Animal Detective

Chapter 385 Insider
The large-scale manhunt is still ongoing.

Duan Zijie quickly joined Shen Xin and his group.

He brought more details.

For example, suspects who fled on motorcycles abandoned their cell phones and poaching tools, and had no food on them, only guns.

Therefore, Duan Zijie made the same judgment as Shen Xin: the two criminals fled separately, and the person on the motorcycle was there to cover the other one.

His analysis went even deeper.

"The failed robbery was an unexpected outcome for them."

"Therefore, I do not believe that they prepared new means of transportation in advance during their escape after the robbery failed."

“Now that it’s nighttime, whether riding a motorcycle or driving a car, it’s very conspicuous. I’m more inclined to believe that the remaining person chose to walk and then hid somewhere.”

“At this time of year, the only suitable places for Tibetans on the grasslands are the mountainous areas.”

They set off almost two hours earlier, which theoretically allows them to run 100 kilometers.

However, the place where the motorcyclist was found was still 20 kilometers from the border.

The distances don't match.

They chose to take a detour.

“They knew we had police dogs, and during the first manhunt, they exhibited a strong tendency to evade the police dogs.”

"Now they are taking a detour, partly to avoid being caught by police dogs, and partly to go to the nearby mountains to drop off the remaining person in a suitable place."

Heading northeast, within a range of several tens of kilometers, there are actually quite a few mountains.

Banlashan, Shitiaoshan, Matishan, Baogeshan...

These are just the mountains with names; there are countless other nameless hills formed by undulating terrain.

It's unclear which mountain they stopped on.

Finding a cat in a remote corner of the mountains is not an easy task.

Therefore, the command center mobilized forces, demarcated areas, and formed an encirclement.

On the other hand, Duan Zijie placed his hopes for the capture on the police dogs.

Not only Tiankui, but also police dogs from nearby counties and cities, and even military dogs from border outposts, were mobilized to provide support.

Therefore, Tiankui's side is very important, which is why he came here personally.

The hope is that Tiankui can follow the clues and reconstruct the escape route of the criminals.

"Did you hear that, Tiankui? It's up to you now," Shen Xin reminded him.

Tian Kui responded and silently continued the pursuit.

Looking at the route, it was indeed not a straight line to the border, but a winding detour.

Soon, they passed the first mountain peak, Horseshoe Mountain.

A C-shaped mountain, like a celestial horse, has left a hoofprint on the earth.

The route being tracked passed near Horseshoe Mountain, at least a kilometer from the foot of the mountain.

If the other party went to Horseshoe Mountain, it means they were afraid the police would guess they were hiding in the mountains, so they deliberately dropped them off at a more distant location and then walked there.

Shen Xin couldn't help but think that the older brother of the two was definitely a skilled hunter with a very intelligent mind.

However, blinded by greed, he chose the most foolish method for Teddy: robbing the camp.

Shen Xin couldn't help but wonder how valuable this teddy bear must be to warrant such a big risk.

But since they're courting death, let's grant their wish!

This time, the forces mobilized will search every inch of the grassland; we must find him no matter what.

Tian Kui led the group past Horseshoe Mountain.

Shen Xin saw the lights of car headlights near Mati Mountain from afar, which should be people from the surrounding area conducting a search in the mountains.

Just like the first chase, Tian Kui mainly tracked the source of the odor: the exhaust fumes left on the grass after a motorcycle had passed by.

Just as Duan Zijie predicted, the other party took a winding and circuitous route, passing through as many mountains as possible.

It's also clear that they are very familiar with the surrounding terrain, knowing it inside and out.

The smell never stopped; Tiankui kept chasing it.

During the last chase, the other side set up a maze, but Tian Kui still managed to track them down to the place where the motorcycles were burned.

But as the chase continued, Shen Xin's mood grew heavier.

Further ahead is the location where the motorcyclist was discovered.

Tian Kui had not yet discovered the location where the two had separated, and Shen Xin felt that they had most likely missed each other.

I mentioned it to Duan Zijie, and he said, "These two are very cunning. Do you know why we didn't catch them the first time we chased them?"

Shen Xin shook his head and asked in return if he hadn't been picked up by his accomplices.

Even now, Shen Xin is still wondering how those two people escaped.

Duan Zijie shook his head and said, "Do you remember when we were almost at the location where the motorcycle was burned, we passed a mountain?"

Shen Xin thought for a moment and nodded. When they were almost catching up, they did indeed pass through a mountain.

Duan Zijie continued, "We later expanded the search area and found some footprints and hoofprints on that mountain."

"I suspect they deliberately rode over that mountain, burned their motorcycles, and then walked back to the mountain along the same route, allowing the smells to overlap and then hide."

"At the same time, they must have also used some methods to eliminate body odor."

“I’ve done some research, and some hunters do use spray products to mask their scent and avoid being detected by wild animals, making it easier for them to hunt.”

"So you see, they will try to mislead us, and then they will prepare alternative evacuation plans."

"Therefore, the remaining person must have used similar methods to separate somewhere, eliminate their scent, and hide on foot in the mountains."

"Perhaps he set up a hideout in a certain mountainous area, prepared food, and tried to hide for a long time."

"They have accomplices, can constantly obtain supplies, and have a long period of time to operate. Given their intelligence, they might actually prepare several hiding places."

Upon hearing Duan Zijie's words, Shen Xin immediately thought of Fan Lei from before.

They also brought food and went to a pre-arranged hiding place on the mountain, planning to come out again after things calmed down.

Shen Xin thought for a moment and asked, "Captain Duan, have you found anything about their accomplices?"

Compared to these two vicious criminals, their accomplices were even more despicable.

Without the help of their companions, they wouldn't have gotten horses and motorcycles, nor would they have had sufficient food supplies.

Without food and water, there's no need for this level of search intensity; the previous search forces would have found them long ago.

Therefore, in Shen Xin's view, the reason why these two people have been able to commit evil deeds until now, and even have the ability to attack the camp, is all because of this accomplice.

Duan Zijie shook his head slightly and said, "We started our investigation with motorcycles and guns, but we haven't found anything yet."

"The guns were probably brought in from abroad, and as for the motorcycle, the chassis number has been filed off."

"The motorcycles they were riding this time were the same; the engine and chassis numbers had all been scraped off, making it difficult to trace the origin of the motorcycles in a short period of time."

It has only been a few days since the incident, and it is not easy to find a 125cc motorcycle that is common in the grassland area.

Shen Xin nodded slightly and didn't ask any more questions.

Around 4 a.m., Tian Kui chased the motorcyclist to the location where he was found.

Duan Zijie sighed softly; the situation had reached its most complicated conclusion.

But his confidence was not shaken. He said, "Fortunately, at least we know where the person is. In this area, even if we have to turn over every inch of the grass, we will find the person."

With that, he drove off first to arrange further search plans.

"Shen Xin, don't think too much about it. Nobody expected these two guys to be so bold as to attack our camp," Lakshin advised.

He could sense that Shen Xin felt guilty because Liao Lei had been attacked.

Right now, they called Shen Xin back to the camp; they still needed to find Tian Xiong. Shen Xin nodded; indeed, they still needed to find Tian Xiong.

Just then, a helicopter flew by in the distance.

Shen Xin thought of Teddy.

Helicopters conduct reconnaissance at high altitudes, but they still rely heavily on human observation.

In the darkness, the other party was riding a motorcycle with its lights on, making them easy to spot.

But during the day, the endless expanse of yellowish-green, high above, makes it difficult to spot any people.

But Teddy is different.

His super vision allows him to spot the slightest movement of the wind during the day.

And thinking of the falcon, Shen Xin suddenly remembered a problem that he had subconsciously ignored.

These two had a very clear goal: they were after the falcon.

Shen Xin initially thought they were lurking nearby. After seeing Lakshin and himself leave, he assumed there was no one left in the camp, which is why he decided to make his move.

But now Shen Xin realized that there was a problem here.

First, how did they know the falcon was in the camp?

We just rescued the falcon the day before yesterday.

Normally, if the police rescue a falcon, they either release it or take it to the Forestry and Grassland Bureau for further processing.

Yesterday and the day before, Duan Zijie was searching for them all over the grassland.

They should be hiding somewhere; it's even less likely they would dare to come and lie in wait near the camp in broad daylight.

Even after being released, Teddy's decision to stay was an unexpected circumstance.

They needed a channel of information to know that the falcon was at the camp.

Secondly, they chose the timing of their actions with perfect precision.

Or rather, it's too much of a coincidence.

It just so happened that Lakshin went to find someone, but then left.

These are also random events and cannot be predicted in advance.

Normally, to find such an opportunity, one must observe the surrounding area for a long time.

It's almost impossible to hide nearby.

Then there are usually several people in the camp, and they have guns. If the two of them were to launch a direct attack, it would be like handing over credit to the enemy.

But during the pursuit, they were incredibly lucky to find an opportunity to launch an attack.

Coincidences do happen in the world, but this is just too much of a coincidence.

In this case, there is only one answer.

There's a mole!
Or rather, there was someone who informed them that the falcon was at the camp, that the camp was empty, and that they could proceed.

Without an inside traitor, Shen Xinzhen felt that this step would not have been possible.

So who could it be?
Knowing about the falcon and knowing that the police have all left—these two necessary conditions seem to suggest that only the people at the camp could be the culprits.

It wasn't me, it wasn't Liao Lei.

Liao Lei fought for his life, and the camp's surveillance cameras captured it all.

Donya?
She does meet both of those conditions.

But if it were her, she wouldn't have been attacked before, and she wouldn't have risked her life to save the falcon.

Then there's no one left.

If it's just a condition, like knowing the falcon is at the camp, that's quite a lot.

Teacher Chen and his group, people from the Forestry and Grassland Bureau, and villagers from the village—so many people came to watch the spectacle.

If you add posting it on social media to show off, even more people will find out.

Did their accomplices learn about the falcon's presence at the camp in this way?

Villagers?
Shen Xin frowned, a question mark forming in his mind.

He was trying to rethink everything that had happened since Donya's attack, when Lakshin called to him from the front.

He said he called the Forestry and Grassland Bureau, but they haven't been able to find Tianxiong yet.

It was too dark to find.

He still wanted Tiankui to help him find it, so he asked Tiankui if he could handle it.

Shen Xin said no problem.

Moreover, finding Tianxiong is not difficult.

You can use a teddy bear. As soon as it's light, the teddy bear flies high into the sky, and the wolf and the dog are easily spotted.

While Lakshin was still around, he briefly assigned tasks for the day.

Duan Zijie will definitely have to cooperate in the search, as will Tianxiong, and there are still some routine tasks that cannot be avoided.

Tian Jian suddenly said, "By the way, Chief, what about Sangbu? We haven't found that kid yet."

Lakshin slapped his forehead, realizing he'd been too busy and had forgotten about the kid.

"It's alright, I'll tell Lao Duan and the others, and they can look for it together." Lakshin took out his satellite phone.

Shen Xin, who was following behind, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.

Sangbu?

Shen Xin suddenly thought of a possibility.

Compared to passively seeking out a camp with few people to raid, there is another option: actively creating an opportunity.

For example, if someone goes missing late at night and the situation is dangerous, should the camp's police be dispatched to search for them outside?

Then there will be no one in the camp.

Moreover, Shen Xin suddenly thought of something.

At the very beginning, when he had just arrived on the grassland, Honggul got lost. Donya caught up with him and asked Zhang Qifeng for help in finding him.

Zhang Qifeng sent a message in the grid management group.

Then someone answered that they saw Honggul in Peony Valley.

Then came Sangbu, who quickly popped up, saying he saw Honggul at Banlashan and was certain it was Honggul. He went to chase after him but failed.

The three of them didn't think much of it at the time and went to Peony Valley, where they discovered Hongguer.

The next day, Hongur was lost again, and Donya was attacked.

According to the on-site investigation, the two poachers may have been lingering in Mount Uyastai for quite some time.

So now that I think about it, this situation seems a bit unusual.

It was as if they were afraid Donya would go to Peony Valley to look for the horse, so they deliberately said a location in the opposite direction and told her with certainty that it was over there.

It seemed as if they were afraid Donya would run into the two poachers.

In addition, Sangbu suddenly went missing last night.

He is also a volunteer border patrol grid member. Duan Zijie mobilized the masses to search a few days ago. The grid members know the specific arrangements and they themselves will help with the search.

He also has the responsibility of protecting the border and can provide assistance to these two people crossing the border.

Also, he knew Teddy was at the camp; he had come to the camp yesterday to check on him.

Shen Xin gasped, his gaze sharpening.

Could this Sangbu be one of their accomplices?

(End of this chapter)