I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 159 Early Life

"Did Gao Zhi get scolded?"

One of the criminal investigation officers whispered something, but immediately shut up after being reminded by a friend.

Everyone saw Gao Bingyang make the phone call just now; without a doubt, he was calling Deputy Director Zheng Hongyi.

The fact that another person died shortly after the special task force was established means that even if Gao Bingyang did not make any mistakes in decision-making, he could not avoid being questioned by Zheng Hongyi.

There's no need to worry about his mentality. Gao Bingyang has been a policeman for so many years, rising from a front-line criminal investigator to the position of branch captain. He's been scolded... more than once or twice.

Everyone gets scolded before, but after the scolding, the investigation will still proceed.

However, if a fourth victim were to appear, the situation would become very serious.

"What are you thinking about?" Tong Feng asked when he saw Han Ling lost in thought.

Han Ling: "Thinking about that car accident, let's try to add Wu Cuicui and Xiong Chuan into it."

Upon hearing this, Tong Feng nodded: "That is indeed a problem. How could an ordinary car accident involve Wu Cuicui and Xiong Chuan?"

Han Ling: "Next, the higher-ups will probably investigate further. Car accident investigations are not as rigorous as criminal investigations. If the murder is really related to the car accident, I reckon... the investigation back then had some oversights, and quite significant ones at that."

As she spoke, Han Ling tiptoed and peered at the inner perimeter of the police cordon ahead, where the city bureau's forensic and trace evidence departments were located, areas that were relatively unfamiliar to her.

Surveillance personnel are prohibited from approaching to avoid disturbing the scene.

"Go if you want to go," Tong Feng said. "You're a first-class meritorious official, do you think Branch Chief Gao and Branch Chief Wu would kick you out?"

Han Ling: "Never mind, let's go back to the Municipal Bureau to see the autopsy report."

He suddenly had a desire for "promotion," to have higher authority and be able to influence the direction of case investigations, unlike now when he had to wait for orders and blend into the ranks as a "little karami."

The two chatted for a while, then an instruction came through the walkie-talkie.

"Check the owner information of all parked vehicles within a five-kilometer radius."

……

"We will immediately conduct a comprehensive visit to Xijiang Village. We will wake them up even if they are asleep, and we will pay attention to the methods and approaches used to avoid causing conflicts between the police and the villagers."

……

"Among the people who left, six went to Xijiang Village to visit relatives and friends. Their names are recorded and we will verify them."

……

"Search outwards from the crime scene, focusing on finding the murder weapon."

……

"Call for backup from the nearest location and search the riverbed."

……

Han Ling and Tong Feng were assigned the task of tracking down the whereabouts of the six people. Since they lived not far away, the two chose to walk there.

There are quite a few people from the village committee, and the head of the local police station came personally to coordinate. Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

After obtaining the addresses, Han Ling and Tong Feng went to each address one by one in order.

Of the six people, some came to drink with friends, some came to visit relatives, and one came to visit because an elder had undergone surgery.

"I never expected Zhenhua to come. His condition is much worse than mine. I'm afraid he'll pass away before me." Inside the room, a 60-year-old man named Zhang Shouyi sighed.

Han Ling asked, "What's wrong with his health?"

Zhang Shouyi said, "I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, liver cancer. It cost my family a lot of money. Alas, my two children still need to go to school. This is truly a misfortune that has befallen us."

Upon hearing "cancer," Han Ling's eyes flickered slightly: "Did you have a lot of contact with Zhang Zhenhua?"

Zhang Shouyi shook his head: "Rarely. We don't usually keep in touch. This time, they heard I had surgery, so they came to see me."

Han Ling glanced down at the list, which contained the name Zhang Zhenhua, a police officer from the police station who was conducting a checkpoint inspection.

"Don't you think it's a bit late?" he asked.

Zhang Shouyi puffed on his old-fashioned cigarette holder and said, "It is indeed a bit late. He probably had something to do during the day."

The use of the word "maybe" indicates that Zhang Zhenhua had not previously given a clear answer to this question.

The best time to visit an elderly person after surgery is generally between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM or between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, avoiding mealtimes and rest periods. A middle-aged man in his forties, who is also a patient, should know proper etiquette.

Han Ling developed doubts about Zhang Zhenhua, so she began to question him in detail.

What time did he arrive?

"It was probably... a little after nine o'clock, but I didn't pay much attention at the time."

Does he own a car?

“I used to have some, but I sold it to pay for medical treatment.”

These two simple questions heightened Han Ling's suspicions once again.

The fact that Zhang Zhenhua arrived at Zhang Shouyi's house around 9 a.m. indicates that he had time to commit the crime.

As for the electric vehicle, there is plenty of room for maneuver. For example, one could park the electric vehicle nearby beforehand, burn the van after committing the crime, or simply stuff the electric vehicle into the van, which has plenty of space.

Visiting his cousin Zhang Shouyi was a way for him to find a plausible reason for being in the vicinity.

"Do you know Zhu Guilan?" Han Ling asked.

The old man thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know him."

After leaving the old man's house, Han Ling took out his phone to call the special task force command center to report the situation. Upon learning that a suspected suspect had appeared, the center immediately handed the call to Gao Bingyang.

"Hello? This is Gao Bingyang."

Han Ling: "Chief Gao, I think there's something wrong with Zhang Zhenhua. Do you think we should investigate Zhu Guilan first, or go directly to Zhang Zhenhua?"

Currently, a full investigation into Zhu Guilan has not yet been launched, leading to two possible directions.

First, investigate Zhu Guilan. If Zhang Zhenhua is found in Zhu Guilan's network of connections, he can be summoned immediately.

Second, go directly to Zhang Zhenhua and ask him if he knows Zhu Guilan, and observe his reaction. Han Ling and Tong Feng cannot decide to leave their posts without authorization.

Gao Bingyang had a deep impression of Han Ling. He had heard of him since he was at the film and television base. Later, Han Ling performed well when he joined the police station and was a sharpshooter. A year later, he was quickly transferred to the criminal investigation team of the branch bureau. Wu Bin valued him highly.

To put it more simply, the clue about the car accident was obtained by Han Ling's investigation team.

Visiting people is a skill. Without a clear direction, the information obtained by each police officer can vary greatly, and not everyone who goes can get useful results.

This shows that Han Ling knew what she needed to ask during her visits, which is why she was able to quickly obtain clues.

"What do you think?" Gao Bingyang rarely sought the opinion of an ordinary police officer.

Han Ling: "Each has its advantages and disadvantages. It's safer to investigate Zhu Guilan first to avoid alerting her. Going directly to Zhang Zhenhua will catch him off guard. If he has problems, we might get some unexpected results."

Personally, I prefer to ask directly.

Gao Bingyang: "Then don't hesitate, go find them directly. The suspect's footprints are size 43. Are they carrying a gun?"

He was considering security issues.

Han Ling: "I brought it."

After the task force was established, the branch office issued firearms until the task force was disbanded, since the task force was dealing with serial killers, which was very dangerous.

Gao Bingyang: "Pay attention to the methods and approaches. This case is not the same as the Weijiazhuang Village case. We need to be alive."

Han Ling: "Understood."

He was somewhat helpless. Ever since the case in Weijiazhuang Village, his "bad reputation" had spread far and wide, and even the branch captain had to give him a subtle reminder.

It doesn't matter, I didn't kill the wrong person anyway.

If he encounters a similar case in the future, he will still shoot if necessary.

The phone hangs up.

Gao Bingyang did not assign more personnel to Han Ling. Currently, it is in the stage of comprehensive investigation. There will be many people like Zhang Zhenhua to be visited, and two police officers will be enough to visit them.

Han Ling and Tong Feng drove away to Zhang Zhenhua's house.

"Why did Gao Zhi tell you so much?" Tong Feng asked on the way. "After all, you're a first-class meritorious official; even Gao Zhi has to treat you differently. He wouldn't be thinking of transferring you to the municipal bureau, would he?"

Han Ling laughed and said, "If I was going to be transferred, I would have done so long ago. Would I still be going to the branch office?"

Tong Feng thought for a moment and nodded: "That's true. I'd be so lonely if you went to the Municipal Bureau."

Zhang Zhenhua's home is in Gu'an District. After arriving downstairs, Han Ling took out her phone to check the location.

There are three locations in total.

First, Zhu Guilan's home.

Second, Xiong Chuan’s home.

Third, Zhang Zhenhua's home.

The three locations form a regular triangle, and the distance between them is within three kilometers.

Three kilometers, that's very close.

I went upstairs and knocked on the door. Zhang Zhenhua was there, just putting on a vest.

Upon learning the purpose of the police visit, Zhang Zhenhua led the two men to the south-facing study, where his wife and children were already asleep.

"What happened? I just went to see my uncle." Zhang Zhenhua poured water for the two of them with paper cups and asked first.

Han Ling observed the man in front of her; his face was pale and he was indeed very weak, so it seemed that he was seriously ill.

"Thank you." Han Ling accepted the cup and expressed his gratitude. "Mr. Zhang, there's no need to be nervous. We were just making a routine inquiry. We're sorry to bother you so late."

Zhang Zhenhua sat down and said politely, "I won't bother you unless it's necessary. I usually go to bed quite late anyway."

Han Ling: "Mr. Zhang, where were you between six and nine o'clock?"

Zhang Zhenhua: "Today?"

Han Ling: "Yes."

Zhang Zhenhua: "I was having dinner at home at six o'clock. After dinner, I went out to buy gifts to visit my uncle, and then I took a walk along the river."

Han Ling: "Are you talking about the moat nearby?"

This matter needs to be investigated, but we can only do so after we leave; it's impossible to determine its authenticity now.

Zhang Zhenhua laughed and said, "Yes, since I got sick, I really enjoy taking walks by myself. I have cancer."

Han Ling: "You seem to have a pretty good attitude."

Zhang Zhenhua: "There's nothing we can do now that things are like this. We still have to look forward. I need to persevere for a few more years and try to see my youngest son get into university and my eldest daughter get married."

Han Ling nodded: "Mindset is indeed very important. Illnesses mainly rely on the immune system to heal itself."

Zhang Zhenhua: "Yes, look at me, I've been diagnosed with late-stage cancer for five or six years now, and I'm already very content. I'll live one more day as long as I can."

After a brief chat, Han Ling mentioned Zhu Guilan, and to his surprise... the other party actually knew her.

“I know her, she’s a primary school teacher. Why are you suddenly bringing her up?” Zhang Zhenhua asked, surprised.

Han Ling: "Did you meet because your child went to school?"

When asked about this, Zhang Zhenhua suddenly fell silent. After a long while, he said, "No, a few years ago, after I was diagnosed with cancer, I didn't want to add to my family's burden. My children need money for living, going to school, and getting married... so I thought of committing suicide by jumping into the moat."

Teacher Zhu saved me.

Han Ling: "Oh? How did you save her? Did you jump in to save her?"

Zhang Zhenhua: "No, no, I hadn't jumped yet. She stopped me when I was about to jump."

Han Ling observed his expression.

This is no small favor.

(End of this chapter)