Identity of the deceased

　　"So quickly?" Benjamin was somewhat surprised.

　　When did the efficiency of the police investigation improve so much? "You won't believe it, but someone came to the police station to report a missing person, and it happened to be the deceased's husband," Emma explained.

　　Benjamin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

　　The situation did sound very coincidental, but life wasn't like on TV.

　　Such a coincidence made it seem suspicious.

　　"Let's go to the police station immediately." "To the police station," Emma instructed the driver.

　　The car changed direction and headed straight for the police station.

　　James had already been waiting outside the police station gate.

　　When he saw Benjamin and Emma get out of the car, he immediately approached them.

　　"I was just about to issue a notice for assistance when I received a report that someone had come to report a missing person, claiming it was his wife.

　　At the time, I showed him a picture of the deceased, and it was confirmed that the deceased was his missing wife," James said.

　　"Has the body been identified?" Benjamin asked.

　　"Not yet, but I checked the man's identification, and he even had his marriage certificate with him," William said, sounding as if he couldn't believe it himself.

　　How many people would bring the missing person's ID and marriage certificate when reporting a case? Perhaps the man just wanted to prove his relationship with the missing person, but everything seemed too coincidental.

　　"Where is he?" Benjamin asked.

　　"After he found out his wife was murdered, he became quite agitated, so I asked him to rest in my office," James said.

　　"I'd like to meet him, is that okay?" Benjamin.

　　"No problem," James said, calling Benjamin to involve him directly in the case.

　　Sitting in the office was a man with his head buried in his arms.

　　Only his crew cut could be seen, and he was wearing a checkered T-shirt and jeans, with hiking shoes on his feet.

　　When he saw James and the others come in, he immediately stood up.

　　It could be seen that he was around thirty years old, about 1.75 meters tall, slim, with red eyes as if he had just cried.

　　His emotions were indeed very agitated.

　　He rushed over and grabbed James' arm, shouting, "Officer, where is my wife? Can I see her?" James looked back at Benjamin and said to the man, "Sir, please calm down.

　　I understand how you feel right now, but we have a few more questions to ask you, and we hope you can cooperate with us." "Officer, I will cooperate with you, but can you let me see my wife first?" the man pleaded through tears.

　　It could be seen that he deeply cared for his wife, and the news of her murder was a heavy blow to him.

　　"Now is a crucial moment for solving the case, every minute and second is extremely important.

　　If you can let us ask a few questions first, maybe we can catch the murderer sooner," James said.

　　"Sir, I believe you definitely do not want the murderer to escape punishment, so please cooperate with our investigation.

　　I will arrange for you to see your wife later."

　　"Damn guy, we absolutely cannot let him get away with it!" The man cursed, seemingly trying hard to control his emotions.

　　"Alright.

　　Ask whatever you want as long as we can catch the murderer sooner."

　　James first asked the man to sit down, then nodded at Benjamin, indicating him to ask the questions.

　　Benjamin pulled a chair and sat opposite the man, then said, "May I ask for your name?"

　　The man first looked at Benjamin and cautiously said, "I'm Alexander."

　　"Age?"

　　"Twenty-eight."

　　"Occupation?"

　　"I used to run a small business, but it closed down due to poor management.

　　Now I'm on leave and staying at home."

　　"What is your wife's name?"

　　"Sophia."

　　"Age?"

　　"Twenty-five."

　　"Occupation?"

　　"She works as a secretary in a company."

　　"When was the last time you saw her?"

　　"Yesterday morning.

　　After having breakfast and going to work, I haven't seen her since.

　　I also called her a few times, but nobody answered."

　　"Why did you only report the case now?"

　　"I blame myself for this.

　　Ever since the business closed down, I've been drinking every day.

　　Yesterday I got drunk again, and I only realized this morning that she didn't come home.

　　I called her company and friends, but nobody knows her whereabouts.

　　That's when I thought of reporting to the police."

　　As Alexander spoke, he sobbed and blamed himself for his wife's murder.

　　"I'm such a scum.

　　If I had known something like this would happen, I would never have drunk.

　　If only I had reported earlier, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

　　Scum, I'm such a scum!"

　　Benjamin and Alexander engaged in a series of mechanical conversations.

　　Afterward, Benjamin stood up and said to James, "We can arrange for him to see the deceased."

　　"Okay." James called a police officer in and said to Alexander, "Go with him, he will take you to see your wife."

　　"Officer, please, I beg you to find the murderer, don't let him escape!" Alexander said sorrowfully, almost kneeling to Benjamin and the others.

　　"Don't worry, we will do our best to catch the murderer!" James comforted Alexander.

　　After he left, James sighed and said, "Such a pitiful man, losing his wife at such a young age."

　　"Is he really pitiful? I don't feel that way at all," Benjamin said.

　　"All I see in him is hypocrisy and relief."

　　A husband who deeply loves his wife should feel pitiful after she is murdered.

　　This was the most malicious statement James had heard today.

　　He said with some anger, "Brother, I don't understand what you mean by saying this?"

　　"Benjamin turned to Emma and asked, 'What do you think of this man?'

　　Emma replied, 'I feel that this guy is a bit artificial.

　　In fact, he doesn't look as sad as he seems.

　　He seems more like he's acting, and his words sound rehearsed.'

　　James saw in Alexander his love for his wife and a remorseful heart.

　　He was surprised by Emma's judgment and asked, 'Why do you think that? Do you have any evidence?'

　　'No, it's just a woman's intuition,' Emma said.

　　'In any case, I don't think this guy's words can be trusted.'

　　'Big brother, do you share Emma's opinion?' James looked at Benjamin, hoping he would offer some opposing words to Emma.

　　Benjamin said, 'Emma is right.

　　What that guy says cannot be fully trusted.

　　A considerable part of it is fabricated.'

　　'What evidence do you have?' James was somewhat disappointed, but deep down he expected Benjamin to take Emma's side; otherwise, he wouldn't have said such cruel words before.

　　Benjamin knew that he had to present some solid evidence to persuade James.

　　'I think you have also noticed that he is wearing branded clothes, but they're quite old.

　　This indicates that he hasn't bought new clothes for a long time.'

　　'What's the big deal?' James said.

　　'He said his business has collapsed, so it's natural that his financial situation isn't as good as before.

　　It's normal to wear old clothes.'

　　Benjamin smiled lightly and continued, 'His eyes are bloodshot, not because of crying from sorrow, but because of staying up late.

　　The dark skin around his eyes is the best proof, what we usually call "dark circles." Think back to his appearance, a sad expression that can hardly conceal his fatigue, yet also very excited.

　　He has been sitting while speaking, which indicates that he did something exhausting yesterday, forcing him to sit down and rest.

　　In addition, he keeps twisting his neck, indicating some stiffness.

　　All of this proves that he is a gambler, and he gambled all night.

　　For such a person, how could he be saddened by his wife's disappearance?'

　　James looked at Benjamin admiringly.

　　He also noticed Alexander's expressions and actions, but didn't think further.

　　He assumed that it was a normal reaction for a husband who lost his wife.

　　'But...

　　these are just your speculations.

　　We don't have any evidence to prove that he is the person you describe,' James said.

　　'You saw his ID.

　　You must remember where he lives,' Benjamin said.

　　'22 Lilac Lane, West Street,' James recalled the address on the ID.

　　'Let's go.

　　That place is an old village, and the neighbors there know everything about each other.

　　If we go there and inquire, we can prove whether I am right or not,' Benjamin said.

　　'I'll arrange a car right away.'"

　　"James finally realized that Benjamin deliberately sent Alexander to identify the body, in order to distract him.

　　Immediately, he arranged for a car and hurried to No.

　　22 Lianhua Alley on West Street, accompanied by Benjamin and Emma.

　　The three stood at Alexander's doorstep, observing a three-story building that was built in the 1990s.

　　It must have been very luxurious when it was first built, and even now, it still exudes a somewhat extravagant aura.

　　However, it is no longer comparable to its former glory, as the dilapidated appearance confirms that the owner's fortune has declined.

　　Weeds grew between the tiles at the entrance, and the door showed signs of rust, as if telling people that no one had lived here for a long time.

　　James knocked on the door, but no one answered.

　　It was expected since Alexander was still at the police station and his wife had been murdered.

　　Having no one in the house was normal.

　　He turned to see a middle-aged woman picking vegetables not far away, so he said to Benjamin and Emma, 'Let me go and ask.'

　　'No, just wait here,' Benjamin stepped forward and said to the middle-aged woman, 'Auntie, does Alexander live here?'

　　The middle-aged woman had already noticed the three individuals, but she didn't proactively greet them.

　　She looked Benjamin up and down and asked, 'Who are you people, and what business do you have with him?'

　　'Auntie, I am Sophia's cousin.

　　We haven't seen each other for a long time.

　　I heard that her husband is very capable, and I've been facing some financial difficulties.

　　I thought of asking them for help.' Benjamin deliberately told a lie to conceal their true identities.

　　Upon hearing that Benjamin and the others came here to borrow money from Alexander, the woman's previous wariness dissipated.

　　She sighed and said, 'Young man, if you are here to borrow money from them, I advise you to go back.'

　　'Auntie, are you worried that they won't lend me money? Don't worry about that.

　　Although my cousin and I haven't seen each other for a long time, we have a very good relationship.

　　She will definitely lend me money.'

　　'I'm not saying that they won't lend you money.

　　It's just that they don't have any money to lend you.'

　　'How is that possible? My brother-in-law is so capable, how could he not have money?'

　　'Capable? Hmph, let me tell you, he is nothing more than a spendthrift! He lazes around all day and is even involved in gambling.

　　He has lost his parents' lifelong savings and even seized his wife's dowry.

　　The house doesn't even have a penny left.

　　Because of this, the two of them have fought several times, and finally, your cousin moved out.

　　She hasn't come back for months now, and they are possibly heading for divorce.'

　　Benjamin turned and smiled at James.

　　His speculation had been proven correct.

　　Alexander is indeed a gambler, and his relationship with Sophia is not good.

　　'Auntie, he is a police officer.

　　He might need you to testify in the future.'

　　'Testify? What kind of testimony?' The middle-aged woman looked at the three in surprise."

　　"Now that everything has been cleared up, Benjamin didn't want to linger any longer.

　　He left the stunned woman and said to James, 'We should talk to him again.'"