freenovelworld Chapter 887 Arresting Zhang Baofeng!
Chapter 887 Arresting Zhang Baofeng!
“Based on the clues provided by Master Chen, Wang Qiang’s behavior before and after taking leave is highly suspicious. The missing pig-slaughtering knife is very likely related to the case. In addition, Wang Qiang’s various unusual behaviors after returning, as well as his contact with the man wearing sunglasses, must be hiding something,” Li Ming said, pointing to Wang Qiang’s photo on the clue board.
Officer Zhang asked, "Captain Li, Wang Qiang said he paid back the money. Could it be related to Zhang Baofeng paying off his gambling debts?" Li Ming nodded, "Very likely. Zhang Baofeng's motives deserve further investigation. She may very well be using Wang Qiang to achieve her own goals."
Just then, the officer in charge of investigating the surveillance footage reported: "Captain Li, we found a black sedan in the surveillance footage near Chen Xiaoyu's residential area that appeared on the night of the incident. The license plate was obscured, but it matches the vehicle characteristics described by Mr. Chen." Upon hearing this, Li Ming's expression hardened: "It seems this is not a coincidence. Intensify the investigation into Zhang Baofeng and that black sedan, and be sure to find the connection between the two. At the same time, thoroughly review Wang Qiang's communication records before and after his disappearance to see if we can find any clues about the man wearing sunglasses."
The atmosphere in the police station's conference room was tense and heavy. Li Ming stood in front of the projector, on which CCTV footage from Chen Xiaoyu's residential complex was playing. Wang Qiang's figure was clearly visible in the footage. "Comrades," Li Ming said firmly, "this CCTV footage shows that Wang Qiang was loitering near the complex before and after Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance. He is highly suspicious. Furthermore, that black sedan belongs to Zhang Baofeng's company; this is no coincidence." Li Ming's gaze swept across the officers in the conference room.
“Captain Li, I suggest we immediately question Zhang Baofeng’s company driver. We might get more clues from him,” Officer Zhao said, standing up. Li Ming nodded in agreement: “Okay, Zhao and Liu, you two are in charge of questioning the driver. Make sure you find out where the car went and how it was used. The rest of you continue to sort through the clues and find Wang Qiang’s whereabouts.”
Xiao Zhao and Xiao Liu quickly found Li Qiang, the driver for Zhang Baofeng's company. Li Qiang sat in the interrogation room, his hands rubbing together nervously. Xiao Zhao spoke first: "Li Qiang, we're investigating Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance. Your company's car was near Chen Xiaoyu's residential area on the day of the incident. Can you explain that?"
Li Qiang swallowed hard and said, "Officer, I was given leave that day, and someone else drove my car away. I really don't know who drove it; the car was returned the next day." Xiao Liu stared intently into Li Qiang's eyes and pressed, "You were given leave? Who gave you leave?"
Li Qiang hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's Director Zhang, Zhang Baofeng. She said there's nothing much going on at the company and she wants me to take a day off." Xiao Zhao then asked, "When you're driving, have you noticed any interaction between Zhang Baofeng and Wang Qiang?"
Li Qiang frowned as he recalled, "Once, I was taking General Manager Zhang to a business meeting, and I saw her talking to Wang Qiang downstairs at the company. However, I was too far away to hear what they were saying." Xiao Liu pressed, "Any other discoveries?"
Li Qiang shook his head: "That's all. I'm just a driver, I only know how to drive, I don't know much else." From Xiao Zhao and Xiao Liu's questioning, although the police were unable to identify the driver, they further focused their suspicions on Zhang Baofeng.
Upon learning the news, Li Ming decisively ordered: "Wang Qiang is very likely the murderer who kidnapped Chen Xiaoyu, and Zhang Baofeng is likely the mastermind. Arrest Zhang Baofeng immediately, and at the same time intensify the search for Wang Qiang."
The officers acted swiftly, taking Zhang Baofeng back to the police station. Zhang Baofeng sat in the interrogation room, legs crossed, seemingly nonchalant. Li Ming entered the room and presented Zhang Baofeng with the surveillance footage and vehicle information: "Zhang Baofeng, the evidence is conclusive. Your plan to instigate Wang Qiang to kidnap Chen Xiaoyu has been exposed. Now, tell me, where is Chen Xiaoyu?"
Zhang Baofeng's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Officer, please don't wrong me. I have no grudge against Chen Xiaoyu, why would I kidnap her?" Li Ming sneered: "No grudge? Chen Xiaoyu is your husband's mistress, how could you not care? Besides, you gave the driver the day off on the day of the incident, the car was driven away, and then mysteriously returned the next day. How do you explain all of this?"
Zhang Baofeng was silent for a moment, then argued, "Giving the driver time off was a normal company arrangement. I don't know who drove the car. Maybe someone is deliberately framing me." Xiao Liu slammed his hand on the table: "Zhang Baofeng, stop making excuses. Wang Qiang was always around the neighborhood before and after Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance, and your car was also at the scene. You and Wang Qiang have known each other for a long time, is that just a coincidence?"
Faced with the police's relentless pressure, Zhang Baofeng's psychological defenses began to crumble. Li Ming continued to press her: "Zhang Baofeng, if you confess now, you can still try to get a lighter sentence. If you continue to conceal it, you will face the full force of the law."
Zhang Baofeng gritted her teeth and finally spoke, "Fine, I admit it. I instructed Wang Qiang to kidnap Chen Xiaoyu. I can't tolerate her stealing my husband, and I can't let her destroy my family." Li Ming pressed, "Where is Chen Xiaoyu now? Where did Wang Qiang hide her?"
Zhang Baofeng shook her head: "I don't know. I only asked Wang Qiang to teach her a lesson, but he didn't tell me where she was hiding."
Li Ming sat in the interrogation room, his gaze piercing as he stared intently at Zhang Baofeng, who sat opposite him. Zhang Baofeng appeared calm, but her hands unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, betraying her inner unease.
“Zhang Baofeng, you have already admitted to instructing Wang Qiang to kidnap Chen Xiaoyu. Now tell me in detail how you arranged all of this?” Li Ming asked first, his voice deep and powerful.
Zhang Baofeng took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "I did pay off Wang Qiang's gambling debts and let him kidnap Chen Xiaoyu. I just wanted to teach her a lesson and keep her away from my husband. I gave Wang Qiang a detailed plan to make his move on Chen Xiaoyu's way home from get off work and imprison her in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city."
Li Ming frowned and pressed, "What happens after you imprison her? What are your plans for dealing with Chen Xiaoyu?"
Zhang Baofeng's eyes darted around, and after hesitating for a moment, she said, "I originally planned to scare her for a few days before letting her go. I also told Wang Qiang not to hurt her."
Li Ming snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife: "But now Chen Xiaoyu and Wang Qiang are both dead, so what's going on? Don't tell me this has nothing to do with you."
Zhang Baofeng's face turned deathly pale instantly, and her body trembled slightly: "Officer, I really didn't know. I gave Wang Qiang the money as agreed, and then I didn't contact him again. I never imagined that someone would die." As she spoke, Zhang Baofeng covered her face with her hands, and her shoulders trembled slightly.