Chapter 93

In the 7th vehicle, a suspect was being escorted to identify a location, and they didn't dare to drive fast.

At night, there were fewer traffic police, and large trucks preferred to cross the river at night. The ferry queue was nearly a kilometer long, causing a significant delay. It took four and a half hours to cover 210 kilometers, and they safely arrived at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Jiangyang City just before 1 a.m.

Wang Jiefang asked the security guard at the checkpoint for directions, then ran to the car and asked, "Captain Han, what should we do?"

"It's not easy for us to come here. We can't afford to wait any longer."

While crossing the river, Director Zhang called. He couldn't reach two of his acquaintances in the Jiangyang Public Security Bureau and suggested finding a hotel to stay overnight, then seeking assistance from the bureau the next morning. Coordinating with the Jiangyang Public Security Bureau would likely take until 9 a.m., and Han Bo didn't want to delay, as the opportunity could slip away.

Wang Jiefang hesitated about proceeding without notifying the local police.

In an emergency, Han Bo suddenly opened the door of the 7th vehicle and asked, "Meng Shiyong, do you know where we are?"

Meng Shiyong, familiar with the area, nodded. It wasn't far from the Second Ring Road.

"I'm going to emphasize this again. This is your only chance to redeem yourself. If you try anything funny and let Hao Li escape, you and Gui Sulan will bear all the consequences."

"I understand, Officer Han. I'll lead you there. I wouldn't dare to try anything funny."

Sometimes, women have stronger nerves than men.

"Brother-in-law" Gui Sulan wasn't actually his wife but Hao Li's mistress, a stubborn individual who refused to speak.

Chen Yuehong was completely ignorant of the law, even arguing that she hadn't done anything wrong and was doing a good deed. She claimed that life was better here, and the men were hardworking, so women from Xichuan and other southwestern provinces could live a good life by marrying here.

She met Hao Li on her way back home last year and only knew his pager number, nothing else.

Meng Shiyong had been in prison before, different from the others.

Before his arrest, he was very cunning, but once caught, he realized his situation and completely changed his attitude. He cooperated actively, revealing a lot of information, both big and small, making it hard to distinguish truth from lies.

Proceeding without notifying the Jiangyang Public Security Bureau and directly conducting the arrest under his guidance was risky. If they went to the wrong place or arrested the wrong person, it would be a huge embarrassment.

He shouldn't be playing with his life.

After weighing the options, Han Bo decisively said, "Old Mi, Old Jia, take him to the front car. Chen Meng, you drive the SUV and lead the way. Xiao Dan, stay 20 meters behind Chen Meng and confirm the target before following."

"Understood!"

The back of the SUV was equipped with a steel pipe. The suspect was thoroughly searched, with his belt and shoelaces removed, and handcuffed to the pipe. Two security guards were watching him, so there was no chance of escape.

Wang Jiefang wasn't worried and got into the 7th vehicle, planning to act together with the others.

Jiangyang City was economically developed, with buses and taxis.

The security checkpoint mainly registered taxis leaving the city, and police officers only manned it during special operations. The three security guards were confused but didn't dare to ask questions, watching the two vehicles disappear into the night with the suspect.

According to Meng Shiyong, Hao Li's hideout was two kilometers south of Jiangyang Railway Station, on a roadside.

If they couldn't find the place after circling around, his information would be questionable.

It turned out he hadn't lied. Without entering the city, they drove south along the Second Ring Road, then east, and after passing a crossroads, they continued south for about 20 minutes. The place he described appeared before them.

Two low storefronts, a yard behind, a polluted river to the right, and a field to the right that had been designated for an industrial park. The villagers who rented the house had long moved away, and the riverbank was in disarray. Construction hadn't started due to a lack of funds, and it had gradually become a gathering place for vagrants.

Hao Li ostensibly engaged in scrap collection, with mountains of junk piled in the yard. Opening the car window as they passed, they could smell a pungent odor.

There were no streetlights, and it was pitch black, with overgrown weeds around. Unfamiliar with the terrain, they couldn't act immediately and needed to observe the surroundings first.

The two vehicles slowly parked under a tree 20 meters away. Chen Meng and a security guard approached the riverbank, planning to circle around to the back of the yard. Xiao Dan and another security guard moved in from the right.

Old Mi escorted Meng Shiyong out of the car, and Han Bo and Wang Jiefang handcuffed him behind his back, then pushed him toward the storefront.

A few years ago, a higher authority issued a directive prohibiting dog ownership, and many places formed dog-catching teams. A three-meter-long steel pipe with a fine steel wire noose inside could easily capture a dog, which would then be beaten to death.

Dogs weren't allowed in Jiangbei, let alone Jiangnan. Fortunately, there were no dogs around, or their barking would have alerted the people inside.

"Remember what I said. Don't try anything funny."

"I remember."

Han Bo looked back at Old Mi, who was tightly gripping the suspect's arm, and at Wang Jiefang, who had drawn his gun and was ready to charge in. He whispered, "Knock on the door."

There was no turning back now. Meng Shiyong shouted in Xichuan dialect, "Brother Li, Brother Li, open the door. It's Meng Shiyong. We're back."

Wang Jiefang raised his arm and knocked lightly on the door twice.

There was no response inside. Han Bo nudged Meng Shiyong, who shouted again. The light came on, but no one spoke. The wooden door had large gaps, and they were about to move aside to avoid being seen when they heard Xiao Dan's shout from behind, "Don't move! Where are you going?"

The sound of things falling and bumping continued. Wang Jiefang kicked the door hard. The first kick didn't open it, but the second did, and the door swung open with a bang.

Han Bo turned on his flashlight and rushed in with Wang Jiefang.

The outer room was empty, with only a pile of scrap metal. The back door was wide open, and in the back yard, two figures were struggling by the left wall, while another person was pinned to the ground by Chen Meng at the right corner.

"Stop! Police!"

As Han Bo shone the flashlight, Wang Jiefang and Xiao Dan had already tackled the resisting suspect to the ground.

"How many? Any escapees?"

"No, just two."

"Old Jia, Old Ke, come around from the front. Old Mi, bring Meng Shiyong in!"

Meng Shiyong had clearly said there was only one person, so why were there two? After confirming the two suspects were under control, Han Bo searched the row of sheds in the yard.

The first shed was a kitchen with a broken table and a stack of unwashed dishes.

The second shed was full of junk, and the third had nothing much. The last shed, however, was a shock. A naked, disheveled woman, covered with a tattered blanket, was chained to a steel pipe in the corner.

She was trembling in fear, too scared to make a sound. Her face was bruised, and there were marks on her arms.

...

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