from Zhao Mingzhu's computer, it was all very official and not helpful. It was no wonder the case had been shelved. Even Sherlock Holmes would have struggled with such scant evidence.
"So this photo is your only lead?" Lao Chen asked.
"Yes."
"Take it with you. I'll make a copy for the records later," Lao Chen said, patting my shoulder. "Come to me if you need anything. Liu respected you, so I will help you too."
"Thank you, Uncle Chen," I said, touched by his words. My guilt over Liu Zhiqiang's death deepened. I resolved to visit Liu's daughter soon.
Just then, the sound of screeching brakes echoed from the street below.
Lao Chen looked out the window and turned to me, "Xiao Lin, you better hide upstairs. That Wu from your cold case team is here. He'll probably give you a hard time."
"Okay," I nodded and left Lao Wang's apartment. My current status made it inappropriate for me to be at the crime scene, and I didn't want to face Wu.
I hurried upstairs, thinking it would be fine as long as he didn't see me.
Reaching the fifth floor, I heard Wu Guozhi and his team storm into Lao Wang's apartment.
The first thing I heard was Wu shouting, "Where's Lin Mingjun?"
"How should I know? He's your team member. Why ask me?" Lao Chen snapped back. Their earlier encounter had clearly left a bad taste, and Lao Chen showed no respect.
"Chen, take him to the hospital for immediate isolation," Wu ordered.
"What do you mean?" Lao Chen yelled. "What right do you have to detain me?"
"I'm not detaining you; I'm saving you!" Wu shouted back. "Do you know that Lin Mingjun is infected with a virus similar to Ebola? You've been in close contact with him, so you must be infected too."
"You're full of it! You're the one infected with Ebola!" Lao Chen exploded. He had a fiery temper, no wonder he was still only a squad leader after twenty years.
"Take him away," Wu ordered loudly again.
"You son of a bitch! What authority do you have?" Lao Chen protested as he was taken away.
Then I heard Wu shout, "Lock down the complex and find Lin Mingjun. He's hiding upstairs. He carries a highly contagious virus. Be careful, and stay clear if you're not in protective gear!"
Wu had clearly come prepared, not to arrest Lao Wang but to capture me. He must have been tricked by Li Dapeng, otherwise, he wouldn't have come so quickly.
But with my worsening throat and nowhere to run, I stepped out willingly.
Both Lao Chen and I were handcuffed and taken to the hospital, each placed in an isolation ward.
Besides Lao Chen, the other rooms were occupied by Ge Lao, Zhang Yihan, Zhao Mingzhu, Jin Zhijian, Li Xia, and Li Dapeng.
Our teams, the fifth and fourth squads, had sent eight people down. Seven were infected with an unknown virus, one was missing, presumed dead. We were effectively wiped out, setting a grim precedent for our investigative unit.
Despite thorough preparations, a large team of doctors examined me and found nothing wrong. From their discussions, I gathered that the virus found in Ge Lao, Jin Zhijian, and Zhang Yihan wasn't present in me. Even Zhao Mingzhu and Jin Zhijian's subordinates tested positive for the virus, yet I, despite being bitten by Ge Lao, had no infection.
I thought this meant I could leave, but Wu Guozhi insisted no one could leave the isolation ward, stationing guards outside.
Not satisfied with this, he also ordered the quarantine of everyone who had close contact with Lao Chen and me.
Let him do whatever he wants.
Though confined, I still learned about the events outside.
First, the special police team sent in the morning had searched the mountains all day, finding no living souls.
Second, specialized equipment from the capital arrived to test for Ebola, aiming to determine if we were infected with a mutated strain.
Third, Liu Zhiqiang's body remained missing in the deep swamp.
Throughout the afternoon, many provincial leaders visited, but none dared enter our temporary isolation zone.
Exhausted, I took the opportunity to sleep early.
However, I was jolted awake by a loud shout, "Li Dapeng has escaped! Stop him! Be careful, he bites!"
"Damn you, Wu Guozhi! I told you to send him to the detention center!" I cursed inwardly, jumping out of bed and rushing outside.