Attending ex-girlfriend's wedding, arresting the groom's officer on the spot

After the report, a brief silence fell over the meeting room as everyone sorted through the connections between the clues. Lu Chuan broke the silence first: "Now all the clues have formed a preliminary closed loop. The suspect lured Zhang Wanli to the suburbs under the pretext of 'urgent truck repair in the suburbs,' first striking his head with a blunt object, a cement block/stone, causing him to briefly lose consciousness, and then strangling him to death with a cotton rag; afterwards, he transported the body to the rocky beach upstream of the Beihe River in a small truck, then transferred to an electric vehicle/motorcycle to transfer the body to the downstream disposal point, leaving behind tire tracks, cigarette butts, canvas fibers, and other traces during the process; the suspect is 170-175 cm tall, familiar with the Beihe River environment and the auto repair industry, and may be related to Zhang Wanli's wage dispute or competition for private work."

“I agree with Captain Lu’s assessment,” Yang Lin continued. “The key now is to identify the ‘suburban client’ and verify Wang Qiang’s suspicion. I suggest the technical department prioritize two tests: first, to clarify the surveillance screenshots of the unlicensed small truck upstream and try to identify the driver’s characteristics or details of the truck; second, to compare Wang Qiang’s DNA with the DNA found in the cigarette butt at the scene. If they match, it can directly link him to the act of dumping the body. In addition, Zhang Wanli’s private mobile phone has not yet been found, so we need to expand the search area, especially the grass and riverbed upstream of the Beihe River. The communication records on the phone may contain key information about the ‘suburban client’.”

Wang Shuai offered additional suggestions: "We can focus our investigation on the 'auto repair industry,' targeting individuals around Beihe who own small trucks or electric vehicles/motorcycles, are 170-175 cm tall, and have recently had contact with Zhang Wanli. This could include colleagues from other auto repair shops, truck customers served by Zhang Wanli, especially those with whom he had repair disputes. Simultaneously, we should investigate scrap metal recycling stations in the suburbs. The suspect may have sold or discarded Zhang Wanli's toolbox, watch, and other items. The wrenches, pliers, and other tools found in the toolbox might provide further clues about the tools used in the crime."

"Based on the autopsy results, the suspect's modus operandi clearly shows 'familiarity,' knowing Zhang Wanli's occupational habits, taking on emergency repair jobs, knowing his urgent need for money and wage disputes, and being able to easily lure him to the suburbs at night," Zhang Kai added. "It is recommended to focus on investigating Wang Qiang's social relationships, especially those with financial dealings with him, and not to rule out the possibility that 'Wang Qiang hired someone to commit the crime.' In addition, the cotton rag around Zhang Wanli's neck and the cement block on his head are easily accessible everyday items, suggesting that the suspect likely has a fixed hideout around Beihe. We can combine tire track tracks to investigate nearby auto repair shops, scrap yards, and rental houses."

Zhang Hui suggested starting with the details of the wage dispute: "We have contacted the labor department and retrieved the wage payment records and tax declaration records of Tongda Auto Repair Shop. We found that the shop did indeed have tax evasion issues, and Wang Qiang recently transferred a large amount of money to his sister's account for unknown purposes. In addition, Zhang Wanli's bank statements show that three days before his disappearance, he received an anonymous transfer of 2000 yuan with the transfer note 'repair fee,' but no corresponding repair record was found. This may be a deposit paid in advance by a 'suburban customer,' and we can trace the suspect's identity through the transfer account."

After listening to everyone's analysis, Lu Chuan drew four core investigative directions on the whiteboard, circling the keywords "Wang Qiang Suspect Verification" and "Suburban Customer Tracking" in red: "Group One, led by Zhang Hui, is responsible for in-depth verification of Wang Qiang, retrieving his small truck's driving trajectory from six days ago, focusing on checking the vehicle's GPS, comparing DNA with cigarette butt samples, investigating the destination of large sums of money transfers, and tracing the opening information of anonymous transfer accounts. We must confirm whether Wang Qiang is connected to the case within 24 hours; Group Two, led by Wang Shuai, focuses on 'suburban customers' and vehicles, expanding the investigation into Beihe..." The upstream monitoring and investigation scope included interviewing nearby truck drivers and auto repair shops, searching scrap metal recycling stations for toolboxes, and simultaneously pushing the technical department to complete the image clarification of the unlicensed truck screenshots; the third group, led by Yang Lin, followed up on the testing of key physical evidence, including matching tire tracks with Wang Qiang's vehicle, linking canvas fibers with the toolbox, and identifying the source of cement powder, ensuring that test results were issued with priority; the fourth group contacted the telecommunications company to recover Zhang Wanli's call records and text messages before his disappearance, focusing on 'unknown numbers' or 'suburban area numbers' to check for any communications related to 'urgent repairs'.

He emphasized, “'Wang Qiang’s funds and whereabouts' and 'anonymous transfer accounts' are the most urgent breakthroughs. Both groups must work simultaneously and share information. Zhang Wanli’s toolbox and mobile phone are also key pieces of evidence. Finding them may directly identify the tools used in the crime and the suspect’s identity. Everyone must stay focused and strive to solve the case in the shortest possible time to give Zhang Wanli’s family an explanation.”

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting long, thin patches of light on the conference table. Zhang Hui posted Wang Qiang's photo and anonymous transfer records on the whiteboard. In the photo, Wang Qiang wore a black coat and had shifty eyes, vaguely matching the motive of "fear of being reported." "We will verify Wang Qiang's GPS tracking and DNA comparison results as soon as possible. Once the connection is confirmed, we will immediately apply for an arrest warrant," Zhang Hui said firmly, and everyone present nodded in agreement.

As the meeting adjourned, Lu Chuan watched the departing figures, picked up the autopsy report and crime scene investigation record from the table, and circled key details such as "cotton rag," "cement powder," and "unlicensed truck" in red pen. These seemingly minor traces could very well be the key to ultimately identifying the suspect. He took out his phone and sent a message to the head of the technical department: "All tests related to Wang Qiang and the anonymous account must be expedited, especially DNA and vehicle trajectory data. These are crucial to breaking through the case. Notify me of the results immediately."

Footsteps echoed through the corridors of the Criminal Investigation Division, each person carrying a clear goal: to "uncover the truth and apprehend the murderer." Although the identity of the "suburban client" remained unclear, and Wang Qiang's suspicion was yet to be verified, with the advancement of various investigations and tests, the evil hidden beneath the surface of the Beihe River would soon be exposed within the closed loop of the evidence chain, and Zhang Wanli's spirit in heaven would finally receive the justice that was long overdue.

After the case analysis meeting, Zhang Hui led the first team to immediately begin an in-depth investigation into Wang Qiang. As per the meeting's plan, "GPS tracking of the small truck," "DNA comparison," "whereabouts of large sums of money," and "anonymous transfer accounts" were the four core directions for verifying Wang Qiang's suspicions; each clue could potentially be key to breaking the case.

"First, check the GPS of Wang Qiang's silver van. The driving route from six days ago is crucial!" Zhang Hui instructed his team members from the makeshift office. Team member Xiao Li immediately contacted the vehicle management office to retrieve the GPS records for Wang Qiang's vehicle. (End of Chapter)