“US State Department.” Davis suspected that Becker would assume he was from the CIA, as soon as the words left his mouth. At least, Davis hoped he would.

Becker set down his cup of coffee. “Let’s take a drive.”

CHAPTER 25 CLOSED INVESTIGATION

CHAPTER 25
CLOSED INVESTIGATION

hong kong

Inspector Lam waited outside Director Cheng’s office. She would not resist her punishment. Her son had survived, and that was enough. In some perverse way, perhaps the professional flagellation she was about to receive would help expunge her guilt. She was calm and at peace, or so she kept telling herself as she tapped her foot and clenched her fists above her knees.

At last, Audrey was summoned to face the consequences. She seated herself opposite the graying chief of the Narcotics Bureau, unable to make eye contact with the man who had been her mentor for so many years. Director Cheng could see she was a wreck—everyone could.

“Inspector Lam, we were notified by the hospital that your son was poisoned and that you were named as a person of interest.”

Audrey appreciated the ambiguity of his phrasing, but it pained her even more that her actions had forced her boss into this uncomfortable situation. She would end it immediately, for both their sakes. “Director Cheng, I accept full—”

Director Cheng cut her off. “Let me finish.” Audrey was aghast. How rude she had been to cut off her superior while he was talking!

“I have worked with you for fifteen years, and your record has been flawless,” the director continued. “I know you have been under immense pressure with your son’s illness, and to be blunt, I am always reluctant to judge a man—or woman—for their personal beliefs. My father used to drink bear bile every day for his liver. As far as I’m concerned, there is no evidence indicating you had anything to do with your son’s poisoning.” His tone indicated that he preferred to maintain the narrative he was presenting.

Audrey couldn’t believe it. He was letting her off the hook, as well as willfully abandoning the one actionable lead that might solve the mystery of Joshua’s near-death experience: Audrey Lam herself. After all, she was the one person who could say where the poison had come from.

“Sir, someone tainted the rhino horn with strychnine. It is possible there is more poisoned horn out there. Shouldn’t we investigate . . .”

Director Cheng was clearly growing frustrated at her eagerness to dig her own grave. “As I previously stated, there is no hard evidence connecting your son’s poisoning to rhino horn. And as you know, Inspector, we can’t investigate an incident that didn’t happen. I suggest we all let this matter rest, and just be glad your son’s condition has stabilized.”

Audrey looked out the window, avoiding her mentor, unable to bear the guilt as she nodded in agreement.