Violent Crimes investigation unit, the main interrogation room.
The interrogation room was a very spacious room, with good lighting. It was bare of furniture apart from a wooden table and three seats, two of the seats were placed next to each other.
There was an iron pole on the table, where a suspect can be handcuffed during questioning.
Chief detective Shi Xiaozhi was seated on one of the double seats. He was dressed in black slacks, a plain black shirt, and loafers. His metallic gray laptop was opened wide, next to the laptop was a cup of coffee.
He was seated eyes focused on the screen, quietly going through the case files, taking sips of his coffee in intervals. He had been interviewing Residents of Springfield estate for days non-stop.
The last interview had ended ten minutes ago. He had taken a few minutes break but will be resuming the interview any minute now. Wen Zhu had gone out to escort the next Resident in.
A few seats later, the door was pushed open.
"This way Mr. Han" Wen Zhu stepped aside to let in the next Resident in the list, Han Shuren.
Han Shuren was a high-ranking member of the nation's political party. He held an office in the ministry of finance and is rumored to be the party's next candidate for Mayor.
Apart from his political achievement, Han Shuren was well known for his philanthropic ways. He supported many notable charities in the nation. He was the winner of last year's peace prize.
"Hello Mr. Han, I am Chief Detective Shi Xiaozhi." He stretched out his hands for a handshake. Han Shuren clasped his hands in a firm handshake.
"Thanks for coming in, please have a seat," said Chief Detective Xiaozhi gestured to the seat opposite his.
"It was nothing, I am just performing my civic responsibility" Han Shuren replied as he sat on the single-seat opposite Chief Detective Xiaozhi. while Wen shu sat on the free seat next to the chief detective.
"You must already be aware since it is all over the news that popular Pop star Mandy Lee was found a date at her house a month ago. We are currently investigating the murder of Miss Mandy Lee.
"The CCTV cameras were out of order on the day of the murder, so we are currently interviewing the Residents of Springfield estate, with hopes of getting much solid evidence."
"Yes, it was in the message that was sent to my office. Please don't hold back on anything, You can ask me any questions. I will Cooperate with your investigation."
"well, then we will begin, thanks for sparing us a few minutes of your time. Mr. Han According to your files, Springfield estate is listed as a part of your family estate "
"Yes, it is"
"The procedure to become a Resident in the estate is quite thorough. It says on the documents here that there is an oral interview to screen the candidate.
"It is personally handled by you, so you must be familiar with your tenants specifically the late pop star. Can you please tell me anything about the deceased pop star"
"Springfield estate is listed among my estate and in the beginning, I was fully involved in the running of the estate. Sadly not anymore, due to my work and the ministry, I am no longer as involved with the estate as I was before.
"When the Popstar was interviewed, I had already stepped down from everything and it was now handled by my fiancee Lei Peiyun. If you would like to find out more about that you will have to chart with my fiancee, I am not familiar with the pop star"
"That's sad, Will it be possible to speak with your fiancee any time soon?"
"Yes, I will drop her business card you can give her a call.'
"Thanks"
"You mentioned that the CCTV cameras had been down during the murder....."
"Yes, it was".
"Well I don't know if this can be of help, but my house isn't that far away from the pop star's house. I have my CCTV cameras for my Resident, if you would like I can give you access to the tapes of footage from the day of the murder"
"That's a wonderful idea, it might help give us some insights on everything"
"I will have my assistant send over the tapes"
"Thanks for your help Mr. Han"
"You're welcome"
After answering a few questions, Jan Shuren left the precinct and went back to his office. While Chief Detective Shi Xiaozhi concluded the scheduled interview for the day.
After the last interviewer left Shi Xiaozhi and Wen Zhu left the interrogation room and returned to the office.
They were just at the door to the offices when they were approached by a solemn-looking Kong Ming.
"Hey Little Ming, what's up with your sour expression?" asked Wen Zhu as Kong Ming got closer.
"We have a problem chief," Kong Ming said.
"What wrong" Shi Xiaozhi asked shocked.
"Somehow the press got wind of the fact that Assistant Minister Han was invited to the station for an interview. it's all over the headlines, the Captain has been on the phone non-stop.
"Just a few minutes later, the case files were seized and handed over to Assistant Chief Detective Song."
"What, how's this possible?" Wen Zhu asked surprised.
"The captain is asking for you, I wanted to give you a heads-up before you go in"
"Thanks for the heads-up Kong Ming. I should get going, Wen Zhu please don't wait up", Shi Xiaozhi replied and went up to the commissioner's office.
As soon as he came in, the captain stood and began to berate him loudly.
"Finally you grace us with your presence. Xiaozhi just what kind of job are you doing, How could you not handle this properly?
"How can you let a piece of news like this slip? I have been reviewing call from the commissioner and other party officers"
"Sorry sir, I failed to manage the task properly"
"You failed miserably you mean, well there's no need to worry about that case anymore. You have been removed from the case entirely."
"Yes sir, What case am I assigned to now?"
"Nothing"
"Excuse me, sir, I don't quite understand."
"You have been put on four months compulsory leave Chief Detective Shi. Clear up your desk, you begin immediately."