Chapter 40: Captain Zhou, Do You Suspect Yu Bai?

Deputy Han glanced at Captain Zhou, then at Xu Zhixin inside the ward, and said somewhat helplessly, “Captain Zhou, don’t suspect everyone you lay eyes on. Captain Xu didn’t have time to commit the crime. The moment the case broke, Bureau Chief Zhang was the first to rule out Captain Xu and everyone else in public security. Otherwise, how could we have let him join the investigation?”

Captain Zhou mulled it over and realized he had a point. Given Zhang Yunan’s cautious nature after a lifetime in criminal investigation, would he really slip up on something like this?

They had probably cleared the air right there in the office on the first day of working with Xu Zhixin from the Narcotics Squad. When Zhao Min produced those resources that weren’t even in the system, Zhang Yunan had spent a full hour hashing it out with Xu Zhixin in one of the City Bureau leaders’ offices.

Still, Deputy Han knowing all these details so clearly was suspicious in itself.

Captain Zhou shot him a dubious look and blurted out, “How do you know all this? I thought you were tied up on another case when the Shao Yuan Case went down two years ago!”

Deputy Han gave a guilty chuckle, rubbed his nose, and said, “I was just keeping tabs on the case!”

Yeah, right!

“Heh!” Captain Zhou let out a scoff she didn’t bother hiding, then said in heartfelt disappointment, “It’s all because of Zhao Min again. Offending Captain Xu over one woman? Not worth it at all. Now I’m seriously questioning your scumbag credentials—most guys couldn’t pull off what you’re doing…”

With that, Captain Zhou shook her head helplessly. She had no idea what to make of Deputy Han. One Zhao Min had turned him into this; it was something else.

The mere thought of Zhao Min made Captain Zhou’s nerves tighten up again. Those inscrutable, baffling actions of hers. That hidden connection with Yu Bai. Truth be told, Captain Zhou now suspected Zhao Min even more than Xu Zhixin.

She hadn’t harbored such intense doubts before, but stumbling upon that secretive moment last night had changed everything.

Zhao Min’s hostility from their very first meeting. Those irregular sources for her intel. All those illogical moves she made.

It all clicked into place with her emerging from Yu Bai’s place last night.

Captain Zhou suddenly recalled the binding-like marks on Yu Bai’s wrist from not long ago. It felt like a thorn pricking her heart, an itch she couldn’t scratch.

Deputy Han, oblivious to Captain Zhou’s whirlwind of thoughts, grinned and sidled closer with feigned sincerity. “Captain Zhou, did my devotion move you too? I’ve been true to the Little Princess through and through, never once wavered. If it gets to you, it’ll definitely get to her.”

Captain Zhou flashed him her best professional smile. “…What I’m saying is, your shamelessness really knows no bounds.”

Deputy Han: “…”

What had he done to deserve this?

Sun Ye was doubled over laughing nearby. With a sigh of admiration, he clapped Deputy Han on the shoulder and chimed in at just the right moment. “Deputy Han, your thick skin is legendary. I can personally vouch for it.”

Deputy Han swatted at Sun Ye’s head. “Little Sun, you fuckin’ asking for it?”

Sun Ye ducked with a “haha” and grinned. “Deputy Han, face facts. Captain Zhou’s spot on—you’re a total scumbag… Ow, why’d you hit me? Haha!”

With that, he bolted twenty meters away.

Deputy Han: “Little Sun, fuck you…”

Captain Zhou gave Deputy Han’s shoulder a solemn pat. “I’d suggest you two save the brawl for back at the Police Bureau. Keep this up here, and your reputation as Deputy Han will be in tatters.”

Deputy Han managed a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Captain Zhou, no need to fret over my image. These shattered pieces? I can scoop ’em up anytime and patch together something usable.” He jabbed a finger at the fleeing Sun Ye. “With that brat’s smart mouth, if I don’t lay into him now, I’d be failing as his ‘grandpa’!”

From twenty meters off, Sun Ye grinned without a shred of remorse. “Deputy Han, easy now! I call you grandpa, don’t I? Beating me in public like this? Bad look. Besides, I sprang for those steamed buns this morning—you can’t chow down and pretend it didn’t happen!”

Deputy Han let out a dry laugh. “Heh, those were Little Li’s buns. What’ve they got to do with you?”

Speaking of the buns, Captain Zhou suddenly remembered and shot Sun Ye a disdainful look. “I’m not one to gossip, Sun Ye, but seriously—how many times a month do you steal Little Li’s buns? Eighteen times! He came complaining to me, insisting we punish you properly this time.”

“Captain Zhou, you can’t put it like that,” Sun Ye said with an awkward smile, holding up two fingers. “I promise I’ll make it up to Little Li with twenty buns tomorrow, plus two extra days’ worth. I’ve turned over a new leaf and become a new man! Really—even the one Deputy Han had this morning, I’ll cover that too. Right, Deputy Han? That was on me.”

Han Wei paused. “……Yeah, I think it was.”

On second thought, Han Wei realized that with a free bun in his belly, he could settle scores with this punk later.

Just as Han Wei sorted through his thoughts, the ward door swung open from inside. Xu Zhixin and Zhao Min stepped out. Zhao Min was dressed in her usual blue police uniform, her hair pulled into a high ponytail. Spotting the trio, Xu Zhixin said, “Captain Zhou, you’ve arrived.”

The City Bureau and Narcotics Control were handling the case jointly, with personnel from both sides taking shifts to watch Jiang Jiwen. Han Wei had handed over to the Narcotics Control team that morning before meeting up with Captain Zhou and the others back at the City Bureau. He’d briefed them on the hospital situation and rushed over.

Captain Zhou snapped out of the little interlude and nodded. “Yeah. Captain Xu, how’s the interrogation going? What did Jiang Jiwen say?”

Xu Zhixin’s emotions ran high, his voice louder than usual. “He’s lying! There were only five killers in the Shao Yuan case. He’s pulled some scapegoat out of thin air.”

Captain Zhou could understand Xu Zhixin’s state—after all, the Shao Yuan case had weighed on him for two years without a break, and the victim had been like a brother to him. A bit of agitation was only natural.

Han Wei frowned at Xu Zhixin’s words. “A scapegoat? Dying for who? Jiang Jiwen hasn’t even cleared his own name!”

That was Captain Zhou’s question too. She phrased it more politely for Xu Zhixin. “According to Jiang Jiwen’s account, Xu Wenliang—the man he killed with the shovel a couple of days ago—only acted as a peripheral lookout in the Shao Yuan case. He didn’t take part in the killing of Shao Yuan’s family by those five others. Right?”

Xu Zhixin nodded. “Yes, that’s what he claims.”

Captain Zhou continued, “The Technical Department confirmed five sets of traces at the Shao Yuan crime scene back then, but none from the supposed peripheral lookout. Jiang Jiwen’s story holds up without contradictions.”

As she spoke, Captain Zhou subtly watched Xu Zhixin’s expression. He shook his head firmly, insisting there had only been five killers.

“Impossible. There were exactly five killers in the Shao Yuan case—no more, no less. There’s no such thing as this sixth person Jiang Jiwen invented in his statement.”

Xu Zhixin’s certainty gave Captain Zhou pause. She narrowed her eyes, puzzled by his behavior. “Captain Xu, what makes you so sure? Why are you convinced Jiang Jiwen is lying?”

Xu Zhixin replied, “Because that sixth peripheral lookout from Jiang Jiwen’s story—we found him two years ago. Dead.”

Captain Zhou: “What?!”

Han Wei: “What?!”

“That’s right. Two years ago, we found his body in the river channel while investigating. Turns out there were six killers total, but for some reason, someone took out the peripheral guy. We’d already identified the sixth killer’s corpse by then. So the Shao Yuan fugitives numbered only five. They had no reason to send an extra lookout—it was too risky and pointless.” Xu Zhixin furrowed his brow, recalling the Shao Yuan investigation from two years prior. He let out a sigh, then added to Captain Zhou, “We’ve dealt with these traffickers plenty. You learn their patterns: aside from full gang mobilizations, they rarely operate in groups bigger than three. And for handling an internal traitor? No need for a crowd like that.”

Captain Zhou nodded. She knew that well.

These groups ran tight ships, constantly outmaneuvering the police in cat-and-mouse games of detection and counter-detection. They moved with extreme caution. Sending a bunch of people to deal with one traitor—let alone posting two at the same spot—made zero sense.

Han Wei asked, “Then why would Jiang Jiwen make up this sixth killer? It doesn’t clear his name or cut his sentence. What’s his angle?”

Xu Zhixin shook his head and took the transcript that Zhao Min had just prepared for Jiang Jiwen from her hand. As he read it over, he said, “I don’t know. No one knows what this kid is thinking right now. No one knows what schemes he’s cooking up in his head.” He paused for two seconds, then turned toward Captain Zhou and jerked his chin. “From last night until now, who’s had contact with Jiang Jiwen?”

Captain Zhou froze for a moment, immediately realizing that Xu Zhixin was referring to Yu Bai. She had indeed been surprised by Yu Bai’s interrogation of Jiang Jiwen the night before, but she didn’t respond to Xu Zhixin’s question. She knew he already harbored a prejudice against Yu Bai, and his opinions weren’t necessarily objective.

Xu Zhixin didn’t seem to be waiting for her answer anyway. Perhaps he had only asked to make a point, or maybe he already knew what he wanted to hear. In any case, he didn’t press the issue or demand a reply from Captain Zhou. Instead, he simply said, “Captain Zhou, Jiang Jiwen’s case has some suspicious points now. We need to figure out why he killed Xu Wenliang and why he invented this nonexistent sixth killer. Your Criminal Investigation Team owes me an explanation, and I need results fast.”

Before Captain Zhou could respond, Han Wei lost his patience. “Captain Xu, what do you mean by ‘owes you an explanation’? Jiang Jiwen was brought in by your Narcotics Squad, but you won’t tell us how you picked him up, where from, or share a single detail about your informant. Without full information from you, how the hell are we supposed to work the case?”

Captain Zhou patted Han Wei’s shoulder. “Han Wei, that’s enough.” She steadied her tone and turned back to Xu Zhixin. “Captain Xu, you have my word—we’ll get to the bottom of Jiang Jiwen’s case as quickly as possible.”

Once Xu Zhixin had left, Han Wei said, “Captain Zhou, this…”

Captain Zhou cut him off. “Enough. We all understand each other’s positions. Let’s just wrap up Jiang Jiwen’s case.”

Han Wei nodded helplessly and fell silent.

Captain Zhou added, “You two keep an eye on Jiang Jiwen. I need to step out for a bit.”

Han Wei had worked with Captain Zhou for years and could read her like a book. He shot her a quick glance. “Captain Zhou, do you suspect Yu Bai? Or Zhao Min?”

Captain Zhou blinked in surprise, then flashed him a smile. “I’m not suspecting anyone.”

Han Wei didn’t buy it for a second. He grinned. “So where are you off to, then?”

Captain Zhou gave him her most regulation smile. “Personal business. Eavesdropping on your superior’s private life? You trying to forfeit this month’s bonus?”

Han Wei thought to himself, That’s it? I wasn’t counting on a bonus this month anyway.

Captain Zhou went on, “You two watch Jiang Jiwen closely and give him another round of questioning. I’m heading out.”

The moment Captain Zhou walked away, Han Wei let out a sigh and draped an arm over Sun Ye’s shoulder with a look of profound regret. “Wrong line of work, wrong line of work. Here I am pushing thirty and still single, getting squeezed dry by the boss every day, stuck hanging with a punk like you, and having to grill another punk in there. What’s the point of playing grandpa to all this?”

Sun Ye: “…”

He suddenly felt the jab hit home. He shot Han Wei a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and pushed open the door to the hospital room.

In the underground parking garage, Captain Zhou hesitated for a full ten minutes. Her fingertip hovered over Yu Bai’s number on her phone, but in the end, she didn’t hit call.

She glanced up at her reflection in the rearview mirror, tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, and started the engine.

She drove straight out of the hospital and headed directly for Yu Bai’s place.

She had to get to the bottom of it—what role had she played in Jiang Jiwen’s case, and how much did Yu Bai know about the inner workings of the River Channel Murder Case?

Ever since Wu Guojiang’s true identity had come to light, she had lingered in the police’s sights. Perhaps even before that, she had already started keeping tabs on this string of serial murders.