Chapter 1560 — A Misunderstanding
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Liu Wangli sighed. He knew there was a spark of something between Qiu Lingshan and Wei Zhao, and now that Wei Zhao had in an instant become a criminal suspect beyond all forgiveness, Qiu Lingshan naturally could not accept it all at once.
He was just about to offer a few more words of consolation when the telephone on Qiu Lingshan's desk rang. Listlessly she picked it up — it was Yang Huaijun, calling to tell her that the task force was convening an emergency meeting.
Clearly, Yang Huaijun had seen the video the moment it appeared as well. She wondered whether he, too, believed that it had not been Wei Zhao who did this.
Qiu Lingshan rose and walked with Liu Wangli to the conference room, settling into her own seat. Yang Huaijun had long since arrived, and his expression was plainly not good either — somewhat grave, somewhat tense, and touched with a faint, quiet worry...
"I trust everyone has seen the latest video evidence?" Yang Huaijun said once everyone had gathered.
"Indeed, Director Yang. I said long ago that the suspect had to be Wei Zhao, but Captain Song would not believe it!" Wang Hekan was the first to speak. "And now? The suspect is Wei Zhao, is he not? What sort of criminal could slip past the keen eye of the great Detective Wang?"
"Didn't you say before that Wei Zhao might have found a man who looks like him to impersonate the culprit? If Wei Zhao can find a lookalike, why couldn't anyone else?" Qiu Lingshan grew more and more exasperated with Wang Hekan. Why did the fellow have to keep hounding Wei Zhao?
"I did say so — but was that not when the man's face was masked? Now the mask has come off. This is no longer a question of resemblance; he is identical to Wei Zhao! And you call that a stand-in?" Wang Hekan curled his lip. "Director Yang, you have seen it yourself — your Captain Song seems to be on very personal terms with the suspect. In her present state, she is no longer fit to serve on the task force. I suggest she be transferred out and recused from this case. Otherwise, I can hardly keep from thinking she will let private feelings sway her."
"This..." Yang Huaijun could only smile bitterly at Wang Hekan's words. "Detective Wang, I actually know Wei Zhao fairly well. By rights, he is not that sort of person. But evidence must have the final say. Since the evidence is now sufficient, we can essentially confirm that the suspect is none other than Wei Zhao!"
"That's more like it!" Wang Hekan nodded. "But Captain Song should not take part in the arrest operation. I do not think her stance is firm enough."
"..." Qiu Lingshan was speechless. Would it kill you to talk a little less?
"Captain Song, your current state of mind genuinely makes you unfit to remain on the task force. Go back to your office for now; once the meeting is over, I will arrange other work for you," Yang Huaijun said.
"Director Yang..." Qiu Lingshan was momentarily stunned. She had never expected that even Yang Huaijun would believe Wei Zhao guilty — and would clear her out of the task force besides. For a moment she stared wide-eyed, unable to take it in.
Wei Zhao — was he not his comrade-in-arms? The two of them were friends in life and death. How had Yang Huaijun come to this? Did he no longer trust Wei Zhao?
"Say no more. I have made my decision. All you need to do is obey orders," Yang Huaijun said sternly, in a tone that brooked no doubt.
"Yes, sir!" There was nothing Qiu Lingshan could do but nod in assent. Dejected, she left the conference room.
And beside her, a cold sneer flickered through Wang Hekan's eyes. Fight me, and you are still a shade too green — a few words and I have squeezed you right off the task force! Now, with the obstacle that is Qiu Lingshan removed, Wei Zhao being the suspect is as good as nailed down.