Chapter 50: Gratitude from the Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment

Who was Wang Chuanmin? Among the dozen or so criminal investigation captains in the province, whom had he served, other than the one in the provincial capital?

Coming all this way today just to speak well of him—he definitely had something on his mind.

*Shit, I talked too much... I was careless.*

However, the big words had already been spoken; he couldn't take them back now.

Qin Yong smiled, his gaze steady. "Captain Wang, say the word. As long as it is something we can help with, we will not refuse."

"Haha, Captain Qin is as straightforward as ever. That's exactly what I was waiting to hear."

After laughing, Wang Chuanmin turned to the subordinate following him. "Captain Qin, Zhao Ming has been staking out a location in Haizhou for a week with his team, and they've made some discoveries."

Captain Qin nodded; he was aware of this.

Qin Yong also knew Zhao Ming—he was the leader of Action Group One of the Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment. His rank was equivalent to that of Ren Qiang and Sun Jun.

"This case is an extension of the skeletal identification case that Lu Chuan helped us with before the National Day holiday."

Wang Chuanmin looked at Zhao Ming, who had been following him. "Zhao Ming, introduce the situation to Captain Qin."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Ming was a very capable-looking middle-aged man with short hair, bright eyes, and a wide forehead. However, perhaps due to long hours of staying awake, he had dark circles under his eyes.

"Captain Qin, before the National Day holiday, we discovered a set of skeletal remains at a highway expansion site."

As Zhao Ming spoke, he looked toward Lu Chuan. "Comrade Lu Chuan performed the skeletal identification and analysis for us, which confirmed the identity of the remains."

"The deceased was named Wang Jun, formerly an employee of the Tianzhou Construction Bureau. During our investigation into his personal relationships, we discovered that the deceased had a biological daughter named Liang Qi who is still alive."

"We found that sixteen years ago, during the period when he had just resigned and gone abroad, the deceased had mailed a package."

"It is highly likely that the truth behind Wang Jun's murder is hidden within that package."

"The recipient of the package was Liang Qi's mother, who passed away three years ago."

"Therefore, it is very likely that the package is currently in Liang Qi's possession."

"However, on the very day we discovered her existence, she went missing that night."

Missing?

Qin Yong's brow furrowed. "She went missing the same night you discovered the information?"

Wang Chuanmin's expression was already very grim. The police had gone through immense trouble to uncover this information, yet the other party already knew.

How did they know?

"The relevant departments at the Tianzhou Municipal Bureau have already initiated internal investigation procedures."

"But many people knew the information, and the investigation has not yet yielded results."

"Has the target come to Haizhou?"

Zhao Ming nodded. "We have tracked a suspicious vehicle; it is highly probable that they have hidden the person in Haizhou."

"The location we are staking out is the house of a mistress belonging to the suspect in Haizhou, but we have found nothing in a week."

Qin Yong nodded. The Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment had previously arrived to stake out the area and had already filed a report with the Haizhou Criminal Investigation Detachment as per regulations. However, the details had not been this extensive.

"Captain Wang, what do you need from our side?"

"To find people."

Wang Chuanmin spoke directly. "The person who kidnapped Liang Qi did not return to find his mistress; instead, he went into hiding."

"Now, only by finding him, finding Liang Qi, and finding the package can this case possibly proceed."

Lu Chuan, Li Kai, Wang Changjiang, and the others present in the meeting remained silent.

Even if Lu Chuan had never encountered such a case, he knew that a kidnapping was merely one link in the chain.

Why was Wang Jun killed sixteen years ago? What secrets were in the package, and who was involved? Furthermore, the fact that the opposition knew of Liang Qi's existence the very night the Tianzhou Detachment discovered her meant something terrifying.

The Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment... they had run into massive trouble this time.

No wonder the Captain of the prestigious Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment had personally come to Haizhou to ask for help. This wasn't just a matter of cross-regional law enforcement; it was that he could no longer be certain of whom he could trust.

"Additionally," Wang Chuanmin looked at Lu Chuan, "we may also require some technical support."

Qin Yong nodded solemnly. "Captain Wang, rest assured. My side will provide full support."

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yong looked at Lu Chuan, thought for a second, and said, "I don't have many cases on my plate recently."

"How about this: Ren Qiang, the leader of Action Group Two, Zhang Hui, and... Lu Chuan. All three will be seconded to assist you with your work in Haizhou. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing Qin Yong's promise, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed Wang Chuanmin's face.

In particular, Wang Chuanmin glanced at Lu Chuan, feeling that Qin Yong was making a significant sacrifice.

He had sent Lu Chuan's skeletal identification report to Zhang Yuanchao earlier, originally hoping they could help re-verify it. As it turned out, they had sent it back saying that with such a detailed process and precise conclusion, there was nothing to re-verify.

Although Wang Chuanmin didn't know how Lu Chuan's other technical skills were, based on this alone, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an expert.

***

After the brief meeting concluded, Lu Chuan returned to the Forensic Identification Office.

"Xiao Lu, is it a case from the Tianzhou Criminal Investigation Detachment?"

Although Old Bai was elderly, his curiosity was strong. This was what they called an old man with a young heart; many of the regulars at Tongguan Road were grandfathers well over sixty.

Lu Chuan nodded. He picked up the thermos and filled Liu Guodong's enamel mug. "Master, Captain Qin has seconded me, Group Leader Ren, and Zhang Hui to assist the people from Tianzhou with their case."

Liu Guodong's eyebrows shot up upon hearing this. "That's a good thing."

Yang Sen also chimed in, "Our detachment has a very good relationship with Tianzhou. We often ask them for technical support. Captain Qin owes them quite a few favors."

Old Bai took a sip of tea. "Old Yang is right. The fact that Captain Qin specifically named you to assist shows how much he values you."

Liu Guodong also nodded. "Besides, with something like assisting in a case, if there's credit to be gained, it won't pass you by. And if the case isn't solved, you won't be held responsible."

"It's a good assignment."

Lu Chuan obediently poured water for his three seniors.

This was the importance of seniors. Experience was often more important than raw strength.

It was like the babies in the small houses along Tongguan Road; those who didn't know the depth of the water could only poke their heads in to look. But it was different when an elder was leading the way. You didn't have to grope around to find where it was soft or fresh; you could go straight to the goal.

Just as Lu Chuan knew exactly which bloom of the anthurium plant in the office was the most delicate—you only knew once you had handled it.

Then, Old Bai began chatting about the success stories of the leaders who had emerged from the Forensic Identification Office.

"Take Bureau Chief Wang, for example. Back then, he was only seconded to the Municipal Bureau. A few years later, he came back and became a Detachment Captain..."

"So you see..."

*Ring, ring, ring.*

The office phone rang, interrupting Old Bai's lecture on the secrets of experience.

Liu Guodong looked at the caller ID and knew it was the Office Director.

"Hmm? Now?"

"Alright, alright, I'll send him over right away."

Hanging up the phone, Liu Guodong looked at Lu Chuan. "The Captain wants you in his office."

Lu Chuan looked at the quartz clock on the wall with a bewildered expression. "...I've been back for less than ten minutes, right?"

Despite his confusion, Lu Chuan followed routine, tidied himself up in front of the full-length mirror, and left the office.

Watching Lu Chuan walk out, Old Bai clicked his tongue. "Looks like before I retire, our office will still just be the three of us."

Yang Sen nodded in agreement. "Old Liu, you'd better hurry up and find someone else."

Liu Guodong sighed. "I'll see what I can do."

On the other side, Lu Chuan knocked on the door of Qin Yong's office once again.

(End of Chapter)