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

Chapter 888 Key Evidence, Arrest of Li Sanleng

Li Ming stared intently at Zhang Baofeng's every move, trying to find a flaw in her expression and actions: "Zhang Baofeng, do you think I'll believe you? From the moment you instructed Wang Qiang to kidnap Chen Xiaoyu, you should have thought about the serious consequences. Now that someone has died, you want to just wash your hands of it?"

Zhang Baofeng raised her head, her eyes filled with panic: "I really didn't lie. I just wanted to teach Chen Xiaoyu a lesson, I never intended to kill her. Wang Qiang is a gambling addict, maybe he did something outrageous on a whim."

Li Ming tapped the table and said sternly, "Zhang Baofeng, stop making excuses. We have a lot of evidence, and every word you say must withstand investigation."

Zhang Baofeng bit her lip, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Officer, I swear I'm telling the truth. I made a big mistake in a moment of impulse. But the deaths of Chen Xiaoyu and Wang Qiang really have nothing to do with me."

Just then, Officer Liu rushed into the interrogation room and whispered a few words in Li Ming's ear. Li Ming's expression changed slightly, and he immediately said to Zhang Baofeng, "Zhang Baofeng, during our investigation, we discovered that you had multiple contacts with a mysterious number after Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance. We are currently tracking this number. You'd better tell us now whose number it is and what you discussed."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Baofeng's face turned extremely pale, and she unconsciously gripped the armrests of the chair tightly: "I... I don't remember contacting any mysterious number. It was probably work-related; I receive many calls every day, so I can't remember."

Li Ming sneered, "Zhang Baofeng, you're still lying. This number contacted you frequently before and after Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance, and the calls were always long. Do you think this was just normal work contact?"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Baofeng's forehead, her eyes darting around: "Maybe I remembered wrong. Let me think... Right, it might be a call from a supplier; we were discussing business cooperation."

Li Ming pressed on: "Zhang Baofeng, you're quite the storyteller. We've already started investigating this number, and the truth will soon come out. If you confess now, you might get a lighter sentence. But if we wait until we find out, you're in for a rough time."

Zhang Baofeng's psychological defenses began to crumble, and her body trembled slightly: "Officer, I...I'm really scared. I know I was wrong, but I really didn't kill anyone."

Li Ming softened his tone, attempting to break down Zhang Baofeng's defenses: "Zhang Baofeng, I'm giving you a chance because I hope you'll confess voluntarily. Only by telling the truth can you lessen your guilt. Now, tell me, whose mysterious number is this?"

Zhang Baofeng remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Yes... it's from a friend of mine. But what we talked about really had nothing to do with the deaths of Chen Xiaoyu and Wang Qiang."

Li Ming pressed further, "What friends? What did you talk about?"

Zhang Baofeng hesitated for a moment before saying, "He's my business partner. We were discussing the company's cash flow problems. The company was short of funds at that time, and I asked him for help."

Li Ming frowned and continued to press, "Then why were you in such frequent contact before and after Chen Xiaoyu's disappearance?"

Zhang Baofeng lowered her head and said in a low voice, "Because the funding issue was quite urgent those days, we contacted each other more often."

Li Ming looked at Zhang Baofeng, trying to discern the truthfulness of her words: "Zhang Baofeng, we will conduct a full investigation into this number. If we find you are still lying, you will bear the consequences. Now, tell me again, besides the kidnapping plan, did you and Wang Qiang have any other agreements?"

Zhang Baofeng shook her head: "No. I only told him that I would give him some money after it was done, and that he should not hurt Chen Xiaoyu."

Li Ming leaned back in his chair, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Zhang Baofeng, you are still highly suspicious. Don't think you can get away easily until the truth is revealed." After saying that, Li Ming got up and left the interrogation room.

As they left the interrogation room, Xiao Liu asked, "Captain Li, do you think Zhang Baofeng is telling the truth?"

Li Ming frowned: "It's not certain yet. But this mysterious number is an important clue, and we must find out the truth as soon as possible. At the same time, continue to investigate Zhang Baofeng's social connections and financial dealings; perhaps we can find a new breakthrough."

Li Ming sat in his office, clutching the investigation results on the mysterious phone number tightly in his hand, a mixture of excitement and seriousness in his eyes. After days of arduous investigation, the police finally determined that the number frequently contacting Zhang Baofeng belonged to a phone card purchased by Li Sanleng's wife years ago. This discovery, like a crucial link, tightly connected Zhang Baofeng, Li Sanleng, and Zhang Huanzhi.

"Pass the order down: immediately arrest Li Sanleng and Zhang Huanzhi!" Li Ming decisively commanded. The officers acted swiftly, splitting into two groups and heading to the residences of Li Sanleng and Zhang Huanzhi respectively.

When the police arrived at Li Sanleng's doorstep, Li Sanleng was just about to leave. Upon seeing the police, his expression changed drastically, and he tried to flee. But the officers reacted quickly and subdued him. "Li Sanleng, you are suspected of involvement in the case of Chen Xiaoyu and Wang Qiang. Come with us to the police station for questioning!" the officer said sternly.

Meanwhile, another team of officers successfully apprehended Zhang Huanzhi. After the two were brought back to the police station, Li Ming personally took charge of the interrogation. He first went to Li Sanleng's interrogation room. Li Sanleng sat in a chair, his face full of anger, and remained silent.

Li Ming stared at Li Sanleng and said calmly, "Li Sanleng, the evidence is conclusive. You and Zhang Huanzhi were instructed by Zhang Baofeng to kill Wang Qiang and dispose of Chen Xiaoyu's body. If you confess now, you can still try to get a lighter sentence."

Li Sanleng sneered, "Officer, don't make baseless accusations. I didn't do anything, why are you arresting me?" Li Ming laid out the evidence in front of Li Sanleng one by one: "This is your call record with Zhang Baofeng, and evidence of your wife buying phone cards. Do you think you can deny it?"

Li Sanleng's expression changed slightly, but he still refused to admit it: "What can the call records prove? Maybe someone is framing me." Li Ming frowned and continued to pressure him: "Li Sanleng, don't be so stubborn. Zhang Huanzhi has been arrested by us, and he has likely confessed everything. If you continue to resist, you will only worsen your crime."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of panic crossed Li Sanleng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "I don't believe it. Even if Zhang Huanzhi said something, it's all made up, and I won't admit it."

Seeing that Li Sanleng was stubborn and uncooperative, Li Ming decided to interrogate Zhang Huanzhi first. Zhang Huanzhi sat in the interrogation room, looking nervous, constantly wiping the sweat from his forehead.