Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

Now we were doubted as being a part of a conspiracy by Zhao Wenyan.

I typed. "If we didn't come here, then the truth perhaps might be forever buried."

"And why are civilians like you involved in this case anyway?" Zhao Wenyan looked at us as if he seemed suspicious.

Bai Li smirked. "You seem awfully concerned with that."

"If you don't clear your standing here, then I will assume that you have joined hands with the opposition to destroy Yi Xiaosi's party."

"We don't care what you think about our standing. I want answers, and I realize it's useless talking to you. So now we have to meet your boss, Mr. Yi Xiaoshi himself."

"Do you think you can meet him just whenever you want to?"

I smiled and typed. "Well, isn't he a politician who wants to serve people? I am pretty sure he would meet us when he knows about what happened in his own backyard. Shouldn't the feeling to give justice be mutual?"

"Think carefully. People would take his silence as his hand in the crime, Zhao Wenyan." Bai Li said.

Liao Huifang sneered. "And especially in the times of elections. If he refuses to meet people who could help in catching the culprits, then his guilt would be so obvious."

Suddenly, the phone vibrated in my hand. But I couldn't pick up. I saw the number, and I didn't recognize it.

It was Lin Zihao's secure line.

Zhao Wenyan quietly looked at us. He exchanged a glance with Duan Deming.

Duan Deming said, "Bai Li. Naturally, the cops are going to investigate the matter. We would visit Yi Xiaosi. You don't have to-"

"Cool. Then we are coming along with you." Bai, Li coolly smiled. "Our destination is the same."

"Bai Li. Don't challenge my patience. Don't force me to arrest you."

"Try me. I don't care about your threats."

The phone buzzed again. I saw his number ringing again.

Zhao Wenyan raised his hand. "Alright. But only once. We will investigate, but the elections are equally important to us."

I mockingly smiled at him. I typed. "I think you would garner more votes from the people if you emphasize catching the culprits instead of your elections. That is what wins a common man's heart. Service and justice above the hunger for power."

Zhao Wenyan stared at me hard, and I didn't tear my gaze away from him either.

"Trust me. We also want justice."

As they left, I quickly typed. "Somebody is calling me. I don't recognize the number."

Bai Li said, "Who-"

But he suddenly stopped and squinted his gaze.

"I heard a faint twitch of a branch outside," he whispered. "Somebody is listening to us."

He kept his finger on his lips, and Liao Huifang, and I instantly became silent.

"There is a window at our back, right?"

I tapped again. I moved his fingers. "I will do it. Wait."

He paused and nodded. "Be careful."

I was glad that he trusted me.

I took the fruit knife from the basket and hid it under my shirt just in case. I got up and pretended to walk at a corner, but I turned when I was away from the line of sight.

I got out from the back door and slowly peeked in front of me.

As Bai Li said, there was somebody who was indeed peeping in our conversation.

It was a woman. She had worn the uniform that the workers wear.

She didn't seem dangerous. My gut feeling said that. But better to be cautious.

I quietly stood at her back, and without wasting any time, I flung my arm around her neck with my left hand and twisted her right hand with my right behind her back.

She gasped and started struggling in place. She was flailing her upper body, but I had tightly held on to her.

"L-leave me...Stop! Who are you?"

I couldn't respond to her, or else I would have asked why she was here.

I had no choice but to drag her inside the inn. I thought of something.

Bai Li raised his head in our direction.

"Who are you? Why were you listening to our conversation?"

The woman seemed afraid and shocked.

"I-I...I wasn't listening. I was doing my job."

"Really now. What would be the job at almost one in the morning?"

She looked at me and pleaded. "Leave me, please. I mean no harm."

I shook my head.

Bai Li said, "First state your late-night business here. Who are you?"

I released my arm over her neck, but I had tightly secured her hands.

I saw her bit her lip. "I work here as the cleaner and do odd jobs."

I frowned. What business did a worker have here?

Wait a minute…

Bai Li tilted his head and seemed to be in thought.

"Are you that worker who Fu Ting told us about?"

Bingo!

And I got my confirmation the instant she froze. I felt her stiffen, and her face turned pale.

"Fu Ting said that he passed by a woman worker who saw him going inside his room at three in the afternoon."

"No!" The worker suddenly yelled. "I didn't see anything like that."

Well, your reactions are giving you out.

"The sound of your ragged breaths and the stress in your tone clearly doesn't say that. I know you are the same worker. Why are you lying?"

"I am not lying. I have already given my statement. That man was lying. I never saw him as he said."

Liao Huifang said, "Do you know your false testimony can put an innocent man behind bars? Worse, he could even get death punishment!"

She seemed shaken a bit but said nothing. "I am telling the truth."

I gritted my teeth. I held her wrists with one hand and with the other, I typed fast, "Do you know that a little girl has been brutally murdered and the blame is pinned on her innocent father? Tomorrow is his hearing in court."

She said nothing.

I typed again. "You are protecting the actual culprit by keeping your silence. Do you know how many more innocent people will he kill if he is not caught? And don't forget. Lying as an important witness can get you in jail. That charge is serious."

It was better to charge both emotionally and with legal implications. That seemed to affect her a bit.

Bai Li said, "Your testimony will help in proving Fu Ting innocent. But you are not telling the truth. Someone is threatening you to keep your mouth shut, right?"

Now she gulped and looked terrified as I saw her forehead covered in sweat. She was shaking in place. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I…"

I saw her hesitation and typed. "Please tell the truth. Don't be afraid. We will protect you. The cops are here."

Duan Deming knew the truth about Tian Song so he could take the responsibility to protect the important witness.

"I...I will say everything."

I released my grip over her wrists. I typed. "What is your name?"

"Ming." She nevously looked at us. "It is true...I saw Mr. Fu Ting coming back in a hurry that day. He quickly greeted a smile at me. It was almost three in the afternoon. It was my lunchtime so I was wrapping up my work."

"Then?"

"I saw him coming out five minutes later. That was it."

I typed. "Why didn't you say it to the cops?"

The worker fearfully glanced here and there.

I typed again. "Only we are here. Rest assured."

"I...I got a note in my quarter where I stay one day. It said to simply deny Mr. Fu Ting's claims that I saw him at that time. If I didn't, then they would kill me." She sobbed.

I thought so.

"Do you have the letter with you now?" Bai Li asked.

She shook her head. "No. It said to burn it once I read it."

I sighed.

"Why were you listening to us?"

"I was just curious. I saw the commotion, and when I came to know that you found the same little girl's body, I came here…"

"The cops are here. Will you repeat what you just said?"

She fidgeted with her fingers. "T-they will kill me... please...I…"

Bai Li, Liao Huifang, and I got to one side. He said, "Call Duan Deming and tell him about this. Tian Song shouldn't absolutely have any clue that she will give her true statement. Her safety is the biggest priority now."

I nodded.

Five minutes later, Duan Deming came alone to meet us.

"She is safe with us. Song still doesn't know about it. He is investigating with the forensic experts."

I typed. "Be very careful."

"Naturally."

She seemed a bit comfortable after Duan Deming reassured her.

As they left, my phone rang again, and I saw the same number. I typed. "It is from Lin Zihao."

"Pick it up and keep it on speaker."

"Bai Li." It was Su Weiyuan's voice. "I have checked the receipts of the transaction you sent me. The day after tomorrow, there is going to be some cargo shipping in Tianjin Port. My sources couldn't find much. Everything is tight zipped, but Lin Zihao and I highly think that it is either weapons or drugs smuggling in exchange of something that those people here in China would give them."