“What about me Big Boss? Read my face what will I do in the future?” Qin Shuo trotted forward leaning in so close his face nearly touched hers. Jiang Yanzhi frowned seized his collar and pulled him back a step. “Go find a fortune teller on the street.”
“That costs money. You know what you are doing Big Boss why not ask you?” Jiang Yanzhi’s grip tightened. “Watch your words.” Qin Shuo’s eyes darted. “I meant no disrespect. Your skill is worth paying for handsomely.”
Xu Jiu watched them bantering. She knew Jiang Yanzhi would not tolerate anyone speaking ill of her and Qin Shuo meant no harm he simply spoke without thinking. “Qin Shuo stay by Jiang Yanzhi’s side on every assignment and you will see promotion within five years.”
“Really?” She nodded firmly. Qin Shuo turned to Jiang Yanzhi. “Chief I will follow you always.” Jiang Yanzhi’s stern expression softened slightly and he looked at Xu Jiu with knowing eyes. She looked away touching her nose guiltily. “Let us go find Wu Cuilan. I am afraid she will run.”
“Wang Jianjun confessed for her why would she run?”
“What if her alibi falls apart?” Qin Shuo swore under his breath but moved faster than anyone opening the car door. “Hurry then let us not waste time.”
Driving toward the staff quarters static crackled over the radio. Qin Shuo tapped the steering wheel. “What can we ask her anyway? We still have not found a trace of that sister.”
“We have one more card to play.” Jiang Yanzhi looked at Xu Jiu and she nodded. Qin Shuo was confused. “Card? What card?”
“Do not forget we have another witness.”
“Yuan Shuai?” Qin Shuo smacked his forehead. “But he is still unconscious. Who knows when he will wake.”
“Wu Cuilan thinks he is dead.” Xu Jiu said. “As long as we cannot find her double she believes she is safe forever.”
“She is cunning every step planned. Truly ruthless.”
Arriving Qin Shuo bounded up the stairs knocking loudly. “Police open up please.”
“Coming.” High heels clicked across the floor. The door opened to reveal Wu Cuilan in a pink fitted dress white heels and carefully styled makeup. Behind her the living room was neatly arranged with a large woven bag standing near the door.
“You are going somewhere?” Qin Shuo asked.
“Just clearing out old things.”
“May we look inside?”
“By all means.” She stepped aside. “The real killer has confessed why are you still here?”
Xu Jiu stepped in noticing the room looked different. Wedding photos and certificates were gone leaving faint marks on the walls. “I heard you are pregnant.”
“Not confirmed yet.”
Qin Shuo opened the bag. It contained Wang Jianjun’s belongings including the ill-fitting dresses. Xu Jiu held one up. “Did you know your husband liked wearing women’s clothes?”
“He was under pressure. I never imagined he would do such a thing outside our home.”
“None of these are bloodstained. Did you burn them?”
“I do not know what you mean.”
Xu Jiu nodded. “You are eager to discard everything of his. Are you certain he will not return?”
“I may not be educated but I know law. A life for a life.”
“True.” Xu Jiu agreed. “The taxi driver is recovering. If he identifies your husband and Chen Qingqing as his passengers the case is closed.”
“What taxi driver?” She looked bewildered then tense.
“He was attacked to silence him. Fortunately he survived.”
“That is good news.”
“It is also unfortunate.” Xu Jiu sighed. “He suffered head injuries and cannot speak yet. We must wait.”
Wu Cuilan’s eyes reddened. “That man is heartless. Where is he hospitalized? I would like to visit and apologize.”
“Second City Hospital. Do not go empty handed.”
“I understand.”
They watched from a short distance away. “Will she really come?”
“She has too much to lose.”
Jiang Yanzhi spoke quietly. “She is sharp. Did she see through our ruse?” Xu Jiu hesitated. Wu Cuilan was not highly educated but she was clever and patient. She had dismantled everyone who betrayed her. Would she be so easily tricked?
“Do you think someone is guiding her?”
“It is possible.”
“How many people are involved?”
Whatever the truth Wu Cuilan was the one who carried out the murders and she must not escape. They waited over an hour. Tired and restless Qin Shuo turned on the radio. Static filled the silence followed by an appeal for parents to keep children safe and report missing persons. Before he could comment Xu Jiu spoke.
“She is coming.”
Wu Cuilan appeared fully covered with a headscarf keeping watch. They ducked down as she hailed a taxi. Qin Shuo followed at a distance. The cab circled the compound before heading toward the hospital. At the hospital Wu Cuilan bought a fruit basket and went inside. They followed one flight behind. Footsteps hurried down from above. She stopped and they backed away. A man carrying large sheets rushed past apologizing. Qin Shuo collided with him and the sheets fell covering everyone.
“Sorry sorry let me help.”
Xu Jiu pulled the fabric away. Wu Cuilan was gone. She turned to the others. “She vanished.”
“What?” Qin Shuo scrambled up. “How could she disappear?”
“She knows Yuan Shuai is on the fifth floor. That is where she went.”
They rushed upstairs but the officers outside Yuan Shuai’s room shook their heads. Wu Cuilan had not come.
“Where else?”
“Somewhere she can go unnoticed.”
“The changing room!” Both said together.
They found her fruit basket outside the fourth-floor changing room. Jiang Yanzhi sent a nurse to check. A scream followed. He pushed the door open. Wu Cuilan lay on the floor in the center. A flesh-colored stocking was wrapped around her neck and her abdomen was slashed open. Blood pooled around her. Her eyes were wide and her lips moved faintly. Xu Jiu rushed forward kneeling beside her. Wu Cuilan raised a trembling hand grasped Xu Jiu’s sleeve and whispered three words then fell still. Blood splattered across the floor. Before Xu Jiu could make sense of them a strong arm pulled her up and held her fast.
“Jiang Yanzhi the killer came back did they not?”