After Lin Chen said this to Deputy Director Sun, Fang Xinzhou, captain of the Serious Crime Unit, immediately said, "You want to interrogate Liu Xiaojing? There's no need. We've investigated and interrogated everyone related to this case. I can show you the records."
Zhang Tian'ai went to get the records, but Lin Chen waved her off.
"Their records are useless. I want to interrogate her myself. Enough nonsense—bring her here quickly."
Fang Xinzhou clenched his teeth, his eyes full of strong dissatisfaction. If Deputy Director Sun had not been present and protecting Lin Chen, Fang Xinzhou would have reprimanded him for his rude attitude.
Deputy Director Sun's face turned serious as he said to Fang Xinzhou, "Xiao Fang, do whatever Mr. Lin says. Don't question him, understood?"
Fang Xinzhou, though displeased, saluted and acknowledged.
Soon, Fang Xinzhou left Room 311 and shortly returned with the informant Liu Xiaojing, escorted from a classroom.
Lin Chen's gaze fell on Liu Xiaojing.
She was a girl in her early twenties, with somewhat messy long hair. Her appearance was average, and her complexion pale from the impact of the Dismemberment Case.
As Liu Xiaojing entered the dorm, she looked scared and nervous, her eyes filled with terror.
"That's the informant Liu Xiaojing, the roommates of the two victims," Zhang Tian'ai said, pointing her out to Lin Chen.
"I want to ask you some questions about this case," Lin Chen said, arms crossed, calmly scanning Liu Xiaojing.
Under the gaze of many detectives, Liu Xiaojing appeared restrained. Her voice trembled, "This place… it's so scary. Can we talk outside?"
"It's okay. We're all here in brdaylight. Don't be afraid," Zhang Tian'ai said sympathetically, stepping forward and gently patting Liu Xiaojing's back.
After being comforted, Liu Xiaojing calmed down somewhat.
"Liu Xiaojing, did you have a good relationship with the two victims?" Lin Chen asked.
Liu Xiaojing looked at Lin Chen and shrugged slightly. "Yes, we were classmates. They treated me well, always sharing late-night snacks with me. Sometimes when they were lazy, I washed their underwear. We were close."
"Have you ever had conflicts or quarrels with them?" Lin Chen continued.
"No," Liu Xiaojing shrugged again. "We got along well. Even if we had quarrels, they were minor and resolved in a day."
Lin Chen nodded. "On the night of the crime, you were dining out with some people. After dinner, which route did you take back to the dorm? Did anyone see you? Did you talk to anyone on the way back?"
"On February 18, it was a friend's birthday from my department. Her boyfriend d a dinner at a restaurant near campus. We started eating around seven."
"By nine, I had drunk quite a bit and left the restaurant to walk back to the dorm. My head was fuzzy. I saw some people on the way but couldn't make out their faces."
"I arrived around nine-thirty. I was afraid to wake them, so I entered quietly and went straight to bed."
As Liu Xiaojing spoke, her body trembled. "I really didn't expect the killer to be inside the dorm, so close to me. Just thinking about it scares me..."
Lin Chen asked, "Why did you return alone after dinner? Didn't anyone come back with you?"
"My friend's boyfriend invited us to karaoke after dinner, but I don't like singing, so I came back alone," Liu Xiaojing answered.
Zhang Tian'ai placed a hand on Liu Xiaojing's shoulder and said to Lin Chen, "Mr. Lin, the forensic doctor estimates the victims died between 8 and 9 p.m. on the 18th."
"The murder and dismemberment happened while Liu Xiaojing was eating and returning, so she has an alibi and no time to commit the crime."
"Officer Lin," Liu Xiaojing said to Lin Chen, "I was close to them. Why would I hurt them?"
Lin Chen smiled at her. "I'm not a police officer. You can just call me Mr. Lin or Lin Chen. Based on the timeline, you indeed had no time or motive to commit the crime. You are not the culprit."
"Hmph, I already said there are records. Waste of time," Fang Xinzhou said, folding his arms with dissatisfaction. He thought Lin Chen's re-interrogation of Liu Xiaojing was pointless.
The other veteran detectives shared Fang Xinzhou's expressions and felt Lin Chen was being unnecessary.
Lin Chen ignored them and asked Liu Xiaojing a few more questions before smiling, "Alright, sorry to disturb your class. You can go now."
Liu Xiaojing nodded and left the dorm.
After she left, an older detective glanced at Lin Chen and said, "We've interrogated Liu Xiaojing many times. She's not a suspect."
"Mr. Lin, what do you think?" Deputy Director Sun asked, wanting to hear Lin Chen's opinion.
Lin Chen's expression was calm as he said, "You're wrong. Liu Xiaojing is very suspicious."
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