044 Lockdown

Due to the nature of the case and the particularity of the evidence, the search did not take long; with the suspect’s frequently used computer, phone, and USB drive in tow, they returned to the precinct.

At the station, they collected fingerprints and DNA, and sent them, along with the phone, computer, and USB drive, to the technical team. The suspect was brought directly to the interrogation room.

Han Bin led the questioning, while Li Hui recorded.

“Name, gender, age, place of origin…”

“Chen Huijie, male, thirty-four years old…”

“How did you meet Yu Hefeng?” Han Bin asked.

“He came to my shop some time ago to have his computer repaired.”

“Did you have any contact after that?”

“No.”

“Did you find any secretly filmed videos on his computer?” Han Bin pressed.

“I only repair computers. I don’t snoop through customers’ things,” Chen Huijie replied.

“Think carefully before you answer. Concealing facts from the police will only make things worse for you,” Han Bin warned.

“I’m telling the truth. I’ve never seen any secretly filmed videos, much less blackmailed anyone,” Chen Huijie insisted.

“Where were you the night before last?” Han Bin continued.

“At home.”

“Who can confirm this?”

“My wife and son.”

“And the night before that?”

“Also at home.”

“Any other proof?”

“No.”

“Have you ever been to Anyang Apartments?”

“I don’t even know where that is.”

…

The interrogation lasted more than an hour.

Afterwards, Han Bin and Li Hui returned to the office.

Zeng Ping, who had been observing from the surveillance room, commented, “That kid’s got a tight mouth.”

“Captain Zeng, I don’t think Chen Huijie is lying,” Han Bin said.

“Don’t forget about Edison’s case,” Li Hui reminded.

“The guy who repaired Edison’s computer sold the videos to entertainment reporters. But in this case, the blackmailer directly targeted the victim. How would Chen Huijie know the victim lived in Anyang Apartments?” Han Bin asked.

“Maybe Yu Hefeng accidentally let it slip?” Tian Li speculated.

“How about interrogating Yu Hefeng again?” Zhao Ming suggested.

“Knock knock.” Lu Wen tapped the door symbolically and entered. “Captain Zeng, the fingerprint comparison results from the computer are back.”

“Do they match?”

“Not at all,” Lu Wen replied.

“Any videos or photos of the victim on his computer or phone?” Han Bin asked.

“No.”

“Could they have been deleted?” Zeng Ping wondered.

“I’m trying to recover any deleted files. If I find anything, I’ll let you know,” Lu Wen said before leaving.

The second team’s office fell into brief silence.

After a moment, Han Bin broke it. “Captain Zeng, it seems we might have arrested the wrong person.”

“Then who could it be?” Li Hui couldn’t help asking.

“I went over the photos and videos this morning, and re-examined the case. Some details deserve closer scrutiny,” Han Bin said.

“Go ahead.”

“The suspect sent a blackmail letter but didn’t show up yesterday. Why?” Han Bin asked.

“Maybe they noticed our surveillance?” Li Hui suggested.

“I recall carefully—Captain Zheng and Captain Zeng’s setup didn’t have any gaps,” Han Bin replied.

“So why do you think the suspect didn’t appear?” Zeng Ping pressed.

“If the suspect already knew the victim had called the police, they’d expect us to be waiting at the scene. They wouldn’t foolishly walk into a trap,” Han Bin reasoned.

“Han Bin, isn’t that contradictory? If they knew about the police, why risk sending a second blackmail letter?” Zhao Ming argued.

“Not at all. There’s a purpose behind their actions,” Han Bin said.

“To clear Yu Hefeng’s name?” Zeng Ping guessed.

“Spot on, Captain Zeng. Right to the heart of the matter,” Han Bin smiled.

“Now’s not the time for flattery,” Zeng Ping laughed and scolded.

“In other words, Yu Hefeng has an accomplice, who also participated in the blackmail,” Li Hui conjectured.

“That’s one possibility.”

“What’s the other?” Tian Li asked, puzzled.

“The person doesn’t want Yu Hefeng to take the fall, and is trying to save him in this way,” Han Bin said.

“Whichever it is, their relationship is very close,” Zeng Ping analyzed.

“I suggest we review Yu Hefeng’s circle and see who he’s close to,” Han Bin proposed.

“At the moment, his wife and daughter seem closest. Han Bin and Li Hui, you two check the daughter; Tian Li and Zhao Ming, check his wife. Collect their fingerprints and compare with those on the computer,” Zeng Ping instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

…

Han Bin and Li Hui were tasked with tailing Yu Hefeng’s daughter, Yu Wei.

The following morning, the two waited outside Yu Hefeng’s home. To avoid being recognized, they disguised themselves: Han Bin wore sunglasses, a baseball cap, and casual clothes; Li Hui stuck on a fake mustache and wore baggy shorts. Their appearance was a far cry from their usual selves.

As soon as Yu Wei left, they followed her.

Yu Wei attended university in the city, but didn’t go to campus that morning. She hailed a taxi, picked up a young man along the way, and headed straight to Taylor Square.

After getting out, the pair linked arms and entered an office tower.

“Her father’s been arrested, and Yu Wei still has the mood to stroll around the square. Doesn’t seem too close to Yu Hefeng,” Li Hui scoffed.

“I think this actually increases her suspicion,” Han Bin replied.

“How so?”

“She’s already helped her father clear his name; she has nothing to worry about now,” Han Bin explained.

“Look, they’re shopping for men’s clothes,” Li Hui pointed out.

“Good thing it’s men’s clothing; if it were women’s, we wouldn’t have a way in,” Han Bin laughed.

Li Hui entered the store, glanced at the price tags, and whistled. “Wow, these clothes are pricey.”

“Young people these days aren’t afraid to spend,” Han Bin commented.

“I have to say, Yu Wei’s boyfriend is quite handsome—almost a match for me,” Li Hui joked.

Han Bin only smiled.

The two pretended to browse, but were actually keeping an eye on Yu Wei.

After a while, Yu Wei and her boyfriend picked out their clothes and went to the counter.

What surprised Han Bin was that Yu Wei paid for the purchase.

After they left, Han Bin walked over to the counter. When Yu Wei paid, her hand had rested on the marble surface, leaving a clear handprint.

Han Bin showed his badge and successfully collected the fingerprints.

Li Hui took out a portable police fingerprint collection and matching device. The fingerprints from the computer had already been uploaded, so the results would be out soon.

“Ping, fingerprints collected.”

“Comparing…”

Han Bin and Li Hui waited anxiously.

“Ping, fingerprint match result: perfect match!”