The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 1310 Analysis of Zhao Gang's Criminal Record

He paused, then added, "Further analysis of the ligature marks on Chen Wannian's neck, combined with the extracted dark gray cotton fibers, indicates that the ligature used by the suspect was a cotton strip, approximately 5 centimeters wide, consistent with the characteristics of a corner of a regular cotton quilt or cotton rope. This also corresponds to the cotton fiber clues found at the scene, suggesting that the suspect may have used the corner of the quilt to strangle the victim's neck while wrapping the body in it, or that he may have prepared a cotton ligature in advance."

"Does Zhao Gang's criminal record record his shoe size and clothing preferences?" Xiao Zhou asked. He was in charge of tracking suspects and paid special attention to details that could narrow down the scope of the investigation.

Zhang Lin immediately retrieved Zhao Gang's criminal record: "When Zhao Gang was arrested for theft in 2018, his registered shoe size was 42, which matches the size of the footprint found at the scene; moreover, the record states that he was wearing a dark gray cotton jacket at the time, which matches the dark gray cotton fiber material extracted from the scene. These characteristics are highly consistent with the case clues, further solidifying Zhao Gang's suspicion of committing the crime."

After Zhang Lin finished his report, all eyes in the conference room turned to Xiao Wang. Xiao Wang took a deep breath and picked up the visit log: "Team Leader Li, we expanded our search area around the park, focusing on anyone who saw the suspicious electric tricycle or Zhao Gang around last Sunday. At a small shop next to a path on the west side of the park, the owner recalled seeing a red electric tricycle parked on the roadside around 8 pm last Sunday. The man in the driver's seat was wearing a dark coat, a hat, and a mask, so we couldn't see his face, but his height and build were similar to Zhao Gang's. The man bought a bottle of mineral water at the shop, stayed for about 5 minutes, and then drove towards the unused lawn on the north side of the park."

He clicked the mouse and brought up a screenshot of the convenience store's surveillance footage: "This is the convenience store's surveillance footage. Although the image is blurry, you can see the red body of the electric tricycle and the general outline of the man. In addition, we interviewed the workers at the Dongfang Jiayuan construction site. Some of the workers reported that a week before the incident, Zhao Gang asked them if there were any secluded places near Dongshan Park, and also asked how to quickly dig a one-meter-deep pit. At the time, everyone thought he was joking and didn't pay much attention. Now that we think about it, he was already planning the crime back then."

"A red electric tricycle! This clue is very important!" Li Ming's eyes lit up. "Have you investigated the sales and registration of red electric tricycles in the city?"

Xiao Wang replied, "We have contacted the vehicle management office and electric tricycle dealerships in the city. Red is a common color for electric tricycles, and more than 3000 red electric tricycles have been sold and registered in the past year, making the investigation quite difficult. However, we have focused on screening vehicles registered under Zhao Gang's name or those related to him. We have identified 5 suspicious vehicles so far and are currently tracking their routes."

Li Ming nodded and looked at Xiao Zhou: "Xiao Zhou, what new progress has been made in the investigation of the deceased's interpersonal relationships and Zhao Gang's whereabouts that you were in charge of?"

Xiao Zhou stood up and projected Chen Wannian's interpersonal relationship chart and Zhao Gang's whereabouts chart onto the screen: "By analyzing Chen Wannian's interpersonal relationships, we found that he is straightforward. In addition to a debt dispute of 3 yuan with Li Dahai, he also helped a neighbor recover an electric bicycle stolen by Zhao Gang half a year ago. At that time, Zhao Gang was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, but he threatened Chen Wannian, 'Don't meddle, or you will suffer the consequences.' This is likely one of Zhao Gang's motives. In addition, he may have coveted Chen Wannian's property, and ultimately chose to target Chen Wannian."

He paused, then continued, "Regarding Zhao Gang's whereabouts, our surveillance footage revealed that three days ago he took a long-distance bus to a neighboring city, then transferred to a train to Xing'an County, a small county in the south. We've contacted the local police to conduct searches at the train station, bus station, internet cafes, hotels, and other locations in Xing'an County. We found that he appeared at an internet cafe in Xing'an County yesterday morning, but then disappeared. Additionally, we discovered that Zhao Gang has a distant uncle in Xing'an County named Sun Qiang, and Zhao Gang is very likely hiding at Sun Qiang's house."

"Immediately coordinate with the local police to set up surveillance on Sun Qiang's residence!" Li Ming said firmly. "We absolutely cannot let Zhao Gang escape again. Xiao Zhou, you lead a team to Xing'an County immediately to cooperate with the local police in the arrest. Please be sure to pay attention to safety."

Xiao Zhou stood at attention and replied, "Yes! We are ready and will depart this afternoon!"

After the report, the meeting room fell into a brief discussion. Xiao Yang spoke first: "I suggest that the technical department speed up the comparison between the black plastic fragments and the red electric tricycle to quickly identify the electric tricycle driven by Zhao Gang; at the same time, compare the dark gray cotton fibers extracted from the scene with the clothing Zhao Gang wore before to further strengthen the chain of evidence."

Zhang Lin added, "I will take the skin tissue sample from Chen Wannian's fingernails to Xing'an County. Once Zhao Gang is arrested, we will immediately conduct a DNA comparison to confirm his physical contact with the deceased, providing direct evidence for conviction."

Xiao Wang suggested, "We should stay in the city and, on the one hand, investigate the trajectory of the red electric tricycle, and on the other hand, visit Zhao Gang's friends and relatives in the city to learn about his escape plan and possible hiding places, so as to provide support for Xiao Zhou's arrest."

Li Ming listened attentively to everyone's suggestions and finally summarized: "Based on the clues from all sides, the next steps in the investigation will mainly focus on three areas: First, Xiao Zhou will lead a team to Xing'an County to assist the local police in arresting Zhao Gang, while simultaneously completing DNA comparison and evidence collection; second, Xiao Wang will be responsible for investigating the red electric tricycles in the city, tracking down the vehicle Zhao Gang used in the crime, and finding the tools used in the crime and any possible stolen goods; third, Xiao Yang and the technical department will expedite the comparison of physical evidence, improve the chain of evidence, and ensure that the facts of the case are clear and the evidence is conclusive. All lines must cooperate closely and share information, and report any new developments immediately."

He stood up, looking firmly at everyone: "Chen Wannian's case is not only about the happiness of one family, but also about the safety and stability of society. We must do everything we can to bring Zhao Gang to justice as soon as possible, so that the deceased can be redressed and justice will not be absent."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices strong and clear.

After the meeting, all teams immediately sprang into action—Xiao Zhou led his team straight to the train station to Xing'an County to make the arrest; Xiao Wang continued to investigate the trajectory of the red electric tricycle; Xiao Yang and the technical staff remained in the laboratory to speed up the comparison of physical evidence. On the screen in the conference room, Zhao Gang's photo and case clues were still clearly visible, as if silently urging everyone to bring the murderer to justice as soon as possible.