Chapter 12: The Kidnapper’s Demands
“Are you just guessing?” Decker mocked. “You’ve probably only ever been to the south area and your school. Stop trying to impress everyone!”
The agent, however, seemed to have an idea, his eyes lighting up.
“Let her continue!”
Decker coldly replied, “Watch your tone with me, Agent.”
Irene was thoroughly annoyed. She pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and slapped it on the table in front of Decker.
Decker glanced at it dismissively, then his face turned ashen.
He fell silent.
Curious, the agent took a look. It was an outstanding achievement certificate from a detective skills special training camp jointly run by E Country and Q
Country.
The agent had heard of this camp. Although it was privately organized, the participants were top–notch retired police officers from both countries, making the camp extremely rigorous and prestigious.
With such a certificate, one could even bypass the entry tests to join the FBI.
No one could now question Irene’s qualifications.
It was like a loud slap across Decker’s face.
“How old is she to have such a certificate!”
“And she didn’t even take care of it! Oh my god, I feel so pained!”
Envious whispers spread among the police.
The Norman family, already anxious, grew more impatient. Sixth Young Master Mom shouted, “We have twenty minutes left! Does anyone have a solution?”
“I do,” Irene said clearly, not even glancing at Decker.
No one stopped her this time.
“Chapter 1: The Kidrintpels Demands.
2/4
The police, of course, wanted the case solved as soon as possible.
Decker’s expression darkened. No one had ever dared treat him like this in a
case.
“Follow her lead then! But don’t blame us If you run out of time!”
Decker had reasons for his delay.
The primary difficulty in solving this case was the lack of surveillance footage. Secondly, identifying suspects was tough
Based on the Norman family’s statements, the police investigated Palmer’s social connections but found nothing. Investigating the Norman family’s enemies was like finding a needle in a haystack.
All drivers, maids, and secretaries aware of the Norman family’s visit to the south area were brought in for questioning, with no flaws in their call records. or testimonies.
Sure, Irene, since you love showing off, you do it then!
Decker thought maliciously, hoping for a botched ransom handover and a spectacle.
“I’ll start with what I know. I saw the van around 5:30 PM. It wasn’t speeding, and its exhaust emitted a lot of black smoke. Also, I recognize the cross- shaped necklace; someone in the south area wears it often.”
The agent became excited.
“I speculate the primary motive is money. First, that van is too old. Vehicles emitting black smoke have been rare since 2003, suggesting the suspects are poor, assembling the van from scrap. Second, the Norman family’s wealth is known, but the suspects asked for just a few hundred thousand, indicating they don’t know who they kidnapped.”
“Of course, there might be a deliberate attempt to mislead.”
The agent nodded. “Indeed, if a corporation hired them, they would use a professional team. The delay in demanding ransom, five hours after the kidnapping, is strange. If it’s due to inexperience, it makes sense.”
Irene continued, “There’s a gathering in the south area tonight at 7 PM.
Preparations started at 5 PM, with people setting up tables and moving items, blocking the whole intersection at the south exit. They always
bonfire, leaving no space for the van to pass.”
The police officer listening gave Irene an odd look.
it a special
He knew those bonfires weren’t normal they often burned cars or municipal buildings!
“The gathering lasts until 10 PM, so they must still be in the south area.
Irene confidently said, “In the south area, only one place can hide a van and avoid attention: the abandoned brewery!”
Everyone’s eyes widened as Irene pointed to the map.
“The abandoned brewery!”
The agent stood up. “Split into two teams! One monitors the south exit’s surveillance from 5:30 PM onward. The other informs SWAT and gears up with me!”
The police sprang into action.
“Mr. Norman, prepare the ransom and decide who will deliver it. We need to divide our efforts to avoid alerting the suspects!”
“No problem! The money’s ready!” Assistant Barton replied hurriedly.
He felt immense relief. If not for meeting Irene midway, who knows how long the Seventh Young Master would have waited.
“I’ll go!” Sixth Young Master Mom jumped up, but Second Young Master Ocum pressed him down.
“I’ll go, father, elder brother,” Ocum said. Mom was too young and hot–headed; they couldn’t trust him.
Decker, watching the preparations, felt bitter.
Just a little girl! What deduction? It’s just luck she saw the van. If she didn’t live in the south area, could she deduce all this?
Decker gritted his teeth, regretting not coming sooner knowing it was the Norman family!
4/4
“The kidnappers made new demands!”
A police officer rushed in with a phone, playing a message on speaker: “I want à million within half an hour, placed in the reeds by the Soss River! Walk a thousand and six steps south from the Red House by the Soss River and leave the money there!”
Robertson urgently asked, “Is my grandson okay? Let him say something! If anything happens to him, you won’t get a cent!”
There was a pause, then Palmer’s voice came through, weak but alive.
“Hurry up! Don’t let me find out you called the police!”
The kidnapper hung up again!
The sudden change stunned everyone. A bodyguard whispered, “Didn’t we say the kidnappers were poor and inexperienced? How do they know to change locations and confuse the police?”
Those who had confidence in Irene’s words began to whisper doubts.
“Yeah, not only did they increase the amount, but they also changed the location.”
This girl doesn’t seem reliable. We shouldn’t have listened to her.”
Decker gloated, “Your deductions are wrong. Maybe she’s here to scam! She didn’t see that van!”
As the murmurs grew louder, the agent frowned silently.
Irene watched calmly, even smiling slightly.
Suddenly, the agent laughed heartily, “Miss Irene! Your deduction is spot on!”
Everyone was stunned.
“They’re indi
in the south area!”
