CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: THE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN POLICE AND CRIMINALS

On the Jiangya Highway.

Two red trucks were driving one after the other.

In the cab of the truck behind, driver Mr. Zhao asked with a laugh, "Yong, you’ve never escorted a vehicle yourself. Why the sudden interest this time?"

The middle-aged man in the passenger seat gazed out the window, absent-mindedly replying, "I just happen to have some business in Rong City."

"That’s great! We can chat on the way."

Ten minutes later, Mr. Zhao’s face looked a bit uneasy. He was gripping the steering wheel with his right hand and holding his stomach with his left.

"Yong, it seems the morning’s tea egg went bad. My stomach hurts a lot, and I need a bathroom."

"There’s a service area 1 kilometer ahead. I want to make a stop."

The middle-aged man turned his head for a glance and said, "Make it quick, don’t waste time."

"Yong, I’ll make it fast."

Soon, Mr. Zhao turned the steering wheel to the right, and the truck quickly entered the Tangshan Service Area.

As soon as the truck stopped, Mr. Zhao opened the door to get out.

The middle-aged man beside him said, "Hurry up! The other truck has already left."

"Don’t worry, Yong. I’ll catch up quickly when I’m done."

At this moment.

The criminal investigation team was quick to take action.

Li Jian, leading Jiang An, Zhang Yean, and others, rushed to the highway checkpoint to prepare for an interception.

Chen He, leading a team, headed to Jiangcheng Development Zone Yanfei Shoe Factory to investigate the basic information of the transport vehicles and their route.

Fifteen minutes later, Chen He drove up to the shoe factory gate.

The old man guarding the gate saw the police car’s flashing lights and promptly opened the sliding door.

Speeding into action, Chen He drove the police car directly to the shoe warehouse.

At that time.

A young man wearing glasses was verifying the remaining shoes.

The screech of tires interrupted his counting.

He turned his head and saw a white police car.

Suddenly, his legs began to tremble.

Already startled by a gun-wielding policewoman.

Now another police car had suddenly pulled up in front of him.

Chen He swung open the car door and quickly asked, "What were the license plates of the trucks that transported shoes this morning?"

The young man was confused but mechanically replied, "Jiang A*** Jiang B***."

"Besides the driver, who else was on the truck?"

"There was Jiang Yong."

"How long since the truck set out?"

"About an hour and a half ago."

Thereupon, Chen He dialed Li Jian’s number.

"Mr. Li, the two truck license plates are Jiang A*** and Jiang B***. There is an escort, Jiang Yong, on board."

"Got it!"

"You all head there quickly too."

After acquiring the license plate numbers, Li Jian quickly communicated them to the highway police.

Five minutes later, Li Jian’s phone rang.

"Mr. Li, the license plate numbers you just provided match two red trucks that entered the highway from Jiangcheng North. They are heading along the Jiangya Highway and haven’t exited yet."

Li Jian was thrilled upon hearing this.

He said, "Establish checkpoints at all exits of the Jiangya Highway immediately for inspection."

"The suspect’s photos have already been sent to you."

"Mr. Li, received, and we’ll fully cooperate as the highway police."

After hanging up, Li Jian turned to Zhang Yean and said, "Drive faster, let’s go directly to the highway entrance."

Meanwhile.

In the Tangshan Service Area, sitting in the red truck, the middle-aged man grew increasingly anxious.

He warily scanned his surroundings.

Just as he was about to curse, Mr. Zhao came out jogging.

"Yong, sorry for making you wait."

"Let’s go quickly!"

Soon after, Mr. Zhao started the vehicle, turned the steering wheel, and headed back to the highway.

Two kilometers later, Mr. Zhao noticed a line of cars 500 meters ahead.

He muttered to himself, "Why is there suddenly a traffic jam?"

The middle-aged man in the passenger seat asked, "Was there a traffic accident?"

"Doesn’t look like it!"

"If there was a traffic accident, the navigation system should report it promptly."

Then, Mr. Zhao dialed the number of the other truck driver.

"Hong, there’s a traffic jam ahead. What’s going on?"

"Mr. Zhao, I just arrived at the highway entrance, and the police are checking the traffic."

"Got it!"

"I just took a bathroom break. I’ll accelerate to catch up with you soon."

Mr. Zhao’s phone was connected to the truck’s Bluetooth system.

The man in the passenger seat heard everything clearly.

Instantly, he became vigilant, surveying the surroundings.

"Mr. Zhao, pull over ahead, I need to find a concealed place to use the bathroom."

Mr. Zhao looked puzzled.

Barely 3 kilometers from the service area, and he needs the bathroom again?

However, considering that he was a favored person before Mr. Qin, Mr. Zhao chuckled and said, "No problem, I’ll stop up ahead."

Soon, the truck stopped on the emergency lane.

The middle-aged man, carrying a bag, opened the door and jumped out.

Mr. Zhao glanced back disdainfully, shaking his head.

Does he think I’ll steal something if he takes his bag to the bathroom?

Then he reclined his seat, closed his eyes, and began to rest.

Meanwhile.

The first truck entered the highway entrance and went into the inspection area.

Four duty officers confirmed the license plate numbers and quickly drew their guns.

"Turn off the vehicle immediately!"

"Everyone get out of the car!"

Driving, Pan Hong turned to look out the window, seeing four gun barrels aimed directly at him.

What is this?

In an instant, his eyes widened in shock.

"Turn off the vehicle immediately!"

"Everyone get out of the car!"

One of the officers repeated.

It took a long moment for Pan Hong to realize.

He immediately turned off the engine, opened the door, and raised his hands to get out.

Meanwhile.

With his backpack, the middle-aged man, once off the truck, circled around its tail, climbed over the median barrier, and dashed toward the opposite lane.

Just as he was quickly crossing the opposite lane, a white car suddenly braked hard.

The rear of the vehicle swayed, and the right rear taillight hit the man’s hip.

The middle-aged man lost his balance and fell onto the emergency lane.

The driver side door of the white sedan opened and a young woman in a dress hurriedly got out to check.

"Are you okay? I’ll call 120 for an ambulance immediately."

The man turned to look at the woman, and a plan quickly formed in his mind.

He rubbed his own hip and quietly said, "It shouldn’t be too bad. You can just drive me to the hospital for a CT scan."

Seeing the man slowly stand up, the woman asked again, "Really no need for an ambulance?"

"No problem! Just a CT at the hospital should suffice."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alright! I’ll navigate to the nearest hospital."

Then the man opened the passenger door and sat in.

As soon as the car had traveled 1 kilometer, the man took a dagger from his backpack and held it to the woman’s neck.

"Turn off the navigation! Follow my instructions!"

At this moment.

Li Jian’s phone rang again.

"Mr. Li, we intercepted a suspect vehicle at one of the toll exits, but there was no target suspect in the car."

"According to the driver, the target suspect should be in the truck behind."

Li Jian replied, "Received, I’m heading to intercept on the highway."

Then, from the other side of the line, "Mr. Li, this highway is already blocked, even the emergency lane is occupied. We’re currently clearing the way."

After hanging up the call, Li Jian turned and said, "Pull over! I’ll drive!"

Zhang Yean looked puzzled, immediately braked at the roadside.

Li Jian moved into the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, and said, "Hold on tight!"

Then!

He switched on the police lights, shifted gears, released the foot brake, and accelerated forward.

Two minutes later, he entered the Jiangcheng North toll exit.

The toll booth operator on duty looked utterly confused.

Is he going to drive the wrong way?

The operator stepped out, about to speak, but Li Jian leaned out and said, "I’m Li Jian from the Crime Investigation Team, in pursuit of a suspect!"

"This is a highway!"

Li Jian quickly tossed his police badge over, "This is my ID, I’ll take responsibility."

While the toll operator hesitated, Li Jian floored the pedal, the vehicle surged onto the highway.

After a roar from the engine, the police car began to race down the emergency lane.