Diary of a Criminal Investigator

Chapter 740: Waiting for the Right Moment

Most of the 32 fingerprints belong to Tang Hao himself.There were also a few fingerprints from Tang Hao’s friends, who went biking with him.

Besides these, Lu Chuan found two unknown fingerprints.

One of them matched successfully.

Cui Kai, a resident of Haizhou City, previously jailed for four years for robbery, released two years ago.

A person with a criminal record, his fingerprints are found on Tang Hao’s bicycle.

Clearly, the person is either one of the abductors of Tang Hao or among them.

The other fingerprint did not match anyone.

But it doesn’t matter now; with Cui Kai identified, solving the case is imminent.

"Check this person’s background."

Lu Chuan handed Cui Kai’s details to Wang Zhaokai.

"Yes."

"How are the preparations in the conference room?"

"The technical support team from the substation has completed their preparations and is analyzing the base station connections from the mobile company."

"Let’s go and have a look."

Conference room.

When Lu Chuan entered, he saw several computers and satellite signal receivers.

"Captain Lu."

The technical support team consisted of 4 people, all from the substation.

The team leader, Zheng Jun: "Our preparations are complete."

"We’re waiting for the kidnapper to call Tang Guojin, then we can track their location."

"Additionally, using information provided by the mobile company, we’ve roughly estimated their hiding spot."

"Oh? Where is it?"

Zheng Jun gestured, and a staff member turned on the projector.

A high-resolution map of Haizhou City appeared.

"Based on the base station connections from the mobile company, the kidnappers used six stations for calls."

"We’ve compared the call times from when they contacted Tang Guojin."

"Then we marked these stations."

As Zheng Jun explained, the staff followed his lead.

On the projected map, six red dots appeared in sequence.

"Captain Lu, look, these 6 stations are around People’s Square in the High-tech Zone."

"The one with the most connections is the base station on the rooftop of Building 3 in Ocean District."

"Starting from New Year’s Day, 35 calls were made from this number."

"Of these, 18 connected through the Ocean District base station."

"The remaining stations are close to this one."

Technical experts indeed stand out from others.

As Zheng Jun introduced, the projector gradually magnified the six red dots.

Each station’s call count was also marked.

The station on the rooftop of Building 3 in Ocean District stood out most.

Out of 35 calls, it accounted for more than half.

"Captain Lu, this district... is right behind Hilton Hotel."

Chen Jiang’s home is near this district, so he’s familiar with the area.

Given the situation, it was quite apparent.

"The kidnappers are likely residing in Ocean District?"

"That seems about right."

Zheng Jun moved to the projector: "Ocean District has 27 buildings, with a large population and area coverage."

"There are three base stations just within the district."

"The kidnapper’s phone mostly connected to the station on the rooftop of Building 3."

"We can thus essentially confirm that the kidnappers likely reside near Building 3."

"We checked the map for the range covered by the Building 3 station; it covers 4 buildings."

"If the criminal wasn’t deliberately calling from there, it implies they might be hiding in one of these 4 buildings."

Zheng Jun’s point suggests that if kidnappers don’t know about phone call principles, they might be among those 4 buildings.

However, if aware or knowing the police can use base stations to locate phones, they might have deliberately chosen a place to call from.

Their goal would be to confuse the police and avoid detection.

So it’s not 100% certain the kidnappers are within those 4 buildings in Ocean District.

Luckily, Lu Chuan had another vital lead.

"Captain Lu, Cui Kai’s details have been verified."

At this moment, Wang Zhaokai returned.

"Cui Kai, male, 34, jailed for robbery 6 years ago, sentenced to 4 years, released 2 years ago."

"After release, he hasn’t found a job."

"He resides in a house left by his parents at 301, Unit 3, Building 2, Ocean District."

Ocean District again?!

Conference room.

Lu Chuan chaired a dilemma analysis meeting.

"Currently, the technical support team highly suspects the suspect is in Ocean District."

"Moreover, fingerprints from a convicted individual, Cui Kai, were found on Tang Hao’s bike."

"Coincidentally, he also lives in Ocean District."

"Let’s discuss and share your thoughts."

"Captain Lu, I think we can now focus on surveillance in Ocean District."

Chen Jiang was the first to speak: "Considering both aspects, the suspect’s presence in Ocean District is quite plausible."

"Plus, Tang Xiaoyu was found in Hilton Hotel, and Ocean District is just at the back."

"So my idea is to directly target Ocean District, they might be in Cui Kai’s house."

Sun Biao nodded: "I agree with Old Chen, focus on Ocean District."

"However, whether to apprehend depends on further confirmation of their exact location, it’s better to be cautious."

"Perhaps wait for news about Tang Guojin collecting the ransom."

"Before they get the money, Tang Hao should be safe."

"We relatively have more time."

"My suggestion is to act when they collect the money."

"It could still lull them into thinking Tang Guojin hasn’t called the police, causing them to lower their guard."

"Moreover, whether it’s a solo or group crime, when causing someone to get money, their guard on Tang Hao loosens, making rescue easier."

Wang Zhaokai then stated: "Old Sun’s thought is more appropriate."

"I also think this way, currently, our grasped information isn’t definitive enough to pin them at Cui Kai’s place."

"I propose checking Cui Kai’s recent grocery purchases or delivery orders."

"We can act after further confirmation."

"Additionally, we need Tang Guojin to cooperate, perhaps by letting them initially obtain some cash."