Bang! Duan Jiliang fell forward, hitting the ground face first.
"Police! Don't move!"
Han Bin rushed over, pinned him down, and used a takedown technique to subdue him.
"You bastard, you dare throw hot water at the cops?" Zhao Ming caught up, grabbed Duan's hair, and yanked him up.
"You okay?" Han Bin asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Luckily, it wasn't that much hot water," Zhao Ming replied. He pulled out a pair of handcuffs and cuffed Duan Jiliang, then went to a nearby restroom to cool down the scalded area with cold water.
They escorted Duan Jiliang to the break room.
Han Bin gave him a once-over. "What's your name?"
"Duan Jiliang."
"Why did you run just now?"
"I owe someone money. Thought you were debt collectors," Duan replied, rubbing his nose.
Han Bin frowned slightly. Rubbing the nose is a common sign of lying. When someone is nervous, blood circulation increases, causing the spongy tissue in the nose to swell and itch, making them want to scratch it.
"That's nonsense. I already said we were the police," Zhao Ming argued.
"I thought you were bluffing."
"Here, look at this police badge." Han Bin pulled out his ID and showed it to him. "There was a robbery upstairs. Are you aware of that?"
"I heard about it."
"Did you just hear about it—or were you involved?" Zhao Ming pressed.
"Officers, you can't just accuse me like that. I was taking care of a patient all afternoon—I didn't even have time to do anything like that."
"Maybe you didn't commit the robbery, but that doesn't mean your accomplice didn't. You could've been the lookout while he did the job," Zhao Ming said.
"It wasn't me. I really had nothing to do with it," Duan quickly denied.
"Then explain why you were sneaking around the fourth floor so often," Han Bin asked.
Duan was momentarily stunned. "Was it Nurse Feng who said that?"
"You know her?"
"Not really. Just seen her a few times in the ward. I think she might've misunderstood."
"Misunderstood what?"
"I wasn't spying on the finance room or scoping the place out. I just… wanted to see Nurse Feng more often."
"Why?"
"I… I like her," Duan said, blushing.
"If you like her, why not just tell her? Why sneak around like a thief?" Zhao Ming asked sharply.
"I figured she wouldn't be interested in someone like me. I wasn't hoping for anything to happen. Just seeing her made me happy," Duan said with a complicated expression.
Han Bin had been watching him closely. When Duan talked about the robbery and Nurse Feng, he didn't show any signs of lying or nervousness. So Han Bin shifted the topic.
"You said you ran because you owe money. Who do you owe?"
"Uh…" Duan hesitated. "A friend."
"What's your friend's name and phone number?"
"His name is Lin Wei… I don't remember the phone number."
Duan rubbed his nose again.
"You're lying," Han Bin said coldly. "Do you have a criminal record?"
"No! I don't have a record!" Duan quickly denied it.
That only made Han Bin more certain.
….
After the questioning, they handcuffed Duan Jiliang and left the break room to report to Zeng Ping.
When they met, Zeng Ping asked, "Zhao Ming, I heard you got hurt. Is it serious?"
"It's nothing. Just some hot water burns."
"Have a doctor check it. Don't take it lightly." Zeng Ping patted his shoulder.
"Thanks, Captain Zeng."
"Does this Duan Jiliang seem suspicious?"
"Definitely," Han Bin replied.
Zhao Ming added, "I think he was involved in the robbery."
"Any evidence?"
"He ran as soon as he saw us. If he wasn't guilty, why react like that?" Zhao Ming still seemed angry about being burned.
"Why was he sneaking around the fourth floor?"
"He claims he likes that nurse, Feng Ran, but didn't have the guts to tell her. So he went up there just to see her. Personally, I think that's just an excuse. If you like someone, just say it—why act like a thief?"
Zeng Ping nodded and turned to Han Bin. "What do you think?"
"I believe Duan Jiliang truly does like Nurse Feng and had nothing to do with the robbery."
"But you just said he was suspicious," Zhao Ming said in surprise.
"He ran because he was nervous, yes. But if he were involved in the robbery, he'd have been mentally prepared. He wouldn't panic at the sight of us—he'd try to act normal instead," Han Bin explained.
"You think he has a criminal past?" Zeng Ping asked.
"That would explain why he likes Nurse Feng but doesn't dare approach her. When he saw us, he panicked, thinking we were there about an old case," Han Bin speculated.
"Regardless, this guy's definitely hiding something. Attacking a police officer alone is already serious." Zeng Ping thought for a moment and then gave orders. "Zhao Ming, take another officer and bring Duan Jiliang back to the station for further interrogation. Find out what he's hiding."
"Han Bin, you stay at the hospital and help Tian Li and Li Hui check the surveillance footage."
"Got it."
….
It was already 8 PM, past dinner time at the hospital.
Tian Li brought back some donkey meat sandwiches and hot water so they could keep working.
Han Bin arrived at the surveillance room to join Tian Li and Li Hui.
"Good timing, Binzi," Li Hui chuckled. "We can split the work. I'll check the front entrance, you check the back, and Tian Li will handle the parking lot."
"How are we going about this?"
"The robbery ended around 4:15 PM, and the police arrived at about 6 PM. Anyone who left during that time could be a suspect," Li Hui explained.
"We suspect the robber might've changed bags to avoid suspicion. So anyone carrying a bag during that time is a potential lead," Tian Li added.
"What if they drove off? Can we still trace them?"
"The route from the parking lot to the main gate is all covered by cameras. If they put the bag in a car and drove off, we'll see it. Then we can trace the car to its owner," Tian Li explained.
Han Bin thought for a moment. "Has the hospital compound been searched for suspicious people?"
Tian Li shook her head. "Yes, Zeng Ping and the local officers have already done that."
"Okay, let's get started then."
Han Bin focused on the rear entrance footage. If someone left during the suspect time frame, he'd check the other cameras to track where they came from. Since the building has surveillance throughout, it'd be easy to track their movements.
An hour later, several potentially suspicious people had already been ruled out.
Han Bin stretched and cracked his neck. "You two find anything?"
"Nope," Li Hui said, rubbing his eyes. "My eyes are killing me."
"Same here. Should we expand the time frame?" Tian Li suggested.
Han Bin stroked his chin. Something still felt off...
(End of Chapter)