An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Title: Known Evil [Work in Progress] Fandom: DMBJ Characters: Wu Xie, Pangzi, Xiaoge Relationships: Pangzi/Wu Xie/Xiaoge Rating: TBD Chapters: 6/?
Ten years ago, a gruesome string of murders ravaged Huajing City. The city's Behavioural Analysis Unit -- consisting of behavioural analyst Wu Xie, statistics genius Zhang Qiling, and homicide detective Wang Pangzi -- was tasked with the job of profiling and catching the serial killer. Instead of the truth, they found a quagmire of lies and intrigue. Suspicion fell on the least likely culprit, and a wrong was committed that sent far-reaching consequences through the lives of everyone involved. Now, there's been another murder. It could be a chance to right a decade-old injustice, or it could be a way to invite further catastrophe and solidify the triumph that evil celebrated in the past.
Case Fic, Alternate Universe - Detectives, Alternate Universe - Profilers, Flashbacks, Serial Killers, Undernegotiated Relationships, Wrongful Imprisonment, Detectives Who Need Therapy But Are Solving Cases Instead, Inspired By Beyond Evil, Inspired By Through the Darkness, Inspired By Original Sin, Other Additional Tags to Be Added
Wu Xie didn't think he'd find himself back here quite so soon.
It's around four in the morning, and the mountain seems dead and hollow without crowds of people swarming every corner. It's not the first time Wu Xie is seeing it out of hours, but that doesn't make it less eerie. There's a headache curling at the base of his skull, his skin feeling thin and too tight the way it does when he hasn't slept. He's standing off to the side of the crime scene, fingers wrapped gratefully around a cup of coffee that Xiao Hua's friend produced from one of the not-yet-open coffee stalls of the lower level.
She's the one who called it in, directly to Xiao Hua's mobile, which is interesting and deserves investigation in itself. Her name is Huo Xiuxiu, of the Huo family who own the food courts on the ground and the seventh level. The Huos have close ties to the Xie family, who operate the sightseeing tours through the mountain. Wu Xie hadn't put this together until now, but it makes perfect sense that SD Xie knew his way around the Inner Market—Huajing City Sightseeing LTD is his side-hustle.
Some people have too much free time.
Xiao Hua's here as well, of course, looking splendid in a light grey suit and salmon shirt that he probably sleeps in. He's taking notes on a sleek tablet and overseeing the forensics team who are securing evidence. Xiazi is on his knees next to him, collecting samples off of the body and turning his shaded eyes up on occasion to throw a comment Xiao Hua's way. Looks like those two are getting along.
Xiazi being here doesn't make this easier. Wu Xie had been managing to avoid him, but that was only ever going to work until the first new body turned up. It's not like Xiazi would make things difficult for him; as much as he's a sarcastic jerk, he's not a bully. Being around someone who's seen you at a low point still isn't comfortable, so when the forensic team swooped in, Wu Xie withdrew from the centre of the action. He could've gone with Pangzi, who decided to head back to the station to start the paperwork, but if there's one thing he's useless with, it's paperwork. The crime scene still holds some answers for him.
<<READ CHAPTER 6 ON THE AO3>>
<<READ FIC FROM THE START ON THE AO3>>
@thetombraidersguild Taking you up on your offer to tag for reblog! <3