Because of the nature of the case and the sensitivity of the evidence, the search didn't take long. The police collected the suspect's usual computer, phone, and USB drive and returned to the station.
Once back at the precinct, they collected the suspect's fingerprints and DNA, then sent them—along with the electronics—to the forensics team.
The suspect was taken directly into the interrogation room.
Han Bin led the questioning, with Li Hui taking notes.
"Name, gender, age, place of origin…"
"Chen Huijie, male, 34 years old…"
"How do you know Yu Hefeng?" Han Bin asked.
"He came to my shop recently to get his computer fixed."
"Did you have any contact with him after that?"
"No."
Han Bin probed, "Did you see any hidden camera videos on his computer?"
"I only fix computers. I don't go snooping through customers' stuff."
"You better think carefully. Hiding information from the police can lead to additional charges."
"I swear, I'm telling the truth. I never watched any hidden camera videos, and I definitely didn't blackmail anyone."
Han Bin changed the line of questioning. "Where were you the night before last?"
"At home."
"Who can confirm that?"
"My wife and son."
"And the night before that?"
"At home again."
"Any other proof?"
"No."
"Have you ever been to Anyang Apartments?"
"I don't even know where that is."
The interrogation went on for over an hour.
After it ended, Han Bin and Li Hui returned to the office.
Zeng Ping, who had been watching from the observation room, said, "This guy's a tough nut to crack."
"Captain Zeng, I don't think Chen Huijie is lying," Han Bin said.
"Binzi, don't forget what happened with Edison," Li Hui joked, winking.
"The guy who fixed Edison's computer ended up selling the videos to the paparazzi," Han Bin replied. "But this case is different—the blackmailer targeted the victim directly. How would Chen Huijie even know the victim lived in Anyang Apartments?"
"Maybe Yu Hefeng let it slip accidentally," Tian Li guessed.
"Should we bring Yu Hefeng in for another round?" Zhao Ming suggested.
Knock knock.
Lu Wen entered the office. "Captain Zeng, we've got the fingerprint results from the computer."
"Do they match?"
"No match at all."
"Did his phone or computer have any of the victim's photos or videos?"
Han Bin asked.
"None."
"Maybe they were deleted?" Zeng Ping speculated.
"I'm trying to recover any deleted files. If I find anything, I'll let you know," Lu Wen said before leaving.
The office went quiet.
A moment later, Han Bin spoke up. "Captain Zeng, from what we've seen so far, it looks like we may have arrested the wrong person."
"Then who is the blackmailer?" Li Hui said, scratching his head.
"After analyzing the photos and video this morning, I re-reviewed the whole case. A few things don't add up," Han Bin said.
"Let's hear it," Zeng Ping prompted.
"The blackmailer sent a letter demanding a ransom, but didn't show up yesterday. Why not?"
"Maybe they noticed our surveillance?" Li Hui offered.
"I don't think so. I went over how Captains Zheng and Zeng arranged the stakeout—nothing was exposed."
"Then why didn't the blackmailer come?" Zeng Ping asked.
"What if the blackmailer already knew the victim had gone to the police, and assumed we'd be waiting at the drop-off spot? He wouldn't walk into a trap."
"But hold on," Zhao Ming said. "If he knew the police were involved, why send a second blackmail letter at all? Isn't that just asking to be caught?"
"Not necessarily," Han Bin said. "He might've had a reason for doing it."
"Could it be he was trying to clear Yu Hefeng's name?" Zeng Ping guessed.
"Exactly. Captain Zeng nailed the key point." Han Bin smiled.
"Now's not the time to flatter me," Zeng Ping said with a smirk.
"So that means Yu Hefeng has an accomplice," Li Hui concluded. "And he's also involved in the blackmail."
"That's one possibility."
"What's the other?" Tian Li asked.
"Maybe the accomplice didn't want Yu Hefeng to take the fall for something he did. Sending the second letter was a way to prove Yu wasn't acting alone," Han Bin theorized.
Zeng Ping lit a cigarette and took a long drag. "Either way, it means the two of them are very close."
"We should start by checking Yu Hefeng's inner circle. See who he's closest to," Han Bin suggested.
"So far, his wife and daughter are the most likely," Zeng Ping said. "Han Bin and Li Hui, you two follow up with the daughter, Yu Wei. Tian Li and Zhao Ming, focus on the wife. Collect their fingerprints and compare them with the prints we found on the computer."
"Yes, sir."
Han Bin and Li Hui were assigned to tail Yu Wei, Yu Hefeng's daughter.
The next morning, they waited outside the Hefeng household.
To avoid being recognized, both of them dressed up in disguises.
Han Bin wore sunglasses, a baseball cap, and casual clothes.
Li Hui added a fake mustache and wore baggy shorts. The two looked nothing like usual.
As soon as Yu Wei left the house, they followed.
She was supposed to be a university student, but she didn't head to class. Instead, she took a taxi, picked up a young man on the way, and the two of them went straight to Taylor Plaza.
They got out, linked arms, and walked into the building.
"Well, her dad's in jail, and she's still out shopping like nothing's wrong," Li Hui scoffed. "Doesn't look like she's that close with her dad."
"I disagree," Han Bin said. Yu Wei's carefree behavior made her more suspicious in his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because she already cleared her dad of suspicion. She doesn't have anything to worry about anymore."
Li Hui nodded. "Makes sense. Look—they're shopping for men's clothes."
"Good thing it's the men's section. If they were browsing lingerie, we couldn't exactly follow them in," Han Bin joked.
Li Hui stepped into the store, glanced at the prices, and whistled. "Wow, these clothes are expensive."
"Young people nowadays aren't afraid to spend. Think back to when we were students," Han Bin said nostalgically.
"I'll admit—Yu Wei's boyfriend's a good-looking guy. Almost as handsome as me," Li Hui said with mock seriousness.
Han Bin just chuckled.
They pretended to browse while keeping their eyes on Yu Wei.
Eventually, the couple picked out some clothes and headed to the register.
To Han Bin's surprise, Yu Wei was the one who paid.
After they left, Han Bin approached the counter. When Yu Wei had paid, she'd leaned forward, leaving a clear palm print on the marble surface.
Han Bin showed his badge and was allowed to collect the fingerprint sample.
Li Hui pulled out a portable police fingerprint scanner and matcher. They had already input the fingerprints found on the computer earlier. A match would only take a moment.
"Ding. Fingerprint collected."
"Comparing…"
Han Bin and Li Hui waited nervously.
"Ding! Fingerprint match—confirmed!"
(End of Chapter)