I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 308 Setting the Trap

Li Wei took a deep breath and looked at the map in his hand, which marked several key locations speculated by Dr. Chen. He said, "We can't act blindly. The killer may have noticed that we are tracking him, so every step we take must be cautious."

Fu Siyuan nodded, his eyes firm. "We need to first analyze the commonalities of these locations. Why did the killer choose these places? What is the connection between them?"

Zhang Wanqing added, "Yes, we also have to consider the killer's modus operandi. He leaves a symbol behind after each crime. These symbols may not only be coordinates, but may also hint at his motives."

Li Wei pondered for a moment and said, "These locations are all on the outskirts of the city, sparsely populated, making it easy for him to hide his whereabouts. Moreover, most of these places have abandoned buildings, which may be where he set traps."

Fu Siyuan took out the note covered with symbols from his pocket and said, "We need to study these symbols more carefully. Perhaps, in addition to the coordinates, they also hide other information."

The three decided to split up and investigate the remaining key locations. They agreed to contact each other every half an hour to ensure each other's safety.

It was late at night again, and the city's outskirts were shrouded in silence. Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei stood outside the abandoned warehouse, a tense atmosphere hanging over them. Li Wei unfolded a map, marking several key locations in red pen—these were the possible target areas Dr. Chen had deduced based on the symbols. Each location could be the killer's next strike location, or the key to catching him.

"We can't waste any more time," Li Wei whispered, his eyes firm and calm. "These locations are scattered throughout the city. If we split up, we'll be more efficient. But we must always remain vigilant. The killer may have noticed we're tracking him."

Fu Siyuan nodded, his hand unconsciously touching the baton at his waist: "I will be careful. If I find anything suspicious, I will notify you immediately."

Zhang Wanqing also gripped the flashlight tightly in her hand, a subtle nervousness in her voice: "We will contact each other every half hour, whether we find anything or not, we must report that we are safe."

The three of them quickly divided up their tasks and decided to go to three different locations. They knew that this race against time had reached its most critical moment.

Zhang Wanqing traveled alone to the city's southern suburbs, where a long-abandoned subway station stood. The entrance was surrounded by barbed wire, and the surrounding weeds were overgrown, making it look particularly desolate. She carefully pushed aside the barbed wire and entered the station.

The flashlight's beam streaked through the darkness, illuminating the path ahead. On the abandoned platform, the rails rusted, and the air was filled with the smell of dampness and decay. Zhang Wanqing searched along the platform, her heart pounding, but she tried to remain calm.

Suddenly, her flashlight beam fell on a corner—there was a piece of paper with a familiar symbol drawn on it, the same one that had appeared at the crime scene before. She quickly walked over, squatted down, and examined the paper carefully. The edge of the paper was a little frayed, obviously blown there by the wind.

"This might be the killer's next target." Zhang Wanqing whispered to herself. She quickly took a photo and then carefully put the note away.

She continued searching along the subway station and discovered a hidden ventilation vent. The iron fence of the vent had been artificially opened a gap, as if someone had entered or exited through it. Zhang Wanqing's heart tightened, she realized that this might be the killer's hiding place.

She decided to lie in wait, waiting for the killer to appear. She found a secluded spot, leaning against the wall with her flashlight at the side, ready to light at any moment. As the seconds ticked by, her heartbeat became clear in the darkness.

"The killer will definitely come back." She whispered to herself, a glint of determination in her eyes.

Fu Siyuan arrived at the northern outskirts of the city, where there was an abandoned chemical plant. The factory wall was dilapidated and the gate was locked with an iron chain, but Fu Siyuan easily found a gap and got in.

The factory was completely dark, with only the occasional wind stirring the dilapidated equipment, making strange noises. Fu Siyuan cautiously entered the main building, illuminating his surroundings with a flashlight. His gaze lingered in every corner, searching for any suspicious signs.

Suddenly, he discovered a hidden entrance to the basement. The entrance was covered by a pile of debris, apparently hidden intentionally. Fu Siyuan pushed the debris aside, revealing an iron ladder. He took a deep breath and walked down the ladder.

The basement was filled with a pungent smell of chemicals, and the surrounding area was filled with broken equipment and debris. Fu Siyuan used a flashlight to illuminate the wall and found some strange symbols hanging on it, exactly the same as the symbols at the previous crime scene.

"This must be the killer's preparation location." Fu Siyuan whispered, his heartbeat quickened, but his eyes became more determined.

He continued searching the basement and found some strange objects in a hidden corner - an ancient bronze mirror, a broken porcelain bottle, and a map pinned to the wall with a red line. The map had several locations marked with red dots, which seemed to be related to certain areas of the city.

"These symbols and maps must be related to the killer's plan." Fu Siyuan quickly took photos and then carefully put these items away.

He decided to lie in ambush here, waiting for the killer to appear. He found a secluded position, leaning against the wall with his flashlight at the side, ready to light at any time. The seconds passed, and his heartbeat was particularly clear in the darkness.

Li Wei arrived at the eastern outskirts of the city, where there was an abandoned wharf. The pier was dilapidated, and the waves crashed against the shore, making a roaring sound. Li Wei searched along the pier, illuminating the way ahead with a flashlight.

Suddenly, he discovered a hidden hut. The door of the hut was slightly open, and a faint light shone from inside. Li Wei's heartbeat instantly accelerated, and he realized that this might be the killer's hiding place.

He approached the hut cautiously and peered through the window. Inside, a figure stood with their back to him, seemingly tidying something. Li Wei quickly contacted Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan to tell them what he had discovered.

"I've seen the killer, come here quickly." Li Wei whispered, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan received the news from Li Wei and rushed over to him.