Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 895 - 516: River Snail Girl_3

He Jiaqing moved with greater swiftness than Shen Jingye.

Shen Jingye declared the hotel's immediate closure, detaining both employees and patrons for thorough questioning.

The staff and guests, though initially terrified, were not the primary suspects. After completing surveys and undergoing interrogations, most were permitted to leave; however, Big Head's wife was detained.

She remained unaware of the reason for her detention or the events that transpired at the hotel.

As evening approached, she wished to contact Big Head to arrange for their child's pickup from school, but her phone had been confiscated.

Despite her repeated pleas to simply make a phone call, the surrounding individuals remained impassive, offering no assistance.

Unbeknownst to her, reaching Big Head at this moment would prove futile, as he was already apprehended at the bureau, facing a more precarious situation than she was.

Li Banfeng addressed Shen Jingye, stating, "Little Shen, please arrange for someone to collect Big Head's child from school and ensure they have some food."

Shen Jingye's brow furrowed as he responded, "There are still numerous unresolved issues concerning Zou Guoming; our current priority is..."

"As long as matters remain unresolved, Big Head is still considered a member of the Dark Star Bureau. If personnel from the bureau encounter issues, it is your responsibility to address them; this is your duty," Li Banfeng replied, his gaze steady and his tone unhurried.

Despite the calm demeanor, Shen Jingye felt a chill permeate his being. He summoned Chen Changrui and issued instructions, leading to Candy being assigned to pick up the child.

The trail of clues at the hotel seemed to have vanished, with those knowledgeable having already absconded. Shen Jingye returned to the Dark Star Bureau, designating Big Head as the next focus of their investigation.

Had he been aware all along that Big Head had infiltrated the records room?

If so, why had he not implemented measures to apprehend Big Head sooner?

This sequence of actions by Shen Jingye left Li Banfeng bewildered, yet he couldn't fault Shen Jingye entirely, as Big Head had not been under suspicion prior to these developments.

Currently, the primary reason for Big Head's suspicion stemmed from his wife's employment at the Tea Mountain Hotel.

Upon returning to the Dark Star Bureau, Shen Jingye personally interrogated Big Head: "Guoming, you are a veteran of this bureau; I needn't remind you of the rules.

Confess your involvement truthfully and promptly for your own and your family's benefit. Concealment will undoubtedly lead to severe repercussions, as you well know."

Following his statement, Shen Jingye activated the switch beneath the desk's edge, engaging the Judge dark energy carrier.

He began with the question: "Do you know Zhu Junlong?"

Big Head nodded, replying, "Yes, I know him. He is the proprietor of the Tea Mountain Hotel, where my wife is employed."

This declaration was, in fact, the truth.

Shen Jingye immediately posed his second question: "How did you two become acquainted?"

"We worked together as laborers on a construction site," Big Head stated.

Shen Jingye was aware of Big Head's past struggles before joining the Dark Star Bureau.

"Is there anyone who can vouch for you from that time?"

Big Head contemplated for a moment before answering, "Back then, the construction site hired laborers without verifying their identification. I'm unsure if I can locate that project manager or if he would even recall me."

Shen Jingye did not press further on the matter of the construction site, shifting his focus to their relationship: "Have you maintained a close relationship with Zhu Junlong over the years?"

Big Head paused, reminiscing: "While we worked together, we indeed got along well. He devoted all his earnings to his mother's medical treatment, subsisting on just two steamed buns per meal himself. Occasionally, I would purchase meat and share a portion with him.

After I left the construction site, we essentially lost contact. Early last year, my wife found herself unemployed. The Tea Mountain Hotel had posted an opening for a lobby manager. I happened to see the notice at the entrance.

Zhu Junlong was present at the time, and he recognized me. I was surprised to see how far he had progressed, becoming the owner of the hotel. He offered my wife the position and even provided her with an apartment. He also secured a school placement for our son, mentioning it was in reciprocation for a past kindness."

Shen Jingye's gaze remained fixed on Big Head throughout his account.

Big Head's demeanor showed no signs of faltering.

He was recounting a truthful narrative, one he had learned and repeated verbatim from He Jiaqing, within the confines of his own understanding.

Shen Jingye consulted the pre-prepared list of questions, bypassed the section pertaining to Zhu Junlong, and turned to the inquiries concerning He Jiaqing.

"Do you know He Jiaqing?"

"Yes, I do."

"How did you come to know him?"

"Captain Chen introduced us."

"What is your relationship with Chen Changrui?" Shen Jingye inquired, hoping for an unexpected revelation.

Big Head calmly responded, "While He Jiaqing was hospitalized, Captain Chen assigned me the task of monitoring his condition regularly."

Shen Jingye expressed a degree of disappointment: "I am inquiring about matters outside of your professional duties. What connections do you have with He Jiaqing beyond your work assignments?"

"None whatsoever," Big Head replied.

"Say that again." Shen Jingye verified the condition of the dark energy conduit.

Big Head maintained his composure: "There are no links."

This outcome was not what Shen Jingye had anticipated.

Logically speaking, the absence of any connection between subordinates and the suspects should have been favorable news for the Dark Star Bureau.

However, with the records room already destroyed and no one apprehended except Han Mingqi, the situation was far from perfect.

Naturally, a solitary interrogation was insufficient to exonerate Big Head.

Big Head's wife also presented numerous aspects requiring further verification, hence her immediate release was not feasible.

But what about Big Head's offspring?

Chen Changrui rejoined the unit, convened the team, and arranged for them to sequentially attend to the child's needs.

...

Shen Jingye proceeded to Li Qi's office, where they deliberated on the procedure for apprehending Han Mingqi. He omitted any mention of the records room incident, instead focusing on the pre-established ambush: "That villa was a snare we devised; anyone who walked into it met their just deserts."