Chapter 654: Chapter 652: The Old Path (12)_1 Chapter 654: Chapter 652: The Old Path (12)_1 There really is!
It’s tough to get any information from the face of an old hand like Jones under normal circumstances.
But that also means that if his expression really changes, it implies the situation is truly unusual.
Fu Qian had deliberately been vague earlier, not expecting any result in particular–it was simply the result of a good habit formed by professionals.
And the moment he noticed the unusual expression on Jones, Fu Qian went with the flow.
At that moment, from Jones’s further reaction, Fu Qian could almost confirm that he indeed had found some information related to Laxik.
The reason for his significant reaction was probably because he was misled by Fu Qian’s words, believing the group of four was actively searching for Laxik.
Isn’t the efficiency of this a bit too high?
“Care to share what you know?”
The next moment, Fu Qian asked with a smiling face.
“What do you want to find him for?”
Jones, having been quickly guessed by Fu Qian, didn’t continue to deny but simply squinted, scrutinizing him.
“Nothing much, just entrusted by someone to find him, that’s all.”
Fu Qian answered very honestly.
“Coincidentally, I also want to find out who he is.”
Jones snorted but didn’t rush to answer; instead, he turned to look behind Fu Qian.
In just a few words, Kateman and the other two had already caught up.
“What are you doing here?”
Considering his understanding of Fu Qian, Chief Jones switched his target and stared at the panting Fran.
Obviously, in his eyes, this girl was the most innocent of the four.
Indeed, even if Fu Qian had answered him just now, he would probably still have to seriously consider how much credibility to give it.
Fu Qian didn’t mind this obvious mistrust at all.
As someone self-aware and reasonable, he didn’t feel that everyone was obliged to have a good impression of him.
So, his smile unwavering, he joined Kateman and Lei in watching Fran’s reaction.
…
“Jessica has disappeared; we are looking for her.”
Fran felt a great pressure and after taking a deep breath, she quickly shared what she had discovered.
Another person has gone missing…
Having not seen a fifth person emerge from the woods, Jones already had some foreboding.
But now that it was confirmed, he couldn’t help but frown deeply.
Being prepared psychologically doesn’t mean one can accept it; losing two people in his area all at once is a headache for anyone.
“So, you came down from the mountain and have been following her trail?”
“…Yes.”
Fran nodded, her teeth clenched.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t found anything so far.”
“However, we found an underground passage that leads all the way here from the mountain.”
At that point, Kateman also chimed in.
“Underground passage…that does make sense. I was wondering why you guys appeared from behind.”
Jones pondered, looking as if his trust in the group had increased slightly.
The next moment, he gestured towards the dense woods.
“Can you lead me to see it?”
…
The exit of the passage was not too far from the roadside; the group quickly found the place.
And standing in front of the exit, Jones and his group were silent for a long time, seemingly unsure how to comment.
“Did you find anyone else on your way down?”
After thinking it over, Jones continued to ask.
“No, but some of the traces are very fresh–looks like someone has been in recently.”
Lei described the discoveries inside.
Again shocked, Jones and the others decided not to try exploring directly for themselves.
But without a doubt, the complexity of the situation had increased exponentially.
“Don’t keep staying up there, come straight home with me afterwards.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Jones spoke in an irrefutable tone.
“Alright.”
Although she was concerned about comforting her friend, Fran, who had been scared and anxious all the way, naturally welcomed the offer.
And Fu Qian, who had planned it that way from the start, had no objections either.
…
“Give me a reason.”
Signaling the officer to take Kateman and the others back up the mountain to get their car to fetch some things, Chief Jones left Fu Qian behind, lit a cigarette, took a drag, and then said.
“First of all, I have nothing to do with Mrs. Harrold’s disappearance.”
The question seemed out of the blue, but Fu Qian understood what Jones meant.
“Secondly–”
Looking at the unmoved Jones, Fu Qian held up a finger.
“I don’t mind being under your surveillance until I help prove the first point.”
“It was quite a coincidental discovery.”
In just a few seconds, Jones accepted Fu Qian’s reasons.
As the situation became more complex, his initial judgments inevitably began to waver.
And the reasons Fu Qian provided were, in fact, without major issues.
“After returning from here this morning, I had only asked a colleague to help keep an eye out.”
“Unexpectedly, not long after, he found me again and gave me something.”
“It was a traffic ticket, for the person you mentioned.”
Traffic ticket…
For a moment, Fu Qian’s expression was somewhat odd, this twist did indeed challenge one’s imagination.
“What was the violation for?”
“Serious speeding.”
“Uh… When?”
“Yesterday.”
Yesterday…
“Does your colleague remember what that person looked like?”
“This is the strange part, the person who issued the ticket said they had no recollection at all, couldn’t describe anything.”
“That’s pretty much it, you’re welcome to ask for yourself if you’re interested.”
“Understood.”
Even though it sounded bizarre, Fu Qian was quite satisfied.
At least now, there was some clue.
Indeed, the virtuous have their rewards.
…
“How could this be?”
As the guests returned, Mrs. Mary, who was quite kindly in nature, appeared very worried about Jessica’s situation.
She was also clearly baffled about the passage leading down the mountain everyone had taken.
In her words, since she could remember, she hadn’t spent much time inside, and after she grew up, she moved out entirely.
As for the idea of a secret passage beneath the building, she had no concept whatsoever.
Fu Qian tended to believe her statement since on one hand she had no reason to lie, and on the other, that area had indeed been abandoned for quite a long time.
“You coming along?”
Chief Jones was clearly in a rush, and as soon as he had settled the others, he was heading out the door when he turned to Fu Qian and asked.
“Sure.”
Fu Qian was well aware that this wasn’t a request for his opinion.
Even if he didn’t appear as suspicious anymore, Jones wouldn’t allow a potentially dangerous element like him to stay at home unsupervised while he was away.
“Fu Qian, you…”
Fran, whose mood had slightly calmed, found it odd upon seeing this.
The experiences of the last few days had increased her trust in Fu Qian considerably, making her believe he was more reliable than she had thought, but she still didn’t expect Jones to actually let him help.
“Operation advisor, expert level.”
Fu Qian gave a casual, flippant response as he stepped out the door under the complex gazes of his three companions.