Chapter 112: Arresting Han Le

Han Le sneered, “Why? Just because of a single hair, you’re going to take me away?”

Lin Dongxue responded, “Don’t take it so lightly. In criminal cases, a single hair or a fingerprint can be crucial evidence.”

Chen Shi added, “Come with us, stop being so difficult. We’re just gathering information, we’re not accusing you of anything.”

Chen Shi reached out, and Han Le stepped back, his face full of fear. Suddenly, he knocked items off a supermarket shelf and shouted, “Police brutality! The police are hitting me!”

The three officers exchanged glances as a crowd of customers and store employees, including Han Le’s girlfriend, gathered. Han Le exaggeratedly addressed the “audience,” saying, “These police officers resort to violence without provocation, they’re no better than thugs.”

Chen Shi coldly said, “Where did we hit you? Show everyone your injuries.”

“He did it!” Han Le pointed at Chen Shi.

“Have some dignity and stop making a scene. If we were to hit you, we wouldn’t do it under a surveillance camera,” Chen Shi said, pointing to the security camera above.

Han Le’s girlfriend stepped forward and demanded, “What do you want? You came yesterday and now you’re back today, how is he supposed to go to work? Just because his friend died, you suspect him? You need evidence!”

“Exactly, without a search warrant, I’m not cooperating,” Han Le said boldly.

Chen Shi, feeling helpless, gestured for them to leave. Lin Dongxue slightly opened her mouth and asked, “Let him go?”

“It’s fine, let’s go,” Chen Shi replied.

Outside the supermarket, Xu Xiaodong said, “That bastard dared to accuse us falsely. His tactics are so low.”

Chen Shi remarked, “His antics make me even more suspicious of him. Xiaodong, don’t go back yet. Stay here and keep an eye on him, prevent him from running away.”

“Alone?” Xu Xiaodong asked.

“Don’t worry, just for a while. We’ll call for backup,” Chen Shi assured.

“Alright,” Xu Xiaodong agreed.

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue got into the car. Lin Dongxue called Lin Qiupu, urging him to obtain a search warrant quickly. After hanging up, she noticed a book in the car, identical to the one they found in Han Le’s cabinet the previous day.

Curiously, she picked it up and asked, “You bought this book too?”

“I thought this book might have inspired Han Le. I passed by a bookstore last night and bought a copy. It indeed mentioned methods to mislead forensic experts about the time of death,” Chen Shi explained.

“How did the protagonist solve it?” Lin Dongxue inquired.

“The dust on the electrical box. The killer in this case wiped the dust off but neglected the refrigerator. Although it’s cold now, it’s still above freezing, and ice pops will still melt.”

“And the police won’t dwell on this detail?”

“Exactly, the investigation considers multiple angles.”

“Is the book any good? Can I borrow it?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Take it. It’s mediocre. I wonder how this author became popular. Maybe I should write a book too,” Chen Shi joked.

Lin Dongxue laughed, “What would you write? A detective driver?”

After obtaining the search warrant, several police cars arrived at the supermarket to find Han Le. Xu Xiaodong had been keeping watch at the entrance. Chen Shi asked, “Is he still here?”

“Yes… Wait, isn’t that him?” Xu Xiaodong pointed.

A man wearing a hat and carrying a backpack emerged from the supermarket. The police immediately surrounded him and lifted his hat, revealing Han Le. Lin Dongxue presented the search warrant, “No more excuses, come with us!”

“I… I didn’t kill anyone!” Han Le exclaimed.

“No one said you did. Why were you trying to run?” Chen Shi questioned.

“I wasn’t running, I just had an urgent matter at home,” Han Le stammered.

“Let’s go to the station first,” Chen Shi insisted.

Han Le looked around, reluctantly agreeing, “Don’t handcuff me, please. It’s embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t,” Chen Shi assured.

Half an hour later, in the interrogation room, Han Le began to wail, “You said you were just gathering information. Why are you treating me like a suspect?”

This time, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue sat across from him. Chen Shi’s participation was approved by Lin Qiupu.

Lin Dongxue was about to speak, but Chen Shi gestured for her to remain silent and asked, “What were you doing at the time of the incident?”

“Shopping with my girlfriend,” Han Le replied.

“What time?” Chen Shi pressed.

“Seven thirty,” Han Le answered.

“How do you know the incident happened at seven thirty? Did I mention that?” Chen Shi asked.

Han Le turned pale and quickly tried to cover his slip-up with anger, “This is a trick question. It doesn’t count. Police shouldn’t use such tactics!”

“Actually, I’m not a police officer. She is. I’m just a consultant… My main job is a driver,” Chen Shi remarked.

“Han Le, tell us exactly what happened when you met with Kong Tingting that day,” Lin Dongxue demanded.

Han Le began to circle around the topic, still claiming that he helped Kong Tingting fix her computer in the afternoon and then left. Just then, the internal phone rang. Chen Shi answered it. Xu Xiaodong said, “Chen, I’ve brought the kid. He identified the man inside as the one from that day.”

Chen Shi glanced at the one-way mirror, then hung up and turned to Han Le, “Do you know why interrogation rooms have one-way mirrors?”

“Enlighten me,” Han Le said mockingly.

“To protect witnesses. Behind this mirror is an eyewitness who has identified you,” Chen Shi revealed.

Han Le exploded with rage, “You’re lying! Let him come out and confront me. I didn’t kill anyone. I want a lawyer. I’m going to sue you for illegal detention.”

“Is it fun to play these games?” Chen Shi asked calmly.

“Fun? Would you confess if you were in my shoes?” Han Le retorted.

“Is that an admission?” Chen Shi probed.

“No!” Han Le immediately became defensive. “If I didn’t do it, why would I admit to it?”

Chen Shi smiled and called Xu Xiaodong outside, “Can you go to the bar and find the owner?”

“Chen, do you suspect the body disposer is him? But the owner doesn’t remember the man’s face,” Xu Xiaodong questioned.

“Not his face, his clothes. Ask the owner if he recognizes the hat and hoodie Han Le is wearing today,” Chen Shi instructed.

“I’ll send him a photo. I have the owner’s contact,” Xu Xiaodong replied.

A few minutes later, Xu Xiaodong’s voice came through the internal phone, “The bar owner confirmed it. The person wore these clothes.”

Xu Xiaodong’s voice was suddenly replaced by Lin Qiupu’s. He said, “I just sent someone to Han Le’s house. They found traces of burning in the bathroom, including gloves and natural rubber items, possibly condoms. They also found a small knife matching the murder weapon, cleaned thoroughly. Peng Siyue is testing it.”

“Your timing is perfect,” Chen Shi thanked him.

“Can you handle this? Should I send someone else?” Lin Qiupu offered.

“No problem,” Chen Shi assured.

At this point, Han Le was like a crumbling bucket, with every clue pointing towards him. His lies couldn’t withstand scrutiny.

Chen Shi put down the phone and said, “The evidence against you is mounting.”

“I don’t believe it!” Han Le shouted.

“If you won’t talk, I will,” Chen Shi declared.