056 False Clues?

Though the series of thefts was complicated, the investigation proceeded in an orderly fashion under Zheng Kaixuan’s direction.

During this time, the first complainant, Xu Yan, came by twice to inquire about the progress of the case. Her father was scheduled for surgery the next day, and she was anxious, hoping the case could be solved today. Members of the Criminal Investigation Team had split up to investigate, but without a thorough analysis and summary, Zheng Kaixuan could not give her a definite resolution time.

By three in the afternoon, Group One had finished taking statements from several individuals with prior convictions. Group Two—Li Hui, Zhao Ming, and Tian Li—had also finished reviewing surveillance footage. Zheng Kaixuan called everyone to the conference room to consolidate their findings. The clues were not linear; sometimes cross-referencing them could more accurately identify suspects.

With time pressing, Zheng Kaixuan wasted no words. “Li Hui, did your team find anything reviewing the surveillance?”

“We checked the footage from the elevators, main entrance, and underground garage around the time the crime occurred, but found no trace of suspicious individuals,” Li Hui replied.

“You’ve checked thoroughly?”

“Yes.” Li Hui nodded and analyzed, “We surmise there are two possibilities for why the suspect didn’t appear on the footage. First, the suspect may never have left the complex and might even be a resident. Second, it could be the work of a ‘Spider-Man’—the Linfang complex is surrounded by two-story shops. If a suspect can climb over thirty floors, he could easily leave by scaling down the shops instead of using the main entrance.”

“What do you think, Zhao?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

“We’ve taken statements from those with theft records, including Spider-Man Zhang Deshui. According to his account, during the time of the crime, he wasn’t in the city but had gone to the mountains to teach climbing. So, we can rule him out,” Zhao Ying replied.

“Are there any other suspects at the moment?” Zheng Kaixuan pressed.

“Based on clues from Zhang Deshui, after his release, someone approached him and asked about high-rise theft and climbing techniques. I believe this person is highly suspicious,” Zhao Ying said.

“Do you know this person’s identity?”

“Zhang Deshui isn’t well acquainted with him; he only knows the man’s nickname is Yongzi.”

“What’s your take?”

“Given the current clues, the suspect likely entered through a window. High-rise theft requires exceptional skill, which is an important direction for our investigation,” Zhao Ying analyzed.

“Agreed.” Zheng Kaixuan nodded. “Look into this ‘Yongzi’.”

“I’ve already sent someone to investigate,” Zhao Ying replied.

Zheng Kaixuan glanced around. All Group One members were present. He guessed Zhao Ying had used informants but didn’t press further.

A knock sounded at the conference room door, and Han Bin entered.

“Captain Zheng, Captain Zhao.”

“You’re back,” Zheng Kaixuan gestured to a chair by the table, signaling Han Bin to sit. “Any new findings from your site inspection?”

Han Bin took a swig from a nearby water bottle. “Nothing new.”

“Nothing, and you were out there so long?” Zheng Kaixuan grunted.

“This time, I re-examined the area near the windows, hoping to find any obvious shoe prints left by the suspect during the climb. But after a thorough inspection, I found no shoe prints on the window sills or the exterior walls,” Han Bin reported.

“The building’s exterior is quite hard. Unless the soles are dirty, it’s hard to leave clear prints,” Zhao Ying, a seasoned detective herself, added.

“You’re right, that was my initial thought as well,” Han Bin acknowledged, then continued, “Later, I asked Zhao Ming to use a drone to film the exterior walls. The walls were spotless—no trace of climbing.”

Experienced as he was, Zheng Kaixuan immediately sensed the problem. “A suspect would need leverage while climbing. Even if no clear footprints are left, there should be some evidence of climbing.”

“That’s precisely why I deduced the suspect didn’t enter through climbing,” Han Bin stated confidently.

Wei Zimo from Group One looked puzzled. “If the suspect didn’t come in through the window, then why were all the window panes either open or broken?”

“Perhaps to mislead us, sending the investigation down the wrong path. If we keep following the high-rise climbing theory, we’ll never find him,” Zheng Kaixuan analyzed.

“What about the drone footage?” Zhao Ying asked.

“Here.” Han Bin handed a tablet to Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying reviewed it carefully and sighed, “There really are no signs of climbing. Seems the suspect didn’t enter through the window after all.”

With Han Bin taking the lead, Li Hui and the others straightened their backs; without Zeng Ping, their group had felt less confident. Moreover, Group Two had only recently formed—previously, in both the number of cases solved and the clearance rate, Group One had always outperformed them. Only after Han Bin joined did things begin to change.

“Captain Zheng, according to the surveillance review, there’s no sign of the suspect. Our earlier theory was that the suspect likely hadn’t left the complex, or was a ‘Spider-Man’ type,” Li Hui offered, seizing the moment. “Now that we can rule out the Spider-Man scenario, I suspect the perpetrator is hiding in the complex or is a resident.”

“I interviewed a man with a theft record today. He currently lives in the Linfang complex,” Zhao Ying said.

“Where is he now?”

“Released,” Zhao Ying sighed, explaining, “His name is Chen Koning, height 176 centimeters, weight about 190 pounds. At the time, our investigation was focused on window climbing, so we temporarily ruled him out.”

“Pull up the bodycam interview footage,” Zheng Kaixuan ordered.

“Yes, sir.” Wei Zimo stood and left the room.

Soon after, Wei Zimo returned with a flash drive, plugged it into the computer, and projected the video onto the screen.

The video showed a heavyset man sitting on a chair, shifting uncomfortably as if the seat was too small.

“Name, gender, age, place of origin…”

“Chen Koning, male, 29 years old…”

“Chen Koning, we’ve asked you here today to assist us with an inquiry.”

“What about?”

“A theft occurred in the Linfang complex. Are you aware?”

“Never heard of it. When did this happen?”

“In the early hours of yesterday.”

“Officers, why did you bring me in?” Chen Koning’s face grew sullen.

“We’d like to ask your whereabouts between 11 a.m. on August 11th and 5 a.m. on August 12th.”

“You’re suspecting me?”

“This is just a routine inquiry.”

“I admit I made mistakes in the past, but I’ve put that behind me. I’m a law-abiding citizen now, working an honest job.” Anger flared in Chen Koning’s eyes.

“Don’t get worked up. We’re just taking a statement, not interrogating you,” Wei Zimo tried to reassure him.

“Something happens, and you always come to me, then tell me not to get upset. Is it really so hard to just live like a normal person?” Chen Koning clenched his fists, his expression full of grievance.

His words moved more than a few officers, especially the younger ones like Zhao Ming and Tian Li, whose faces grew uneasy.

But Zhao Ying’s gaze remained resolute. Judging by the traces at the scene, this series of thefts was definitely committed by a professional. Investigating those with prior theft convictions was the right approach.

When Zhao Ying first became a detective, she wanted to give people with criminal records another chance and tried to trust them. But her years on the force had proved that recidivism among ex-offenders is far higher than among regular citizens.

For a detective, reason must outweigh emotion. Only by being rational can one more effectively combat crime—and better protect the public.