Chapter 2 12

The black-haired man slid the exotic pistol across the table. The shell of the pistol was bright and exquisite, with a hint of gold in the bronze, and there were several precious gemstones on the ivory handle. It was not nineteen. The ordinary firearms made in the century, but the six-shot pistol carefully crafted in 1872, with the passing of time, left in unknown places, gradually forgotten by history, and finally became a mystery passed on by word of mouth in the circle of collectors treasure. Like the rare pistols of the era, its stock and seven-and-a-half-inch barrel are covered with elaborate etchings, but the etchings are strikingly different.It is a scripture excerpted from the Bible, the Koran and the Torah, and it is engraved in elegant and exquisite calligraphy: the gates to hell are so wide that you will meet in hell and still carry God's condemnation. Maybe you will be in darkness and cherish you Be hostile to those who are hostile.The words are juxtaposed in English, Latin and Arabic, as if the pistol was God's weapon, specially designed to bring down sinners.

According to legend, this pistol was specially made for Murad V, the thirty-seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He reigned for only 93 days. After illness abdicated, the pistol also disappeared. Double-action revolver.said the man.He took the delicate weapon in his gloved palm.This pistol is quite rare, and I daresay it is the best of the best. Ethan.Dance holds it with the utmost respectful care as if it were a newborn baby, his bloodshot, sleepy eyes are now intently examining the delicate pistol; he is wearing latex gloves He stroked it with his fingers, admiring the bronze and gold texture and fine workmanship of the pistol; finally, reluctantly, he put it down and reached into the pocket of his wrinkled blue blazer.

Apparently, even the guns have been fused into the same religious fervor.Dance put a forty-five-caliber sterling silver bullet on the table.There are also many beautiful Arabic characters engraved on this cartridge case.There were still five bullets in the chamber, all of which were silver for some reason, and Istanbul in 1876 was not full of werewolves rampant everywhere.But then again, this pistol is designed for lunatics, so silver bullets are no big deal. Nick.Quinn sat across from Dance, staring at the pistol silently.He could still smell the freshly applied maintenance oil and a faint sulfur smell lingering on the barrel.

How much is something like this worth?fifty thousand?One hundred thousand?Dance picked it up again, breeching the gun like a sheriff in a western.In the past, this gun was just a legend, and there was no record of any holder for a hundred and thirty years.Where the hell did you find this oddity?Is it in the antique market?Or the black market, or the so-called secret market? Although Nick sat there silently, his mind was full of thoughts. At this time, the door opened, and a gray-haired man in a blue suit poked his head in.Dance, come over here. Dance spread his hands.I'm a little busy right now.

you busy?Life is a mess.There was a plane crash today, and there are only the two of us left in the office, plus Shano and Mance at most; if you don't want to go back to the field to deal with the pile of broken bodies of women and children, you'd better get out of here right away. Dance snapped the breech back into the pistol, turned it again, raised it, and looked at the barrel as if aiming at some imaginary target. Finally, he put the pistol back in front of Nick, stared at him for a moment, and picked up a silver bullet. don't run around.After Dansi finished speaking, he went out and closed the iron door.

Nick.Quinn finally took a breath, for what seemed like the first time he had breathed in the past three hours.He tried to restrain his emotions, and pushed the bad news to the most remote corners of his mind. If he let the emotions run wild, they would eat him up. He was wearing the gray-blue Zegna blazer that Julia had given him for his thirty-second birthday two weeks earlier, ironed as if it had just been made by a tailor; A light green POLO shirt, paired with a pair of jeans, this casual look is almost an alternative uniform that he must wear every Friday.Nick's dark blond hair was a bit too long and needed trimming, and although he had promised Julia to get a haircut, he hadn't cut it for three weeks; his strong face made it impossible to read his mind, This quality was highly prized in business or in a game of poker, and no one could see what was really going on in his mind from his eyes, but Julia could see through the slight curve of his mouth.

Nick looked around.This small room is obviously specially designed to make people feel anxious. There is only one iron table in the room. His buttocks were already numb after sitting on the iron chair for fifteen minutes; a white clock with an iron cage was hanging by the door, and it was almost half past nine; the wall was empty except for a huge whiteboard. There is nothing, but three colored whiteboard markers are tied with shoelaces and hung in one corner; there is a two-way mirror opposite the whiteboard, so that the person standing on the other side of the mirror can see everything here, and it can also let the people sitting in this room People are suspicious, wondering how many people stood in the next room to observe him, evaluate him, and convict him before he even entered the court to plead.

An intense pain gripped Nick's heart, and everything in his life stopped. Two hours ago, all his emotions had been drained, and his mind was occupied by countless questions and confusion. In that brief moment, he vaguely smelled the fragrance of Julia's body, as if this fragrance had always been entrenched in his soul. Nick was on a four-day business trip to the Southwest, and he just got home at three o'clock this morning. He was so tired that he didn't even know how he went to bed, but he still remembered the scene when he woke up. When he slowly woke up, he opened his eyes and saw Julia's gentle blue eyes. She kissed him tenderly and hugged him tightly, waking him from his sleep and bringing him back to the real world.

She only wears a shirt with Eric.Clapton (Eric Clapton. British guitarist, singer, composer. He has won many Grammy Awards and is known as one of the most successful musicians of the twentieth century.) image T-shirt, but this The T-shirt stayed on her for less than three seconds before being thrown to the ground, revealing her flawless body.Although she is thirty-one years old this year, her figure is almost as fit as when she was sixteen; her breasts are firm, her lower abdomen is firm, showing slightly trained muscles, and her long bronze-colored legs are soft and elastic.She is of mixed Spanish, Irish and Scottish descent, and her face is full of classic beauty: high cheekbones, full lips, no matter where she is, many men will pay attention to her.In summer, her skin was tanned a bright golden hue, with a few faint freckles on her nose, and her large blue eyes were alluring.

Julia straddled Nick, bent down, and kissed him softly on the lips, waking him up.He was lost in her long blond hair and the scent of lavender, her natural deodorant filled his mind, and the sweet dream Nick had had a moment ago had now come true. They make love with the passion and excitement of first love, lost in each other's arms, moving their hands between each other's bodies, kisses and warm breath roaming on the skin.Even after sixteen years, their enthusiasm has never diminished.This is never just carnal desire. Although their desire for each other is unbelievably strong, it is a kind of selfless dedication. Both of them delay the time to satisfy their selfish desires in order to please each other. to myself.

In the sweet aftertaste, they lay intertwined on the bed with a quilt at their feet.They forgot the time, where they were, and the worries they were about to face during the day, and just enjoyed the comfort in each other's arms. When the sun was dancing on the white pillow, Nick finally got up and stretched himself. After seeing the small table on the balcony, he woke up instantly. Although Julia was busy with work and often lacked sleep, she got up and prepared breakfast, which was placed on the iron table on the balcony outside the living room on the second floor.Bacon, eggs, fresh orange juice, and pancakes were all carried quietly from the kitchen to the balcony while he slept. They sat on the balcony eating breakfast in nothing but their underwear and T-shirts as the sun began to climb into the summer morning sky. Is today any special day?Nick alluded to the breakfast thing. Just to welcome you home, okay? Nick laughed and said: After that part of the morning, a dry bagel is more than enough. Julia smiled back at him, with warmth and tenderness on her face, but there was something else in her eyes, a look of indecision. What did you do again?Nick asked with a smile. fine.But that's not what her voice and the faint dimple on her cheek say. Julia? We're having dinner with the Moles family at the Valhalla's tonight.Julia said. Nick stopped eating and looked up at her.I thought we had agreed to stay home. They are not so scary anymore!Julia smiled softly.I really like Fran, and besides, Tom isn't that bad! It's okay when he doesn't talk about himself, but when I hear him talk about how much money he makes, or what new car he just bought He's just insecure, and you take that as a compliment. How could I possibly take his nonsense as a compliment? He just wants you to like him, and he cares a lot about what you think of him. He only cares about himself.Nick finished his plate and put the empty plate on the tray.Julia picked up the other plates and stacked them on top of his. I thought we were going to schedule the evening together, not for each other.Nick said. Nick, Julia scowled.We can't get a seat before nine o'clock at all. That sweet moment vanishes suddenly, and the tension between the two continues to build. Julia picked up the tray.It's Friday night and I just want to get out. Afterwards, she stepped into the room, and Runick stood there alone. Nick came in, walked across the living room to the bathroom, closed the door, and turned on the shower.He went into the shower, hoping the cold water would wash away the sudden bad mood.He hated wasting his time with these superficial friends whose heads never thought of anything deeper than a menu. Fifteen minutes later, he put on his favorite Levis jeans and polo shirt and returned to the bedroom. Julia had already changed and was about to walk to the door.She has gone from sexy wife to office worker in black dresses, New York designer shoes and silky white shirts.She picked up the purse and hung it over her shoulder, looking back at him. I think we should cancel this dinner, Nick said quietly.The voice was almost pleading.I really just want to be at home. You can stay at home all day.she says. True, but I was working in an office, rushing to report.Nick seemed to be talking a little too fast. Why don't you go exercise?Go for a run to relieve stress?I really want to go out tonight, but it's only been two hours and we can leave without dessert. It doesn't make dinner time any easier either.His disapproving tone was a bit provocative. Just think you're going with me, said Julia, walking to the door.If not, it will be very pleasant. Then why don't you think about me?I've flown more times than I can count, and you know how much I hate flying, and I'm lucky to know which state I'm in. nine o'clock. I do not want to go. nine o'clock.Her tone became unhappy.She said as she walked out the door.I'm going to be late for work. I see!Nick was a little annoyed, and his voice echoed around the room and into the hall.She responded ten seconds later by slamming the back door, a thud that shook the room. It was the first time in months that they parted in such a bad mood.Usually the day should start with a sense of hope and optimism before being dragged into the abyss by grueling, hard work. He regretted it immediately after losing his temper, and he shouldn't have quarreled over something as small as dinner when they parted in the morning, but he thought, anyway, there will always be tomorrow, another weekend waiting for them.He tried to call her cell phone, but no one answered, but that was normal. The light in the interrogation room was flickering. There was no window in this room, and the fluorescent lamp on the ceiling flickered on and off. It took a while for the pale and dim light to stabilize. Sorry, Danse said that the workman had been repairing it for nine hours, and the light was still good before the electric light. He sat on the chair and tilted his head and asked: Are you a Yankees fan or a Mets fan? Nick just stared at him, slightly surprised.How could he ask such a question after so many things had happened? Jeter hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Red Sox a 6-5 win.Seeing Nick's lack of interest, Dance shook his head and put his hands in his pockets. Another man walked in without speaking.He tipped his chair back against the wall and brushed out a few stray locks of hair.Robert.Shano has a standard unlucky look, his muscular physique is squeezed into a short-sleeved jacket that is two sizes too small, making his arms and chest stand out; the black hair combed back shows that he is Irish, and his chin There is a scar, and the gray-blue eyes are full of anger and blame.Shano twirled an old-fashioned baton in his hand, swinging it around like a miniature bat, like a New York Patrolman in the 1950s.Nick couldn't help thinking that the guy had already found him guilty. Dance took a tape recorder out of his pocket and pressed play. 119 special line.A woman's voice sounded briskly. I'm Julia.Quinn, whispered Julia: This is No. 5 Townsend Lane, Barry Hill.Please come quickly, my husband and The phone was cut off suddenly.Hello?The switchboard lady asked: Hello?Miss? Nick kept silent not to protect his own rights, but because he was afraid that he would have a nervous breakdown if he spoke.Hearing Julia's voice only made him more miserable, and a feeling of utter grief came over him. He knew exactly where he was at six forty-two, and he was working in the study, where he spent most of his time except for going to the kitchen to get a few cans of Coke and Oreo chocolate chip cookies. Nick was concentrating on his work, but the gunshot startled him. His hearing suddenly became clear. The back door to the garage opens wide. He didn't understand why Julia forgot to close the door again, but he saw Julia's leather bag that usually hung on the coat hook fell to the floor, and the contents inside were scattered all over the floor; Spotting blood dripping from the white wainscoting, he followed the drips down to her black dress, her long legs, and a tory.The feet of Birch's yellow shoes protrude from the back stairs, her face and body hidden by the stairs. At this moment, he sat down on the ground, as if all the air in his lungs had been exhaled.He trembled uncontrollably, rubbed her legs lightly, and whispered her name, but knew in his heart that she would never respond to him again. His heart seemed to die in an instant, and after a moment, he looked up and saw his best friend standing in front of him with tears streaming down his face; Nick let go of her legs and stood up, and Marcus' hands grabbed Nick's shoulders, stopping him Looking at Julia's upper body in the past, Marcus weighed two hundred pounds and had a well-built body. He grabbed him desperately to prevent him from seeing the horrific sight that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Nick tried his best to break free from his friend's restraint, trying to get close to his wife. Finally, he uttered a cry of pain, and the wail filled the entire space, turning into silent tears, and let out a cry of nothingness like the collapse of the world.Suddenly, reality became real. They waited for the police at Marcus's house. The two sat quietly on the steps of the front porch. It took more than an hour before they heard the siren sounding, as if announcing that something unfortunate had happened in this community.The sound of the police siren is something Nick will never forget. This background music represents the loss of his beloved wife and his inexplicable accusations, and it is also the prelude to an unimaginable nightmare. The gray-haired man poked his head in again.His lawyer has arrived. It's really fast.Dance said. As long as you have money, you don't have to wait hard.Shano said.It was the first time he spoke, and he pushed his chair forward and stood up, throwing a quick glance at Nick as he made his way to the door. let's go.The gray-haired man urged the two detectives out with a wave of his hand, and the door slammed shut, only to open again within thirty seconds.Nick's heartbeat didn't even have time to slow down. The man walked in as if he thought it was his own room.He was tall, well-dressed, intelligent and poised, and he drove away some of the air of terror Nick had been experiencing for the past few hours.This person's hair color is very dark, interspersed with mottled gray hair, and there are two eye-catching silver hair strands on the sideburns. His eyes are sharp, focused, and piercing: his face is covered with wind and frost, and the bronze skin on the corners of his eyes and forehead are engraved. Fine lines.He wore a double-breasted blue coat, neatly pressed linen trousers, and a yellow silk tie against a light blue shirt, which showed the man's cultivation and taste. Did they take most of your stuff?the man asked in a thick European accent.He pulled out an iron chair and sat down opposite Nick. Nick stared at him, puzzled and puzzled. Your wallet, keys, phone, even your watch.The man looked at the strap marks on Nick's wrist. They slowly erase your identity symbols, then take away your will, your soul, and finally you will say whatever they want you to say. Who are you?Nick asked.These were the first words he uttered inside the four walls of confinement.Did Mitch call you over? no.The man paused, looked around, and then looked at Nick.A lawyer is the last thing you need in the case they're suing you; a lawyer will charge you six hundred an hour, give you a bill for half a million, and let you serve twenty dollars in jail He still owed him a bunch of money when he was in prison for five years. Nick stared at this elegant and decent man, feeling even more confused.Mitch is on his way, and I have nothing to say to you. The man nodded, with a calm expression, put his hands on the table and reached out to him. I know you must be feeling very sad right now, this is the worst case scenario: They didn't give you any time to mourn, they just brought you here for interrogation and forced you to confess.The man pauses.I really don't know when it became like this.So-called justice becomes some kind of game of winning and losing instead of finding the truth. Nick looked the man up and down. Did you see how they wrote your file?The man said: The content is very detailed, I don't think they will give you a chance to defend. I didn't kill my wife.Nick finally spoke. I know, but they don't think so.They only value motives and weapons.The man's eyes fell on the gun in the center of the table.They want you to plead guilty so you don't have to write a bunch of reports. How do you know? They will spend twelve hours slowly grinding your will and forcing you to confess. In the future, you will not need to spend weeks meeting with prosecutors or spending months preparing materials for court.The man paused.You'll be convicted and spend the rest of your life behind bars, there mourning the death of your wife, never knowing what happened. If you're not a lawyer, what are you doing? The man's warm eyes locked on Nick as he took a deep breath and let it out. You still have a chance to save her. Nick looks back at him, it's illogical.He leaned closer to the man again, trying to find out.what did you just say? If you could get out of here, if you could save her, would you? She is dead.Nick was puzzled.The man seemed to have no idea what was actually going on. are you sure?The man leans over and looks directly at Nick.Things are not what they seem. You mean my wife is still alive?Nick's voice was hoarse.how come?I saw it with my own eyes The man reached into the inside breast pocket of his coat, pulled out a sealed letter, and pushed it across the table to Nick.Nick looked in the two-way mirror in the interrogation room. Don't worry, man smiles.No one is watching. how do you know? They were all busy with the crash, two hundred and twelve dead.This town has been turned upside down just like your life. Nick felt that his world was spinning, as if in the morning, between waking and deep sleep, his mind was filled with many conflicting images and thoughts, eager to arrange them into a coherent train of thought. He looked down at the envelope, fingered the sticky part of the envelope Don't open it now.The man pinned Nick's hand to stop him. Why? Open it after you leave here.The man withdrew his hand and sat back in his original position. leave here? You have twelve hours. Nick looked at the clock on the wall. It was nine fifty-one.twelve hours?what to do The man pulled a gold pocket watch from his coat and opened it to reveal the old-fashioned case.You have no time to waste.Even more so in your current situation.The man closed the watch and handed it to Nick.You happen to be missing a watch, you have to put it away and keep an eye on the position of the hour hand. Who are you? Everything you need to know is in that letter, but as I said, don't open it until you're out of here. Nick looked around, at the two-way mirror, at the battered iron gate.How the hell am I going to get out of here? You can't save her by staying here. What the hell do you mean?I don't understand, where is she now? The man looked at the clock on the wall and stood up.You'd better start thinking about how to get out of here now, there's only nine minutes left. Wait a moment Good luck.The man knocked twice on the door.Keep an eye on that watch, you have twelve hours, and after the thirteenth it will be over and her fate, yours, will be sealed.Her death may have been more tragic than you imagined. The door opened, the man walked out, and Nick sat in his place.He stared at the envelope, longing to open it, but quickly put the letter and the gold watch into the breast pocket of his coat, knowing that if they found them he would never know what the man was talking about. The man gave him no information, no name, no explanation as to why Julia was still alive. Nick had seen her dead body with his own eyes, but not her face, because Marcus held him, trying to protect him from the tragic scene, the gun that took her life and stole her beauty.But he touched her legs and saw that she was wearing the clothes she was wearing when she went out this morning. There was no doubt that the body must be Julia.She called him when she got home, but she didn't come to the study where he worked, because she knew that he shouldn't be disturbed at that moment; Finish before going out to dinner, and have to keep working on weekends. He could still almost hear her voice, the last time she called his name.The guilt hit him hard.The reason he didn't respond at the time was not just because he was concentrating on work, but also because he was still angry that they were going out to dinner with someone else. Nick reached into his pocket for the letter, but stopped halfway.The man's warning sounded in his mind, so he stuffed the letter back, and he thought back to the man's eyes, so convincing and so sincere. When all hope is gone from this world, this man rekindles his hope.Nick couldn't imagine why Julia was still alive, but as long as there was even a chance, as long as there was any chance of saving her life, he would try his best to escape from this locked police room. Various possibilities and goals in mind have replaced sadness and confusion. Although it is a bit unbelievable to escape from the interrogation room of the police station, it can also be regarded as quite reckless, but In fact, it is not completely impossible. Nick looked at the two-inch-thick door with its heavy deadbolt and lock. There were no windows or doors.He looked at the whiteboard again, and the clock on the wall was ticking, walking towards ten o'clock.Then, his eyes fell on the menacing double-sided mirror.He noticed his reflection in the mirror: he was sitting alone in an uncomfortable iron chair in the drab and damp interrogation room, with the deadly pistol on the table, and then he smiled. This is a two-way mirror made of glass Detective Dance returns to the interrogation room.The thirty-eight-year-old police detective, always looking sleepy, glared at Nick and dropped a file folder on the table. deformed his coat. Before Shano comes in, do you want to tell me exactly what happened?Dance opened the folder with his latex-gloved hand and stared at a photo inside, hiding it from Nick.What is it that makes people do such a thing?Is it for money? for money?Nick was rather confused.Can you say that? It's great that you can talk. Nick glared at Dance, his eyes resting on the bulge in Dance's coat, just in time to see the end of the gun sticking out. I'm sorry.Dance paused sympathetically.She is a beautiful woman.Let me ask you, when was the last time you talked? We had an argument this morning.Nick glanced at the clock on the wall. What are you arguing about? About having dinner with her friends. Well, I can probably understand.You're sitting there while she's chatting happily with her girlfriends and you're stuck with another husband who has nothing in common with them; my ex-girlfriend dragged me to the Jersey Shore too, fuck her Weekend at friends' house.It rained all weekend and I got stuck in the house with some nerd while they went shopping and the bastard kept talking about his boring life and I wanted to arrest him.I've hated the Jersey Shore ever since. Danse is cunning, trying to win Nick's trust by using sympathy and common ground between the two of them, but Nick is not that stupid to fall for him. Have you spoken again since then?Dance continued. No, I'm busy all day.Video conferences and stacks of papers keep my hands full, and I know she has something to attend to, too. Is she a lawyer? You already know the answer, why ask this question? Sorry, it's customary.Dance closed the manila file and placed it on the desk next to the ominous Colt.Is she in the office all day? I have no idea.Nick answered a little abruptly. Did you never speak again? She called several times, but I didn't answer. Dance looked at Nick without saying a word. I know it's childish, Nick said: I know, but God, why are we talking about this stuff?Damn, someone killed my wife, but definitely not me! Nick's voice echoed in the interrogation room, and the echo lingered in the room for a few minutes before they changed the subject. It says here, Dance taps his fingers on the folder.You have a license for a German Sig Sauer 9mm. I have. where is that gun In my safe, where it's been for the past six months.Julia hated guns.Nick hated the irony of the situation. So you know how to use a gun? If you can't even get a driver's license, why buy a car? Don't play tricks. Don't take me for an idiot.You look like I killed her. i want to help you.Dance said. Listen, if you want to help me, now is the time to go out and find the real killer. Very good, if you didn't do it, tell me more details, so that I can hope to catch the real culprit. So you believe I didn't do it?Nick had a glimmer of hope. The thing is, Dance picks up the gold and bronze cased pistol.Your fingerprints are all over this gun. But no one came to take my fingerprints.Nick spread his hands in confusion. We've got fingerprints from your wallet and cell phone, myself.Dan paused.It matches the fingerprints on the murder weapon, and you have to explain why this gun has only your fingerprints on it. Nick sat dazed.He had never seen the gun, let alone touched it.In fact, he didn't even touch his own gun for six months, the last time he used a gun was with his friend Marcos.Bennet goes to the shooting range for practice.Guns endow human beings with extremely powerful, even inconceivable powers, life or death, as long as they can be controlled by pulling the trigger.He doesn't like this feeling. I have to add, Dance went on, that the ballistic test report might not come out for days, because everyone is busy with the crash, but you have ammunition residue on your watch, which is consistent with the powder in the bullet.So, if your statement is true, please say it all.Even if you want to fabricate facts, you have to make them more convincing. Xia Nuo walked into the interrogation room and locked the door.I suggest you make up a better story.He had evidently overheard the entire conversation from across the two-way mirror.Try to look at the camera in the center of the mirror so that it will be easier to turn it over to the jury later. Nick was dazed again, and the glimmer of hope he saw in Dance was wiped out with Shano's appearance.He looked up at the clock again.Nine fifty-six. Shano knocked his baton on the table, not only frightened Nick, but also frightened Danse. You cold-blooded killer.Xia Nuo said: You don't need to say anything.We have written that clearly in the file, now we just need to convict you as soon as possible wait a moment.Dance interrupts Shano, trying to calm him down.He leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs. Don't even think about it.A woman died, Xia Nuo yelled: She has no chance to wait, I don't care if she is your wife or not, I just want the answer.Did you catch her sleeping with someone else?Or did you mess with another woman and she found out? Nick's eyes widened angrily. I know you're hot, come on!Hurry up and freak out!Shano taunted him.Tell me how you killed your wife!The glamorous Italian brand-name clothes, imported cars and small mansions in the suburbs are all hypocritical clothes to decorate your black heart!You're one of those rotten people who fuck with whores in the alley. Nick had to exert all his strength to restrain himself, his whole body was tense, his blood was boiling. You must have killed her because she slept with someone else.With a bang, Xia Nuo hit the baton on the table again. But this time the force was too strong, and Danse was taken aback. With his legs straddling the table, he lost his balance and fell backwards. He could only use his hands to hold on to the table desperately. Shano's outburst of rage and the loud sound of the baton hitting the table pushed Nick to the limit.Not only is his wife dead, but he's accused of being a murderer, and the detective questions his and her innocence. The situation turned chaotic in an instant as Dance fell backwards, his jacket flying back, revealing the holster slung over his shoulder and the butt of the 9mm pistol.Nick didn't have time to think about it, so he pulled the pistol from Dance's holster with lightning speed. Nick released the safety of the Glock pistol, his fingers resting on the trigger; he reacted instinctively from memory, and although he hated guns, it didn't mean he had forgotten how to use them.He jumps over and grabs Dance, who is off balance and teetering, with the gun pointed at his head. Dance frantically waved his gloved hand and grabbed Nick's arm in desperation. Put the gun down.Shano drew his pistol and yelled. He dropped to one knee and pointed the gun at Nick's head. You don't understand, none of you understand, she's still alive.Nick yelled like a madman, looking back and forth between Shano and the clock on the wall.My wife is still alive. Xia Nuo and Dan Si exchanged a glance with each other. Listen, Shano pointed the gun at Danse's head and said calmly: Put the gun down first, you may feel Shit, Nick yells at him: You don't know how I feel! I know it hurts you to lose her and have this happen again, and you can tell us all you know.If someone else kills her, we will catch the murderer; but you will only let yourself die in vain. Killing your wife is not a death penalty, but if killing a policeman is a capital crime, they will execute you. You don't understand, my wife is still alive; someone set me up, and I have to get out of here immediately.Nick drags Dance back toward the double-sided mirror. Put the gun down.Nick yells at Shano. Don't even think about it.Shano yelled back. Nick looked at the clock.Nine fifty-eight.He pushed back the hammer of Danse's nine-centimeter pistol with his thumb, and the sound made Danse jump. Bob (Robert's nickname is Bob), Dance glared at Shano.You just do what he says. impossible. Do as he says, Dance said: Don't take my life to be a hero. Although Xia Nuo's eyes were dissatisfied, he did as he did. Nick immediately pointed the gun at the glass behind him and pulled the trigger.The gunshots rang out like cannons, and the glass shattered into countless pieces, revealing a small dark room opposite, and the camera in the center of the room was aimed at them.Nick held the gun to Dance's chin, the hot barrel against his skin. Are you crazy?Dance screamed loudly. Shano drew his pistol and aimed it at Nick again. Looking at me, Shano's voice became strangely calm, and while pointing the gun at Nick, he picked up the file folder and dumped out a stack of eight-by-ten-inch photos. Have you seen these photos?Gritting his teeth, Xia Nuo showed Nick the photos one by one.Photos are close at hand. There were twenty full-colour photographs taken from different angles, all bloody and bloody, nothing like what Nick had imagined, nothing like the TV or the movies.雖然螢幕上的鮮血令人厭惡，但在內心深處，你很清楚那只是好萊塢的拍片伎倆，你還是可以很平靜；但這些相片卻是真的，深深地吸引著尼克的目光，儘管他很想逃避，還是仔細地看著每張照片的一切細節。他看看地板上的血跡，還有最後一次見到她時，她身上穿的衣服和裙子；她無名指上那個他在聖派翠克教堂為她戴上的婚戒，最後才看她的臉，或者該說是那張殘缺不全的臉。 她左半邊的臉部沒了，一隻眼睛不見，太陽穴和額頭碎裂，但右半邊只要看到她的藍眼睛和金黃色眉毛底下淡褐色的雀斑，他就能肯定這個仰望著他的女人確實是他的妻子。 這時，他心中充滿困惑，腦中發出無聲的吶喊，這些照片印證了一個殘酷的事實：茱莉亞已經死了。 我數到三，夏諾說：就算你要殺掉丹斯我也不在乎，我要殺了你，當著攝影機的面，因為我的行為非常合理。 尼克壓在丹斯下巴上的力道加重了些，這位警探緊張地抓緊他的手臂。這時，尼克發現丹斯右手的無名指不見了，乳膠手套的空洞處像一綹頭髮般盪來盪去。 尼克看著牆上的時鐘，秒針滴答滴答地朝頂端的整點鐘方向前進。 one.夏諾低聲說。 impossible.尼克情急之中又看了一下那些照片，希望這一切只是一場夢，希望他是別人，便能逃離現在這個感到空洞、如死去一般的心。茱莉亞的臉孔回望他，尼克再次感到極度悲痛，幾乎無法忍受。他想轉移目光 two.夏諾更大聲了，他的語氣似乎在說：他會說到做到。 我得離開這裡。尼克說。一種異常的平靜突然占據他的心。你不懂，我可以救她。但茱莉亞已經死了，這項不可能的任務根本不合情理，如果她都死了，他又該怎麼救她？然而，那名男子的聲音猶在耳際。You have twelve hours. 三。 尼克看著夏諾慢慢扣下扳機。 在擊鐵打到彈匣尾端之前、在子彈射出槍管之前 整個世界突然陷入一片漆黑。