Chapter 74: Chasing Through the Night

"Binzi, something about this situation feels off," Li Hui said, puzzled. "We’ve watched all the video surveillance from the fourth floor, even aired it on the livestream, but there’s still no sign of He Yan."

"When did Xiao Kai leave?" Han Bin asked.

"He left just after midnight on August nineteenth, dragging a suitcase behind him. He hasn’t been back since," Li Hui replied, rewinding the surveillance footage as he spoke.

"I remember when he arrived, he didn’t have such a large suitcase," Han Bin recalled.

"He went out once that afternoon and brought it back with him," Li Hui answered, then suddenly realized something. "Are you suggesting he kidnapped He Yan and smuggled her out in that suitcase?"

"After He Yan entered the room, she never came out again. Is there a better explanation?" Han Bin countered.

"If he stuffed her into the suitcase, is He Yan dead or alive?" Li Hui wondered.

Han Bin shook his head. "I don’t know."

...

Half an hour later.

Zheng Kaixuan gathered the second team in room 407 for a meeting. 407 was a twin room; some sat on the beds, others in chairs. Zheng Kaixuan took a sip of tea. "Time is tight, so I’ll get straight to the point. If anyone has new leads, report them now."

"We took Cui Xiaofang to room 408. She claims that after checking in, she never came back to that room," Tian Li spoke up first.

Zheng Kaixuan turned to Han Bin and Li Hui. "Is Cui Xiaofang telling the truth?"

"We haven’t seen her enter 408 on the surveillance footage," Li Hui replied.

"So she pulled back from the brink just in time," Zhao Ming joked.

"Enough with the nonsense—let’s stick to useful information," Zeng Ping said with a grunt.

"Brother Bin sent over a screenshot of the male suspect from the video. We had Cui Xiaofang identify him, and it’s definitely the Xiao Kai she was in contact with," Zhao Ming reported.

"Anything else from the surveillance room?"

"We reviewed the footage. Only two people entered 408: Xiao Kai and He Yan," Han Bin answered.

"So He Yan’s kidnapping is definitely linked to this Xiao Kai?" Zheng Kaixuan pressed.

"Based on what we know, he’s the prime suspect," Han Bin replied.

"When did He Yan and Xiao Kai leave the hotel?"

"Xiao Kai left around one in the morning on the nineteenth. We didn’t see He Yan leave at all," Han Bin said.

Zheng Kaixuan frowned. "We searched 408 from top to bottom—not even a hair left behind. Did He Yan fly out or what?"

Li Hui pulled out his phone and played a screenshot: a man dragging a large, heavy-looking suitcase out of room 408.

"Are you kidding me!" Zhao Ming exclaimed in disbelief. "He Yan can’t have been stuffed in there, can she?"

"Judging by the surveillance footage, it’s highly likely," Han Bin said.

"Did any staff enter 408 during that period?"

"After Xiao Kai entered, he never allowed any cleaning, and no hotel staff went in," Han Bin confirmed.

Zhao Ming stroked his chin, pondering, then suddenly stood up. "The fourth floor isn’t that high—could someone have climbed out the window?"

"Impossible," Zeng Ping replied firmly.

"And how do you know that, Captain Zeng?"

Zeng Ping walked over, pulled aside the curtains, revealing a solid wall behind them.

"I...," Zhao Ming gaped. "What’s up with this design?"

"Rooms 407 and 408 are the same layout—no windows," Zeng Ping shrugged.

"Then why the curtains? What’s the point?"

"You’d have to ask the hotel owner about that."

"Captain Zheng, any findings from the tech team?" Han Bin asked.

"The room’s been cleaned. No blood, no fingerprints, nothing to identify the suspect," Zheng Kaixuan replied.

"So there’s a chance He Yan is still alive," Han Bin speculated.

"Now that we’ve arrested Cui Xiaofang, the suspect knows He Yan’s family has called the police. Her situation might be very dangerous," Zheng Kaixuan said, visibly worried.

"Captain Zheng is right. We must find He Yan as soon as possible, and apprehend the suspect, Xiao Kai," Zeng Ping said.

"But we only know what the suspect looks like—we don’t have his real name, phone number, or address. This won’t be easy," Tian Li shook her head.

"All right, everyone, brace yourselves for a long night. We’re working through the night," Zheng Kaixuan said, scanning the team and seeing they were still in good shape. He continued, "Tonight, there are four main investigative directions: First, a citywide manhunt for the suspect, Xiao Kai. Set up checkpoints on the highways out of town, and distribute his photo to the train and bus stations. Ask local officers for assistance in the search."

"Second, review surveillance cameras near the Weijia Hotel to track the suspect’s movements after leaving."

"Third, the tech team will use Xiao Kai’s photo to search the database and try to identify his real identity."

"Fourth, have He Yan’s family go to the district precinct. If the kidnapper calls again, the tech team can trace and monitor the phone’s location."

After the assignments, Zheng Kaixuan asked, "Anyone have anything to add?"

"Captain Zheng, with so much to do, our second team alone probably can’t handle it all," Zeng Ping said with a wry smile.

"The tech team can handle the photo database. For the citywide alert, I’ll ask the district leaders to send reinforcements. Second team, your job is to check the surveillance and find the suspect’s escape route," Zheng Kaixuan said.

"Yes, sir. We’ll get it done!"

...

Once Zheng Kaixuan had finished assigning tasks, he took the tech team and Cui Xiaofang back to the precinct. The second team stayed behind.

*Clap, clap...*

Zeng Ping clapped his hands. "Captain Zheng’s got the big picture; let me break down the tasks further."

"Han Bin and Li Hui, you’re on surveillance for the hotel’s surroundings."

"Zhao Ming and Tian Li, head to the traffic control center and review the Sky-Eye surveillance system."

"Yes, sir," everyone replied, splitting up immediately.

Han Bin and Li Hui first pulled up the footage from the hotel’s main entrance. They handed it over to Zeng Ping, then went around to nearby shops to collect more surveillance videos. At this hour, most stores were closed, so gathering footage wasn’t easy.

"Binzi, the phone tracking this afternoon put the suspect near the train station. Do you think he’s already left Qindao?" Li Hui asked.

"Not likely."

"Why not?"

"According to Cui Xiaofang’s statement, the suspect was still expecting He Yan’s family to transfer money to the bank card so she could withdraw it for him," Han Bin recalled, analyzing, "I think before Cui Xiaofang was exposed, the suspect hadn’t left the city yet."

The two circled the area, copying all the available surveillance from nearby shops, and brought it back to the hotel to meet up with Zeng Ping. The three carefully reviewed surveillance around the Weijia Hotel, and finally uncovered the suspect Xiao Kai’s escape route...