042 New Clues (Thanks to the patron for supporting the detective with a generous reward!)

Han Bin switched on his earpiece. “Captain Zheng, we can’t just keep tailing her like this forever.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Zheng Kaixuan replied.

“I suggest we ask Sergeant Sun to pull the surveillance footage from around the square. If the old lady really is just scavenging, she should frequent that area,” Han Bin said.

“Hmm, that’s a good idea.” Zheng Kaixuan nodded and turned to Zeng Ping. “Old Zeng, contact Sergeant Sun and have him pull the surrounding surveillance to verify the old lady’s identity.”

“Yes, sir.”

The five of them followed the old lady for a while, but she didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. Nor did Han Bin and the others see anyone else trailing them.

Forty minutes later—

The shrill ring of Zeng Ping’s phone broke the silence. It was Sun Hao calling.

“Old Zeng, I’ve checked the surveillance around the square. That old lady comes by almost every night to scavenge for trash. Nothing suspicious,” Sun Hao reported.

“Alright, thanks for your hard work.”

“It’s my duty.” With that, Sun Hao hung up.

“What did he say?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

“Sun Hao checked the footage; the old lady scavenges there often. She’s unlikely to be a suspect,” Zeng Ping replied.

“Captain Zheng, the old lady’s headed into a narrow lane. She’s probably close to her home,” Li Hui’s voice crackled over the earpiece.

“Captain, we need to act now. If she takes the money home, it’ll get complicated,” Zeng Ping said.

Zheng Kaixuan hesitated for a moment. “Move in.”

…

Not far ahead, Han Bin caught up to the old lady on his electric bike, overtook her by a few meters, and blocked her path.

“What are you doing? The road’s wide enough—why are you blocking me?” the old lady demanded.

Li Hui and Tian Li arrived as well, flanking her on either side.

“And who are you people?” the old lady asked nervously, pulling her pushcart behind her.

“Ma’am, don’t be afraid. We’re the police,” Li Hui said.

“The police? What do you want?”

“Ma’am, did you go to the square to scavenge tonight on your own, or did someone ask you to go?” Li Hui questioned.

“Why would I need to be told? If you want to learn, come scavenge with me for a few days and you’ll pick it up,” she retorted.

Li Hui was speechless. Why would he give up being a policeman to scavenge for trash?

“Ma’am, we’re investigating a case of extortion. The fifty thousand yuan you’re carrying is extortion money,” Tian Li said.

“Oh my, what fifty thousand? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the old lady denied quickly.

“If you didn’t take the money, why were you walking so fast?” Li Hui pressed.

“I’m exercising, is that so wrong?” she argued.

“Please come with us to the station to assist with the investigation,” Tian Li said.

“Why should I? I’m not going,” the old lady protested.

“Ma’am, I know you’re probably innocent, but that money is evidence in an extortion case. Whoever has it needs to make a statement with us,” Tian Li explained.

After much coaxing and persuading, Li Hui and Tian Li finally convinced the old lady to come with them back to the station.

…

At Qindao Substation, Li Hui and Tian Li took the old lady’s statement.

Zheng Kaixuan made a pot of tea and sat at the table, his expression grave.

“You two, come here. The three of us need to have a meeting.”

Zeng Ping and Han Bin walked over and sat beside Zheng Kaixuan.

“Has Sun Hao pulled back yet?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

“Sun Hao’s left. He left two officers in the car to keep watch,” Zeng Ping replied.

“And over at Anyang Apartments?”

“Zhao Ming called me. Nothing unusual there. I told him to keep staking it out,” Zeng Ping answered.

“Why hasn’t the extortionist shown up? What’s he planning? I’m starting to get confused,” Zheng Kaixuan admitted.

“Maybe he discovered our presence and didn’t dare to show himself,” Han Bin suggested.

“That shouldn’t be. We were very careful today,” Zeng Ping said.

Han Bin thought back for a moment. “I really didn’t see anyone suspicious.”

“Tomorrow, recheck the surveillance around People’s Square for any suspicious figures between six in the evening and midnight,” Zheng Kaixuan ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

Just then, Li Hui and Tian Li walked in.

“Did you recover the money?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

“It’s all here.” Li Hui set a black plastic bag on the table.

“This old lady has no sense of returning lost property,” Zeng Ping shook his head.

“Do you think the old lady is suspicious?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

“We’ve taken her statement. Her name is Li Yuanfang, a local from Qindao. She often scavenges near People’s Square and has no connection to the victim. We can basically rule her out,” Li Hui replied.

“Captain Zheng, the old lady is quite pitiful. She’s been dragged around by us all night. Why don’t we give her a hundred yuan for her trouble?” Tian Li suggested kindly.

“I’ll pay the hundred yuan,” Zheng Kaixuan said.

“If the old lady’s not involved, then we’re back to a dead end,” Zeng Ping sighed.

“Captain Zheng, I want to interrogate Yu Hefeng again and see if he can provide any new clues.”

“That could be a breakthrough,” Zheng Kaixuan agreed.

“Li Hui, Tian Li, you two were checking around Anyang Apartments today. Did you find anything?”

“We pulled the surrounding surveillance. So far, nothing suspicious,” Li Hui reported.

“Keep checking tomorrow,” Zheng Kaixuan said.

“Yes, sir.”

“Captain, I’d like to see the extortion photos,” Han Bin said.

“I’ve seen them. They’re quite private. It’s not really appropriate for you to look at them. If you have questions, ask me,” Tian Li said.

“Come on, at this stage, let’s not be so old-fashioned. Let Han Bin look at them,” Zheng Kaixuan waved his hand. With all leads cold, they needed to find a new clue as quickly as possible.

It was like a doctor and a patient—when the illness is severe, you need the best doctor you can find. Otherwise, if the suspect posted those photos online, the harm to the victim would only be greater.

“Alright, it’s late. That’s all for tonight. Everyone, get some sleep.”

With that, Zheng Kaixuan took out a hundred yuan. “Give the money to the old lady and have her take a cab home.”

“Yes, sir.”

…

The next morning.

Han Bin arrived at the office with dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t gotten home until after two in the morning, and by the time he’d settled in, it was three. After only a few hours of sleep, he was up again for work.

Both Li Hui and Han Bin were running late and came straight to the office without breakfast. Everyone was present except Zhao Ming.

Tian Li brought over two breakfasts and set them in front of Han Bin and Li Hui. “Eat up. Deputy Zeng bought these for you.”

“Deputy Zeng, you’re amazing. How did you know we hadn’t eaten?” Li Hui said, stuffing a bun into his mouth.

Zeng Ping lit a cigarette and took a draw. “I’ve been where you are before. Eat up.”

After breakfast, everyone threw themselves back into the grind. Following Zheng Kaixuan’s instructions from the night before, they each set out on their assigned tasks.

Relatively speaking, Han Bin’s job was lighter; he stayed in the office to study the photos.

The photos clearly showed the victim’s appearance. If they were leaked online, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Han Bin carefully examined each photo, comparing them with the videos on the computer. After a period of meticulous study, he actually managed to uncover a new clue.