Chapter 505: The Murderer’s Name (2/2)

Outside the room, Wu Yang was still yapping away. Since we couldn’t pretend we weren’t here, I had no choice but to open the door. Wu Yang stood there with an annoying smile on his face, followed by a deadpan fat man who claimed to be Director Zhang. The man nodded ceremoniously, the sunglasses on his face resembling a part of his body—always on.

”Yo, Detective Song, taking a break? Why don't you turn on the TV? Beijing Satellite TV is broadcasting a war drama of the Republic of China that I participated in!”

”Bingxin, turn on the TV and turn up the volume!” Xiaotao snapped.

Wu Yang smiled, ”Don't! Captain Huang, you’re a funny one. We’re just here to visit you, and also to ask a few questions.”

”Just spit it out,” I sighed.

”You have half an hour!” added Xiaotao.

Wu Yang eagerly rubbed his hands, but Director Zhang never spoke. Seating himself on the couch, he lit a cigarette and began smoking in silence. I thought to myself, Are all artistic people so unconventional?

Sure enough, Wu Yang had come to collect materials for his show. Although he had seen the file from twenty years ago, many details of the investigation had been left out. Since the director of the Liangchen Bureau was too busy to see to him, he decided to try his luck with us.

In fact, Wu Yang's professionalism was quite admirable, far superior to those writers who made up stories with their eyes closed. Thus, I exercised my patience and sat down to answer his questions.

”I heard that an officer was injured in public, yet he received no pension and fell to a miserable end. What happened?” Wu Yang began.

”What?” I asked in surprise.

Wu Yang lowered his voice, ”If I say something unpleasant, will the authorities detain me?”

”Oh great screenwriter, just speak your mind! Interfering with an officer injured in the line of duty and embezzling his pension is a crime. Who’s going to risk going to jail for such a small amount?”

When I asked for the officer's name, he reported the name ‘Nie Yalong,’ an officer involved in the investigation. However, the file mentioned nothing about his injury. It seemed this matter required further investigation.

”Detective Song, there’s one thing I don't understand,” Wu Yang continued. “Why did they release the suspect? Is there more to this than what meets the eye?”

”Oh, don’t be such a cynic. How can there...” I paused abruptly, suddenly recalling that there was no mention of the suspect in the archives of the bureau. What I had in hand was the most detailed version.

My pupils darkened as I stared into Wu Yang's eyes, ”How did you know there was a suspect at the time?”

Wu Yang faltered, ”The injured officer mentioned it when I visited him.”

”What did he say? Did he mention the suspect’s name?”

”It was Song... Zh-Zhaolin, if I’m not mistaken.”

”What?” I stood up.