Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

The third police officer drove us like cattle into the office where Tong Weibo was typing. The police officer patted Tong Weibo on the shoulder and said: You don't have to work so hard. Secretary Tong looked at him strangely and asked, "Why?" The officer took a leather ID holder from his pocket and showed him his papers.Here we take over.He said. Weber looked up at the police officer, then looked around at the three of us, a bewildered look on his face. Huangfu Youtian was murdered.I explained. The officer turned to me.I'm here to speak.He said. It is up to you to speak.What are you procrastinating for?

I have my way of doing things. I don't say anything. Wilbur stood up, as bewildered as if we had poured cold water on him.He asked: how to say? I put the police officer in charge of the situation here, and he said: Your boss has been murdered.Now, what are you doing? I'm typing out some tapes he sent out. Well, it's time to take a break now.The police officer said: At least wait until Officer Mi comes back, he is in charge of everything here.We ask you to type it all out, and then we want the original tape to compare what is on it? Accounts of some Borneo expeditions. Great, there might be some clues in there as to when you got the tape.

this morning. Who gave it to you? Mr. Ni. The police officer turned to Ni Maowen: Where did you come from? Mr. Huangfu gave it to me when he came out of his study yesterday afternoon. He asked me to contact Secretary Tong and told him to type it out today. And after that? Then he went back to his study. The officer said: "Okay, all of you sit here.Don't play around, and don't speculate. He went out by himself, and watched other people busy taking pictures and collecting fingerprints through the door, and there were flashes on indoors from time to time. Huangfu Feili swayed towards me and put her hand on my arm.She said: Mr. Lai, I want you to protect me.

protect what?I asked. False accusation of murder. Ni Maowen went out and stood behind the police officer and looked into the room, hoping to see what was going on inside.Secretary Tong smoothed her hair with her fingers, as if to remind herself that this was real, not a dream. I said: Mrs. Huangfu, it costs money to hire a private detective. I have money. Do you think they're going to make a case against you? Yes. Why? I was framed by someone else. how do you know Now that I'm putting things together piece by piece, I kind of know. Who is going to frame you? That's your job.She said: I have money to invite you, I just need to prepare the money.You have to provide brains, ability, experience and physical strength.

Get a lawyer.I told her: We will protect you with our lawyers. I don't want a lawyer.For some reason, I can't get a lawyer yet. Why? It makes me look guilty. The police officer looked back and saw Ni Maowen standing on tiptoe behind him looking around, and said: Hey, go back to the room and sit there. See what's the matter?Ni Maowen said. The police officer pushed him on the shoulder, no way, no way.He said: You go back to your room. I pulled Huangfu Feili aside.Why can't you hire a lawyer?I asked in a low voice. She shook her head. Tell me, I whispered in her ear: If I want to help, I must know what difficulties I will encounter.

It's a long story.She said: I found out shortly after I got married. According to my husband, getting married has nothing to do with him hanging out. I look good and I am passionate, so I married back. OK, I know, so what? I have a good figure and a beautiful person, but Xiaotian is an old-fashioned male chauvinist. He thinks he can play casually outside, but I can't even look at anyone. Our married life in the past three months has been shameful. Why don't you ask for a divorce? A long whip with the handle in his hand.Tang Nuo, do you understand, the handle of the whip is in his hand.

How about a will?I asked: Is it good for you if he is dead? She shook her head. No share?Still don't know? I don't know, but Xiaotian said that if I want to file a lawsuit for divorce, he will lose me, make me have no alimony, and make me have no money after his death, except that he is a machismo. not a bad guy The door opened, and Mi Shanlou and Officer Di came in. Well everyone, Shanlou said: I have some questions for you to answer.Mrs. Huangfu, I will start with you. She turned to him. Ever seen these things? Shanlou showed her a plastic tray with three blow darts inside.

i have seen I hint at her with my eyes and eyebrows. I have seen blowing arrows very similar to this one, she said: But I can't tell the difference, the one in your hand is what I see. Shanlou looked at me suspiciously, and said, "Sit on that chair, Lai."It will be your turn later, I am talking to Mrs. Huangfu right now. Officer Di stepped forward.Come here, madam.He said. Feili walked a few steps away with Shanlou and Officer Di. Take a close look at these darts.Shanlou said. She looked carefully at the darts. How about it? I've said all I can tell you.She said helplessly: These are like my husband's collections I have seen.But they're not marked, so I can't tell if they're right or not.

Let's change the method.Shanlou said: How about this plastic tray? I've seen one just like it.she says. Where? I have several similar ones in my studio where I keep my paintbrushes. Okay, Shanlou said: Let's get down to business.You were in your studio yesterday afternoon? Yes. What time did you go there? I don't know the correct time.I think so, maybe, maybe three thirty in the afternoon. Were you alone when you went? Yes, I was alone when I went, but there were people waiting for me inside. who?Officer Mi asked. my model. who is it? Ha Xuewei. How did she get in?

She has the key. She has an extra key to your studio. Yes.From time to time I have to ask models to paint, and I can't make models sit and wait in the hall because I'm late.When I hired a model, I gave her the key, and when I finished the painting and decided not to use the model, I took the key back. So Ha Xuewei has the key. Yes. Was she in the studio when you entered yesterday? Yes. You don't know how long she's been in there, do you? She said she came only for a while, not long. But you don't know how long? have no idea. Now, let's look at you.Shanlou turned to me and said: You were also in the studio yesterday afternoon, weren't you?

Yes. when? Shortly after 4:30, it was probably 4:40 to be correct. How long were you there? Fifteen, twenty minutes. Can you say you left at 4:45 or 5? I said: Even if it is 5:15, you will never be wrong. When was the last time Huangfu Youtian was seen alive?Shanlou asked. Ni Maowen said: I know he was still alive about four to five thirty. How do you know he was alive at that time? Because I met him, and that's when he handed me the tape my secretary was typing today. Where did you meet him? Right there in that office. The door to the storage room, open or closed? open. Where is the door from the storage room to his study? Maowen closed his mouth, thought for a moment, shook his head and said: I don't want to say, because I can't be sure.I don't think so, I can't guess. When did Huangfu Youtian go back into the study? I don't know, not long before I left. What time did you leave? I have an appointment at five forty-five.I'm so sorry, I couldn't buckle any closer in time.But I leave here at 5:40 because I'm very punctual to my appointments. Where is the date? Just downstairs. Date someone? Ni Maowen shut his mouth tightly.He said: Date someone? Yes, ask who you're dating.Shanlou said: You said you had a date downstairs at 5:45, and I asked who you were dating. and a young woman. Well, there are half a million young women dangling around here.What is her name? She is a newspaper reporter. What is your name? Ni Maowen took a deep breath and said: I don't think you understand what happened afterwards.I made an appointment with a woman, but she didn't come, and I ended up talking to a man for a while. which man? Stry Gu, he is a special sports reporter for the Daily Telegraph. So, why did you want to say it but didn't say it just now? Because I want to be absolutely sincere.I didn't want to see Mr. Shi at all, but Mr. Shi was waiting for me in the lobby downstairs.He told me that the young female reporter I wanted to meet had asked him to ghostwrite a story I had an appointment for her. what would you do? I went out with Mr. Shi.I stayed with him until I think it was half past ten, and then he left. You were with him from five forty-five to ten thirty. certainly. What about after ten thirty? I'm home. go home directly? No, not straight home. You are very careful, keep this point first. Ni Maowen shrugged. Shanlou turned to Secretary Tong.How are you?where were you yesterday I didn't feel well yesterday, and I didn't go there all afternoon and evening. Where are you staying?do what? Stay in my apartment and read some books. Alone in an apartment?no one else? No. Who else was here yesterday afternoon? Bai Linan.Ni Maowen said. Who is he? He is the photographer, responsible for taking pictures of all Mr. Huangfu's adventure travels. Where can I find him? He had an office, a darkroom, in a crappy building. what way? Leshi Road, No. 92, East Leshi Road, is a very short road, only two blocks long. We started from I know where.Shanlou said: What is he doing here? He came here to discuss some photos with Mr. Huangfu. What picture? In my opinion, Ni Maowen said: You'd better ask Bai Linan about this matter yourself.As far as I know, Mr. Lai had asked him for copies of some photographs.Bai Linan would like to ask if it is possible to cooperate with Mr. Lai. Do you mean Lay Donno here? Ni Maowen nodded. What does he want these photocopies for? I think he is looking for clues to see who stole the blowgun and the Jade Buddha. You can ask Mr. Lai about this. I know it is the second-hand information that Bai Linan told me. Shanlou looked at me and said: You are very busy running around. I don't speak. What did Mr. Huangfu say to Bai Linan?Shanlou asked Ni Maowen. I only heard Bai Linan asking Mr. Huangfu if he wants to give the copy to Mr. Lai? What did Mr. Huangfu say? Mr. Huangfu laughed and told him not to be so stupid. Mr. Lai is the detective he invited, and he must cooperate with him in everything. anything else? Yes.Mr. Bai needs to know exactly what Mr. Lai was invited to do.Mr. Huangfu explained to him that Mr. Lai was hired to find out who stole the blowgun and jade Buddha that were stolen at the banquet that night. What else did you say? Bai Linan was very upset. He grabbed Mr. Huangfu by the collar of his jacket and said, "Please explain clearly, Mr. Huangfu, are you suspicious of me?"If you suspect me and call someone to investigate me, I want to know. And after that?Shanlou asked. Mr. Huangfu didn't like people touching him, so he put his hand on Bai Linan's chest and pushed hard. heavy?Shanlou asked. quite heavy. what did he say? He said: You bastard!How dare you grab my clothes!Stop yelling at me.You know, I hate when people touch me. And after that? Then he turned to me and reminded me once again that Secretary Tong must be called early the next morning, and he started playing these tapes as if Bai Linan did not exist. What about Bai Linan? He went to another room. how does it lookfrustrated?angry? Angry and frustrated, I think.I can't say it, I still don't know much about Bai Linan.He is very emotional, I don't know what is going on in his mind? But he got out of here before you, didn't he? No, he went to Secretary Tong's room.He was still inside when I left, but Mr. Huangfu had gone back to the study and closed the door. You left at 5:45? Not long before this, I had arrived in the lobby downstairs at 5:45, maybe a minute or two earlier.But Mr. Huangfu has already entered the study before this, please allow me to explain again.I know when I will come and when I will leave. My total time here is one hour, but I can't help you too much in terms of time. I have done a lot of things in this hour. A lot of phone calls, I can't tell what time I do, but it's always between 4 and 5:30 anyway. Shanlou turned to Mrs. Huangfu, how long have you been in the studio?He asked: We assume that Tang Nuo left at five o'clock, how long did you leave after he left? Maybe another hour. And you leave the studio? Yes. Model with you? Yes. Where did you go after that? I came up here. dinner here? Yes. Who else is here? nobody.I am the only one. Although my husband is here, he is locked in his own world.Nobody bothered him, and he didn't bother anyone. But these doors all have keys. If you want to go in, you can open them, right? Yes, I opened that door this morning. You know who has this spare key, don't you? certainly. You know where it's put, don't you? Yes. where? in the safe. Who knows the password of the safe? My husband and I. Anyone else know? As far as I know there is no one else. You were here alone at the time you said just now? Yes. Your husband didn't open the door and come out? No. how long have you been here whole night. Do something? Watched TV, read a book for a while, and went to bed. Do you and your husband share the same bedroom? Yes, one room, two identical beds. Not a bed? no. Have these two beds been made this morning? certainly. Who made it? We have a maid during the day. You didn't have any visitors last night? No. Always alone? Yes. Shanlou thought for a while and said: Well, I think we need to talk to this Bai Linan, I don't think he just happens to be your model, right? No, of course not. You know him too? certainly. He also took pictures for you? Of course, hundreds of times. But he doesn't have the key to the studio below you, does he? She wanted to answer, but stopped automatically. Shanlou saw the change at once, chased after him and asked, does he have a key? He currently has a key to my studio, yes. Did he have it yesterday? have. What is it for? I asked him to take pictures of some of my drawings. What are you doing? You can't carry around that big of a painting all day.She said: I want him to turn my work into a four-by-five color photo. When I want to see it myself or show my work to others, I don't have to go to the studio to find the frames one by one.I can look at my color photos, or slideshows. How many pictures has he taken? I have painted about two dozen paintings, and he has already taken photos of them all. These are not photos taken at one time, but works within a period of time. There are two new works that have not been photographed yet. I want him to take photos when he has time.I thought he might take a photo yesterday, and I told him it was the best day. What time? I didn't set him a time, but on the night of the banquet, I handed him the key and told him to take pictures of these paintings by himself when he was free.But I told him that he must call first to see if I am at work. If I am at work, I don't like being disturbed. Did you describe to him the painting you asked him to take a picture of? Yes, it's all on the easel. You don't know if he's been there or not, do you? have no idea. Well, we finally have an idea.Shanlou said: It was just a preliminary investigation, and we will ask you for more detailed information. Secretary Tong cleared her throat and said: If you are checking how many extra keys are there in Madam's studio, how many keys are there in my drawer. what do you have? Several extra keys. Mrs. Huangfu hurriedly explained: Sometimes I hired a model. If I didn’t have the opportunity to give the key to the model beforehand, or if I couldn’t open the door by myself, I would call Secretary Tong and he would give her the key. How many extra keys do you have? two. Where. In the desk drawer. let me see.Shanlou said. Secretary Tong walked to his desk and said: I put them in the stamp box. He opened the drawer, opened the box, and then stood there blankly. I only see one key!Shanlou said. Yes.Secretary Tong admitted. Should there be two? Last time I saw it was two, yes. when is it the day before yesterday. Should there be two? should. What should be? There should be two. Do the drawers lock or not? never. oh!Lost a key, didn't you?Shanlou said: Can you be sure that the two keys were there two days ago? Yes, sir. Didn't you give one to someone else? no sir. Well, Shanlou said: In today's case, there is no problem. Someone shot a blow dart into his chest from the studio apartment opposite, and the blow dart was shot from the bathroom window. He turned to Police Officer Di and said: Get more people here, and ask every house that has windows that open to the light well to see if anyone has seen a blowgun protruding from the window of the studio.If so, ask them when they saw it in detail, whether it was a man or a woman, and if they happened to see someone using a blowgun. That's it for now, I don't want to waste your precious time.I want you all not to walk into that room on purpose, we will be guarded, you have to cooperate, we will have all kinds of inspection experts coming and going, newspaper and TV reporters may come right away, we will not interfere with your daily work, how do you treat reporters We don't care about you when you speak. Secretary Tong said: Can I also tell them about the lost key? You can say whatever you like.Shanlou said: Now you go do your work, I still have a lot to do.