As Ethan hung up the phone.
Lucas wasted no time and immediately reported, "No problem! Ethan just set up a meeting spot with them at the old steel mill on the outskirts of the Industrial District, which matches the location pinned by our tech team!"
"These three guys are federal fugitives, real dangerous, and they're holed up in the Industrial District."
"I'll get in touch with Chief Colt right away, get some backup from the Industrial District squad!"
Just then.
Lucas suddenly remembered something and quickly pressed his earpiece.
"Christopher, Andrew, check on that guy you're tailing, is he about to leave the pedestrian area?"
"What? He's already getting ready to leave?"
"Both of you, stay safe, see if he's heading towards the outskirts of the Industrial District."
"If he is, just follow at a distance, remember, stay out of sight to avoid any mishaps!"
"When the time comes."
"Once we've got all three major fugitives together, we'll nab them all in one go!"
"And then."
"Jack and Ava, after you bring Skinny Dog back to the Detective Bureau, come back and regroup with us."
"No need to interrogate Skinny Dog much, he's already caved with all the evidence against him, just lock him up and let the court handle it."
"As for everyone else."
"Gear up and get into uniform, we're about to start the most crucial part of the operation!!!"
...
Back at the East End Detective Bureau.
Derek, who had been working on an unsolved case in his office, heard Lucas's update over the phone.
He immediately stood up, his expression stern, and commanded without a doubt.
"Lucas."
"Make sure not to alert those three fugitives, we don't want to risk harming any civilians nearby!"
"These desperados, when cornered, will take anyone down with them if they can, this operation is extremely dangerous!"
"So remember."
"As the lead on this operation, even with help from the Industrial District detectives, be prepared to take down the criminals on the spot!!!"
"If you're sure they're the federal fugitives, don't hesitate to shoot if it's critical, but don't be reckless!"
"I'll be waiting for your good news, and we'll talk rewards later!"
After hanging up.
Derek casually tossed the phone on the desk, leaned back in his chair, and muttered to himself.
"This Ethan is something else."
"Is it talent, or just good luck? First day on the job and he's already making big moves..."
"And according to Lucas, we owe it to Ethan for identifying those fugitives, otherwise who knows what those two hidden ones would have done."
"Tsk, tsk, still just an intern, but already showing great promise!"
...
With the arrest order issued.
The East End Detective Bureau and the Industrial District Detective Bureau immediately coordinated and sprang into action.
Given the extreme danger posed by these three federal fugitives.
The SWAT team, fully armed and geared up, was in position to prevent any possible incidents.
At the same time.
Two professional SWAT snipers were dispatched to take positions on high ground, serving as the last line of insurance.
All surrounding security cameras were activated, with personnel monitoring movements closely.
Inside the police cruiser.
Lucas, now dressed in his police uniform, was making final preparations. He pulled his service pistol from his belt and checked it thoroughly twice.
Turning to Ethan and Miles beside him, he shook his head somewhat helplessly, "First day out with you guys, and we're thrown into this massive bust. Not sure if that's good luck or what."
"But."
"I've already spoken with Chief Colt. Catching these three fugitives, you guys played a key role, especially Ethan."
"You could say, almost single-handedly, you dragged these guys out into the open. There'll definitely be a reward, probably at least skipping the rest of your internship."
Ethan, however, wasn't concerned about the so-called reward. Instead, he kept reflecting...
If he were in the shoes of those three fugitives, how could he have done better, achieved a truly perfect crime?
But no matter how much he thought.
Even with a hundred thousand simulations, Ethan couldn't find a suitable solution.
Because.
From the moment they were wanted by the Washington state police.
This crime could no longer be called perfect, no matter how they fled, there was always a chance of being caught.
A truly perfect crime should have no flaws from the moment the plan is set in motion.
While Ethan was lost in thought.
Miles was staring at Lucas's service pistol, his eyes filled with hope and anticipation.
Clearly.
As an intern detective who wasn't short on cash, what Miles looked forward to the most...
Was having his own service pistol.
Lucas noticed Miles's expression and just smiled, choosing not to say anything more.
A service pistol.
It's not just about honor and force, it's a huge responsibility, more important than life itself!
...
Meanwhile.
Inside the abandoned steel mill in the outskirts of the Industrial District.
Alex, a burly fugitive just back from the pedestrian street, was sharpening a boning knife the length of his forearm against a stone.
Beside him.
A bald fugitive with a tiger tattoo on his bare chest was wrapping his palms with gauze to prevent the knife from slipping and accidentally causing self-harm.
After wrapping his hands.
The bald fugitive looked at the last skinny fugitive who was using drugs, and frowned with a grunt.
"Stop damn snorting that stuff."
"They're almost here, and you're still going at it. You think you can swing a knife later?"
"Don't screw this up for me. Two whole bags of heroin, after this job, we could be on the run for years."
"Once the heat dies down, maybe we can even hit up Las Vegas for some fun!!!"
Hearing this rebuke.
The skinny fugitive showed a displeased look but didn't dare to retort against the bald fugitive.
Putting aside the five ounces of heroin brought back by the burly fugitive, he picked up an axe, impatiently saying, "Big D, can we pull this off this time?"
"Will Skinny Dog really show up with two bags of coke just because of our call?"
"I've got a bad feeling about this. Normally, Skinny Dog is the type to be scared, afraid of dying..."
Before the skinny fugitive could finish.
"Thump—Thump—Thump————"
A rapid, forceful knocking sounded from the outside of the steel mill's door.
The bald fugitive glanced at the door, nudged towards it, and said.
"See, there he is."
"Even if Skinny Dog is scared, he won't pass up a deal this big."
"Go, open the door."
"No matter how many show up, when I say 'go', we take down three cops first."
As someone knocked on the door.
The drug-fueled skinny fugitive, visibly excited, hopped towards the door.
But.
Just as he was about to unlock it.
"Bang!!!"
A loud kick sounded.
The old metal door was kicked down, falling on top of the skinny fugitive, knocking him unconscious.
Immediately after.
Two tear gas canisters, emitting irritating white smoke, were thrown into the mill from outside.
Caught off guard.
The bald fugitive paused, then shouted in panic.
"Damn, Sebastian, the cops are here!"
"Cough, cough, let's run, grab the knives and fight our way out, taking down a cop is worth it!!!"
Inhaling the irritating gas.
The bald fugitive, tears and snot running down his face, was about to grab a machete from the ground when.
"Bang!!!"
The muffled sound of a sniper rifle firing rang out.
The bald fugitive's arm exploded in pain, dropping him to the ground screaming.
The strongest of them, the burly fugitive, was already pinned down by several SWAT officers wearing gas masks and holding riot shields, his head pressed against a Colt M4 Carbine.
Lucas followed the SWAT team in.
Seeing that all three were fully subdued, he immediately pressed his earpiece.
"Arrest operation successfully completed."
"Get the medics in here, two fugitives are seriously injured from resisting."
"Great job everyone, let's wrap it up!!!"