Fog City Detective

Chapter 19: The Scene

Liu Zhen served as the deputy captain of the London Narcotics Unit, one of three deputy captains leading their respective teams. The warehouse they were in belonged to Liu Zhen's team, and within the facility was a temporary holding cell for suspected criminals. Wang Shuang, at this moment, was confined within.

Wang Shuang, unlike the typical drug traffickers described by Liang Xi, appeared more like a teacher with glasses, tall and slender. According to police investigations, Wang Shuang was indeed a chemistry teacher from Hungary. As for why a chemistry teacher would rent a car containing flour, Wang Shuang explained to the authorities that he fell victim to a scam, owing a significant amount of money to the Hungarian underworld. Unable to repay the debt, he was coerced into assisting with drug trafficking in the UK. Over the past six months, he had made the journey to England five times, each time carrying flour to a designated location for individual transactions.

Wang Shuang sincerely told Liu Zhen, "I always conduct individual transactions; it's the rule."

Liu Zhen said, "We need to change the rules today. Check his body, give him something to eat, and provide him with a bulletproof vest."

Wang Shuang, resigned, turned to leave. Liang Xi asked, "Is it a cash transaction?"

Thinking Liang Xi was a member of the Narcotics Unit, Wang Shuang replied, "Of course, it's cash."

Owen escorted Wang Shuang away, and Liu Zhen checked the time, saying, "We'll depart in half an hour. You guys go grab something to eat."

Eating pizza and sipping drinks, Baker drove with Liang Xi, taking the lead on the road. At thirty-two years old, Baker looked like a seasoned veteran, and tonight's operation was routine for him. He deliberately engaged in conversation and jokes with Liang Xi, easing his tension.

"Drug traffickers usually carry handguns. They know that when push comes to shove, having an RPG won't change their fate. That's why concealed weapons are their preferred choice." Seeing Liang Xi distracted, Baker expressed some concern, "Buddy, don't worry too much. We're just reconnaissance, and others will handle the main tasks."

Liang Xi asked, "Did they find any weapons on Wang Shuang or in the car when he was arrested? Did he resist?"

Baker replied, "No. Why do you ask?"

Liang Xi said, "He doesn't seem like a typical drug trafficker."

Baker answered, "Drug traffickers don't necessarily use drugs. Large organizations usually fall into two categories. The first type controls people below them using flour, and these groups collapse quickly because the runners will take risks for a little flour or betray you for a cigarette. The second type prohibits mid-to-upper-level members from dealing with flour directly and instead controls them through their families. For a drug lord, family means nothing; they'll sacrifice anything for a bit of flour. For non-drug lords, controlling their families is equivalent to controlling them. The second type of group usually doesn't perish completely; even if heavily damaged, they'll come back after months of regrouping. Their biggest enemy isn't the police; it's their competitors."

Liang Xi, departing from his earlier solitary approach when he worked for John, began to try to connect with more people in his investigations. The need dictated the attitude; previously, he had no need for others' help. Starting from John's murder, he needed every resource available. Baker was not only a contact but also a source of experience. Baker's practical experience filled in the missing pieces from books, providing Liang Xi with a three-dimensional and objective understanding of the drug trafficking syndicate. He also learned about some of the methods commonly used by the Narcotics Unit in investigating drug trafficking.

After about half an hour, around 11 PM, Liang Xi and Baker arrived in Bow Bay. Baker turned off the headlights, parked the car on the side, and asked Liang Xi to wait in the car while he stealthily approached a warehouse about a hundred meters away. After confirming it was safe, he returned to the car and led Liang Xi on foot to the transaction point.

This is a warehouse of a size similar to a small aircraft hangar, with a second floor that has a separate platform, serving as their observation point. Baker explained the details, mentioning that the traders might arrive by boat at a pier just thirty meters away to conduct the transaction at the warehouse. Alternatively, they could also arrive by car.

Liang Xi expressed concern, asking, "Is it possible for the drug traffickers to check the second floor?"

Baker replied, "It's possible, but the probability is low. Don't worry; the floor partitions can easily withstand handgun bullets, and there's only one straight elevator to the second floor. My gun can hold them off for a few minutes easily."

Liang Xi inquired, "What if the drug traffickers are carrying assault rifles?"

Baker rolled his eyes, "Are you so eager to die?"

Liang Xi chuckled silently.

Leaning against a wooden crate, Baker, holding his gun, laughed, "If there's no risk at all, why would we spend money on insurance? We still have an hour and a half until the transaction. You can take a nap or use the restroom now."

Liu Zhen's team arrived nearby, and after a brief communication, they maintained radio silence.

With 20 minutes left until the transaction, Wang Shuang, Baker, and another officer set out from the base to the trading warehouse.

Listening to the conversation in his earpiece, Baker gestured to Liang Xi by holding up two fingers and making a forward waving motion. Did Liang Xi just make a diving motion? Was Baker suggesting he jump from the second floor?

Baker chuckled, "Two suspicious vehicles."

Liang Xi asked, "What if it's a boat?"

Baker gestured with his palm facing upward, indicating a floating motion.

Liang Xi questioned, "And if it's an airplane?"

Baker mimicked a diving motion.

The trading parties approached from the north and south directions, with Wang Shuang's vehicle parked in front of the warehouse, hazard lights flashing. Liu Zhen was familiar with this custom – if Wang Shuang didn't see any cars at the front door, the hazard lights indicated he was claiming that spot for the transaction. Subsequent traders would have to use the rear door.

Baker received information and explained to Liang Xi, "Suspicious vehicles are parked thirty meters away. Two people from the second car are smoking, and the first car is approaching the warehouse. Shh!" From now on, they couldn't speak.

Wang Shuang and two police officers stood near the front door of the warehouse, with a black travel bag at their feet. The first suspicious vehicle was parked at the back door, and an African-American and two Asians entered the warehouse through the rear door.

"Hehe, spicy enough."

Liang Xi heard this remark, and the other party stopped in their tracks, maintaining silence.

Owen, aware that Wang Shuang had always conducted transactions alone before, knew the other party might be suspicious. Owen whispered, "Go."

Wang Shuang took a deep breath, took a step forward, and said in Chinese, "Are you kidding me? I rushed from Oxford to be here at eight, and you're late?"

The other party was silent for a while before responding, "Hmm."

Wang Shuang kicked the bag on the ground, saying, "Where's the money? According to the rules, money in one hand, goods in the other."

They conversed in Chinese, and both Liang Xi and Liu Zhen could understand clearly. However, Liang Xi found it strange; why did Wang Shuang mention eight o'clock? Was it at Liu Zhen's instruction? Seeing Baker looking at him, Liang Xi shook his head slightly. These few sentences were fine.

One of the traders, a man in a shirt, said, "No rush for the money. Old Three, inspect the goods."

A bald man, approximately 1.7 meters tall, walked towards Wang Shuang and the others. The man in the shirt instructed, "Step back."

Wang Shuang and the two police officers stepped back ten meters. Old Three approached the backpack, unzipped it, picked up the flour inside, weighed it in his hand, and then looked back at the man in the shirt.

Liang Xi found it odd; he was above the traders and couldn't see them, but he could see Old Three. From the laptop's transmitted video feed, Old Three had no expression or movement. He didn't evaluate the quality of the flour.

Old Three's method of inspecting the goods seemed amateurish. A real inspector would need to carry chemical reagents to roughly determine the purity of the flour. Licking a bit to discern purity was something straight out of movies and TV shows.

Something was off, but Liang Xi couldn't pinpoint what.