Chapter 17
Sixth floor, Electronic Information Department.
This department housed the police department's powerful crime-fighting computer network — essentially a massive search engine and database designed to assist detectives with investigations. It was the fastest way to track anyone's movements within the city.
If a person had ever appeared on the city's street cameras (known internally as the "City Prism"), they could be located here with minimal effort.
Alex walked into the Electronic Information Department and saw the department head, Hans Lucas, standing with his arms crossed, watching one of his subordinates' computer screens.
Hans Lucas was tall and thin, wearing a drab gray-blue plaid shirt and dress pants — the classic unassuming look of a programmer. However, he was not someone to underestimate.
When Hans saw Alex enter, his brows relaxed and he smiled warmly as he stepped forward.
"Need help from the Information Department, junior?"
Jason had already introduced Alex to the department head earlier. Hans Lucas was Alex's senior from Central City University and a formal member of the 24th cohort of the First Brotherhood.
Alex nodded. "Yes, Senior Hans. Help me locate a person — Danton Black. He should be a nuclear physicist who worked for Stagg Industries. I need his movements and whereabouts over the past year."
Hans immediately assigned one of his subordinates to begin the search for Danton Black's information.
The Electronic Information Department's powerful search engine and database made locating a single individual effortless. They had assisted detectives with this kind of work many times before.
While Alex and Hans reminisced about their wild days at Central City University and compared the differences between their respective eras, the search results for Danton Black appeared on screen.
Alex stopped talking and turned his attention to the monitor.
"Danton Black, height 1.83 meters, weight 85 kilograms, graduated from Cambridge in 1973…"
"Danton Black was a nuclear physicist at Stagg Industries, assisting Dr. Martin Stein with nuclear experiments. Half a year ago, an experiment at the power plant failed and caused an explosion. Dr. Martin Stein went missing, while Danton suffered minor injuries. After three months in the hospital, he was transferred one month ago to the Central City branch of Stagg Industries due to company reassignment."
"Sir, we also found a police statement he filed. Before the power plant explosion, Dr. Martin Stein had reported Danton Black to the police for stealing blueprints and selling experimental equipment on the black market. The charges were later dropped by Stagg Industries."
"Very good. Have you located his current position in Central City? I need his entry and exit records as well as his present location."
Hans asked from beside him, "Junior, do you suspect he is Multiple?"
Alex nodded. "There are suspicious points. I still need to investigate further."
"Sir, we've found Danton Black's current whereabouts. He is staying at the Leyton Club, a three-star hotel at No. 78 Leyton Street in the lower district. Three days ago, he was living in a rundown hostel in the slums."
"We also found his termination records. He was fired by Stagg Industries half a month ago, kicked out of the company-provided dormitory. His credit card is maxed out, and he owes Wells Fargo three hundred thousand dollars in debt."
"Pull up the entry and exit footage, as well as all City Prism surveillance footage related to him."
Alex lowered his head, staring at the screen through his glasses. From the moment Danton Black entered Central City looking shabby, to half a month ago when he was kicked out by Stagg Industries and wandered the streets in despair, and then three days ago when he suddenly appeared at the Leyton Club front desk wearing expensive clothes and booking a $500-per-night VIP room.
This guy wasn't completely stupid. Even with over thirty-five million dollars, he hadn't gone overboard. At least he knew to keep a low profile and didn't book a presidential suite at a five-star hotel to live luxuriously.
Of course, that was as far as his caution went.
"Alex, this…" Hans's pupils widened slightly as he stared at Alex's calm face.
With his experience, he could immediately see that Danton Black's height, weight, academic background, and sudden change in circumstances perfectly matched the profile of the Multiple criminal.
This… was Multiple!
The police had been laying out lines of inquiry for three days, and the Information Department had reviewed the bank's surveillance footage hundreds of times without any breakthroughs.
Yet Alex had found the real target on his very first day?
That was impressive.
"Hans, lend me a laptop and a few data cables," Alex said.
Hans snapped out of his daze. The Electronic Information Department existed to assist detectives in solving crimes, so he didn't hesitate. He quickly brought over a brand-new Apple laptop and several data cables.
"Alex, shouldn't we mobilize a team to surround him?" Hans asked as he handed over the items.
"No need, Hans. Mobilizing a large force will only make him panic. Within ten meters, I can finish him with one punch."
Alex thanked him with a smile, took the black backpack Hans offered, put the laptop inside, and headed out.
Hans watched Alex's departing back for a moment, then turned and returned to his own office.
Less than ten minutes later, Al Swan arrived at the Information Department.
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