053 Support

Half an hour later.

Zheng Kaixuan called everyone into the corridor, took out a box of Hardeman cigarettes, and handed them around. When the pack was empty, he tore open a corner to use as an ashtray and placed it on the windowsill.

Zheng Kaixuan took a drag from his cigarette. “You’ve all seen the scene. Let’s hear your thoughts.”

“Captain Zheng, I think we should combine these two cases and investigate them as one,” Han Bin suggested.

“Your reasoning?”

“First, the crimes took place around the same time. Second, both doors had tape stuck on them,” Han Bin replied.

“Aren’t those reasons a bit too simple?” Tian Li frowned slightly. “For the second case, we don’t even know the exact time of the crime. We can only say the time they were discovered is similar.”

“These are two photos of the doors I just took. The first is apartment 2704, the second is 2903.” Han Bin pulled out his phone and showed everyone.

The doors were installed by the same developer; their design and style were almost identical. The tape was stuck in the same spot—on the lower left corner of the door.

Zheng Kaixuan glanced at the photos, immediately took the phone, zoomed in, and studied the images closely for a moment. “This is bad.”

“Captain Zheng, what’s wrong?”

Without answering, Zheng Kaixuan strode over to check the doors of apartments 2901, 2902, and 2904. All three doors had tape in the lower left corner.

“These… why do all these doors have transparent tape stuck on them?” Li Hui exclaimed in astonishment.

Zheng Kaixuan’s expression turned grim. “This could be a series of burglaries.”

“Captain Zheng, do you mean there are other cases we don’t know about?” Zhao Ming asked in confusion.

“If my guess is right, most of the doors in this building probably have similar transparent tape on them. The tape is less than a centimeter wide—easy to miss. And because it’s in the lower left corner, you wouldn’t notice it when opening the door,” Zheng Kaixuan explained.

“Unless someone is particularly careful or has anti-surveillance awareness, even if they see tape on the door, they probably wouldn’t think much of it,” Han Bin added.

Li Hui speculated, “Is the suspect using the tape to determine whether people are home?”

Zheng Kaixuan nodded, “If I’m right, there are more undiscovered burglaries in this building.”

“So what do we do?”

Zheng Kaixuan hesitated for a moment. “Zhao Ming, go to the village committee and have them notify all the residents of this building. Tell the owners who aren’t home to return immediately and check for any signs of burglary.”

“Captain Zheng, I still have something to report. Should I go now or report first?” Zhao Ming asked.

“What is it?”

“I checked the ransacked bedroom—one of the glass windows was broken.”

“Any signs of a struggle?”

“None.”

“Any blood?”

“No.”

“Can you tell what tool was used to break it?” Zheng Kaixuan pressed.

“I can’t tell. Maybe we should have the forensics team check it?”

“Captain Zheng, this is the 29th floor. It’s unlikely the suspect broke in through the window,” Tian Li remarked.

“Still, have the forensics team check for fingerprints on the glass.”

“Understood,” Tian Li replied.

“Captain Zheng, I suggest the forensics team also collect the tape—there might be fingerprints on it,” Han Bin proposed.

“Good idea,” Zheng Kaixuan agreed, then ordered Han Bin, “Go to the village committee with Zhao Ming. No matter what it takes, make sure every resident is notified as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

...

With Han Bin and Zhao Ming urging them, the village committee assigned several people to help the criminal investigation team.

The committee members went door to door, informing householders where someone answered, and warning them to be on guard against burglary.

If no one answered, they called the owners, explained that a burglary might have occurred, and urged them to return home and check immediately.

By 3 p.m., the third burglary had been discovered—apartment 503.

By 3:40 p.m., the fourth—apartment 2001.

By 4 p.m., the fifth—apartment 1803.

...

One case after another continued to surface. By 6 p.m., there were already eight break-ins.

With the third team’s second group completely overwhelmed, Zheng Kaixuan urgently called in reinforcements.

Zhao Ying personally led a squad of four to Linfang Residential Community.

At 7 p.m., a ninth burglary was found—apartment 702.

Not until after 9 p.m. did the third investigation team finish examining all the crime scenes.

By then, everyone had only one thought: exhaustion.

Utter exhaustion.

Zheng Kaixuan reserved a whole noodle shop, where more than a dozen people packed the place. Each had a big bowl of noodles, along with four plates of chicken, four plates of cold dishes, a hundred lamb skewers, and four baked flatbreads.

Li Hui yawned. “Damn, finally done.”

Li Hui plopped down on a bench, about to grab some noodles.

Han Bin reached out and tapped his arm. “What are you doing?”

“Eating noodles,” Li Hui instinctively pulled his hand back.

“Your bowl’s over there: one with braised beef, one with chicken and mushrooms. Captain Zheng just got it ready for you,” Han Bin said.

“Haha…”

Those who got the joke couldn’t help but laugh.

“Come on, Bin, don’t mess around. I’m starving,” Li Hui pleaded, rubbing his stomach.

“Han Bin, Li Hui, Lu Wen—come sit at this table,” Zheng Kaixuan called.

“Captain Zheng always looks out for me,” Li Hui feigned a pitiful tone.

Since the meal was preordered, the dishes were ready and the noodles only needed to be boiled.

Everyone was famished, and the room filled with the sounds of slurping noodles.

Zheng Kaixuan, Zhao Ying, Han Bin, Li Hui, and Lu Wen sat together. Both investigation teams and the forensics team were present. Anyone with a bit of sense could tell this was more than just a meal—it was time to discuss the case.

Zheng Kaixuan waved his hand. “Don’t just sit there—dig in. We’ll talk as we eat.”

Han Bin, parched from earlier, wolfed down two mouthfuls of noodles, grabbed a lamb skewer, had a piece of chicken and potato with some flatbread, washed it down with noodle soup, and finally felt better.

Everyone else attacked the food with the same hunger—none of them were less ravenous than Zhou Qiang.

After a few more skewers, Han Bin finally slowed down.

After a while, seeing most people weren’t so hungry anymore, Zheng Kaixuan spoke up, “Enough eating—let’s talk about the case.”

Zhao Ying sipped her tea. “Captain Zheng, I’ll go first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Our team examined three scenes. No clear signs of forced entry, no evidence of a struggle inside, but two rooms had broken windows. The suspect might have entered through the window,” Zhao Ying said.

“We found the same thing—either the window was broken, or the owner had left it open,” Li Hui agreed.

Ignoring Li Hui, Zhao Ying continued, “Captain Zheng, do you remember the high-altitude burglary we investigated three years ago?”

“You mean the ‘Spider-Man’ case?”