Chapter 207 - Cognitive Trap
Chapter 207: Cognitive Trap
Mo Li was not affected by Headmaster Shen’s provocation. She continued, “Before we move onto the murderer’s identity, we need to solve 3 questions. Question 1, how did Qiao Qing get poisoned? Question 2 is something I have not brought up, what are the paper of numerals I found inside Zhang Ling as well as the trace of burnt paper beside Wei Lan’s body? Question 3, why are there human ashes in the uncle’s milk teas and are the milk teas really poisonous?”
Xiao Rui looked at Mo Li with amusement, he wanted to know the answers too.
“We’ll start with the easiest. How was the poison administered. The information is all there so I won’t go into details. I’m sure everyone already knows.”
“Actually… I don’t…” “Erm… Me too. Can Miss Mo please explain?” Kang Zhi and Si Lin shared a look. Nowadays, even coroner’s assistant could solve cases. Their jobs were no longer secure.
“The 3 victims didn’t know each other, we’ve been trying to figure out the connection between them and why did the killer chose them. But perhaps the killer didn’t choose them, the murder target could be totally random. The killer has utilized 2 components in the murder, they are respectively the henna tattoo and poisonous straws.”
“Straw?” “What components?” Kang Zhi and Si Lin had not thought of these at all. Why was the case suddenly related to straws?
“I’ve checked and the straws used by uncle’s stall have 2 different ends. The sharper end is used to poke through the plastic covers so the other end is for the mouth. This makes things easier for the killer because they only need to apply the poison on the rounded end.”
The uncle asked, “But all of my straws are placed inside individual paper wrappers. I will not give the students any used straws.”
Mo Li answered, “Because the killer sealed the paper wrappers back up after applying the poison. It’s quite simple, you only need a heat gun.”
Xiao Rui frowned and added, “That way, we wouldn’t have found anything in the milk tea itself, and no one would have thought to check the straw.”
Si Lin tapped her head. “Captain, you’re right. Due to the emergency of the moment, I only handed the milk tea to the analyst. They didn’t think to check the straw either.”
“But this is such a complicated method. Why would the killer go through so much just to kill someone?” Xiao Rui still had trouble believing Mo Li.
“This is why you need to open your mind and stop being stuck in your fixed method of thinking.” Mo Li said matter-of-factly, “The killer did this to ensure their alibi. Plus this will ensure that they will not come into direct contact with the victims. We won’t track the trail back to them so easily.”
Lin Jing who had been silent suddenly burst out laughing. She glanced condescendingly at Mo Li. “I have no idea why we have to stay here to play detective with you but you’ve gotten one thing wrong. You said it yourself, the victims have paper notes in their stomach. If the poisoning is random, how can the killer be sure who would be poisoned and fed them the notes before they died?”
Lin Jing’s eyes were sharp. Even in the wheelchair, she glared unflinchingly at Mo Li.
“Erm… Maybe the killer fed the paper notes after the victims dropped dead?” The uncle offered.
Bao Si Lin countered, “That’s impossible… Based on the report, the note in Zhang Ling’s stomach has been fully corroded. She must have ingested it when she was still alive, which meant that she ate the note before she was poisoned.”
“Sister Lin, how can you help the outsiders?” Kang Zhi whispered but honestly he also thought Lin Jing had a point.
“Hmph, you might be a star, you can’t be pointing fingers at us as you wish! We’re here to give face to the police, we’re not here to waste time with you!”
After hearing that, Headmaster Shen scolded softly, “Jing Jing, watch your tone.” However, it was clear that she sided with her daughter, she didn’t think much of Mo Li either.
“I ask you to cooperate with our investigation. Miss Mo Li is an outstanding coroner. I’m sure she’ll give us an explanation.” Xiao Rui didn’t intend to say anything at first but based on his years of experience, after Lin Jing opened her mouth, he felt something was amiss.
“How to ensure that the specific victims would ingest the paper note? That is simply impossible.” Mo Li sounded like she just admitted defeat.
Xiao Rui looked at her with disbelief. I’ve just come to your rescue and you’re doing this to me? Are you doing this on purpose.
“But, why would you think that people who are fed the paper note equal to the victims? That’s a cognitive trap.”