Two Hours Later
Marcus arrived, accompanied by four state troopers for additional support.
At six o'clock in the evening, Susan arrived at the scene with a survey team.
"David, Luke, Marcus—excellent work. I appreciate all your efforts," Susan said.
David responded, "Captain, based on Dave's account, we estimate that Steven abandoned the car about twenty-four hours ago. The longer we delay, the higher the chance he'll slip away. Should we deploy additional police forces to search for him?"
Susan surveyed the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert and asked, "Where do you think Steven might head? Is there any other means of transportation he could have used?"
Luke pondered for a moment before replying, "Dave was locked in the trunk and didn't know much about Steven's situation. We've scoured the surrounding areas but found no clear tracks or footprints."
David spat out some sand that had blown into his mouth. "The wind and sand are relentless here. Any traces from 24 hours ago are likely buried or blown away. I suspect Steven had some form of transportation, maybe a small motorcycle, and could have already fled to Mexico."
Luke nodded in agreement. "I concur. Escaping the Gobi Desert without some form of transport would be nearly impossible. Plus, with $40,000 in cash, Steven has ample means to escape anywhere."
Susan pressed, "You also think he might head to Mexico?"
Luke, not entirely familiar with the area around Los Angeles, shook his head. "I can't say for sure. He could have fled to Mexico, or he might have gone in the opposite direction, hiding out in Los Angeles."
"I understand." Susan took their insights into account and made a decision.
Half an hour later, Luke and his team left the Gobi Desert to return to Los Angeles for some rest.
The on-site investigators set up night lights around the area and planned to continue their investigation throughout the night.
Susan, Raymond, and Jenny remained in the Gobi Desert, joined by numerous patrol officers in the search for Steven. The harsh conditions made the search challenging, but given that Steven had been on the run for 24 hours, the police had no choice but to search through the night.
In a Dimly Lit Basement
The basement, a small 20-square-meter space, was dimly illuminated by a wall lamp above a wooden bed.
A woman with long golden hair huddled by the lamp, her body trembling as she muttered, "Why are you doing this to me? Why did you arrest me? Please let me out."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed, accompanied by a man's voice. "Alyssa, I'm back. No one can separate us now. You're mine alone."
The woman's body trembled more violently at the sound of the voice. She cried out in despair, "No, please don't come near…"
Saturday Afternoon
Susan returned to the Robbery and Murder Division, exhausted.
Without pausing to rest, she gathered everyone in the conference room for a meeting.
Susan cut to the chase. "We've combed through the area several kilometers around the Mercedes-Benz, but we haven't found Steven. Does anyone have any new leads?"
The deputy captain spoke up, "Based on the bloodstains in the shop, it seems Alyssa may have been involved in an incident, but her body wasn't found there. Transporting a body would require a vehicle, so I suspect Steven may have used an unknown means of transportation. We should review surveillance footage from the three crime scenes and compare it with any suspicious vehicles in the vicinity. Identifying this vehicle could lead us to Steven."
Susan nodded in agreement. "That's a solid suggestion. Any other ideas?"
Luke cleared his throat and added, "Last night, I was reviewing Steven's motives. I recall him mentioning wanting to open a small shop when I first met him. At the time, I thought it was just a cover, but now it seems he might have been sincere. Steven rented the shop on February 11th, intending to surprise his wife, indicating that their relationship was fine back then. The first Taser robbery occurred on February 18th, and although the victim wasn't Alyssa, the victim's characteristics suggest they were a substitute for her. This implies a dramatic change in Steven and Alyssa's relationship during that period.
One person worth mentioning is Harry, the drag racer. He had a conflict with Alyssa at a club, took secret photos of her dancing, and placed them in her house. Steven saw these photos, which could have triggered the Taser robbery."
Susan contemplated this for a moment. "Your theory makes sense. However, renting a shop costs $15,000, which is a significant amount. Where did Steven get this money?"
Luke replied, "I considered that too. This suggests Steven had other financial sources. He likely kept these hidden from his wife. This brings Tony Weir to mind. Tony has additional income sources, and he bought the modified Taser used by Steven. This connection hints at potential criminal activities. Although their income sources are unclear, it's reasonable to assume they might have criminal records."
"Good work," Susan said, satisfied with Luke's analysis. "Marcus, what's your update?"
Marcus spoke up, "I've contacted my contacts in the gang to help locate Steven. We should have some news soon."
"Excellent," Susan replied, gripping the table with determination. "Our mission is to locate both Steven and Tony. Finding them will lead us to the truth. Let's divide our efforts."
After the meeting, Luke went to Matthew to gather information on Tony Weir.
With everyone focused on finding Steven, it made sense to shift the target occasionally. Investigating Tony's background from twenty years ago could uncover valuable leads. People are social creatures, and it's likely Tony has maintained contact with old friends or relatives, such as the wealthy individuals who frequented his place.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Alyssa's parents visited the Robbery and Murder Division to inquire about the investigation's progress. Mr. and Mrs. White had set aside their anger over their daughter's dancing and were focused solely on her safe return. Mrs. White's quiet sobbing cast a somber atmosphere over the office.
Luke stepped outside for fresh air, followed by Marcus.
Marcus tossed him a cigarette and grinned. "How did your chat with that pretty girl go?"
Luke lit the cigarette, took a drag, and responded with a hint of frustration, "It's okay. She wanted to meet yesterday, but with the search for Steven, we'll have to reschedule."
"Hey, if you need any tips, I can help you out. I promise you'll catch her easily."
Luke chuckled and shook his head. "Keep your advice to yourself."
"If she dumps you, don't say I didn't offer help," Marcus teased, nudging Luke with his shoulder. "I've got a new target too. Want to compete and see who can win her over first?"
Luke responded with a middle finger.
At that moment, a white BMW X5 pulled into the police station's parking lot. A man in a suit and tie emerged from the car.
Marcus smirked. "Luke, do you smell that? Something's up…"