‘So what do you think, Chief?’

The return of Melong derailed the train of his thoughts. Chen was at a momentary loss for words. No point discussing the contents of the video with Melong, who might have already viewed it – or at least part of it. And he could have recognized the man moving in and out of Shanshan’s room in the video. That explained Melong’s stepping out earlier, to make ‘business phone calls’, so the inspector could watch all by himself.

‘Can Rong try to do anything about the video?’ Chen said as soon as Melong closed the door after him.

‘What do you want him to do, Chief Inspector Chen? I may have put him off turning in the video to his client, I suppose, for a couple of days, but probably not longer than that, I’m afraid. It’s a sizable sum of money for him, and his client will not let him put it off for too long.’

‘The video does not look properly edited yet. Has his client viewed it as it is?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘In that case, could Rong tell them that he’s unable to deliver in time? For one reason or another – for whatever reason – it’s undeliverable for a couple of weeks. Let him claim that the tape got accidentally wiped out and he has to start all over.’

‘I don’t think his client will like it. Rong has to worry about more than the loss of money. The client may choose to scrap the video project for him.’

‘Well, as for his possible loss, I think I may work out an adequate compensation. Better than his client’s pay. Say three hundred thousand yuan. Don’t worry about the sum. I’ll have it reimbursed through the Party Central Discipline Committee in Beijing.’

The last sentence was partially true. At least as far as Zhao had promised him. For that amount a lot of questions would have to be asked, and he did not think he wanted to answer any of them. For now, it was just something said for the benefit of Melong, and Rong, too. For the imperative impression that Chief Inspector Chen was not acting alone, crazily, like Don Quixote fighting the gigantic windmill.

Melong did not make an immediate response.

‘Five or sixty thousand yuan here, I believe,’ Chen said, snapping out a credit card. ‘And I’ll go to the bank this afternoon. And to some Big Buck friends, too. The total sum shall be available tomorrow evening.’

‘Don’t worry too much about the money. I too have some cash at home,’ Melong said. ‘You keep the memory stick. I’ll go to Rong’s place right now. I don’t know if he will agree with the plan. I have to talk to him in person.’

Inspector Chen parted with Melong outside the restaurant, but he made no more than seven or eight steps when Melong turned round and caught up with him.

‘Something else, Chief. I almost forgot.’