Fog City Detective

Chapter 21: Pursuit (Part 2)

Liang Xi: "Stop the car."

Baker, puzzled, asked, "What's going on?"

Liang Xi: "Wang Shuang's vehicle arrived at the intersection one minute before us. If he sprints at full speed, covering approximately 600 meters, considering his physical condition, the night, and the possibility of injuries from jumping off the car, his running distance should be within 400 meters. He won't run towards the east on the highway, and it's unlikely he'll head south either. The most probable direction is the southeast. Turn the high beams towards the east."

Baker maneuvered the car, still not fully understanding. "You're saying he's running southeast, but we're shining the lights eastward?"

Liang Xi explained, "Because we've already been heading south for over 300 meters."

Under the illumination of the headlights, Wang Shuang was not found, but there were faint signs of buildings to the east. Liang Xi took out his phone, turned off airplane mode, and opened the navigation. "Go to Gros Gallery, drive 300 meters ahead, there's a road leading there."

Baker glanced at it. "Gros Gallery. Are you translating for real?" He started driving.

Liang Xi shrugged, changing the subject. "Do we need to inform the captain?"

Baker said, "I trust you, but not everyone will trust a little devil like you. Besides, the walkie-talkie is still broken."

"Fine!" Liang Xi looked at the phone's navigation. "There are two roads to the gallery—one is the path we're on now, and the other goes to the art museum, leading to the city. Based on my judgment, if Wang Shuang jumped off at the intersection, he would definitely look for a safe place as far away from the highway as possible. Running three to four hundred meters southeast, he'll surely see the gallery. The best choice is to enter the gallery to temporarily evade the police search and then find a way to escape."

Baker asked, "Why is there a solitary gallery on the outskirts?"

Liang Xi: "The artist's mindset is not within the variables considered by detectives."

Baker: "Are you really a detective?"

Liang Xi replied, "Rose Detective Agency."

Baker, somewhat surprised: "Old John?"

Liang Xi: "Yes."

Baker, after a few moments of silence: "He was a good man." Clearly, he knew about John's passing.

Liang Xi pointed ahead, "So, are we driving there like this?"

"Fly over there?" Baker suggested, coming to a direct halt at the entrance of the gallery. He turned off the car lights and observed the gallery from inside the police car. Baker said, "Most police car doors are bulletproof, and our car windows can withstand attacks from 5.56mm bullets. If we stay in the car, we're safe."

Liang Xi lowered the window a bit and listened for a moment. "It seems..."

"It seems?" Baker inquired.

"It seems there's no sound," Liang Xi replied.

"I'll be damned by you," Baker said, pulling out his handgun cautiously as he opened the car door and swiftly moved a few steps forward, positioning himself near the entrance of the gallery. He then signaled for Liang Xi to come over.

Liang Xi shook his head, "I'm not coming over. It's not a matter of fear but a matter of not wanting to be caught off guard. In case of trouble, I can drive over to pick you up, Baker."

Baker persistently gestured for him to come, making a fist to indicate safety. Liang Xi finally reluctantly got out of the car and took small steps to the other side of the door.

Baker said casually, "If you're wrong, I'll be in big trouble."

Liang Xi didn't quite understand, pressing his hand on the doorknob and looking at Baker. He gently pushed the door open a c***k. Liang Xi extended his left hand with the palm out, while his right hand formed a fist, pounding on the palm and pointing upstairs.

Baker asked, "You're going to the second floor to beat me up?"

Liang Xi clarified, "There are criminals on the second floor."

Baker responded, "Intrusion is on you."

Liang Xi used sign language, pointing to the clean floor, undamaged glass around, and an intact door lock, indicating that the door was opened from the inside. Since the door was not locked, it meant the guests hadn't left. The lack of lights in the living room corridor suggested the guests were likely criminals.

Baker remarked, "That's a long sentence. Do you think I can understand?"

Liang Xi used sign language again, lifting his index finger to his throat: "Hostages upstairs."

Baker responded with sign language, using his left index finger to make a slashing motion across his throat: "Silent throat slitting?"

Liang Xi nodded, giving a thumbs up: "Telepathic connection, no communication barriers."

Baker pushed open the door, slowly entering with his gun drawn. He walked to the stairs, turned back to see Liang Xi not following, and waved his hand, signaling him to continue forward.

Liang Xi wanted to curse, but he followed. The two ascended the stairs quietly, and halfway up, they heard the sound of porcelain clashing from a room on the left side of the staircase.

Something was definitely wrong. Baker stopped, turned around, and made a gesture on the walkie-talkie—it was time to call for backup. Liang Xi pointed in the direction of the car: "Walkie-talkie is in the car."

Baker gestured with his middle finger: "You understand?"

Liang Xi shrugged and pointed toward the car: "Shall I go get it?"

Baker waved it off: "Forget it."

Walking cautiously, one in front of the other, they reached the doorway of the left room. Initially following behind Baker, Liang Xi was pulled to the other side of the room by Baker's grab. Liang Xi extended his hands, indicating that he was unarmed and not prepared to face the criminals head-on.

Baker, feeling resigned, took out his spare gun, deactivated the safety gun, and handed it to Liang Xi. He made a motion to tilt the gun backward, signifying that a bullet was chambered.

Liang Xi gestured in sign language: "I don't want a weapon."

Baker reached out, moved Liang Xi's index finger away from the trigger, and looked at him seriously, and Liang Xi nodded in understanding. He knew the principle that fingers shouldn't be on the trigger when the gun is not to be fired. Don't underestimate Liang Xi—he had fired a gun on the shooting range during his university days, a total of seven shots.

Baker gestured: "I'll kick the door, and you go in."

Liang Xi shook his head, gesturing: "You kick the door, you go in."

Baker signaled: "I kick the door, you go in."

Liang Xi pointed to his own leg, shaking his head: "Can't kick it open."

Baker, feeling exasperated, was about to charge in when Liang Xi reached out, turned the doorknob, and the door opened. The two stared at each other, and Baker gestured to push the door, pointing to himself, and then to the door: "You push the door, I'll go in first."

Liang Xi understood, extending three fingers and counting down: "3, 2..." They both felt something was off, exchanged glances, and carefully swapped positions. This way, pushing the door would reveal a larger space.

Liang Xi extended three fingers again: "3, 2, 1, push the door."

Baker crouched, using cat-like steps to enter the room. Liang Xi waited for a moment, and Baker gestured with his finger to signal Liang Xi to enter the room. It was a small hall, and upon turning left, there was dim light cast onto the floor. Faint cries could be heard, muffled by someone who seemed to have their hands and mouths taped.

This time, Baker didn't hesitate. He approached the wall in a few steps. Liang Xi followed him, keeping close to the wall. Baker turned around, pressing Liang Xi's handgun.

Taking a deep breath, Baker took a step forward and turned left. About five meters away, a woman in her forties was sitting on the floor against the wall, her hands and mouth taped. Deeper into the room, about twelve meters away from Baker, Wang Shuang held a gun in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, pressing buttons.

Baker slowly approached, not expecting the hostage to notice them. She made an effort to produce muffled sounds.

Wang Shuang turned around, spotting Baker. Reacting swiftly, Baker fired a shot into Wang Shuang's chest. Wang Shuang took a step back, staggering.

Baker gripped the gun with both hands, firing continuously. Although wearing a bulletproof vest, the impact force of the bullets prevented Wang Shuang from raising his gun, and it knocked the gun out of his hand. He fell to the ground. Baker quickly advanced, kicking away the gun and pulling out handcuffs from behind. Unexpectedly, Wang Shuang played dead, feigning a lifeless state and then thrusting a dagger toward Baker. Baker barely managed to evade, falling to the side.

Liang Xi fired a shot at the ceiling, "Move, and I'll finish you off."

Wang Shuang, uncertain of Liang Xidao's intentions, raised his hands and released the dagger. Everyone then heard creaking sounds as they looked up at the crystal chandelier hit by Liang Xi's bullet. Simultaneously, their gaze shifted to the hostage beneath the crystal chandelier.