Chapter 1022: Chen Jiang's Speculation and Analysis

Stealing under the guise of surveillance?

Lu Chuan furrowed his brow: “Why do you say that?”

Chen Jiang provided his analysis.

“There are several reasons why I think something is off about this.”

Chen Jiang meticulously examined the area around the building for two days without discovering any clues. The key issue is that he couldn’t figure out how the suspect managed to relocate the 10 million after stealing it.

The money can’t just vanish into thin air; how the suspect got in and out of the building remains unclear.

“Firstly, it’s about how the suspect entered and left the building.”

This was Chen Jiang’s most puzzling point. After pondering it from every angle and failing to make sense of it, he concluded it might have been an inside job.

“We checked the surveillance; it’s continuous and authentic without any manipulation. The tech center already verified it, so the suspect didn’t enter from the front door. He must have sneaked in through a window, but all the windows we checked were latched.”

“Exactly. One can’t enter with empty hands without damaging these PVC windows. Yet, upon inspection, there were no signs of climbing or even footprints nearby. This makes it unlikely; did the suspect float in like a ghost?”

Chen Jiang and his team have been studying this entry issue for two days, continuously discussing it. Many hypotheses were considered, but none held scientific validity or were convincing enough for everyone.

“So your opinion is… the suspect was in the building the entire time? Never left?”

Lu Chuan spoke directly.

Chen Jiang was taken aback: “Captain Lu, you thought of that too?”

Of course, Lu Chuan had considered it.

If no signs of entry or exit were detected on the night of the crime, the only possibility is that the suspect was already inside the building. Being inside, the surveillance wouldn’t capture him entering or leaving; he didn’t need to utilize windows or other means to get in, as he was already there.

Chen Jiang continued his report: “Upon lengthy deliberation, this possibility seems most likely. We’ve been reviewing footage from the main entrance since this morning.”

“We retrieved all the footage from the three days before the crime, reviewing who entered and exited the building.”

Lu Chuan nodded.

This approach proved effective. According to Zhang Dabao, only two security guards were on duty that night, and the next day, only one office worker entered the building. The person went upstairs and directly came down without noticing the unconscious guards.

Thus, scrutinizing the surveillance could expose who remained inside the building all along. Since they had to eat, they needed to be located somewhere within.

“Will we have results by today?”

Lu Chuan asked again.

Chen Jiang nodded: “We’ve covered about a third so far; results should come by tonight.”

“Are there any other reasons?”

Chen Jiang answered: “Yes.”

“The two security guards.”

“Security guards? Do you suspect them?”

Chen Jiang nodded: “The circumstances of their unconsciousness are quite odd.”

Initially overlooked, two days of inspecting the building changed Chen Jiang’s perspective; this scenario seemed implausible.

“According to the doctor, ether caused the guards’ unconsciousness.”

The building’s layout includes corridors with adjacent rooms. The corridor is wide, suggesting an unsealed state.

“The guards claimed they saw no suspects, felt dizzy while resting. So, the suspect must have released ether in the corridor to render them unconscious.”

Chen Jiang shook his head: “I personally find this improbable, or even impossible since releasing enough ether in an unsealed space to cause unconsciousness requires a large amount—yet, no evidence of how the ether was released was found in the building.”

“Moreover, Captain Lu, these two remained unconscious for long durations. The doctor indicated they inhaled substantial amounts to cause such effects, but no ether residue was detected in the corridor the next day.”

“Your judgment is… the guards are lying?”

Lu Chuan also had doubts about this.

“I think this possibility is quite significant; those two might be a key breakthrough.”

“There’s another case I heard from Old Wang these days.”

Busy at the mine, Chen Jiang picked up additional information. Wang Zhaokai persists in interviewing workers, sharing information among them.

“The coal mine developed nicely over recent years. Zhang Dabao took over during its initial years of losses, but things improved gradually. At its peak three to five years ago, cash bonuses were offered amid soaring coal prices.”

Chen Jiang continued: “The highest cash bonuses in recent years came four years ago during the peak prices, totaling 9 million.”

“However, coal prices continued to decline ever since; thus, the mine’s operations faced challenges. Larger volumes maintained profits despite decreasing prices. Recent bonuses ranged between 8 to 9 million, yet this year the bonus was raised to 10 million despite price drops and consistent production.”

Chen Jiang shook his head: “I perceive a logical inconsistency; they’re less profitable than before, yet bonuses increased. Did Zhang Dabao have a change of heart?”

“I don’t think so.”

“To me, it seems more plausible they padded the numbers, keeping money aside, intending not to distribute the bonuses but claimed theft and called authorities to disguise this action.”

Is there such a possibility?

Certainly.

Yesterday, Zhang Dabao informed mine workers that due to the stolen bonus, this year’s payment couldn’t proceed.

While not explicitly stating non-payment, he promised distribution upon recovery.

The pressure falls on the police.