Chapter 024: Citywide Manhunt (Please add to your favorites!)

Zheng Kaixuan reported to the bureau leadership and requested a citywide manhunt for Sun Qifeng. The second team of the third criminal investigation unit, as part of the case personnel, also participated in the search. Tian Li remained in the Huolongguan residential community property office’s surveillance room. Although it was unlikely the suspect would return, someone still had to keep watch.

Han Bin and Li Hui went to the traffic police monitoring center to review road surveillance footage together with Zhao Ming. Zheng Kaixuan and Zeng Ping, along with officers from the local police station, set up checkpoints on the main roads. Wanted notices for the suspect were also issued at bus and train stations.

To avoid public panic, the operation was kept tightly coordinated internally but appeared more relaxed outwardly, which would also lower the suspect’s guard and aid the arrest.

At ten o’clock that night, at the traffic police monitoring center, Han Bin and Li Hui arrived in the surveillance room, carrying instant noodles and sausages. Zhao Ming greeted them as if seeing family. “You’re finally here! My eyes are about to go cross-eyed.”

“Take a break, have something to eat,” Han Bin suggested.

Zhao Ming tore open the instant noodles and poured in some hot water. “It’s as if Sun Qifeng has vanished. I’ve been watching surveillance footage from the time of the crime until now, but there’s not a single clue. Where do you think he could have gone?”

Han Bin had been busy all day and hadn’t had a chance to eat either. He made himself a bowl of instant noodles. “The last sighting of Sun Qifeng’s car on surveillance was on a small road near the victim’s home. But if he only took backroads, he couldn’t have driven out of Qindao City.”

“So the suspect most likely went into hiding,” Li Hui said.

“We can’t rule out that he switched vehicles,” Han Bin added.

“If Sun Qifeng abandoned his car, the search becomes much harder,” Zhao Ming observed.

“I think we should still use the car to find him. If he hasn’t switched vehicles, we’ll find him directly. If he has, we can quickly adjust our search direction,” Han Bin replied.

“Maybe we should report to Captain Zheng and search the area near where the van was last seen. We might turn up something,” Zhao Ming suggested.

Han Bin glanced at his watch. “It’s past eight, and the sky is completely dark. We’re unfamiliar with the area, and searching now would be very difficult. If he just dumped the car in a field, it would be hard to spot.”

“You’re right. Let’s wait and report it in the morning,” Zhao Ming agreed.

“If you were Sun Qifeng, which way would you go?” Li Hui asked.

Han Bin thought for a moment and shook his head. “With the clues we have, it’s hard to say.”

After finishing their noodles, the three returned to their intense work...

One hour passed, then two, then three. After staring at the monitors for so long, Han Bin grew tired and yawned several times. Unable to hold out any longer, he lay his head on the table to nap for a while.

He didn’t know how long he had slept when a shout woke him.

“Look at this car—doesn’t it look like Sun Qifeng’s?” Li Hui called.

Han Bin sat up, yawning, and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already two in the morning.

“What did you find?” he asked.

Li Hui pointed at the screen. “This car—doesn’t it look like the suspect’s vehicle?”

Han Bin glanced at it. The car’s make and color matched, but there was no advertisement sticker on the rear window, and the license plate was hard to see.

“Check the next intersection’s camera—hopefully there’s a clearer shot of the plate,” Han Bin said.

Li Hui switched to the next intersection’s footage. The three stared at the screen, and before long, they spotted the van again. This time, the license plate was clear: Lu B.N6572.

“That’s it!” Zhao Ming slapped the table excitedly.

“That guy must have torn off the ad from the back window—no wonder it was so hard to spot,” Li Hui muttered.

“When was this footage taken?” Han Bin asked.

“Around one in the morning.”

“So it’s been about an hour,” Han Bin said.

“The van was heading west on Qiming Road at the intersection with Kaiping Street, about a forty- or fifty-minute drive from here.”

“At this hour, with no traffic, we could get there in half an hour,” Han Bin said.

“But the suspect won’t wait for us—he’s on the move too,” Li Hui pointed out.

“Let’s report it to Captain Zheng.”

...

Upon hearing the news, Zheng Kaixuan was delighted and immediately issued new orders.

Zhao Ming stayed in the monitoring room to continue tracking the suspect’s vehicle.

Han Bin and Li Hui set out by car to pursue the van.

Zheng Kaixuan and Zeng Ping led a support team.

“Bin, Hui, I wish I could go after the suspect too—maybe you two could swap with me?” Zhao Ming joked wearily. His eyes felt swollen from all the screen time.

“Orders from Captain Zheng. Just stay put and keep us updated on the vehicle’s movements. If we catch Sun Qifeng, you’ll get credit,” Li Hui laughed.

Han Bin patted Zhao Ming on the shoulder and left the surveillance room.

Zhao Ming sighed and flopped into the chair. “When will this end?”

Han Bin and Li Hui got into their car and headed in the direction of the suspect’s vehicle.

“Bin, it’s been an hour already. Do you think we’ll catch him?” Li Hui asked.

“As long as Zhao Ming keeps tracking the car and we confirm the direction of escape, we can alert the local police to set up a roadblock ahead in time. There shouldn’t be a problem,” Han Bin said.

After a while, Zhao Ming called. “Bin, the suspect’s vehicle has entered the Hengding Line.”

“That area’s mountainous, full of dense woods. If he goes into the forest, he’ll be hard to find,” Li Hui commented.

Han Bin and Li Hui sped along in their car.

As they entered the Hengding Line, Zhao Ming called again.

“Bin, after passing the intersection of Hengding Line and Dazhang Village, the suspect’s vehicle hasn’t reappeared on any cameras. It’s likely hidden nearby.”

“When was the last sighting?” Han Bin asked.

“Two-thirty.”

“It’s three now.”

“If the suspect’s vehicle hasn’t been seen for half an hour, he probably went into hiding again,” Li Hui speculated.

“Keep a close eye on all vehicles in the area.”

Han Bin checked his high-powered flashlight—an essential tool for nighttime operations. He drew his Type 64 pistol and loaded all seven rounds. This was a murder case; the killer was cunning and ruthless. They had to be ready for anything.

They drove for another half hour.

“Bin, up ahead is the intersection of Hengding Line and Dazhang Village. Keep your eyes peeled,” Li Hui said, slowing the car.

“After this intersection, Zhao Ming didn’t spot the suspect’s car again. The Hengding Line is a main road, with surveillance at regular intervals. The suspect either left the main road or abandoned the car,” Han Bin guessed.

Not far ahead, Li Hui called out, “Bin, there’s a van parked on the left side of the road.”

Han Bin looked over. It matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle. He unfastened his seatbelt and chambered a round