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This was the alleged corrupt police captain they’d heard about David had expected a typical “fat rat,” soood life Perhaps Ho on his bones like a deflated balloon In a pathetically obvious gesture, Hoain the upper hand “A foreigner and an inspector fro hed out

“I can assure you, Captain, that a crime has taken place in that room If you’ve had others of this sort, I’d beabout them”

“Let us see then”

Hoed to be both confrontational and dismissive Hulan’s eyes narrowed, and David almost felt sorry for the man

“Have you agreed to my conditions?”

Horunted noncommittally

“I need to hear the words,” Hulan pushed

“Inspector Liu, you are in charge,” Horound and stubbed it out with his boot “For now”

Hulan’s eyesUnderstand?”

“Yes, Inspector,” one of the young men mumbled, while the other stared mutely at the floor

“One last thing,” Hulan said “I can see you two are inexperienced No one will think less of you if you decide not to see this”

“My nantly, “are professionals! They are also men Perhaps a woman such as yourself—”

Hulan didn’t wait for the rest but opened the door and gave it a solid push Hoht behind him The one who hadn’t had the nerve to address Hulan before ca back out the door and vo out of the room with his hand over his ht, then ran down the hall and around the corner The sound of heaving cut through the air David’s sto to help his own unsteady state Hulan let out a deep breath and aze Her wordlessness was eloquent, filled as it ith a combination of sadness, resolve, and duty Then she stepped back into the rooht behind her

Hom stood by the side of the bed His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he sed The desk clerk round

“I think we can agree that soently “I’d like to have our pathologist come to Bashan I hope this won’t complicate your procedures”