59: Chapter 59 Tracing the Fog

The entire building had been booked by the Commission for Discipline Inspection, so there couldn't be any outsiders. Zhao Yang thought this as he gradually drifted off to sleep.

Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Jiang Nan woke up.

The scent of Zhao Yang lingering on the pillow and quilt made her feel safe, but it also made her cheeks flush slightly.

She was a little reluctant to get out of bed.

Nevertheless, she got up quietly and tidied the room carefully.

When she walked out of the room, she happened to run into Zhao Yang in the hallway as he was also heading out.

Both were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other and smiled.

"Morning," Jiang Nan whispered.

Recalling Zhao Yang's scent, her heart couldn't help but flutter like a trapped deer.

"Morning... Let's go have breakfast together." Zhao Yang naturally took her hand.

"The upcoming tasks are heavy; I might not be able to accompany you for a long time."

The current situation felt very much like a couple leaving a hotel room.

It made Jiang Nan feel a bit embarrassed.

Because the entire floor was occupied by Zhao Yang's colleagues.

She wanted to pull her hand back, but hearing Zhao Yang say that, she let him hold it.

"Me too. There's still a lot of follow-up work to do over at the Special Investigation Team."

After finishing breakfast in the dining hall and saying goodbye to Jiang Nan, Zhao Yang hurried to the Integrity Education Center.

Beside the main gate, Armed Police soldiers stood with rifles, their postures as straight as javelins.

Zhao Yang showed his credentials and went to the isolated investigation area.

Lu Zheng hadn't left last night and had stayed in the lounge to oversee things; he had just woken up.

Zhao Yang placed the packed breakfast on the table and said apologetically,

"Master, you've been working so hard and worrying these past two days. It's been tough on you."

Lu Zheng had a kind expression and asked with a smile,

"I'm not in my seventies or eighties yet; this is nothing. What are your plans for what's next?"

Zhao Yang knew that Lu Zheng was intending to give him some guidance.

He quickly said, "I'm setting out immediately to investigate Zhou Zhiqiang's personal assets, bank account transaction history, and his family's living situation. I'll lock onto any suspicious points immediately.

"I expect it will be hard to get a breakthrough in the interrogation during the first couple of days, so I'll leave the legal education and psychological pressure to Liu Yi and Wu Licheng."

Lu Zheng nodded slightly. "I've brought all the stamped documents. However, what will you do if you need to conduct a residential search?"

"This..." Zhao Yang was at a loss for words. "Our discipline inspection and supervision department doesn't have that authority."

"We don't, but the Special Investigation Team does!" Lu Zheng picked up the breakfast and started eating, his speech a bit muffled. "You don't need to bring me food anymore."

After finishing a bun, he continued,

"At 8:10, a car from the Special Investigation Team will come to pick up you and Beichen. First, to assist in the case, and second, to protect your safety."

Zhao Yang gave Lu Zheng a thumbs up. "Master, you really are an old fox... I mean, seasoned and far-sighted."

"Get out of here! If you're going to praise me, do it properly!" Lu Zheng was almost amused to the point of laughter.

At 8:10 sharp, a police car with a Jiang A license plate arrived at the entrance of the Integrity Education Center.

The driver was Jiang Peng, a criminal investigator from the Provincial Corps.

In the passenger seat sat forensic doctor Jiang Nan, her police uniform looking crisp.

A surge of pleasant surprise washed over Zhao Yang: He Yunqiao was quite a guy, actually giving him a chance to mix business with pleasure.

However, he was also a bit worried about Jiang Nan's safety.

Those people even dared to tail a police car; he couldn't be sure just how outrageous their actions might become.

Zhao Yang walked over quickly. "Jiang Nan, why are you here?"

"What? You're not welcoming me?" Jiang Nan tilted her head playfully and curled her lips into a smile.

"What if we run into an attack? Handling a case is no joke." Zhao Yang's expression became solemn.

Jiang Peng laughed from the side and said, "Don't let Officer Jiang's slender build fool you; she could probably take on two of you without a problem."

Zheng Beichen opened the car door from the back seat. "Stop showing off your affection and hurry up and get in."

Zhao Yang hopped into the car and slammed the door shut with a bang.

"Let's go. To the Tongan Municipal Public Security Bureau."

On the way, Zheng Beichen asked, "Brother Peng, when will your Special Investigation Team withdraw?"

Jiang Peng kept his eyes fixed forward. "Our Chief He said that as long as the suspect hasn't been handed over, the Special Investigation Team won't withdraw for a single day."

"What are those three from the Municipal Bureau busy with today?" Zhao Yang was a bit curious.

Surely they wouldn't still be made to stake out entertainment venues, right?

Jiang Nan turned her head, her voice soft:

"Chief He gave them a tough assignment; he had Officer Zhang take them to investigate the vehicles that were tailing us."

Zhao Yang smiled mischievously.

There would definitely be a massive amount of surveillance footage to check. It would exhaust those three fellows.

When the police car reached the Municipal Bureau office building, Jiang Peng said,

"Go on upstairs. Jiang Nan and I will wait for you down here."

Zhao Yang and Zheng Beichen went to the third floor, to the Tongan Municipal Bureau Discipline Inspection Group.

The Discipline Inspection Group Leader, Chen Keyong, was sitting in his seat smoking, a look of deep thought on his face.

Seeing the two of them arrive, he quickly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up to ask,

"You two are from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Supervision Group, right? What do you need?"

Both men produced their credentials simultaneously, and Zhao Yang spoke up:

"We would like the Municipal Bureau Discipline Inspection Group to provide detailed personal information for Zhou Zhiming, as well as specific details regarding his important social relationships."

Chen Keyong's brow furrowed, his face full of questions.

"May I ask, has something happened to Zhou Zhiming?"

Zhao Yang gave a slight smile. "Secretary Chen, if we need your cooperation when the time comes, we will naturally let you know."

Chen Keyong naturally knew the rules of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, so he didn't ask further.

He had a staff member make a copy of Zhou Zhiqiang's detailed information and handed it over to Zhao Yang and Zheng Beichen.

After investigating the banks, they discovered that Zhou Zhiqiang only had one savings book for his salary.

Moreover, the amount withdrawn each month was fixed.

According to Zhao Yang's estimation of the amounts, the money withdrawn from the savings book each month should have been used for daily living expenses.

He lived very frugally.

Looking back over the past year, there were no large sums of money deposited into the account.

However, five months ago, there was a withdrawal record of forty thousand yuan.

This information didn't raise any suspicions.

The investigation revealed that Zhou Zhiqiang lived in the Public Security Bureau's staff dormitory, in a space of about 60 square meters with old furniture.

On the other hand, Zhou Zhiqiang's parents had moved from a shantytown to a new residential community four months ago.

It hadn't been apparent, but Zhou Zhiqiang seemed to be quite a filial son.

Zhou Zhiqiang's father was paralyzed and bedridden, cared for by his mother.

Although the new house was equipped with air conditioning—which seemed a bit luxurious for this era—the rooms were only simply decorated.

At this time, Tongan's housing prices hadn't been speculated up yet, so the forty thousand yuan withdrawn previously was just about enough.

After running around all day, they hadn't found any valuable leads at all.

Zhao Yang could be certain that the 300,000 yuan in cash at the crime scene had definitely been placed there by Zhou Zhiqiang.

It was impossible that he hadn't taken some benefit for it.

After coming out of Zhou Zhiqiang's parents' residence, Zhao Yang quietly pulled Jiang Nan to the side.

"Zhou Zhiqiang is the most likely suspect for the framing. Could it be that he was just doing volunteer work?"

Jiang Nan blinked her large eyes. "Are you saying we should conduct a search of Zhou Zhiqiang's residence?"

Zhao Yang nodded. "As things stand, that's the only option left."

"Fortunately, those two old foxes thought of it in advance." Jiang Nan smiled thinly and took a search warrant out of her briefcase.

The 'two old foxes' she referred to were, naturally, Lu Zheng and He Yunqiao.

Arriving at Zhou Zhiqiang's residence, Jiang Peng and Jiang Nan put on their peaked caps and knocked on the door to enter.

Zhao Yang and Zheng Beichen waited outside the door.

Seeing the four of them return, Zhou Zhiqiang's wife, Zhang Qin, was somewhat surprised.

"Why are you back again?"

Jiang Nan presented the Search Warrant and her work ID.

"Zhou Zhiqiang is suspected of rape, murder, and malicious framing. The June 11 Case Special Investigation Team is conducting a search of his residence according to the law."

Jiang Nan's words were cold, carrying an inherent authority.

Zhang Qin's already sallow face instantly turned deathly pale.

She stumbled and asked with a sob in her voice,

"Although Zhiqiang likes to play around, he's not that kind of person. Have you made a mistake?"

Jiang Peng kept a stern face, looking like a harbinger of doom.

"Please do not leave. Cooperate with the search!"

"Don't even think about it!" Zhang Qin's expression suddenly changed, and she shrieked.

She suddenly lunged upward, her hands clawing toward Jiang Nan's bright and beautiful face.