Chapter 67: The Hammer Fiend Case (Part 36)

The atmosphere in the office gradually grew warm. Lei Chen began organizing the physical evidence, Wen Rou flipped through the crime scene photographs, and Li Rui discussed the case details with He Jing.

Watching this scene, Han Junshan wore a faint, gratified smile at the corners of his mouth. He knew that this team was coalescing once again, much like the Volga boatmen—no matter how fierce the winds and waves might be, they could pull together to move the vessel of justice forward.

At that moment, Wen Rou was writing vigorously in her notebook, the tip of her pen nearly puncturing the paper. He Jing casually tidied her hair, the ends of her locks brushing against Li Rui's shoulder.

The street lamps outside the window flickered on, casting mottled light and shadows against the glass, as if whispering of the story about to unfold this night.

"Professor He, do you think the killer will strike again?" Qi Wei asked.

He Jing flashed a charming smile. "You must be Qi Wei, right? You don't need to call me Professor He from now on; just call me Sister He. I'm only a few years older than you."

"Got it, Sister He," Qi Wei said with a smile.

"As for your question, I don't quite know how to answer. The killer will definitely strike again, but he won't do so in the short term." He Jing's reply was crisp and decisive.

This caught the others in the room by surprise. Lei Chen asked, "But based on our previous encounters with him, on several occasions he committed crimes in rapid succession, with less than a day between them. Why would this time..."

He Jing smiled. "Look at what time of year it is. The Spring Festival is almost upon us."

"Oh, that's right, the Spring Festival is just around the corner," Qi Wei realized suddenly.

"The killer commits his crimes in rural areas, and the characteristic of rural society is an increase in population movement during the New Year holidays. Committing crimes at this time would increase his risk of exposure," He Jing explained.

Lei Chen nodded in strong agreement. "Then what should we do next?"

He Jing thought for a moment, then turned to Han Junshan. "Director Han, given the increasing frequency of the killer's crimes, the mounting danger he poses to the public, and the increasingly severe impact on society, in order to reassure the public, we can take advantage of the approaching Spring Festival to issue a 'Propaganda Outline'. We can disclose some case information to the entire society, including the time, location, and characteristics of the crimes."

"Won't that alert the enemy prematurely?" Lei Chen hesitated.

Han Junshan frowned slightly. "I actually think this method is feasible. Rumors about the criminal are becoming increasingly bizarre in society, and almost the entire province is shrouded in an atmosphere of terror. By taking the initiative to make things public, we can tell the common people that we have grasped the key characteristics of the killer, and it can also raise everyone's awareness of self-protection."

"Furthermore, the eyes of the masses are discerning. As long as we boldly mobilize the masses and wage a people's war to encircle and annihilate the criminal, we will surely bury the murderer in the vast ocean of a people's war."

He Jing nodded in agreement. "Director Han, if feasible, we can also promise in the outline that a reward of 100,000 RMB will be given to meritorious citizens who provide crucial clues leading directly to the solution of this case."

Han Junshan stated immediately, "Approved!"

Lei Chen said, "Then I'll go make arrangements right away."

"Wait, there's no rush," Han Junshan opened an old-fashioned filing cabinet and took out a bottle of vodka and several enamel cups.

As night fell completely, the fluorescent tube in the office emitted a slight hum.

When the liquor was poured into the cups, it made a crisp, clear sound, much like the Siberian cold wind weeping past a birch forest.

"Come," he distributed the cups to everyone. "My wife brought this back from Russia not long ago, and I've been saving it."

His gaze swept over every tired face. "For justice, cheers."

As Li Rui took his cup, He Jing's fingers inadvertently brushed against the back of his hand.

Seeing this, Wen Rou downed a large gulp, choking and coughing violently. Lei Chen shook his wine glass thoughtfully, the amber liquid swirling inside.

"I remember back in university," He Jing suddenly spoke, her voice as soft as the evening breeze in the suburbs of Moscow, "Li Rui was always the last one to leave the library."

Her gaze drifted toward Wen Rou, seemingly intentional or perhaps accidental. "Back then, we all called him the 'night watchman'."

Wen Rou gripped her cup tighter, her knuckles turning white. "He's still the same now, often staying up late to review case files."

Her tone carried a deliberate intimacy. "I always remind him to take care of his health."

Sensing the gunpowder in the air, Han Junshan interjected at the right moment, "Speaking of staying up late, I remember when we were hunting down the 'Lone Wolf' in 1987, we didn't close our eyes for a full 72 hours."

He stroked the rim of his cup. "We finally caught him in an abandoned church. It was snowing heavily that day..."

Lei Chen suddenly stood up and walked over to the whiteboard. "Based on Professor He's analysis, the killer likely served hard labor in a quarry."

His finger traced the criminal psychology curve. "These *modus operandi* remind me of that case we solved last year."

As the conversation returned to the case, the atmosphere in the office grew focused and solemn.

He Jing walked over to Li Rui and handed him a document. "This is my analysis of the killer's behavioral patterns." Her perfume wafted over once more, this time a faint scent of cedarwood.

Wen Rou suddenly stood up. "I'll go brew some coffee for everyone," she said, her voice slightly strained. "Staying up late requires a pick-me-up." She glanced specifically at Li Rui. "The kind you like best, I specifically brought it."

Watching this, Han Junshan caught a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He walked to the window and looked out at the city lights in the night. "Comrades, remember, we are not just police officers; we are guardians."

His voice was low and powerful. "Like a lighthouse on the Volga, guiding lost ships safely home."

The aroma of coffee gradually filled the air, blending with the scent of vodka to create a peculiar atmosphere.

He Jing was adding new analyses to the whiteboard, while Wen Rou was intently grinding coffee beans. Li Rui stood between the two women, looking somewhat out of place.

Lei Chen chuckled suddenly. "It reminds me of when I was young," he swirled his wine glass, "back then, I always had to choose between work and romance." His gaze drifted meaningfully among the three of them.

Han Junshan raised his glass. "For justice, and for our youth." His gaze swept over everyone. "Let us use our professionalism and passion to illuminate the truth in the darkness."

As the night grew deeper, the discussions in the office became even more animated. He Jing's professional analysis, Wen Rou's meticulous observation, Li Rui's sharp intuition, and Lei Chen's seasoned experience, guided by Han Junshan, gradually coalesced into a formidable force.

At this moment, the city's neon lights twinkled outside the window, as if witnessing this extraordinary night. Everyone on the task group knew they were not just hunting a killer; they were guarding the conscience and hope of this city.