Chapter 30 Chapter Twenty Nine

It's two o'clock in the morning.Bartrop had just heard the news of Catania's death, and before he could figure it out, the phone rang suddenly.It's from Special Operations, tell him Carl.Heinz.Keith strangled.Bartrop sat there peacefully, listened to all the details, and asked them to report any new situation in time. He crossed the silent house into the kitchen, made himself a cup of tea, took it to the study, and drank it in thought.Now both Catania and Kessler are dead, Sarah.Jason returned home and moved around confidently and without scruples.He found that he had underestimated her before.He didn't understand how powerful she was.If he guessed correctly, she had already done him a favor.There are indications that Fieri is the culprit in several murders.If the motorcyclist cooperates, they will likely have evidence for the case.But what role does Sarah play?She knew something, took some action, and made some kind of deal.But how?And with whom?The axis in that invisible relationship between them has shifted.It was obvious that she knew more than he did, that she was one step ahead, and things were getting out of hand.

On Saturday morning, after Sarah woke up at six o'clock, she lay for a while with her eyes closed, listening to the birdsong outside the window and the faint rumble of passing cars in the early morning.This sound, this smell, this feeling of sleeping in her own bed, she let these feelings flow slowly through her body.She opened her eyes and looked around: the snow-white walls, white linen, and light white tulle curtains fluttered in the breeze, and the windows were open, facing the open-air balcony full of flowers.The air is fresh and humid, and it looks like another hot day.It had just rained last night, which eased the suffocating heat.

She sat up from the bed and curled her legs up to her chest.For the first time in weeks, months, she felt this rare peace.Her strength was also coming back, and she suddenly found herself very hungry.She immediately jumped out of bed, quickly put on yesterday's clothes, grabbed the keys, pushed the bicycle from the corridor, and rode away. Not many stores open this early.There's one in Gloucester Street open all day and night, but it's called Seven Eleven.As Sarah cycled across the street, the street was almost deserted, save for a few joggers and a garbage collector at work. There are no customers in that store yet.Sarah picked up the shopping basket and started shopping. She put eggs, milk, butter, bread, fresh orange juice, newspapers in the basket, as long as she liked to eat for breakfast.After putting her things into the green basket of the bicycle, she rode back, and deliberately took a detour along the way, in order to enjoy the morning sunshine and tranquility, as well as the brisk feeling of cycling.

When she got to the kitchen, she started cooking.She was cracking eggs when she suddenly walked over and played the famous Canadian folk singer K. D．A soft, lighthearted, uplifting song by Lan.She turned the volume down very low because she didn't want to wake up the neighbors with the windows open.Back in the kitchen, she worked the eggs with the flour and a pinch of salt with her white-stained hands, then put them in the mixer and whipped them briskly.Five minutes later, the coffee on the stove was boiling and smelling delicious.The pie in the frying pan is also cooked, steaming.She searched the spice rack until she found a red, gold, and black syrup jar.She took it down, turned it over in her hand, and saw a picture of a lion with many bees painted on its abdomen, and a few words beside it: "Sweetness comes out of strength."She remembered the past in a daze.Before exams, my mother always used black syrup as a condiment to make pies for her, or to cheer her up.Sometimes Mom also added a little rum.Sarah has been drinking this wine since she was four years old.Every time mom looks at this baby sugar bowl, she reads this description every time.

Strong and sweet, that's a thing of the past.And now what about the rest of the situation?How long will it take to forget?She shook her head, stacked the pies on a plate, and brought them to the living room on a tray with coffee and orange juice, half lying on the sofa, reading the newspaper while eating.Syrup overflowed from the pie and ran down the fingers.She licked it away with her tongue. She had just gotten out of the shower when the phone rang.She walked into the bedroom wet all over, sat on the bed, picked up the phone hesitantly and impatiently.It was Barrington, a little faster than she expected.This time there were no pleasantries, no gossip.

I think we'd better talk, don't you think? Sara kicked the ball over because he had to explain it to her, not her to him.She replied: Yes, President.I think so too. Someone will come to see you in half an hour, okay? No, no.I won't open the door no matter who comes.If anyone comes to see me, it better be you.Oh, and since you bring it up, why don't you just hang out with your boss or whoever is manipulating you behind the scenes.Then maybe I can get the real answer.Is my wish too much? The other party was silent for a long time.Sarah could imagine that Barrington was short of breath at the moment, and wanted to speak louder, but was afraid that the other party would find out that he was flustered.He finally answered, very patiently, almost earnestly, as if trying to persuade a rebellious child.Sarah almost laughed out loud.

Listen to me, someone is going to visit you just after this afternoon.I am busy, you are busy, everyone is busy. Yeah, I'm sure it's an inconvenience to you and ruined your weekend.Oh, yes, President, do you have to reconsider?Of course, you'd have to see if I was there before you could tell him, maybe it was her?So call back after a while and let me know what arrangements you have made? Listen, Sarah, I think you're still angry, and I understand that. Sarah interrupted him: Do you understand?No, President, I think you haven't even touched the edge of understanding yet.Her fingers were shaking with anger, she hung up the phone abruptly, sat down and waited.

Barrington called Bartrop. She is angry and wants to see you. Bartrop almost raised his eyebrows in surprise: Want to see me?What do you mean? Ah, not exactly you.Barrington shifted awkwardly in her chair, and she said it was the man behind the scenes. Bartrop couldn't help laughing out loud, sorry, President.I can imagine her saying that.So, she's angry, isn't she? Yes.But not kidding.If I were you, I wouldn't just laugh it off.But she is also very frank, very straightforward, and does not come to hypocrisy, as if the game is over. Bartrop chuckled and asked, "Is that what she thinks?"

Listen, Bartrop.I'm not trying to pretend to read her mind or yours.You asked me to call her, and I did.Now if you don't care, I'll leave it alone. By the way, I don't care.I think it's better that way.Neither of us has to be courting. So you're going to see her? I think the time is almost ripe, don't you think? Barrington smiled and said: Well, good luck. So can you call her and tell her someone is on the way to her house? Call her yourself.I am not your servant. Five minutes later Bartrop got into the car and Munro drove straight to Carlyle Square. It was nearly ten o'clock when they arrived.He asked Munro to wait on the spot, got out of the car, and asked Sarah.Walk to Jason's apartment.He looked up at the front wall of the house.He knew that Sarah must be at home, because the watchers had reported her whereabouts to him in time.He paused for a few seconds, then rang the doorbell.

He was full of curiosity.He wanted to capture his first impression of her well.He knew what she looked like because he had seen photos and videos of her from surveillance.But the important thing is that he has never seen her face, never met her, never observed her thinking, reaction and behavior. Sarah remained an enigma to him.He had spent a good deal of time before dissecting what he knew about this woman's personality.He learned that she was a strange combination of traits, each distinct enough to be called a personality.But they combine in her into a dizzying complex.Her character is so extreme and contradictory in so many ways, it's a wonder she hasn't been torn apart.It seems that various extreme personalities seem to check and balance each other, but this balance is fragile and needs to be carefully maintained.No wonder she wants to be with Jacob.Goldsmith, her brother and her boyfriend stayed together for safety and stability.She herself seemed to know that if she allowed one part of herself to be out of balance, the others would shake violently to compensate.If his theory was correct and well founded, then extreme events in her life would provoke extreme reactions in her.This is why she is so dangerous and yet so valuable.However, there are other conflicting personalities about her.She has both a self-destructive side and a very strong self-protective side.All in all, she's somewhat unfathomable.

Bartrop rang the doorbell. Sarah heard the doorbell ring and looked out to see an SUV parked outside the house with a man in the driver's seat and another standing on her doorstep.She secretly judged: one follower, one official.Is it someone from the Special Operations Division of the London Correctional Center, the intelligence agency that Jacob said?She carefully looked at the person standing on the steps: tall, straight-backed, full of confidence; brown hair combed back, elegant temperament, thin figure, appearing strong and strong.She couldn't see his face because he was standing too far inward, only the top of his head.Like the man being observed, she also felt curious: whoever he is, don't be weak and timid like Barrington, I hope he is the goal of my heart, steadfast, never Admire.She went down the stairs and opened the door. The man held out his hand and said: My name is James.Bartrop, it's Anthony.Barrington's friend. Sarah took his hand and shook it as hard as the other, you better come in.She was about to show him in. But he didn't move, and if you don't mind, I think we'll talk in my car.He was giving an order, not the slightest polite request.Sarah froze for a moment, looked at the car, then at him, then okay, wait a little bit.She went upstairs, picked up her handbag, switched on the tiny tape recorder Jacob had given her, and put it in the bag.She went downstairs, picked up the key, and locked the door behind her.Bartrop led her to the car.As she was about to get into the car, she suddenly saw Mrs. Jardine passing by. God!Sarah, you are back. Yes, by the way, Mrs. Jardin, this man says his name is Bartrop, James.Bartrop.He said he was a real estate agent and wanted to show me a house.In case I don't come back, you must remember this name and this face, okay?She smiled and said to her.Mrs. Jardin giggled and bought a house again, I'm so glad someone is okay.After she nodded to Bartrop, she walked away. Batro held the door, Sara got in, and he came in and sat down beside her.There is a glass panel in the car that separates the front and rear seats. Munro, take a spin. Bartrop closed the shutter, turned to Sarah and said: I have no intention of hijacking you. Ah, I'm afraid you've changed your mind. He smiled lightly.Surveillance officers have been using Mrs Jardin's house as an observation base.As compensation for their inconvenience, the couple's husband, a retired Army officer, received a rather lucrative salary.So, as for who they are loyal to, he doesn't have to worry.However, Sarah's reaction was fast enough.Obviously she has a lot of doubts, of course, it can't be her fault. So, I think it's time for us to talk, what do you think? She glanced at him and told me it was time.But first maybe tell me, who do you work for and what role do you play? Sarah looked out the car window, at the people on the King's Road, at the rows of colorful windows of the specialty shops, and the sights flashed before her eyes only very quickly.She focused on the man sitting next to her, trying to read his mind.She also guessed that he was planning on her at the moment.She could feel his unrelenting strength, sense his determination.It seems that things will not be too simple. Well, we'll talk about that in due course.A couple of things I want to know first. Sarah turned her head and looked into his eyes, waiting for him to speak.There was a tense silence. The first thing that confuses me is, why do you suddenly reappear after disappearing?In hindsight, it wasn't necessarily a particularly safe time to do so, either.After all, Giancarlo.Catania and Carl.Heinz.Kessler is now all assassinated. What?She was taken aback.She understands Catania, but Kessler?Now the doubts in her heart disappeared.What she said to Christina must have acted as a catalyst.She was stunned, and she didn't recover from it for a long time, with a surprised expression on her face. Bartrop watched her reaction carefully.She's either a gifted actress, or really doesn't know a thing, or didn't expect it.She sat there and said nothing. Sarah, why didn't you hide, but came out again?Have you made a deal?Was it a deal with the Mafia? Sarah stared at the front, then slowly turned her gaze to Bartrop, and said softly: How dare you say such a thing!She lowered her voice and was furious, you sit here pretending to be serious, not at all ashamed, and accusing randomly.Don't forget, two innocent people were killed because of this job you arranged for me to do!At least I think you arranged it!Or there is another master above you, isn't it? His face immediately became stiff, not the kind of master you mentioned. That being the case, all responsibility is yours.She paused to stabilize her emotions, and then said: Two people died, so many people's lives were destroyed.What is it for?Who is your real target?At that time, I provided evidence to you, or to your minion Barrington, all the evidence you can think of, I provided.But you stand still.No arrests, not even quiet resignations.There is no justice, no justice.nothing.She suddenly had an idea, unless you want to tell me that you sent someone to kill Catania and Kessler. Bartrop laughed. This is more like what you did, isn't it?Revenge. Sara swallowed the words and stared at him silently. You killed the truck driver, didn't you?Because he killed your parents. They looked at each other.She doesn't hold back.Her eyes were fixed and unreadable.She seemed to have shut herself off completely. He went on: Cruel revenge, impersonal. This time he didn't expect her reaction.She gritted her teeth and said bitterly: Human touch, don't mention human touch to me!I can suffer from it.She hesitated to speak.In fact, she really wanted to explain in her heart, and wanted to say everything in her heart: Can't you see it?Nothing can be separated from love and hatred.It is love and hatred that support me.I got revenge, once for my parents, and another time for Jungmi and Dante.Yes, I admit it, and for myself too.I can only see it that way and accept what has happened.Do you know what it feels like to see a dead person?How do you feel when you think of the scene when they were killed?As soon as I thought of this, she tried her best to hold back her tears, and continued her inner monologue silently: revenge is my only choice.It's too radical, it's not perfect, and I don't like it, God knows what it's going to do to me, but it's a solution, some way of getting justice.Don't you understand?She turned to look at him.There was no expression on his face. He was watching her silently, guessing at the violent struggle of thoughts within her that controlled her own.She sat there nervously, as if she was guarding against someone hitting her.He was determined to change tack. As you can imagine, I must have very pressing reasons for this investigation. I wish you had.She had controlled her emotions and replied coldly. What would you say if I told you that my target was the mafia boss who was smuggling large quantities of heroin and cocaine into the UK? What I'm trying to say is that you should have told me in the first place, or sent someone who knew the danger, so you wouldn't be stupid like me and put innocent people in danger. I think we underestimated you. A worthless compliment without pretending to be sincere.Why don't you tell me what the hell you want to do? Well, I'm telling you, I want you to help me catch this man.that is it.As for everything else that happened to you in the past, it has nothing to do with me. I'm not interested in what's relevant or not to you.Why can't you sincerely ask for my help, but secretly threaten me and doubt me?This is what you do.Judging from what happened before, do you really think that I am so easy to be manipulated by you?Almost speechless with contempt, she parked the car. Bartrop opened the barrier between him and Munro, letting him stop.The car starts to slow down.Sarah opened the car door, moved a little to get out of the car, then turned to him and said: You don't need my help.You've heard of the domino theory, right? He nodded, wondering what she meant. Well, watch them fall.They will all fall of their own accord.She jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut.Munro looked at his superior questioningly. We should go back now.Bartrop said. Bartrop sat at the desk in the study, staring out the window.His deputy Miles.Forshaw called. Worthwhile trip, right? I think so.But it's kind of weird. So what did you learn? patience. Forshaw frowned suspiciously: What's the matter now? Bartrop smiled: It's okay, we didn't do anything.We have to watch and wait. What about Jason? She seemed to have decided not to care about it. Yeah? of course not.