US police: outlaws

Chapter 44: The Pandemic Is Not Simple

The doctor glanced at the policeman who had stood up again, then ran away without looking back, climbing down from an open window until he landed in an alley.

Li Yisen could only stand by the window, angrily watching the other person's disappearing figure.

"What's this guy's identity? A professional assassin?"

Li Yisen didn't know the other party's identity, had never been in contact with professional assassins, and was even less aware that all assassins in the industry were exceptionally skilled. However, being beaten so badly was like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head, extinguishing his complacency from solving numerous major cases.

He was confident he could kill his opponent with a gun, but in close combat, he would only be killed.

Fighting techniques?

"Senior, are you alright?"

Lee Esen shook his head.

"I'm fine, but the criminal is probably in serious trouble. Notify the criminal investigation team to come over."

Shortly afterward, the sounds of resuscitation efforts came from the ICU ward.

"Quickly, the patient has developed sepsis."

"Heart rate continues to increase."

The ICU resuscitation was eventually completed. Several medical staff came out and shook their heads. Cage was dead. The "killer" had succeeded.

"A needle was found in the IV line. The bacteria that could induce sepsis are likely a type of drug-resistant bacteria. Bacterial culture is being conducted to trace the source of contamination."

Soon the criminal investigation team arrived at the scene, but they didn't see Kaia. Speaking of which, they didn't see Kaia during the last rescue of abducted people either.

.....

The case was handed over to the investigation team, and Li Yisen and his partner stayed in the hospital for a few days. They didn't even attend the opening of the new milk tea shop they were working on together, but they didn't waste their time.

On the hospital rooftop, Evelyn shouted and rushed up.

One punch, then two punches, were all caught steadily by Li Yisen. After several rounds, Li Yisen finally twisted his arm and subdued him.

"I surrender, I surrender."

"Giving up so quickly is unlike you."

Evelyn rolled her eyes at the other person.

"We just can't beat them."

The two had been doing physical training for the past few days, and even sparred with each other a few times.

Lee Ethan had to admit that the gap between Evelyn and himself wasn't as big as he had imagined. In fact, she had a good physique, probably around 1.3, which was already very good for a woman.

The only problem is that too much fat in one area can hinder performance. After all, carrying at least 1 kilogram of weight every day is indeed tiring and can even obstruct vision.

However, this kind of training doesn't really improve fighting skills much. On the contrary, Evelyn, who was being abused, improved more because someone was feeding her moves.

"No need for combat training next time, just continue with physical training."

Evelyn, who was wiping her sweat, paused for a moment, then immediately jumped up in protest, her movements displaying an astonishing curve.

"No, how can we give up? I think it's working very well."

Li Yisen was too lazy to even complain. Of course yours works well, but my method of crushing noobs doesn't work. It's definitely faster to draw rewards. I was really stupid to want to practice on my own.

He already had a plan: as soon as he went out, he would block the entrances of those fighting arenas and practice his skills.

Just then, a nurse came up.

"Ethan, you have a guest who wants to visit you; he's a lawyer."

Why did the lawyer contact me?

Someone is suing me, or did an unknown relative leave the inheritance to me?

Lee Ethan frowned and walked downstairs, leaving Evelyn, whose body was soaked with sweat, to take a shower.

As the door opened, Li Yisen saw a stunningly beautiful brown-haired woman in a business suit sitting inside. She was tall and voluptuous, with delicate and defined features, giving off a strong, capable vibe. Her crossed legs, accentuated by black stockings and a pencil skirt, created a mysterious angle.

"Hello, Officer Ethan, my name is Eileen Hathaway, and I'm a lawyer. I'd like to consult about the case of Cage, the first person to fall ill. Is that alright?"

Li Yisen nodded. He could still talk about it, though. A reporter had interviewed him a couple of days ago.

"Of course, we were just receiving a call, so..."

Lee Ethan's description stopped when he arrived at the hospital; the rest of the content is a little sensitive and needs to be kept confidential. The killer has not yet been found.

Eileen Hathaway stopped taking notes and asked.

"And then, how did Cage die? Did he really die of illness as the announcement stated?"

"Ms. Hathaway, I'd like to know why I should tell you."

Eileen pulled out a wad of cash, exactly $4900.

"As a reward for providing a clue, I can pay you."

Lee Esen pushed the money back.

"I don't need money. If you want me to ask, tell me the real reason. Otherwise, please leave."

"..."

The two locked eyes. The reason Li Yisen was threatening him was because he intuitively suspected that the other party had a story, and that story was likely related to the current black disease.

In the end, Eileen got the money back.

"In that case, I'll tell Officer Ethan the real reason. You're a hero in Clermont."

A photo of a man was handed to them.

"This is my brother, Jake Hathaway. He's friends with Cage. He went missing seven days ago, so I suspect he's connected to the Black Death outbreak."

"Based on these facts, did you call the police?"

"I reported it to the police a long time ago, but there has been no progress. I heard that Cage was assassinated. Now, with the information I've gathered, there's definitely something fishy going on here."

Li Yisen took the book handed to him and saw that it contained pictures, newspaper maps, and handwritten content.

"The epidemic has been brought under control. In the past seven days, a total of 109 infected people have been found. More than 3000 people have been tested and found to be free of problems. Among them, more than 3000 people without exposure history went home after testing, while only more than 7 people with exposure history need to be hospitalized for observation."

Soon, Lee Ethan discovered something suspicious: the outbreak points were actually in four different locations throughout Clermont, rather than spreading from a single point as usual.

The pathogens at the four most important points all died, leaving no useful information. It's unclear whether they died from the disease or were killed by someone, either without anyone noticing.

Eileen shared her insights.

"If someone is indeed blocking the tracing of the source, then this pandemic is not an ordinary accident. The 71 deaths were murders, no, maybe more."

Lee Yisen reviewed the contents repeatedly and finally recounted what had happened.

"Perhaps your guess is correct, but I still suggest you don't investigate privately; it's very dangerous. Just let the police handle it."

"Thank you for your suggestion. I will hire a private investigator to investigate."

The other party insisted, and Li Yisen said nothing more. In the end, the two only exchanged phone numbers, and said they could contact each other to discuss if there was any progress.

After all, it's not a bad thing for Lee Esen; it could potentially become a reward.

.....

Five days later, Li Yisen was officially discharged from the hospital, and the epidemic had been lifted.

The entire city underwent comprehensive disinfection, and the state's epidemic prevention center claimed to have found the source of infection. Although Lee Ethan was still thinking about the killer, he had gradually forgotten about the epidemic.

After all, being too fixated on something is not a good thing for the police.

Outside a large boxing gym, Lee Ethan restrains a boxer carrying an excessive amount of drugs.

"You're under arrest."

"Damn it, you're deliberately keeping watch over me."

"Don't talk nonsense."

As the prisoner was escorted back to the police station, his payment arrived.

[Ding! You have received a 1-star reward: Basic Punching Technique.]

[Knowledge-based Level 1 Skill: Basic Punching Techniques: This is a punching technique developed over several years by an amateur boxer.]

Three days later, Li Yisen had already acquired two 1-star fighting skills and a basic kicking skill, which proved to be much more beneficial than Li Yisen's main focus on grappling.

Just as he was leaving get off work, a number he had only answered once called him; it was Eileen Hathaway.

"Officer Ethan, I'd like to speak with you in person. Could you come to my house? The detective I hired has gone missing."

Have they lost contact?

Li Yisen's eyes narrowed. If everything had settled down, why would they still lose contact? Unless something was discovered.

"I suggest you call the police now and hand over all the clues you have found."

"I'd like to talk to you in person before making a decision."

"All right"