The Brain Science Case 24

Chapter 24: The Schizophrenic Executioner – 13 (End)

The outcome of the case was almost decided by that one phone call from Jinglin.

Although Tang Yingli’s knowledge of toxicology was rudimentary, she was still able to accurately identify the symptoms of belladonna poisoning. With a forensic autopsy and Ge Ruxuan’s testimony, it would be enough to indict Dai Yicheng on charges of murder.

But they had taken a more cautious approach. ‘Wait, if that’s the case… she saw the little girl, right?’

Jinglin recalled Ge Ruxuan’s testimony. “Right.”

‘That’s not good.’

“Huh?”

‘Since she’s a hospital staff member, she should have easy access to common drugs… And before the investigation results are out, it will be difficult for us to arrest her. I’m worried she’ll go after the little girl.’

Jinglin glanced at Ge Ruxuan, who was sitting in a daze, and gritted her teeth. “I won’t let her have the chance.”

‘I know. But just in case, we need to think of a way to protect her… maybe we can even use it as a trap to catch her in the act.’

Jinglin thought she had misheard. “You want to use Ruxuan as bait?”

‘It’s just a precaution. And for Ruxuan, arresting the culprit is the only way to solve the problem for good.’ Tang Yingli’s attitude was extremely serious. ‘I’m on my way from the office now. You get her to quietly return to her room… we’ll discuss the details when I get there.’

As for the final result, it could only be said that the suspect’s actions were completely within Tang Yingli’s expectations.

In the subsequent interrogation, Dai Yicheng confessed to everything. In addition to using belladonna berries to murder Gao Shengmei, she also admitted to using a large dose of nifedipine to cause Wei Longtai to fall to his death, and to mixing a high dose of digitalis into Dai Chunling’s hot soup. The medical examiner also found traces of the aforementioned poisons and drugs in all three bodies.

As for the drug in the syringe, it was ketamine, which is usually used to anesthetize patients. An overdose can cause death by asphyxiation. She had originally intended for Ge Ruxuan to never wake up, but instead, she had brought about her own early legal retribution.

The suspect in this case was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

**

On the night of the incident, after the commotion caused by the arrest of the suspect, the important task of accompanying and comforting Ge Ruxuan fell to Tang Yingli.

After all, Zhou Jinglin had her own mother, Li Yuejiao, to take care of, and the knot between mother and daughter had only just been untied.

The next day, when Mrs. Ge arrived at the hospital, Tang Yingli took the initiative to explain what had happened. In addition to comforting her daughter, Mrs. Ge had nothing but endless thanks for her.

“Don’t say that. The person who took Ruxuan’s testimony seriously wasn’t me.”

“Huh?”

“It was Officer Zhou.” Tang Yingli gave all the credit to her. “If Officer Zhou hadn’t maintained such close contact with you, the killer probably would have gotten away this time, and Ruxuan would have been in great danger. If you want to thank someone, thank her.”

Jinglin, who was standing nearby, heard everything, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

“Big Sister,” Ge Ruxuan reached out her hand, and Tang Yingli gently took it. “Thank you for staying with me last night… I’m not scared anymore.”

“I can tell. You slept so soundly, grinding your teeth and snoring so loudly.” She teased with a smile, gently pinching Ge Ruxuan’s cheek. “And how many times have I told you? You have to call me Auntie.”

The two of them said goodbye to the mother and daughter. Tang Yingli walked ahead, and Jinglin looked at her back, unable to help but think of Tao Qianya’s assessment of her.

‘She’s an eagle.’

“…A proud and sharp, yet beautiful and elegant eagle.”

“Hm?” Tang Yingli turned at her words. “Who were you talking about just now?”

“It’s nothing.” She shrugged, and the two of them walked side by side. “Um… Teacher.”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry.” Seeing her questioning look, Jinglin still lowered her head formally. “It was my fault. I said such awful things about you before… During this time, you must have been very concerned about Ruxuan too, right, Teacher?”

“It was alright, compared to you.” Tang Yingli’s lips curved. “I take back what I said before. Caring about the victims’ families can solve cases too.”

Jinglin paused, then let out a small laugh. “Right?”

“Also, it was my way of expressing it that was wrong.” With her hands in her pockets, Tang Yingli’s gaze was a little distant. “The reason I brought it up before was because I observed that you are particularly sensitive to certain topics, and you have a tendency to get angry easily… Has anyone ever told you that you have particularly big mood swings?”

She paused. “Someone has. And since you’re saying it too, Teacher, I guess… I still need to work on my emotional control.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Tang Yingli stopped her, and their eyes met. “It’s very likely because your brain lacks the response mechanism for serotonin, or even that your serotonin release is insufficient.”

“Serotonin?”

“Yes. And damage or influence to the brain that causes this kind of situation is often closely related to abuse in infancy or early childhood.” Tang Yingli took a deep breath and gently placed a hand on her forehead. “It was the person who was violent toward you in your childhood who caused it. It’s not your fault.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes suddenly felt hot. “Teacher…”

Tang Yingli’s gesture was exactly the same as when she had been beating Su Yijie.

“Because I’ve been very concerned about it, I wanted to find a chance to tell you… and from my conversation with your mother, I found out that the person who abused you as a child was not her, right?”

Jinglin nodded. “I’m sorry…” she trembled, wiping the corner of her eye with her finger.

“Regarding the possible defects in your brain, if you want to know more, or if you want to see more concrete evidence, we can discuss it slowly.”

In that moment, Jinglin completely realized she had been wrong. Tang Yingli not only understood the killer’s mind, but she also had a gentle side for the victims that was not easily perceived by others, but was very real.

Tang Yingli withdrew her hand and paused for a moment. “By the way, how is your mother?”

“She’s fine. She said she has a polyp in her ovary and needs to have a minimally invasive surgery. She’ll probably have to stay for half a month at most.”

She suddenly raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? That’s what she told you…”

“Teacher?”

“Ah, that’s great. It’s a small problem.”

“Yeah. You were the one who made it sound so serious before, I was scared to death when I heard… ” Pressing the elevator button, Jinglin bit her lip. “By the way, you said before that you have personal experience with that pain. What did you mean?”

“Ah, that… it’s nothing. I was just thinking, the feeling of losing a family member…” Her expression was tinged with a hint of sadness. Jinglin waited patiently until they were in the elevator before she let out a breath and said, “It’s probably the same as the heartache of a pet passing away.”

“A p-p-pet!” she couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Yeah. I used to have a golden hamster as a companion in the States. I was down for days when it died. It was a really good hamster.” She looked at Jinglin, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Isn’t that right? A lot of people treat their pets like family.”

“I thought you…”

“I what?”

Jinglin suddenly stopped. “Never mind, it’s nothing.”

The elevator doors opened, and they walked toward the parking lot. Jinglin pouted and reached out to take her arm.

Their arms were linked, her suit jacket and Tang Yingli’s lace sleeve brushing against each other. The gesture made Tang Yingli turn and raise an eyebrow, but surprisingly, she didn’t refuse.

“I’m not ordering a bento box today. I want to have lunch with you and Dr. Tao.” She paused, looking up cautiously. “Can I come?”

Tang Yingli pushed up her glasses coolly and said, “We can go just the two of us. Why do you have to mention Dr. Tao?”

“Oh?” she drew out the word. “I thought you and he were… ‘especially close’?”

“You’re overthinking it. I just had something to ask him and we were having lunch together…” She chuckled, and the two of them walked to the small car.

“Let’s go to the office together.” Jinglin pressed the remote, and seeing that she didn’t move, she asked, “Get in, Teacher?”

After a moment’s gaze, Tang Yingli smiled and got into the passenger seat.