"What the heck!"
"Let me see that!!!"
Lucas couldn't believe his eyes as he quickly snatched Miles' phone.
The next second, the detailed wanted information of the burly man was right there on the screen.
[Federal Wanted Criminal]
Name: Alex Knight
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Description: Long hair, burly build, missing left pinky finger
Charges: Fifteen days ago, in a suburb of Emerald City, along with two others, engaged in a drug deal robbery at a narcotics trading spot, resulting in three deaths, one severe injury, and over $100,000 stolen. The trio fled east after the incident.
...
Compared to the wanted posters released to the public.
This detailed information from the police internal system was clearly more comprehensive.
After reading it, Lucas stared at the burly man still smoking nearby, his previously cheerful expression gone, his gaze turning icy as he muttered, "Well, well."
"Thought we were just nabbing a junkie, but looks like we hooked a big fish!"
"It seems..."
"This guy Alex, the federal fugitive, wasn't just here to buy some dope,he was setting up this deal..."
"For another rip-off!"
At this point.
Lucas pressed his earpiece firmly and said without doubt, "Change of plans."
"Christopher, Andrew, this guy is a federal fugitive from Washington State, and he's got an accomplice lurking around. Don't spook them just yet."
"Just tail him, keep it stealthy, and wait for him to meet up with the other two fugitives before we move in for a sweep!"
"And yeah."
"Jack, Daniel, you guys reel in that smaller fish first."
"Be careful."
"Check if the fish you're tailing is making any calls, make sure he's not on the phone when you move in!"
"I'm worried..."
"That this fugitive was just calling that smaller fish to gain trust and set up another rip-off!!!"
After issuing the orders.
Lucas exhaled deeply, a look of relief crossing his face.
If they had moved to arrest the burly man right away, it definitely would have alerted the other two desperate fugitives.
Who knows what those cornered desperados would do, knowing the cops were onto them. It's chilling to even think about.
Because these desperados.
When cornered, going on a random killing spree in the streets is all too possible.
Putting his jumbled thoughts aside.
Lucas looked over at Ethan next to him, his expression complex as he said appreciatively, "Ethan."
"You really surprised me there!"
"To pick up on something being off like that."
"If we can wrap up those three fugitives later, you'll definitely have done a major service."
"But I'm curious..."
"What exactly tipped you off that this burly man was a major fugitive from out west?"
Sitting in the back, Miles.
Also leaned forward eagerly, pressing, "Yeah, Ethan, spill it."
"How did you spot this fugitive? Share some tips, I want to make a name for myself too!"
Looking at the curious pair.
Ethan just raised an eyebrow, not quite ready to reveal his earlier hunch.
After all.
Explaining it would be too much of a hassle, and he'd just get bombarded with more questions, so Ethan just shrugged nonchalantly and said, "No big tricks, really."
"Just make it a habit to periodically check the internal platform for the latest on wanted criminals, and you could do the same."
"I just thought..."
"This burly guy looked familiar, but I wasn't sure, so I mentioned it."
"Come to think of it."
"The reason he didn't quite stand out might be because he shaved his long hair into a buzz cut."
No doubt.
This explanation made perfect sense.
After all, it's true that many detectives occasionally browse through the list of wanted criminals.
Lucas clicked his tongue in admiration and said, "Whether you figured it out through analysis or just by keeping up with the wanted lists."
"Ethan, this is a major feather in your cap, and getting bumped up early isn't out of the question now."
"For now, let's just sit tight and see when this fugitive decides to meet up with the others!"
...
As everyone quietly waited.
Detectives Jack and Daniel found a secluded spot and apprehended the dealer, known as Skinny Dog.
Perhaps knowing this was his third arrest and the significant amount of drugs involved.
Even if it wasn't life, he'd be looking at many years behind bars.
Skinny Dog, trembling all over, couldn't even utter a complete sentence.
With Skinny Dog in custody.
Everyone's attention returned to the fugitive.
However.
What puzzled everyone was...
After a full ten minutes.
This Alex, the federal fugitive, was just wandering around the pedestrian street, showing no signs of any other activity.
He even.
Took the time to buy a new pair of pants, swapping out his beach shorts.
However.
He kept pulling out his phone to check it.
It looked.
As if he was waiting for some kind of instructions.
Lucas stroked his chin, his gaze sharp as he thought, then pressed his earpiece and said, "Christopher, Andrew, did you two blow your cover, making this big fish wary?"
"That's why he's deliberately staying on the pedestrian street, not planning to meet the other two..."
Before he could finish.
Lucas dismissed his own guess, shaking his head and continuing, "That doesn't make sense, though."
"If he knew he was exposed, this kind of desperado would be doing something unpredictable by now, right? And still have the mind to buy pants?"
"Could it be..."
"The problem lies with Skinny Dog we caught!"
"These three fugitives planned to rip each other off, but since the other two haven't been able to contact Skinny Dog, they might think Skinny Dog and Alex got exposed!"
"That's the only reason that explains why Alex isn't leaving and keeps checking his phone!!!"
Clearly.
As an experienced detective, Lucas's deductive skills were sharp.
He quickly pinpointed the issue and immediately communicated, "Jack, Daniel, check the phone we just confiscated from Skinny Dog."
"Any texts or missed calls? I suspect the other fugitives were trying to contact Skinny Dog!"
Seconds later.
The response came through everyone's earpieces.
"Lucas, there are indeed two missed calls, the most recent one was two minutes ago."
"Since Daniel and I weren't aware of the situation, we deliberately didn't answer, but I reckon they'll call again soon!"
"But the key now is..."
"Skinny Dog, this repeat offender, is so scared he can barely speak, and if he answers the phone, he'll blow his cover right away."
"I reckon after two missed calls, those other two fugitives will get suspicious, and they won't wait for Skinny Dog to calm down!"
The situation was tricky.
If they missed the next call, the other two fugitives, hiding who knows where, would realize they were exposed and would likely flee immediately.
By then.
Even if they got leads on the other two fugitives from Alex, they might be impossible to track down.
As time grew increasingly critical.
Ethan pressed his earpiece, his voice filled with confidence, "Jack."
"Can you bring Skinny Dog and his phone over to Lucas as fast as you can?"
"I can mimic Skinny Dog's voice to answer the call, and it's highly likely the other fugitives won't notice the difference!"
"Since they're planning a double-cross, we can use the same tactic to lure them out!!!"