"Oh? So strange, what else do you have to say now!"
The prosecutor looked at me, "Defendant, weren't you a forensic doctor before? How did your identity suddenly change?"
"You don't know? Since the Punishment Group was established, I've been its leader. Strictly speaking, I'm both a forensic doctor and a detective. What's wrong? Is it that strange?"
"You..." The prosecutor at that time was almost stunned by me, but I didn't give him a chance to hide: "If I'm not mistaken, you knew the source of that document from the beginning. You were colluding! I just touched the document, and it has iodine on it! You left it there. I didn't know what was going on before, but when I saw your finger was injured, I understood..."
"What?" The prosecutor hadn't understood yet.
"Iodine contains starch. You must have touched the paste on the document just now, and they reacted. Mr. Lawyer, that's why your fingernail turned blue-black. You said you received the document this morning, but the iodine reaction is very fast. Therefore, I'm sorry, it proves you're lying!"
"You... how did you know..."
"Deduction! Do you understand? Alright, Your Honor, you should know what to do now!" I deliberately raised my hand, and a bailiff, only then realizing, came over and directly unlocked my handcuffs on the spot. The judge then realized what was happening and quickly said sternly, "Quickly arrest this disgrace to the legal profession!"
The lawyer screamed and tried to escape, but was subdued by countless bailiffs who rushed forward!
I stretched my wrists, brushed some dust off my shoulder, and said, "Alright, it's time to find He Xin!"
As I said this to Liu Yuning, she cautiously gave me a high-five, showing a victory gesture. I nodded confidently and said, "Just a basic operation, a basic operation!"
Actually, it would have been better if I hadn't shown off. By doing so, I felt a little uneasy inside. To be honest, I was in a lot of danger this time.
I could have ended up in jail.
I'm still amazed that I had the mood to show off. I was truly impressed with myself at that moment.
Not long after leaving the courtroom, we started searching by car. Yuan Hezhi cooperated with us and began investigating He Xin's information, but her phone signal, surveillance, and ID information couldn't be found.
I knew it wouldn't be that easy. I told everyone to keep searching while I returned to the provincial department. By then, I saw that the reporters and victims' families had already left, which was a relief. I was worried about being mobbed again if I came back.
I went to the Information Department and to He Xin's seat. I found something hidden under her keyboard. Because the object matched the color of the desktop, it wouldn't be noticed with a casual glance.
I pulled it out and found a computer with numbers like "3232140" written on it.
I scratched my head. Persian code? Coordinates? Or some other kind of cipher?
I started searching the computer and found that coordinates seemed to be the closest match. Using these numbers, I found several locations on the Guangming City map, but none of them seemed to fit.
I could find the location of the Guangming City water ferry terminal using "3232", but I couldn't figure out the "140" part.
What was it?
Time?
Location?
Or a room number?
There was no other way, so I drove out to find the water ferry terminal first.
After getting out of the car, I looked around, but there were no rooms on the ferry terminal. Not far away, there was only a lighthouse.
I went to the base of the lighthouse and saw an old security guard fishing there. I approached him from behind and asked, "Old sir, have you seen room 140?"
"140? How is that possible? This should be the time!"
"Time? What time do you think it is?"
"Of course, it's the departure time. Because at 2 PM, a cruise ship heading to Gaogang City is about to depart. Didn't you know?"
I didn't answer, and looked at my watch. It was already 1:10 PM, meaning there was less than 50 minutes before the cruise ship would set sail.
I looked around and saw a huge cruise ship docked at the ferry terminal not far away. Many tourists were boarding, carrying their luggage. I asked the old lighthouse security guard, "Are they going on a trip?"
"Yes, I heard they are going to the Huadu Tourist Resort in Gaogang City. The journey on the ship is also part of the experience. Rich people, indeed, live a leisurely life!"
I went near the cruise ship, notified Director Zhang, and then called Liu Yuning, asking her to bring everyone from the Punishment Group. Everyone except Yuan Hezhi came this time.
With Director Zhang's help, we got the tickets, and then everyone boarded the ship one by one.
He Xin must be somewhere on the ship. I explained how I deciphered the number code.
Liu Yuning said, "I hope we can find her. But I think if this cruise ship is related to the organization, this time might not be so simple."
"Be careful. If anything happens on the ship, we have to protect these tourists!"
"I think I saw some foreign guests."
"That's right. Everyone, listen up. I just received a secret report from Director Zhang. Members of the organization have indeed boarded this ship. They won't just sit idly by. Director Zhang told me that international police are involved in this mission. This time, we are not representing the Chinese police, but the police of the entire world. This is our honor!"
"International police? Sounds interesting!" Zhang Keying said with a smirk.
"It's not just interesting, it's absolutely interesting this time! Alright, everyone, settle down!"
We finished our low-voiced discussion, of course, we couldn't be overheard in this situation, otherwise, what plan would we have?
After we sat down, everyone in the main hall appeared normal, with no signs of criminals. But if the organization people wanted to infiltrate, they would be disguised. The main hall was decorated with colorful crystal chandeliers, and the overall design was quite European. On a rectangular table, all sorts of high-quality food and drinks were displayed, such as foie gras, Australian lobster, and white wine. We were all in plain clothes, pretending to be tourists, holding wine glasses casually, pretending to taste the wine, while our eyes were keenly observing our surroundings.
Indeed, there were many people here today, estimated to be over a thousand. At this moment, Liu Yuning said, "I just asked some security personnel, and they said there are about 4,000 people on the ship in total."
"So many? It seems the situation is more serious than we imagined. Can't this trip be canceled?"
"It's not that simple. No wonder international police were dispatched. Including us, there are probably only about 50 police officers here."
"Speak softly. Don't mention those two words again."
We returned to our tourist roles. Everyone was pretending to admire the beautiful scenery on the ship, shifting their attention from the main hall to the outer deck. We didn't know what the organization planned to do here this time. At the same time, I was observing the surroundings. Where would He Xin be?
Time passed by minute by minute. From day to night, we didn't do anything. However, the tourists who were completely unaware of the danger became excited when they saw the beautiful scenery at night and the dazzling lights. They raised their wine glasses and started dancing. Most of them were dancing around, as if intoxicated by a festival celebration, completely unaware that there were countless lurking beasts on the ship, ready to pounce at any moment to slaughter and prey on them.
We split into two groups. Xiahou, He Xiaoyu, I, and Xie Chuchu were in one group, and He Jinghui, Xiao Yuande, Zhang Keying, and Liu Yuning were in the other. When I went to the restroom, I saw a sturdy guy who suddenly bumped into my shoulder. Something fell out of my pocket. I looked and saw a note: "You are also police officers, right? Remember, I am Officer David, Interpol."
"So that Westerner just now was one of the Interpol officers. I remember. I wonder where the others are."
After I finished using the restroom and came out, I heard the music outside was very lively. These rich people were indulging in a decadent dance party, toasting each other, hugging each other, and some were even kissing on the spot. The scene was a bit chaotic. The few of us decided not to join the fun. However, just as I was leaving the main hall, standing in a corridor, a very charming woman in blue approached me: "Handsome guy, is this your first time on a cruise ship too?"
I coughed and looked at her in her smoky state, really not wanting to say much. But she seemed to deliberately approach me: "What are you shy about? You don't look like it's your first time. Come and play. It's my first time doing this on a ship!"
"Oh? Miss, I'm not interested in this kind of thing. You should find someone else!"
I was about to refuse, but I suddenly noticed something bulging at her waist, and she was covered in tattoos. Could this woman be from the organization?
Guessing this, I suddenly changed my mind. I carefully pulled her hand, and secretly attached a hidden tracking device to her wrist.
The woman was very happy, thinking I wanted to get intimate with her. She vigorously pulled me along the corridor. Listening to the sound of her red high heels tapping on the floor, I actually wanted to subdue her directly at that moment, but it was better not to act before confirming anything.
Thus, I was led by her into a very elegantly decorated room. As soon as I entered, in the darkness, she picked up something and pointed it at my neck, threatening, "Who exactly are you?"
"Aren't you..."
"Hmph, don't mess around. This place is very dangerous!"
I thought this woman was going to kill me, but instead, she tied me up tightly and stuffed me into a closet...