Chapter 999 - 513: The Game Officially Begins!_2

Upon hearing this, Li Tao was like struck by lightning, suddenly freezing in his chair.

He widened his eyes, looking incredulously at the officer across from him, his voice trembling with evident resistance: "What? My dad did the killing? How is that possible!"

"It’s true my parents are divorced and their relationship isn’t great, but my dad... my dad is definitely not that kind of person! What reason would he have to kill anyone? You must be mistaken!"

"Are you aware of your father’s history of mental illness?" The officer’s tone was calm, yet pressing.

"I know he’s ill and is always on medication to manage it."

"But that doesn’t mean he’ll kill! You can’t suspect someone just because they’re sick!"

"He might not kill," the officer paused, his gaze sharply meeting Li Tao’s eyes, "but you might."

"And we suspect, perhaps your father is taking the fall for you."

"Ridiculous!" Li Tao leaned forward abruptly, his emotions rising, "Did you first go to my dad, hinting that I’m the killer, and forced him to confess? He wouldn’t admit it, so you then turned to trick me, right? You’re coercing confessions! It’s extortion!"

Sitting quietly on the side, the young officer, Wan, suddenly slapped the table, the "bang" echoing in the interrogation room.

He stared at Li Tao, his tone severe: "Li Tao! Have you watched too many crime films, making up stories here with us?"

"I’m not making it up! All I know is that both my dad and I are innocent, ordinary people! We haven’t killed anyone! Are you just unable to find the real culprit, and thus randomly choosing someone to take the blame?"

Zhang Biao raised his hand, "I urge you to calm down and think carefully."

"Why would a father, without special reasons, unwarrantedly take on a charge of murder himself?"

"If he’s willing to do this, it only means that the person he wants to protect is more important to him than his own freedom and reputation."

"And that person is likely you."

Upon hearing this, Li Tao suddenly laughed, a laugh full of sarcasm and helplessness. "Officer, I really... I have to admire your imagination. It’s a pity you aren’t writing novels."

He shook his head, "By your logic, doesn’t it mean all fathers who sacrifice for their children become potential criminals?"

.......

Meanwhile, outside the gate of the East City Public Security Bureau.

A plainly dressed middle-aged woman, tightly clutching an old cloth bag, had been standing in the cold wind outside the gate for nearly forty minutes.

She occasionally stood on tiptoe to look inside the yard, her face full of anxiety and helplessness.

The duty guard Mr Chen noticed her and walked out of the guard booth, politely asking: "Ma’am, it’s late. Is there anything you’re here to report? However, our office is closed now; perhaps you could come back during working hours tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, the woman’s tears flowed instantly.

"Comrade, I’m not here to handle any official matters... I’m waiting for my son."

"Your son?" Mr Chen paused in surprise, "Is he inside the Public Security Bureau?"

"Yes... He’s in the police car that just drove in."

The woman pointed towards the yard, her tone urgent.

Mr Chen recalled: "Earlier... it seemed like the detective team’s car returned."

"Yes, that’s right! It’s the detective team’s car!" The woman nodded eagerly, as if grasping at a life-saving straw.

"Ma’am, please don’t worry." Mr Chen tried to reassure her, "The detective team handles cases with strict procedures, and everything is recorded, fair and just. If your son hasn’t done anything wrong, he definitely won’t be wronged. You won’t be able to see him waiting here; maybe go home and wait for news?"

"My son is wronged! He truly is being wronged!"

The woman’s tears flowed uncontrollably as she wiped her face, pleading, "I beg you, could you help me reach out to the officer handling the case?"

"Could I at least inquire about the situation and say a few words? My son has a heart condition, look, I even carry his medication with me..."

As she spoke, her hands shook as she took a small bottle of medication from her bag, showing it to Mr Chen.

Upon seeing it, Mr Chen’s heart sank suddenly.

Initially, he was just trying to fulfill his duty in persuading family members away, but now the situation was different—if the suspect indeed had severe illness, any accident occurring during the interrogation could have serious repercussions, potentially complicating the case further and damaging the reputation of the entire unit.

Looking at the devastated mother in front of him and the medication bottle in her hand, his expression became serious and hesitant.

Immediately, he turned and returned to the booth, hurriedly picking up the phone on the desk, swiftly dialing the detective team’s number.

Once the call was connected, his tone was slightly urgent as he said: "Hello, detective team? I’m calling from the south gate booth. There’s a middle-aged woman here at the gate, she’s been waiting for a while, and says her son is among those you brought back, she wishes to come in to find you."

"Oh yes, she’s holding medication, saying her son’s heart isn’t well and hasn’t taken his medicine today... Yes, yes, that’s the situation."

"Alright, I’ll report to our leader right away."

The officer on duty, upon receiving the call, first attempted to contact Zhang Biao, but Zhang Biao’s phone was on silent, unable to be reached immediately.

Thus the officer then dialed Director Lu’s number: "Hello, Director Lu, there’s something I need to report."

"Go ahead."

"A middle-aged woman came to the gate; she is Li Tao’s mother and has been waiting outside."

"The weather is also cold, standing outside for a long time might not be ideal, would you like her to come in and wait in the reception area for a bit?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang An, who had been standing by Director Lu’s side, heard.