Chapter 50: Action!

The surveillance footage definitely showed irregularities.

The crematorium operated a dedicated service for transporting bodies, a service for which families had to pay. Alternatively, families could opt for a somewhat unusual approach of bringing the body themselves.

However, most ordinary families preferred to use the services provided by the crematorium.

The issue arose specifically with the vehicles used for transporting bodies. Under normal conditions, these vehicles would only be dispatched with a body on board, making the process of entering and exiting the facility seem logical.

However, an illogical situation presented itself. 

The crematorium’s rules allowed for a maximum of 24 bodies to be cremated daily, assuming both furnaces were operational. This limit was because cremating a single body took approximately an hour. Additionally, the staff needed their rest and typically did not work overnight.

The families must schedule a cremation appointment in advance. Yes, an appointment was necessary.

The crematorium had three vehicles for transporting bodies. Normally, this would mean a maximum of 24 trips per day. No issues there, right? 

However, the discrepancy between the number of trips and what was observed in the surveillance footage pointed to a problem.

Liu Hongqiao retrieved 30 days of crematorium surveillance was an insightful move in itself. 

Typically, surveillance footage storage spans from 20 days to three months before being cleared and replaced. For instance, most residential areas max out at two months of footage storage. 

It was peculiar that a state-owned crematorium only retained a month’s worth of surveillance, a detail not fitting its profile but technically not flawed.

However, discrepancies in vehicle dispatches couldn’t be overlooked. Dispatching 24 vehicles per day, or slightly more, posed no issue. Yet, the surveillance revealed an alarming anomaly. The crematorium’s vehicles made up to forty trips on certain days, averaging around thirty on regular days.

Why?

Besides transporting the deceased, what else were they carrying?

As a veteran detective, Liu Hongqiao immediately sensed something amiss with his keen eye and reported his findings to Xiao Yu. 

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu was intently scrutinizing the surveillance footage, observing the frequent entry of vehicles into the crematorium. These vehicles were usually equipped with an iron coffin for transporting bodies. Given the cap of 24 cremations per day, the purpose behind the excess vehicle dispatches was unknown.

What exactly were they hauling?

What was even more peculiar was the one-way traffic. There was entry, but no exit.

Could it be off-the-books operations?

No!

The crematorium’s procedures for cremating remains were strictly regulated, with police oversight for each case.

After someone’s death, the bereaved family or the employer was required to secure a death certificate. For hospital deaths, the hospital issued this certificate. Next came the verification of the death certificate, selection and purchase of the urn, and the acquisition of a cremation permit. Only then could cremation proceed.

No step could be skipped, eliminating the possibility of any off-the-books operations. Such acts were illegal.

Would any employee dare to comply if their superior commanded it? Even if some employees were willing, could the entire staff be complicit?

Otherwise, rumors would inevitably spread.

Unless… it was a nest case.

Xiao Yu inhaled sharply, a chill running down his spine.

What was a nest crime case? A situation where every member was complicit in the crime.

If Xiao Yu could deduce this, how could the seasoned detectives not?

Everyone’s faces darkened.

What was initially dismissed as a minor case could potentially lead to the upheaval and downfall of a state-owned enterprise in its entirety.

Were they on the brink of uncovering a scandal that could shake the heavens?

“What exactly did they do?” 

Xiao Yu inhaled deeply, locking eyes with his three team members. They all faced each other, hearts racing with palpable tension. What kind of crimes could a crematorium be involved in?

There was only one chilling answer.

Bodies!

At this realization, the temperature in the room seemed to drop, their expressions turning ice-cold.

“Desecrating the remains of the dead. How dare they?”

Though the specifics of the case were still murky, one thing was clear. It was spiraling out of control. A major crisis was looming.

With a grim expression, Xiao Yu pulled out his phone and dialed Zhao Changsheng. Such a case was beyond the scope of a mere police officer’s authority.

It had to be reported.

“What?” Zhao Changsheng’s voice cracked through the phone, pale with shock at Xiao Yu’s deductions, “A nest crime? Involving a state-owned enterprise? And a crematorium?!”

“Indeed,” Xiao Yu replied, his voice heavy. “Though we’ve yet to uncover the exact nature of their deeds, one thing is for sure. Once its exposed, none will escape the net. The question is… do we proceed? I’m afraid that if we find out the truth, it might be more than you’re prepared to shoulder.”

Just as Xiao Yu always believed, finding one cockroach often means there are many more hidden away. If this crematorium issue turned out to be a significant problem, then crematoriums nationwide would inevitably be scrutinized.

And following that, a multitude of leaders would find themselves in hot water.

Weren’t the leaders of state-owned enterprises considered leaders too?

Did they realize how many people this could potentially offend?

The Criminal Investigation Team was but a small unit for handling cases. Can Zhao Changsheng, with his modest capabilities, truly bear this burden?

Protecting the boss as a top priority, Xiao Yu certainly couldn’t let his superior take the fall.

The risks and implications needed to be laid out clearly.

If an investigation was to proceed, how should it be conducted, and what limits should be imposed?

If Zhao Changsheng were to get cold feet, Xiao Yu wouldn’t blame him. It was a natural human reaction. However, he would be prepared to submit a report and request a transfer out of the Criminal Investigation Team.

Now was a moment that would test the mettle of all involved.

“Investigate, and let’s go all out!” After a moment of heavy silence, Zhao Changsheng clenched his teeth and declared, “The entire team will back you up, and I’ll take on the pressure.”

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Yu smiled.

With such a leader to follow, what more could he ask for?