Song Jinchang stepped out of the apartment, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Mr. Song, can I have a word with you?" Han Bin took out a pack of Yuxi cigarettes and offered him one.
"Sorry you had to see that."
"A man doesn't cry easily—unless he's truly heartbroken," Han Bin replied.
Song Jinchang took a deep drag on the cigarette. "I really didn't take the money."
"I believe you," Han Bin said seriously.
"Thanks."
"You seem pretty stressed out."
"Two hundred thousand yuan—most of it borrowed. Do you know how many sales pitches I have to make, how many times I have to butter people up, just to earn that back?" Song Jinchang let out a bitter laugh.
It wasn't joy—it was resignation.
"I get it."
"If the police suspect me, I don't mind. That's your job. It means you're doing it seriously." Song took another drag, then said:
"But she... she suspects me too. We've been together for over ten years. And now, not even the most basic trust? Who do you think I work so hard for every day?"
Han Bin patted him on the shoulder. "I know you didn't take the money. But since you were the last one to leave the scene, your statement is really important in helping us piece together what happened."
"Doesn't matter if the money's found or not," Song shook his head. "It's all the same to me now."
"At the very least, it could prove your innocence."
"Does that even matter?"
"It matters a lot—to your wife."
Song was silent for a long while. He took several more deep drags from his cigarette and finally said,
"Alright. I'm willing to cooperate with your investigation."
Han Bin led him back into the living room and personally took down his official statement.
After the statement was done, Song Jinchang went out for lunch, and Xu Yan followed after him.
This left the rest of the team in the living room—making it easier to discuss the case.
"Every family has its own troubles. For us police officers, choosing the right partner is especially important," Zheng Kaixuan said with a sigh.
"Captain Zheng, your wife's perfect though—beautiful and capable," Li Hui chimed in.
"Alright, enough flattery," Zheng waved it off. "So what do you all think about Song Jinchang?"
"He had a big emotional reaction, a clear motive, no legal consequences if he did it, and he was the last one to leave the scene. I think he's a strong suspect," Tian Li analyzed.
"If it really is him, that'd make our job easier," Zhao Ming shrugged.
"Han Bin, you talked to him. What's your take?"
Han Bin thought for a moment.
"His motive is clear, yes. But I didn't see any signs he was lying. I think he's not very likely to be the culprit."
"Captain Zheng, how come you're not asking my opinion?" Li Hui interjected.
"You talk too much as it is. Out with it," Zheng teased.
"This case could be looked at from two angles. If the money was really taken by Song Jinchang, then it's a domestic matter. The police technically have no jurisdiction. Xu Yan would have to handle it herself."
Li Hui paused, then continued:
"That means we should shift our manpower to other leads. It's the most effective division of effort."
Zheng Kaixuan, a seasoned cop, understood the unspoken implication.
Just then—
"Riiing—"
A phone rang.
Zheng Kaixuan, Zhao Ming, and Han Bin all instinctively checked their pockets, thinking it was theirs.
"It's mine," said Zheng, standing up and stepping onto the balcony to take the call.
Li Hui nudged Han Bin's leg.
"Captain Zheng's face looks more serious by the second. Wanna guess what the call was about?"
"Really want me to guess?"
"Guess!"
Han Bin cleared his throat and mimicked Zheng's tone:
"Hmm… you're right. That kid Li Hui's lazy, unmotivated. We really should transfer him out of the detective unit. Maybe let him watch the gate."
"Come on, stop spouting crap!" Li Hui's face turned dark.
Everyone burst out laughing.
A moment later, Zheng Kaixuan came back, stone-faced.
"What's so funny? Let me in on it."
Seeing his serious expression, the room fell silent.
"Everyone, come with me," Zheng ordered.
"Captain Zheng, what's going on?"
"Another case just came in—also a theft. We're heading to the scene."
Li Hui was confused.
"But we're short on people already. We haven't even finished this case—how can we take another?"
"This one's on the 29th floor."
"You mean… this same building?"
"Yep," Zheng confirmed.
Tian Li looked surprised.
"That's way too much of a coincidence."
"Maybe it's the same person," Han Bin speculated.
"If it is, then that clears Song Jinchang. Can't be an inside job anymore," Zhao Ming added.
"Stop guessing. Let's go check it out," Zheng ordered, heading out.
The team headed up to the 29th floor by stairs.
Knock knock—
Li Hui knocked on the door of apartment 2903.
"Who is it?"
"Police. Detective unit."
"Who are you trying to fool? I just made the call, and you're already here?"
"Did your household report a theft?"
Creak—
A man opened the door.
"You guys are really cops?"
Li Hui showed his badge.
"Here's my ID."
"Wow… that was fast."
"We were already in the area. Got dispatched and came right over."
"I see. Please, come in."
Inside the apartment were a woman and a kid, about 8 or 9 years old.
The officers put on shoe covers and stepped in.
"Who made the report?" Tian Li asked.
"Me, I did," said the woman.
"Let's head to the couch. I'll take your statement."
"Okay."
"Name?"
"Zhang Qin."
"What are you reporting?"
"My family's valuables were stolen."
"What's missing exactly?"
Zhang Qin counted on her fingers:
"Over ten thousand yuan in cash, a gold necklace, a gold ring, and my son's little gold pendant. Altogether, maybe around twenty thousand yuan."
"When did the theft happen?"
"It's summer break, right? We took our kid to visit my mom for three days. Just got back today—and boom, this."
She gestured to the suitcase next to her.
"So you don't know the exact time the theft occurred?"
"Right."
Meanwhile, the rest of the team spread out to examine the apartment.
Han Bin walked over to the front door and inspected it carefully. There were no obvious signs of forced entry—just like the apartment downstairs.
But then, something caught his eye.
At the bottom edge of the door, there was a piece of transparent tape — about four centimeters long, less than one centimeter wide. It blended in so well it was nearly invisible.
Han Bin had seen a similar piece of tape on the door of unit 2704 earlier. But that door had Spring Festival couplets taped to it, so he'd assumed it was just leftover tape — nothing suspicious.
Now, seeing the same kind of tape at apartment 2903…
This was starting to look like something important.
(End of Chapter)