Accomplice

Han Bin and Li Hui got out of the car, both holding pistols.

With a flashlight in their left hand and a gun in their right, their wrists crossed together, they moved cautiously. First, they surveyed the surroundings, but detected nothing unusual.

Approaching the car from opposite sides, they confirmed the license plate matched; it was indeed the suspect’s vehicle. Both men were tense, their steps light, eyes scanning every direction and ears attuned to the slightest sound, wary that Sun Qifeng might suddenly lash out.

Once close to the vehicle, they shone their powerful flashlights inside but found no sign of Sun Qifeng. Disappointment swept over them, but also a sense of relief.

“You stay on guard around here while I search,” Han Bin said.

Li Hui nodded, keeping watch around the van.

Zhou Qiang put on gloves and shoe covers and first opened the trunk, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

To the left of the road was a stretch of forest, with half the van parked on muddy ground. Just as he was about to open the door, he noticed a row of shoe prints outside the driver’s seat, leading deeper into the woods.

Han Bin took out his phone, snapped photos of the footprints, and, without stopping to examine them closely, continued searching inside the vehicle.

There was a hat on the passenger seat and Sun Qifeng’s driver’s license and vehicle registration tucked in the compartment between the seats. Other than that, nothing else was found.

At that moment, the sound of sirens pierced the air.

Han Bin looked outside and saw police lights flashing in the distance—backup had arrived.

...

“Captain Zheng, Captain Zeng,” Han Bin and Li Hui greeted them.

“You two are quick,” Zheng Kaixuan remarked.

“Is this the suspect’s car?” Zeng Ping asked.

“It is, but Sun Qifeng isn’t inside,” Han Bin replied.

“Any clues to his whereabouts?” Zheng Kaixuan asked.

By then, a police cordon had been set up around the area.

Li Hui led Zheng Kaixuan and the others to the car. “Captains, the suspect parked the car on the left side instead of the usual right, so I suspect he abandoned the car and fled into the woods to the left.”

“Could this be a deliberate ruse?” Zeng Ping wondered.

“Binzi found a line of footprints outside the driver’s seat. It shouldn’t be wrong,” Li Hui replied.

“Captain Zheng, should we organize a search party to comb the mountain?” Zeng Ping asked.

“Han Bin, do you think following the footprints could lead us to the suspect?” Zheng Kaixuan turned to him.

Han Bin had only just arrived and hadn’t studied the prints in depth. “The prints are visible in the mud, but in this season, once you go deeper into the forest, there’s a thick layer of fallen leaves, so footprints won’t show.”

“Captain Zheng, should we request tracking dogs from the city bureau?” Zeng Ping suggested.

Zheng Kaixuan considered for a moment. “I’ll ask the city bureau leadership to send us tracking dogs, but we can’t just wait around. We have to send people into the mountains to search for the suspect.”

“Captain Zheng, I’m willing to lead a team into the mountains,” Zeng Ping volunteered.

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry, this time, we won’t let Sun Qifeng slip away again.”

...

Zeng Ping borrowed a few officers from the local station and turned to Han Bin and Li Hui. “Will you two stay here to rest, or come with me to apprehend him?”

“Of course I’m coming with you to catch him!” Li Hui pounded his chest, full of vigor.

“Captain Zeng, I’ll stay behind to study the footprints,” Han Bin said.

“Alright, if you find any new leads, let me know,” Zeng Ping replied.

Having worked together for some time, Zeng Ping had come to know Han Bin and understood he wasn’t one to shirk his duties.

“Yes, sir.”

...

Han Bin squatted down by the footprints and began his examination.

Because they were impressed into the mud, the prints were clear. After a while, Han Bin frowned.

Something was wrong with these footprints.

Just then, Zheng Kaixuan walked over. “Han Bin, I’ve long heard Captain Zeng say you’re good at footprint identification. Have you found anything?”

“I have, Captain,” Han Bin replied.

“Let’s hear it.”

“From the position and the way the foot landed, these prints were left by the van’s driver.”

“I can tell that much. Anything useful?” Zheng Kaixuan waved his hand impatiently.

“These prints aren’t Sun Qifeng’s,” Han Bin stated.

“The driver isn’t Sun Qifeng? How is that possible?” Zheng Kaixuan was surprised.

“When we searched Sun Qifeng’s house, I checked his shoes by the shoe cabinet. The wear patterns on all his shoes were the same, but they don’t match the wear patterns of these prints. I can say for certain, they’re not the same person,” Han Bin concluded.

“So the driver wasn’t Sun Qifeng? Does he have an accomplice?” Zheng Kaixuan speculated.

“I suggest we notify Captain Zeng immediately,” Han Bin advised.

Zheng Kaixuan nodded. If Sun Qifeng had an accomplice, the situation was more dangerous and the search needed to be conducted with greater caution.

Two hours later, the tracking dogs arrived and joined the search. With Sun Qifeng’s hat in the car, there was no shortage of scent.

Police dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell, and their participation greatly increased the chances of success.

The sun gradually rose higher.

The search in the mountains continued all morning, but still no trace of Sun Qifeng was found.

Nearing noon, the first search team returned—it was Zeng Ping’s group.

After trekking for seven or eight hours, everyone was exhausted, thirsty, and hungry.

Han Bin handed out bottled water and boxed meals.

“Damn, Sun Qifeng really knows how to hide. We didn’t even catch a glimpse of him,” Li Hui lamented.

“It’s not just you. There’s been no news from the tracking dogs either,” Han Bin replied.

“Binzi, are you sure Sun Qifeng has an accomplice?” Zeng Ping asked.

“I’m certain—the driver wasn’t Sun Qifeng,” Han Bin replied.

“If it’s a coordinated crime, things just got more complicated,” Zeng Ping mused.

“We never found evidence of Sun Qifeng having an accomplice. Whoever it is must be very well hidden,” Li Hui said.

“Indeed. Whether at the scene, at Sun Qifeng’s house, or in the car, no trace of an accomplice has turned up,” Zeng Ping said.

“This suggests Sun Qifeng’s partner is highly skilled at evading investigation. Perhaps he’s the real mastermind behind this case, always lurking in Sun Qifeng’s shadow,” Han Bin said thoughtfully.

“Too bad there’s no clue except the footprints. We’ll still have to track down Sun Qifeng first,” Zeng Ping said.

“Once we find him, he’ll have no choice but to give up his accomplice,” Li Hui said.

“Let’s hope the tracking dogs bring back good news,” Zeng Ping added.

Han Bin frowned slightly, listening to their conversation. He couldn’t shake a sense of unease.

The van belonged to Sun Qifeng, and all the clues pointed to him, while his accomplice had hidden himself perfectly, leaving no trace.

Had Han Bin not happened to discover the discrepancy in the footprint patterns, no one would have suspected there was another person involved in the case.