‘No, not possible at this moment, not with Zhao’s assignment on his hands.’

‘Whatever you say. By the way, is there anything I could do to help? It’s similar to the red mandarin dress serial murder case, I remember, about the bizarre revenge of a murderer traumatized during the Cultural Revolution.’

‘Well, people are already discussing it online, according to Qin, about the possibility of the murderer killing another one anytime soon.’

‘Then I’ll have a busy day tomorrow,’ she said with a knowing smile, ‘to get some info on the Internet before they’re blocked. I think I know a way or two to climb over the wall.’

‘The firewall, you mean?’

‘Yes.’

‘No need to put yourself in too much risk. It’s not even a case for our squad. You’re just so busy with your things in the restaurant.’

‘Hasn’t your chief inspector called me the best amateur female investigator?’

‘Now you mention it, he actually referred to you in a phone call today.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Remember the Wenhui journalist who came with him to the Buddhist service at Longhua Temple?’

‘Lianping, that’s her name. A young, vivacious girl. What about her?’

‘The fourth victim, also a young girl named Xiang, used to work in the same newspaper office. Chen mentioned that you knew Lianping.’

‘Yes, she once tried to help out, provide some information through me. So he wants me to contact her?’

‘He did not say so, but we hardly know anything about Xiang.’

‘Lianping will be more than willing to help again, I bet.’

‘How can you be so sure of it?’

‘You men never see what’s going on before your very eyes.’ Peiqin nestled closer to put a finger lightly on his eyelid. ‘Not because of me, needless to say, but because of your chief inspector.’

For Inspector Chen, it never rains but it pours.

Fifteen minutes to ten that evening, a text message came in from Qin.

‘We’ve just got some latest info about the last victim. Shall I have it specially delivered to you, Chief Inspector Chen?’

‘Thanks. But the assignment from Comrade Secretary Zhao will hardly leave me any time, I’m afraid.’

On second thought, he typed another sentence to Qin. ‘I’ll touch base with you or with Detective Yu if I can manage to have some time tomorrow.’

It was quite likely nothing but a gesture on the part of Qin, but Chen thought he did not have to say something like a downright no.

And he was hungry again. So he unwrapped another Zongzi and put it in the microwave. To his surprise, it tasted even more delicious when warmed, with its stuffing a unique combination of pork belly and Jinhua ham he had never tasted before.

As he rose from the table, licking the sticky-rice-covered forefinger, another unexpected ding broke into the silence of the night.

It was a text message from Huang to Chen’s special phone.

‘Got something for you.’

It was short and vague, carrying the implication that it could be something too sensitive for Huang to say, even on the special phone.