frightfiction Chapter 824: Zhao Kaifeng Arrested – Is the Case About to Be Solved?
Chapter 824: Zhao Kaifeng Arrested – Is the Case About to Be Solved?
Qin Chuan decided to launch a full investigation into Zhao Kaifeng. They gathered information about Zhao Kaifeng through various channels and discovered that his recent whereabouts were suspicious and his behavior highly questionable. While investigating Zhao Kaifeng's communication records, they found that he had several phone calls with Wang Jianjun before and after the incident.
"It seems that the relationship between Zhao Kaifeng and Wang Jianjun is not simple," Li Ming analyzed.
"That's right, continue to investigate Zhao Kaifeng's whereabouts and social connections, especially his activities after his release from prison," Qin Chuan ordered.
Li Ming led a team of criminal investigators through the southern suburban industrial park, inquiring about Zhao Kaifeng's whereabouts at various construction sites based on prior clues. They left no corner unchecked, questioning every worker and examining every entry and exit record.
A worker buying cigarettes at a convenience store near the construction site recalled, "I remember there was this guy, he didn't look like a good person. He always loitered around the construction site and talked furtively with some strangers. Once, I saw him and Wang Jianjun smoking in the distance. They looked serious, as if they were discussing something important." The criminal investigation team quickly recorded this information and continued their in-depth investigation.
By reviewing nearby surveillance footage, police discovered that Zhao Kaifeng frequently visited secluded locations before the incident, one of which was an abandoned warehouse that Wang Jianjun had frequented. In the surveillance footage, Zhao Kaifeng always appeared hurried when entering and leaving, seemingly carrying something in his arms. This discovery further convinced the police that there was a shady relationship between Zhao Kaifeng and Wang Jianjun.
Police also conducted a detailed analysis of Zhao Kaifeng's communication records, discovering numerous phone calls between him and Wang Jianjun before and after the incident, as well as frequent contacts with unknown numbers. Tracing these numbers revealed that some were linked to individuals with prior criminal records, making the case even more perplexing.
After gathering substantial evidence, the police decided to arrest Zhao Kaifeng.
Zhao Kaifeng was packing his luggage in his bedroom when he saw the police. His face turned deathly pale, and the clothes in his hands scattered all over the floor. "You... what right do you have to arrest me?" he shouted in a trembling voice, but he was quickly subdued by the SWAT team members.
Zhao Kaifeng was escorted by two criminal investigation team members, one on each side, as he staggered into the interrogation room. The blinding white light from the overhead lamp made him squint. He wore a wrinkled black T-shirt, the hem of which was still dusty, his hair was disheveled, and his face showed the drowsiness and panic of being just woken from a dream. After being roughly pressed into the interrogation chair, he subconsciously twisted his body, trying to find a more comfortable position, but he could only give up because of the handcuffs. The metal handcuffs collided with the armrests of the chair, making a crisp, cold sound.
The interrogation room was small, with walls painted a monotonous gray. The only object on the wall was a huge one-way mirror, like a silent and authoritative eye, watching every move inside. Zhao Kaifeng's gaze swept frantically across the room, finally settling on Qin Chuan and Li Ming, who slowly walked in from the opposite side.
Li Ming spoke first, his voice low and cold, echoing in the small interrogation room: "Zhao Kaifeng, do you know why you were brought here?" Li Ming placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently at Zhao Kaifeng, trying to glean key information from his first reaction.
Zhao Kaifeng swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. He raised his head slightly, a sly glint in his eyes, and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "How would I know, officer? I haven't done anything wrong." Though he said this, his hands unconsciously rubbed against his thighs, betraying his inner nervousness.
Qin Chuan snorted coldly, pulled up a chair, and sat down with a thud, making the ground tremble slightly. He picked up a document from the table, casually flipping through it, as if deliberately whetting Zhao Kaifeng's appetite. After a while, he finally spoke: "Hmph, didn't do anything wrong? Then your frequent contact with Wang Jianjun recently, and your furtive loitering around the South Suburb Industrial Park, is that normal behavior?" As Qin Chuan spoke, his eyes never left the document, yet he precisely caught the subtle movement of Zhao Kaifeng's body tensing up the instant he heard the name "Wang Jianjun."
Zhao Kaifeng's eyes flickered for a moment before returning to normal. He pursed his lips and said nonchalantly, "Wang Jianjun and I are just ordinary friends. We haven't seen each other in a long time, so we just got together. I went to the industrial park to find some work and make a living. Is that illegal?" As he spoke, he was mentally calculating how much evidence the police had and how he should respond.
Li Ming straightened up, crossed his arms, and slowly paced around Zhao Kaifeng, each step heavy, as if pounding on Zhao Kaifeng's heart. "Ordinary friends? A get-together? So, you got together to discuss how to secretly mine the clay contracted by Wang Jianjun's family, is that also part of your get-together?" Li Ming suddenly stopped, bent down, his face almost touching Zhao Kaifeng's, and loudly questioned him.
Zhao Kaifeng's face turned deathly pale instantly, his lips trembled slightly, but he still tried to defend himself: "This...this is just a normal business collaboration. We were thinking of getting some clay to sell and improve our lives. It's not illegal, is it?" His voice weakened noticeably, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, sliding down his cheeks.
Qin Chuan put down the documents, crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and stared intently at Zhao Kaifeng: "Ordinary business? Then why do you have to be so secretive, avoiding the villagers and relevant departments? Moreover, you had a big argument over the distribution of profits, and even almost came to blows. Is this what ordinary business should be like?" Every question Qin Chuan asked was like a sharp dagger, piercing Zhao Kaifeng's psychological defenses.
Zhao Kaifeng's eyes began to glaze over. He lowered his head, avoiding Qin Chuan's gaze, and gritted his teeth as he said, "Yes, we have a conflict, but it has nothing to do with murder. I didn't kill anyone." His hands clenched into fists under the table, his knuckles turning white from the force.
Li Ming sat back down in his chair, spread his hands, and softened his tone slightly: "Zhao Kaifeng, the evidence is piling up. Continuing to hide it won't do you any good. The shoe prints and buttons found at the scene match your build and clothing, and your unusual behavior before and after the incident all indicate that you are involved in this case." As Li Ming spoke, he observed Zhao Kaifeng's reaction, not missing a single change in his expression.
Zhao Kaifeng suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide open, and shouted emotionally, "I said I didn't kill anyone! That evidence might be a coincidence, or someone might be deliberately framing me." His voice became sharp with anger and tension, and his body began to tremble slightly.