Chapter 162: The Hidden Video

Chen Shi paused the video at the moment Lu Zhendong passed through the gate, rewound it, played it again, then replayed it several more times.

When Lu Zhendong passed through the gate, he did two things: swiped his access card and nodded in greeting.

However, due to the angle, only a hand holding the card and Lu Zhendong’s chin moving could be seen.

The access card reader used infrared sensors, so there was no need to hold the card close; just pointing it was enough to raise the barrier.

After watching the clip four or five times, someone noticed something odd and said, “The hand’s position is wrong. It doesn’t seem like Lu Zhendong’s hand; it looks like it’s coming from behind him.”

“I noticed that too.”

Chen Shi said, “Exactly! Can we adjust the contrast on this video?”

An officer worked on the playback software. As the contrast increased, the image became grainier, creating an eerie effect. The room fell silent as Chen Shi directed, “Frame by frame… Stop!”

Staring at the screen, many gasped.

In the frame where Lu Zhendong nodded, a gloved hand appeared under his chin. Due to the dim lighting inside the car and the shadows on his chin, it was hard to notice under normal circumstances.

His nodding motion was actually this hand lifting his chin.

Chen Shi concluded, “Lu Zhendong was already dead in the car. The killer was preparing to dispose of his body.”

Xu Xiaodong asked, “How does a dead man drive?”

“It’s a German car, very spacious. The driver’s seat can fit two people. Lu Zhendong’s body was leaning on the driver. From the guard’s and the camera’s perspective, it looked like he was driving.”

“Two people? Isn’t that cramped?” someone questioned.

“If one is petite, it’s possible. For example, a petite woman,” another officer suggested.

Lin Dongxue analyzed, “A person’s head is heavy. The fact that this hand could lift the head with one hand indicates the person has significant strength, possibly a man.”

Xu Xiaodong said, “I noticed the hand is the right hand, meaning the person was likely lying behind the driver’s seat… The same hand likely swiped the access card.”

Clearly, there were three people in the car: the driver, Lu Zhendong’s body, and the person lying behind the driver’s seat.

Chen Shi rewound the video to the earliest timestamp and watched it in fast forward. Shortly after Jia Xingyun left, a black motorcycle appeared at the gate. The rider, in full black leather, stopped, talked to the guard, then left.

The rider also wore black gloves.

Lin Dongxue said, “Could this be the killer?”

Chen Shi said, “Very likely. The guard didn’t let him in. He might have parked nearby and climbed over the wall. The community walls aren’t high; scavengers often climb over.”

Old Zhang asked, “Where did the driver come from then?”

Everyone looked at Chen Shi, who said, “That person was likely in the victim’s house all along, possibly imprisoned by Lu Zhendong. Lu had told the housekeeper not to come for half a month and bought a lot of frozen food.”

“Hidden away? A woman?” Lin Dongxue was shocked.

Chen Shi immediately assigned tasks: find the owner of the black motorcycle, re-interview the guard and nearby shopkeepers, and check Lu Zhendong’s company to see if any employees recently bought any drugs.

Of course, another priority was to re-interview Jia Xingyun.

Old Zhang asked, “What about the missing Sun Shenyong and the priceless guitar? Should we still investigate them?”

Chen Shi said, “That’s a red herring. The guitar wasn’t the motive for the murder. But we should still look for Sun Shenyong. I suspect he’s being held by Grandpa Lu’s people… Everyone, you’re off duty now!”

It was already 7 PM, and Tao Yueyue was waiting outside, hungry. Chen Shi said, “Sorry for the wait, let’s go eat! What do you want?”

“Same as yesterday.”

“That’s too expensive. Pick another place.”

“Fast food, then.”

Holding Tao Yueyue’s hand, Chen Shi walked out. A luxury car was parked in front of the station, and Grandpa Lu, supported by his lawyer, got out, saying, “Officer Song, you really put me through the wringer. Can we stop this now?”

“Money must be nice. You must have paid a hefty bail,” Chen Shi laughed.

“Just a minor expense… Officer Song, haven’t eaten yet? Let me treat you to dinner!”

Chen Shi asked Tao Yueyue, “Want to go?”

Tao Yueyue whispered, “Will it be awkward?”

“Not at all. Just enjoy the food.”

“Okay, let’s go. I want to eat something good.”

Chen Shi turned to Grandpa Lu, smiling, “Since you’re offering, I’ll accept. It’s cold, let’s have hot pot!”

“Hot pot? Come on, I’ll treat you to a French dinner! Get in.”

At a high-end French restaurant, Grandpa Lu saw that Chen Shi and Tao Yueyue weren’t shy about ordering. They picked every unfamiliar item on the menu, items that were usually beyond their means.

Chen Shi wrapped foie gras in garlic bread with fish roe, sipping red wine, while Tao Yueyue loved the escargot, eating one after another, piling up the empty shells.

Grandpa Lu hardly touched his food. Smiling, he asked Tao Yueyue, “Do you like the snails?”

“They’re delicious, thank you, Grandpa.”

“Would you like to eat them every day?”

“Yes!”

“Why aren’t you eating?” Chen Shi asked.

“I’m not hungry,” Grandpa Lu said. “I haven’t seen anyone enjoy a meal in front of me for a long time. People who dine with me either want something from me or I want something from them. No one eats heartily.”

Chen Shi paused, “You’re not treating us for free, are you?”

“Officer Song…”

“Forgot? My name is Chen.”

Grandpa Lu glanced at his sleeve, “Right, right, Mr. Chen. I think you’re very capable. Helping the police solve cases is a waste of your talent. How about joining my company? I’ll ensure you can eat like this every day.”

Chen Shi laughed, “What would I do at your company? Serve tea?”

“You could help me identify the schemers, analyze and crush competitors. Most importantly, you’d earn a lot of money. I’m old now, worked hard all my life, and ended up lonely. Watching shareholders squabble over my money makes me laugh. They all hope I die soon so they can have everything. I need someone I can trust to manage things. Mr. Chen, I admire you. You should be using your skills in a broader space, living a better life.”

“But I don’t lack money.”

Grandpa Lu laughed, “Don’t lack money? Everyone lacks money in my eyes!”