Chapter 6 Three Suspended Bodies
At least three people voiced their disagreement with Alison's perspective.
The first to speak was forensic examiner Vincent Woods.
"After the autopsy, we found no external injuries on the three victims except for the patterns carved on their chests. The cause of death was cerebral hyperemia leading to dramatically increased intracranial pressure, brain edema, and vascular rupture. Generally, cerebral hyperemia doesn't cause immediate death—the process takes at least several hours. But the rope marks on the victims' ankles indicate they didn't attempt any self-rescue during those hours—not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't!"
Vincent was 38, lean-built, with a sickly pallor due to his UV allergy. He wore frameless glasses that complemented his refined demeanor. Usually easygoing, he became intimidatingly intense whenever his expertise was involved.
"All three victims had large amounts of alprazolam in their systems—a common sedative used to treat insomnia and anxiety. It takes effect within one to two hours after oral administration, circulates through the bloodstream, and takes at least two days to be completely eliminated from the body." Vincent finished in one breath, then inhaled deeply. "In other words, the victims were already unconscious before they were suspended upside down."
"Vincent, why bother explaining so much to her?" Susan Watson, whose specialty was undercover disguise, glared at Alison with displeasure. "How could someone who committed suicide hang themselves upside down?"
Hanging upside down requires completely different effort than hanging oneself!
Alison remained unruffled by the challenge, responding calmly, "You're right, but suicide doesn't contradict having an assistant at the scene."
Susan muttered, "What nonsense."
Oliver raised his hand, signaling Susan to be quiet. "An assistant? That's an interesting idea. Taylor, tell Alison about the three victims."
"Yes!" Taylor began his report. "Victim Landon, male, 28, both parents deceased. He has a sister four years younger. After their parents died, they were raised separately by their aunt and maternal grandparents, so the siblings weren't particularly close. Landon formed a street band with friends, earning money through performances—income unstable. Had several unsuccessful relationships. Friends described him as loyal and optimistic. His sister is getting married soon, so Landon planned to quit the band and find a steady job."
"Quincy, male, 52, janitor at Mayfield Mall. Very honest character. Married once early in life, no children. Has been single since his wife died of illness twenty years ago. Recently met a girlfriend through relatives, planning to remarry, and currently living together with a stable relationship."
"Linda, female, 33, ran a grocery store with her mother. Often helped beggars, homeless people, and troubled youth. Rescued many stray cats and dogs. Neighbors described her as kind-hearted, while relatives thought she was too soft. Recently, Linda's mother suffered a serious illness requiring heart surgery but has now recovered."
Oliver looked steadily at Alison. "They all had positive life situations. Do they seem like people who would commit suicide?"
Alison wagged her index finger. "It's not only desperate people who commit suicide. Haven't you seen news about extremists self-immolating or mutilating themselves? Those people were brainwashed."
Oliver didn't disagree. In fact, he had considered this possibility. "But the time of death was around 11 PM. Working backward, they took the alprazolam between 5 and 6 PM. At that time, Landon was alone in the restaurant on the first floor of Mayfield Mall. Quincy finished his shift at the mall at 6:30. Linda was celebrating her mother's discharge from the hospital at a restaurant, then went shopping. Around 7 PM, Linda went to the restroom alone and subsequently disappeared. There's a strong possibility they were randomly selected and drugged at the mall."
"No," Alison insisted. "The killer is imitating the Divine Manifestation ritual from the painting. The killer must have carefully selected the individuals to be God's substitutes. The three victims appear to have nothing in common at first glance, but they're all kind, ordinary people without much money. Do you know what type of people are most attracted to such individuals?"
Before others could react, Oliver had already figured it out. "Con artists."
Alison gave him an approving look. "Phone scams, advertising frauds, marriage scams, pyramid schemes—some people are naturally naive and easily brainwashed."
Taylor scratched his head. "Would scammers kill people and hang them upside down?"
Alison replied, "Normal scammers wouldn't, but abnormal lunatics would. And this person is likely methodical, cautious, and dissatisfied with the real world or society."
"Indeed." Oliver's expression changed slightly. If that was the case, the possibility of serial killings increased significantly.
He decisively issued instructions. "Taylor, you and the others should contact the victims' families separately. Confirm whether the victims were recently scammed, joined strange groups, or became obsessed with unusual activities. Re-examine the intersection points in the victims' social interactions and activity ranges. I want results before dinner."
"Yes!"
Later, Taylor organized the new information and reported to everyone. "All three victims had been scammed multiple times. Last year, Linda guaranteed a loan for a friend and ended up with $270,000 in debt. Her mother originally owned two grocery stores but sold one to pay off the debt. The sudden illness was likely caused by the stress from this situation."
"Quincy's girlfriend confessed."
Oliver, who had been looking down at his tablet, looked up. "She killed them?"
Meeting his sharp gaze, Taylor didn't dare joke anymore. "No, she's a marriage scammer who targeted Quincy's savings, but Quincy was broke—his savings were either scammed away or borrowed by colleagues."
Taylor greatly admired Alison, who had predicted everything correctly!
"Recently when Landon got drunk, he repeatedly mentioned a place where wishes come true. His friends asked where, but he refused to say. He spent $20,000 on a crystal bracelet that supposedly brings happiness and gave it to his sister." Taylor looked serious. "Coincidentally, Linda also gave her mother a similar crystal bracelet. Quincy bought a crystal ornament last month, supposedly bringing good fortune. We've already sent someone to collect these items; they'll be back shortly."
"Excellent." Oliver felt the case finally clearing up a bit, lightening his mood. Seeing it was getting late, he generously invited everyone to dinner.
At the restaurant, Alison noticed Susan glaring at her several times.
Confused, she wanted to ask Helen about it, but Helen sat down next to Susan, avoiding Alison's gaze.
Alison took out her phone to message Helen, only to realize she didn't have Helen's social media contact.
"Alison, let's add each other as friends." A gentle female voice came from beside her. It was Lillian Sanchez, a kind woman responsible for logistics and finances in Oliver's team.
After adding each other, Lillian gossiped. "What do you think of Oliver?"
Alison pondered for a second. "His face is passable, but his personality is really not great."
Oliver was about to hand her the menu when he heard this, withdrew his hand, and scoffed, saying she had no taste.
"Are there many women with taste?" Alison asked him.
Oliver calmly ordered food, ignoring her.
Lillian shook her head with a smile. "He just got dumped again. Always gets dumped. Women with taste are rare indeed."
Alison laughed too, pointing at Oliver mockingly, avenging her earlier embarrassment.
After dinner, the group returned to the villa. Alison thought that going home would only mean another sleepless night. Rather than enduring the long night alone, she preferred immersing herself in the case, temporarily forgetting the pressure from Lucy's disappearance.
In the morning, a refreshed Oliver came downstairs and noticed Alison's heavy dark circles, asking in surprise, "Did you stay up all night?"
Last night, some members of the team had crawled back to their rooms, while others had been sprawled on the floor, snoring loudly.
"The guest rooms are on the third floor. Didn't Lillian tell you?" Oliver frowned.
"I'm not tired," Alison said, then let out a huge yawn.
"It's almost seven. Should I drive you to the academy?" Oliver asked.
Alison shook her head. "I only have one afternoon class on Wednesdays. I'll take a taxi back later."
"Come on, I'll treat you to breakfast." Oliver grabbed his car keys and headed out.
Alison followed behind him, muttering about what she wanted to eat. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy, and once again, she fell asleep in Oliver's car.