I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 147 Establishment of a Special Task Force

Han Ling suggested that they first go undercover to investigate the Phoenix Nightclub and find out about the casino through indirect investigation.

Ji Bowei pondered: "In that case, whether the casino is open or not will not hinder the investigation. They can develop in advance and wait for the storm to pass before the casino officially opens. At that time, there will be many more potential new customers."

Furthermore, it would also be convenient to check whether Phoenix Nightclub is still involved in prostitution.

Han Ling: "Yes, it's killing two birds with one stone, but it requires funding, and it can't be too little."

For law enforcement activities like these undercover investigations, the bureau has strict standards and procedures. Individuals are not allowed to pay in advance and then get reimbursed; instead, the funds are provided directly by the finance department.

In the process, it needs to go through layers of approval.

This is considered a special case-handling expense or informant expense within the public security operational expenses, and it exists in the branch bureau's annual budget.

First, formulate a plan, submit it to the team leader and the deputy director in charge for approval at each level, and finally withdraw the funds from the finance department.

After the task is completed, submit an explanation report, detailing the usage process.

It's practically impossible to obtain official invoices during undercover investigations of certain locations, as that would arouse suspicion. Therefore, police officers who carry out such missions are usually highly trusted by their superiors and can have invoices reimbursed without them, thus minimizing the possibility of corruption.

“I’ll discuss this with Captain Feng and Director Zhao.” Ji Bowei didn’t give a definitive answer. “I’ll give you the results before 5 p.m. In the meantime, the investigation into the victim cannot stop.”

An undercover investigation of Phoenix Nightclub is feasible, but whether or not to select Han Ling and Tong Feng, the two new police officers, is not up to him; it requires Zhao Xingbang's decision.

This involves the issue of experience; the new police officers have little experience in undercover investigations.

It's not a matter of corruption. Although it's easy to embezzle a thousand or eight hundred yuan by secretly investigating entertainment venues, the new police officers don't have that kind of courage.

"Yes." Han Ling nodded.

The group left to continue researching Xiong Chuan's QQ group. Ji Bowei found Feng Yao, and then went with the captain of the public security brigade to meet Zhao Xingbang.

office.

After learning all the details, Zhao Xingbang acted decisively, finalized the plan for a disguised undercover investigation, and agreed to allocate 50,000 yuan in special funds.

Spending tens of thousands at Phoenix Nightclub is already considered quite wealthy. If there is indeed a strategy to attract new casino customers, it should attract attention. Otherwise, there is no need to spend more money, as the branch office's funds are not unlimited.

"Let Han Ling and Tong Feng go." Zhao Xingbang decided on the candidates. "Han Ling has a carefree personality and doesn't have a strong police presence. Zhang Yandong and the others are obviously police officers. As for Tong Feng... his family is rich, he's like a rich kid."

Ji Bowei: "Okay, I'll have Han Ling and the others draft a detailed plan later. After we sign it, we'll go collect the money. Is there any problem with the Municipal Bureau?"

He was referring to the fact that if the municipal bureau decides to merge the cases in the afternoon, the undercover investigation might still proceed. If a special task force is established at that time, the direction of the investigation may no longer be under the control of the branch bureau.

When the Municipal Public Security Bureau was mentioned, Zhao Xingbang pondered for a moment and said, "Don't worry about the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Even if the cases are merged, the Phoenix Nightclub case still belongs to our Gu'an Branch. We can't get around it."

Ji Bowei: "Okay, I understand."

After discussing this matter, Zhao Xingbang turned to the captain of the public security brigade: "Tian Liang, what's the background of the owner of Phoenix Nightclub?"

The other party said, "They're from Hong Kong Island and have been operating in Qingchang for over ten years. It's one of the top entertainment venues in our Gu'an District. This group brought the mature nightclub model and marketing concepts from Hong Kong Island and Southeast Asia to Qingchang, and they've done a great job."

Zhao Xingbang: "Does he have any organized crime background?"

Tian Liang: "There shouldn't be any, we haven't found any yet, but they are well-versed in the rules of the underworld and have connections with all sorts of people in Qingchang."

I've met the boss; he's a big shot. He has a team of security guards who specialize in handling emergencies.

Nightclubs are an industry with huge cash flow, and they are also the most prone to problems. Without a boss who can keep the scene in check and handle emergencies, it is difficult for the business to continue smoothly.

The fact that Phoenix Nightclub has been operating smoothly in Qingchang for so many years is enough to show that the actual operators are indeed not simple.

"Security guard? That sounds nice."

Zhao Xingbang had no fondness for nightclubs.

The state allows them to operate, so their existence is justified, and there's nothing we can do about it. But to be honest, the larger the nightclub, the more likely it is to harbor filth and corruption.

It's impossible for it to be clean inside.

Even if a nightclub is clean, it can't stop customers from behaving recklessly.

"Tell Han Ling to be careful, focus on undercover investigations, and not to get into conflicts with anyone," Zhao Xingbang said.

Ji Bowei: "Okay."

Since the Weijiazhuang Village case, Han Ling has basically been labeled by his superiors.

Two suspects died and one was injured. Ordinary police officers might not know what happened, but the leaders were well aware of it. If they were to escalate the matter and charge it as excessive self-defense, it would be entirely justified.

I truly value it, and I also truly have a headache from it.

Just as the Gu'an branch was conducting a preliminary investigation into the murder case, the city bureau had almost reached a conclusion in its discussions.

Zheng Hongyi, as the deputy director in charge of criminal investigation, personally attended the meeting to understand the situation and decide whether to conduct a joint investigation.

"A special task force will be established immediately, with Gao Bingyang as the leader and Wu Bin and Liang Yan as deputy leaders. Members of the task force will be drawn from the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Criminal Investigation Detachment, the Gu'an Branch's Criminal Investigation Brigade, and the Languang Branch's Criminal Investigation Brigade, with full cooperation from all local police stations."

As the meeting was about to end, Zheng Hongyi's voice rang out in the conference room.

"Everyone, serial murder cases are unusual. We need to work together to solve the case as quickly as possible. We can't be sure if the killer will continue to kill, understand?"

Everyone: "Yes!"

"Gao Zhi, the rest of the time is yours." Zhao Xingbang looked at the middle-aged man on his right.

The man was in his forties, tall and upright, with an air of competence and composure honed by years of handling cases. His ordinary face bore faint wrinkles. On his wrist was an old-fashioned mechanical watch.

Gao Bingyang, the head of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Qingchang City Public Security Bureau, may not be at the very top of the power structure, but he can determine the direction and efficiency of case investigations and has the most elite investigative resources in the city at his disposal.

It can be said that he is the core middle-level manager in Qingchang's fight against illegal and criminal activities.

Upon hearing this, Gao Bingyang habitually raised his hand to touch his nose and said, "Is the First Brigade not in a hurry with any cases they have lately?"

Liang Yan quickly replied, "It's alright, it's not in a hurry."

Gao Bingyang: "In that case, the entire First Brigade will join the task force and work together to solve the case within 72 hours. The Gu'an Branch and the Languang Branch will arrange their own personnel to participate in the investigation. I only care about efficiency and results."

The captains of the two precincts nodded in acceptance.

Gao Bingyang continued, "The task force command center is located in the Municipal Bureau. The first meeting will be held at 3 p.m., and all leaders at the level of squad leader and above must attend. The case files of the two cases will be exchanged, and a preliminary direction for the investigation will be drafted."

Let's leave the rest aside for now and get everything ready.

After the meeting ended, the Gu'an and Languang branches left one after another, leaving only the main leaders of the Municipal Bureau in the room.

Wu Bin was still looking at the big screen, which displayed photos of the crime scenes from two cases. He hadn't encountered a serial murder case in a long time.

The murder weapon and the modus operandi were consistent, so there was virtually no chance of anything unexpected happening.

"Wu Bin, what do you think of this case?" Gao Bingyang lit a cigarette, his gaze fixed on Wu Bin, his expression serious and unsmiling.

He's always been like this; he rarely smiles, even when facing Zheng Hongyi. That's just his personality.

This branch captain didn't just coast to the top. In his early years, Gao Bingyang handled countless major cases and arrested numerous criminals. Some timid suspects who knew Gao Bingyang were so frightened by his presence that their legs went weak.

Gao Bingyang valued Wu Bin highly and trusted him implicitly.

Having a deputy branch captain who can solve cases can save him a lot of effort.

“Strange.” Wu Bin spoke as if answering a question, but also as if to himself, “Different genders, different experiences, completely different circles with no connection, murdered within two months of each other…”

Gao Bingyang said, "This is only what we see on the surface. The two people must have some connection, whether it's direct or indirect. Since the Languang branch couldn't find anything, it's most likely an indirect connection."

Wu Bin looked away from the big screen and turned his head: "What Gao Zhi means is that the two people don't know each other, but they have crossed paths unintentionally."

Gao Bingyang: "Yes, that's one way to explain it. Qingchang is only so big, so it's not surprising that two permanent residents would cross paths. The question is, why did it lead to their deaths?"

Murder is not something that is easily committed; there must have been something about the two victims that attracted the killer.

Whether it's random or targeted, this point must exist.

Wu Bin agreed: "That's right. Stabbing someone in the heart three times is more like venting hatred. The victim may have offended the same person at the same time."

To put it bluntly, one of the victims, Wu Cuicui, knew the murderer, and another victim, Xiong Chuan, knew the murderer, but Wu Cuicui and Xiong Chuan did not know each other.

Gao Bingyang: "This possibility is very high. The case in Gu'an District has just happened. Our attention should still be on Xiong Chuan's murder. We can ignore Wu Cuicui for the time being."

After chatting for a while, Gao Bingyang waved for the others to leave first.

As the conference room door closed, Gao Bingyang gestured for Wu Bin to come closer, then whispered, "How's the investigation into the forgery case going?"

When asked about this, Wu Bin replied, "We are investigating Sun Dongye's death. I think someone instigated his suicide. He used to be a chef at Kanghe, so he must have known something."

Gao Bingyang: "How could a chef have access to core secrets?"

Wu Bin: "Logically speaking, it's unlikely, but he is indeed dead. We still need to investigate. Liang Yan is currently following up on this."

Oh, by the way, he mentioned last time that he ran into Han Ling from the Gu'an branch of the Public Security Bureau at the Sun family's house. He's already found out that Han Ling knows Sun Dongye's children.

Gao Bingyang didn't pay attention to this matter and frowned, saying, "I feel like something's off. Wu Bin, do you think it's possible... that there's a problem inside our organization?"

He spearheaded this case, which has been under investigation for many years. There have been some results, but it's never been completely eradicated. One company pops up here this year, and another one pops up there next year. The methods of forgery are all similar, as if the mastermind behind it all escapes each time.

The fact that gang leaders are always silenced proves this point.

“This…” Wu Bin hesitated.

He not only had doubts, but even investigated secretly, but ultimately found nothing.

Gao Bingyang: "There's no one else here, so I'm just telling the truth."

Wu Bin took a light breath and said, "It's only a possibility. The suspect is so cunning, it's like he got wind of it beforehand. No matter how smart someone is, I don't believe he can escape my grasp so many times."

After thinking for a long time, Gao Bingyang said, "After this series of murders is over, reduce the number of people on your side as much as possible. If any more clues are found, confiscate everyone's mobile phones 24 hours before the operation."

If all else fails, secretly transfer personnel from other branches, but they must be reliable.

Wu Bin nodded: "Okay, I understand."

Counterfeit gangs have existed in Qingchang for many years, and counterfeit drugs are just one of them. Every time they are arrested, they reappear. The criminal investigation team suspects that the ringleader always manages to escape successfully and make a comeback after the heat dies down, which is very strange.

And they won't change locations; they'll just keep harassing Qingchang and keep going against it.

In other words, there might be a counterfeit kingpin in Qingchang. The fact that no one has exposed him means he's very well hidden. The gang members think he's the boss, but actually, there's a boss above him.

Before the criminal investigation team took action, this counterfeiting kingpin eliminated the only person in the know, directly and forcibly cutting off the clues.

Then, the cycle repeats itself.

(End of this chapter)