‘Yes, the government spokesman then justified the inclusion as the progress of national environmental awareness, I read that part too.’
‘Progress or not, for the last several days, each and every hospital in the city has been full of patients suffering from respiratory problems. Especially young children. A considerable number of people want to emigrate because of it. You may not believe it but one of my daughter’s schoolmates was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Imagine it happening to a boy at such a young age.’
‘Yes, people want to go abroad because of the polluted air. But in the meantime, something should be done here about it. In fact, I’ve just heard that a group of activists are involved in such a project and several of them being Big Bucks too, possibly even in your circle.’
‘Oh that …’ Gu was silent for a moment before going on. ‘People ought to do something about the environmental crisis here, no question about it, but I don’t know any of those activists, not personally.’
‘You’re just too busy expanding your business, General Manager Gu.’
‘Now we’ve had our exchange of compliments, Chief Inspector Chen. But I’m not saying that others may not know any of the activists. You’ve been to the Oriental Club in the New World, haven’t you?’
‘Yes?’
‘One of the club members named Bian has talked to me about the air problem quite a few times. I’m not sure if he is an activist, but he’s an air purifier manufacturer with possible connections to the experts and activists in the field. I’ll text you his phone number. When you call, you may mention my name. I believe he will answer your questions.’
‘Thank you so much, Mr Gu. You’re so well connected. I know I can count on you.’
‘It’s an honor for you to think of me. You know what? Some people are describing you as one of the few honest cops left – like an endangered species … or like the public phone booths left on the Shanghai streets.’ He then added, as though in afterthought, ‘There’ll be a movie event at the Consulate next week. If I’m going there, I’ll see what I can do.’
A couple of minutes after the phone conversation, a text message came in presenting Bian’s phone number, which Chen immediately dialed.
‘My name is Chen Cao, of the Shanghai Police Bureau. Your friend Mr Gu, Chairman of the New World Group, has just given me your number suggesting I contact you. I would like very much to have a talk with you.’
‘I’ve heard of you, Chief Inspector Chen. Mr Gu’s spoken so highly of you. I have a business appointment this evening, how about meeting for afternoon tea in the Glamorous Bar in an hour?’ Bian agreed readily on the phone.
As a consultant to the murder investigation, it was perhaps all Detective Yu could do, he thought gloomily, to make a close study of the evidence – particularly the pictures from the crime scenes, in addition to the material in the case folder from Qin, which Yu had already read a couple of times.