Chapter 921: Confusing and Unclear

Wang Qinghai is not a fool. When he heard Wang Zhaokai ask him like this, he understood that the police suspected him.

"I was at home."

Although Wang Qinghai was a bit frustrated, he understood the police’s suspicion.

The fact that both he and Zhang Haibin were up for promotion, although most people didn’t know, some well-informed people, like those from the organization department and the leaders of the finance bureau, did know.

In this way, he and Zhang Haibin were in a competitive relationship. Now that the other party is dead, and the whole family was killed, it’s only natural for the police to suspect him.

"Do you have an alibi?"

Wang Zhaokai continued asking.

Wang Qinghai nodded: "Yes, my wife."

Wife?

"Is there anyone else?"

Wang Zhaokai frowned.

When Wang Qinghai saw him frown, he knew Wang Zhaokai didn’t believe him.

"Captain Wang, although we are not in the same system, we are both civil servants. Would I, a deputy director of the finance bureau, do the kind of thing you imagine?"

Wang Qinghai did not directly answer the question and continued: "I know what you are thinking. The promotion matter between Zhang Haibin and me has not been discussed yet, and now with Zhang Haibin dead, I am the only candidate left for promotion."

"So you suspect me, right?"

Wang Zhaokai neither nodded nor shook his head.

Although Wang Qinghai and Zhang Haibin were in competition, to be honest, Wang Zhaokai did not quite believe that he would kill a family of four just for promotion.

But this is not about believing or not believing; it’s about having evidence or not.

Police solving cases follows a routine: investigating and visiting to find a range of possible suspects, then eliminating them.

"Director Wang, you may have misunderstood my intention."

Wang Zhaokai also thought his questioning was too harsh.

"It’s not that we suspect you are involved in this case, but since you have a competitive relationship with Deputy Director Zhang Haibin, it’s better to clarify things, which is beneficial to you."

Wang Qinghai sighed, knowing this reasoning.

"To be honest, this morning when I heard about Zhang Haibin being murdered, I was quite shocked at first. We’ve worked together for many years, and now suddenly he’s gone."

He continued: "But after the shock, I honestly felt a bit relieved, so to speak. With Haibin dead, the choice for promotion in our bureau now is just me."

"Is this an unfortunate gain for me?"

Actually, Wang Qinghai had no assurance about this promotion; he was slightly better than Zhang Haibin in work ability at the finance bureau.

But in terms of public support, he was not as good as Zhang Haibin.

Wang Jinghai is sometimes a bit harsh in his work.

But Zhang Haibin is different, he is easygoing and treats everyone well, having a better reputation in the bureau than Wang Qinghai.

The personnel department had previously discussed the situation with some mid-level cadres of the finance bureau.

So it’s uncertain whether Wang Qinghai could be promoted.

"Director Wang, I can’t evaluate this matter, the key is about last night, apart from your wife, are there other alibis, or surveillance footage is okay too."

Wang Zhaokai continued asking.

Wang Qinghai nodded: "Of course there’s surveillance. Our community entrance has surveillance cameras which can capture everything."

"Besides..." Wang Qinghai thought for a while, seemed hesitant but sighed after a moment.

"Besides, a colleague from our bureau came to my house at around 11 p.m. and chatted with me until after midnight, so he can testify that I was indeed at home at the time."

Chatting?

Wang Zhaokai was surprised: "Which colleague could chat until late at night?"

Wang Qinghai awkwardly smiled: "He wanted me to help with something and brought two bottles of wine."

Wang Zhaokai nodded, this made sense.

"Captain Wang, this is an internal matter of our unit, not a big deal, just some help, not violating any discipline, so..."

Wang Zhaokai understood Wang Qinghai’s meaning.

Having an employee deliver gifts at midnight, regardless of the circumstances, could be perceived negatively.

As long as this matter is unrelated to the case, Wang Zhaokai wouldn’t bother with it.

"Director Wang, rest assured. Once we verify that you were indeed at home last night, we won’t involve ourselves in other matters."

While Wang Zhaokai was verifying things, other routes were being pursued.

A team was investigating Chen Xue’s background at her workplace.

Another team was gathering info at Zhang Mei and Zhang Qinghai’s son Zhang Tao’s school.

Lu Chuan was at the Criminal Investigation Team, analyzing the cash found in Zhang Haibin’s bedroom.

Corruption and bribery are not covered by the team, but Lu Chuan was curious about the cash’s origin.

Clearly, Zhang Haibin’s murder was an act of revenge, but could it be related to the money?

Perhaps he was doing favors in exchange for money, leading to the murder, it’s currently unknown.

Lu Chuan wanted to identify the money’s source by analyzing the fingerprints.

Progress was being made.

The cash was not all from one person; two sets of fingerprints had been identified thus far.

Besides Zhang Haibin and his wife Chen Xue, there was a record for someone named Chen Baoguo.

This individual was also a finance bureau employee, Zhang Haibin’s direct subordinate, a mid-level cadre promoted last year.

Another person was Zhang Dechao, a CEO of a software company.

Besides these two, other fingerprints were found, but unverified so far.

Lu Chuan sent these individuals’ information to Wang Zhaokai for investigation.

Soon, results were returned.

Chen Baoguo had a confirmed alibi.

Last night he was out dining with colleagues until after midnight.

As for Zhang Dechao, his software firm maintains systems for the finance bureau.

Coincidentally, these business areas fall under Zhang Haibin’s management.

They had long-term business relations.