Chapter 908: Prime Suspect

During the case analysis meeting, Wang Jingya’s high school classmate Li Baowei once again entered the investigators’ sights.

Wang Song’s main investigation targets were focused on these three individuals.

"Regarding these three people, we’ve conducted a detailed investigation of the cleaning content at Wang Jingya’s current model studio work."

After Wang Song roughly reported the investigation situation, he proceeded with a detailed itemized report.

"This cleaning staff member left work about two hours later than the others on the day Wang Jingya disappeared."

"The cleaning staff returned to their rented house around 8:00 p.m. that evening."

Wang Song displayed a screenshot from a surveillance video on the projector: "This is the surveillance footage captured at the apartment entrance where the cleaning staff lived when they went home."

"The person sharing the rental with the cleaning staff also confirmed that after returning to the rented house, they did not leave."

"Concerning the timeframe of the victim’s disappearance, this person did not have the opportunity to commit a crime; moreover, our interviews at the model studio revealed that Wang Jingya had no conflicts with them, nor did they know each other."

Wang Song drew a cross on the person’s photo: "From our team’s preliminary investigation findings, the suspicion concerning this cleaning staff is essentially eliminated."

"The next suspect is the boss of the photography studio where Wang Jingya previously worked."

The projection displayed a relatively young man.

"Our investigation into Wang Jingya’s financial transactions and bank statements uncovered unusual transfers between the photography studio’s boss and Wang Jingya."

Wang Song operated the projector to show transactions from when Wang Jingya worked at the photography studio.

"This studio is still operating, and we learned that their staff are compensated based on the number of photos taken, with remuneration ranging from 300 to 500 yuan each time."

Wang Song continued: "But during Wang Jingya’s time at the photography studio, she also received notably large transfers from the boss himself."

"Amounts were as high as seven to eight thousand yuan at peak, and four to five thousand yuan at the lowest, with a total of 9 instances of such large transfers."

"When we compared the duration of Wang Jingya’s work at this photography studio, large transfers started occurring a little over half a month into her part-time role, roughly once a week thereafter."

"This pattern persisted for seven weeks, after which Wang Jingya left the photography studio for her current job at the model studio."

Wang Song then brought up another screenshot.

"Interestingly, this is the bank transaction from half a month before Wang Jingya’s disappearance, showing that the former photography studio boss transferred her 9,000 yuan."

"I suspect the abnormal transfers between the two are related to a money-for-affection exchange. Despite Wang Jingya no longer working there, they continued to have interactions."

"What about phone call records? Any evidence in the investigation?"

Li Donglin suddenly asked.

Wang Song nodded: "We’ve already investigated, and there was relatively close contact between them. Although the frequency decreased after Wang Jingya started working at the model studio, a call occurred once every two weeks."

Li Donglin pondered for a moment, signaling Wang Song to continue: "Continue."

"The second person is Li Baowei."

From Wang Song’s expression, it was clear that he had strong suspicions about Li Baowei.

"According to current investigation data, Li Baowei is Wang Jingya’s high school classmate. From high school, he started pursuing Wang Jingya but was never successful."

Wang Song operated the projector to show a short but robust young man.

"This is Li Baowei. Throughout high school and university, he persistently pursued Wang Jingya while always living and working in Tianjin. He even clashed with another of her admirers."

The investigation findings from Wang Song’s and Song Mingguang’s teams intersected, with both teams finding issues.

"After discovering the investigation matters, I communicated with Old Song, and next up, Captain Song will provide introductions, since their investigation is more comprehensive."

Wang Song sat down, and Song Mingguang stood up willingly.

"This person was identified while investigating Wang Jingya’s social relationships."

Song Mingguang proceeded to the projector to present information on Li Baowei.

"Li Baowei, male, 24 years old, from Tianzhou City, has lived with his grandfather since childhood in Beiwang Town, East Family Valley Village, and went to school in the city during high school."

"We conducted an in-depth investigation of Li Baowei; back in high school, his grades were outstanding."

Displayed on the projector were photos of Li Baowei receiving various awards.

"However, during the second semester of the first year of high school, because of an early romantic pursuit of Wang Jingya, his grades plummeted, and he poorly performed on college entrance exams, resulting in a substandard university admission."

"After graduation, his obsession with pursuing Wang Jingya continued; her friends or classmates were aware of this."

Song Mingguang navigated the projector: "After college graduation, without finding a decent job, he demonstrated intelligence and self-studied architectural design and decoration design during university, then found work at a renovation company as both designer and construction lead."

"Originally, this person was our main suspect."

"There are two main reasons: firstly, he lived long-term in Beiwang Town, East Family Valley Village, and is likely familiar with its circumstances."

"Secondly, Li Baowei had pursued Wang Jingya for nearly 10 years, yet she never accepted him. From what we’ve gathered, she repeatedly provoked him."

"From the perspective of murder motive, the likelihood of hate from love is high."

"Additionally, there’s the location of Wang Jingya’s disappearance."

Song Mingguang continued: "Just from the introduction by Captain Wang, everyone knows Wang Jingya maintained improper relationships with multiple men for financial gain."

"The night of her disappearance, she intended to meet Chen Yang for money."

Song Mingguang’s gaze swept across everyone present: "Everyone imagine a young man who pursued Jingxia for 10 years sees her going to sleep with another man; what would he feel?"

"However, during further investigation, we found Li Baowei seemingly lacked the time to commit a crime."

This is also why the investigation team has not yet taken action against Li Baowei.

"Go into detail."