Chapter 443: The Paparazzi Strikes First

Back at the station, the Third Team had recovered another gun today. The task force set up a whiteboard in the office, clearly marking that they had found eight guns so far. The chief was pleased with this progress—recovering half of the guns in just three days—and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work.

As it neared four o’clock, Chen Shi said, “Looks like there’s nothing more for today. I’m heading out.”

“Leaving early?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“I’m not a cop. What can you do about it?”

“Wait for me to get off work.”

“Sorry, I have something to do. I’ll pick you up from your place tomorrow morning.”

Chen Shi’s early departure left Lin Dongxue a bit miffed. She crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at him in protest.

Chen Shi headed straight to the detective agency. Upon entering, he found Tao Yueyue curled up on the sofa reading a book. KK was out, and Sun Zhen was playing a game on his computer. Tao Yueyue put down her book and said, “Uncle Chen, what brings you here?”

“I figured you’d be here. I need to talk to those two.”

Sun Zhen, knowing his purpose, pushed up his glasses and said, “I looked into the information you sent me about the gun holders. They have nothing in common.”

“What about Zhou Tiannan?”

Sun Zhen shook his head. “I can’t hack into his personal computer or phone. This guy is better than me, with tight security.”

“I suspect he’s not just better at this but also very adept at gathering intelligence. Otherwise, how would he find so many targets to mail guns to?”

“Chen, how’s the case progressing?” Sun Zhen asked.

“We’ve found half the guns.”

“The police are pretty fast! I was wondering if this case might not be Zhou… Zhou Tiannan’s doing after all.” Despite overcoming his brainwashing, Sun Zhen still stammered slightly when saying that name. “He does have a team, right?”

“Who among our ‘old friends’ do you think could do this?”

Sun Zhen thought for a moment and shook his head. “Ask Ms. Gu. She knows more than I do.”

“Where’s KK?”

“He’s out.”

Speak of the devil, KK’s voice came from the doorway. “Who’s talking about me? Chen, what a rare guest!”

“Did you find anything?” Judging by KK’s excited expression, it seemed he had made a significant discovery.

“Heh, heh, I sneaked into Zhou Tiannan’s house and found this…” He tossed an envelope onto the table.

Chen Shi picked it up. Inside were sixteen photos. In addition to the eight known gun holders, there were eight unfamiliar faces, both men and women. He was thrilled. “This is Zhou Tiannan’s mailing list!”

“Did I just earn some major brownie points? How about a reward?” KK said with a grin.

“A material reward! By the way, how did you get these photos out without getting caught?”

“I didn’t think that far!” KK scratched his head.

“Was there anything unusual in his room besides this?”

“No, just the plain room of a single teacher. It didn’t look like he had money.”

“Where did you find the photos?”

“In a drawer.”

“Was it locked?”

“No, just pulled it open.”

Chen Shi tapped the photos on his hand. This intelligence was too easily obtained. It could be a trap. However, the eight known gun holders being in the photos suggested Zhou Tiannan was indeed involved. He immediately photographed the sixteen photos and sent them to Lin Qiupu, asking him to check on the other eight people.

KK suggested, “Since we’re all here, how about we go out for a meal?”

Sun Zhen said, “Should we invite Ms. Gu?”

“You think about her all day long. She has a boyfriend.”

“Who said she has a boyfriend? You?”

“Ask Chen.”

“Chen, is that true?”

Chen Shi said, “It’s almost six. Let’s go eat. It’s been a tiring day. We need to unwind.”

The next morning, Chen Shi went to the station where Lin Qiupu called him in. “Where did you get the photos you sent yesterday?”

“Can I keep it confidential?”

“From your tone, it doesn’t seem like a legitimate source. Spit it out. I won’t hold it against you.”

“I hired a private detective who stole them from Zhou Tiannan’s house. Isn’t it juicy?”

Lin Qiupu crossed his arms and was silent for a moment. “You…you had someone steal them?”

“You said you wouldn’t hold it against me.”

“This evidence is completely inadmissible!”

“Still, the fact that Zhou Tiannan had these sixteen photos means he’s involved. Have you put someone on Zhou Tiannan?”

“No, we’re too swamped with this case to spare anyone.”

“Have you checked the photos?”

“We’re still working on it. Don’t do this again. If you get caught, we’ll all be in trouble!”

Chen Shi smiled. “It’s just a citizen’s private action. How would that implicate you, Captain Lin?”

“Yes, a private action. Do you know stealing is illegal? This time, I’ll let it go. But if I catch you again, I’ll detain you for three days.”

Chen Shi saluted. “Got it. I’ll be waiting in the office… I mean, on standby!”

Lin Qiupu was slightly suspicious. This guy was just a driver, yet his salute was so precise. Could he have been a cop before?

All morning, Chen Shi lazed around in the office playing games, Lin Dongxue shopped on her phone, Xu Xiaodong browsed cat food online, and Old Zhang knitted in a corner. The atmosphere was peaceful and serene.

Xu Xiaodong suddenly said, “Hey, yesterday’s two shooting incidents are in the news.”

Everyone gathered around to see. The news was indeed quick, featuring on-site photos. However, the report was a bit exaggerated. Lin Dongxue asked, “Were there reporters at the scene yesterday? I didn’t see any.”

“There were so many people with phones. Maybe the photos were provided by bystanders?” someone suggested.

Chen Shi said, “No, there were a lot of people at the hot pot restaurant, but the incident in the residential area later—only residents knew about it. No outsiders were allowed in… Look at this photo. It was taken from outside the window, probably with a long lens from the opposite building.”

Old Zhang said, “I heard there’s a job called a freelance news reporter. They collect news and sell it to the press.”

Chen Shi pondered. “But this guy’s speed is too fast. Could he have been eavesdropping on the police radio?”

So-called freelance reporters, or paparazzi, often resorted to wiretapping and fake credentials. Chen Shi suddenly had a hunch. This tipster might know something.

With eight guns still out there, any clue was valuable. He decisively said, “Dongxue, let’s go verify this at the residential area.”