Diary of a Criminal Investigator

"Actually, things like phones and computers are the electronic products we least want to buy, and the prices we offer are very low, like three or five bucks."

"So low?"

"That’s right, the low price is because we don’t really want to buy these things. The technology for electronic products updates too quickly. A phone worth 10,000 this year might be worth 3,000 next year, 500 the year after, and then no one might want it even if you give it away."

"In this business, if you want to make money, you focus on antiques and old items. Dealing with phones is just asking for trouble, isn’t it?"

"But we can’t break the rules handed down by our ancestors. If something comes in with a receipt, we have to take it, even if we can only offer three dollars or a buck or two."

"Usually, when people see how little money they get, they won’t pawn it. Even if they do, we don’t lose much, who doesn’t have a buck or two to spare?"

"This... phone, let me see, back then... I gave just one buck."

The phone that Wang Bingquan brought out already had a layer of dust on it.

It was an old model Huawei phone, which cost around 3,000 yuan brand new. Wang Mingshan had pawned it after using it for three or four years.

That means this phone had been around for seven or eight, maybe nine years since it was manufactured.

"Boss Wang, this phone is a very important clue in a case. We need to requisition it now, or we can buy it back. The person who pawned the phone with you back then was a police officer, and he has already sacrificed his life."

"We are his colleagues."

"Sacrificed?"

Wang Bingquan was slightly startled, as it was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"Oh, sorry, I I’ve never dealt with something like this before, um, I can’t offer much help, just take the phone, if you need anything else from me, just let me know anytime."

"Okay, thank you. The case is still under investigation, so please keep this matter confidential for us, especially not to tell anyone about the phone that Wang Mingshan pawned back then for your own safety."

"Don’t worry, don’t worry, I won’t say anything even in my sleep!"

Though Lu Chuan and others got the phone, it had been five years, and the phone battery had long died. They could only check the phone after they got back and charged it up.

As for malfunctions, there were no obvious external damages, and since Wang Mingshan specifically pawned it at this pawn shop, it should be intact.

Criminal Investigation Team Crime Scene Investigation office.

After charging for a dozen minutes, the phone was able to power on.

Over there, Liu Guodong and others were still in a case analysis meeting and hadn’t returned yet.

Lu Chuan, Old Bai, and Yang Sen eagerly watched as the phone was loading the boot animation.

"It’s done!"

However, they encountered another problem.

Although the phone was charged and could power on, none of them knew the phone’s password.

"Call up Old Wang’s family, his wife should know the password."

"Okay, I’ll call, I’ve met Old Wang’s wife before, and we’ve had meals together several times, she should still remember me."

Yang Sen pulled out his phone to dial Wang Mingshan’s wife.

Ever since Wang Mingshan went missing, many of his colleagues and friends from the Criminal Investigation Team regularly visited his home to show their support.

Last year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yang Sen even brought mooncakes over, so he always had Wang Mingshan’s wife’s number.

"Brother Yang, wait!"

Just as Yang Sen was flipping through the numbers, Lu Chuan suddenly raised his hand to stop him from making the call.

"I think we shouldn’t call directly but go to Wang Mingshan’s house in person."

"Before being victimized, Wang Mingshan carved Morse code on his leg bone, which means the clue he left must be extremely important."

"There may be critical evidence in here that could crack the case."

"The details of Brother Qiang’s accident suggest there might be an internal mole, so I think we should be cautious. I worry that calling might result in a leak."

"Lu is right; let’s be more cautious, and drive there directly."

"Alright, let’s go ask in person."

After saying that, the three set off. To reduce their target size, they didn’t use a police car but Lu Chuan’s personal vehicle.

Wang Mingshan’s home.

Unlike before, this time at Wang Mingshan’s home, there was an altar set up for him. His son wore mourning clothes, though it was not an occasion for friends to come to offer condolences.

Five years ago, when Wang Mingshan disappeared, there was speculation that he might have died, but since there was no body, there was still a slim hope that he was alive.

Now that Wang Mingshan’s death was confirmed, although the remains had not yet been cremated since the case was still unresolved, the family had set up the memorial hall according to tradition.

"Sister-in-law, my condolences."

Yang Sen and Old Bai, along with Lu Chuan, lit an incense stick in front of Wang Mingshan’s shrine.

"Thank you."

Wang Mingshan’s wife was relatively composed, given that five years had passed.

When Wang Mingshan disappeared, he left her and a child at home, without them knowing whether he was alive or dead, with no explanation, and his wife faced enormous pressure then.

Now, confirming his death in the line of duty gave the family some closure.

The living room was crowded, and after offering incense, Yang Sen whispered a few words to Wang Mingshan’s wife, and the four went into the bedroom together.

"Sister-in-law, what mobile phone did Brother Wang use back then?"

"It was a Huawei phone, one I bought him as a birthday gift three years before he disappeared."

"Is this it?"

Yang Sen took out the phone and handed it to Wang Mingshan’s wife.

She hesitated for a moment seeing the old phone.

After all, once Wang Mingshan disappeared, there were no belongings left behind; even the discovered remains were just bones.

Recalling, Wang Mingshan’s wife could still remember the scene vividly when he left for work that day.

Because their child didn’t do well in an exam that day, the two had a fight that morning. Wang Mingshan left, feeling wronged after being scolded by his wife.

He even skipped breakfast.

If she had known...

She would never have argued with him.

"Sob, sob..."

Confronted with the phone, Wang Mingshan’s wife’s suppressed emotions suddenly burst forth.

The three exchanged glances, understanding that anyone in her position would find it unbearable.

"Sister-in-law, please accept our condolences. We found this phone today through some trails left by Old Wang."

"We’re here to ask if you know the password for this phone. We believe Old Wang left this phone hoping there might be clues or evidence on it."

Upon hearing that this was something Wang Mingshan had gone to great lengths to leave behind, his wife managed to control her emotions somewhat: "Is this evidence left by Old Wang?"