Chapter 241: The Old Mans Secre (1/2)

My intimidation did nothing to frighten the old man. ”I already said I don't know him!” he grinned.

I pointed to the drawing, my voice grave as I stated, ”In truth, we’ve managed to determine the exact design for these three contraptions through certain channels. The design you drew is basically the same as the murderer’s. Do you still insist that you have nothing to do with him?”

The old man lit another cigarette and exhaled a cloud of white smoke. ”Do you know why?” he asked.

”You’re asking me?”

”Excellent engineers have similar ideas,” he slowly explained. “We use the simplest and most effective way to achieve our goals. I guess this is what they call, ‘Great minds think alike!’”

I hadn’t expected such a reply. Logically speaking, there was nothing wrong with his statement but my intuition told me there was a connection between the two.

Seeing my silence, the old man arrogantly cocked his head. ”Kiddo, you’re still a bit wet behind the ears. You won’t get any information from me because there’s nothing you could possibly tempt me with,” he stretched his legs, pleased with himself. “I’ve already been sentenced to life imprisonment. How many years do you think I have left to live? Why should I help you?”

I stood up and looked him in the eye, ”So you do know something!”

A hint of panic flashed across the old man’s face, confirming my speculation that he knew something. But he soon regained his calm. “If I don’t say anything, what can you do?” he mocked. “This uniform I’m wearing means that I’m protected by law. If you lay a finger on me, you’ll be locked up!”

”Bastard!” I cursed through gritted teeth.

What else could I do but resort to the most contemptible method–bribery?

”You don't live very well, do you?” I asked. “Why don’t I bring you some of your favorite food and two packets of Chunghwa cigarettes next time?”

Many prisoners on death row and those serving life sentences were willing to give up evidence for a good meal. Criminal investigation films often had such passages–when the police bring a plate of dumplings to the criminal, they would drop all defenses and come clean. That wasn’t artistic exaggeration. After all, prisoners were also human and had their own desires.

”Who cares about food?” smiled the old man. “Maybe if you let me spend a night with your mum, I'll tell you!”

I knew he was deliberately provoking me. As long as I got rough with him, today's meeting would be over and I would lose the chance to visit him again. My hands trembled with anger, but I refrained from acting.

The old man pointed to the clock on the wall and said, ”It’s already time. I think we’re done here.”

He got up, ready to leave. I had to think of something. As long as he was human, he must have a weakness!

Just as he was about to open the door, I suddenly cried, ”But the man didn’t play by the rules!”

The old man paused, turned around and asked, ”What did you say?”

”He didn’t let those who passed the trial go!” I continued. “He murdered them instead!”

I explained that the first victim had successfully escaped but was killed in the end. And the second victim was placed in an unfair trial, deliberately causing him to fail.

The old man stood unmoving for five seconds. ”You are lying,” he enunciated each word. “Show me proof.”

”Fine, that’s easy!” I replied.

I immediately dialed an officer’s number. Aside from Xiaotao and Wang Yuanchao, I had more than 20 numbers belonging to officers who I usually cooperated with stored in my cell phone. I spoke to one of the technical officers and asked for a screenshot from yesterday's autopsy video which showed the victim's back.

A minute later, a picture was sent to my cell phone. I handed it to the old man and summarized, ”This man obviously escaped on his own, but he was attacked from the back so the murderer is not a true judge of hell.”

The old man gnashed his teeth and swore, ”That motherfucking bastard! He’s certainly no apprentice of mine...”

As soon as the words left his lips, the old man realized his slip up and his face turned pale instantly.

It suddenly dawned on me. ”He’s your apprentice!”