65: Chapter 65 The Mastermind Emerges

Zhao Yang had already calculated everything in his mind. In the June 11 Case, Xu Biao's crime was merely finding someone to plant evidence.

If he were framed for murder for no reason, he would inevitably defend himself with all his might.

Sure enough, Xu Biao's reaction was exactly as he had expected.

Zhao Yang didn't mind Xu Biao's foul language at all.

But Jiang Nan couldn't listen to it any longer. Her face immediately turned cold as she barked angrily,

"Xu Biao, this isn't a nightclub, it's a police station. Watch your language!"

Jiang Nan's sharp shout echoed in the small interrogation room. The cold incandescent light hit Xu Biao's greasy, sweaty face.

Xu Biao's Adam's apple bobbed as he panted heavily.

"Murder? What evidence do you have?"

Zhao Yang leaned forward slightly, his hands folded on the metal tabletop.

"Zhou Zhiqiang has already confessed that on May 20th, you gave him 100,000 yuan in cash."

"The reason he killed Sun Hongwei's wife was because you instigated it."

"Instigating a murder carries the same guilt as the killer!"

Xu Biao's face suddenly turned deathly pale. He jerked his handcuffed hands, making the iron chains clatter.

"Bullshit! Zhou Zhiqiang was blinded by lust. I didn't tell him to do that! I only told him to go plant something!"

"Oh? Plant what? Why don't you tell us!" Zhao Yang leaned back and raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Nan's pen hovered over the transcript paper. She held her breath, waiting for Xu Biao's answer.

"This... it wasn't really anything." Xu Biao stammered, unwilling to give a direct answer.

The implications behind this matter were enormous. According to Hao Jianping, it was done under General Manager Guo's instructions.

Once Guo Mingkai was dragged into this, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Xu Biao's expression clearly showed his hesitation.

Zhao Yang looked Xu Biao straight in the eye and let out a cold sneer.

"Not talking? It doesn't matter. Zhou Zhiqiang has already confessed that you gave him 400,000 to kill Sun Hongwei's wife, Chen Xue."

"If you can't prove your innocence, you can only share his guilt. When Zhou Zhiqiang is executed by firing squad, you'll be there to keep him company so he won't be too lonely on the road to the underworld."

These words were like heavy hammer blows slamming into Xu Biao's chest.

If he were convicted of instigating murder or hiring a hitman, he would definitely face the firing squad.

Although Guo Mingkai's ruthless methods terrified him, he wasn't about to charge straight into a gun barrel when it was right in front of him.

"That damn Zhou Zhiqiang is a mad dog! He committed a capital crime and wants to drag someone down with him!" Xu Biao gritted his teeth and said in a low voice,

"Fine, I'll talk. I'll tell you everything I know!"

Zhao Yang gestured toward Xu Biao. "Go ahead."

"I did give Zhou Zhiqiang 400,000, but only 100,000 was for him."

"The other 300,000 was for him to find a way to plant in Sun Hongwei's home."

"At the time, I thought Zhou Zhiqiang's family was in a difficult situation and he would be easy to bribe."

"The kid had also been a criminal investigator and was experienced, so he wouldn't leave any traces of the crime. I didn't expect that grandson of a..."

Zhao Yang pressed further, "Why did you do this?"

Xu Biao: "President Hao from the company found me and told me to do it. Once it was done, I was to notify him immediately."

"Who is President Hao? What was his purpose?" Zhao Yang continued to probe.

A flash of confusion crossed Xu Biao's eyes.

"President Hao is Hao Jianping, the Vice General Manager of Qicheng Group. As for the purpose, he didn't let me ask much, only said it had to be done as quickly as possible."

Hearing this, Zhao Yang slammed the table.

"Are you sure it's Hao Jianping? I'm telling you, Xu Biao, a man should take responsibility for his own actions. You'd better not go around making false accusations!"

"As God is my witness, I don't even know Sun Hongwei. Why would I frame him!" Xu Biao knit his brows, desperately trying to prove himself.

Zhao Yang asked, "Did Hao Jianping give you cash or a transfer? Is there anyone who can prove it?"

"400,000 in cash," Xu Biao shook his head. "At the time, we were in a private booth at the Haomen Nightclub. There were only the two of us."

Zhao Yang raised an eyebrow. "What day was it? How can you prove you aren't lying?"

"May 18th. I remember it very clearly. He even said the date was auspicious."

At this point, Xu Biao looked up at Zhao Yang.

"I was cautious at the time and copied the surveillance footage of President Hao entering the nightclub. Can that count as proof?"

Zhao Yang said solemnly, "Where is the surveillance footage?"

"In the top drawer of the desk in the manager's office at the Haomen Nightclub."

Xu Biao's confession was detailed and without reservation.

Before Zhao Yang could speak again, Jiang Nan quickly stood up and walked over to Xu Biao.

"This is your statement. After confirming it is correct, please sign it."

Xu Biao glanced through it, signed his name on the last page, and pressed his red thumbprint.

"Zhao Yang, let's go find Chief He." Having obtained the signed transcript, Jiang Nan turned to leave.

Once out of the interrogation room, Jiang Nan said to Zhao Yang,

"Zhao Yang, I suggest we immediately put Hao Jianping under surveillance. Once Xu Biao's testimony is verified, arrest him immediately!"

"Indeed, I was thinking the same thing," Zhao Yang nodded and praised her sincerely. "Staying just a forensic doctor is a waste of your talent."

"Are you trying to work me to death? If this weren't your case, I wouldn't be worrying so much."

Jiang Nan spoke as she walked, her pace never slowing.

The two of them went upstairs side-by-side and quickly arrived at the Special Investigation Team's office.

He Yunqiao was in the office chatting with Zhang Bin and Jiang Peng, waiting for the interrogation results.

Jiang Nan placed the interrogation transcript in front of He Yunqiao and briefly explained the situation.

"Chief He, I suggest we immediately put Hao Jianping under surveillance."

He Yunqiao nodded. "Right. We have to move fast!"

"Zhang Bin, Jiang Peng, immediately request the Tongan Municipal Bureau's cooperation to pull Hao Jianping's files. Xu Yiming, you and Zhao Yang take some men to retrieve the surveillance footage!"

Jiang Nan glanced at Zhao Yang and said to He Yunqiao,

"Chief He, I'll go with Captain Xu as well."

He Yunqiao gave a helpless smile. "Go on then. Go and come back quickly."

Haomen Nightclub, Manager's Office.

Xu Yiming opened the desk drawer and found a USB flash drive with a metal casing. It was very exquisite.

Zhao Yang glanced at the end of the drive, which noted its capacity: 512MB.

In this era, a 512MB flash drive was definitely a high-end product.

He turned on the computer on the desk, plugged in the flash drive, and opened it.

There was only one video file on the drive, titled: 'President Hao came to see me'.

Upon opening it, the video showed a lean man with slicked-back hair carrying a briefcase.

The man waved toward the door and then walked into the nightclub's main entrance.

The analog signal had been compressed, so the image was very blurry.

The three of them quickly returned to the Special Investigation Team. After identification by Xu Biao, the man in the footage was confirmed to be Hao Jianping.

He Yunqiao let out a bitter smile and picked up the phone to call Shen Zhantao.

In Tongan, without the cooperation of the Municipal Bureau, the Special Investigation Team had too few people. It would be impossible to solve the case.

He dialed the number over and over, but it was constantly busy.

He looked at his watch; it was already eleven o'clock at night.

Just what was this Shen Zhantao busy with?

In desperation, He Yunqiao tried calling Shen Zhantao's office landline.

The phone rang for half a minute before it was finally picked up.

He Yunqiao said, "Director Shen, you're quite busy. What time is it, and you still haven't left work?"

Shen Zhantao gave a bitter laugh. "The security situation in Tongan isn't good. How could I, the Public Security Director, dare to have a peaceful night's sleep?"

He Yunqiao cursed inwardly: Even a tiny nightclub dares to challenge me. Without you guys backing them up, would they dare?

He thought this, but said aloud:

"Director Shen, we're on the same side, so I won't stand on ceremony. Please immediately deploy the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Xiushan Branch to follow my command!"

"Huh?! Who are we arresting? Why such a big move?" Shen Zhantao was startled and quickly pressed for details.

He Yunqiao chuckled and teased,

"Just do as I say. Knowing too much isn't good for you!"