Wang Jie took a deep breath and walked forward with his head lowered.
Han Bin stretched out his hand to stop him. "Comrade, we're from the Public Security Bureau. We'd like to ask you to assist with an investigation."
"Officers, what case is this about?" Wang Jie asked.
Han Bin scrutinized him. "There was a robbery in the hospital's finance office on the fourth floor. Are you aware of it?"
"I heard someone mention it, but I don't know the details," Wang Jie replied evasively.
"Where were you between 3:30 and 5:20 this afternoon?" Han Bin asked.
"Oh, my mother-in-law is hospitalized. I was at the hospital taking care of her," Wang Jie said.
"Where exactly in the hospital?" Han Bin pressed.
"I don't quite remember," Wang Jie replied vaguely.
Han Bin pointed to the bag Wang Jie was carrying. "What's in there?"
"Dirty clothes, to take home and wash," Wang Jie replied.
"Clothes so heavy that the bag is stretched and deformed?" Han Bin questioned.
"There are also some office documents. They're heavy. I'm taking them home to work overtime," Wang Jie shifted the bag behind him.
"Open the bag. We need to check it," Han Bin ordered.
"You can't search me without cause. Do you have a warrant?" Wang Jie asked in return.
Han Bin responded, "According to the Criminal Procedure Law, if an emergency arises during an arrest or detention, a search can be conducted without a warrant."
"I'm not resisting and I've been cooperating. How's this an emergency?" Wang Jie argued.
"I suspect you're carrying a weapon that could endanger public safety. That qualifies as an emergency," Han Bin asserted.
"You can't do this to me. I'm innocent. I haven't done anything," Wang Jie protested.
"We're here to prove your innocence," Han Bin said coldly. "Open the bag."
Sweat was now beading on Wang Jie's forehead, and his hands were trembling.
Li Hui snatched the bag and unzipped it. Inside were a few women's clothes and a black backpack—identical to the one seen on surveillance footage.
Li Hui opened the backpack. Inside were bundles of red banknotes, a white lab coat, sunglasses, a mask, and a blood-stained knife—blood still on the handle.
"These are your so-called office documents?" Zeng Ping scoffed. "Arrest him!"
Wang Jie didn't resist as Han Bin and Li Hui handcuffed him.
"What are you doing? Why are you arresting my husband?" A woman named Xiao Fang ran out of the hospital room upon hearing the commotion.
"We suspect your husband is involved in a robbery," Tian Li blocked her path.
"No way! My husband would never do something like that!" Xiao Fang shouted.
"Then what's this?" Li Hui showed her the cash and bloody knife from the backpack.
"This… how is this possible…" Xiao Fang looked stunned.
Wang Jie looked devastated, his voice hoarse. "Xiao Fang, I'm sorry. I can't use that money to treat your mother anymore."
"Jie… why would you do something so stupid?" Xiao Fang sobbed.
….
Inside the police car
"Phew…" Li Hui let out a breath. "We almost let him get away."
"Exactly," Tian Li added. "If we had arrived even a little later, he would've left with the stolen money and evidence, under a legitimate excuse, and it would've been very hard to trace it back to him."
"Han Bin, if you hadn't suggested a new angle to investigate, we really might've let Wang Jie slip through the cracks," Zeng Ping said, patting Han Bin on the shoulder.
"It was a team effort. I just added the finishing touch," Han Bin replied.
"I like that kind of 'finishing touch'—keep it up," Zeng Ping said with a smile.
Li Hui chimed in, "Captain Zeng, don't forget to praise me too. I'm working while sick!"
"By the way, did you see a doctor?" Zeng Ping asked with concern.
"Haven't had time. Got caught up with the case," Li Hui shrugged.
"What illness is it? I know a good doctor here—want me to refer you?" Zeng Ping offered.
"No, no need," Li Hui quickly waved him off.
Tian Li, a bit gossipy, joined in. "Why so secretive? Not even telling Captain Zeng?"
Li Hui gave an awkward smile. "It's nothing, really."
Han Bin laughed out loud. "Actually, it's not hard to guess what illness he has."
"You know?" Tian Li asked.
"Don't get cocky," Li Hui grumbled. He hadn't told anyone about his hemorrhoids.
"There aren't many departments on the fourth floor. Mostly private conditions—mainly gynecology and… hemorrhoids," Han Bin grinned.
Li Hui, known for his big mouth and jabs at others, finally got a taste of his own medicine. Han Bin wasn't going to miss that chance.
"Ohhh…" Tian Li dragged the sound, clearly understanding now.
Li Hui's face turned red. He glared at Han Bin and looked up at the ceiling, saying nothing.
"What's there to be embarrassed about? For a man, hemorrhoids are no big deal," Zeng Ping chuckled.
…
At the Qindao Branch Police Station
As soon as they returned to the office, Zhao Ming came over.
"Captain Zeng, how did it go?"
"We caught the robber. Let's drink some water and then start the interrogation."
"Zhao Ming, I heard you also caught a suspect. What's the story?" Li Hui walked in, waddling slightly.
Zhao Ming shook his head. "Brother Bin was right. This guy has a criminal record, but probably isn't related to this case."
"Bin, you're getting better and better at cracking cases. You're starting to remind me of myself," Li Hui said smugly.
Han Bin rolled his eyes and ignored him.
Zeng Ping sipped his tea and cleared his throat. "Han Bin, Li Hui, take a short break, then go conduct the interrogation."
"Yes, sir."
…
Interrogation Room
Han Bin and Li Hui sat at the table across from the suspect.
"Name, age, place of origin…"
"Wang Jie, 32, from Jizhou…"
"Where were you between 4:00 and 4:15 this afternoon?"
"At the hospital."
"What were you doing?"
"I don't remember clearly."
Han Bin spoke sternly. "Wang Jie, honesty leads to leniency, resistance leads to severity. Confess truthfully if you want a chance to reunite with your family."
Wang Jie closed his eyes. His expression shifted again and again. After a long pause, he opened his eyes. "Ask what you want."
"Did you commit the robbery in the finance room on the fourth floor this afternoon?" Han Bin asked.
"I did."
"How did you do it?"
"I was hiding in the stairwell. When the staff member walked past, I grabbed her and forced my way into the finance room."
"Did you have any accomplices?"
"No. I acted alone."
"How did the victim get injured?"
"After the robbery, I was afraid she'd scream, so I knocked her out by hitting her with the handle of the knife."
Li Hui snorted. "The hospital is a place for saving lives. How could you commit such a crime there? How do you sleep at night?"
"You're right. The hospital is for healing," Wang Jie's fists clenched, voice rising with emotion. "But it's also a business. Without money, they won't treat you."
"You robbed the finance office to pay for medical bills?"
"My mother-in-law needed surgery. We needed the money. What else could I do?" Wang Jie said helplessly.
Han Bin sighed. "Was it worth it?"
Wang Jie shook his head, his eyes red. "I had no choice."
(End of Chapter)