Chapter 33: Explanation (1)

The police burst through the door, subduing Zhang Heng with lightning speed. Two officers pinned his arms and forced him to the floor, quickly securing his wrists and ankles with restraints. Another officer stood guard at the entrance, blocking the doorway with his body, while a fourth officer unclipped his body-worn camera to record the room, focusing particularly on the restrained Zhang Heng. After a brief sweep, he pulled out his mobile phone to photograph the items scattered across the bed.

Throughout this process, Zhang Heng did not resist; instead, he remained eerily calm, as if he had been anticipating this very moment.

Once the room was documented, the officer who had been filming retrieved his radio from his belt. "01, 01, this is the Municipal Anti-Narcotics Division. We have arrived at Room 305 of the Shuxin Hotel and have apprehended the suspect reported for drug trafficking. We have discovered a large quantity of suspected narcotics on the bed in the suspect's room. Repeating, we are at Room 305 of the Shuxin Hotel, the suspect has been apprehended, and we have found a large stash of suspected narcotics on the bed."

He holstered the radio and stepped toward Zhang Heng. After glancing at the pile on the bed, he asked sternly, "Tell me, besides what is on the bed, where else are you hiding drugs? Start talking, and be honest."

The two officers pinning Zhang Heng eased their grip. Once released, Zhang Heng stood up, though the two officers immediately flanked him. The lead officer gestured for them to stand down, and they stepped back.

Looking at the lead officer, Zhang Heng said calmly, "Officer, I have been framed. I am not a drug trafficker."

The officer let out a mocking laugh. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. An elderly man in a white lab coat and a surgical mask—looking every bit the expert—entered carrying a metal toolbox. The lead officer caught the attention of the man, whom he called Master Zhao, and gestured toward the bed. Zhao understood immediately.

"Understood," Zhao replied, carrying his toolbox to the bedside.

A crowd seemed to have gathered in the hallway. Voices drifted through the door: "I can't believe we’re witnessing a drug raid at this dump of a hotel." "Right? What kind of person is he?"

"Liu Yi, clear the onlookers and shut the door," the lead officer ordered.

Liu Yi complied, stepping to the door and saying, "Everyone, disperse. There’s nothing to see here." He slammed the door shut.

Zhang Heng realized that the officer questioning him—the one who had been filming—must be the leader of the squad. Master Zhao opened his toolbox, pulled out a handheld scanning device, and began to test the contents on the bed. Everyone in the room watched with bated breath.

After a few minutes, Zhao turned to the leader with an expression of alarm. "Officer Zheng, it’s confirmed. These are narcotics, and they are high-grade—ninety-five percent purity. This is top-tier stuff."

"Good. Thank you, Master Zhao."

Zhao set aside the sample bag, packed his testing equipment, and rose. "I’ll be heading out now, Officer Zheng."

"Right, thank you, Master Zhao. Sorry for the trouble."

"Not at all, it’s my duty." Zhao turned and left the room. As soon as he exited, Liu Yi closed the door behind him.

Officer Zheng walked to the bed, inspected a small bag of the drugs, and put it back. He then retreated to the bathroom, and the sound of running water echoed through the room. After washing his hands, he returned to stand before Zhang Heng and keyed his radio.

"01, 01, this is Zheng Heyuan of the Anti-Narcotics Division. Following Master Zhao’s analysis, we have confirmed that the items in Room 305 of the Shuxin Hotel are indeed narcotics with a purity of ninety-five percent. There is a substantial amount here—conservatively estimated at over five kilograms. Repeating: this is Zheng Heyuan, Room 305 contains over five kilograms of high-purity narcotics."

"01 received," the radio crackled back.

Zheng holstered his radio and sat on the edge of the bed, facing Zhang Heng. "Now, tell me: aside from what’s on the bed, are there drugs hidden anywhere else in this room?"

"Officer Zheng, listen to me. I’ve been set up. I’m a police officer myself—a detective—and I’m here on an undercover assignment," Zhang Heng said evenly.

Zheng laughed aloud. He rose slowly, stared at Zhang Heng with a sharp, piercing gaze for several seconds, and then burst into uncontrollable, belly-shaking laughter.

"Ha! You drug dealers never stop, do you?" Zheng sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You’re going to play the cop card? You’re trying to act like a detective?" He erupted into laughter again.

Seeing Zheng’s mockery, Zhang Heng remained unfazed. "If you don't believe me, my police ID is in my right pants pocket. Take it out and see for yourself."

Zheng hesitated, momentarily confused by the suspect’s audacity. Curiosity piqued, he reached into Zhang Heng's pocket and pulled out the ID. He opened it, inspected the document, and then tossed a disdainful look at Zhang Heng.

"Zhang Heng, is it? I don't care if you're a cop or a drug dealer. The evidence is irrefutable. You can explain this at the station," Zheng said. "And I'll be holding onto this ID."

Just then, another knock sounded at the door, and a voice called out: "Hello, this is the Arrest Team from the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Anti-Narcotics Division."