Chapter 17
Evidence

From afternoon to evening, Xie Qing watched all the footage of Shen Yi at the Golden Cabinet but found nothing unusual. Shen Yi went to the restroom four times in total—once with Gu Ling and three times alone. He walked steadily, didn’t greet anyone, and had no physical contact with anyone.

Xie Qing turned off the projector, packed up her things, and left the room.

Huang Zhenyi was making tea with hot water and asked with a smile, “Xiao Xie, did you find anything?”

It was clear from his tone that Huang Zhenyi knew what she was doing.

Xie Qing shook her head regretfully, “No.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Ren Yaguang took the tapes home to watch. He reported during dinner that there was nothing unusual about Shen Yi at the Golden Cabinet.”

This felt like a bit of a wasted effort.

Xie Qing smiled apologetically, “Maybe I overthought it.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “In our line of work, overthinking is better than underthinking. Your eyes are red from staying up. Go home and rest early.”

“Alright, goodnight, Captain Huang.” Xie Qing was about to leave when the phone rang loudly, “Ring, ring, ring…”

Huang Zhenyi had already gone into the inner room and instructed, “Xiao Xie, answer it for me.”

“Okay.” Xie Qing quickly picked up the receiver, “Hello, City Bureau Second Team.”

“Qing Qing?” Li Ke’s excited voice came from the other end, “Qing Qing, I have to tell you, we just saw Fan Xiaoshan. He was smoking on the dam and lingered for a while before leaving.”

Xie Qing raised her voice, “Where are you now, and where did Fan Xiaoshan go?”

Li Ke said, “We’re near the sewage treatment plant. He left five minutes ago and headed towards Wangjiang Community. Is Captain Huang there? Can you report the situation for me?”

Huang Zhenyi came out, “Whose call is it? What’s the situation?”

Xie Qing briefly explained the situation.

Huang Zhenyi rubbed the stubble on his chin, “Tell them to come back first.”

Xie Qing said, “Ke Ke, did you hear that?”

Li Ke replied, “Got it, we’re coming back.”

When Xie Qing put down the receiver, Huang Zhenyi was still deep in thought. She looked around and saw that apart from a few on-duty detectives, no one else was there.

Should she leave or stay?

After thinking for a moment, Xie Qing decided to stay—Fan Xiaoshan appearing on the dam didn’t prove he was a suspect. Li Ke and Li Ji might not be able to convince Captain Huang, and since it was her idea, she should stay to support them.

About two or three minutes later, Huang Zhenyi sent a page to Team Leader Fu Da, instructing him to organize the team members to come to the office immediately.

Xie Qing breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Huang Zhenyi had accepted the idea.

Huang Zhenyi said, “Xiao Xie, you three youngsters might have made a significant contribution.”

Xie Qing humbly replied, “Captain Huang, catching the suspect is what counts.”

A few on-duty detectives gathered around, “Captain, is there a lead in the Huang Qi case?”

“Looks like it,” Huang Zhenyi pulled out a file from Li Ji’s desk and quickly reviewed Fan Xiaoshan’s information.

An older detective glanced at Xie Qing, “Captain Huang, do we have evidence?”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Once everyone is here, we’ll go find out.”

Xie Qing felt relieved and quietly walked out.

“Xiao Xie,” Huang Zhenyi called her back, “Tomorrow is Sunday, you can sleep in. No rush to leave. Come with us.”

Xie Qing quickly declined, “No, no, I’ve been watching tapes all afternoon. I’m tired and need to sleep.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “If we find the brick, we’ll need you and the forensic team. Come along.”

That made sense.

Xie Qing agreed.

“If this works out, the burden on our shoulders will be halved,” Huang Zhenyi perched on the edge of the desk, “The families of the previous victims have come to the bureau countless times, and I always feel guilty. Now, there’s another Huang family, and although they’re my relatives, I have to say, they’re relentless. If we solve this, I’ll commend you and treat you to a good meal, haha…”

The on-duty detectives looked incredulous.

One detective said, “Captain, these youngsters are really lucky.”

Another added, “Indeed, out of so many red Xiali drivers, they hit the mark. Not easy!”

Huang Zhenyi smiled slightly, “Luck is part of the skill. Xiao Xie’s reasoning is called psychological profiling abroad, specifically for serial killers. It has some scientific basis but is often inaccurate. It’s less used in our country, but the US has more research and application in this area, right, Xiao Xie?”

Huang Zhenyi, a retired soldier, had a comprehensive grasp of criminal investigation knowledge.

Xie Qing nodded admiringly, “That’s correct.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Luck is part of skill. Xiao Xie is our Second Team’s lucky star.”

Xie Qing said, “Captain Huang, you’re too kind.”

…

About half an hour later, the team members arrived.

In his late thirties, Fu Da, energetic and motivated, asked as soon as he entered, “Captain, do we have a lead?”

Huang Zhenyi stood up, “We have a lead. We’re heading to Wangjiang Community. Set up checkpoints at all major intersections. Report immediately if you spot YAN C7569.”

The team members exchanged glances; only Li Ji and Li Ke understood—it was Fan Xiaoshan’s license plate number.

Du Zhun, a chatterbox, asked, “Captain, whose car is it? What do we do when we find it?”

Huang Zhenyi said, “It’s Fan Xiaoshan’s taxi. He’s a major suspect in Huang Qi’s murder. Once you find the car, don’t act rashly. I’ll conduct a spot check.”

“Oh…” Fu Da understood. Not confronting directly meant they didn’t have concrete evidence yet. The upcoming action was crucial—failure could mean losing all evidence.

Huang Zhenyi looked at Fu Da, “Got it? Explain the details to everyone, then we’ll head out.”

“Yes.” Fu Da stood at attention and meticulously laid out the plan.

…

Ten minutes later, Huang Zhenyi, Xie Qing, Li Ke, and Li Ji got into a black Santana and sped toward Linjiang Road.

The car stopped on Jian’an Road near Wangjiang Community.

Li Ke yawned and asked Xie Qing, “How long do you think we’ll have to wait?”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Hard to say. If you’re tired, take a nap. I’ll keep watch.”

“How can I do that?” Li Ke protested but soon leaned back in her seat, yawning.

Xie Qing said, “Thank you, Captain. I’m exhausted. I’ll take a nap.” Better to sleep than engage in awkward small talk.

Huang Zhenyi said, “Sleep, I’ll…”

“Is that the car?” Li Ji straightened up, leaning on the steering wheel, “YAN C7569, that’s it!”

Li Ke sprang up, “Where?”

“Don’t get excited,” Xie Qing held her back, “It just passed, heading towards Wangjiang Community gate.”

Huang Zhenyi picked up the car radio, “Fu Da, the suspect just passed us. He’ll soon appear on your side.”

Fu Da’s voice came through the radio, “Got it, keeping a close watch.” Three minutes later, he reported, “I see him heading towards Jinyang Road, moving slowly.”

“Roger.” Huang Zhenyi called Du Zhun, “Set up a checkpoint at the intersection of Jinyang Road and Fuyang Commercial Street. I’m on my way.”

Du Zhun replied, “Received.”

Huang Zhenyi instructed Li Ji, “Let’s go, turn at the next intersection.”

…

Three to five minutes later, the car arrived at the intersection where Du Zhun was stationed.

Du Zhun had already set up the temporary inspection sign, and a few detectives were questioning two private car drivers.

Li Ji and Li Ke got out, while Xie Qing stayed put for the moment.

Huang Zhenyi called Fu Da, “Are you following?”

Fu Da replied, “Almost there.”

“Xiao Xie, no need to get out yet.” Huang Zhenyi closed the car door and stood by the roadside with his bag.

Fan Xiaoshan’s car arrived, and Du Zhun successfully stopped him.

After a brief exchange, Fan Xiaoshan got out of the car—a refined and scholarly young man with a long face, phoenix eyes, and thin lips, even more handsome than Li Ji. He was of medium build, not burly, but definitely not weak.

Fan Xiaoshan took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered it to Du Zhun, “It’s late, thanks for the hard work.”

“Can’t accept it, the boss is watching.” Du Zhun pushed the cigarette pack away and opened the car door, “Any contraband in the car?”

Fan Xiaoshan smiled, “I’m a legitimate taxi driver, working day and night. Why would I have contraband? Is there something big happening in the city? Why the inspection?”

Du Zhun rummaged through the car, “Aren’t you guys usually well-informed?”

Fan Xiaoshan said, “Are you talking about the Jinhua Road incident?”

Du Zhun stepped out of the car and glanced at Huang Zhenyi.

Huang Zhenyi walked over, “Open the trunk.”

Fan Xiaoshan hesitated, “Sir, I’m just a taxi driver. There’s really nothing in the car.”

Huang Zhenyi smiled slightly, “Are you afraid to open it because you’re guilty?”

“Absolutely not, absolutely not.” Fan Xiaoshan waved his hands repeatedly, “It’s just that there’s a lot of stuff in the trunk. I’ll open it right away.”

He took the key and opened the trunk.

The trunk was indeed full—clothes, a pair of clean sneakers, a toolbox, a small broom, and rags.

But no brick!

Fan Xiaoshan stood by, discreetly observing Huang Zhenyi, his expression calm and unhurried.

Huang Zhenyi opened the toolbox, finding the tools neatly arranged and clearly visible.

Du Zhun checked the bag of clothes but found nothing.

Li Ji and Li Ke exchanged uneasy glances.

Fan Xiaoshan asked, “Sir, do you need to see more?”

Huang Zhenyi stood by the trunk, momentarily unsure, “Why do you, a taxi driver, carry clothes and shoes?”

Fan Xiaoshan replied, “You never know when you’ll need to go on a long trip, so I keep them handy.” His right hand reached for the trunk lid, ready to close it.

Huang Zhenyi wanted to stop him but didn’t know why, so he watched as the lid lowered.

At that moment, Xie Qing arrived. She opened the back door, felt around the seat, and reclined the seatback.

Fan Xiaoshan panicked, “Hey, who are you? What are you doing? Don’t touch my car.”

Huang Zhenyi stepped forward, blocking him, “It’s a thorough inspection. Of course, we need to be detailed.”

Fan Xiaoshan’s face turned pale, and he took a step back. Du Zhun blocked his retreat.

Xie Qing lay on the back seat for a while, then found a yellow brick between the seat and the trunk. Under the streetlight, she could clearly see large black stains on the brick, “Captain Huang, found it. I’ll take it to the lab for testing.”

Fan Xiaoshan’s face turned ashen, his eyes vacant, and he staggered.

Du Zhun grabbed his wrist and cuffed him, “Fan Xiaoshan, we suspect you’re involved in several murders. Come with us.”

…

Lab tests confirmed that the blood on the brick belonged to several victims, including Huang Qi, Gu Decheng, Yan Lifen, and Gu Daqiang.

Fan Xiaoshan didn’t deny it and confessed readily. He not only killed the people mentioned above but also three homeless individuals with intellectual disabilities.

In the interrogation room.

Huang Zhenyi asked, “Why did you kill?”

Fan Xiaoshan replied, “I only kill bad people. It was my childhood ambition, and I fulfilled it. Let me tell you, I’m different from my mother and sister. I’m a good person, a person with ideals.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Good or bad, the law decides, not you.”

Fan Xiaoshan retorted, “Sir, you can’t deny that there are bad people the law can’t punish. Isn’t it good to have someone like me to uphold justice?”

Huang Zhenyi said, “Of course not. You trampled on the law and violated the victims’ rights. Essentially, you’re no different from them. Moreover, you sacrificed your life for unrelated people, leaving your child fatherless. What’s good about that? Tell me, what’s good?”

Fan Xiaoshan slammed the table, shouting hysterically, “If it weren’t for you scum catching me, how would I die? How would my child be fatherless? It’s all your fault, all your fault, boohoo…”