Chapter 64-1
Beast
Hey, have you received the money? The secretary sat in the car, making a call to the kidnappers. The plainclothes officer driving in the front was accompanied by a technician and a detective in the back.
This was among the limited forces that the Jiangcheng City Bureau could spare. As for Feng Jianguo, he had to stay behind to oversee the overall situation, while Zhang Jinhai had a different task.
Before departure,
Fang Xin was about to grab the investigation kit and head out when she ran into Director Feng. She paused, Director Feng
Feng Jianguo looked at the young faces of the tech and detective, Where are you going?
Fang Xin pulled the investigation kit behind her, and Zheng Chengrui nervously cleared his throat, Uh
Duan Cheng took a step forward, stiffening his neck. He had never spoken face-to-face with a leader of this level before, so his face turned red with nervousness.
To save people he stammered.
With just a few of you? Feng Jianguo furrowed his brow slightly, You cant fight, and you cant handle it.
I who said its just us Duan Cheng argued but was pulled back by Fang Xin.
Its not me saying this, but its a well-known fact that the annual martial arts competition for the tech and detective units always ranks at the bottom. However Feng Jianguo made way, I also want to see what Lin Yan has taught you in the past half year. Old Zhang!
He shouted loudly.
Zhang Jinhai, fully geared up, rushed out from the changing room. While running, he fastened the buckle of his helmet. Wearing a bulletproof vest and a bit on the overweight side, he stood at attention when he reached Feng Jianguo, slightly panting.
At attention!
You lead the team, everyone is going. Go to the armory to get your guns, and make sure to bring Lin Yan back to me in one piece!
Yes!
The entire tech and detective team were filled with high spirits. Feng Jianguos tense lips revealed a hint of a smile as he watched them run off, but he added one more sentence.
You all, too come back safely.
Duan Cheng, who was walking behind, heard this. He turned around, gave Feng Jianguo a thumbs-up, his young face sincere and beautiful with a genuine smile. Then, he caught up with his teammates and disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Feng Jianguo then entered the training room, standing in front of the big screen, monitoring two life-and-death assaults.
When wearing the bulletproof vest, fasten it like this, so it wont come loose easily. This is a matter of life and death; you must check it carefully, Zhang Jinhai said, placing the gun into the holster and helping him organize it.
Duan Cheng adjusted his helmet, feeling a bit uncomfortable with its weight. I always thought Captain Zhang never went on field assignments.
Zhang Jinhai smiled, When I was as young as you are now, I used to go out every day. Things are different now; my life is tied to my family. With more considerations, I cant risk it.
Zheng Chengrui struggled to fit his bulky frame into the bulletproof vest, panting heavily. Alright Im ready lets go.
Fang Xin had already circled around the entrance of the Municipal Bureau, pointing at tire marks. Lao Zheng, check the surveillance on this road. These look like motorcycle tracks.
Okay. Zheng Chengrui, holding a computer with one arm, began the task. Duan Cheng drove the car closer. Lets go, get in. Well investigate while on the move.
Found it, its Sister Lin, Zheng Chengrui said, enlarging the image and guiding them.
Turn left at the next intersection.
* * *
Why is there only 50 million? Are you trying to make me tear up the tickets? The kidnapper lowered his voice and roared in frustration.
The secretary held a metal box in her arms, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. No, no, no. Theres only 50 million in the companys account. Weve transferred it all to you. The remaining amount will be in the form of a check transaction.
The man finally nodded in satisfaction. Hmph. You have fifteen minutes. Place the money by the 18th electrical box on the waterfront highway. Once I have the money, Ill release the hostage.
The technician tapped on the computer keyboard, analyzing waveforms. He nodded to the secretary, signaling her to buy more time.
The secretary hesitated and, under the guidance of the detective, said, I need to confirm that the young lady is still alive. Otherwise, not a single cent of this money will reach you.
The other party hesitated for a moment, then simply repeated, Once I have the money, I will naturally release her.
The secretary glanced at the detective and continued, Im already on the way. The money will definitely reach you. I need to confirm first that the young lady is still alive. Let her say a few words to me
The other person coldly repeated, Once I have the money, I will naturally release her.
The technician kept tracking the number, frowning at the flickering waveform on the screen.
The secretary wanted to say more, but the other party abruptly hung up, the waveform cut off. The detective leaned over and asked, How is it, did you track it?
The technician shook his head, It wont work. The call was too short, and besides, didnt you find his tone of speech strange?
Whats strange? The secretary was genuinely anxious and restless at the moment, Please, comrade driver, drive faster. Lives are at stake here.
The 50 million mentioned was virtual currency; the real Chinese yuan was in the metal box she was holding. If the criminals audited the transaction, it would be all over.
Except for the initial hmph, there was no other fluctuation in tone, as if he was reciting lines, very monotone. The technician took off his headphones, also feeling uneasy. However, the top priority was to find Lin Yan first before anything else.
* * *
With the help of Duan Cheng, Fang Xin carried the investigation kit and descended straight down the coastline from the damaged guardrail.
Others followed suit.
The surveillance abruptly ended here.
Duan Cheng, using a flashlight, immediately spotted the motorcycle discarded in the bushes.
Look, its Sister Lins bike!
Zhang Jinhai ran over, feeling the seat; it was already cold, and there was blood.
One side of the rearview mirror was knocked askew, and the other side was shattered. There were bullet holes on the body.
Following these clues, as they moved further into the fishing village, they got closer to the site of the conflict.
Planters and chairs were overturned along the road, with bullet holes visible on the ground and walls. Many businesses were shut, and the glass on the doors of many houses was shattered.
In the deep silence of the night.
Duan Cheng decided to raise his voice, shouting, Sister Lin, where are you? Sister Lin?!
Fang Xin pulled him back, Stop yelling! Instead, lets look for clues!
Zhang Jinhai pointed at the bloodstains not far ahead in an open area, Theres blood; lets go check.
Fang Xin took gloves from the investigation kit, put them on, and dipped her fingertips in the blood, then sniffed, Its human blood.
She nudged Duan Cheng, Can you tell which way they went?
Duan Cheng looked around, the surroundings pitch black, and the sea breeze whistling. How would I know If Lin Yan were here, she would definitely figure it out
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stared at him in unison.
If Lin Yan were present, she probably would have given him a good slap, saying, What use are you? But now, despite no one scolding him, he felt his face burning.
Lin Yan had always been the main force in solving cases for the tech and detective unit. She was both skilled and knowledgeable, and they had always looked up to her brilliance. The light she emitted felt dazzling, and they had never thought about catching up to her pace.
Duan Cheng naturally thought that when it came to solving cases, there was Lin Yan for the intellectual aspect and Captain Song for the physical aspect. It was never his turn to take the stage.
All he needed to do was smoothly complete his internship, follow the routine to become a civil servant, and comfortably work in an office as a clerk with a stable job.
Little did he know that there would be a day when he faced the crime scene directly. Now, standing here in Lin Yans position, facing the expectations of his teammates, confronting dangerous criminals, and dealing with colleagues in life-threatening situations, the psychological pressure was much greater than he had imagined.
No one rushed him; it seemed that no one had any expectations of him. Zhang Jinhai got up and went to look for other clues, while Fang Xin and Zheng Chengrui were busy with their own tasks.
Duan Cheng gritted his teeth, looking at the pool of blood in front of him. It seemed like he wanted to touch it, but he abruptly pulled his hand back. For the first time, he proactively took gloves from the investigation kit and put them on.
Duan Fang Xin walked away, intending to call him to join them. When she turned back, she saw him crouched on the ground, examining the bloodstains.
Duan Cheng held a flashlight in his teeth, magnifying glass in hand, circling the blood pool, racking his brain to recall what he had learned from books.
He tapped his head and stood up, The marginal spicules are intact; this is a pooled droplet bloodstain.
Fang Xin walked over, You
Duan Cheng suddenly exclaimed, pointing in her direction, Dont move!
Frightened, Fang Xin pulled the flashlight back, and Duan Cheng had already rushed over, kneeling at her feet. Ive figured it out. Lin Yan went in this direction. Look, the spicules around the droplet bloodstain vary in length under motion, and the longer end indicates the direction of movement! Lets go this way!
Zhang Jinhai was the first to run ahead, Chase!
* * *
0202, this is 01 Song Yuhang shook the communication device a few times, and a hissing noise came through, electromagnetic interference forcing the communication to disconnect.
She frowned, pulled out a tactical knife from her leg holster, and carved an arrow on the nearby wall. This served both as a marker for her teammates and a precaution against getting lost.
All the rooms here were of the same size and layout. She kicked open another room, finding it filled with medical equipment scattered around, with tables placed haphazardly.
Song Yuhang marked the door with her knife, tapped the communication device again, but there was still no response. In that brief moment, she remembered the anti-electromagnetic interference course she had taken in the police academy.
When entering the CT room or X-ray room in a hospital, doctors usually asked patients not to bring communication devices.
Firstly, it was to prevent interference with the proper operation of the machines, and secondly, mobile phones could lose signal due to strong electromagnetic interference.
Her communication device worked similarly. So, was it possible that she had entered the range of electromagnetic interference, causing the continuous failure to contact her teammates?
Song Yuhang took out the communication device, pulled out the antenna, and the hissing noise became more pronounced. She abruptly turned around. In that instant, the electric current sound from the communication device became sharply piercing.
She glanced back at the room she had just left, then decisively stepped back in.
Song Yuhang held the gun in her hand, the flashlight wedged underneath. The light cut through the chaotic dust, dividing the dark room into distinct sections.
She carefully scanned the room again, but the night vision device showed no thermal imaging.
Song Yuhang breathed a slight sigh of relief. The electric current sound in the communication device had not stopped since entering this room. She picked it up and began searching as if looking for a mobile phone signal.
This seemed to be an abandoned doctors office, with dust-covered materials strewn across the table, an overturned trash can, and moldy paper balls scattered around.
Song Yuhang stepped on several of them, and when she moved the communication device to the iron cabinet in the corner, it emitted a sharp sound that sent shivers down ones spine in the silent atmosphere.
She pressed the switch, tucked the communication device into her jacket pocket, and started pushing the cabinet with all her strength. The cabinet moved inch by inch, emitting a grating noise.
Song Yuhang panted heavily, covered in sweat, and her clothes were soaked.
She decided to take off her helmet, threw her gun and ammunition belt on the ground, turned her back, used her sturdy back muscles to support, and slowly moved forward until she reached the wall.
She wiped the sweat off her face. Before she could be too happy, her eyes were suddenly blinded by the unexpected red light.
After moving the iron cabinet, something on the wall, resembling an electric meter box, began to flash. It had an embedded stopwatch, and the time rapidly rewound.
Song Yuhang immediately pressed it, cold sweat dripping down her forehead. She dared not take a breath.
Pressure-triggered bomb, activated by a change in gravity.
If she hadnt acted quickly to press her weight on it just now, it would have been a disaster.
Her arm, tense against the wall, began to tremble slightly, and the numbers on the stopwatch stopped at 10.
The surroundings were so quiet.
Song Yuhang could hear her own heartbeat, becoming more and more intense, ready to jump out of her throat at any moment.
She swallowed hard, her arm starting to ache as maintaining this position for an extended period wasnt easy.
Honestly, as a criminal investigator, she had only touched on explosive demolition in her training, with a limited understanding. Such delicate work was typically left to bomb disposal experts. However, now she stood within the electromagnetic interference zone, completely cut off from the outside world.
Whether it was Lin Yan or that girl, neither could afford to wait.
Song Yuhang pulled a small knife from her leg holster and began dismantling the electric meter box. Unscrewing each screw, she gently lifted the back cover. Her pupils contracted instantly as a myriad of red, white, black, and yellow wires tightly entwined together met her eyes.
Her heartbeat pounded like a drum, and a rush of blood surged to her head.
Song Yuhang felt a chill in her hands and feet, breathing heavily.
* * *
Lin Yans face was getting close to the water surface.
She tilted her head back to gasp for air, breathing in the scarce fresh air.
Her hands and feet were suspended; this position couldnt be maintained for long, and her neck began to feel sore.
Suddenly, she was forcefully pulled downward, her entire head submerged in the water.
Caught off guard, she choked on a few mouthfuls of water, struggling to lift her upper body, coughing continuously.
She moved slightly, and the iron chains rattled along. Lin Yan pulled left and right, wrists swaying back and forth, and her fair skin was quickly rubbed to a bloody mess.
Dont waste your effort; save some strength to think about your last words.
It was still that voice.
Lin Yan spat out a mouthful of blood in the air, swaying, Fuck your mother, shut the hell up.
Or, beg me. I might be soft-hearted. Considering you dont look too bad, perhaps, I might spare your life.
To avoid being submerged in the water again, Lin Yan tilted her neck, and blood mixed with sweat dripped from her jawline.
She lightly pulled the corner of her lips. Listening to your tone, with a sneaky approach, you dont sound like a man. Sorry, Miss Golden Needle Mushroom doesnt need it.
With her entire body immobilized except for her wrists and neck, Lin Yan moved her wrists, pulled the iron chains, and lifted herself up slightly.
When it came to verbal sparring, she had only lost to Song Yuhang. Besides her, she wasnt afraid of anyone else. The more critical the situation, the less she feared.
Song Yuhang called her a wolf cub, so, in these moments, her wolf nature seemed to get more excited at the scent of blood.
Even the loss of blood has accelerated the metabolism of the drugs, and she felt a bit of strength returning.
Looking at the sparkling sea below, Lin Yan had confidence in escaping.
How about you call the person who attacked me just now? Are you partners? I think hes not bad, strong, powerful, must be fun to mess with.
The voice paused for a moment. Although Lin Yan couldnt see where he was in the pitch-black surroundings, she could hear the sound of his breathing.
Seems like he was provoked.
Lin Yan licked her lips, deciding to add fuel to the fire: I mean, are you really a eunuch? Is it necessary to go to such lengths to deal with a lone woman like me? Getting a child to injure me, using a water dungeon, seems like you lack confidence, right?
How about you let me go, and I promise to spare one of your hands. Is that enough? If not
Before she could finish her sentence, the iron chain suddenly loosened, and Lin Yans head plunged into the water tank. She hadnt taken a deep breath yet, and a large amount of saltwater rushed into her chest.
She struggled violently, coughing, and bubbles emerged from her nose and mouth, floating to the waters surface.
Lin Yan pulled the iron chain, but it didnt budge. She tried to hold her breath, attempting to float upward. Looking up from the dim bottom of the water, the faint ray of light gradually darkened.
A steel plate slowly covered the opening.
Too bad, Ive changed my mind. I dont want to let you live until the moment the ransom is paid.
LP: Song Yuhang in trouble, Lin Yan in even more trouble! Come on, team, hurry!!!
Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are published on freew(e)bnove(l).𝓬𝓸𝓶