I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 162 Chance Encounter
The two chatted outside for a long time, mainly about the case. Han Ling never heard the words "Investigation Bureau" and realized that he had been overthinking things and was just being presumptuous.

He didn't actually want to come to the Municipal Bureau; he just felt that Gao Bingyang calling him out alone must have some other meaning.

I didn't expect it to really just be a discussion of the case.

"The branch office is a great place to train people. Work hard and if you achieve results, you will have the opportunity to come to the municipal bureau in the future, and then we will be colleagues."

Gao Bingyang patted Han Ling on the shoulder and turned back to the interrogation room.

Han Ling was starting to dislike this squad leader again; why was he just making empty promises?

After the questioning, Zhang Zhenhua remained in the detention room.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Wu Bin never explained why he brought Zhang Zhenhua to the Municipal Public Security Bureau for questioning. After asking once without receiving an answer, the bureau stopped asking.

The external investigators quickly reported that Zhang Zhenhua did indeed go to a nearby supermarket to buy gifts at 6:30, but after that, he disappeared from the surveillance footage and his whereabouts were unknown.

They said they went for a stroll along the moat, but the surveillance cameras didn't capture it.

Although the surveillance cameras near the moat cannot provide full coverage, it's impossible that there are no images at all. Combined with other suspicious points, this is enough to conclude that Zhang Zhenhua is lying.

At the time of the incident, Zhang Zhenhua had no alibi.

"No rush, let him think it over in the detention room. Tomorrow morning, conduct a full search of his house," Gao Bingyang said. "The possibility that this person is the murderer is now very high."

Currently, the task force's focus is on Zhu Guilan, the deceased teacher who is likely the source of the motive. They are just waiting to find relevant clues before they can begin interrogating Zhang Zhenhua.

After learning about Zhang Zhenhua's situation, Gao Bingyang and Wu Bin did not go to the crime scene. The two returned to their office together, leaving Han Ling and Tong Feng aside without giving any specific orders.

There's no need for manpower at the crime scene for now; police officers are on duty at all the places that need to be investigated.

With Zhang Zhenhua identified, the two have essentially completed their mission and can now take a break.

"What should we do?" Tong Feng asked Han Ling, standing in the corridor of the detachment.

"Find a place to sit for a while." Han Ling waved, and as he passed the Third Brigade's case-handling area, he happened to run into Zhang Yunhang, who was coming out of the door.

The two stopped in their tracks.

It's past midnight, and the other party still hasn't left.

It seems like Zhang Yunhang is the only one left in the entire Third Brigade. Is he working this hard?

Zhang Yunhang was not surprised to run into Han Ling, since he had joined the special task force and would definitely be frequently seen at the Municipal Public Security Bureau before the case was closed.

"Hello, long time no see," Han Ling greeted him.

He had no grudges against Zhang Yunhang, and as for Lin Rong's matter... in his view, it was no different from children chasing and playing.

Just like cats and dogs, chasing each other is their nature.

The fact that Zhang Yunhang achieved first place in the police recruitment exam at least shows that his professional skills are definitely up to par, that he must have studied hard at the police academy, and that there are no issues with his character so far.

He will become a qualified, or even an excellent, criminal police officer in the future.

Faced with Han Ling's enthusiasm, Zhang Yunhang opened his mouth, remained silent for a moment, and then replied, "Long time no see. I haven't yet congratulated you on your transfer to the branch office, and... on winning a first-class merit award."

Han Ling smiled and said, "Thanks, why are you so late?"

Tong Feng, standing beside him, didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly to Zhang Yunhang as a greeting. Unlike the composed Han Ling from both lifetimes, he still had a "youthful" mentality and wasn't impressed by Zhang Yunhang's pretentious nature.

Moreover, given his relationship with Han Ling, he would naturally side with Han Ling.

Zhang Yunhang replied, "There's a case that's still a bit loose, I need to deal with it."

Han Ling responded with an "oh".

The atmosphere quieted down, and it became a little awkward.

Zhang Yunhang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "I heard... someone else has died?"

This is no secret, Han Ling nodded.

Upon receiving confirmation, Zhang Yunhang frowned. For a criminal investigator, the last thing they wanted to hear was the word "dead person."

After a brief chat, Zhang Yunhang learned that Han Ling and Tong Feng had no immediate mission and wanted to find a place to rest, so he led them to the rest room of the Criminal Investigation Detachment.

The rest room is usually not crowded; it is mainly used to facilitate the standby duty of police officers from the detachment and colleagues from other units.

"Have some water." Zhang Yunhang poured them both a glass of water and casually asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Han Ling picked up a paper cup and took a sip: "You're well-informed. I've got it. I'll be a doctor at the People's Hospital."

Bringing up the topic, Tong Feng couldn't help but add, "You should be secretly happy, now no one is competing with you."

Zhang Yunhang wasn't in a hurry to leave. He sat down and didn't refute the argument.

Almost everyone knows that he likes Lin Rong. With one less rival in love, it would be a lie to say he's unhappy.

However, Lin Rong's attitude towards Han Ling was very strange, which may be related to the previous arrest operation by the Economic Investigation Detachment, and may have triggered the suspension bridge effect.

Therefore, his happiness was limited.

"How did you end up in the Third Brigade?" Han Ling changed the subject.

He was indeed a bit surprised. Based on Zhang Yunhang's grades and performance in police drills, there was no problem for him to join the Major Crimes Unit.

In terms of development alone, the Major Crimes Unit definitely has a brighter future and more opportunities to earn merit.

Zhang Yunhang said, "I chose the three teams myself, maybe I have a connection with them."

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to elaborate, Han Ling did not press further.

"I saw you arrested someone. Is there any progress in the case?" Zhang Yunhang wasn't part of the special task force, but he was still very concerned about the case. "You don't need to answer the confidential parts."

Han Ling nodded: "They are somewhat suspicious."

Zhang Yunhang: "Any clues about the motive?"

Han Ling: "It's still under investigation, but it might be related to revenge."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunhang's voice turned slightly cold: "There are too many similar cases. If people resort to violence to stop violence, they will turn themselves into criminals. If everyone does this, the country will be in chaos."

Upon hearing this, Han Ling raised an eyebrow, his hand pausing as he reached for his cigarette: "If everyone does this, it means the country was already in chaos before this, the law can no longer protect its citizens, and they have no choice but to abandon the law and take up arms."

Zhang Yunhang: "Do you think violence is the right thing to do?"

The topic has strayed from the case and gotten a bit too sophisticated.

Han Ling took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and flicked the lighter. The flame flickered and reflected on his face. After taking a drag, he said, "It depends on the situation."

Zhang Yunhang: "Violence must never be met with violence. The law is the only standard, and no one can overstep the law for any reason. This is the first lesson we learn at the police academy. Have you forgotten it?"

Tong Feng looked at Han Ling and then at Zhang Yunhang. What was wrong with these two? Apart from Lin Rong, could they really start arguing over something else?
Are they inherently incompatible like water and fire?
"Hehe." Han Ling laughed, "Growing up in a greenhouse, you really haven't seen human tragedy."

Zhang Yunhang firmly stated: "Tragedy cannot be a justification for crime."

Han Ling slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and turned to look out the window: "I once had a dream in which I came to another country and saw countless evils that the law could not touch."

When victims have nowhere to turn for help, and when perpetrators go unpunished, who will seek justice for them? Zhang Yunhang's expression was strange: "Han Ling, this is the 21st century."

Han Ling: "Even in the distant 210th century, as long as humans still have emotions and desires, there will be no shortage of darkness that the light cannot reach."

Zhang Yunhang: "I admit it exists, but we are police officers, and justice cannot be achieved in any country."

Han Ling laughed and said, "So you're using the law as an excuse to pretend you don't see it?"

"You..." Zhang Yunhang realized he couldn't continue the conversation with Han Ling, so he got up to leave. "We're not on the same page, farewell."

Han Ling said from behind, "Zhang Yunhang, you'll understand when you actually encounter a case where morality and law conflict."

Unless you're a cold-blooded person, you'll find it difficult to raise a gun.

Zhang Yunhang paused for a moment, then opened the door and left.

"You two are really..." Tong Feng was speechless. "What's the point of talking about this? Are you just bored?"

Han Ling shrugged: "He started it, asking me if it was right to use violence to fight violence. I said it depends on the situation, which was quite objective, right? How could he not know about such a typical case as 'Mother of Vengeance'? He's just giving me that useless nonsense."

A mother seeking revenge abroad shot and killed the murderer who had brutally murdered her seven-year-old daughter in court, firing eight shots to empty the magazine, each bullet filled with a mother's rage.

Ultimately, he was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm, and was paroled three years later.

After his death, he was buried with his daughter.

"Uh." Upon hearing the words "Mother of Vengeance," Tong Feng fell silent.

The murder of a seven-year-old daughter, with the suspect escaping punishment due to a history of mental illness, is something no mother could accept.

If legal means cannot bring justice, then this mother has no choice but to abandon the law and take up arms to avenge her daughter in her own way.

This is also a case of using violence to suppress violence.

right?

It's wrong legally, but most people think it's right, especially those with children who can empathize with it.

“This is just an extreme example,” Tong Feng said after a long pause. “And she was punished; she was sentenced to six years, a verdict that satisfied all parties.”

Han Ling: "That's why I said it depends on the situation. Who knew he'd get so worked up? I'm speechless. Could it be that he's been rejected by Lin Rong for the nth time? Is he in a bad mood?"

Tong Feng chuckled: "That's very possible."

……

When Liang Yan led the team back, it was already four in the morning.

Prior to this, Li Dechang's body had been transported back, and the forensic doctor was conducting a full autopsy, with the autopsy report expected to be released soon.

Gao Bingyang immediately convened a meeting to consolidate the information, and photos and personal information of Zhu Guilan and Zhang Zhenhua appeared on the big screen.

“This person was discovered by Han Lingtongfeng’s investigation team from the Gu’an branch. There are many suspicious points, and we need to conduct a focused investigation on him now.” In the conference room, Gao Bingyang pointed to the screen with his pen and spoke.

He didn't say anything complimentary, to avoid the awkwardness of opening champagne at halftime in the future.

Zhang Zhenhua is currently only a suspect in the crime; whether he is the murderer is still unknown and requires evidence.

All eyes were on Zhang Zhenhua's photo, some scrutinizing, some curious. A "butcher" who had killed three people in two months was a rare sight indeed.

It's nothing special, just ordinary.

This is everyone's first impression of Zhang Zhenhua.

Feng Yao and Ji Bowei were both present, and the Gu'an and Languang police stations discussed the murder cases of Xiong Chuan and Wu Cuicui.

"What was the motive for killing Wu Cuicui?" Qiao Yuanqi, captain of the criminal investigation team of the Languang branch, asked. He was more concerned about the victims in his jurisdiction.

Feng Yao was the same; he wanted to know why Xiong Chuan was killed.

Gao Bingyang suggested that the two might have indirectly caused the car accident, just as an example. In short, Xiong Chuan and Wu Cuicui should have been involved with Zhu Guilan by chance, and an unpleasant thing happened between them.

Li Dechang caused a car accident that resulted in Zhu Guilan's death. The accident happened to be on Wu Cuicui's usual route, and Xiong Chuan lived nearby, leading to reasonable suspicion that there was a connection between the four.

Gao Bingyang said, "The suspect waited three years before making his move. What was he waiting for? If he knew who he was going to kill and had a clear target, there would be no need for him to wait so long."

Therefore, he is very likely investigating Xiong Chuan and Wu Cuicui.

Qiao Yuanqi said, "But Xiong Chuan and Wu Cuicui's names are not in the car accident file. How did the murderer know this? And why did he become suspicious and take action to investigate?"

Before Gao Bingyang could speak, Ji Bowei said, "Don't forget that Zhu Guilan lost money. At the time, the traffic police and criminal police gave up after failing to find anything, but the murderer did not give up. He needs to find out where the money on Zhu Guilan went."

He has a strong desire for revenge. Since he has decided to kill, he might as well kill everyone, whether they deserve to be killed or not.

Xiong Chuan is very short of money.

Qiao Yuanqi nodded: "Wu Cuicui is not a rich person. She doesn't have a job and relies entirely on her husband to work outside. Although she wouldn't steal or rob, she probably wouldn't mind taking a chance if she had the opportunity... But that's not right."

What other ways could Zhu Guilan have to get money on her person besides deception, theft, and robbery?
Could it be that Wu Cuicui picked it up after it was lost? If the murderer killed someone because they found money, they must be mentally unstable.

Ji Bowei: "It's definitely not because he found money; the logic is flawed, and it can't be connected to Xiong Chuan."

Gao Bingyang remained silent, listening quietly. He hadn't wanted to discuss this topic, but since the two captains had started talking, there was no need to stop them.

Qiao Yuanqi: "Besides finding money, I can't think of any other way. If we're talking about theft, robbery, and deception, Xiong Chuan is the one who can do it."

Or perhaps... Xiong Chuan robbed Zhu Guilan of her money, and Wu Cuicui happened to pass by and saw it, but didn't stop him or call the police. The murderer then used her indifference as an excuse to kill her as well?

Ji Bowei: "Xiong Chuan has no prior record in this area."

Qiao Yuanqi: "There will always be a first time. Zhu Guilan has Alzheimer's disease, her memory is confused and she lacks a certain degree of self-care ability, making her a very easy target for criminals."

Ji Bowei pondered. Logically, it made sense. No matter how many possibilities were discussed, it would always come down to the same few things, so it wouldn't be too far-fetched.

"How did you find out who the murderer was?" Ji Bowei asked.

The problem returns to the beginning.

“Then we’ll have to ask Zhang Zhenhua,” Qiao Yuanqi said. “If that’s the case, it’s a bit of a slap in the face. The police didn’t find anything, but the murderer found it himself.”

The criminal police officers from the Gu'an branch exchanged glances, their eyes turning to Feng Yao and Ji Bowei.

Feng Yao remained calm, while Ji Bowen asked directly, "What does Captain Qiao mean?"

Qiao Yuanqi belatedly realized his mistake and quickly apologized: "Sorry, it just slipped out. It wasn't directed at your team. The fact that the murderer has been investigating for three years shows that it's really hard to find."

The person is dead, so it's understandable that the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Gu'an Branch wouldn't invest a lot of police manpower and time just for a little money.

"Alright, stop." Gao Bingyang interrupted at the right time, knowing that continuing the conversation would damage the harmony. "We don't have time to go back to what happened three years ago. After dawn, we will conduct a full investigation into Zhang Zhenhua. Liang Yan, report on the results of the on-site investigation and interviews."

Liang Yan: "Okay."

……

ps: One update today.

(End of this chapter)