Several police officers first entered the foot massage parlor and took control of the staff, catching them in the act.

Brian Hall and David Thompson are detectives; anti-vice operations are not their responsibility.

After entering the foot massage parlor, Brian Hall greeted a leading officer: “Brother Cole, thank you for your hard work.”

Howard Cole is the chief of the Guang'an police station, and he led this anti-vice operation.

“Little Brian, no need to be so polite, this is our duty.”

Brian Hall glanced around at the men and women squatting on the ground: “Who is Molly?”

“Me.” a woman replied softly.

“Stand up.”

“Officer, I just got here, this is my first time…” Molly looked quite young, probably only in her twenties, heavily made up, and might actually be even younger.

Brian Hall sized her up: “We’re from the criminal investigation team. We need your assistance with a case.”

“Ah, detectives? I haven’t committed any crime.” Molly took a step back, looking surprised.

David Thompson took out a photo: “Do you recognize him?”

“Well, I…”

“We’re detectives, anti-vice isn’t our job, but if you dare to hide evidence, you’ll be charged with both offenses.”

“I remember him.” Molly said.

Brian Hall was a bit surprised: “You can be sure after just one look?”

“He was very quick.” Molly said.

“Explain?”

“The time from when he entered the room to when he left was less than five minutes.”

“Pfft…” David Thompson burst out laughing: “That fast?”

“That’s why he left a deep impression.” Molly blushed.

“Who is the person in charge of the foot massage parlor?” Brian Hall called out.

“I am.” A man with a tattoo on his arm stood up.

Brian Hall glanced at him: “Are there cameras in the rooms?”

“No, but there’s one at the front and one at the back door.” the tattooed man said.

“Pull up the footage from June 17th and June 18th for me.”

“Okay.” the tattooed man replied.

A moment later, the tattooed man pulled up the footage from the night of June 17th, and sure enough, John Brooks appeared on camera.

This confirmed that he had indeed been to the foot massage parlor.

“Little Brian, what’s the use of only having the footage from the 17th?” David Thompson came over.

Brian Hall ignored him and asked Molly nearby: “Where do you throw your trash?”

“There’s a trash can in the back. We throw all the garbage there, and someone comes to clean it the next day.”

“Can the back door camera see it?”

“Yes.”

“Pull it up.”

The tattooed man started pulling up the back door footage. There was nothing unusual on the night of June 17th.

At 3 a.m. on June 18th, someone came out the back door of the foot massage parlor and threw several garbage bags into the trash can.

At 5 a.m. on June 18th, a man entered the back alley, approached the trash can, reached his hand inside, and then quickly left.

“Stop.” Brian Hall reached out, pointing at the surveillance screen: “David Thompson, what do you think this guy is doing?”

David Thompson looked and guessed: “Probably throwing out trash?”

“Look closely, this person is wearing gloves.”

“He’s picking something up?” David Thompson suddenly realized: “I get it, you think he took John Brooks’s white genetic material from the trash can.”

“That’s just my guess, there’s no evidence yet.”

David Thompson moved the mouse and watched the video a few more times: “I think I’ve seen this guy who picked something from the trash can before.”

“Where?”

“I remember now, in the surveillance footage from the central park. He appeared during the time of the crime, but never went back to the park, so we haven’t identified him yet.” David Thompson said.

Brian Hall studied him carefully; he did look familiar.

“This person possibly got John Brooks’s white genetic material and also went to the crime scene. Isn’t that a bit too much of a coincidence?”

David Thompson analyzed: “You suspect he’s the real suspect in this case?”

“Let’s go back to the station and ask the tech team to see if they can enhance the video.” Brian Hall said.

“Brother Brian, it’s already the middle of the night, the tech team’s long gone. Even if you bring the video back, no one will process it.” David Thompson tapped his watch.

Brian Hall gave a wry smile: “Fine, let’s wait until tomorrow.”

Chapter 0008 Locking In

The next morning.

Brian Hall went to the police station early and handed the backup video to the tech team for processing.

When he returned to the office, he saw Paul Bennett eating breakfast at his desk—fried dough sticks, tea eggs, tofu pudding, pickles—it looked quite hearty.

“Captain Bennett.”

“Brian Hall, want some?” Paul Bennett offered politely.

“I’ve already eaten.”

Paul Bennett ate while asking, “How did the investigation go yesterday with David Thompson?”

“I was just about to report to you.” Brian Hall took out a video screenshot: “John Brooks went to the Yindu Foot Massage Parlor on the night of June 17th.”

“That can’t be used as an alibi; the crime happened on the night of June 18th.”

“There’s also this, a photo from the early morning of June 18th.” Brian Hall said.

Paul Bennett glanced at it and immediately understood: “You suspect someone picked up John Brooks’s genetic material and deliberately placed it at the crime scene.”