Chapter 194: Overtime, More Overtime
Lin Qiupu was suddenly energized. “I’ll be right back!”
He rushed back to the bureau at lightning speed. It turned out the members of the task force had obtained several surveillance videos from the traffic control department, clearly showing a Rolls-Royce Phantom leaving the intersection near the residential area.
One of the photos captured a person who closely resembled the description provided by delivery worker Gan Ping. They were convinced this was the mysterious visitor at the scene of the crime.
When Lin Qiupu saw the driver’s face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Why does this person look so familiar? I remember now, his name is Jia Xingyun!”
Glancing at his watch, “It’s four o’clock. There’s still time. Let’s go meet him!”
Lin Qiupu and his team hurried to Jia Xingyun’s company. After showing their credentials to the receptionist, who made a call for confirmation, Jia Xingyun said over the phone, “Let them come up!”
Lin Qiupu entered the office alone. At first glance, Jia Xingyun’s office seemed modest, but Lin Qiupu knew better. The large African sandalwood desk alone was worth six figures, not to mention the ink paintings on the walls and the rare books on the shelves.
“… Let’s discuss the details in person…”
Jia Xingyun was on the phone and nodded to Lin Qiupu, motioning for him to sit.
Ignoring the gesture, Lin Qiupu stood to apply psychological pressure. He waited until Jia Xingyun hung up the phone and said, “Didn’t expect to meet again so soon.”
“I thought Mr. Chen would be the one coming.”
“What do you mean by that? Did you know the police would come to see you?”
Jia Xingyun chuckled, “But to have Captain Lin personally visit, truly a great honor… Want a cigarette?”
Lin Qiupu gestured a refusal. “I know you’re a busy man. Let’s cut to the chase. I’m investigating a homicide. Please tell me about your whereabouts on the night of February 24th.”
Jia Xingyun grinned, “I visited a Mr. Zhou, the so-called crime scene you mentioned.”
His candid demeanor surprised Lin Qiupu. He suspected this guy had been prepared for this encounter.
Lin Qiupu said sternly, “Then you must know what I want to ask!”
“I do. Are you asking me what I did?”
“What did you do?”
“Confidential!” Jia Xingyun shrugged.
“Should I remind you? Shortly after you left, Mr. Zhou was found dead in his home. It’s not unreasonable to suspect you had a major role in that. What did you do there? Tell me everything!”
“Dead in his home?” Jia Xingyun’s composed face suddenly showed panic. “The body was in the house?”
Lin Qiupu was puzzled. Wasn’t it clear that this was the “crime scene”? What was this reaction about? Lin Qiupu gripped the edge of the table with both hands, continuing to stare at Jia Xingyun, applying pressure.
Regaining his composure, Jia Xingyun said calmly, “My lawyer is on his way.”
“When did you call him?”
“Just now, when you came in… So whatever you’re asking now, I won’t say. Want a smoke?”
Lin Qiupu glared. This guy definitely had something to hide.
Hiring a lawyer was indeed his right, but involving a lawyer could make things difficult. Lin Qiupu pondered how to get him to talk before the lawyer arrived. What would Song Lang do in this situation?
Lin Qiupu slammed the table. “Is Zhou Taiyang’s death related to you?”
“Captain Lin, this isn’t your office. As I’ve said, I won’t say anything until my lawyer arrives.”
“Fine! Fine! Then I’ll wait for your lawyer to arrive.” Lin Qiupu was speechless with frustration.
Stepping outside to catch his breath, Lin Qiupu recalled Song Lang’s words: “Cases aren’t solved with just words. Even children lie to protect themselves. Often, non-verbal cues are more important.”
Jia Xingyun’s reaction had been strange. What was the reason behind it? Lin Qiupu remembered another thing Song Lang had said: “No matter how logical the police are, they’re still intruders in others’ lives. There’s no need to strictly adhere to protocol. As long as boundaries aren’t crossed.”
Later, the lawyer arrived. Jia Xingyun amiably said to Lin Qiupu, “Captain Lin, I need to speak with my lawyer. Could you step out?”
“Alright, but I have one request. During your discussion, no calls or communication with the outside. I don’t want you sending someone to destroy any incriminating evidence.”
Jia Xingyun shrugged, disconnected the phone on the table, and turned off his cellphone.
Standing outside, Lin Qiupu noticed the door’s soundproofing was effective; he couldn’t hear what was being said inside. He instructed his subordinates to investigate the company thoroughly and check Jia Xingyun’s car. “Don’t overlook any clues related to the case!”
“But we don’t have a search warrant,” his subordinate remarked.
“No need for one. He’s a major suspect in a serious crime; that’s enough. I’ll take responsibility if there’s any fallout.”
Everyone dispersed. Lin Qiupu stood guard like a gatekeeper. As expected, Jia Xingyun’s employees, seeing police suddenly investigating everywhere and unable to reach Jia Xingyun by phone, approached Lin Qiupu for answers.
Lin Qiupu sternly addressed them, “Mr. Jia is currently speaking with his lawyer. If you have anything to discuss, speak to me. I must remind you, the police are investigating a homicide, and we have evidence linking Mr. Jia directly to the crime.”
Upon hearing this, the employees ceased their objections and allowed the police to proceed with their investigation.
The door opened, and Jia Xingyun and his lawyer emerged. Jia appeared composed and said, “You can start questioning now.”
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Anywhere is fine.”
Lin Qiupu escorted them back to the station, where officers had found significant evidence. Jia Xingyun’s car matched the Rolls-Royce Phantom seen in the surveillance footage.
In the trash that had been overturned by cleaners, they found cigarette butts identical to those found at the crime scene—a costly brand only Jia Xingyun could afford. These were taken as evidence.
A secretary testified that on February 22nd, Jia Xingyun instructed him to sell some of his stocks, withdraw five million, and deposit it into an account using the secretary’s identity—his name was Wang Shengli.
In the locker room, they found a set of clothes belonging to Jia Xingyun that matched those captured on CCTV.
Another employee reported that on the morning of February 25th, Jia Xingyun had asked him to wash his car.
The forensic team returned with detailed findings. They had identified three sets of footprints: one belonged to the deceased, one seemed to be left by Jia Xingyun, and the smallest set likely belonged to a woman.
On the floor plan they printed, indicating the exact locations of each set of footprints, Lin Qiupu noted that the latter two sets had appeared in the living room.
Lin Qiupu was satisfied. “See? Thorough investigation yields results. If you’re afraid of getting dirty and tired, how can you solve cases?”
The technicians chuckled. “Captain Lin, can we call it a day?”
“Check with Captain Peng to see if he needs any help. If not, then you can go!”
Cheers erupted as they all knew Captain Peng was accommodating and rarely made them work overtime. Just as they were about to leave, Lin Qiupu picked up the phone and called Peng Yue. “Old Peng, I need the detailed analysis of the fingerprints and shoe prints. Deliver them to my office before ten tonight.”
Members of the task force chuckled silently, feeling sorry for the unlucky technicians. Yet, the next moment, they found themselves the subjects of a similar fate.
Lin Qiupu turned to them. “First, let’s grab a meal. After dinner, we continue working. No leaving before ten tonight.”
This translation aims to retain the essence and flow of the original Chinese text while ensuring clarity and coherence for American readers aged 18-40.