The criminal investigation team shifted its focus, changing from checking on the influx of outsiders to specifically inspecting stores selling chemical substances. Acquiring TnT explosives was a challenge for ordinary individuals, but switching to black powder made the process much simpler. Two kilograms of black powder had the explosive power equivalent to 250 grams of TnT, enough to bring down a building.
Simultaneously, Kathleen proposed the use of electronic interference devices to prevent suspects from remote detonation. Based on the information gathered by the police, both bomb explosions seemed to be initiated remotely. If the authorities could obstruct the suspects from detonating the bombs, they could safely defuse the explosives.
Soon, the police obtained a crucial lead. According to the confession of a shop owner caught selling gunpowder on the black market, approximately 50 kilograms of gunpowder had been purchased from him by a young man about a week ago, claiming it was for mining in mountainous areas.
Based on the shop owner's description, the police quickly sketched a composite image of the suspect. However, they refrained from publicizing it until the suspect was positively identified.
Shortly after creating the suspect's composite image, the police received a call from the suspect. Expressing disappointment in the authorities for not meeting his demands, the suspect issued a chilling threat.
"At two o'clock this afternoon, Central Mall will explode again. This is my retaliation for your failure to comply with my demands. It seems you'll only believe me once there are casualties. Well, then, get ready for someone to die." The suspect hung up, and Titus glanced at his watch; it was already one o'clock, just an hour away from the promised explosion.
"Deploy everyone immediately. Seal off Central Mall and evacuate all people as quickly as possible," Titus commanded.
Central Mall was a large shopping center in Sradarc, attracting a high daily footfall. The potential consequences of an explosion were unimaginable. The police responded urgently, with numerous patrol cars rushing to seal off Central Mall. As personnel began evacuating the area, the Sradarc municipal government also demonstrated its high level of concern, with Deputy Mayor Geoffrey Victor personally arriving at the scene. Faced with a series of malicious explosions in Sradarc, the city government instructed the police to solve the case within a week.
The atmosphere on-site was tense, and a large interference device was brought to Central Mall. This device could disrupt wireless signals within a range of five hundred meters.
"What's the situation?" Geoffrey inquired as soon as he arrived, questioning Bob Milton, the chief of the city police who was commanding the operation.
Bob briefly outlined the situation for Geoffrey, informing him that the majority of citizens inside the mall had been evacuated, but a small number were still lingering. Bomb disposal experts and detectives had entered the mall to search for suspicious items. Finally, he emphasized that Kathleen had also entered the mall.
Geoffrey knew his daughter too well; being a police officer had always been Kathleen's dream, one he couldn't deny her even with his position as Deputy Mayor. Otherwise, with the power he held, arranging for Kathleen to join a government agency would have been a simple task.
"Let her go," Geoffrey said, waving his hand.
Bob quickly said, "Deputy Mayor, rest assured. I've instructed Detective Captain Titus to ensure Kathleen's safety. If anything seems off, he will immediately protect Kathleen and withdraw her."
"Alright," Geoffrey nodded without revealing much emotion.
Under the influence of the large interference device, there was no cellphone signal. Communication had to rely on the most primitive methods, with Bob using a loudspeaker to command the operation on-site.
A young man with half-moon glasses stood about four hundred meters away from the mall, holding an electronic device in his right hand. After pressing a few buttons without any response, the young man frowned, turned around, and briskly walked towards the roadside.
Just as he reached the roadside and was about to hail a taxi, a man walking towards him collided, knocking him down.
"Damn, can't you watch where you're going?" The young man got up from the ground, cursing while searching for the dropped electronic device.
"Oh, I really didn't see you," the man who collided with him smirked, bent down, picked up the electronic device that had fallen near his feet, and said, "Is this what you're looking for?"
"Give it to me." The young man hurriedly tried to grab it, but the one who collided suddenly kicked him in the abdomen. The young man was sent flying and fell to the ground, writhing in pain, holding his stomach.
"You bastard! You dare to blow up my car. You deserve to die." The man who collided stepped on the young man's chest, bent down, and with a menacing look, said, "If it weren't for this place, I would kill you right now."
This speaker was Louie, who had infiltrated the police system, learned the suspect's appearance, and believed that the suspect would appear at the explosion scene to remotely detonate the bomb.
Holding a remote control, Louie exerted force on the young man's chest, crushing his sternum. The young man screamed in agony and then passed out. Louie tossed the remote control near the young man, took out his phone, and dialed 911. "Hello, I'm reporting a case. There's a strange young man with a remote control on Central Street. He's likely the bombing suspect. Please hurry."
Louie hung up the phone, looked at the unconscious young man on the ground, shrugged, and said, "Sorry, but you brought this on yourself. You messed with my car, and now you're unlucky enough to encounter me."
Meanwhile, the explosive device in Central Mall was successfully defused. When the bomb disposal expert walked out of the mall with the disarmed bomb, everyone present finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As people celebrated the successful prevention of the explosion, the latest update came from the police station. A young man, preliminarily suspected to be the bombing suspect, had been rushed to the central hospital for rescue.
Good news followed one after another. If it could be confirmed that this young man was the suspect, then the biggest explosion case in Sradarc would be solved. The detective team quickly headed to the central hospital.
In the evening, Sradarc TV station extensively covered the investigation process of the case classified as the 718 major explosion. The identity of the male suspect was soon clarified.
Brown Hill, 24 years old, a graduate of Sradarc University with a major in chemistry. His revengeful mindset stemmed from a breakup with his girlfriend, leading him to develop remote-controlled bombs using his knowledge and information gathered online. He was responsible for the two consecutive bombings and the failed attempt at Central Mall.
Due to the successful resolution of this major case, the entire detective team received collective commendations. Kathleen, in particular, was recognized with a second-class individual commendation for her significant role in solving the 718 case.