The phone rang twice. Xu Jiu stepped out onto the balcony and spotted an old jeep parked a short distance away. Qin Shuo was peeking out the window looking about like someone up to no good. She changed quickly and hurried downstairs. She asked the housekeeper to pack breakfast then grabbed the bag and made her way out opening the door and climbing in in one smooth motion. Qin Shuo was greeted by a wonderful scent a mix of sweet food warm soy milk and fresh fruit.
“You smell wonderful Big Boss.”
“Qin Shuo that sounds creepy.”
Before he could explain Jiang Yanzhi tugged him by the collar from behind. “Watch your words.”
“Chief I slipped up. You have to admit it the whole car smells different now that she is here.”
“I brought breakfast for everyone.” Xu Jiu said. Police often ate on the go during long stakeouts and they were used to it but not her. Jiang Yanzhi glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
“Why did you not eat at home? What happened earlier?”
“I did not want to keep you waiting too long.” She took a sip of sweetened soy milk. “Fang Xue and her daughter are trying to turn Dad against me.”
“I thought you got along well with them.”
“I was blind before. I mistook glass for jade.”
“Well spoken Big Boss.”
She did not linger on the topic. “Shall we go see Li Tianci now?”
“I had planned to feed you first before heading over but it seems you have brought your own provisions.”
“How is the investigation into Wu Cuilan going?”
“I contacted the police station in her hometown. She had a younger sister given away decades ago. We have not been able to trace her.”
That was over forty years ago. Travel and communication were limited back then. Children adopted out would take new names and disappear into the crowd. Finding someone now would be nearly impossible.
They arrived at the medical school dormitory to find half the room still asleep in shorts and undershirts staring blankly at the entrance. When they saw Xu Jiu following behind the officers everyone scrambled pulling blankets up and bundling themselves in. Li Tianci sat up at his bedhead looking annoyed.
“I have already told you everything. The killer has turned himself in. Why are you back?”
“Do you really not know why?” Xu Jiu asked.
Li Tianci spread his hands. “I do not but thank you for giving Qingqing justice.”
“Are you certain that is justice?”
“What are you implying? Are you saying the police got the wrong person?”
Qin Shuo stepped forward. “Li Tianci watch your tone.”
Xu Jiu looked around for a place to sit but every chair was piled with clothes and socks. She walked over to the metal lockers lining the hall instead. Names were taped to each door and she spotted Li Tianci’s at once and reached for the handle. Li Tianci reacted instantly forgetting he was half dressed he scrambled down from the upper bunk and blocked her way.
“Stop! You have no right to open my locker!”
“I am looking for evidence you did not have time to dispose of.”
“What evidence? Do not make accusations.”
Xu Jiu glanced at Jiang Yanzhi. He stepped forward seized Li Tianci’s arm and moved him aside with little effort.
“What are you doing? You are police this is unlawful!” Li Tianci struggled.
Xu Jiu opened the locker calmly. “They are police. I am not. You can sue me but I doubt you will win.”
“What kind of person are you?”
The locker was filled with clothes and textbooks nothing obviously out of place but his fierce reaction told her otherwise. She began removing items one by one stacking them on the floor until they nearly covered her ankles. As the pile grew Li Tianci grew more frantic. Only books remained at the bottom. Had she misread him? Just as she reached to close the door she noticed his shoulders drop in relief. She reached straight for the stack of books and his body tensed. There it was. She lifted the books one by one and a folded sheet of paper fell out.
“Leave my things alone!”
She unfolded it. The handwriting was neat enough. The message was short. Wang Jianjun has betrayed me. He will pay. That woman will not get away with this. It was Wu Cuilan’s handwriting. She passed the note to Jiang Yanzhi then turned to Li Tianci.
“Will you speak here or at the station?”
“The station.”
His roommates watched confused as he smiled and promised to buy them all a drink upon his return. He said nothing during the drive. Once in the interview room he grew impatient answering basic questions.
“Do not think I am uneducated just because my grades are poor. I have done nothing wrong. You can question me for twelve hours and then you will have to let me go.”
“How did you come to know Wu Cuilan?”
“Her husband stole my girl. I decided he should not have it all his own way. I approached her hoping to drive them apart so Qingqing would come back to me.”
“When was this?”
“During the summer holidays.” His expression hardened. “She lied to me all along. She told me she was gaining weight but I saw her making secret calls from a neighbor’s house and found out she was carrying another man’s child. You cannot imagine how that felt. My whole world fell apart. How could he touch my Qingqing?”
He had taken a bus to the city intending to confront Wang Jianjun and fight him. Wang Jianjun had invited him inside and tried to explain but Li Tianci had beaten him up and called him unworthy. Wang Jianjun had offered money to settle things and Li Tianci had stormed off to find Wu Cuilan instead. He left notes at her shop exposing everything. Jiang Yanzhi asked.
“Did Wu Cuilan reply to you in writing?”
“Yes. We never met in person at first. We exchanged notes.”
“Where were they left?”
“I left mine at her counter. She left hers under a brick outside the school gate.”
“How many notes were exchanged and what did they say?”
“Three in total. First she asked who I was and why I was spreading rumors I told her to watch Qingqing and she would see. Second she asked what I intended I said I only wanted things to return to how they were. Third was the one you found.”
“When did you decide to meet?”
“I never wanted anyone hurt. I just wanted her back.”
“Did Wu Cuilan tell you her plans?”
“No.”
“What did you discuss when you met last night?”
“I asked her why Wang Jianjun had confessed if she was the one who did it. She said Wang Jianjun wanted to be rid of the Chen family anyway and told me to keep quiet around you.” He rubbed his face. “I have told you everything now can I go?”
“I am afraid not.” Jiang Yanzhi looked him directly in the eyes. “You have not told the truth. Your handwriting gave you away. You wrote the note sent to Zhao Bing did you not?”
“That is a lie.”
“A handwriting comparison will prove it.”
“Damn him! Why would he keep it?”
The pieces fell into place. Li Tianci had used others to carry out his plan.
“There will be no celebration. Inciting violence carries a sentence.”
“What did I do wrong? I only wanted her back pure and untainted. We could have had a life together.”
They left the interview room in silence each lost in thought. They headed to find Wu Cuilan but ran into Su Changshan in the hallway fully dressed and smiling.
“Well done. You wrapped this difficult case up in two days.”
“The investigation is not yet complete.” Jiang Yanzhi cautioned.
“Everything is in place. Witnesses evidence confession what more is needed?”
“Wu Cuilan is the prime suspect.”
“That is impossible. She has been released and besides she is pregnant. How could she commit such a crime?”
“She is?”
“She told me herself. She has suffered miscarriages before and is in poor health. If we detain her and something goes wrong we would be answerable.”
Xu Jiu understood at once. That was why Wang Jianjun had confessed so readily. He was protecting Wu Cuilan and their child. She exchanged a look with Jiang Yanzhi. He shook his head.
“Li Mingyuan drew blood. Surely he would know if she were pregnant.”
Su Changshan looked unsettled but brushed it off. “I am due at an interview. This will reflect well on the department.”
“The case is full of holes.” Jiang Yanzhi said coldly. “Do not be hasty.”
“Watch your tone. Who is in charge here?”
Jiang Yanzhi turned and walked away. Qin Shuo backed away bowing. “Sir please wait just a little longer.”
Su Changshan fumed. “Discipline has gone out the window. You will be reprimanded!”
Xu Jiu glanced at Jiang Yanzhi wondering. If he had not died in the line of duty in her past life would he have risen to deputy chief? What would Qin Shuo have become? He caught her looking.
“What is it?”
“I read faces you know.”
“And?”
“I see a bright future. You will reach the rank of deputy chief.”
He laughed. “Is that so?”
“You are already excellent. Stay alert and do not take unnecessary risks and you will go far.”
“I meant you.”
She beamed. “I know.”
“Then live well and watch how far I go.”