The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 1367 The Red Motorcycle, Old Li 4

The criminal investigation team members rallied their spirits and launched a new round of intensive investigations, focusing on the two core clues: the red motorcycle and the dark blue paint. Night fell again, but this time, the investigators were filled with confidence. They knew they were getting closer and closer to catching the real culprit.

At the forensic identification center, Zhang Lin was still working diligently. He was conducting further three-dimensional reconstruction analysis of the subcutaneous bleeding area on the victim's neck, hoping to reconstruct the shape of the weapon and the manner of compression through computer simulation. "Xiao Lin, import the neck CT scan data into the three-dimensional reconstruction system, focusing on reconstructing the three-dimensional structure of the subcutaneous bleeding area. We need to figure out exactly what tool the murderer used." Zhang Lin's voice remained calm. In his view, every detail could be key to identifying the killer. The autopsy was far from over; his mission wouldn't be complete until the real culprit was apprehended.

In the early hours of the morning, the 3D reconstruction results came out. Zhang Lin stared at the 3D model on the computer screen, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes: "Look, the 3D shape of the subcutaneous hemorrhage area is long and narrow with slightly wavy edges, about 2 centimeters wide. This doesn't match the shape of a rope or scarf pressing down on the skin; it's more like... the shape of a belt buckle." He pulled up a detailed image of the model. "There are two symmetrical indentations here, about 0.5 centimeters apart. They are very likely traces left by the decorative buckle on the belt buckle."

This discovery immediately reminded Zhang Lin of the victim's belt buckle recovered during the crime scene investigation: "The victim's belt buckle was made of iron, with scratches on the surface, but no obvious decorative buckle. This indicates that the weapon used to injure the victim was the perpetrator's belt, and the perpetrator's belt buckle had two symmetrical decorative buckles, which is a very important individual characteristic." He immediately reported this to Li Ming, adding another crucial clue to the investigation.

Upon receiving the message, Li Ming immediately updated the investigation criteria: "Red motorcycle, dark blue paint on the body, owner using a belt with two symmetrical decorative buckles, size 41 wavy sneakers, and a slight pigeon-toed gait. Combine these characteristics and focus on investigating motorcycle owners and repairmen around Qingling Lake, and be sure to find the suspect in the shortest possible time."

The forensic experts' professionalism and rigor, combined with the investigators' dedication and perseverance, formed a powerful force at this moment. The shadow of crime in the Qingling Lake reed marshes is being dispelled step by step, and the light of the truth is about to illuminate this once silent body of water.

While the clues pointed to the red motorcycle, Li Ming also realized the ambiguity of the suspect's identity—the person Zhang Jianguo went to the abandoned dock to collect a debt from was still unclear. He immediately dialed Xiao Wang's number, his tone serious: "Xiao Wang, you immediately take your team and shift your focus to investigating Zhang Jianguo's interpersonal relationships. From his immediate family members, fellow villagers and classmates to work contacts, visit and verify them one by one. Make sure to find out whether he has any other debt disputes or interpersonal conflicts besides Zhao Yonghong."

Upon receiving the instructions, Xiao Wang immediately retrieved Zhang Jianguo's household registration file and social relationship registration, dividing the investigation list into four categories: relatives, fellow villagers, former colleagues, and business associates. He then dispatched three teams to carry out the work. He personally led a team to Zhang Jianguo's hometown in Xiaochang County, where, with the assistance of the local police station, they located Zhang Jianguo's wife, Liu Guilan, and only son, Zhang Ming.

“Master Zhang wasn’t a talkative man. He would only say a few words when repairing farm machinery. At home, he was mostly just focused on his work.” Liu Guilan sat on a bamboo chair in her main room, clutching Zhang Jianguo’s old work clothes, her eyes reddening. “He had been working in Wuhan for three years, sending money back every month without fail. He never mentioned offending anyone. A while ago, he called to say he had a debt to collect to help his son with his college tuition. He didn’t say who owed the money, only that ‘it’s almost there.’”

Zhang Jianguo's son, Zhang Minggang, has just turned 18 and is filling out his college application. His voice choked up when he mentioned his father: "My dad came back once last year. His old knee problem flared up again. He said he fell while repairing farm machinery. One night I heard him talking to my mom on the phone, saying, 'If that person keeps delaying, I'll go to his house to find him.' He sounded quite anxious, but he didn't say anyone's name. He doesn't have many friends. He only gets together with a few old classmates once a year during the Spring Festival. They are all honest and hardworking farmers."

Afterwards, Xiao Wang drove to Zhangzhuang, near Qingling Lake, where Zhang Jianguo's fellow villagers lived. Introduced by the village secretary, he met Zhang Jianguo's high school classmate, Zhang Jianjun, a large-scale grain farmer in the area who had previously asked Zhang Jianguo to repair his agricultural machinery many times. "Jianguo was honest and didn't like getting involved in trouble when he was in school. After graduation, he learned agricultural machinery repair and made a living wherever he went," Zhang Jianjun recalled. "A couple of months ago, he came to my shop to repair his seeder. We talked about being short of money, saying he had a 'three-year-old debt' he hadn't collected. I asked him who owed it to, and he just shook his head and said, 'We're all from the same village; it's not good to ruin things.'"

The investigation lasted a full day. Xiao Wang's team visited seven of Zhang Jianguo's relatives, twelve fellow villagers, and five former colleagues. The information they gathered was highly consistent: Zhang Jianguo was introverted, not good at socializing, and spent his days either working at a car repair shop or visiting farmers to repair agricultural machinery. His social circle was extremely narrow. He did not gamble, nor did he smoke or drink. His only expenses were supporting his son's education and sending money back home. Several interviewees mentioned that he "loved to help others." If a farmer couldn't afford repairs, he would always say, "I'll pay you back after the autumn harvest," and he never had any serious conflicts with anyone.

At 8 p.m. that evening, Xiao Wang returned to the Criminal Investigation Detachment with the investigation results and reported to Li Ming: "Captain Li, Zhang Jianguo's interpersonal relationships are simpler than we expected. Apart from Zhao Yonghong, who has already been ruled out, we haven't found any other debt disputes or enemies. His social reputation is consistent: 'honest and law-abiding.' Among the people we've met, there are no suspicious individuals with size 41 shoes or a slight pigeon-toed gait."

Li Ming looked at the thick stack of interrogation records submitted by Xiao Wang, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. The night outside the window grew darker, the lights of the Criminal Investigation Division casting a dim yellow glow through the rain. "No enemies doesn't mean no surprises. Could Zhang Jianguo's debt collector be a business client we haven't investigated? Or perhaps he went to the abandoned dock not to collect a debt, but because he was lured there?" He looked up at Xiao Wang. "Go check Zhang Jianguo's repair records for the past six months again. Make a list of all the farmers who had their agricultural machinery repaired by him, and highlight those who still have outstanding debts."

While Xiao Wang was investigating Zhang Jianguo's interpersonal relationships, Xiao Zhou led three investigators to Lijia Village, east of Qingling Lake—the registered residence of Li Laosi, a scrap collector.