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

Chapter 854: Arrest and Surprise Interrogation

After receiving his orders, Li Ming quickly organized the police force, dispatching two teams of officers to conduct door-to-door investigations around the vineyard. One team was responsible for visiting the vineyard growers, while the other team conducted investigations of surrounding businesses and residents.

The police officers responsible for visiting the farmers went door-to-door, patiently asking each farmer about their situation. In a corner of the vineyard, Officers Zhang and Li entered the home of an elderly farmer, Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang was sitting in the yard repairing farm tools. When he saw the police enter, a look of confusion appeared on his face.

Xiao Zhang greeted him politely: "Sir, hello! We are police officers investigating a case and would like to ask you about the situation. Have you noticed anything unusual in the vineyard recently?"

Grandpa Wang put down his farm tools, frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Abnormal situation... Oh right, about 10 days ago, things were quite lively here at the vineyard. The current contractor and the original contractor got into a big argument over the contract."

Old Li's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Grandpa, could you tell me in detail? How did they start arguing? Did they fight?"

Grandpa Wang sighed and said, "Sigh, I was working right there at the time, so I saw it all clearly. The original contractor, Old Sun, felt that the current contractor, Old Zhao, had taken advantage of him and said there was a problem with the contract. The two of them first argued until they were red in the face, and then they got more and more agitated and started fighting. Many people had to come and break them up."

Xiao Zhang quickly took out his notebook and meticulously recorded what Grandpa Wang had said, including the names of the two contractors, the general outline of the conflict, and information on other eyewitnesses present. "Grandpa, do you know what happened afterward? Did they have any further conflict?"

Grandpa Wang shook his head: "I'm not too sure about that, but ever since then, Old Sun seems to be wandering around the vineyard a lot, and he doesn't seem very happy."

Meanwhile, another team of officers was also working diligently, checking nearby businesses and residents. They went into every shop, asking owners and customers if they had seen any suspicious persons or heard any unusual noises. Although most people said they hadn't found anything unusual, the officers didn't give up and continued their patient investigation.

During a visit to a small supermarket, the owner recalled, "Around those few days, I saw a stranger loitering near the vineyard, looking hurried and a bit odd. But I didn't pay much attention to it, and I don't know if it's related to your investigation." The officers inquired about the stranger's physical characteristics in detail and recorded the information.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the fibrous material found under the deceased's fingernails was also proceeding intensively. After checking more than a dozen fabric markets in Dongchuan City, the technicians finally made significant progress. Xiao Wang, who was in charge of the work, excitedly reported to Li Ming: "Team Leader Li, we have confirmed that the fibrous material in the deceased's fingernails belongs to a type of uncommon plastic granules. These plastic granules have a special chemical composition and physical structure. After comparing them with our material sample database, we found that they are mainly used to manufacture some high-end industrial equipment parts."

After listening, Li Ming pondered for a moment and said, "This is an important clue. Continue to investigate and see which companies or factories in Dongchuan City use this kind of plastic pellets. Check their employee lists, especially those who have shown unusual behavior during the time of the incident."

After receiving the order, Xiao Wang immediately threw himself into his new task. Together with his colleagues, they used business registration information to identify several companies that might be using these plastic pellets. Then, they contacted each of these companies, explained the situation, and requested employee information and recent production records.

During the investigation of a machinery manufacturing company, the company's manager admitted that they did indeed use these plastic granules to produce parts, but with a large number of employees, they needed some time to organize the relevant information. Xiao Wang and his colleagues waited anxiously in the company office, knowing that every minute of delay would likely increase the difficulty of solving the case.

After several hours of waiting, the company's manager finally handed over the compiled employee information to Xiao Wang. Xiao Wang and his colleagues quickly screened the employee information, focusing on those who had taken leave, were absent without leave, or exhibited unusual behavior during the time of the incident.

After carefully reviewing a large amount of information, they discovered that an employee named Zhao Jianguo had suddenly taken leave a few days before the incident and then disappeared. Moreover, the workshop where Zhao Jianguo worked was the one responsible for producing parts that used these special plastic granules.

Xiao Wang immediately reported this important clue to Li Ming: "Team Leader Li, we have found a suspicious person named Zhao Jianguo. He took leave before the incident and his whereabouts are unknown afterward. Moreover, the workshop where he works uses those special plastic granules."

Upon hearing this, Li Ming decisively ordered: "Immediately launch an investigation into Zhao Jianguo, find his address, contact information, and social connections. At the same time, contact other departments to set up surveillance on Zhao Jianguo, and arrest him immediately once his whereabouts are discovered."

The officers sprang into action again, searching for Zhao Jianguo based on information provided by the company. During the investigation, they discovered that Zhao Jianguo had been in frequent contact with a man named Sun Qifeng after the incident, and Sun Qifeng was the former contractor who had previously clashed with the current vineyard owner.

This discovery complicated the case, but it also gave the officers hope of solving it.

After identifying Zhao Jianguo as a key suspect, the police quickly launched a more detailed investigation into his interpersonal relationships. Through a series of tracking and investigations, they finally located Zhao Jianguo's hiding place—his younger brother's home.

On the third night after the body was found in the vineyard, a police task force quietly surrounded the residence of Zhao Jianguo's brother. The lead officer, his eyes resolute, gestured for his team to prepare for action. At the command, the officers swiftly stormed into the house and subdued Zhao Jianguo before he could react. Zhao Jianguo, his face filled with terror, struggled and shouted, "What are you doing? What right do you have to arrest me!" The officers ignored his cries, expertly handcuffed him, and quickly put him in a police car, taking him back to the police station.

Back at the police station, the interrogation room lights were glaringly bright. Zhao Jianguo sat in the interrogation chair, his hands cuffed to the table, his eyes darting around, avoiding direct eye contact with the interrogators opposite him. Li Ming and another experienced interrogator sat opposite him, their gazes piercing.

"Zhao Jianguo, do you know why we arrested you?" Li Ming spoke first, his voice low.

Zhao Jianguo swallowed hard, trying to appear calm, and said, "I...I don't know, I didn't do anything wrong."