Chapter 50: Tight-Lipped

The accountant, sweating profusely, answered, “Well, part of it went to social insurance and housing funds.”

“Lies!” Chen Shi mercilessly exposed. “It’s clearly stated here, after deductions, it’s still over seven thousand.”

“It’s… it’s deductions for being late!” the accountant stammered.

Chen Shi sneered, pulled out his phone, and called Lin Dongxue over.

Together, they brought the accountant to the employee workspace. Chen Shi checked each drawer, finding two pay stubs. They returned to the accounting office, compared them, and found that the actual wages were indeed lower than those on the payroll.

Chen Shi took a pen, did some rough calculations, then whispered in Lin Dongxue’s ear, “The extra amount matches the salary of one person. That fat manager is clever, knowing we’d check this.”

“Cunning!” Lin Dongxue straightened up and looked at the accountant. “Stop hiding. How many people are in your company?”

“Seventeen!” the accountant said.

“Liar! It’s clearly eighteen. The payroll and employee records have been tampered with. You erased one person.”

The accountant smiled awkwardly, “Officers, I don’t know what you’re talking about. What are you investigating?”

“Do you kiss the manager at the morning meeting too?” Chen Shi suddenly asked.

The accountant broke into a cold sweat.

Chen Shi laughed, “I remember now. You share the same last name. Oh… you’re both surnamed Xiao, so you’re relatives! That’s why you’re helping him cover up. Never mind, I’ll ask someone else. If we find out what’s going on, you’ll be charged with covering up.”

As they got up to leave, the accountant grabbed Chen Shi’s sleeve, “Officer, I really don’t know what you’re investigating!”

“Are you sure you don’t know?” Chen Shi shook off her hand.

Chen Shi called a police officer over and, looking at the accountant, they brought another employee into the office. This time, Chen Shi went straight to the point, “When did Xiao Li disappear?”

The employee panicked, shaking his head frantically, “Who’s Xiao Li?”

Chen Shi sneered. The employee’s behavior clearly showed he was lying, but he stubbornly refused to admit it.

“Did you participate in the rape when she was killed?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” the employee denied.

Chen Shi slammed the table, making the cactus on it jump. The employee shrank back, sweating profusely. Chen Shi said, “A life was lost, and you’re treating it like a joke? The police have evidence. It all depends on your attitude now—either make up for your crime or add to it!”

The employee trembled like a leaf, but kept repeating, “I don’t know! I don’t know!”

No matter what Chen Shi said, he just kept saying that. He had entered a psychological defense mode, completely avoiding reality.

Chen Shi waved him away. Lin Dongxue said, “His mouth is too tight!”

“The manager must have coached them.”

“So what now?”

“We’ll ask another one, this time a woman.”

A female employee was brought in next. She was pale with fear. Chen Shi smiled and said, “How was your relationship with Xiao Li?”

“Relationship… who’s Xiao Li?” The female employee’s eyes filled with wariness.

“Stop acting. We’ve found Xiao Li’s body. Her family has reported it. All evidence points to this company.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” The woman was extremely nervous, glancing between Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi, avoiding eye contact.

Chen Shi pointed at her, “Your clothes are old, but you have new shoes. I noticed the employees here have new phones or accessories. It means you recently got a windfall. Looks like the manager gave everyone hush money.”

The woman’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She suddenly covered her ears, shouting, “Stop asking, I don’t know anything! I don’t know anything!”

Chen Shi gritted his teeth and waved for her to be taken away.

Lin Dongxue said, “They’re not exactly tough. Should we take them back for a proper interrogation?”

“No way I’m letting your brother look down on me.”

Lin Dongxue giggled, “You men and your pride.”

“It’s about a man’s dignity!” Chen Shi joked.

“Should we continue the questioning?”

“Let’s take a break and eat.”

“What about them?”

“Let the officers watch them.”

“Come on, stop playing games. What’s your plan?”

“I’m wearing them down… Oh, get a technician over with a saliva enzyme test kit and the previous sample data.”

They didn’t actually leave for lunch. Chen Shi spent the time inspecting everyone’s workspace. Just then, Xu Xiaodong burst in, saying, “What are you guys doing? It’s been two hours! If you’re going to question them, do it. I can barely stand.”

“Relax! You can go eat, let someone else watch for a bit,” Chen Shi said nonchalantly.

“Chen, what’s your plan?”

Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Peng Sijue and an assistant entered with an investigation kit. Chen Shi’s eyes widened, “Captain Peng, you came yourself? I’m honored!”

“Short on staff, no choice. Let’s get started!” Peng Sijue said coolly.

Chen Shi told Xu Xiaodong, “Give each of them a cup of water. After they drink, collect the cups and remember whose cup is whose.”

“Seventeen people, how can I remember that?”

Lin Dongxue picked up a disposable cup. “Make a subtle mark on the bottom of each.”

“Good idea! Dongxue, you’re so clever!”

“Enough flattery. Get to work!”

Ten minutes later, Xu Xiaodong returned with a bag of cups. Peng Sijue and his assistant began testing immediately. Everyone waited anxiously, knowing this was a crucial moment.

“Sample one matches the victim’s saliva enzyme,” Peng Sijue announced.

Lin Dongxue pumped her fist in celebration. Peng Sijue dampened her excitement, “Don’t celebrate yet. Saliva enzymes aren’t as stable or accurate as DNA.”

In the end, five of the six saliva enzymes found on the victim matched employees. Chen Shi left briefly and returned with the manager’s cup, “Test this one too.”

“Perfect match!” Peng Sijue said after testing.

Chen Shi clapped his hands, “Got it. These employees and the fat manager raped the victim. A whole company covering up a murder!”

Lin Dongxue said triumphantly, “Shall we apply for a second arrest warrant and invite them for tea at the station?”

“No need to change venues. Bring someone in for a confrontation!”

Suddenly, a shout came from outside, “They’re trying to escape!”