Stuck in a Chinese novel - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Choice
Chapter 66

Zhao Hui made his way to the stand but his head wasn’t there. He was still thinking of his conversation from three days ago with Wei Jun. The one in which he realized what side he stood on. On one side was there was a multiple murder suspect with no evidence and on the other side was the place where he had vowed to do things the right way yet the very place was making wrong decisions.

He was torn between what to choose. Defending Wei Jun would be letting a potential murderer go scot-free and if he sticks to his morals, the police’s reputation would hit rock bottom than it already was.

“Please state your name and credentials for the jury.” Xiang Fan said.

“I am Detective Zhao Hui. I am currently under suspicion for not following my superior’s orders. I am the captain of the homicide team of the Yuan Yin police force.” Zhao Hui explained his suspension before his rank.

“Do you think you are wrongfully suspended, Detective?” Xiang Fan asked.

“Objection. Irrelevant.” Ho Son hurriedly interjected. “Sustained.” Judge Yong agreed and deemed Xiang Fan’s question irrelevant.

“Do you think that my client is the murderer?” Xiang Fan asked.

“Based on the evidence I found, no.” Zhao Hui replied.

“Objection. The People have already established that the witness was either lazy in his conduct or he was bought by the defendant.” Ho Son once again objected which put a smile on Wei Jun’s face.

“Sustained.” Once again, Judge Yong agreed in the D.A.’s favor making this question invalid as well.

“Have you? Have you received anything from my client?” Xiang Fan asked.

“No, I haven’t.” Zhao Hui replied to which, Ho Son once again objected and said, “We have the account transfer which shows that a million yuan was transferred from the defendant to the witness’s proxy account under the name of his wife.” He even pulled out the statements and presented them to the court which Judge Yong examined and nodded as he said, “It is true.”

Wei Jun’s smile became even bigger at this point because, with this, he was sure that Zhao Hui had chosen. He had chosen who to side with. The place he had devoted his life and beliefs to had betrayed him. He turned to look at the chief of the police station who diverted his eyes from Zhao Hui. That was all the confirmation Zhao Hui needed to make the decision.

“So if you are a corrupt cop, can you tell me why your chief decided to bring you to the police station three days ago to interrogate the very person you are accused of being in contact with and have taken a bribe from.” Xiang Fan asked.

“I don’t know. You will have to ask him.” Zhao Hui simply said to which Xiang Fan smiled and said, “That’s it from the defense.”

“We have no questions for this witness, your honor.” Ho Son said with a smile because there was no need to. Zhao Hui was already incriminated so there was no need to worry about whatever else he had to say.

“Call your next witness, Mister Fan.” Judge Yong said.

“I would like to call Kai Bo to the stand.” Xiang Fan selected his next witness.

“Since I know your views about my client, I simply wish to know why you called Detective Zhao Hui for the interrogation of the defendant?” Xiang Fan asked.

“Because he is the best we have and we didn’t know of his bribery.” Kai Bo replied.

“But isn’t the date of this document that shows Detective Zhao Hui’s accusation from four days ago?” Xiang Fan pointed out the date on the document.

Ho Son shook his head because it was indeed a point he had forgotten to brief the police on. Kai Bo glanced at Ho Son who subtly nodded and Kai Bo replied, “I still didn’t know. I was focused on the investigation.”

Xiang Fan smiled and said, “Of course you were.”

He then paced a little before he asked Kai Bo, “Are you aware that my client was assaulted by four of your detectives a few days ago?”

“Yes. But I assure you, it is a lie.” Kai Bo replied before giving his own opinion.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. All I want to know is whether you were aware of this or not?” Xiang Fan elaborated.

“Of course not. I always go by the book. You can be assured I never gave such an order.” Kai Bo protested as if he felt insulted. Xiang Fan smiled and asked, “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I am sure.” Kai Bo replied.

Xiang Fan smiled and turned to Wei Jun who smiled and nodded in return.

====

“What kind of evidence it is that doesn’t need to be turned in discovery?” Wei Jun asked Xiang Fan as they were sitting in the interrogation room to discuss the case. Lao Chen was also present and he had covered both of them in his Qi so their conversation wouldn’t be picked up if any bugs were implanted.

Xiang Fan thought for a few moments but he couldn’t come to an answer. Wei Jun scoffed slightly and said, “If I have to tell you that then you are making me consider whether or not I should put my faith in you.”

Xiang Fan had no answer to that so all he could do was remain silent. Wei Jun sighed and said, “Impeachment evidence. You don’t need to turn impeachment evidence into discovery.”

Realization dawned upon Xiang Fan but even then, he wasn’t overly impressed. It wasn’t easy to present impeachment evidence. The credibility of the evidence was still needed and they also needed to bait the witness into confessing it.

“It’s exactly as you’re thinking. Impeachment evidence carried high risk. So that is why it depends on the lawyer’s ability to carry the witness in a direction where he wouldn’t notice the pit that was dug for him. Lead the witnesses around and then we present their evidence of lying.”

“There is no ace in a court unless for this one so I need you to carry it by doing so. That will be our trump card. Impeachment. We will win this case like this.” Wei Jun ended the conversation and Xiang Fan couldn’t help but admire the insight Wei Jun had presented.

======

Wei Jun smiled because Xiang Fan had successfully used wordplay to trap Kai Bo into making a statement. All that was left was to prove he was lying.

“Your honor, the defense wishes to proceed and represent defense exhibit E.” Xiang Fan said as he procured a file and a USB from his briefcase.

“Objection. There is no such evidence in discovery.” Ho Son objected to which Xiang Fan countered by saying, “It is impeachment evidence.”

Judge Yong looked at the cameras in the courtroom. If it was just the people that mattered, he wouldn’t have allowed such a piece of evidence but since he was also in front of the media and if he didn’t allow it, people would know there was something wrong with the sentence so he had no choice but to allow it.

“This is an audio file and a lab certificate proving that the voices in the audio do indeed belong to the concerned parties.” Xiang Fan presented the file and the USB was plugged in.

The audio began and the voice in the audio belonged to none other than Kai Bo, {No need for that. just make him confess. Rough him up a little. He is a spoiled brat so he should be an easy scare. Make sure you don’t do any permanent damage.}

Kai Bo’s eyes widened to the limit. And he wasn’t alone, almost everyone in the room couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

“That’s fake!” Kai Bo hurriedly protested but that only worsened his case as the audio continued.

{I’m sorry chief. Things got a little out of hand}

Another voice came from the audio which was tested to belong to one of the detectives in question. Kai Bo’s voice followed.

{Shut up, you idiot. It doesn’t matter. He did that to himself and that’s it. We will try to strike a deal but even if it doesn’t work, he is still a murder victim and once he goes to jail, none of what we did would matter. Now I want you to remember this, we did not assault Wei Jun Ruan, he did it to himself, understood?}

{Yes, chief}

Kai Bo slumped in his seat because he didn’t know how to react to that. Ho Son couldn’t help but tut because he knew that there was no credibility left for Kai Bo’s statements so all the questions he had for him were now invalid. Ho Son had just lost a prime witness. He was still optimistic though because he still had the jury on his side.

Wei Jun, on the other hand, smiled. And that sweet but ominous smile of his was noticed by Judge Yong and the terrible feeling in his gut returned amplified by ten.