I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 99 Off-duty review
Wei Tianyong was the last to leave the branch office, and his interrogation lasted a long time.

When the truth of the case came to light, from God's perspective, the investigation was not as difficult as imagined; there were still clues.

Besides Cao Kexuan's borrowing records at the university library, Wei Tianyong's mobile phone was also a breakthrough point.

If Wei Tianyong's phone had been thoroughly investigated at the time, and the deleted text messages had been recovered, the problems with Cao Kexuan's death could have been discovered immediately.

At the same time, Wei Henian will come into the police's sights, and then it will be simple; they can just follow the clues.

However, when clues are scarce and the case is a blank, investigators cannot determine where the clues might be hidden, and there will always be omissions.

Even Han Ling, when he learned that Wei Tianyong was lying, did not think to thoroughly investigate this person, including his phone, despite Wei Tianyong's very reasonable explanation.

Today, Han Ling and her colleagues took Wei Tianyong out of the police station and put him in a police car to be sent to the detention center.

There were three people in charge of escorting them: Han Ling, Zhang Yandong, and Tong Feng.

Tong Feng was driving.

On the way, Han Ling and Wei Tianyong chatted. There were some questions that Wei Tianyong did not choose to answer during the interrogation.

For example: Did you actually send the text message?

Wei Tianyong has neither denied nor confirmed the allegations.

Can understand.

Only Cui Henian and two others were involved in the murder. The Cao and Wei families are only suspected of tomb raiding and harboring criminals, and they will be released from prison sooner or later, including Wei Tianyong.

If Wei Tianyong admits to sending that text message, how will he face his family after his release from prison?
That text message, like a butterfly flapping its wings, completely destroyed the Wei and Cao families. Putting ourselves in their shoes, it would be hard to forgive them.

“I think you’re very smart.” Inside the car, Han Ling spoke up. “A smart person should have thought of destroying the phone. The text message you sent to Wei Henian was fatal. Once the police found it, it would basically mean that all the criminal activities were exposed, but you didn’t destroy it.”

He meant whether Wei Tianyong deliberately left it there as a hidden flaw.

Wei Tianyong gave a wry smile, a forced one: "You're overthinking it. If I destroy the phone, how am I supposed to explain that I went to the lakeside on the night of April 17th?"

Han Ling nodded: "That's true."

He didn't ask any further questions.

The two are not actually contradictory; it is necessary to explain why he went to the lake on April 10, while also leaving loopholes for the police.

No matter the case, it is impossible for any suspect to confess 100% or tell the police 100% of their true thoughts. There will always be some reservations, especially regarding subjective issues such as motives.

For the police, as long as the confession is sufficient for conviction, nothing else matters. Allowing the suspect to retain some semblance of dignity does not affect the outcome.

So, does Wei Tianyong constitute an accomplice in intentional homicide?
This matter was very important, and it was also the reason why Wei Tianyong was the last person to leave the branch office; the investigation took a very long time.

If Wei Tianyong knew or should have known that Cui Henian was highly likely to kill him to silence him when he sent the text message, then Wei Tianyong would be considered an accomplice and would be held criminally liable.

In another scenario, if Wei Tianyong had no idea that Cui Henian would resort to such extreme measures as murder when he sent the text message, then he would not be considered an accomplice to intentional homicide.

The two are very different and involve the final sentencing issue, so the criminal investigation team is very cautious.

After considering the testimonies of other individuals, the criminal investigation team ultimately determined that Wei Tianyong was not an accomplice in intentional homicide.

He had no idea that Cui Henian would kill someone.

Let alone Wei Tianyong, even Wei Shoushan and the others did not know that Cui Henian would be so ruthless.

Only Cui Henian and the other two knew the details of the case from twelve years ago. They had been on the run for many years with the murder on their backs, which is why they were so decisive and ruthless when they killed Cao Kexuan.

Once Cao Kexuan reports it to the police, the tomb raiding will be a minor matter; the case from twelve years ago is far more serious. They must nip the risk in the bud.

Wei Tianyong was actually a bit lucky; when Cao Kexuan was silenced, he wasn't included in the count.

Cui Henian has answered this question before. He has become accustomed to life in Weijiazhuang Village and does not want to fall out with the Wei family.

The Wei family could barely accept killing Cao Kexuan, but if Wei Tianyong were killed, their reaction was uncertain, and a lose-lose situation would benefit no one.

"Officer Han..." Wei Tianyong, still handcuffed, asked in a low voice, "Do you think... if I hadn't texted Wei Henian, would he have eventually called the police?"

Han Ling was unable to answer the question.

This is the key reason why Wei Tianyong could never let go of it for the rest of his life.

“Whether he calls the police or not, he’s not wrong from his perspective,” Han Ling said.

Is it right to call the police? Yes.

Reporting illegal and criminal activities is a citizen's duty, that's for sure.

Is it right not to call the police? Yes, it is.

From Cao Kexuan's perspective, he wanted to report his family and brothers. Choosing not to call the police would not be morally condemned, and he was not breaking the law. He was far from committing the crime of harboring or concealing a criminal. He could simply play dumb.

The law is the minimum standard of morality; how one interprets the law and the sentiment varies from person to person.

Wei Tianyong muttered to himself, "Yes, neither of them is wrong..."

He felt guilty towards Cao Kexuan, which is why he decided to send that text message to Zhu Yuntang.

In a sense, Cao Kexuan died because of him.

They arrived at the detention center, and Han Ling and the others escorted Wei Tianyong inside. After completing the formalities, they walked out the gate. Wei Tianyong would face prosecution and trial for tomb raiding and harboring criminals.

It's unknown what will become of Weijiazhuang Village after his release from prison, and whether the villagers will still accept the Wei family.

With this, the Criminal Investigation Brigade's mission was basically completed, and the investigation into the trafficking of antiques was handed over to other squadrons.

Han Ling took out a cigarette and offered it to Zhang Yandong. The two lit it and stood at the door smoking.

Tong Feng doesn't smoke, but he's itching to try; judging by his posture, it's only a matter of time.

Zhang Yandong glanced at Han Ling several times, hesitant to speak. Long-serving police officers inevitably have their moments of glory, and such moments are nothing to be astonished about, but Han Ling's behavior was somewhat outrageous. The signs of this had already begun with the murder of the seafood restaurant owner.

In the later Hou Jiarou case, Han Ling also uncovered a second, deeply hidden suspect when the case was almost closed.

The current case in Weijiazhuang Village is similar.

If Han Ling hadn't graduated from police academy last year, the Gu'an District Police Station would likely have faced considerable trouble.

Seriously... this kid is really something else. How come the cases in Gu'an's jurisdiction have started to become so bizarre since he became a policeman?
The Hou Jiarou case and the Cao Kexuan case are unprecedented in Gu'an District; they've always been straightforward.

"Stop looking at Dong-ge, just say what you want to praise me." Han Ling noticed Zhang Yandong's gaze and said.

Zhang Yandong smiled and said, "When I was in police academy, the teacher said that the field of criminal investigation is the same as science and engineering, both have geniuses. I didn't believe it at the time, and even after I met Fang Zhou, I still didn't believe it. Now I'm starting to believe it."

Fang Zhou is excellent, you are a genius, a genius detective.

"Genius" is a very high compliment, which shows that Zhang Yandong is quite convinced of its value.

It's actually quite simple to convince someone; just put yourself in their shoes and see if you could accomplish what Han Ling did.

Zhang Yandong tried it, but ultimately found that even survival was in question.

"I'm not a genius detective."

Han Ling's statement was both modesty and factual; strictly speaking, he was indeed not a police officer.

Tong Feng then spoke up: "Next time, don't leave me at the hotel, making it seem like I'm going to hold you back."

We're partners, partners, you understand?

Han Ling did not respond, so Zhang Yandong spoke up: "Looking at the whole process, if Han Ling had taken you with her at the time, the probability of injury or death would have increased significantly, and the suspect with the crossbow might have made his move earlier."

Tong Feng: "Han Ling didn't know beforehand, I'm talking about attitude! It's an attitude issue! Brother Dong, you understand me, right?"

Zhang Yandong laughed out loud. The other party had solved the case after taking a nap in Huaiyan Town without doing anything, which was indeed quite embarrassing.

After finishing their cigarettes, the three got into the car and returned to the branch office.

The case is basically closed. Han Ling's service weapon and ammunition have been stored away. From this moment on, he is in a state of "temporary absence from duty" and will no longer be armed or perform field missions in the near future.

The branch police disciplinary inspection team formally met with Han Ling to investigate whether his use of firearms complied with firearms regulations and whether there were any violations.

This is a necessary procedure, not a targeted one.

Anyone who fires a shot and hits a suspect, regardless of the reason, must be investigated.

Han Ling's case is quite serious; two bullets killed two criminals, each hitting a vital organ, so the investigation process will be more rigorous.

Room inquiry.

"Please recount the entire incident from beginning to end, starting from when you received the investigation assignment." The presence of the inspection team leader in person demonstrates the importance attached to the matter.

Generally, investigations into shooting incidents like this can be handled by senior police officers from the supervisory unit.

Han Ling's expression remained unchanged, but he felt helpless inside. Wearing this police uniform, the sense of constraint was greater than he had imagined.

He understands and respects that this is to prevent police from abusing firearms, and the intention is good.

"Did you use any other measures, such as verbal warnings or firing warning shots, before you fired?"

……

"Why didn't it work?"

……

"Did you determine at the time that there were other non-lethal methods of restraint?"

……

Why are those methods considered riskier?

……

"Did you have any personal grudges against the two suspects?"

……

The questions were rather formulaic, and Han Ling answered them one by one.

The first suspect's machete was about to strike his head. At the time, he only had a gun, so he had to pull the trigger. If he had been a second later, he would have been the one to die.

The second suspect was hiding in the shadows, and Cui Henian had given the order to act, judging that the other party was carrying a dangerous weapon at long range, so he had to shoot.

"Write a detailed 'Fire Use Report,' guaranteeing its truthfulness and stating your willingness to assume all legal responsibility, and sign your name."

The captain of the inspection team concluded.

Han Ling: "Understood."

After leaving the interrogation room, he went to see the squad leader Hu Lihui, the deputy squad leader Ji Bowei, the battalion commander Feng Yao, as well as the deputy director in charge Zhao Xingbang and the political commissar. His ears were almost calloused from being worn out.

"Don't feel pressured." The political commissar's attitude towards Han Ling was mainly one of concern. "Cooperate actively with the investigation. Take a good rest and adjust your state before the results are out. I think there's no problem. The procuratorate will get involved tomorrow. Just tell the truth."

Since the case involves a life, the Qingchang Procuratorate will intervene in advance to conduct an independent investigation. Han Ling will need to face questioning from the procuratorate again, and the questions will be similar to those from the inspection team.

However, the perspective will lean more towards law and evidence.

Forensic examination is also very important, as it is necessary to rule out subjective factors such as whether the suspect was shot in the back.

Han Ling can take a break before the final results are released.

(End of this chapter)