Rebirth 2014: I, the King of Criminal Investigation

Chapter 731 Software Positioning Makes Things Easier

Team Xu and Team Hua are still a bit confused.

At first, there were only two cases of mass disappearances, which were considered major cases in their eyes, but compared to the current situation, they seem to be nothing at all.

This fat man seems to have a unique ability: he always manages to expand a case beyond imagination.

In their view, "joint investigation in three locations" was already exaggerated enough, but now Yu Dazhang has taken it to the national level.

They couldn't even imagine how the case would end.

There's nothing I can do; it's simply beyond my comprehension.

Another three days passed.

Now, not only Captain Xu and Captain Hua are anxious, but even the police officers below are clearly restless.

During those eight days, Zhang Jiangke's phone never rang. According to his confession, this phone was used to communicate with Gu Dingwen directly.

If he needs to contact other people, he will use those counterfeit phone cards that he buys in bulk.

Only Gu Dingwen knew this phone number.

That afternoon, Yu Dazhang was discussing the case with Captain Xu and the others when Zhang Jiangke's phone suddenly rang.

Worried about his phone running out of battery, they have been keeping Zhang Jiangke's phone on the table to charge for the past few days to ensure it is always fully charged.

At that moment, the phone screen lit up, displaying an unfamiliar caller ID.

Yu Dazhang immediately picked up his phone, unplugged the charging cable, and ran out of the room.

Upon arriving at the single room next door, he handed the phone to Zhang Jiangke and instructed him:
"According to circumstances."

He believed Zhang Jiangke knew what to say; this old fox was no pushover, and in terms of experience and intellect, Gu Dingwen was no match for him.

Seeing Zhang Jiangke take the phone, Yu Dazhang immediately waved to the two police officers inside the room, signaling them to come out with him.

Back in the next room, he saw that Captain Xu and Captain Hua had already put on their headphones.

He also picked up an earphone and put it on his head.

Zhang Jiangke's phone has been technically modified so that it can not only listen to calls, but also listen to software.

Why are you contacting me at this time?

Zhang Jiangke had already answered the phone, and his slightly anxious voice came through the earpiece:
"There's a nationwide crackdown on human traffickers right now, so the police probably already know who I am. Let's try to have less contact in the future."

This is the strategy of retreating to advance.

The more Zhang Jiangke says this, the more people will feel that he is safe now.

"Where are you?"

Gu Dingwen's voice came through, his emotions were unreadable, but you could clearly sense his vigilance and defensiveness.

"We agreed beforehand that we wouldn't interfere in each other's affairs."

Zhang Jiangke also answered him in a wary tone:
"At a time like this, do you think I'd tell you where I'm hiding? Don't waste time, just tell me what you need to say."

Listening to their conversation, Yu Dazhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Jiangke's response is very much in line with his current situation, showing both tension and fear, while maintaining a high degree of vigilance and clarity.

At least in his view, there were no flaws.

"Don't you want the final payment anymore?"

Gu Dingwen changed his tone to a threatening one:
"If so, you can hang up now, and I promise I won't contact you again."

During the previous interrogation, Zhang Jiangke had mentioned the final payment.

Although they calculate the payment based on the number of people, Gu Dingwen would deduct 30% of the payment each time it was settled. This was done to prevent Zhang Jiangke from withdrawing from the project without authorization.

This method, though not particularly sophisticated, is very effective.

"Old Gu, this isn't very interesting."

Upon hearing the other party mention the final payment, Zhang Jiangke immediately softened his stance:

"You won't go back on your word, will you? I've been doing everything you asked. You can't just discard me after I've served my purpose."

That's quick of a reaction... Yu Dazhang discovered that Zhang Jiangke's acting skills were actually quite good.

Among the many acting techniques, emotional transitions are the most difficult.

For example, laughing through tears. It's difficult for most people to suddenly burst into laughter while crying sadly.

If you force yourself to do it, you'll end up with a situation where "your smile looks worse than your tears."

True acting masters, on the other hand, can deliver performances without leaving a trace, conveying emotional shifts naturally and smoothly.

Zhang Jiangke has a similar level of skill.

He switched from a cautious state to a greedy mode almost seamlessly and naturally.

Yu Dazhang is now completely relieved. He can send Zhang Jiangke to fish for Gu Dingwen without worrying about him being exposed.

"I'll give you a QQ number."

Gu Dingwen's speaking speed suddenly increased:
"Add me, and we can talk online. It'll be safer that way."

He then read out a string of numbers, and before Zhang Jiangke could say anything more, the other end of the line hung up.

Sure enough, they switched to a different software for making calls... This was almost exactly what Yu Dazhang had predicted.

"Have you located the other party?" he asked the technicians inside the room.

“The time was too short,” the officer replied.

"We cannot pinpoint the exact location, but we are certain that the other party is also in Songhai."

Gu Dingwen was deliberately controlling the call duration... Yu Dazhang immediately concluded.

He didn't intend to use location tracking to catch the other party.

Gu Dingwen would destroy these fake phone cards after using them once, so relying on them for continuous location tracking was simply impossible.

Knowing that the other party was in Songhai is already quite good; it at least proves that Zhang Jiangke's previous deduction was correct.

"Actually, software location tracking is more convenient."

The officer added:
"Zhang Jiangke has already added the QQ number provided by the other party. As long as voice or video is enabled, we can immediately lock the IP address."

Upon hearing this, Yu Dazhang simply nodded without saying anything, knowing that Gu Dingwen must have already considered this issue.

What he cares about most now is what Gu Dingwen's purpose is in contacting Zhang Jiangke.

"They set up a video call."

Upon being reminded by the police officer, Yu Dazhang immediately put his headphones back on.

Although his hearing is superhuman, the soundproofing of a three-star hotel is not bad. Without headphones, he has to lean against the wall to hear the sounds from the next room.

Zhang Jiangke's questioning voice quickly came through the earpiece:

"Why are you making a video call? You don't trust me, do you?"

"Better safe than sorry," Gu Dingwen replied.

“This is something you used to say all the time. Smartphones these days are so great; you can see right across from each other, which saves us from being suspicious of each other.”

"Since the video is already on, take your phone and walk around so I can see your accommodation."

"Luckily I got out a step ahead..." Yu Dazhang muttered to himself.

He brought people out earlier because he was afraid that if he left halfway, Gu Dingwen on the other end of the phone would hear the sound of the door opening and closing.

Unexpectedly, Gu Dingwen was even more cautious than he had thought.

"Okay, I'll show you."

After Zhang Jiangke agreed, he paused for a few seconds, seemingly taking pictures of the room with his phone.

"Go to the toilet," Gu Dingwen instructed.

"Luckily, I'm too old to do that anymore," Zhang Jiangke joked.
"Otherwise, if we call a woman over, things really will get complicated."

You could tell that his voice no longer carried any tension; it sounded relaxed, somewhat helpless, and tinged with a touch of melancholy.

They seemed to think that Gu Dingwen was making a fuss over nothing.

After about ten seconds, Zhang Jiangke's voice rang out again:

"Is this alright now? But now that you've looked at my side, I should at least look at yours. What's the point of blocking the camera like this?"

(End of this chapter)