Chapter 17 (1/2)

Letting out the Tigress

With his left eye activated, everything in the study, whether obvious or hidden, was immediately visible to Xia Lei. His gaze quickly alighted on a book titled ‘Archaeological Discoveries’. What attracted his attention, however, was not the book but a piece of paper between its pages.

Xia Lei removed Archaeological Discoveries from the shelf and took out the nicely-folded letter.

The letter read: I took a look at the map that person brought and the patterns on the key were indeed a part of it. From what I gathered when the two were put together, the wreck should be close to Jiu-Wei Island in the East China Sea. He wanted to work with me but I refused. The cultural relics on the ship belong to our nation and should not belong to an individual. I shall go to the Cultural Relics Bureau tomorrow and make a report so the search for the wreck would be sped up. I believe that it will make a great impact on the archaeological community if all goes well.

“Jiu-Wei Island?” Xia Lei’s pulse quickened. “That man and woman killed Professor Zhang and stole the key! Since I welded the key for them, they would most likely be close to Jiu-Wei Island looking for the wreck! They would surely not expect me to help the police crack the case so quickly and catch them.”

At that moment, Jiang Ru-Yi walked into the study, all smiles. “Lei, I called Director Xu and told him I found important evidence. Heh, I also made a little report about Huang Chang-Hai. Muahaha! The thought of it is so satisfying.”

Xia Lei chuckled, “How should you thank me?”

Jiang Ru-Yi walked over and looked Xia Lei right in the eye as she asked teasingly, “How do you want me to thank you?”

“I want… Forget it. I don’t want to eat Sichuan cuisine.” Xia Lei gave up.

“Great! I saved 200 yuan,” laughed Jiang Ru-Yi.

Xia Lei put Professor Zhang’s letter in Jiang Ru-Yi’s hand. “You’re a cheapskate but I’ll be a good guy till the end. This is a letter left by Professor Zhang. It mentions a location, so you’ll probably catch the suspects there if you bring a team to search there.”

Jiang Ru-Yi opened the letter and read its contents.

“I’ll only help you to this point – you’ll have to do the rest yourself. There’s no use in me hanging around so I’m off. Just give me a call if you need my help,” said Xia Lei.

“Wait.” Jiang Ru-Yi called for Xia Lei to wait, her face full of bewilderment. “How did you find this letter? How is it that our police technicians could not find such an important thing while you can?”

Xia Lei gestured at the bookcases. “I was actually just looking for a book to read and I stumbled upon this letter unexpectedly.”

“Isn’t this… too much of a coincidence?” Jiang Ru-Yi still looked bewildered.

Xia Lei grinned, “Didn’t you say it yourself? I’m your lucky star. I’m also like a blind cat running into dead ends. It’s just coincidence.”

Jiang Ru-Yi was still looking at him suspiciously and was afire with questions. The professional police team had come up with nothing but Xia Lei had just turned up, found evidence and even a lead to catch the perpetrators. When did he become so amazing? He’s like Sherlock Holmes!

Noise could suddenly be heard from outside and Huang Chang-Hai’s voice followed, “Jiang Ru-Yi! You’re breaking rules one after the other as Chief! This is a crime scene – how can you bring in an outsider?!”

Xia Lei and Jiang Ru-Yi froze, surprised.

“Why’s that annoying guy here?” Xia Lei asked, “Ru-Yi, are you sure you called Director Xu?”

Jiang Ru-Yi nodded her pretty head, “Yes, how can I not be sure of who I called? Director Xu said he would send someone to assist me right away.”

“Then, did he send Huang Chang-Hai?”

“I don’t think so. I have a feeling that he doesn’t have a good impression of Huang Chang-Hai, or I wouldn’t be Chief otherwise.” Jiang Ru-Yi stamped her foot in vexation. “But why is that Huang Chang-Hai fellow here?”

Huang Chang-Hai appeared in the study doorway just as her words escaped her lips. Behind him were a few other police officers who avoided her eyes awkwardly when they saw her.

“De-Deputy Huang, why are you here?” For some unknown reason, Jiang Ru-Yi shrank when she saw Huang Chang-Hai and looked guilty.

Huang Chang-Hai smirked. “You are aware of what place this is, aren’t you, Chief Jiang? How can you bring this fellow inside? You are contaminating the crime scene!”

“I…” Jiang Ru-Yi was about to speak when Xia Lei, who was behind her, pinched her thigh hard. Her mouth shaped the O for ‘orange’ but no sound came out.

Xia Lei spoke softly in her ear, “If you tell him about the evidence and letter I found, he will take credit for them.”

“You wanna die? That hurts. Can’t you pick somewhere meatier to pinch…” said Jiang Ru-Yi through clenched teeth. Only she and Xia Lei could hear her words.

Meatier? Did she mean her buttocks?

Xia Lei did not dare. “Why are you so afraid of him? You dumbass, learn from your mistake! He is your subordinate. You have the evidence and leads to crack the case in your hands now. Why don’t you have the courage to be fiercer to him?”

Jiang Ru-Yi looked blank for a bit. “Yeah, why don’t I? I’m the Chief!”

“Do you hear me, Chief Jiang?” said Huang Chang-Hai aggressively, “I’m waiting for your explanation!”

Jiang Ru-Yi took a deep breath, then unleashed her fury. “I’ll explain nothing! Huang Chang-Hai, you shut your mouth!”

Huang Chang-Hai paused and the study was silent. The police officers looked at Jiang Ru-Yi – this was unquestionably the first they had seen of their “Chief Jiang” throwing her weight around. It was enough for them all to freeze in surprise for a few seconds.