Pokémon Detective Case Files

Chapter 321 Poisonous Fog – A Successful Yet Tricky Capture Operation

Chapter 323 Poisonous Fog – A Successful Yet Tricky Capture Operation

"I never expected it to go so smoothly."

As evening approached, the setting sun was mostly obscured by the afterglow of the cloudy sky, and the scattered light dyed the city orange-red, making the world appear exceptionally heavy and gloomy.

On the city skyline, homing pigeons lined up in scattered rows, brushing past the bats that had just taken flight, as if symbolizing the alternation of day and night.

Outside a cheap neighborhood on the east side of Feiyun City, the encirclement of the arrest operation has narrowed to its final stage.

Plainclothes police officers silently appeared near the various entrances and exits of the community, while the police station's Pokémon, disguised as wild Pokémon, patrolled the surrounding area. Officers were also positioned in hidden corners and lurks around the apartment building where the target was located. They were just waiting for the order to launch a full-scale assault on the perpetrators of the poisoning case in Feiyun City.

"As expected, once the direction of the investigation is determined, the well-staffed police station can unleash a level of efficiency far exceeding that of individual detectives. I didn't expect that it would only take an afternoon to narrow down the suspects to this extent."

Azure stepped out of an inconspicuous bread truck, shading her eyes with her hand with deep emotion as she gazed at an apartment building in the community.

"Hey, don't make such obvious moves."

Officer Jenny quickly reached out and pulled the detective to the other side of the bread cart, reminding her...

"The suspect might be using binoculars to be wary of the police right now. Even though we're far away, we still have to be careful about that possibility. If we alert him and make him suspicious, the arrest will be much more difficult, and we might even drag the surrounding residents into it."

Azure obediently hid behind the car and saw Miss Joey who had come with them.

The temporary forensic pathologist, specializing in toxicology, was half-squatting on the ground, organizing and confirming the potent antidote she had just prepared before setting off. At the same time, she smiled and made excuses for the detective, saying, "Officer Jenny, don't blame Azure. She's different from us. She doesn't have the kind of appearance that would scare criminals just by showing her face. It's normal that she lacks that kind of awareness."

"Anyone would be suspicious if they saw someone peering into their window. It has nothing to do with what they look like."

Officer Jenny kept anxiously confirming the information; the wait before the arrest was always so agonizing.

As if to pass the time, the officer reiterated to Bilan the key points and challenges of the operation—

"Since the suspect recently infiltrated Flying Cloud City using a false identity, his current identity remains unknown, and we have no way to investigate the number of Pokémon he possesses. However, given his ability to poison all the discarded medicines around Flying Cloud City within just three days, he must have a considerable number of helper Pokémon."

"Yes," Azure echoed.

"Considering that, apart from the repeatedly administered poison, the dosage of toxins in other wound medicines is basically the same, those Pokémon likely possess limbs large enough to at least use syringes. Furthermore, those Pokémon frequently traveled around Flying Cloud City over three days..."

The fact that they didn't seem unusual to the surrounding residents and trainers suggests that they are likely common Pokémon found in Flying Cloud City.

However, even with this selection process, there are still too many Pokémon to choose from.

"Yes, it could be Catpoo, Scrub, Slytherin, or any other Pokémon whose appearance is completely unimaginable. It feels like it's going to turn into another chaotic battle like the one in the locked room incident."

Miss Officer Jenny sighed and took out her phone again to check the current time and the police station's notification messages.

"Is it really okay for us not to participate in the front lines of the capture operation? Eevee and I will definitely not hold them back," Azure asked.

"Don't underestimate the police, you amateur detectives," Officer Jenny said, deliberately feigning disdain.

"Even if you join the frontline operation, you can't coordinate with your colleagues like a professionally trained detective, right? Our usual practice is for situations like this. Besides, if the suspect manages to break through the cordon and run down from upstairs, we're still close enough to provide support."

"However, Miss Officer Jenny, from what I just saw, the rooms on the target floor don't seem to have their lights on."

After a moment's deliberation, Azure decided to share the information she had obtained in a moment of rashness with Officer Jenny: "It's so dark now; if we don't turn on the lights, it'll be completely dark inside. Isn't that a bit strange?"

"You mean the prisoner might not be in the room?"

Officer Jenny put down her phone and asked seriously. Then, as if answering her own question, she shook her head: "That's absolutely impossible. The police checked the surveillance footage from nearby intersections beforehand, and at least today, they didn't see any footage of the suspect leaving the community. Moreover, the neighbor living next door to the suspect also testified that he saw him open the door and return to his residence last night. That person didn't have the conditions or time to flee."

"Could it be that the neighbor notified the suspect, allowing him to hide in advance?" Azure asked.

"That's impossible," Officer Jenny said impatiently.

"The police have just questioned the neighbor and have temporarily placed him under surveillance for his safety."

They won't be released until the arrest operation is complete. Azure, are you sure you didn't miscount the floors?

"Bluey Girl has a good eye; her observation is correct."

"Joey spoke up. The forensic pathologist had already organized all the medical supplies. She handed her phone to Officer Jenny, and on the screen was a high-definition video that Ms. Joey had taken at some point. "Look, this is the floor where the criminal is located, right? From the window, his apartment is indeed completely dark."

Looking at the blurred image after multiple zooms, Officer Jenny frowned deeply: "Could it be that they overslept during their afternoon nap? Or is the prisoner engaged in some kind of special activity that requires darkness?"

"A nap wouldn't last this long. And if it's dark inside, how can you cook? That criminal hasn't left yet; is he planning to go hungry tonight?"

With her expertise in nutrition, Miss Joy used her knowledge to astutely point out the anomalies in the current situation.

Officer Jenny's brow furrowed even deeper.

Now it was Azure who comforted Officer Jenny: "Oh, don't overthink it. Maybe it's just that the suspect has an irregular lifestyle. And even if he's not home right now, he couldn't possibly escape this community while surrounded by police."

"I hope so." The female detective took a deep breath, but the ominous premonition in her heart could not be dispelled.

Finally, both Officer Jenny and Joey's phones vibrated at the same time. They glanced at the messages, then looked up at each other.

"The advance team has reached the target floor and is ready to breach the door."

Officer Jenny stepped out of the car and, just like Azure had done before, shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked towards the room where the suspect was.

Now, they no longer need to hide their whereabouts.

"Is the other person inside?" Azure asked anxiously.

"We'll have the results soon," Officer Jenny said. Now that the arrest operation had officially begun, she was no longer in a hurry. As if echoing the detective's words, her phone vibrated again.

The officer looked down at the text message, but then, as if he had used "instant amnesia," he froze for a moment. His expression was as unpredictable as a floating bubble.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

The detective, who was excluded from the police system of Feiyun City, pressed her for answers.

"We need to go to the crime scene with Miss Joey."

"Crime scene?" Bilan noticed the strangeness in the officer's wording.

"Yes, the crime scene."

Officer Jenny looked at the temporary forensic doctor among the three and said with a somber expression, "The suspect in the poisoning incident was already dead before the police broke down the door and entered the room."