Reborn Cat Sheriff

Chapter 365 Scum
Ai Qing's expression did not escape the notice of Zhuang Tao and Chen Liang.

The two of them immediately realized they had guessed correctly!

Although only Ai Qing and her 'boyfriend' knew the exact time of the murder, this woman was not a professional killer, and concealing her emotions was far too difficult for her.

When Ai Qing heard about the "celebrity police cat," her first reaction wasn't skepticism, but genuine worry that the cat would find her boyfriend. She was afraid he wouldn't escape! This meant the person was definitely not far away!

"Most likely, they're hiding among the residents of these two units in this building!"

Zhuang Tao and Chen Liang exchanged a glance, feeling that this was the most likely possibility.

Since this wasn't a crime of passion, the plan to kill Xu Yinghui and hide him in the air conditioner unit must have been premeditated. Otherwise, the tools needed to stuff Xu Yinghui inside wouldn't be something an ordinary household would have. And since no safety rope or similar items were found at the scene, it's undeniable that the item was taken by the other suspect. The downstairs surveillance footage didn't show any man carrying a tool bag leaving or entering the garage, so the item must have been hidden inside the building.

"Zhuang Tao'er, how's the interrogation going? Why don't you take a break and come for a walk with us? I'm planning to screen all the residents in these two units and pick out all the single men. Do you want to come along?"

Shao Yongkang followed him in with a smile, having already made the same judgment.

It's only because Lin Ge is here that he's here; otherwise, he would have had to call the police dog unit. If that happened, Chen Aiguo could just bring all the dogs from the unit in one car, finding someone would be a piece of cake, right?
Shao Yongkang was extremely proud that he, as the captain of a criminal investigation brigade, had managed to bring the police dog squad under his control. And now, with the addition of Zhuang Tao'er, a precious gem whose features were exactly like Wang Guofeng's, it seemed only a matter of time before he could also seize control of the economic crime investigation branch.

"Huh? Have the suspects been narrowed down?"

Zhuang Tao was somewhat frustrated. She hadn't gotten anything out of them yet, and the criminal investigation team seemed about to wrap up.

"You've been spoiled rotten in the Economic Crime Investigation Division! I should have called you over to learn sooner. To be honest, my Criminal Investigation Team has encountered far too many cases like this! A whole bunch of flaws, clearly two greenhorns."

Shao Yongkang glanced disdainfully at Ai Qing, whose face was growing increasingly pale, and sneered, "I bet you didn't spend more than three days planning this murder, right? Is your reason for doing this related to the New Year? Hmm... I remember during the New Year, Xu Yinghui was still committing crimes at Zhang Yanxia's place, which means you might have gone back to someone's house? And then? You were asked what you did for a living, right? You even had plans to get married? So... Xu Yinghui went from being someone who provided you with money to becoming an obstacle for you, right? I even bet that it was you who decided to kill him! Not someone else!"

Ai Qing's face was as pale as a sheet of paper.

Shao Yongkang gave a wicked smile and continued to provoke Ai Qing, "But there's another perspective. Did you make the decision to kill him of your own volition? Murder is a heinous crime, and you'll definitely go to jail! As for a man, there's a saying, 'A great man has no shortage of wives,' I don't know if you've heard it? You're so stubborn, taking all the blame, that man will definitely be very grateful to you, right? I checked your bank account, it's completely empty, not a single penny! How pitiful, it all went to that man, didn't it? Xu Yinghui is keeping you as a mistress, and you're keeping that man as a mistress! Once you're both in jail, he can take your money and find a clean woman to live happily ever after... Tsk tsk! Perfect! Let me even guess, you were the one who gave Xu Yinghui the sleeping pills, right? So the mastermind..."

"Stop talking!"

Ai Qing covered her face and screamed loudly.

Zhuang Tao stared in disbelief at Ai Qing's agitated and hysterical expression. She hadn't expected a real interrogation to be this exaggerated. Even in TV dramas, the police academy instructors showed videos that weren't portrayed like this! Was it really appropriate for Captain Shao to talk to a girl like that?

Seeing Ai Qing sobbing beside her, Du Wei felt a pang of sympathy. Not for Ai Qing's mistake, but for the unreliable men she'd chosen.
Du Wei was even more puzzled as to why the man who helped her commit the murder didn't take her with him when he fled. Even if there was a saying that running away would be an admission of guilt, did they really think that murder could escape the full investigation of the police?

Look at us now!
The truth of the case was revealed in less than half an hour after the professional criminal investigators arrived.

With a sigh, Du Wei said to Ai Qing, "If all else fails, why not just be honest? To be honest, I also think your boyfriend is a bit unreliable. I thought so when I saw you two last time. Is he poor or something, that he would actually date you in the apartment Xu Yinghui rented for you?"

"you saw it?"

Ai Qing looked up, her heart filled with even more despair. Even the woman beside her knew what her boyfriend looked like; how difficult would it be for the police to catch him?
As for Du Wei's question, Ai Qing hadn't actually considered it at all at the time. But now, after Shao Yongkang's sarcasm and Du Wei's question, Ai Qing couldn't help but reflect. Did her boyfriend really have no thoughts about her being a mistress when he saw her? And after returning from his home after the New Year, her boyfriend repeatedly urged her to swindle Xu Yinghui's money and then live with him. She could only think of murder for this reason; what was he really thinking?

Was she merely a tool he used? Would a man who constantly proclaims his future success marry a woman who has been defiled?
Ai Qing's psychological defenses were quickly broken down.

At some point, Shao Yongkang and Lin Ge left the room, handing over the credit for the successful interrogation to Zhuang Tao.

But at this point, there was really no need to wait for the interrogation results, because through facial recognition of Ai Qing, a scene of her holding her boyfriend's hand quickly appeared in a pedestrian crossing camera in the city.

"Mimi, look how amazing my interpersonal relationships are!"

Shao Yongkang proudly showed off to Lin Ge, trying to turn this powerful cat into his ally.

"I'm just worried that one day you'll be struck by lightning!"

Lin Ge rolled his eyes, resolutely refusing to mention the scene where Shao Yongkang threatened the traffic police brigade on the phone earlier.

Lin Ge was quite surprised that the traffic police were able to find Ai Qing and her boyfriend Chen Jian so quickly; the police's ability to gather evidence is getting stronger and stronger these days. Who knows, one day his own intuition might become useless because of this! When every street and alley is covered with surveillance cameras, criminals will have to think twice before committing crimes. While it won't completely eliminate the possibility of crime, at least public security will be much better.

"Boss, Ai Qing has confessed!"

Chen Liang rushed over, holding a scrawled interrogation record. Seeing Shao Yongkang and Lin Ge about to get off the elevator, he stepped forward and stopped them, saying, "Ai Qing's boyfriend, Chen Jian, is hiding in the Times Square complex next door! The reason he was able to avoid the cameras and our deductions is because Xu Yinghui also owns shares in the supermarket in Unit 1 and has a key to the back door. Ai Qing secretly stole that key and had it duplicated, which is why Chen Jian was able to avoid the cameras at the first-floor entrance today. But he couldn't escape the cameras on the other side of the street, so he chose to climb over the wall into the Times Square complex next door. He and Ai Qing also rented an apartment there, and when Xu Yinghui isn't around, Ai Qing occasionally helps with the cleaning."

"Heh...it really is right under our noses!"

Shao Yongkang sneered, "Chen Jian, what a despicable man! If he really liked Ai Qing, how could he live so close by and just watch her be held in another man's arms? Arrest him! Don't let him escape!"

At Shao Yongkang's command, the impatient men of the First Squadron stormed into the Times Square next door.

The arrest of Chen Jian was extremely simple, even more so than the other cases handled by the First Squadron. The man surrendered immediately upon seeing the police enter Times Square and head straight for his rented apartment building!
Yes!

Surrender!

This is a really ridiculous noun.

Since the police had not yet successfully arrested Chen Jian, nor had they even conducted any investigation or questioning, his voluntary surrender at this point could be legally considered a voluntary surrender.

In other words, regardless of the outcome, Chen Jian has at least secured a reduced punishment.

Although the purpose of this legal provision is to encourage more criminal suspects to surrender themselves, reduce persecution, and decrease the workload of judicial institutions, there is no doubt that Chen Jian's use of it at this moment makes Shao Yongkang feel as uncomfortable as if he had eaten shit.

What's even more distressing is that after surrendering himself, Chen Jian unhesitatingly shifted the majority of the blame onto Ai Qing. Whether it was planning the murder, preparing for it, or even orchestrating the crime scene, Chen Jian claimed it was all Ai Qing's doing. In other words, he was merely a lovelorn man who, because of his deep affection for Ai Qing, felt compelled to obey her orders to commit a crime, and therefore could not be considered the mastermind. Considering his surrender and the attempted murder, his punishment will likely be lenient.

"How could I possibly accept something like this!"

Shao Yongkang was furious, but he couldn't do anything about Chen Jian.

Based on the facts and Ai Qing's statement, the actions of proposing to kill Xu Yinghui, purchasing safety ropes and binding ropes, configuring keys, deciding the time of the murder, and administering sleeping pills to Xu Yinghui were all indeed Ai Qing's actions. Even if, based on Ai Qing's statement or her angry outbursts, Chen Jian is suspected of instigating or enticing her, ultimately, since no third party was present, Chen Jian's denial is insufficient evidence.

"I can't accept this either! If you have the guts to kill, just admit it! Using women to make money, using women to kill! How can someone like that get a reduced sentence? I can't accept this!"

Lin Ge was equally enraged. "What does the on-site investigation say? Xu Yinghui's injuries are still visible at the scene. Can we find evidence that Chen Jian intentionally committed the murder?"

Shao Yongkang looked at Qian Weiyi.

"Honestly, it's difficult."

Qian Weiyi didn't want to let Chen Jian off the hook either, but the reality was that the scene was handled cleanly and efficiently. Whether it was binding Xu Yinghui or transporting him to the windowsill, it was all done by the two of them together. Although Chen Jian was the one who stuffed Xu Yinghui into the air conditioner unit, subjectively, this was because Chen Jian, as a man, could support Xu Yinghui's weight, and therefore couldn't be considered evidence of mastermind. Furthermore, Xu Yinghui had pinch marks and scratches on his body, which were likely expressions of Ai Qing's anger during the murder.

From these perspectives, it is extremely difficult to convince the prosecution that Chen Jian was one of the masterminds, especially to overturn his voluntary surrender by claiming that his testimony was fabricated.

"We lack more evidence!"

Qian Wei sighed, this was the most difficult part of the on-site investigation.

Unless a national-level expert is found who can determine the exact situation in the room from the subtle traces at the scene, perfectly reconstruct it, and guarantee the prosecution's approval with their own credibility, Chen Jian's surrender can only be accepted.

"Crime scene investigation?"

Lin Ge was stunned. Could someone really reconstruct what happened afterward by examining subtle differences at the scene? How? What kind of subtle differences? Could they possibly discern something from a mere centimeter more wrinkle on the bed?

Too exaggerated?
“How could we possibly have the right to ask those big shots for help with such a small case? If the case were still unsolved, that would be one thing, but now the case is basically closed, and the only issues are the suspect’s qualifications to surrender and the sentencing. Who would bother to make a special trip for that?”

Chen Liang sighed helplessly.

"Damn it! And even if an expert comes, so what? Our First Squadron is rude, and those idiots in the Economic Crime Investigation Department just ransacked the place, pulled Xu Yinghui out, and put him right on the bed! The scene is a mess, what can even a god figure out?"

Shao Yongkang cursed under his breath, feeling quite annoyed. Although the case was resolved cleanly and efficiently, the outcome was unsatisfactory, which was truly frustrating!
"Scene investigation? Reconstructing the crime scene?"

Lin Ge ignored the murmurs of these useless fellows. He patiently pondered, feeling that he might be able to do something. Of course, Lin Ge definitely couldn't reconstruct the scene from the smallest traces like a true master!

However… no matter how much the scene has been disturbed, there are less than six hours left since the crime. Everything else may change, but the smell in the room will likely remain somewhat intact. Because the room is kept closed to ventilation in order to preserve evidence. In other words, with patience and a bit of luck, they might actually find a flaw in Chen Jian's confession, overturning his confession and potentially eliminating any chance of a reduced sentence.

Ignoring the worried fellows, Lin Ge slowly and seriously returned to the room where Xu Yinghui had almost been killed.

With a powerful kick, the door slammed shut, startling the people outside who were talking.

"Did Mimi go in?"

Chen Liang was taken aback.

"Still closed?"

Shao Yongkang stroked his chin. This cat should never do such pointless things. It's just that the poor scene has been messed up by this cat, and even a god probably wouldn't have a chance to save it.

"So...where should we begin our investigation?"

Lin Ge closed his eyes and began to quietly perceive the complex differences among the various smells in the air.

At the doorway, Xu Yinghui's and Ai Qing's scents mingled together. Some were new, some were old, mixed together and indistinguishable from one another.

In other words, Ai Qing and Xu Yinghui's intimacy began at the door. Their relationship wasn't merely a financial one, as Ai Qing explained, nor was it filled with malice and murderous intent, as Chen Jian claimed. The path from the door to the bedside was, besides the bed itself, the place where their scents mingled most intensely. One can easily imagine how excited they were at the time—a young woman so passionately facing a middle-aged man.

Tsk! If this house hasn't been thoroughly cleaned recently, we should be able to extract quite a few traces of special liquid from this area.

Furthermore, there was no trace of Chen Jian along the way; his scent was scarce and concentrated throughout the room. He seemed to still possess some masculine dignity, having no intention of entering the room. His scent was minimal, and this was the only time it was truly fresh. Starting from the windowsill, after landing, he seemed to linger in place for a long time. Perhaps he was observing, or perhaps he was talking to Ai Qing. Then, the two appeared to make contact, but Ai Qing seemed to retreat. She retreated to the corner of the bed, maintaining a certain distance from Chen Jian. The two must have had a verbal altercation, as evidenced by Chen Jian's repeated attempts to move forward but then retreating back to his original position.

This situation can perhaps be verified by footprints. Multiple consecutive overlapping footprints should be able to be detected by on-site investigation, right?
Hmm... if Qian Weiyi isn't an option, we can have his master, Old Man Wu, give it a try.

Lin Ge was racking his brains over the details.

Then, Ai Qing seemed to give in, and she turned and left the room. A footprint could probably be made on the spot, but it still required consideration of whether it was from the same period, testing the skills of on-site investigation.

Lin Ge took a step forward and continued to construct the scene with his eyes closed.

After Ai Qing left, Chen Jian got to work. He wandered around the room, leaving his footprints on the wardrobe and desk. Hmm… fingerprints should also be able to find it here; Chen Jian seems to be looking for something.

money?
Or is it evidence of a girlfriend being intimate with a man?

Lin Ge isn't that kind of pervert. He can't imagine what kind of mentality Chen Jian was in at the time, or why he would secretly search everywhere behind Ai Qing's back.

In short, during the time Ai Qing brought her hidden things back to the bedroom, Chen Jian searched the bed, desk, and wardrobe for a long time. Then Ai Qing discovered his actions, and the two argued again.

Ai Qing was forced to the desk, and the two briefly scuffled.

Well……

Ai Qing seems to be injured!
Was it hit by something? I can faintly smell blood, but it didn't flow onto the floor; it landed on the table. Was it wiped off afterward? But shouldn't luminol reagent be able to detect it?
This proves that Chen Jian was still very powerful at the time, and his claim that everything was Ai Qing's initiative was absolutely a lie.

Well……

Feeling a little dizzy, Lingo quickly rested for a bit and then flicked his tail to relax.

He didn't know if his actions would have any effect, or if they could change the fact that Chen Jian had surrendered and received a reduced sentence. He just suddenly felt that he could do more for things that demanded the truth!

About three to five minutes later, Ringo resumed his work.

Even if the door were quietly opened at this moment, and three people were peering inside, Lin Ge couldn't care less about the night.

He came to the wardrobe and suddenly smelled a very faint, strange scent.

(End of this chapter)