Killer And Healer Episode 23 Recap
> Killer And Healer Recap
The assassination team, working for Mrs. Jiang, decided that the Jing An Hotel would be the optimal location for their operation. The train carrying their target from Qing City was scheduled to arrive at 8:50 AM, but the station would be too crowded for a clean shot. Instead, they planned to strike within the few steps from the target's car to the entrance of Jing An Hotel, a precise window where the sniper had a clear line of sight.
Mrs. Jiang expressed confidence in her subordinate's marksmanship. That evening, Jiang Yuelou, Chen Yuzhi, and Chu Ran met at a small restaurant where Chu Ran arrived to deliver photos to the two men. It was the first time the three had shared a drink since their days in Jing City and Hong Kong.
As they caught up and exchanged pleasantries, Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi displayed such a strong, tacit understanding that Chu Ran humorously felt a bit out of place. They shared a few drinks before calling it a night, as Jiang Yuelou had an important mission scheduled for the following day. The next morning, Mrs. Jiang's operative positioned himself on the third floor of a coffee shop, aiming a sniper rifle at Jing An Hotel.
Two police bureau vehicles then pulled up outside. Jiang Yuelou and Song Rong were the first to exit, scanning the surroundings before nodding to the occupants of the second vehicle. Just as Minister Zhou stepped out, he was shot in the head, dying instantly. Jiang Yuelou immediately ordered Song Rong to pursue the assailant, while he rushed to Minister Zhou's side, calling out for Chen Yuzhi.
Chen Yuzhi, rushing to the scene, inadvertently collided with a person carrying a cello case, quickly apologized, and continued to the assassination site. Following the assassination, a furious Mayor Cai summoned Commissioner Bai, expressing his outrage over the botched "top secret mission." He threw a stack of newspapers at Commissioner Bai, revealing that Qing City's mayor had sent thirteen telegrams and the news had already reached Shanghai.
Mayor Cai demanded immediate results, and Commissioner Bai, admitting his failure, guaranteed a swift investigation and accountability. Mayor Cai then inquired about the security team and their specific responsibilities. He learned Jiang Yuelou was in charge of transportation and pickup times, Jin Dacheng managed hotel arrangements and meeting details, while Feng Yu was responsible for food safety, procurement, and kitchen supervision. Feng Yu was temporarily ruled out, as he had no knowledge of the hotel's meeting location.
Mayor Cai instructed Commissioner Bai to focus the investigation on Jiang Yuelou and Jin Dacheng. He emphasized that Minister Zhou's assassination had caused a public outcry, and a public trial was essential once the culprit was apprehended. Jiang Yuelou and Jin Dacheng were subsequently confined to the police bureau. Jiang Yuelou meticulously studied the layout map of Jing An Hotel, while Jin Dacheng appeared drowsy and lamented their misfortune.
Jiang Yuelou pointed out that the building the killer chose was not directly connected to the hotel, thus falling outside the police bureau's initial search radius. However, it was well within the sniper's range. This implied the assassin possessed intimate knowledge of the target's travel route and destination, as well as the police bureau's investigative scope and plans.
Jin Dacheng, still focused on his bad luck, half-jokingly suggested he should have been assigned to food delivery like Feng Yu instead of security. Commissioner Bai then arrived, acknowledging the immense pressure from Mayor Cai. When questioned about their whereabouts between 7:30 and 7:45 AM that morning, Jiang Yuelou stated he was in his office, while Jin Dacheng said he was en route.
Song Rong, brought in as a witness, confirmed he saw Jiang Yuelou on the phone at 7:40 AM when he went to the office door. Jiang Yuelou, however, clarified that he was "receiving" a call, not making one. Jiang Yuelou recognized the situation as eerily similar to a previous opium den incident, where all evidence seemed to falsely implicate him.
With all suspicion pointing his way and no immediate proof of his innocence, he suspected the same mysterious individual was behind this plot. He decided to "meet trick with trick," planning to openly admit guilt. He reasoned that the culprits aimed to corner him with seemingly undeniable evidence, and such a high-profile case would inevitably lead to a public trial. Jiang Yuelou gambled that the mastermind would attend the trial to witness their success.
He believed that even the most meticulous hunter would reveal a subtle weakness when overcome by pride, providing the perfect opportunity for him and his allies to counterattack. Chen Yuzhi expressed concerns about the extreme risk of this plan, fearing that if the mastermind didn't appear, Jiang Yuelou's conviction would be irreversible. However, Jiang Yuelou maintained that there was no other viable option.
The public trial for the assassination of Minister Zhou Fanling was officially scheduled for 9:00 AM on the 19th, at No. 68 Fa Hua Road, with thirty seats available for observers. Mrs. Jiang received a call from San Ye, who congratulated her and stated that tomorrow's public trial would be the final determinant for the release of her son, who was being held in Beiping. San Ye then invited her to witness the trial.
Initially, Mrs. Jiang expressed reluctance, citing the sacrifices her men had made and Jiang Yuelou's reputation already being tarnished. However, her desire to see her son ultimately led her to agree, and San Ye promised to send her an entry pass. Elsewhere, Executive Zhan and another colleague discussed Jiang Yuelou's surprisingly quick confession, despite his notoriously tough and stubborn character. Executive Zhan pondered if it was a trap. Separately, Chen Yuzhi visited Chu Ran, having seen the public trial notice.
He asked if she could secure him a seat among the thirty observers, specifically one of the two allocated to their newspaper office. Chen Yuzhi was deeply concerned that Jiang Yuelou, if provoked at the trial, might suffer a relapse of his emotional disorder, not only jeopardizing his police career but also solidifying a false conviction. To get a spot, he proposed a daring plan: he would induce Chief Editor Yu to have diarrhea, thereby creating an opening for himself.
Chu Ran, initially hesitant, agreed, advising him to take only two pills to avoid overdose and to disguise himself, as many in the police bureau recognized him. At the public trial, Jiang Yuelou was questioned by the chief judge. He confirmed that he was the only one who had all the specific details about receiving Minister Zhou, though eight other members of the inspection team knew the arrival time.
He also confirmed that Minister Zhou's final destination was only revealed after he entered the car. When asked about his whereabouts at 7:40 AM, the time of the assassination, Jiang Yuelou stated he was in his office and had not made any outbound calls. However, witness Song Rong testified that he saw Jiang Yuelou on the phone at that exact time when he went to the office door. Jiang Yuelou clarified that he was "receiving" a call, not making one.
Commissioner Bai then presented evidence of a phone call record from Jiang Yuelou's office to the Qingming Road switchboard, which served buildings around Jing An Hotel, including the Broadway Building where the assassin was located. This revelation shocked many in the courtroom. Despite the mounting evidence, Jiang Yuelou remained composed, confident in his pre-trial instruction to Commissioner Bai to meticulously observe the subtle "micro expressions" of the audience.
He theorized that while others might react with anger, surprise, or disgust, the true mastermind, witnessing their plan unfold, would reveal unique signs of satisfaction and appreciation, however subtly they tried to conceal it. The autopsy results were then presented, confirming Minister Zhou's head wound was caused by a 7. 6mm bullet, a caliber specific to police-issued ammunition, further implicating Jiang Yuelou in the eyes of many.
When asked if he admitted guilt, Jiang Yuelou calmly responded, "Since the evidence is conclusive, does it make a difference if I admit or not?" The chief judge then pronounced the verdict: Jiang Yuelou was found guilty of collaborating with the enemy in the assassination of Minister Zhou Fanling and sentenced to death, to be executed immediately. As the chief judge announced the verdict, Mrs. Jiang, seated in the audience, revealed a subtle smirk, which Commissioner Bai keenly observed.
Immediately upon adjournment, Commissioner Bai pointed her out, shouting, "Catch her!" Police officers scrambled to pursue her. Mrs. Jiang quickly moved towards her waiting car, where her subordinate was ready to assist her escape. Gunshots erupted outside the courtroom, causing a commotion. Chen Yuzhi, who had managed to get into the trial by inducing Chief Editor Yu with diarrhea, also rushed out, managing to capture photographs of Mrs. Jiang and her accomplice as they fled.
Afterward, Jiang Yuelou confirmed to Commissioner Bai that the entire public trial had been a trap designed to draw out the mastermind. He confessed he had gambled on the mastermind's appearance, though he had not expected it to be a woman. He believed the photos Chen Yuzhi took would help identify her. Jiang Yuelou also clarified that the chief judge was not bribed, and only he and Commissioner Bai were aware of this risky plan.
Later, Jiang Yuelou instructed his team to thoroughly question the staff at the Broadway Building, especially the elevator operator and front desk personnel. Chen Yuzhi then recalled that just after hearing the gunshot, as he rushed towards Jing An Hotel, he had bumped into a man carrying a cello case near the Broadway Building. The man had been in such a hurry that he seemed oblivious to the collision. Chen Yuzhi now realized how suspicious that encounter had been.
