Chapter Fourteen: Arrangements

The office was silent except for the rustling of papers. Soon, even that sound faded away. The three men simultaneously turned to look at Ji Mingcheng, waiting for his next instruction.

Ji Mingcheng sat on the sofa and asked, “What have you figured out?”

The three exchanged glances and quickly decided who would speak first.

“Team Leader Ji, I believe that among the thirteen prisoners who escaped this time, not all of them were involved in planning the breakout,” Deng Xingwang was the first to share his thoughts.

“Look, the others committed lesser crimes and would have been out in a few years. But escaping is a serious offense—could even mean the death penalty. They have no reason to risk that.”

As he spoke, Deng Xingwang added, “Besides, when we got the call from headquarters and rushed over, the first five we caught on the spot had no experience at all. They were panicked and reckless, and frankly too timid to pull off something like this. So I think we should focus our investigation on the eight people found on the mountain. That’s all I have to say.”

He grinned and glanced back at Qiu Jiang, winking as if certain his guess was right.

Next, Wang Li, sitting beside him, spoke up, “I agree with him, and I think we can narrow it down even further, focusing on Huang Weihua, Wang Haibing, Zhu Zedong, Liu Er, and Li Kuangyuan.”

“The reason is simple: these five knew each other and committed crimes as a gang. Their offenses were serious, and they were all sentenced to life imprisonment. If they were transferred to prison, escaping again would be nearly impossible. So it’s easier and more likely they acted on the transport vehicle.”

“At the same time, the more people involved in something this dangerous, the higher the risk of mistakes. Besides, they might not even have known who was in their vehicle before departure. So the most plausible scenario is that these five conspired together, and I believe Wang Haibing is the mastermind.”

“He’s not the strongest or the one who can shoot, but the case files show he’s cunning and quick-witted. The others, though physically stronger, clearly lack the ability to plan such a large-scale operation. Also, if we want to conduct interrogations, Liu Er would be the best starting point.”

“Why’s that?” Ji Mingcheng asked.

“Because, according to the files, Liu Er’s role in the robbery was mainly to tie people up and cut phone lines; he didn’t physically assault anyone. That suggests he’s timid. Plus...” Wang Li hesitated, then continued, “His wife is about to give birth. If we use his wife as leverage, he might talk.”

“Giving birth?” Deng Xingwang carefully reread the case files but found no mention of Liu Er’s wife expecting a child. How did Wang Li know this?

Qiu Jiang also looked at Wang Li curiously.

“Because Liu Er and I are from the same village, I know some things about his family,” Wang Li admitted without hiding anything. His brow furrowed slightly, and he quickly stood up to assure them and volunteer, “Team Leader Ji, although I have some distant kinship with him, I promise it won’t affect my judgment or my dedication to the police duty. I request to participate in his interrogation.”

At this moment, Qiu Jiang also looked to Ji Mingcheng, unsure if he would agree. Before she could wonder for long, Ji Mingcheng spoke.

“Sit down first. Let her finish, then we’ll discuss the rest.”

“Understood.” Wang Li thought for a moment but sat back down, pulling out a pen to wait for Qiu Jiang to speak.

Qiu Jiang hesitated. After all, everyone else was focusing on cracking this escape case, while what she wanted to say seemed a bit off-topic.

“Go ahead,” Deng Xingwang silently mouthed, opening and closing his lips to encourage her.

Qiu Jiang pressed her lips together and decided to stick to her original thought.

“I agree with what Xingwang and Brother Wang said, but I want to talk about... the robbery case.”

“But that case is already closed. Why bring it up now?” Deng Xingwang asked, puzzled.

Wang Li was also confused and flipped through the robbery case files again but still had no clue.

“Go on,” Ji Mingcheng said without interrupting.

His attitude gave her a bit of confidence. Qiu Jiang exhaled and continued, “This morning on the mountain, although these five hadn’t fired a shot before being subdued by you, Team Leader Ji, don’t forget that three of our colleagues escorting the prisoners at the foot of the mountain were shot dead. That proves that among them, someone can shoot...”

Qiu Jiang paused for a second and added, “Also, the files show that out of the four supply and marketing cooperative staff on night duty, three were badly beaten, and one was hospitalized and nearly died. They were ruthless. Imagine such a vicious group letting the remaining cooperative employee go?”

“Didn’t that person run away?” Deng Xingwang asked, confused.

“But it’s been such a long time. Has he come back?”

Her question stunned Deng Xingwang.

“The five prisoners’ statements say this person ran away, but who runs off and doesn’t return for so long?” Qiu Jiang’s thoughts grew clearer. She glanced at Ji Mingcheng, saw a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, and gained some courage to continue guessing.

“Even if, as the cooperative employees said, this person had second thoughts and was scared off by the robbery, leaving immediately, what reason would he have for disappearing for nearly six months?”

“I’ve heard about this,” Wang Li frowned as he recalled, “The Xulin City police investigated this person’s whereabouts but couldn’t find him. The day before the incident, he told his family he had found a good way to make money and might leave with someone. His family thought he left with that person, but not calling home for half a year is strange.”

“Jiang Jiang, so you suspect...” Deng Xingwang hesitated, then suddenly understood something. With a shiver down his spine, he asked, “You think this person might be dead?”

“That’s possible, isn’t it?” Though she hoped it wasn’t true.

Remember, these men were only charged with robbery, which already earned them life sentences. But if they had killed someone, they’d face the death penalty.

No one wants to die. Would they keep quiet about murder to reduce their punishment? After all, no one else knew what really happened that night.

And judging by today’s events, these people were truly ruthless—daring even to kill police officers. What wouldn’t they dare do?

Could this be the reason Team Leader Ji called this meeting?

They all looked at Ji Mingcheng.

As expected.

“The Xulin City authorities have confirmed that Jia Honghe has not returned home nor contacted any relatives or friends. His family has obtained contact information for the person who said he would take Jia Honghe out to earn money, but they have not made contact yet. According to the information from Xulin, this person is likely still within Xulin’s jurisdiction.”

“Then let’s investigate quickly,” Deng Xingwang was restless, eager to head to Xulin immediately.

Qiu Jiang grabbed his arm, looked at Ji Mingcheng, and asked, “Team Leader Ji, where should we start?”

“Two directions: the whereabouts of Jia Honghe and the recruiter in Xulin City, and the interrogation of the escaped prisoners. I need someone familiar with Xulin City to come with me.”

Ji Mingcheng spoke plainly, and it seemed he intended to personally visit Xulin City. Having someone familiar with the city would save a lot of trouble.

Deng Xingwang and Qiu Jiang were not the right choices. Neither knew the city well or who might.

Wang Li, however, was conflicted. He had just volunteered to stay behind to interrogate Liu Er, but...

“Team Leader Ji, I’m familiar with Xulin. Take me with you,” Wang Li said without hesitation, volunteering again.

Ji Mingcheng did not seem surprised and immediately agreed after Wang Li spoke, glancing briefly at Deng Xingwang.

Deng Xingwang raised his hand eagerly, “Team Leader Ji, take me too.”

“Alright.” Ji Mingcheng stood up. “Qiu Jiang, stay behind to assist Guo Kai and Liu Da with the interrogation. Wang Li, Deng Xingwang, and I will go to Xulin. Understood?”

“Understood—”

“Good. Get ready.”

“Yes—”

The three promptly left. Outside, Deng Xingwang was still buzzing with excitement over his first field assignment in another world.

Qiu Jiang smiled and said, “Then I wish you success.”

“Heh, that’s a given.”

“...Jiang Jiang, if you find anything new during the interrogation, please contact us,” Wang Li hesitated before speaking.

“Will do, Brother Wang.”

But...

Qiu Jiang blinked and asked a practical question, “How will we stay in touch?”

Wang Li immediately said, “I have a pager. Here’s my number. Send me a message if anything comes up, and I’ll call you back.”

Qiu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief when she received his handwritten pager number and promised with a smile, “No problem.”

“Hey, hey, I have a pager too. Jiang Jiang, you better write down mine,” Deng Xingwang pulled out a small black pager from his pocket. “Heh, I begged my dad to buy me one.”

Qiu Jiang suddenly understood. “No wonder Captain Chen could reach you this morning during the mission.”

“See, it was worth buying,” Deng Xingwang boasted, making Qiu Jiang and Wang Li chuckle.

Their tasks were urgent, and with the higher-ups pressing repeatedly, the interrogation had already begun. Qiu Jiang had to get to work.

By two in the morning, the prisoners had confessed completely to the prison break plan and events. However, when it came to Jia Honghe, they all denied killing him, insisting he escaped and they just couldn’t catch him.

Guo Kai and the others looked grim, planning to continue pressing them. Since the following steps involved extended surveillance and didn’t require her immediately—and considering how late it was—Chen Da told her to rest first.

So, for the first time, Qiu Jiang spent the night at the precinct dormitory.

Exhausted, she paid no mind to the unfamiliar surroundings and fell into a deep sleep until a sharp knock on the door woke her.

She opened her eyes suddenly, still groggy, but quickly jumped out of bed and ran to open the door.

“Qiu Jiang, urgent mission—”

Mission?

Qiu Jiang snapped fully awake.