Chapter 194
C194 – Liar
Inside the police department’s conference room, a group of officers sat with earnest expressions, a security camera positioned behind them. What an excellent learning opportunity this was! They had never encountered such formidable and sophisticated interrogation techniques before. A single viewing wasn’t enough to grasp the concepts.
Mr. Su was swamped with work, and they felt it would be impolite to request a thorough explanation. Their only option was to record the session and study it at their own pace later on.
Su Ming cleared his throat gently before addressing the room. “Vicious criminals have formidable psychological defenses,” he began, prompting nods from the officers, who diligently scribbled notes. Su Ming, witnessing their earnestness, was filled with a sense of guilt.
“Our goal is to penetrate these defenses,” he continued. “I employ what’s known as an indirect approach. By discussing matters unrelated to the case, we can catch them off guard. They’ll be puzzled, wondering about the relevance of our questions. That’s when their defenses start to crumble.”
“And that’s when you use this spray,” Su Ming added, placing a canister on the podium. “It contains a special concoction I’ve developed that induces relaxation upon inhalation. Suspects, already on edge from intense questioning, will let down their guard as they relax, potentially leading them to reveal the truth. It sounds straightforward, but it requires practice.”
Su Ming delivered his advice with a calm demeanor, knowing he couldn’t disclose the full reality of the situation—not that anyone would believe him if he did.
“Captain Wu, I’ll leave this spray with you. Once it’s used up, you can get more from me—I have plenty,” he offered.
“Thank you, Mr. Su!” Captain Wu exclaimed, his delight evident as he carefully took possession of the spray.
“Wu, you’re not being careful enough. Hand it over to me,” one officer interjected.
“Chen, this is the detective squad’s business. Stay out of it,” another countered.
“I outrank you!” the first retorted.
“But Mr. Su gave it to me!” Captain Wu protested, as the three began to bicker over the canister.
From the sidelines, Su Ming watched the exchange and blinked. Then, something occurred to him.
“Captain Wu, what happened to the mineral water bottles I had with me?” he inquired, but Captain Wu was initially too preoccupied to respond.
Suddenly, it hit him!
That concoction that looked deadly was, in fact, a miraculous potion with a mango flavor.
“They’re in my office!”
Captain Wu responded.
“Distribute a bit to each person.”
“Got it!”
Su Ming announced, “It’s getting late, I should head out.”
Three men, each over fifty, saw Su Ming off.
“Wu, what’s this water Mr. Su mentioned?”
“It’s got to be something special. You better not keep it from me!”
No sooner had Su Ming departed than Minister Chen and Director-general Zhang clutched Captain Wu’s arm.
“If you don’t cough it up, I’ll spill the beans about your secret stash to your wife!”
Captain Wu’s face went ashen with fear. “Brothers, I’ll give it up. Is that okay?!”
There’s always something that reigns over another.
For Captain Wu, it was no different.
He and his wife had a deep bond, having grown up together.
Outside, Captain Wu was a formidable force, apprehending countless criminals.
But at home…
He earned the dubious honor of “Kneeler of the Year”!
Whenever the detective squad faced an urgent case, Captain Wu would hurry from home, and the team could spot the telltale creases on his knees.
After finally receiving a bonus, he squirreled away some cash on the side.
Should his wife discover it, he’d not only lose the money but also face the dreaded washing board.
Ten minutes later, all the officers in the conference room eyed the bottles of mineral water before them.
The liquid was an ominous blend of black, purple, green, and yellow, and it shimmered with a hint of red in the sunlight.
It screamed poison!
“Wu, you didn’t accidentally bring pesticide, did you?”
Director-general Zhang’s eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Captain Wu.
“You’re showing your naivety!”
Captain Wu smirked.
Yet another clueless one!
Captain Wu had forgotten that just an hour earlier, at Su Ming’s place, he’d been just as ignorant. He was no better than Director-general Zhang.
Grabbing a disposable cup, Captain Wu uncapped a bottle of the mineral water and filled it. He lifted the cup, ready to drink.
“Captain Wu, don’t be suicidal!”
“Wu, I admit my mistake earlier. I won’t tell your wife about your secret funds, okay?”
Director-general Zhang quickly stepped in to intervene.
It looked suspiciously like poison, no matter which way he turned it over in his mind!
“???”
“Captain Wu has a stash of cash?”
“Well…”
The news spread like wildfire among the police officers.
This was huge!
Captain Wu had a secret fund!
Captain Wu had no illusions left.
This was bad!
Very bad!
His team was excellent at their work.
They were diligent, conscientious, and maintained the utmost confidentiality on sensitive cases!
But as for the everyday rumors…
They were quicker to spread those than anyone else!
It wouldn’t take long for his wife to catch wind of this.
At that thought, Captain Wu suddenly felt his knee ache.
It must be an old injury acting up!
“Just look at how clueless you all are!”
Captain Wu scoffed.
What was there to fear about being found out?
I’ve never feared my wife…
If she dares to take action, then I’ll…
I’ll just set up a bed in my office and not return home for a few days.