Chapter 1026: The Arson Case

Zhang Dabao hung his head.

He couldn’t quite understand why the police discovered this plan that seemed flawless.

"How did you find out?"

Zhang Dabao had been planning this for a month—he calculated every step perfectly, ensuring no clues would be left behind.

The two security guards had been following him for seven or eight years; it was impossible they betrayed him, so how did the police find out?

"The crime scene couldn’t leave any trace. The scene was faked by the two security guards, who were then knocked out, so you should not suspect them."

If the two guards were sent away, the police might pursue this lead, but the guards were knocked out by someone else.

This person was arranged by him in advance—his brother-in-law came into the building the previous day and hid in his office, didn’t go out at night, and waited until they brought the money boxes in. Then he emerged and knocked out the guards.

As for the entrance and office building surveillance, he deliberately left them intact because these recordings ensured no personnel entered or exited. Thus, the money mysteriously disappeared, making the police unable to crack the case.

Wang Zhaokai shook his head.

"You’ve been outsmarted by your own cleverness."

The reason everyone suspected Zhang Dalong’s side maintained the cover was primarily because the crime scene was too clean—nothing was left behind.

They searched high and low and found no trace of cash being moved.

If Wang Chaohai had been handling the case, it would be understandable due to their limited ability, but Lu Chuan had thoroughly searched that building inside and out.

Given the Investigating Team’s skilled detectives, the lack of clues meant there were no leads at all.

Therefore, since there was no money transfer from the windows, basement, or rooftop, everyone could only deduce an inside job.

Furthermore, Zhang Dabao tried to make the disappearance appear legitimate.

He left surveillance recordings.

The footage initially helped him; during the crime night, no one was seen entering or exiting, which puzzled the police.

Yet it reinforced their suspicion of an inside job.

The process in which the guards moved the boxes was recorded in full; it was apparent the boxes didn’t weigh enough, raising police suspicions.

Actually, if Zhang Dabao had been less obsessed with perfection or considered the police perspective and left flaws, they might not have suspected him.

For example, he could have tampered with the building’s window or surroundings to suggest someone passed by or moved the money from there.

Or he could have simply cut the surveillance; without footage, they would rely on what he said as there’d be no evidence.

This way, the police would follow footprints and marks found outside the coal mine, shifting suspicion away from him.

But alas, it was regrettable.

Zhang Dabao’s self-assumed cleverness led to his downfall.

In his case, it’s quite severe; normally, filing a false report violates administrative regulation, usually resulting in detention.

However, Zhang Dabao’s scheme involved a large sum, causing significant harm, as his false report aimed to evade paying worker bonuses.

Even worker representatives went to the Criminal Investigation Team to protest, indicating serious misconduct.

In his case, it involves penal code violations. How he’ll be sentenced depends on prosecution and trial developments.

Over a hundred personnel in the Criminal Investigation Team dedicated nearly a week to this case; it was more than just a misuse of police resources.

With so much effort spent, Zhang Dabao definitely won’t get off easy.

Moreover, several involved are suspected of fabricating evidence, perjury, and other crimes, which will be handled by the judicial system.

With this case closed, the Criminal Investigation Team doesn’t have any major cases pending and, with New Year approaching, everyone is preparing for the holiday.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan’s tenure as a temporary member of the Criminal Investigation Team is nearing one year, but he hasn’t received notification on whether he’ll return to the Criminal Investigation Team or undertake other duties.

Things at home were going smoothly; three days after the fake theft case at the coal mine was solved, Shen Yan was found to be pregnant.

"I’m going to be a dad?"

Lu Chuan didn’t expect that he would become a father.

"Boy or girl?"

Seated on the sofa, Shen Yan gently touched her belly and shook her head, "It’s just one month in; it’s too soon to tell if it’s a boy or girl."

Shen Yan’s checkups were conducted in a hospital run by Qiangsheng Group, ensuring top-tier care.

After learning the news, Lu Chuan’s mother started visiting every day, bringing people along.

When they lived together before, they had no nanny. If they had time in the morning, they would prepare breakfast themselves; otherwise, they would rush to work and eat there.

Both the Criminal Investigation Team and the Criminal Investigation Team have good meals, thanks to donations from Qiangsheng Group, providing excellent support.

Now with Forensic Doctor Shen pregnant, the treatment has changed; as Lu Chuan’s mom put it, they need to be careful.

Every morning the elderly lady comes with the nanny, bringing already prepared nutritious meals.

The three-day New Year’s holiday passed peacefully.

Since Shen Yan was pregnant, she couldn’t run about, so Lu Chuan stayed home during the holiday to accompany her.

However, on the second day back at work, the Criminal Investigation Team received a report.

"Arson?"

Lu Chuan’s first reaction was: "Any casualties?"

"Yes, the fire site had two deaths!"

"Let’s go to the scene!"

At the scene, the fire department colleagues were communicating with Lu Chuan.

"The fire ignited yesterday; upon receiving the alarm, we immediately dispatched personnel. It took about two hours to extinguish the blaze, then during the site survey, we found two fatalities inside."

Initially, it was thought to be a regular fire. Someone called 119, leading the fire team to dispatch immediately, but post-extinguishing analysis revealed two bodies.

"We initially believed these two died from the fire, but during their removal, we noticed something was off."