Chapter 482

One in the morning.

“Buzz ……”

A cell phone vibration sounded.

Inside the bedroom, Luke fumbled with his right hand next to his pillow for a while and pressed the answer button on his cell phone, “Hello, this is Luke.”

“It’s Mary, I hope I didn’t disturb your rest.”

Luke yawned and asked rhetorically, “I didn’t even open my eyes, what do you think?”

“I apologize, but this next piece of news should make you open your eyes.

The robbers have called and demanded that the hostage’s father, Mr. Bruce Redman, go to a designated location within the hour to deliver the gold.”

Luke’s spirits lifted, “Where?”

“On the Kalman Street overpass.”

Luke asked rhetorically, “Can we determine the location of the kidnappers from the ransom call?”

“The call was too short to pinpoint the exact location. However, the location of the cell phone signal base station can be determined.”

“I see, and will carry out the deployment in advance. In addition, you will send me the recording of the hijacker’s extortion call.” Luke finished speaking and hung up his cell phone.

It was finally here.

Luke began to contact his team members for the deployment and arrest, according to the kidnapper’s phone recording, it was requested that the 5,000 ounces of gold be divided into six bags to be transported to the flyover by car in advance, and only Bruce Redman himself was allowed to go, and the ticket would be torn up directly if a second person was seen.

Luke focused his deployment on two areas, the first being the location of the ransom delivery, the Kalman Street overpass.

The second location was on Bruce Redman’s way to the overpass.

The kidnapper’s objective was clear, to take the gold, but the kidnapper’s word could not be completely trusted, he could have taken the gold anywhere, not necessarily at the location of the transaction.

It is also quite possible that the gold could have been robbed halfway through Bruce Redman’s drive to the trading place.

At one-thirty, the police convoy of escorts was ready.

Bruce Redman drove to the Kalman Street overpass.

At this time of day, there are very few cars on the road, and you don’t even see one for a long time.

But at the same time, it made tracking difficult.

Following too closely and following for too long were easily exposed.

Luke could only adopt a rotational tracking method, the police had to keep changing cars, each car could only follow for a period of time, and then drive away from other forks in the road, and then change to another car to follow up.

At the same time, the transaction location of the deployment of the control is also tightly carried out, the transaction location is located in the Kalman Street flyover, around the very empty, and is not suitable for the deployment of the arrest, perhaps this is the kidnappers chose this place as a transaction location.

If it’s daytime, people come and go on the flyover, police officers can disguise themselves as passers-by in the neighborhood to protect.

But at this time of the day it would be too eye-catching, and as long as they weren’t stupid, they would be able to see that there was a problem, and the kidnappers would be scared away directly.

So, Luke could only think of other ways.

It was possible to approach the flyover without being easily suspected, and that was the homeless.

Although the United States is a developed country, but the homeless is really many, at any time and any place may appear in any location, the kidnappers, even if they have suspicions, but also can not conclude that the other party is the police eyes.

Because it is common sense for a homeless person to appear near an overpass.

The second was the drone.

Luke arranged for a small drone to scout in the air, installed with high-definition cameras and infrared imaging.

Luke and the other officers were ambushed farther away on both sides of the flyover, and in order to avoid people escaping towards the bottom of the flyover, officers were also arranged to squat underneath the flyover.

Although Luke has made detailed arrangements, but the heart is still a bit unsettled, this kind of arrest operation is more difficult.

Not only need to quickly and accurately catch the kidnappers, so that they can not contact their accomplices in the first time, but also in time to pry open the mouth of the kidnappers, find out the whereabouts of the hostages, to avoid the kidnappers’ accomplices to tear the ticket.

It’s a great test of the on-site commander’s ability to improvise.

Luke and the vice squad were responsible for the specific command at the scene, and Reed sat at the police station to provide them with police force and logistical support.

As a black Mercedes drove onto the flyover, the hearts of all the people tensed up.

The black Mercedes was parked on the side of the overpass, and sitting in the driver’s side of the car was none other than Bruce Redman, whose eyes looked around from time to time through the glass of the car.

Although Luke couldn’t see his expression, he could guess his mood at this moment and comforted, ”Mr. Redman, don’t be nervous.

I’ve arranged police officers in the perimeter will ensure your safety.”

On the east side of the flyover, in a hidden and wind-sheltered corner, two homeless men covered in worn-out blankets gazed at the Mercedes.

These two hobos were handpicked by Reed, they were both good hands of the police detective bureau, accurate shooting and good at fighting, as long as Luke issued an order, they would be the first to subdue the robbers.

Time passed by, Bruce Redman held his cell phone in his right hand and waited somewhat anxiously.

Half an hour passed, the drone had run out of power and was replaced with fresh batteries and took off again.

Blackie rubbed his chin, “I feel something is wrong, Bruce Redman has reached the trading location for so long, the kidnappers have not shown up or called, could things have changed.”

Luke guessed, “We are waiting for the kidnappers, maybe the kidnappers are also watching around, no kidnapper is not afraid when trading ransom.”

Trading ransom is a test for the kidnappers and the most difficult part of the whole kidnapping case, they have to worry about the police setting up an ambush at the trading place and also worry about the police tampering with the ransom, the probability is that they are even more tense than the police, so they can’t be any more careful than they are.

“Ringing ……”

Bruce Redman’s cell phone rang, he looked down at the robber’s cell phone number and pressed the answer button, “Hello, this is Bruce Redman.

I’ve driven up to the Kalman Street overpass.

Where’s my daughter? Did you bring her?”

“No. If nothing else, you should never see her again.”

Bruce Redman worried, “What do you mean by that?

I brought the gold, it’s in the trunk of the car, the whole five thousand ounces, not an ounce less.”

“I mean that your daughter is going to die soon.”

“Why did you do that? I did exactly what you told me to do.”

“No, you didn’t, you called the police.

I knew that there were police ambushed around the overpass, and as soon as I showed up, I would immediately be arrested by the police.

I said no police, you killed your daughter.

Say goodbye.”

“No No No, please don’t do this, don’t hurt my daughter.” Bruce Redman was in a cold sweat of fear and a bit overwhelmed.

At this moment, Luke also heard their conversation through the listening device and hurriedly reminded in his headset, “Mr. Redman, the police have not been exposed, he is scamming you.”

Luke’s voice was calm and steady, his tone was certain, “Listen, you have to hold on at this time and bite the bullet about not calling the police.

Tell him that the gold is on the overpass, and tell him to bring your daughter for the gold.”

Bruce Redman took a deep breath and said, word for word, as Luke had instructed, “I didn’t call the police.

And having prepared five thousand ounces of gold as you instructed, I kept my end of the bargain, and I hope you’ll let my daughter go as promised as well.”

After a while, the kidnapper said again, “You really want to save your daughter?”

“Yes, otherwise, I wouldn’t have come in person.”

“OK, then don’t call the police and do as I say so that you can save your daughter.”

“I won’t call the police, I’ve taken the gold to the Kalman Street overpass.”

“It’s not safe there, the delivery location has changed.”

“Where?”

“You drive ahead and I’ll show you the new trading location in a moment.”

“I need to hear my daughter’s voice and make sure she’s safe.”

“I can let you communicate with your daughter, but not now.

Remember, you’re in no position to negotiate.” The kidnapper simply hung up his cell phone.

“FUCK!”

Bruce Redman was angry and annoyed, holding his forehead with his right hand, his whole body was spread out on the car seat, feeling like he was going to collapse.

Luke’s voice rang in his earpiece, “Mr. Redman, calm down.

The more this time comes, the more you have to calm down.”

“Captain Lee, what should I do now?”

“Do what he says and I’ll send someone to keep you safe. Drive the car slower, this will leave more time for the police to react.”

“I know.” Bruce Redman took a deep breath and slowly started the car.

Inside a commercial vehicle.

Luke and Vice were sitting in front of the monitor.

The vice squad took off their headphones and cursed, “These cunning bastards, our setup is all null and void.”

At this time, Blackie, who was standing at the side, had some complicated feelings, it was indeed a pity that he didn’t catch the robbers.

However, when he thought of what the vice squad had snubbed him earlier, he felt a bit thankful.

The vice squad asked him to pretend to be a homeless person to participate in the arrest operation, and also claimed that his opportunity to perform had come, Xiao Hei thought deeply and refused, he was still an ordinary detective when this kind of work has not done a lot.

He’d done enough of it long ago.

In hindsight, it was a very wise decision.

Luke contacted Mary again, and the tech team still hadn’t been able to lock down the exact location of the kidnappers, but the base station that was transmitting the cell phone signal had changed, indicating that the suspect was also on the move.

Moreover, the cell phone signal transmitting base station was a bit far from the Kalman Street overpass.

There are two possibilities. The first possibility is that the kidnapper who made the ransom call and the kidnapper who delivered the ransom are not the same person.

The second possibility, the kidnappers didn’t even think of trading on the overpass.

The base station positioning is only a regional scope, the place where there are fewer people can be lined up, but in places where there are more people, the difficulty of lining up will be very great, and the citizens of Los Angeles may not cooperate.

At 3:00 a.m., the kidnappers called again, informing Bruce Redman of the new trading location, Celtes Square.

Bruce Redman immediately drove to the plaza, again reducing his speed as Luke had suggested.

But his location wasn’t far from Celtes Square, only a ten minute drive in total, leaving not much time for the police to set up their perimeter.

Fortunately, the police had been in the vicinity of Bruce Redman’s car, not far from the Celtus Square plaza as well, and Luke immediately brought someone there.

Celtes Square location is relatively empty, the police do not dare to get too close, still took the drone reconnaissance and tramp stalking means, the other police officers are squatting in a more distant place.

Ten minutes later, Bruce Redman drove to Celtes Square.

He sat in the car for a while, his cell phone didn’t ring and there was no movement outside, then got out and observed the area, which was empty and no one was visible.

After another twenty minutes, the kidnappers called again and changed the location of the transaction again.

Watching Bruce Redman drive away from Celtics Plaza, Jackson was a little worried, “Captain, will the kidnappers really find out about us and that’s why they change the trading location frequently.”

The lieutenant thought for a moment and said, “Not necessarily, if the kidnapper really saw that the police were at the scene, he simply wouldn’t have contacted Bruce Redman again.

He frequently changed the transaction location, this cautious measure instead indicates that the kidnapper has a real intention to make a deal.

The young man has a bit of patience, but it’s only been a little over two hours.” The lieutenant frowned, as if remembering something.

“I remember encountering a kidnapping case before, where the kidnappers gave a location for the transaction and asked for the ransom to be sent over at twelve in the morning.

But we waited until three in the morning and still saw no sign of the robbers.

At 3:00 a.m., the robbers called and changed the transaction location again.

We rushed to the new trading place, the robbers still did not come.

The next night, the kidnappers called again and told us the new time and place of the transaction. We waited for another night, but the kidnappers still did not come.

On the third night, the kidnappers continued to call, saying that the deal was to be made at 1:00 a.m., and then at 2:00 a.m. they said the deal was canceled.

But at 4:00 a.m., he reintroduced the transaction, back and forth again and again for a number of times, the kidnapper really appeared in the transaction location.

We finally caught the kidnapper.

The more this time, the more patience.

Whoever shows up first, whoever gets impatient first, loses.”

At 4:00 a.m., the kidnappers called again and named a new trading location under the Kalman Street overpass.

After going around in circles, it was back to the previous trading location, the difference being that it was changed to under the overpass, which I have to say did make people a little bit nauseous.

But it was also just like what the vice squad said, whoever was impatient and calm at this time would lose.

Luke continued to carry out his deployment in a calm and orderly manner.

At 4:20 a.m., Bruce Redman drove to the bottom of the overpass, and the kidnapper called again, asking Bruce Redman to put the gold by the stone pier under the overpass and leave immediately.

At the same time asked Bruce Redman not to call the police, go home and wait for news.

His daughter will be released within three days.

Bruce Redman agreed to this with his mouth full, and at the same time followed Luke’s reminder and asked to speak to his daughter.

This time the kidnapper agreed.

“Dad, it’s Isha, I’m so scared, help me …… help ……” the voice was getting smaller and smaller.

Bruce Redman shouted into his cell phone, “Isha, my baby, are you okay? Did they hurt you ……”

“Do what I say if you want to see your daughter again.” The kidnapper’s cell phone then hung up directly.

Determined that his daughter was still alive, Bruce Redman took deep breaths and adjusted his mind, while then placing the six bags containing gold next to the bridge abutment and drove away.

Bruce Redman left, but the police were still watching around.

The two vagabonds again shrunk to a corner near the overpass, and this time, in order to avoid being noticed by the kidnappers, they didn’t get too close, holding binoculars and secretly observing.

The drone was still scouting in the air.

Earlier, Luke had kept an eye out and reminded Bruce Redman to place the gold under one of the outermost piers.

That way the overpass had limited cover and the police could still observe the area around the gold through the drone.

At 4:50 a.m., a black Ford sedan slowly drove past the overpass, and Luke, watching from a distance with binoculars, sensed that there was something wrong with the car, but it didn’t stop.

At five o’clock in the morning, the black Ford sedan circled back under the overpass and stopped.

The car came down two black men, carefully observed the surrounding, walked to the bridge abutment to open the backpack to check, and then put the backpack with gold into the trunk, driving the car quickly left.

The lieutenant laughed, “The fish is biting.”

Jackson sounded a little excited, “Captain, are we taking action.”

“Wait, it’s not time to reel in the lines. Let’s see where they’ve gone. It would be less risky to take us straight back to the lair than to make a direct capture here.”

The lieutenant nodded, “I agree with that option.

However, it will make it more difficult to follow them, so we can’t be detected by the other side, but also can’t lose them.”

Luke said, “It will still take turns to follow.

Marcus, Jackson, you guys go too.

Also, keep the drones in the air for tracking.”

“YES, Sir.”

The Ford sedan was driving fast, and in order to avoid being detected, the police didn’t dare to follow it too closely, so they let one officer sit inside the police car to control the drone tracking.

In addition, Luke contacted Reed and asked him to track the black Ford through road surveillance.

With the police’s multi-party collaboration, the suspect vehicle’s trail was always under control.

Half an hour later, the suspect vehicle drove into a black neighborhood.

The garage door of a white tilt-roofed bungalow on the east side of the neighborhood was open, and the Ford sedan drove straight into the garage.

The garage door closed and there was no more movement.

The ransom delivery had come to a temporary end, more than four hours after the kidnappers had made the ransom call.

At this time, a splash of fish-belly white rose in the sky.

Through road surveillance and drone observations, the police had identified the kidnappers’ lair.

Luke began to lay out controls around it.

A black SUV parked a little farther away from the white house, and Luke observed through binoculars.

The lieutenant beside him asked, “What do you have in mind?”

Luke analyzed, “From the existing situation, this is most likely the kidnappers’ lair, or one of the strongholds.

It’s just that we’re still not clear about the situation inside, and we don’t know if the hostages are here.

It might be dangerous if we act rashly, so it’s best to feel out the situation first.”

The lieutenant nodded, “It’s right to be more secure, but I have another concern.

After the kidnappers get the gold, the hostage will have no value, will they immediately tear the ticket.”

Luke frowned slightly, the vice squad’s worry was justified, no matter any choice there would be risks, they could only choose the optimal solution.

Just at this moment, a gray BMW drove over and parked in the kidnappers’ yard.

A black man wearing sunglasses stepped out of the car, he looked around for a moment and then walked quickly into the house.

Luke watched with binoculars and his face changed slightly, recognizing the identity of the man wearing sunglasses.

The owner of Strange House Antiques and CSJ Pawn Shop, Jim.

This guy had long been in the gray business of collecting dirt and selling stolen goods.

The vice squad also saw Jim through the binoculars and skimmed, “This guy looks a little familiar ……”

Luke reminded, “The last Getty Museum painting robbery, his antique store happened to be selling high-fashion paintings suspected to have been robbed.”

The vice squad said, “I remember, this guy also helped a little in the oil painting robbery, how did he get involved in the kidnapping, isn’t this guy only collecting dirty and selling stolen goods?”

In this regard, Luke also a little puzzled, Jim’s business although also break the law, but as long as it does not touch the interests of the police, the police are turning a blind eye.

After all, this kind of gray chain of interests, knock down one, there will be a second, rather than let them fester in the dark, it is better to be under the eyes of the police.

From this point of view, Jim has a gang background, the police are also lazy, he as long as he does not offend, not cross the line, or quite nourishing, and why take the risk to participate in the kidnapping case.

Unless ……

Luke vaguely guessed something.

5000 ounces of gold is worth ten million dollars, the kidnappers certainly can’t spend it directly, or need to find someone to exchange it for cash, which may be the purpose of Jim’s coming.

Jim has black market connections, it is unlikely that he can exchange the 5000 ounces of gold into cash.

Moreover, he realized that Jim was lightly armed and didn’t bring more people.

It showed that he was comfortable with the people in the house, and there was no possibility that the people in the house were his accomplices.

If so deduced, those two who took the gold might not be the kidnappers but Jim’s men, even if the police arrested them they might not be able to find the kidnappers.

Instead of the kidnappers coming to Jim to exchange the gold, they might as well be looking for Jim to take the thunder, and if Jim was caught, they would surely run away without a trace.

If Jim was not arrested, it means that the victim’s family did not call the police, according to the agreement, Jim will directly exchange the gold for cash, they wait to get the money on it.

Although it will certainly be Jim deducted a part of the commission, but it is like an additional insurance, the most dangerous part of the kidnapping case to deliver the ransom passed on.