Chapter 205 No Evidence, No Acknowledgment
After getting consent from the parties involved, Caroline turned on her body camera to record the scene. According to Isaiah and others, the brick-making machines in the kiln had just been running. The conveyor belts and machines were overheated from prolonged operation, and the water on the ground was used for cooling.
Ulysses said, "Based on my initial calculations, just these three production lines consume nearly three thousand watts per day, which would be about ninety thousand watts per month."
Parker said from the side, "Whatever you calculate is whatever? My machines are energy-efficient."
Xyla chimed in, "Exactly, we bought energy-saving machines."
Caroline knew they would say this. "For fairness, we brought professional equipment to test the power consumption on-site."
Oliver emerged from the crowd carrying a huge toolbox, set it down next to the motor, and opened it. Inside were precision instruments, with the display screen showing a string of incomprehensible numbers and moving needles.
Caroline pointed the camera at the testing device and said to Parker, "You can have your workers turn on the machines now."
Seeing she was serious, Parker realized that despite her gentle appearance, Caroline's approach was anything but weak. She spoke little but acted decisively, leaving no room for loopholes.
He knew better than anyone that these machines were far from energy-efficient—being old, they actually consumed even more power.
Parker said, "The machines are broken, they won't start."
Isaiah couldn't stand it anymore. "How come they weren't broken when we came in? Now that we need to test them, they're suddenly broken?"
Xyla stretched her neck and said, "These machines work sometimes and break down other times. Who knows when they'll break? Today just happens to be one of those times."
Ronan said, "Come on, we've all been watching. The belts and machines are still warm to the touch—they were obviously just turned off. Everyone can see through this act. Hurry up and flip the circuit breaker."
He looked at several workers standing in the corner. "One of you go and turn on the breaker."
The workers looked at Parker. Since he didn't say anything, none of them dared to move.
Isaiah, being experienced, knew that asking them to do it voluntarily wouldn't work—no one would dare step forward.
He pointed at one worker wearing a red vest who looked honest and compliant, and said, "You go turn on the breaker. You have an obligation to cooperate with law enforcement."
The worker in the red vest walked hunched over to a small room nearby. Shortly after he went in, the machines slowly started running.
Accompanied by tremendous noise and flying red dust, the numbers on the testing device began to change rapidly. Oliver pointed at the numbers on the screen and explained to everyone, "According to the test data, this production line consumes about one hundred and twenty-five watts per hour, and that's just running empty. If you add fully loaded bricks, the power consumption will be even higher."
Caroline recorded the data from the on-site testing device and footage of the machines running, then questioned the Parker couple, "Do you accept the test results?"
Xyla was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I don't understand your machine. Who knows if it's accurate?"
Parker frowned. "I can't understand it either."
Caroline said, "The entire national power system uses this model of instrument for testing. The testing device undergoes maintenance and certification every year, and can only be used after passing inspection. This testing device is within its valid inspection period." She pointed to the inspection sticker nearby. "Here's the inspection date."
Parker wanted to argue, but found no loopholes.
"Do you accept these results now?" Caroline asked.
Parker opened his mouth. Not wanting to accept it but unable to find an excuse, he nodded.
Xyla turned her face away and stopped responding.
Isaiah pointed at the testing device and asked Xyla, "Do you accept the test results or not?"
Xyla said guiltily, "I accept them."
If the brick-making machines' power consumption was surprisingly high, compared to the next large blower fans, it was nothing.
The finished bricks were sent to the next workshop, where large blower fans dried them. Through technical testing, the blowers' power consumption was extremely high, and the calculated electricity costs were staggering.
After finishing evidence collection on the factory machines, they began searching for power theft equipment.
Caroline asked Oliver, "Did you find any problems with the meter box?"
Oliver said, "We found a hidden yellow wire in the meter box. Based on the wire's direction, it should lead to the distribution room."
Caroline asked Parker, "Where's the distribution room?"
The moment she asked about the distribution room, she clearly noticed Parker starting to panic. His rough fingers kept rubbing together as he pointed outside and said, "Next door. I'll take you there."
Caroline didn't stop recording throughout, following Parker's steps to a small dark room.
When the simple switch by the door was pressed, the light revealed spider webs hanging on the cement walls and dust accumulated from years of not cleaning. A musty smell floated in the air.
In the corner stood a rusty metal cabinet with its door half-open, showing various odds and ends like wood stored inside. Next to the metal cabinet was a small iron door. Being in a constantly shaded area, the moisture had caused the green paint on the door to peel and flake at the slightest touch.
"Go ahead and check," Parker stepped aside.
Caroline and two colleagues began inspecting the distribution room. Oliver mainly checked the electrical equipment, while Ulysses handled the wiring, but they didn't find where the yellow hidden wire connected.
The three looked at the iron door. Caroline said, "What's in here?"
Xyla said without batting an eye, "Just junk storage, nothing in there."
Caroline said, "Can you open it?"
Parker shook his head. "Can't open it, see how rusted the lock is."
Caroline handed the recorder to Ulysses and crouched down to examine the lock.
The door was indeed old and looked rarely opened, but looking carefully at the lock cylinder, it appeared to have been opened with a key recently.
She pressed her ear against the door, listened quietly for a few seconds, then stood up and said firmly, "Open the door."
Parker said, "We don't have the key, lost it long ago."
Isaiah called Caroline aside. "You think there's power theft equipment inside?"
Caroline nodded. "Oliver found a yellow hidden wire from the meter box outside. It should have entered the distribution room, but the three of us just checked everywhere and didn't find it. The wire might be in that inner room. I heard the sound of electrical equipment inside. I suspect the power theft device is in there."
Isaiah said, "I'll contact a locksmith."
Caroline thanked him, "Thank you, Mr. Grey."
Isaiah asked the Parker couple, "Have you two really thought this through? You really can't find the key?"
Both nodded, their stories aligned.
"Fine, if you can't find it, I'll contact a locksmith." Isaiah took out his phone and dialed a number. After connecting, he gave the brick kiln's address.
He hung up the phone, his tone stern. "If we find power theft equipment in there, your current behavior constitutes obstruction of official duties. Don't say I didn't warn you—at that point, you'll be suspected of breaking the law."
Xyla looked at Parker. The latter was silent for a few seconds, still hesitating, when Caroline said, "If you cooperate actively, we'll take that into consideration when dealing with any problems we find later."
The Parker couple stood silently in the corner. Isaiah said sternly, "You really won't admit anything until you see the evidence."