Anger and Powerlessness
Inside the interrogation room, the battle between Expert Chen and Qin Ming over the fortress of "mental illness" continued. Expert Chen's questions remained as precise as a scalpel, attempting to find a breakthrough from the logical contradictions in Qin Ming's words and the subtle shifts in his emotions.
Qin Ming, on the other hand, became increasingly adept at wielding the shield of "Madman," sometimes displaying excitement and passion, and other times feigning madness and foolishness, turning a serious interrogation into something bizarre and fantastical.
Captain Li sat beside him, his face ashen, his hands clenched into fists under the table, knuckles white from the force. Looking at Qin Ming's arrogant, even mocking expression, the anger in his chest surged like magma, threatening to burst the dam of reason. Based on his years of experience as a criminal investigator, he was absolutely certain that this man was acting, exploiting loopholes in the rules with the most shameless sophistry!
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the interrogation room door. The young police officer who had been ordered to verify the situation peeked in, gave Captain Li a wink, and looked serious.
Captain Li's heart sank. Suppressing his anger, he whispered to Expert Chen, "Teacher Chen, I'm going out for a bit," then got up and quickly walked out, closing the door behind him.
The corridor was bathed in cold, white light, and the air seemed to carry a chill.
"How is it?" Captain Li's voice sounded hoarse and hurried as he suppressed his emotions.
The young officer handed a folder to Captain Li, his tone tinged with helplessness and indignation. "Captain Li, we found it... a diagnostic report from the Linhai Municipal Mental Health Center, along with related medical records and medication history. It clearly states in black and white that Qin Ming is diagnosed with 'bipolar disorder,' and the medical records show... he's been receiving intermittent treatment for almost two years."
Captain Li grabbed the folder and quickly flipped through the documents inside. The paper was in the format of a regular hospital, the stamps were clear, and the doctors' signatures were clearly visible. The dates recorded even went back to before some internal controversies at Ankang Hospital. From the documents themselves, there were almost no obvious problems.
"Fake! This is definitely a forgery!" Captain Li suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot with anger, his voice rising uncontrollably and echoing in the empty corridor, "If he really had such a severe mental illness, how did he pass the annual medical licensing exam? How could he become an attending physician in a place like Ankang Hospital, and even be in charge of important Patient? This doesn't make sense!"
His question was forceful and resounding. How could someone diagnosed with a severe mental disorder and requiring long-term medication possibly be competent for a job like surgery, which demands high concentration, composure, and a strong sense of responsibility? This very question is the biggest flaw in the whole!
The young officer, seeing the agitated Captain Li, moved his lips, his face also filled with frustration. He said in a low voice, "Captain Li, our initial inquiries with the hospital suggest... there might be some... irregularities in the pre-employment physical examination and subsequent management. But..."
He paused, the words following the "but" stuck in his throat like a fishbone, and he managed to spit them out with difficulty. "... From the perspective of the legal validity of this diagnosis certificate alone, it... it is valid. Whether a mentally Patient is suitable for a specific job is a matter of administrative management and industry standards, and it is... and a judicial assessment of criminal responsibility, which are two different things. Currently, we have no direct evidence to prove that this diagnosis report is forged."
These words were like a bucket of ice water, mixed with the helplessness of reality, poured hard on Captain Li's head. He understood what the officer meant. The hospital's negligence in hiring, and even the possibility of intentional cover-up, was the responsibility of the health system and hospital management, and constituted a violation of rules and regulations.
However, in criminal cases, this formally issued and complete diagnostic certificate acts as a solid barrier, qualifying Qin Ming for a forensic psychiatric evaluation. Once that process begins, the variables become too great. The law emphasizes evidence and procedure, and the other party has precisely exploited this.
"Damn it!" Captain Li could no longer control himself. He roared and slammed his right fist, with all his might, into the cold, hard wall beside him!
A muffled thud echoed in the corridor. A sharp pain shot through the back of his hand; his skin cracked and bled, but he seemed oblivious to the pain. Only a surge of pent-up frustration and anger raged within him.
He felt like a beast trapped in a cage, clearly seeing the arrogant enemy outside, yet blocked by invisible iron bars of rules, powerless to do anything.
He took a few deep breaths, but couldn't calm the turmoil in his chest. Captain Li suddenly turned around, pushed open the interrogation room door, and the loud noise startled the Expert Chen and the recorder inside.
He rushed to the interrogation table, and to everyone's astonishment, grabbed Qin Ming by the collar and yanked him off the chair! His arms were bulging with veins from extreme anger, and his bloodshot eyes were fixed on Qin Ming's eyes, which were now filled with mockery and innocence, as if he wanted to devour him alive.
"Qin Ming! You son of a bitch..." Captain Li spat out the words through gritted teeth, his voice thick with the stench of blood.
However, facing the enraged Captain Li, Qin Ming showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, his nauseatingly innocent expression became even more vivid, even tinged with a hint of triumphant satisfaction. Instead of struggling, he slightly raised his chin and spoke in a tone that was feigned ease but was actually full of provocation:
"Captain Li, there's no need for that."
He even smiled, his gaze sweeping over Captain Li's bleeding hand, which had been smashed against the wall.
"After all, I'm a Madman."
He deliberately slowed his speech, emphasizing each word clearly:
Even if I punched you a hundred times right now, you couldn't do anything to me, much less... lock me up, right?
These words, like a poisoned dagger, pierced precisely into the most powerless and painful place in the hearts of Captain Li and all the police officers present who upheld the belief in justice.
Captain Li, gripping Qin Ming's collar, trembled violently with extreme anger and the absurd feeling of being devoured by the rules, yet he could no longer throw another punch.