Chapter 280 - Calling On Huang Lis Father (2/2)
We stopped just outside and walked to one of the buildings. The security guard on duty, detecting the presence of strangers, came and stopped us. “How can I help you people?” But he quickly spied Zheng Shuang’s police uniform and he asked, “Is there anything wrong, officer?” Zheng Shuang nodded and asked testily, “Is Mr. Huang in today? We would like to speak to him.” “I’ve never known him not to be. But please wait a moment while I give him a call.” Zheng Shuang nodded curtly and the guard turned, with his back facing us, and took out his phone and made the call.
Moments later, the guard turned back to us and reported, “Mr. Huang is ready for you, everyone. He’s at the top floor.” Zheng Shuang nodded a tacit thanks and led the way towards the elevator.
The office building had ten floors altogether and Mr. Huang, Huang Li’s father, had his own office on the top floor. We entered the elevator without a word and once the doors slid shut, Zheng Shuang burst with suspicion, “Strange, the guard seems awfully agreeable. He allowed us in without many questions.” “The chief of the investigations team at the District HQ told me that they’ve been here before when they came to call on Huang Li’s father. So I guess even the security guard now knows that the boss’ daughter has got herself into trouble, so he’d be expecting the police to visit frequently.” The explanation satisfied Zheng Shuang as he emitted an “Oh” of comprehension.
The elevator came to a stop when we reached the top floor and the doors slid opened obediently. A young lady, fully dressed like a corporate professional, was waiting just outside. She was so close to the door when it opened that she nearly bumped headfirst into Zheng Shuang.
She flashed a welcoming smile and said, “This way please, everyone. Mr. Huang is expecting you in his office.” Zheng Shuang responded with another curt nod and crossed his arms behind his back as he marched after the woman with us trailing behind until we came to a set of doors.
The young lady knocked on the door and announced, “The guests are here, Mr. Huang,” and a raspy voice called from inside, “Come in!”
She pushed the doors open gently and gestured for us to enter with her sweet smile. Zheng Shuang put on as an imperious air of the captain of the Criminal Investigations Division as he could, although he only succeeded in making us giggle quietly behind him.
To call the office “wide” would simply be an understatement. It was huge. Expansive even, that it looked more like a suite. I looked around and saw a minimalist design layout of sofas, bookshelves, and a handsome-looking office desk that coupled with a plush leathered executive office chair, upon which seated a man of middle age, looking at us with a cheerful smile as we came in. Even so, the hint of weariness could hardly be missed even through the polite smile he tried to put up.
“Mr. Huang,” Zheng Shuang said almost immediately, “I’m afraid your daughter can now be fully indicted…” “I know,” Mr. Huang cut in, “But can I still see her?” “Relax,” Zheng Shuang assured, saying, “She’d get at most a life imprisonment. You can save the bullet fee.” Mr. Huang heaved a breath of relief, and the creases of fatigue on his gnarly face seemed to soften for a heartbeat.
A life imprisonment would have been a Hobson’s Choice to any loving father when next to the death penalty.
“Mr. Huang,” I stepped forward to say, “We’re here, not to convey this unfortunate news. We’re here on personal capacities, not cops. I’m Huang Li’s former classmate at university.”
And that seemed to elicit a surprised “Ah?” from Mr. Huang.