Diary of a Criminal Investigator

Chen Gang nodded affirmatively.

"Don’t worry, I already have a lead here, I’ll call you immediately."

In fact, Chen Gang had helped the Criminal Investigation Team with similar cases before, but that was three years ago before Lu Chuan arrived, when the captain was Yuan Shaokang.

They eventually also found the vehicle used by the traffickers.

Unfortunately, there was no further progress afterward, and the case became unresolved, with the child still not found to this day.

As for this case, Chen Gang could only hope for divine intervention.

This is different from solving ordinary murder cases.

Tracking traffickers to find children involves immense psychological pressure on the police.

For the murderer, the victim is already dead, which is an established fact.

Although some murderers are extremely brutal, causing severe impact, in reality, the police solve the case and catch the perpetrator after the person has died.

Once the victim is dead, this fact cannot be altered.

But kidnapping cases are different.

Most kidnapping cases are reported relatively early.

To the police, it feels like the perpetrator is ahead and they are behind.

As long as they try hard, they might catch up, and once they do and rescue the child, they can save a family, save a child.

Like Lu Chuan now, he has already found the white van on surveillance at North Fifth Lane on Construction Road.

Just a bit further, Lu Chuan might catch the person.

The urgency of solving such a case is beyond imagination for the average person.

But whether they can catch him... nobody knows.

Lu Chuan and his team almost sprinted out of the traffic police office building.

"North Fifth Lane on Construction Road!"

In the car, Lu Chuan’s tone was anxious: "Sound the sirens, get there as fast as possible!"

"Yes!"

Now, perhaps every minute and every second could change the final result of the case.

The driver was a detective named Chen Maokai.

Three years ago, in the kidnapping case Yuan Shaokang encountered, he was one of the detectives handling the case, and coincidentally, he was also driving, taking Yuan Shaokang to a place where clues were found.

So Chen Maokai knows well the frustration of arriving at a clue location and finding nothing.

At times, Chen Maokai even wondered if driving a bit faster could have caught the perpetrator.

So this time, Chen Maokai firmly pressed the gas pedal into the tank, speeding forward along the way.

Several times on the way, there were almost traffic accidents.

But Chen Maokai didn’t care at all and continued at full speed.

Soon, the usual 20-minute journey was completed by Chen Maokai in under 8 minutes.

At the entrance of the alley on North Fifth Lane of Construction Road, Lu Chuan and others got out of the car to investigate.

But Chen Maokai felt his whole body trembling, his legs didn’t seem to obey, unable to get out of the car.

The moment they entered about 10 meters into the alley entrance, Lu Chuan looked up and saw the surveillance that captured the white van.

North Fifth Lane on Construction Road is not very long, roughly about 300 meters in length.

"Captain Lu! Over there!"

Looking up with a situational eye, a white car rear was spotted.

Lu Chuan led three people and immediately ran forward.

"It’s this car!"

Damn it!

Finally found it.

A colleague took out a walkie-talkie, informing everyone on the public channel.

"The white unlicensed van used for child trafficking has been found at North Fifth Lane on Construction Road."

"Repeat, the unlicensed van has been discovered at North Fifth Lane on Construction Road."

Lu Chuan’s team took a circle around the vehicle but didn’t step forward to open the door.

"Call the Crime Scene Investigation team, hurry over to do fingerprint collection."

Just now, through the window, it was found to be unoccupied inside.

And outside the alley, there is the old train station’s square.

"No surveillance."

From this exit of the alley to the square in front of the station, there’s no surveillance.

"Captain Lu, what do we do now?"

What to do?

Lu Chuan frowned; he really didn’t know what to do now.

Although the suspect’s vehicle used to kidnap children was found, how the suspect left North Fifth Lane on Jianguo Road is still unclear.

It’s possible they had another car parked on Jianguo Road North Fifth Lane and left with it after abandoning the van.

Alternatively, they might have really boarded a train at the station after entering.

Or they might have just thrown the police a diversion, making it seem like they’ve left by train.

But in reality, they might still be in Haizhou City, just entering the downtown area.

What to do?

Although anxious, anxiety won’t find the child.

Lu Chuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

In the Criminal Investigation Team of the High-tech Zone, it’s not just a few of them involved in this case.

On the road, Lu Chuan already made the police department call all available forces, clerical or field, to be devoted to this case.

"Alright, split up in multiple ways."

Lu Chuan thought it over and organized his thoughts.

The child was lost this morning, and the suspect hurried to the station front square, taking less than half an hour.

So if they boarded the train immediately, there’s no use in rushing now.

By now, with a day half gone, the train might have already left the province.

"Call Wang Chaokai from Squad One, get all Squad One officers to the station front square."

"Just at the Criminal Investigation Team, Jianguo Road North Fifth Lane’s surveillance camera captured the van driver’s face."

"Print his photo, ask each shop around, the ticket sellers, also check the automatic ticket machines. I want all channels to track this person down."

Of course, they may have purchased tickets online beforehand, but it’s also possible they bought tickets on-site.

No matter the case, reconnaissance at the station front square is necessary.

"Also notify the Station Police Station, have them fully cooperate with this case."

The Station Police Station officers know the train station best.

Outside the station, not only are there travelers but even more commercial vendors.

There are also many solicitors for accommodation businesses, scalpers for sought-after tickets, or itinerant vendors selling folding stools.

Almost all travelers entering from the station front square will be stopped by them to ask if they need anything.

So if they really took a train, it’s highly likely some clues could be found in these people’s investigations.

"Secondly, have Chen Jiang send a few people to the traffic police office to keep me informed of any situation."

"And Sun Biao’s squad in Beidou District must not slack off, the suspect might have left clues elsewhere. Check all home, supermarket, and hair salon surveillance cameras and obtain clues as soon as possible."

"Tell everyone it’s urgent, this case must not only be swift but also precise."

"The child... is only 4 years old!"