Chapter 245: Just Because You’re Useless, Doesn’t Mean I Am

Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Just Because You’re Useless, Doesn’t Mean I Am

The excited voices of Evan Keller and Heath Hale drew the attention of everyone around them.

On the computer screen was a 3D blueprint of the building, clearly showing the rooms and general layout of each floor.

Evan had circled a spot on the blueprint.

Zoe Sawyer leaned in for a closer look and saw it was a small balcony. After Evan’s explanation, everyone finally understood why he was so excited.

A small balcony connected the bathrooms of the two apartments. According to the blueprint, the outer wall of the balcony was lower than the bathroom windows, making it hard to spot at a glance.

Although the blueprint indicated the balcony was a bit narrow, it was still wide enough for an adult to pass through quickly without any problem.

It wasn’t visible on the surveillance footage, which must mean it was in a blind spot.

"So, you’re saying that after setting the fire, the mysterious figure left through this small balcony off the bathroom and went back into the apartment next door," Zoe Sawyer said, pointing at the blueprint with a look of sudden realization.

That had to be it.

It explained why the mysterious person had vanished after entering the bathroom and why the cameras never caught them climbing out.

Everything finally made sense.

Heath Hale picked up a copy of the fire scene photos from the desk and pointed to the bathroom window. "Exactly. Look at this window. It’s a bit smaller than a normal one, but it’s still big enough for an adult to squeeze through.

"If they were skilled, they could definitely get in and out quickly."

Having found the crucial detail, Evan Keller immediately called Director Miller, asking him to check who lived in the neighboring apartment and verify their theory.

Less than half an hour later, Director Miller called back.

"Evan, you were right!

"There is a small balcony, but its floor is a bit thin. The residents were afraid that if someone stood on it or placed anything heavy there, it might fall, so almost no one ever uses it." Director Miller’s voice was tinged with excitement.

And for that very reason, many residents subconsciously forgot about it when questioned.

If Evan Keller and Heath Hale hadn’t noticed something was off with the blueprints, it might have taken another day or two to discover it.

"What about the neighbor?" Evan Keller asked.

On that subject, Director Miller’s tone became a bit helpless. "We couldn’t find them. The owner of the apartment rented it out, and the tenant then sublet it to a woman.

"After the fire next door was extinguished, she used the excuse that it wasn’t safe and moved out. We checked her personal information, too. It’s fake."

The trail went cold right there.

But it also indirectly confirmed that this tenant who moved out was most likely the mysterious arsonist.

"I understand, Director Miller. Thank you for your hard work." After exchanging a few polite words, Evan Keller hung up the phone.

Heath Hale looked at Zoe Sawyer, who was standing beside him. Without him even needing to speak, Zoe made an "OK" gesture to show she understood.

Then, under everyone’s watchful eyes, she opened the door again and began to trace back the scene.

As soon as she opened the door, Zoe Sawyer saw the helmet on the floor and the mysterious person changing clothes.

Just as Zoe opened the door, she saw the person take out a padded breast form and put it on, before changing into a high-collared sweater dress.

Ignoring the face, the figure of a buxom, curvy beauty emerged.

Next came the wig, mask, and shoes.

The person took a few steps in front of a full-length mirror and, after confirming nothing was amiss, nodded in satisfaction.

It was only then that Zoe Sawyer realized that even though it was a man disguised as a woman, there were no flaws in his movements or his gait.

If she hadn’t witnessed the entire process, she might not have been able to tell he was a man even if they met face-to-face.

After confirming she hadn’t missed anything, Zoe Sawyer closed the door and told the group waiting for news everything she had seen.

"A man?"

Evan Keller and Heath Hale exchanged a look, a glint of vigilance in their eyes. ’This was premeditated!’

"Zoe, go tell Beau to draw up a sketch. We’ll catch them off guard!" Evan Keller delegated the task, then pulled Heath Hale aside to discuss the plan for the subsequent arrest.

’We have to catch this guy before he realizes what’s happening. Maybe we can get some other information out of him!’

While Zoe Sawyer and the others were preparing for an arrest based on the arson case, the atmosphere on the other side was far less urgent.

The mysterious man was lounging on a sofa, the toe of his foot hooked around one of his high heels.

He impatiently and irritably dealt with the man on the other end of the phone, "Alright, alright, relax. You know how I work. I didn’t leave a single trace from start to finish, and I wasn’t caught on camera. Those cops won’t track it back to me.

"And even if they do, who cares? I was in drag over there."

"Chase Rowan, don’t get complacent. Yesterday’s incident was a big deal. You need to get back here now!" The man on the other end of the line sounded displeased, his words subconsciously taking on a commanding tone.

Chase Rowan clicked his tongue in annoyance. Before hanging up, he didn’t forget to add a mocking remark, "Just because you’re a useless piece of shit doesn’t mean I am."

’He had to admit, the police here had some skills.’

’But without any surveillance footage, it wouldn’t be so easy for them to track him down anytime soon.’

’By the time they actually figured it out, he’d be long gone.’

’So, the other guy’s worrying was completely unfounded!’

The man whose call had been disconnected had a grim expression. He suddenly smashed his phone against the wall.

Shards of the phone scattered around as the man panted heavily.

’Fine. If he’s so damn amazing, then he shouldn’t blame me for not helping when trouble comes knocking.’

’Even madmen like Six and his crew took a fall here. Since Chase Rowan is so high and mighty, he shouldn’t mind if I crank up the difficulty a little.’

With this in mind, the man took out his backup phone, which contained a disposable SIM card.

After sending a text message to the only number in his contacts, he removed the SIM card, snapped it in half, and threw it into the trash can.

’Chase Rowan, I hope you enjoy the surprise I’ve prepared for you.’

Back at the police station, Evan Keller rushed to the Director’s office, holding two sketches drawn by Beau.

The rest of the team returned to their desks to continue with their other tasks.

A short while later, Evan Keller returned to the office with a strange expression on his face.

Heath Hale was the first to notice his expression and asked quizzically, "What’s wrong? Did something happen?"

Evan Keller shook his head. "It’s good news, I guess. We just received an anonymous tip via text message. The sender said they saw a strange man in a certain residential complex and were worried he might be a criminal, so they hoped the police would come check it out.

"They even attached a candid photo. It’s the mysterious arsonist we’re looking for."