Chapter 17: The Truth

Wang Jie took a deep breath and walked forward with his head lowered.

Han Bin reached out to block his path and said, “Comrade, we’re from the Public Security Bureau. There’s a case we’d like you to assist us in investigating.”

“Officer, what case is it?” Wang Jie asked.

“There was a robbery in the finance office on the fourth floor of the hospital. Are you aware of it?” Han Bin replied.

“I heard someone mention it, but I don’t really know the details,” Wang Jie answered.

“Where were you between three thirty and five twenty this afternoon?” Li Hui asked.

“Oh, my mother-in-law is hospitalized, so I was at the hospital taking care of her.”

“Where exactly?”

“I can’t really remember,” Wang Jie responded.

“What’s in your bag?” Han Bin asked.

“Dirty clothes. I’m taking them home to wash.”

“Are clothes really that heavy? The woven bag is already deformed,” Han Bin remarked.

“There are also some office documents in there. They’re a bit heavy. I’m taking them home to work overtime,” Wang Jie said perfunctorily.

“Open the bag. We need to inspect it,” Han Bin demanded.

“Do you have a search warrant, officer?” Wang Jie retorted.

“The Criminal Procedure Law states that in cases of arrest or detention, if there’s an emergency, a search can be conducted without a warrant,” Han Bin replied.

“I haven’t resisted and have cooperated with you all along. This doesn’t count as an emergency, does it?” Wang Jie argued.

“I suspect you’re carrying a weapon that could endanger the safety of those around you. That constitutes an emergency,” Han Bin replied.

“You can’t treat me like this. I’m innocent. I haven’t done anything,” Wang Jie protested.

“We’re here to clear your name. Open the bag,” Han Bin insisted.

Sweat now beaded on Wang Jie’s forehead, and his hands trembled slightly.

Li Hui reached out, snatched the bag, and unzipped it. Inside were several pieces of women’s clothing and a black backpack—the same as the one carried by the suspect in the surveillance footage.

Li Hui opened the backpack. Inside were bundles of red banknotes, a white lab coat, sunglasses, a mask, and a bloodstained dagger with blood still on the handle.

“These are your office documents?” Zeng Ping snorted. “Arrest him!”

Wang Jie did not resist as Han Bin and Li Hui handcuffed him.

“What are you doing? Why are you arresting my husband?” Xiao Fang ran out of the hospital room, alarmed by the commotion.

“We suspect your husband is involved in a robbery,” Han Bin said.

“That’s impossible! My husband isn’t that kind of person!” Xiao Fang cried.

“Then what’s this?” Li Hui revealed the cash and dagger from the backpack.

“This… how could this be…” Shock was written all over Xiao Fang’s face.

“Xiao Fang, I’m sorry. I can’t use this money to pay for your mother’s treatment,” Wang Jie said quietly.

“Jie, how could you be so foolish?” Xiao Fang wept bitterly.

…

In the police car.

“Phew…” Li Hui let out a long breath. “He almost slipped away.”

“You’re right. If we’d been a moment later, he would’ve left the hospital with the stolen money and the tools, using a legitimate reason to avoid the timeframe of the crime. It would have been very difficult to track him down then,” Tian Li said.

“Han Bin, if you hadn’t suggested a new line of investigation, Wang Jie really would have gotten away with it,” Zeng Ping said, reaching out to pat Han Bin’s shoulder.

“It was a team effort. I just added the finishing touch,” Han Bin replied with a smile.

“I love those finishing touches. The more, the better,” Zeng Ping laughed.

“Captain Zeng, how about some praise for me too? I’ve been working while sick,” Li Hui chimed in.

“By the way, have you seen a doctor yet?” Zeng Ping asked with concern.

“Haven’t had the chance. We found the case first,” Li Hui shrugged.

“What’s your illness, anyway? I have friends in the hospital. Want me to introduce you to a doctor?” Zeng Ping offered.

“No need, really,” Li Hui waved his hands hurriedly.

“Is it really such a secret? You won’t even tell Captain Zeng?” Tian Li teased.

“It’s nothing, really,” Li Hui replied awkwardly.

Han Bin chuckled and said, “Actually, if you want to know what Li Hui’s illness is, it’s not hard.”

“You know?” Tian Li asked.

“Don’t act so smug. You think you’re Sherlock Holmes now?” Li Hui snorted. He hadn’t told anyone he had hemorrhoids.

“There aren’t many departments on the fourth floor, most dealing with private conditions—mostly gynecology and hemorrhoids,” Han Bin said.

Li Hui, known for his big mouth and frequent teasing, couldn’t escape Han Bin’s retaliation when the opportunity arose.

“Oh,” Tian Li said, drawing out her response, realization dawning on her face.

Li Hui’s cheeks flushed red. He shot Han Bin a glare and looked up at the car ceiling, saying nothing.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? For a man, hemorrhoids are nothing,” Zeng Ping laughed.

…

Qindao Branch Station.

As soon as they returned to the office, Zhao Ming came to meet them. “Captain Zeng, how did it go?”

“We caught the robber. Let’s have a drink of water and rest before we start the interrogation,” Zeng Ping replied.

“Zhao Ming, I heard you caught a suspect too. How did it go?” Li Hui asked.

Zhao Ming shook his head. “Brother Bin was right. The guy has a criminal record, but I doubt he’s connected to this robbery.”

“Bin, you’re really getting the hang of these cases lately. You must have picked up a thing or two from me,” Li Hui boasted.

Han Bin rolled his eyes and ignored him.

“Han Bin, Li Hui, take a break, then both of you will handle the interrogation,” Zeng Ping instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

…

In the interrogation room.

Han Bin and Li Hui sat at the table, facing the suspect in the interrogation chair.

“Name, age, place of origin…”

“Wang Jie, thirty-two, Jizhou…”

“Where were you this afternoon between four and four fifteen?”

“At the hospital,” Wang Jie replied.

“What were you doing?”

“I can’t remember,” he said.

“Wang Jie, confessing will earn you leniency, resisting will be dealt with strictly. Tell the truth and seek a lighter sentence, so you can see your family sooner,” Han Bin urged.

Wang Jie closed his eyes, his expression shifting repeatedly. After a long silence, he opened his eyes again. “Ask what you want to know.”

“Was it you who committed the robbery in the finance office on the fourth floor this afternoon?” Han Bin asked.

“Yes, it was me.”

“How did you do it?”

“I hid in the stairwell. When I saw someone from the finance office walk past, I took her hostage and went into the finance office,” Wang Jie admitted.

“Did you have any accomplices?”

“No, I acted alone.”

“How was the victim injured?”

“After the robbery, I was afraid she’d scream, so I knocked her out with the hilt of the knife,” Wang Jie replied.

“Hospitals are places to save lives. How could you commit such a crime in a place like this? Doesn’t your conscience bother you?” Li Hui asked.

“You’re right, hospitals are meant to save lives—but they’re businesses too. Without money, they won’t treat you,” Wang Jie said.

“You robbed the finance office to pay for medical expenses?” Han Bin asked.

“My mother-in-law needed surgery. I needed the money,” Wang Jie replied.

“Was it worth it?” Han Bin asked gently.

Wang Jie shook his head, eyes red. “I had no choice.”