After returning to the station, it was already noon. Lin Qiupu ordered takeout, and the other officers gradually returned to the meeting room. While eating, everyone shared their findings.

From acquaintances of the couple, it was learned that their relationship was poor, with the husband having long-term affairs and maintaining a mistress. It was rumored that before the kidnapping incident, they were constantly arguing about divorce, mainly due to disputes over their child’s custody.

The husband had somehow obtained a psychiatric evaluation of his wife, asserting that she suffered from mental illness and was unfit to raise their child.

Regarding the wife’s mental health, hospital records confirmed no significant mental illness, only describing her as paranoid and easily angered. The term “passive-aggressive personality disorder” was mentioned; she had been prescribed psychiatric medication for a short period.

Reportedly, during her pregnancy, her husband’s infidelity escalated, leading her to develop postpartum depression. She had once threatened to jump from their apartment building while holding their newborn, Haojie. This event was too far back to verify its authenticity.

Another incident involved the wife confronting the mistress, resulting in a public altercation where the husband slapped his wife in the face. This incident was documented at a local police station and was verifiable.

Chen Shi commented, “It seems the relationship between this couple was nearly bankrupt… Everyone, eat slowly; there’s an appetizer coming up.”

“What? What?” Everyone was intrigued.

Lin Qiupu thought to himself that if the DNA results indeed confirmed Haojie was their child, it would be his own face getting slapped, wondering where Chen Shi’s confidence came from.

At that moment, Peng Sijue entered the room, “The two DNA samples you brought back are from the same person, and we’ve compared it with the deceased…”

“How is it?” Lin Qiupu asked eagerly.

“There’s no blood relationship.”

Everyone was shocked, and most couldn’t grasp what had just been disclosed. Chen Shi clapped his hands, “This is the real truth. The dead child is not Haojie, but his father’s illegitimate child. This woman is a suspect in a murder. After killing the child, she orchestrated a kidnapping to make everyone believe Haojie was dead.”

The room erupted into questions and expressions of disbelief, “Is this for real? Unbelievable!” “Then she must have had accomplices!” “What was she aiming for? By doing this, she can’t claim the child’s inheritance.”

Chen Shi responded slowly, “Her aim was custody of Haojie. From every angle in the divorce, she would not have won Haojie’s custody. If Haojie ‘died,’ then she could divorce, move to a new place where no one knew them, and live with Haojie.”

Hearing Chen Shi’s analysis, everyone was still stunned by the revelation. It explained why the case was so puzzling and seemed like a kidnapping.

Chen Shi continued, “Everyone else’s approach to the case was fine, considering most kidnappings involve retaliation against family members. However, the perpetrator this time was cunning, causing everyone trouble.”

“Without Chen, we wouldn’t have seen this angle!” “Chen’s thinking is too sharp.” “Lucky to have Chen in our squad.”

Lin Qiupu was impressed and handed Chen Shi a drink, “Assign the tasks.”

Chen Shi took a sip and said, “First, bring this woman to the station.”

“Isn’t that too soon?”

“Just give me one day!”

“Should I give you more time?”

“No, a day is enough. I have other things to handle. First, take the woman into custody, then check her financial records for the past six months. Haojie has probably been living elsewhere, possibly at a boarding school. Then, considering she’s a housewife with limited movements, check her gas usage from the gas company. Also, find out the deceased’s identity from Haojie’s father in the hospital; the most crucial thing…” Chen Shi looked at Lin Qiupu, “is to find her accomplices. It’s been half a year; evidence will be hard to find without interrogation. I believe as we uncover more clues, her defenses will weaken.”

After the meal, everyone started their assigned tasks. Chen Shi and Lin Qiupu visited Haojie’s mother again. When she saw the subpoena, she was shocked, “What do you mean? You ignore the actual criminal but arrest me? Is this how you treat people’s lives?”

“Compulsory summoning. We hope you’ll cooperate,” Lin Qiupu stated.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then we’ll have to enforce it.”

Haojie’s mother protested loudly, “The police are beating people! Is there no law?”

Chen Shi chuckled and whispered to Lin Qiupu, “How quickly everyone masters this trick.”

Lin Qiupu showed her the DNA report, “This report shows that the deceased is not your son Haojie. We need you to explain this.”