CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: THREE-DAY DEADLINE TO SOLVE THE CASE!

Mr. Ma held the walkie-talkie and said, "Drone team, adjust the drone camera position to focus on the man in the passenger seat, and closely monitor his phone usage."

Li Jian immediately contacted Chen He and another key member of the investigation team to advance Jiang An’s plan.

Upon receiving the notice, Chen He quickly headed to the Yanfei Shoe Factory in the development zone.

At this moment, the young man was still busy inside the warehouse.

When he saw Chen He again, he asked in confusion, "Do you have any more questions?"

Chen He replied, "Of course, there’s something important!"

"This time! I’m here specifically to see you."

"See me?"

A hint of fear flashed across the young man’s face.

"What do you want with me?"

Chen He said, "Don’t be nervous, just cooperate with us by making a phone call."

Meanwhile, a middle-aged detective pushed open the door of interrogation room 2.

"Ms. Qin, I’m sorry."

"We’ve wasted your time; there was some misinformation earlier."

"You are innocent, and you can leave now."

He then walked over and unlocked Qin Yan’s handcuffs.

Qin Yan was somewhat surprised, her eyes filled with confusion.

She glanced at the clock on the wall.

It had only been three hours, and she had been suddenly released?

After the handcuffs were removed, she stood up.

"Have you caught the real culprit?"

"Ms. Qin, I’m very sorry."

"Due to our case management protocols, we can’t answer that question."

Now that she had been released, Qin Yan was in a good mood.

She smiled and said, "Sorry, that was out of line."

Then, the middle-aged detective handed over her phone and personal documents.

"These are your personal items; please check them."

Qin Yan took her handbag, inspected it, and said, "Everything’s here."

She then carried her bag and left the interrogation room briskly.

Two minutes later, Qin Yan’s phone rang.

"Hello!"

"Chairman, is everything okay on your end?"

The young man asked over the phone.

Chen He stood right next to her.

Qin Yan glanced back at the interrogation room’s door and said, "It’s fine, absolutely fine."

The young man then said, "Chairman, Yong was very worried about you when he set off this morning."

"He specifically asked me to tell you that if you return safely, to let him know."

"Alright, I understand."

Qin Yan walked out of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau.

After a five-minute walk, she looked around and noticed no one was nearby.

She then took out her phone and dialed Li Yong’s number.

Soon enough,

a man’s phone rang inside a white sedan.

He took out his phone and saw the caller ID—Qin Yan.

The man was suddenly taken aback.

He remembered that during police custody, a detainee was not allowed to use their phone.

Could it be the police calling?

After hesitating for a moment, he answered the call.

Immediately, a familiar voice came from the phone, "Yong, is it safe on your end?"

The man was astounded, then asked in return, "Is everything okay on your side?"

Qin Yan laughed and said, "What could possibly happen to me? I’m out and about."

Suddenly, the sound of a woman crying came through Qin Yan’s phone.

She immediately stopped smiling and asked, "Why is there a woman crying?"

The man replied, "This morning, I left with the car and was near the highway exit when traffic police started checking vehicles."

"I thought the police were after me, so I temporarily took a hostage."

"Now, I’m surrounded by the police."

Qin Yan angrily said, "Are you out of your mind?"

"You’re just walking into a trap!"

"Don’t be foolish now."

"Taking a hostage, as long as you don’t harm them, the sentence won’t be too severe."

After hearing this, the man fell silent.

He turned to look at the woman who was crying.

Then, Qin Yan continued, "Listen to me, release the hostage and surrender."

"As long as there’s life, there’s hope; the sentence can’t be that long."

Finally, Qin Yan added, "The company’s shares will always be reserved for you, without any impact."

The man, having listened to the entire call, was clearly recorded by the drone.

Though the drone couldn’t capture usable audio due to the car window’s soundproofing.

Meanwhile.

Qin Yan had just ended the call and was putting her phone back in her bag.

Two plainclothes middle-aged men quickly approached, one on each side, restraining her arms.

Qin Yan looked around in horror.

"What are you doing?"

"Are you trying to rob me in broad daylight?"

"We’re not thieves."

"We’re police officers."

"Police?"

"I just got out of the interrogation room."

"There’s still something you haven’t explained, please come back for further questioning."

Suddenly, Qin Yan’s eyes widened as if realizing something.

At this moment.

Through the high-definition footage transmitted by the drone, Mr. Ma observed the regretful expression on the middle-aged man’s face.

He immediately picked up the microphone and said, "As long as you don’t harm the hostage, the situation is minor, and you may get a sentence of less than 10 years."

"If you can ensure the hostage’s safety and cooperate with us, we will strive for leniency on your behalf."

After a long while, the man opened the passenger door.

He threw the knife on the ground, raised his hands, and slowly walked over.

Immediately, four fully equipped SWAT officers marched up, pounced on him, and handcuffed him.

Following that, two female officers quickly ran to the car, opened the door, and helped the hostage out.

"Mr. Ma, the hostage is safe and unharmed."

Seeing such an outcome, Mr. Ma was pleased.

He then turned to look at Jiang An.

"Jiang An, well done."

"Once again, you’ve taken the lead."

Jiang An smiled and said, "Thank you for the recognition, Mr. Ma."

Suddenly, Mr. Ma’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his smile vanished instantly.

"Commissioner Peng!"

"Mr. Ma, I just heard someone was taking hostages on the highway, how’s it being handled now?"

Mr. Ma hurriedly replied, "It’s been successfully resolved; the suspect is in custody, and the hostage is unharmed."

Commissioner Peng said displeased, "This incident has had a very bad impact."

"I’ve heard the perpetrator is a suspect in an old case?"

Mr. Ma said, "Yes, Commissioner Peng!"

"He might be a suspect in a murder case from 8 years ago, where four people died,"

"Only, we still haven’t found solid evidence yet."

"8 years and the case is still unsolved?"

"And the suspect is still committing crimes?"

The three consecutive questions left Mr. Ma momentarily speechless.

After a brief pause, Mr. Ma said, "We’re organizing an elite team, using advanced technology to reopen the investigation, aiming to solve the case in the shortest time possible."

"How short is ’shortest’?"

"8 years is already quite long!"

Commissioner Peng continued, "I just came to Jiangcheng less than a month ago, and I’m eager to see the Jiangcheng Police Team act as the cutting edge in crime-fighting and city safety maintenance."

"You have three days to solve this case."