MTLNOVEL Chapter 133: The Missing Thief_2
He was quite accurate in judging people. Dean was not that kind of person. The circle was just that big. He also heard that Dean didn't care much for credit and was very willing to share it with those around him.
When looking for someone, start with their nest.
It had only been three months since the Wayne brothers' release from prison. They were already looking for targets, stealing, and disposing of stolen goods; perhaps they even needed to make time for entertainment. Therefore, it was very likely their residence was near the burglarized neighborhoods. Moving stolen goods in and out required a pickup truck for transport, so the chance they were staying in a motel was slim; it was more likely they rented a house.
Online rental agreements needed to be filed, but no information on the two men was found. This meant the men probably had someone else rent the place for them, possibly an acquaintance, or they had paid someone for help. The rental market in the United States wasn't small. Plus, with college towns and industrial areas nearby, there was an even larger pool of renters. But this wasn't a problem for Dean.
Using deduction and their needs as a guide, the process of elimination was the way to go. Under his command, Harry and Portolia first identified small houses with yards. Hundreds of rental contracts were quickly narrowed down to just a few dozen. Next, they eliminated those rented by families and couples.
Ten minutes later, only seventeen houses rented by single individuals remained in the system. Since rental agreements contained the renter's phone number and basic information, a quick background check identified three individuals with criminal records who might know the Wayne brothers.
Dean, holding three printed lists, handed them to Portolia. "Please give these three files to our colleagues at the substation and have them check things out. If these three don't pan out, we'll thoroughly investigate the remaining fourteen!"
"No problem, Detective Dean."
As Portolia withdrew her hand, she surreptitiously hooked her finger in Dean's palm.
This woman is actually taking advantage of a young, unsuspecting colleague right here in the workplace, trying to get her claws into fresh meat! Dean felt a twinge of concern. Looks like I'll have to buy some 'little umbrellas' after work tonight. Sure enough, for an outstanding man, his 'little brother' is always overworked, exhausted to the point of foaming at the mouth.
Leslie, who had been observing Dean giving orders, approached with a smile and said, "Portolia's husband was a senior officer at the substation. Unfortunately, he had bad luck and died in a car accident during a vehicle stop six months ago, leaving behind Portolia and their two-year-old son."
Dean was speechless. The phrase 'taking on a widow' naturally popped into his mind. The critical thing is, she's a colleague's widow. If I actually got involved, there'd be no shaking her off. The situation could easily turn sour, leaving me the sucker and tarnishing my reputation as a five-star model citizen... This is completely different from my friendly 'sparring' sessions with Dora and her sister from Trace Tracking.
Harry, however, didn't grasp any of this. With a lecherous grin, he waggled his eyebrows at Dean. "Buddy, buy one, get one free! That's a steal."
Dean shook his head. "Sorry, Harry, I have a weak stomach. I can't handle such a 'tough meal.' If you like her, maybe you could give it a shot. Think of it as looking after a colleague's widow."
A predatory glint flickered in Harry's eyes. Portolia was petite, yet she was like a ripe peach, exuding the unique, mature charm of a seasoned woman, mingled with an alluring fragility due to her small frame. What a knockout! he thought. Since Dean isn't going to make a move... then I won't hold back!
TAP-TAP.
The sound of boots approached.
Harry turned his head and saw Portolia returning. He quickly approached her. "Portolia, I'm Harry, a dedicated detective from Team Four. I heard you joined Team One not long ago. Perhaps we could exchange some case-handling experiences?"
Portolia looked at Harry with a warm smile, nodding gently. "Detective Harry, you really are a good person."
Harry chuckled foolishly at the compliment. This woman is way too easy! he thought. I've got a feeling I'm going to make a major breakthrough tonight.
「Just after five in the afternoon.」
Colleagues from the substation sent a message: they had found the house the Wayne brothers were renting!
When Dean and the others arrived, some homeowners whose properties had been burglarized had already received calls from the police and were there to claim their stolen items.
Efficient as that was, Dean was somewhat displeased. The independent actions of these Canyon Substation officers had compromised the evidence in the yard. Considering this was Team One's jurisdiction, Dean could only suppress his minor irritation.
It was a small house with a courtyard in an old neighborhood. In the yard, a simple shed was filled with about thirty large items such as refrigerators, TVs, and pianos—a mix of furniture and musical instruments.
From the looks of it, the Wayne brothers planned to stockpile a batch of goods before renting a truck to haul them away all at once. It was a smart move. In theft cases, the first places police typically checked were second-hand markets. If you dared to sell the items, the police could follow the trail right back to you. However, if they stockpiled the stolen goods and sold them all at once somewhere else, the secrecy involved meant officers couldn't just search this place without probable cause. The items were, paradoxically, safer here.
Besides these items, inside the house, they also found a large amount of jewelry, diamond rings, and some expensive-looking tables, chairs, and silver dinner plates.
Everyone looked pleased, but Dean furrowed his brow.
After entering the house, his Trace Tracking analysis indicated that no outsider had been there for at least six days. Yet, the Wayne brothers had committed a theft just last night.