“This person wearing gloves left through the back gate of the Central Park at 9 p.m. on June 18th. This is a screenshot from the video.” Brian Hall placed another photo on the table.

Paul Bennett arranged the three photos together and stroked his chin. “It really is the same person. Interesting.”

Brian Hall pointed at the photo. “I think this person wearing gloves is highly suspicious.”

“This only shows he’s a suspect. To close the case, we still need direct evidence.”

“Captain Bennett, two pubic hairs were also found at the crime scene. I suggest we do a DNA test on those two hairs.”

“The hairs might not belong to the suspect; they could be the victim’s. And it’s not certain that biological material can be extracted from the hairs.”

“Hair is fine and hard to spot at night. Even if it falls, the suspect wouldn’t notice. In a way, it’s even more accurate than DNA,” said Brian Hall.

Paul Bennett hesitated for a moment. “Alright, I’ll apply for it.”

“Wise decision, Captain Bennett.” Brian Hall smiled.

“Stop flattering me.” Paul Bennett scolded with a smile. “I’m giving you and David Thompson a task: find out the identity of the suspect wearing gloves and obtain his biological material.”

“Yes, sir.”

……

The tech team processed the suspect’s video in high definition, captured a clear frontal photo, and then compared it in the database. After half a day of checking, they finally found the suspect’s identity.

Name: Frank Thompson

Ethnicity: Han

Age: 25

Height: 174cm

Occupation: Car sales

Family status: Unmarried.

Address: Qindao City, Huagang Road, Rongxin Community, 4-2003.

“How about we just summon him, pretend it’s a routine inquiry, and get his biological material?” David Thompson suggested.

“If we summon him to the station, it might alert him,” said Brian Hall.

“Then what do you suggest?”

“Follow him and find a way to get his biological material.”

“Heh, you’ve got a thing for this, huh?” David Thompson laughed.

……

Where Frank Thompson lived wasn’t far from the 4S dealership—just three bus stops away.

To avoid being detected, the two split the tracking: Brian Hall was responsible for the first half, David Thompson for the second.

From near Rongxin Community, Brian Hall started following Frank Thompson. Frank Thompson was well-groomed, his hair styled confidently, and even from a meter or two away, you could smell a strong scent of hair gel.

After arriving at the bus stop, he bought a pancake and a cup of soy milk.

Brian Hall pretended to look at his phone, only glancing occasionally to avoid arousing suspicion.

The bus arrived, and both of them got on, one after the other.

After boarding, Frank Thompson kept glancing at some fashionably dressed young women.

After three stops, Frank Thompson got off, but Brian Hall didn’t. To avoid suspicion, he stayed on for one more stop.

The rest of the tailing was left to David Thompson.

Their target was the soy milk cup and straw in Frank Thompson’s hand.

After riding one more stop, Brian Hall got off and hurried to the area near the 4S dealership to meet up with David Thompson.

From a distance, Brian Hall saw David Thompson standing by a trash can, smoking. “How did it go?”

David Thompson grinned, holding up a plastic bag and shaking it. Inside was a plastic cup and a straw.

“Nice job.”

The two of them returned to the station and sent the cup and straw to the tech team for testing.

With a targeted comparison, the process was much faster.

……

The next morning.

Paul Bennett returned to the office with the test report.

*Clap clap...* Paul Bennett clapped his hands. “Everyone, pause your work for a meeting.”

“Captain Bennett, are the DNA comparison results out?”

“They’re out.” Paul Bennett handed the report to everyone:

“One of the pubic hairs yielded DNA material, and after comparison, it matches Frank Thompson’s DNA.”

“So, Frank Thompson is highly suspicious. He was in Central Park at the time of the crime,” said Lily Turner.

“More importantly, he may have obtained John Brooks’s white genetic material and tried to frame John Brooks to clear himself of suspicion,” Brian Hall added.

Paul Bennett smiled. “Brian Hall, you’ve made another contribution.”

“Thanks to your support.”

“This case has dragged on long enough. We need to wrap it up quickly, or the suspect might dispose of the tools.”

“Captain Bennett, let’s apply for a search warrant.”

“Lily Turner, you go apply for the search and arrest warrants. The rest of you, come with me to set up surveillance,” instructed Paul Bennett.

“Yes, sir.”

……

Rongxin Community, Frank Thompson’s home.

Frank Thompson had the day off and slept in until nine in the morning, still too lazy to get up. He ate a few biscuits and lay in bed playing on his phone.

By noon, he ordered breakfast delivery.

*Knock knock knock...* There was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?”

“I’m from downstairs. Your bathroom is leaking and it’s stained our ceiling,” a man replied.

“No way, there’s no water in our bathroom,” said Frank Thompson.

“If you don’t believe me, come downstairs and see.”

*Creak...* Frank Thompson opened the door, but before he could say anything.