Half an hour later.
Zheng Kaixuan gathered everyone in the stairwell and took out a pack of Hardmen cigarettes, handing them out to the team.
Once the pack was empty, he tore it open to use as an ashtray and placed it on the windowsill.
Zheng Kaixuan took a puff and said, "You've all seen the crime scenes. Share your thoughts."
"Captain Zheng, I think we should combine the two cases and investigate them as one," Han Bin suggested.
"Why?"
"First, the two incidents occurred around the same time. Second, both apartment doors had tape stuck on them," Han Bin explained.
"Isn't that too simple a connection?" Tian Li frowned. "We still don't know the exact time of the second crime—only that it happened around a similar time."
"These are two photos I just took," Han Bin said, showing his phone. "The first is apartment 2704, the second is 2903."
Both doors were installed by the same developer, looking nearly identical. The tape was stuck in the same position—on the lower left corner of each door.
Zheng Kaixuan glanced at them, then took Han Bin's phone and zoomed in on the images. After closely observing for a while, he said, "Oh no."
"What is it, Captain?"
Without answering, Zheng Kaixuan hurried to the doors of apartments 2901, 2902, and 2904. All had tape on the bottom left corner.
"What the… why do all these doors have tape on them?" Li Hui exclaimed in shock.
Zheng Kaixuan looked serious. "This might be part of a serial burglary case."
"You mean there are more cases we haven't discovered yet?" Zhao Ming asked, puzzled.
"If I'm right, most doors in this building have similar transparent tape on them. The tape is less than a centimeter wide and stuck at the bottom corner—hard to notice. Even when opening the door, it's easily missed," Zheng Kaixuan said.
"Unless someone's extremely observant or has anti-surveillance awareness, they wouldn't think twice about it," Han Bin added.
"You think the suspect used the tape to check if anyone was home?" Li Hui guessed.
Zheng Kaixuan nodded. "If I'm right, there are likely more burglaries in this building that haven't been reported."
"So what should we do?"
After a moment of thought, Zheng Kaixuan said, "Zhao Ming, go to the village committee and ask them to notify all the homeowners in this building—especially those who aren't home—to come back immediately and check if anything's been stolen."
"Captain, I haven't finished my report yet. Should I go now or report first?" Zhao Ming asked.
"What's your report?"
"I examined the ransacked bedroom. One of the windows was smashed."
"Any signs of struggle?"
"None."
"Any blood?"
"No."
"Any idea what tool was used to break it?"
"I couldn't tell. Maybe we should have the forensics team take a look."
"This is the 29th floor. It's unlikely the suspect broke in through the window," Tian Li commented.
"Still, get forensics to check for fingerprints on the glass."
"Got it," Tian Li replied.
"Also, I recommend having forensics collect the tape—there might be fingerprints," Han Bin suggested.
"Good idea," Zheng Kaixuan agreed. Then he told Han Bin, "Go with Zhao Ming to the village committee. No matter what, they must contact every homeowner."
"Yes, sir."
With Han Bin and Zhao Ming pushing things forward, the village committee sent a few people to assist the investigation.
They went door to door throughout the building. If someone was home, they explained the situation and warned them to be cautious.
If no one answered, they called the owners and asked them to return quickly to check if they'd been robbed.
3:00 PM – A third burglary was confirmed: Apartment 503.
3:40 PM – Fourth burglary found: Apartment 2001.
4:00 PM – Fifth case: Apartment 1803.
More cases kept turning up.
By 6:00 PM, there were eight confirmed break-ins.
The second team of Criminal Investigation Unit 3 couldn't keep up, so Zheng Kaixuan urgently called for reinforcements.
Zhao Ying led a team of four from Unit 1 to join them at Linfang Apartments.
7:00 PM – Ninth burglary found: Apartment 702.
By after 9:00 PM, all the crime scenes had been examined.
Everyone had one thought in their minds: exhausted.
Completely exhausted.
Zheng Kaixuan booked a noodle restaurant for the team. Over ten people filled the place. Each got a large bowl of noodles.
They also ordered four large plates of chicken, four cold dishes, 100 lamb skewers, and four naan breads.
Li Hui yawned. "Damn, finally done."
He plopped down on a bench and reached for the noodles.
Han Bin smacked his arm. "What are you doing?"
"Eating noodles!"
"Yours is over there—one beef noodle, one chicken and mushroom noodle. Captain Zheng just made it for you," Han Bin said.
"Haha…"
Those who understood the joke couldn't help but laugh.
"Come on, Bin, don't mess with me—I'm starving," Li Hui begged, rubbing his stomach.
"Han Bin, Li Hui, Lu Wen, come sit at this table," Zheng Kaixuan called out.
"Captain Zheng's the best," Li Hui said, pretending to be pitiful.
Since the food had been pre-ordered, the dishes were ready, and the noodles just needed to be boiled.
Everyone was starving. Soon the room was filled with slurping sounds.
Zheng Kaixuan, Zhao Ying, Han Bin, Li Hui, and Lu Wen sat at one table.
All the key members of the investigation were present. Anyone with half a brain could tell—it wasn't just dinner. They were going to discuss the case.
Zheng Kaixuan waved, "Don't just sit there. Eat and talk at the same time."
Han Bin was starving. He gulped down two big bites of noodles, finished a skewer, ate some chicken and potato with naan, and sipped some soup. Only then did he feel better.
Everyone else was eating just as hungrily.
After a few more skewers, Han Bin finally slowed down.
When things calmed down a bit, Zheng Kaixuan said, "Let's not just eat. Time to talk about the case."
Zhao Ying sipped some tea. "Captain, I'll go first."
"Go ahead."
"Our team examined three scenes. No obvious signs of forced entry or struggle inside. But two apartments had broken windows—likely how the suspect got in," Zhao Ying explained.
"We saw the same in our investigations. Either the window was broken, or the owner had left it open," Li Hui added.
Zhao Ying ignored him and continued, "Captain, do you remember the rooftop burglary case we handled three years ago?"
"You mean the 'Spider-Man' case?"
(End of Chapter)