Chapter 157: Li Tao

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The recovered human head, after forensic confirmation, matched perfectly with the body’s severed neck, proving it was indeed the same corpse. However, the skull was severely decomposed, making facial recognition impossible, and many people dared not look directly at it.

The head was sent to the forensic department for autopsy, while the wheel was sent to the technical team to check for any remaining trace evidence.

At 7 a.m., in an office of the Tong’an Police Station, the 9.19 task force held a case analysis meeting.

Dai Minghan personally chaired the meeting, with members from Team One and Team Three sitting on either side of the conference table.

Dai Minghan opened his notebook and said, “Everyone is aware of the current situation. The dumping site has been found—on Tong’an Bridge over the Moon River. The victim’s body has been fully recovered. Our investigation will continue to focus on two directions: first, to identify the victim; second, to find the suspect who committed the murder and dumped the body.”

“Zheng Kaixuan, since your Team Three located the dumping site, what do you suggest for the next steps in the investigation?” Dai Minghan asked directly, also encouraging Team Three.

“Now that Tong’an Bridge is confirmed as the dumping site, suspicion on the cloned license plate vehicle grows stronger. The person driving that cloned plate car is very likely the murderer and body dumper,” Zheng Kaixuan analyzed.

“Good analysis. If we find the cloned vehicle, we find the suspect,” Dai Minghan agreed, then turned to Li Zhankun beside him. “Team One is investigating the cloned vehicle, right? Any leads?”

“It’s been a while, and most surveillance footage has been overwritten. So far, we haven’t tracked the cloned car’s whereabouts. However, we are currently reviewing the Skynet surveillance between Tong’an Bridge and Baichang County. Hopefully, we can find traces of the suspect vehicle there,” Li Zhankun replied.

“How long will it take to finish reviewing the surrounding Skynet surveillance?” Dai Minghan asked.

“Firstly, there are many surveillance cameras in the area. Secondly, the time span is quite long—we need to review about twenty days of footage. Most importantly, the suspect vehicle likely changed its license plate, which makes the investigation more difficult and time-consuming. We will also need additional manpower support,” Li Zhankun explained.

Dai Minghan was silent for a moment before saying, “I’ve been clear about the investigation deadline—it’s ten days. You can allocate manpower from Team One. If that’s still not enough, you may ask for assistance from the local police station.”

“Understood,” Li Zhankun responded.

“Since Team One is already investigating, continue focusing on the suspect vehicle. Team Three will concentrate on identifying the victim. Any issues?” Dai Minghan asked.

“No,” Zheng Kaixuan replied.

“Then let’s proceed with this arrangement. Report any new leads to me promptly.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone responded.

...

After the meeting, Zheng Kaixuan took Team Three members to breakfast.

Everyone had little appetite and ate only a few bites casually.

After the meal, they gathered around the police van smoking. The doors were open; some sat inside, others stood outside.

Sun Xing took a drag of his cigarette and complained, “Captain Li really knows how to talk. During the briefing, he directly took over the task of investigating the suspect vehicle. As long as they find the suspect vehicle, they find the suspect, and the case will be solved.”

“Exactly. The cloned vehicle was found by us, and such a crucial lead should be handed over if they can’t track it,” Li Hui added.

“Stop complaining, everyone is working for the case. Identifying the suspect is equally important,” Zheng Kaixuan flicked his ash and continued, “Team Three found the dumping site; even Director Dai noticed. Your contribution is indispensable.”

“Zheng is right. There are many ways to Rome. If we get the victim’s identity and know where he recently went or who he contacted, we can still find the suspect,” Han Bin said.

“But the victim’s face is badly decomposed and unrecognizable. DNA comparison hasn’t succeeded, fingerprints are blurred—it’s not easy to identify him,” Li Hui shrugged.

“According to forensic pathologist Wu, the victim died about twenty days ago, close to the dumping time, indicating the murder likely happened near the dumping site,” Han Bin took a couple of drags and continued, “If I were the suspect, I’d dump the body nearby: one, I’d be familiar with the area; two, there are many vehicle inspections, especially since it’s a cloned car—getting caught by traffic police would ruin everything; three, dumping elsewhere would expose the body to more surveillance, leaving more clues for the police.”

Zheng Kaixuan opened a map and circled the area from Tong’an Bridge to several villages near Baichang County, saying, “You think the victim might be from these nearby villages?”

“If the murder occurred near these villages, the suspect could enter the county road near Tong’an Bridge via village roads, matching the suspect vehicle’s trajectory,” Han Bin said.

“We already checked the missing persons in these villages, but none match the victim’s identity,” Wei Zimo questioned.

“There’s a misunderstanding. The victim died about twenty days ago and might not have been reported missing yet. Many rural residents work outside. If the suspect used the victim’s phone to send messages saying he went to work elsewhere, it might not be noticed for a while,” Han Bin explained.

“That’s possible,” Li Hui stroked his chin.

“When investigating these villages, we should check not only missing persons but also those who left the village around August 30,” Han Bin proposed.

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Zheng Kaixuan stubbed out his cigarette, agreeing, “Good idea. Let’s give it a try.”

...

Checking missing persons is straightforward through the police database, but investigating those who left for work requires door-to-door inquiries.

Each village has nearly a thousand households, far too many for a few people to handle.

Zheng Kaixuan borrowed one member from Team Three’s first squad. The first squad had its own cases, so no more personnel could be spared, and the second squad was even busier.

He also requested four officers from the police station. In total, ten people began canvassing the nearby villages.

On the first day, in Beizhai Village, they found two people who had left for work around August 30. However, both maintained contact with their families, even having video calls, ruling out the possibility they were victims.

On the second day, Sun Xing and Wei Zimo investigated Nadu Village, discovering a man named Li Tao who left for work on August 30. He was 41 years old, about the same age as the victim. After leaving home, he only sent messages, saying he was working with friends, with no calls or video chats.

At Sun Xing’s request, they had Li Tao’s mother call him, only to find his phone switched off.

...

At the Yuhua Sub-bureau, in the task force office, a projector displayed the suspected victim’s information.

Name: Li Tao
Gender: Male
Age: 41
Address: Nadu Village, Qindao City
Missing since: Morning of August 30

A photo of Li Tao appeared in the top left corner.

Dai Minghan reviewed the file and asked, “Has the family identified the body?”

“The body is highly decomposed and hard to recognize visually. Considering the victim’s mother is elderly and in poor health, no one asked her to identify the body to avoid emotional distress. We proceeded with DNA testing, but the results are not yet out,” Zheng Kaixuan replied.

“Does Li Tao have other relatives, friends, or close contacts?”

“We interviewed some people. Li Tao had a reputation in the village for being lazy and opportunistic. His mother contacted some close relatives, like his cousin and sister, but none had recent news or could reach him,” Zheng Kaixuan said.

“Any records of him traveling out of town?”

“We checked flight and railway systems; no ticket purchases found,” Han Bin reported.

“Director Dai, Li Tao lost contact with everyone after August 30. I believe he is our victim,” Wei Zimo firmly said.

Dai Minghan nodded and asked, “Any progress on investigating Li Tao?”

“Before August 30, Li Tao frequently contacted two phone numbers. After that date, communication ceased,” Han Bin said, displaying the owners’ info on the projector.

Name: Zhang Haiyan
Gender: Female
Age: 36
Phone: 13438XXXXXX
Address: Beizhai Village, Qindao City

After viewing her info, they displayed the second contact.

Name: Sun Shaoqiang
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Phone: 15738XXXXX
Address: Xiguan Village, Guang’an City

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Dai Minghan jotted notes and asked, “Any contact with these two?”

“They were the last to contact Li Tao. His disappearance might relate to them. To avoid alerting suspects, we haven’t called them yet. We plan to visit once we find their exact addresses,” Zheng Kaixuan said.

Dai Minghan pondered briefly. “Have Zhang Haiyan give a statement first to see if she’s suspicious. Guang’an City is far from here; I’ll contact local police for assistance.”

“Yes, sir,” they replied and immediately took action.

...

Han Bin was familiar with Beizhai Village from previous investigations. They headed smoothly to the village committee to inquire about Zhang Haiyan.

She ran a small convenience store in Beizhai Village, with a family of three: husband and a five-year-old daughter. The family situation was uncomplicated.

Zhang Haiyan’s store was at the village’s east entrance. Zheng Kaixuan’s team set up surveillance outside, while Han Bin and Li Hui pretended to be customers entering the store to gather information.

The store door was open, and a little girl was playing shuttlecock by the entrance. Li Hui smiled and said, “Little sister, you’re so cute! How old are you?”

The girl glanced at Li Hui, then stood up and ran back inside the store.

Li Hui stood awkwardly.

Han Bin smirked and strode into the store.

The convenience store was about a hundred square meters, packed with shelves. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, glanced at Han Bin and Li Hui, and asked, “What can I get you?”

Han Bin said nothing, scanning the surroundings. Zhang Haiyan was nowhere to be seen.

He pretended to look at merchandise, buying time to see if she would appear.

After a long wait, still no sign of Zhang Haiyan.

Han Bin and Li Hui exchanged glances and approached the counter. Han Bin asked, “Boss, what’s your name?”

“My surname’s Cao. Just call me Old Cao. What do you need? I’ll get it for you.” The man looked at Han Bin with some suspicion.

Han Bin showed his police badge. “We’re police officers.”

“Police!” Old Cao was surprised. “What’s the matter?”

“Is Zhang Haiyan here? We want to speak with her,” Han Bin said.

“She’s cooking in the back,” he replied.

“We need to ask her some questions. Please take us to her.”

“The backyard’s a bit messy. Wait here, I’ll call her,” Old Cao said and hurried inside.

Han Bin and Li Hui followed him. The store opened to a courtyard with cilantro and chives growing on the left and a pile of coal slag on the right.

As they entered, Old Cao led a woman out of the house. She was in her thirties and wore a red apron tied around her waist.

Han Bin recognized her from the photo but proceeded with formal questioning, “Are you Zhang Haiyan?”

“Yes.” She wiped her hands on the apron and asked, “Officers, what do you want?”

“We suspect you might be involved in a missing persons case and want your cooperation in the investigation,” Han Bin said. (DNA comparison results pending)

“How could I be involved? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Zhang Haiyan lowered her head, nervously tucking hair behind her ear.

When she raised her head, Han Bin stared at her cheek and asked, “Do you know Li Tao?”

Zhang Haiyan showed fear, “N-no, I don’t know him.”