I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 52 Suspected Important Physical Evidence
The details of the visit to Yang Qi's parents have just been reported to the special task force of the bureau by phone.

Each exploration team does this, reporting irregularly to facilitate information integration.

The two drove to Yang Qi's residential area.

Squad leader Hu Lihui said that although no items matching the materials of the murder weapon were found in Yang Qi's home, it could not be ruled out that Yang Qi had thrown the items away.

Where did you lose it?
Theoretically, anything is possible, but it is essential to visit the area around Yang Qi's neighborhood. This will not only help us find the murder weapon but also investigate whether Yang Qi has exhibited any unusual behavior recently, aiming for comprehensive coverage in both general and specific directions.

Other colleagues were busy checking various things: the sales office, the surveillance footage, Hou Jiarou's relatives and friends, the banks... and even the police dogs were working tirelessly.

Yang Qi, Zhao Zhiqiang, and everyone connected to the victim Hou Jiarou are all within the scope of the investigation.

The entire task force wove a giant net, diligently chipping away at any points available for investigation.

On Han Ling's side.

The main targets of the visits included property management staff, security guards, Yang Qi's neighbors, and other residents who might have frequently passed by Yang Qi.

When they showed the photos to the neighbors, more than half of them recognized or had seen them. Through in-depth questioning, the two learned what kind of couple Yang Qi and his wife were in the eyes of their neighbors.

Every family has its own troubles, which outsiders wouldn't know. Yang Qi is quite busy at the bank and occasionally goes on business trips, so the neighbors see Hou Jiarou more often in the community.

Is it possible that Hou Jiarou is having an affair? Han Ling and Tong Feng discussed this question.

Yang Qi admitted to having an affair but never mentioned Hou Jiarou's problem. If a woman, a wife, is murdered and the murderer is the husband, then the possibility of being cuckolded still exists.

This is something a man cannot tolerate.

However, judging from Hou Jiarou's call records and QQ chat history, no improper relationship was found between her and any man.

Han Ling vaguely mentioned the relevant issues during the visit, but did not receive any similar information. Everyone said that the couple was normal and they had never seen them quarrel.

During the visit, it was also necessary to verify the testimonies of the relevant people. Regarding the argument on the second and fifth days of the Lunar New Year, after questioning the upstairs neighbors and the neighbors across the street, only the downstairs neighbor was at home on the afternoon of the fifth day, but said that it had been a long time and he had no recollection of it.

Logically, if an argument gets really heated, the people downstairs should be able to hear it.

Perhaps the sound wasn't that loud.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, all the neighbors went to the girl's house and were unaware of the situation.

At five o'clock, as residents of the community gradually left work, Han Ling and Tong Feng stopped a man at the entrance of the building and started talking to him about Yang Qi.

"I know him, we're quite familiar, what's wrong, officer?" The man was very cooperative.

Han Ling: "What is the relationship between Yang Qi and his wife?"

Man: "That's great."

Han Ling: "Do you and Yang Qi often get together?"

As the questioning progressed, the man's expression gradually became unnatural, and he began to pause when answering questions, indicating that he was rehearsing what he was about to say in his mind before speaking.

Not to mention Han Ling, even Tong Feng could tell something was wrong.

"Are you familiar with Hou Jiarou?" Han Ling stared at him.

The man shook his head: "We're not close. I'm close to Yang Qi."

Han Ling: "Did you and Yang Qi do anything special?"

If a man has a problem, the problem either comes from Yang Qi or Hou Jiarou.

"No," the man denied, his gaze unconsciously shifting downwards, avoiding eye contact with Han Ling.

Han Ling warned, "We are investigating a major criminal case involving Yang Qi. If you are hiding anything, you will probably need to go to the branch office."

A major criminal case?!
The man was startled: "I didn't hide anything, I didn't hide anything at all, really."

Han Ling waved: "Let's go then, let's go back to the branch office to talk."

This tactic worked well, and the man resisted quite strongly: "No, no, no... there's no need, no need. I... Yang Qi and I went to a foot massage parlor, that's all."

"A foot massage parlor?" Tong Feng pressed, "Is it green? If it is, you would have just said so openly, right?"

The man looked around and, seeing no one was passing by, lowered his voice: "It's absolutely green. I'm just afraid my wife will find out. Women, you know, have a prejudice against foot massage parlors."

Tong Feng chuckled.

If you believe that, you'll be in trouble. They're all men; how could he not know what's on his mind?

Since he's been to a foot massage parlor, he's probably also been to a spa, and ultimately, he engaged in direct prostitution.

"Okay, thanks for your cooperation," Han Ling said. The man quickly left.

Tong Feng watched as Han Ling reported to the command group that Yang Qi was suspected of soliciting prostitution, and then asked, "What about that guy from earlier?"

Han Ling: "What do we care? We don't have time for that. Let's go to the garbage collection station outside the community."

Tong Feng muttered something under his breath and followed Han Ling.

There is a garbage collection station outside the residential area where all garbage is collected.

This is the time when municipal workers collect garbage, and scavengers also linger there.

The smell was a bit strong, so Han Ling and Tong Feng symbolically covered their noses with the backs of their fingers and stood to the side, asking each person who came by.

The question is simple: Have you ever seen or picked up towels, pillows, blankets, or other fabric items, especially those that look relatively new and still usable?

The two stayed at the garbage recycling station until dark, and their clothes started to smell.

"I'll throw it away when I get back." Tong Feng sniffed himself, looking a little disgusted.

Han Ling, puffing on a cigarette, said, "You don't look like a criminal investigator at all. You should be transferred to another post as soon as possible, or Fang Zhou won't have any expectations of you."

Tong Feng: "That won't do. You'll be coming to the branch office soon, so we can keep each other company."

"You're so amazing, I'll follow you."

As we were chatting, a hunchbacked old woman walked up behind us. She was very professional, carrying a snakeskin bag in her left hand and a homemade iron hook in her right.

The trash can was already full of new garbage, but the old woman showed no reaction to the pungent smell and practically stuck her head in to rummage through it.

Han Ling walked over: "Auntie?"

The old woman turned her head, her face lined with deep wrinkles: "What's wrong, child?"

The word "child" sounded quite affectionate. Han Ling smiled and said, "We are police officers. Please think about whether you have found any clothes, blankets, pillows, or similar items here since after the New Year, as long as they are made of fabric."

"Police, kid? My memory is so bad, how could I remember... Oh, I think I do." The old woman instinctively didn't want to talk to her, but seemed to recall something.

Ok?
Han Ling quickly took out a cigarette: "Auntie, would you like a cigarette?"

There are still quite a few smokers among the older generation, regardless of gender.

The old woman smiled, her wrinkles deepening. She took the cigarette and carefully put it into her bosom, saying, "Yes, I found a quilt. It was in the trash can. I took it back, washed it, and used it."

At this moment, Tong Feng also walked over, his expression slightly solemn.

Finding a quilt is a major discovery; very few people would throw away something like that.

Han Ling handed over the entire pack of cigarettes and asked, "What kind of quilt is it? A cotton quilt?"

"Thank you, kid. Now your wife will have something to smoke when you get home." Old Ou smiled even more broadly, pocketing the whole pack of cigarettes. "It's not a cotton quilt, it's a summer quilt."

A summer blanket?
Tong Feng was taken aback, sensing something was amiss. Han Ling reacted quickly, whispering the word "heating".

Tong Feng suddenly realized.

Yes, heating.

Nowadays, every household in the city has heating. In well-maintained communities, the indoor temperature can reach over 25 degrees Celsius in winter.

There's no need for thick cotton quilts; summer blankets are more practical.

"Auntie, can I come to your house to get it?" Han Ling asked.

Old woman: "Huh?"

She was wondering if half a pack of cigarettes was worth a blanket.

Han Ling continued, "How about we buy it for fifty?"

The suspects had the right to seize the suspected important evidence, but the old woman in front of them didn't seem like she would cooperate.

The phrase "important physical evidence" is probably meaningless to the other party.

Paying money is the most direct way; he doesn't want to argue with an old man. If it can be reimbursed, he'll get it; if not, it doesn't matter.

"Okay!" the old woman agreed.

(End of this chapter)