Chapter 48: Jia’s Secret

Two police cars rushed to the hospital. As they got out, Lin Qiupu began berating the two officers stationed at the hospital entrance, “How did this happen? Two officers on watch, and you still let him escape?”

Officer A explained, “We just stepped out into the corridor for a cigarette, five minutes tops, and he was gone.”

Officer B added, “That guy woke up earlier than expected. He stole a nurse’s pen and picked the handcuffs. The hospital said he might be in a coma for weeks, so we… we let our guard down.”

Lin Qiupu waved his hand in frustration, “Enough. Now is not the time for reflection. Get out there and find him! Tune all radios to the same frequency, split up, and search every neighborhood, parking lot, mall, and even manhole covers!”

The officers quickly dispersed. Lin Qiupu stayed behind to coordinate. He continuously heard reports over the radio, “No sign here,” “I asked the nearby residents, no one saw a person in hospital attire.”

Growing more anxious and regretful, Lin Qiupu knew he should have increased the police presence. The fugitive had escaped twice before.

Then, Lin Dongxue’s voice crackled through the radio, “Brother, near Rose Garden Community, hurry over, I’ve spotted him.”

Lin Qiupu immediately directed nearby units to converge on the location and jumped into his patrol car, speeding towards the site.

Upon arrival at the community, he heard someone shouting through a loudspeaker, “Residents of Unit Four, please lock your doors. A fugitive has entered the building. Everyone, stay alert! You may take self-defense measures if necessary.”

It was Lin Dongxue. Following her voice, Lin Qiupu found her with a loudspeaker, alerting the residents. She had fired a warning shot, causing Jia to panic and flee into the building. To prevent a hostage situation, she had borrowed the loudspeaker from the community office.

Lin Qiupu patted her shoulder, “Good job!”

He signaled the officers to go upstairs and apprehend the fugitive, instructing another group to go to the rooftop of the adjacent building to pincer him.

Jia, injured and exhausted, was eventually found on the seventh floor, frantically banging on an apartment door. Screams of a woman could be heard from inside.

“Freeze!”

“Hands up!”

Surrounded by guns, Jia had no choice but to surrender and was promptly handcuffed again.

Seeing Jia being escorted down, Lin Qiupu finally felt relieved. He turned to Lin Dongxue and said, “This operation will be recorded as a major merit for you.”

“The credit doesn’t matter. I’m just glad no residents were hurt,” Lin Dongxue replied with a smile.

Lin Qiupu thought, His sister seems to be quite capable now. Could it be due to his influence?

An officer approached to report the situation. Learning that Jia had desperately tried to break into an apartment, Lin Qiupu said, “He must have been cornered. I’ll go up and reassure the residents. You take him back.”

“I’ll go too!” Lin Dongxue said.

The two of them headed upstairs. Residents, knowing the danger had passed, started peeking out of their doors, asking Lin Qiupu what had happened. He gave brief explanations.

On the seventh floor, the apartment door was still closed. Lin Qiupu noticed the dented security door and remarked, “Wow, he really hit this hard.”

He knocked on the door, “Hello, we’re the police. We’re here to check if you’re okay.”

A woman inside replied, “We’re fine, just really scared.”

“The person has been apprehended,” Lin Qiupu reassured her.

“Oh, thank goodness. Thank you, officers,” the woman said, opening the door. Lin Dongxue noticed she was heavily pregnant.

“Is it just you here?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Yes, my husband’s at work. I never expected something like this… It was terrifying.”

“We apologize for the scare. About the damaged door, we can cover the repair costs,” Lin Qiupu offered.

“No, no, it’s fine. As long as he’s caught. Such people should be shot!” the woman exclaimed.

After bidding the woman goodbye, Lin Dongxue suddenly paused and said, “Brother, I think this woman knows Jia.”

“What makes you think that?” Lin Qiupu asked.

“Look at the layout. Each floor has eight doors. Jia didn’t choose the ones closest to the stairs but went for the farthest one on the west. And she said, ‘Such people should be shot.’ How does she know what Jia did? His warrant wasn’t even issued in this city. And when I was chasing him, he seemed to head for this unit with a purpose.”

Lin Qiupu considered her reasoning. “Let’s go back and verify.”

They knocked on the door again, and the woman answered, “Is there something else?”

“Sorry to intrude, but do you know the man who tried to enter your apartment?” Lin Qiupu asked.

“No… no, I don’t know him,” the woman said, her eyes darting nervously.

“Then why did he head straight for this building and try to break into your door?” Lin Qiupu pressed.

“How would I know? You should ask him!” she snapped, brushing her hair back.

Lin Dongxue noticed a fresh cut on her arm. “Did someone attack you recently?” she asked.

“Oh… this… I accidentally cut myself,” the woman stammered.

Lin Qiupu continued, “We’ve apprehended him. If you have any information, please tell us.”

“Really, I don’t. Please, leave now,” she insisted, showing them out.

As they turned to leave, the woman suddenly called out, “Wait, I do have something to say. Can you come in?”

Lin Qiupu and Lin Dongxue exchanged glances before turning back and entering the apartment.

Inside, they sat at the table. The woman offered them tea, which they declined. She sighed deeply and confessed, “That useless man is my ex-husband.”

“What!?” Lin Dongxue was shocked.

The woman explained that she and Jia had married in 2012 in Litong City. Jia was a worker then, and she fell for him because he was funny and handsome. Her family opposed their relationship, but she eloped with him.

After marriage, Jia’s true nature emerged. He was lazy, short-tempered, and always coming up with shady schemes, leading them into debt. He would beat her whenever he was upset.

She regretted not listening to her family, living in misery and tears. Eventually, she resolved to leave him, stealing some money to escape back to Long’an City while Jia was on a business trip.

She met her current husband later, introduced by her family. Their life was happy, and she was soon expecting a child.

Then she saw Jia’s face on the news, wanted for murder. Her feelings were mixed – shock, pity, and a twisted sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t surprising that this good-for-nothing had ended up this way.