Chapter 91: Finally, a motive that made sense.

A forward stepped up reluctantly. “We were all close to him at one moment or the other. It was a party, we were all drinking, laughing. I think I heard him say something about swimming. Then we heard screaming moments later and found him on the ground, collapsed. None of us did that to him. Someone must have sneaked inside.”

The rest chimed in with that same answer, shouting their alibis before she even asked. She went around with Xuanji collecting information and checking any surveillence that was not turned off. They created a holographic murder board.

Liwu’s mind raced, counting minutes which seemed to be going by quickly. She has a feeling the answer lay with the team and if they pushed hard enough, they would find answers before the clock run out. The method of death told a story. It was personal.

Hours passed as evidence was gathered. The interview mode was changed from group to individual and that was when teammates revealed fractures. Most were grievances related to the game like fame and playing time.

At around midday. Liwu finally sat down with the two system hosts on the team under a parasol near the pool.

First up was Zhou Ming, a host with a Superior Physique system. He was in top form, physically. But, he was not the most handsome. The system had not improved that aspect of his body.

“I hear you had problems with the victim because you are the top scorer but he outranked you in fame.” She leaned forward.

Zhou Ming sneered. “He was cute but cute doesn’t score goals. I earned more money than him and the team could not do without me. As for him, the rumor was that his contract was not being renewed next season. Ask the coach, he will tell you so.” He dropped the sneer and sighed. “I may have complained about how he had it easy because of his nice teeth but I liked him. Our sponsorships doubled after he came along with his smile. I actually hoped that he would stay longer.”

“Who on the team had a grudge big enough to cause this?” She asked.

Zhou Ming said quickly, “Sun Wei. He has a Super reflexes system. I don’t know why but it wasn’t working too well anymore. Between him and Tai-Hua, the coach was still deciding who to drop from the team.”

Liwu summoned Sun Wei. He was a tall man, lean and aging. He had also done a little too much cosmetic surgery on his lips. They were a little over filled! She had to force herself to look away from them. “Mr. Sun Wei, is it true that you had a fight with the victim and promised to knock his teeth out and teach him a lesson he would never forget?”

Sun Wei laughed. He raised his hands, “I am passionate about the game, it doesn’t make me a killer.”

“Between you and him, one of you was being dropped from the team. Did you kill him to secure a spot?” Liwu was direct and stern.

Sun Wei rolled his eyes. “I was already set to retire after this season. Ask the coach, I did not renew the contract voluntarily. I have a job lined up as a basketball coach at Sky land International University of Sciences in Switzerland. My retirement package is too sweet to destroy over a popularity contest.” He shook his head. “Was it Zhou Ming that named me?”

Liwu closed her notebook. “I am not at liberty to say.”

Sun Wei rolled his eyes again. “I know it was him. Do you want to know why Tai-Hua was killed, look into his relationships. He was fond of being interested in women that he should not have been. Like the wives and girlfriends of his teammates. Zhou Ming’s wife being one of them.”

Liwu smiled. She had finally found a motive that could be tied to the mutilation of the victim’s genitals.

The team dug into the claim and discovered that it was true. The rumor was that six women in that big basketball family had fallen prey to the charm of Fan Tai-Hua’s teeth and someone was going to reveal the names to a reporter.

The detectives dug and found the women the victim had corresponded with since he was drafted to the team.

“Look for women he blocked.” Liwu instructed. “Those he texted often for a while and suddenly stopped one day. Find anyone he sent flowers of a piece of jewelry. If he made any doctor’s appointments with any woman that was not his wife, I need to know. Sun Wei said women, not just Zhou Ming’s wife alone.”

Lunch came around. Weijun and his men delivered lunch to the detectives and suspects. Over the meal, the team pieced together what they had found.

Zhou Ming’s wife had slept with the victim two years ago. They had a fling for three months. Fan Tai-Hua had even thrown this fact in Zhou Ming’s face in the locker room before a game, humiliating him in front of the entire team.

Su Wei’s ex-girlfriend had also been seduced and convinced to partake in a one night stand six years ago. She kept it secret but the victim kept pictures in a secret folder in his phone.

The two system hosts were back on the suspect list, even though these incidents were already old. The newer victims were other teammates, four of them. “It has to be one of the men. None of the women are system hosts. At most, one could be a co-conspirator.” Liwu said in a tired voice.”

“Bro code.” Chief Abby shook his head. “I interviewed the widow. She can barely string two words together and she had to be given an anti anxiety pill. If the husband was sleeping around, she knew. The wife always knows. What is rule one of an investigation when one of the two parties is having an affair?”

“It’s either the husband or the wife.” Liwu sung faithfully. “And I say, its Zhou Ming, I just can’t prove it yet.”

Xuanji tapped his phone. “Coroner’s report says our victim was poisoned first. The poison was in the punch, not all of it, just his.”

The teammates debated the suspects.

Finally, Liwu stood up and returned to her poolside interrogation table. Six men, six motives. They were interrogated one by one. Sun Wei confessed that his ex girlfriend betrayed him but he broke up with her and punched Fan Tai-Hua and that was the end of things. Others came clean, some bitter and others angry. Each had motive, but none had opportunity.

“I am sick of this.” Linlin groaned. “Even our gadgets cannot point to the killer.”

Liwu was about to use bad luck points but Weijun stepped in. He walked and smiled like a hero as he approached Liwu because he was about to break the case wide open. “Dear, you will love me after this.” he whispered.

Liwu pushed him away. “Yes, I will love you with my fists.”

He laughed. “I am sure you will kiss me when you see what I have.” He placed his phone in her hands. On the screen was picture of a couple kissing in the arena at a race car tournament.

The couple was Zhou Ming and Su Ye.

Su Ye was Fan Tai-Ha’s wife!

Liwu’s eyes widened. Two motives could be a coincidence, but for Zhou Ming, a third had been found.

“Third time’s the charm, huh?” Weijun said softly.

Liwu nodded. “And you are right, I could kiss you right now.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep