Court Jester (Chapter 1)

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

www.murphyseyes.com

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Content

Chapter 1: The Vanishing Flare

Chapter 2: An Interesting Couple

Chapter 3: Interior of the Fortress

Chapter 4: Accident with Unclear Motives

Chapter 5: The West African Naval Command

Chapter 6: The Accountant

Chapter 7: The Butler

Chapter 8: The Commander’s Girlfriend

Chapter 9: A Dinner for Four

Chapter 10: Court Jester

Chapter 1: The Vanishing Flare

The flight from Mexico City landed safely in Shanghai, and Qiu Tian disembarked with the other passengers. Using a passport under the alias Qiao Bizhu, she cleared immigration without issue.

After passing through customs, Qiu Tian stopped at a spot in the hall where she was facing the surveillance camera.

After passing through customs, Qiu Tian positioned herself directly in view of a surveillance camera in the arrivals hall. She braided her long hair into a single plait that fell to her chest.

As soon as Qiu Tian entered the country, Bureau Two was alerted to her safe return to Shanghai. Internal Security quickly located her via the airport’s security cameras. agent Xiao Qi, from Section Three of Internal Security, suddenly rewound the footage to a single frame – the moment Qiu Tian braided her hair – scrutinizing the image. He then gestured to Section Chief Song, the duty officer in the monitoring room.

Xiao Qi tapped the screen with a pencil, indicating the watch on Qiu Tian’s left wrist. “Section Chief,” he said, “I’ve reviewed the equipment manifest. The watch Director Qiu was issued isn’t this one. She’s switched it out. Look at the enlarged image, right here. It’s a Casio G-Shock… hold on a second… the MR-G model. It’s a pretty expensive piece.”

Section Chief Song studied the screen for a moment, then said to Xiao Qi, “Sharp eyes, Xiao Qi! Think about who Director Qiu is. What we’re seeing is undoubtedly what she wants us to see. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have noticed. I suspect there’s something going on here.” He patted Xiao Qi on the shoulder, signaling him to continue surveillance, and went to report to Ouyang Zhong, the Director of Internal Security Division.

Qiu Tian rolled her suitcase and turned towards the airport ticket counter, inquiring about seats on today’s flights from Shanghai to Beijing. Only the 7:15 PM flight had availability.

She glanced at her watch – 5:33 PM. The timing was suitable, so she purchased a ticket and settled down at a restaurant in the waiting hall, ordering a bowl of scallion wonton noodles. She didn’t eat, however, simply sitting there and observing the overall situation in the hall.

Bureau Two continued to track her movements, also obtaining information about her reservation on flight MX8835 from Shanghai to Beijing.

Boarding had begun. Because of a prolonged visit to the restroom, Qiu Tian found herself near the back of the queue. She moved forward slowly with the flow of people, simultaneously observing her fellow passengers.

A couple, an older man and younger woman, stood near the front of the line, openly displaying affection, oblivious to their surroundings. Other passengers deliberately averted their gazes to avoid feeling awkward.

A middle-aged man further ahead looked every bit the businessman, clearly troubled by a deal gone wrong. He spoke animatedly into his phone, carelessly broadcasting his confidential business matters to anyone within earshot.

A young couple stood shoulder to shoulder, not exchanging a word. They each scrolled through their phones, occasionally glancing at the queue and nudging their luggage with their feet, inching forward with the crowd.

An elderly man traveling alone was remarkably quiet, contentedly watching live streams of scantily clad women on his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips. Behind him, a middle-aged man with sparse hair and gold-rimmed glasses was freely watching the same free video over the old man’s shoulder. As the streamer’s already minimal clothing dwindled further, the man’s drool began to drip onto the elderly man’s shoulder, but both remained completely oblivious.

A flurry of hurried footsteps approached the queue. An elderly woman, holding in arms a child around eight or nine years old, sprinted to the front of the line, demanding priority boarding in fluent Shanghainese. As the situation threatened to escalate, a flight attendant finally relented, granting the woman and child permission to cut in line after receiving consent from the first few passengers. Unexpectedly, the woman waved her hand, and two men and a woman rushed forward, claiming to be family and insisting they all board together. Watching the family’s triumphant backs as they pushed their way onto the plane, a chorus of curses erupted from the queue. Some berated the flight attendant, others cursed the line-cutters, and still others scolded the passengers who had initially allowed the elderly woman to jump ahead. The scene descended into chaos once more.

After more than two hours of flight, the cabin wasn’t exactly quiet, but the journey was uneventful. The plane bounced a few times on the runway, taxied for a distance, and finally came to a stop. Qiu Tian was the last to disembark, dragging her suitcase directly towards the exit, which was already surrounded by crowds waiting to pick up passengers.

From a distance, Qiu Tian spotted a man holding a sign for “Qiao Feng Travel Agency” – a prearranged signal that Bureau Two had dispatched someone to meet her. After confirming their identities with the driver, Xiao Wang, they headed to the parking garage.

Xiao Wang had served in the military for four years and was a highly experienced driver. He seemed to sense something was amiss. He circled the parking garage twice before leaving, then made another loop around a roundabout. Only then did he accelerate onto the highway, heading towards Bureau Two headquarters, varying his speed as he went.

Shortly after getting onto the highway, Xiao Wang asked Qiu Tian, “Director, we’re being followed. Should we shake them?”

“No need. We just need to be careful.”

“Yes, Director!”

Qiu Tian had already noticed the vehicle trailing her, a car with Hebei province license plates. She had also assessed the situation. The car she was in was armored, and Xiao Wang had already handed her two fully loaded pistols and eight spare magazines. The black sedan behind them, a standard five-seater, held a maximum of five people. If they were indeed attempting an attack, their numbers were too few to succeed; they wouldn’t stand a chance. Moreover, Bureau Two had sent a car to collect her, meaning they would have complete awareness of her movements. Most importantly, whoever knew her plans today must be someone within Bureau Two, and the circle of suspects was extremely small. If someone were to attack her today, it would actually be a good thing – a rare opportunity to unmask a mole within the Bureau.

The car travelled smoothly along National Highway 221. Shortly after 10 PM, traffic was sparse, mostly consisting of freight trucks. Few passenger vehicles were to be seen. Xiao Wang remained vigilant, constantly monitoring the vehicles around them. The car following them didn’t seem concerned about being detected, but neither did it take any action, simply maintaining a steady distance behind.

As Qiu Tian’s car reached kilometer marker 179 on National Highway 221, a heavy-duty truck came speeding towards them from the opposite direction. In a sudden maneuver, it swerved towards Qiu Tian’s vehicle just ten meters ahead. Xiao Wang recognized the danger but it was too late to avoid a collision. He immediately turned the wheel sharply to the right, bracing for the impact with his side of the car. The vehicle was instantly forced off the road, tumbling several times before ending up overturned in a nearby field. The truck also rolled onto its side, careening off the embankment and crashing into the field as well. Both vehicles fell silent.

The window of “Years Remembered,” a bookstore located at 1744 19th Street in Washington D.C., displayed two vintage blues LPs: Luther Allison’s Living in Paris and Money Talks. Beside them lay a 1975 edition of Italian Renaissance Architecture, published by Artist’s Press. These two records, displayed together, served as a signal for a rendezvous. The contact could deduce the time and location of the meeting, according to a prearranged cipher based on the publication details of the albums.

Wilson Plaza on Saturday morning wasn’t particularly crowded. Runners and cyclists gradually passed through the square, disappearing into the vast green expanse of the park to the north. Two children played near the fountain in the center of the plaza, while their mothers chatted idly, glancing at their children from time to time.

Zhang Hui sat down on an empty bench in the plaza, casually scanning the people on the surrounding benches. Her gaze met that of an elderly woman on another bench, and the two exchanged friendly nods and smiles.

Zhang Hui retrieved a book from her backpack, placing the bag at her feet and tucking a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek behind her ear. She began to peruse the book, a guide to Renaissance art.

Zhang Hui, still single at 37, resided in Washington D.C. She owned a travel agency, catering primarily to wealthy businessmen, entrepreneurs, and their families traveling to the United States from China – she rarely accepted group tours. Besides herself, her agency employed only one local girl as a secretary. Zhang Hui collaborated with several local Chinese-speaking tour guides, calling on them to assist when she was overbooked. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement – shared opportunities and shared profits – and had developed into a well-regarded small network.

In recent years, the travel business had dwindled, so Zhang Hui began importing mobile phone and computer accessories from China to sell online. Due to the innovative designs and affordable prices, this venture was beginning to flourish. She only handled the purchasing, with all other aspects managed through online platforms, assisted by her secretary, Helen. It didn’t demand much of her time or energy.

Zhang Hui was one of the intelligence operatives for Bureau Two of the General Staff Department stationed in the United States. She expertly maintained her cover. She didn’t engage in intelligence gathering, but solely in the transmission of information, specializing in relaying intelligence to and from Lawrence Eaton, a high-ranking intelligence officer at the Pentagon, for the past year and a half.

“Years Remembered,” the antiquarian bookstore specializing in vintage books and records, served as a Bureau Two safe house in Washington D.C. Its purpose was to relay messages between Zhang Hui and her contacts, both superiors and subordinates, without ever handling actual intelligence or meeting with her associates. Unless there was an emergency, rendezvous were scheduled several days in advance. If Zhang Hui needed to contact Lawrence Eaton, she would notify the bookstore owner, Jonathan. Eaton, while passing by, would recognize the request if he saw a specific record displayed in the window.

Jonathan’s car was parked near the bookstore every day. If Eaton needed to contact Zhang Hui, he would slip a used car advertisement card into Jonathan’s window. The card contained a coded message indicating the meeting place and time. Occasionally, Eaton would also tuck a food delivery flyer into the bookstore’s mailbox; the details of the advertisement also conveyed his request for a meeting location and time.

Zhang Hui glanced at her watch – 9:59. She turned the book she was holding, a 1975 edition of Italian Renaissance Architecture published by Artist’s Press, face down and placed it beside her. The rendezvous time was between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday. If missed, a secondary window would open on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. By protocol, if the meeting was missed three times, the rendezvous was canceled. A new time and location would then be indicated by a new combination of records placed in the bookstore window.

The communication between Lawrence and Zhang Hui was a single, secure line. They only exchanged high-value, top-secret intelligence. The two only met in low frequency, and this arrangement had been consistently secure, without a single error. However, both were exceedingly cautious. Despite having known each other and exchanged intelligence on a few occasions, they never asked about each other’s personal information. They knew only each other’s code names, and didn’t even know each other’s real names. Each meeting involved a reaffirmation of identity and safety signals, followed by an immediate separation after the exchange.

For this meeting, if Zhang Hui brought the pre-defined book, it confirmed her identity was legitimate. If the book lay beside her, it indicated she believed the surroundings were safe. If she didn’t have the book, or held it in her hands, Lawrence would know there was danger and would not make contact.

Lawrence, in turn, was expected to carry a Leica M1 camera to verify his identity. If the camera was in his left hand, it signaled a safe environment. If it was in his right hand, or hanging from his neck, it indicated danger, and Zhang Hui was to cancel the meeting and immediately leave the area.

This rendezvous went smoothly. Bureau Two had learned that the United States was planning a biological attack on China, using secret biological laboratories positioned around its periphery as bases, dispatching personnel to carry out the operation. Bureau Two hoped Lawrence could obtain the complete implementation plan, including the names of those involved and the list of agents embedded inside China.

Four days later, the bookstore received a food delivery flyer. As arranged, Zhang Hui obtained the complete US plan to launch a biological attack on China from Lawrence. The bookstore placed information in the window indicating Zhang Hui’s request to meet with her subordinate, but unexpectedly, Zhang Hui did not appear at the agreed-upon time. The bookstore owner, Jonathan, sent a message requesting contact with Zhang Hui, but she remained unresponsive. The Intelligence Division of Bureau Two learned of this and began to mobilize resources to secretly search for her.

Helen, the secretary at Zhang Hui’s travel agency, reported her boss missing after failing to find her for three consecutive days. The police visited Zhang Hui’s apartment and found it in disarray, with clear evidence of a search having been conducted, but no signs of a struggle or bloodshed. After examining the scene, the police determined Zhang Hui was missing and opened an investigation.

Two days later, police discovered the body of an Asian woman in a dense forest in Laurel, Maryland. However, it was later confirmed that the deceased was not Zhang Hui, and the police investigation stalled.

Qiu Tian submitted her proposed plan for handling the Zhang Hui case to Director Hao. That afternoon, she was urgently summoned to Director Hao’s office in Xishan District.

Qiu Tian believed Lawrence was a highly valuable asset and intended to have the Intelligence Division re-establish contact with him using experienced personnel. Furthermore, based on the information Bureau Two had gathered, it seemed unlikely that Liu Jinyu was involved in a criminal matter. It was more probable that she was connected to another intelligence agency, and locating her could be dangerous, even lead to conflict. Qiu Tian planned to deploy four operatives from Section Two of the Operations Division, splitting them into two teams: one to conduct the operation, and the other to provide covert protection. The Liu Jinyu mentioned in her report was Zhang Hui’s true name; Zhang Hui had used that identity as cover while operating in the United States.

“The arrangements are fine. But we have a complication,” Director Hao said, his voice level but hesitant.

“Director, please instruct me.”

“The personnel and intelligence involved in this case are extremely valuable. As you analyzed, the handling process is complex and dangerous, requiring meticulous special arrangements. I just said, your plan is sound, and I fully agree. But Deputy Director Wu Degao from the All-Army Informationization Commission disagrees with your plan. We couldn’t reach a consensus, so he bypassed me and reported directly to the Number One Leader.”

The government had recently transitioned smoothly, with the previous Chairman not seeking a fifth term. During the handover of power, several key personnel were reassigned. The newly elected Chairman Ding had clearly learned from the experience of former Vice Chairman Tao, who had been forced into early retirement due to impatience during the last transition. In the process of taking office and after becoming Chairman, Chairman Ding hadn’t immediately made major adjustments to the military system and key leadership positions within the central and local governments, but instead initially continued with most of the personnel arrangements of his predecessor.

Following the transition, personnel and work arrangements within the Informationization Commission remained consistent with convention. The Commission’s Director was still carried out by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The actual day-to-day work was overseen by Director Hao, the Deputy Director, though everyone habitually referred to him as Director Hao, just as they had called Deputy Director Guan Dongtian “Director Guan” when he held the position. Chairman Ding had transferred the former Deputy Director of the General Political Department, Wu Degao, to the Informationization Commission as Executive Deputy Director to assist Director Hao. Wu Degao subsequently brought in Hou Mingui, Deputy Director of the General Logistics Headquarters, to serve as Deputy Director of Bureau Two.

“What is Deputy Director Wu’s objection?” Qiu Tian asked.

“His reasoning is that, according to your proposed plan, Bureau Two would need to deploy a large number of personnel, requiring significant coordination and support, and involving considerable risk. His proposal is for you to go to the United States personally and accomplish all three tasks alone: first, re-establish contact with Lawrence, explain the situation to him, and allow him to go silent or even arrange for immediate relocation if he deems it dangerous. Second, ascertain the circumstances surrounding Liu Jinyu and handle any necessary fallout. And third, bring back the intelligence regarding the US biological warfare plans against us.”

“Director, I am confident I can complete the mission. Just give the order, and I will depart immediately.”

“Hold on, don’t be hasty. The situation is different now. You are a senior military officer and a high-ranking cadre in a military intelligence agency. Regulations dictate that you cannot undertake such a mission. Furthermore, there is no dedicated team available to provide support and security.”

“Director, Deputy Director Wu’s thinking is also reasonable. Please let me go. Regulations exist, but there are always exceptional circumstances, and regulations aren’t immutable.”

Director Hao understood that Wu Degao had never worked in military intelligence. Having only recently been transferred to the Informationization Commission, he was able to present such a well-reasoned proposal, which Director Hao knew meant someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Wu Degao’s arguments were logical, well-documented, and systematic, and this was a veiled attempt to force Qiu Tian into undertaking a high-risk mission.

Director Hao sighed. “Chairman Ding has also instructed that this matter is of great importance. We are facing a biological attack, and the situation is complex, dangerous, and urgent. He agreed to let you go alone. To be honest, while I expressed my disagreement, I didn’t vehemently oppose it. You can understand, can’t you?”

“I am a soldier. I should be where I am most needed. Director, please give the order!” Qiu Tian stood up, speaking solemnly to Director Hao.

Watching Qiu Tian’s back as she left, Director Hao fell into deep thought. Qiu Tian was now the Director of Bureau Two of the General Staff, leading the most core institution within the military intelligence system. She also concurrently served as the commander of the “Deep Blue” Special Operations Brigade under the Informationization Commission, commanding the most elite special forces in the entire army. In the eyes of some, the 35-year-old General Qiu Tian, with her skillful combination of intelligence work and command, held a position of immense power. Some always felt uneasy about her rapid rise and influence, and even hoped to remove her from the position as quickly as possible.

As Director Hao understood it, from the initial Department Two of the General Staff to the later Bureau Two, and then to the Informationization Commission, the leaders of these military intelligence agencies had always come from those with hands-on experience. This tradition should not be broken. There could be no compromises in operations, as it concerned national and military security, the safety of intelligence personnel, and the peace and well-being of the people. Political maneuvering in this position was absolutely unacceptable, but someone completely focused on operations also couldn’t remain in the role. It had become a vicious cycle, a strange loop.

Director Hao vaguely felt that this might just be the beginning, at least a dangerous signal. Significant and special tasks occurred from time to time, but if Qiu Tian was sent on every mission, it would objectively reduce her time at Bureau Two and with the “Deep Blue” Brigade, effectively weakening her leadership of those units. Over time, there would be a justification for transferring her from the top position, or at the very least, marginalizing her. Considering the most extreme possibility, if she were to be harmed during a mission, some malicious individuals would secretly rejoice.

Director Hao forced himself to stop dwelling on these thoughts. But he still considered that he should find a way to prevent things from developing in a negative direction. He had to protect a talent like Qiu Tian, allowing her to fully utilize her skills on the military intelligence front. She should focus all her energy on operations, not be drawn into the vortex of political struggle.

Qiu Tian’s secretary, Tang Yamo, began arranging and coordinating Qiu Tian’s itinerary for random visits and inspections of Bureau Two’s local offices. As a newly appointed Director, it was normal for Qiu Tian to visit these grassroots units. This way, even if she were absent for a few days, no one would know her exact whereabouts.

After entering the United States through Baltimore with a Peruvian passport, Qiu Tian rented a car using the credentials and credit card of Lolyta Dayze Bastien and drove herself to Washington D.C.

She parked the car in front of a supermarket on Kirkland Street, slung her backpack over her shoulder, locked the car, and surveyed the surroundings before walking slowly along Kirkland Street. She then turned right onto 19th Street, heading towards “Years Remembered” bookstore.

The distance from the supermarket to the bookstore was approximately two kilometers. Qiu Tian strolled leisurely, simultaneously observing the environment and conditions along the way.

Two young women walked past the bookstore, chatting and laughing, without being attracted by the storefront or window display, not even glancing at it. The bookstore’s façade wasn’t large, but the books and records recommended by the owner were arranged in a pleasing and eclectic manner. A small, pristine tiger palm orchid basking in the sunlight on the left side of the window added vibrancy – a sign that the store was safe and a designated rendezvous point.

Qiu Tian walked along the sidewalk opposite the bookstore on 19th Street. She didn’t slow down, instead continuing past two intersections, turning left and crossing 19th Street onto Vincent Street. She continued past the Commander Hotel to 21st Street, then turned onto Fairmont Street before rejoining 19th Street. Only then did she calmly push open the bookstore door and step inside.

The bookstore wasn’t large, but it was compactly and comfortably laid out. The chime of the door alerted the owner, Jonathan, who smiled and nodded at Qiu Tian from behind the counter, which looked more like a desk.

“Hi!” Qiu Tian nodded in response, returning a friendly smile.

Sunlight, refracted through the rectangular panes of the wooden door, stretched into trapezoids and cast shadows onto the clean wooden floor, creating a subtle interplay of geometry and an underlying philosophical logic.

The bookstore was empty of other customers, as was typical for independent bookstores. Qiu Tian moved slowly among the shelves, as if searching for a book. Her gaze swept over the tiger palm orchid standing sentinel in the window, then towards the street. Jonathan’s dark blue Dodge Ram, with the license plate ending in 283, was parked at the curb. Though old, it was well-maintained, revealing the owner’s affection for it. A police car sped past with flashing lights, and a pedestrian on the opposite side of the street shook his head as the blue lights faded into the distance, then continued walking.

A delivery truck awkwardly stopped in front of the bookstore, and the driver delivered two packages. As the driver’s figure passed the window, heading towards the neighboring shops, Jonathan turned and glanced at the Asian woman inside, saying warmly, “If you need anything, I’m here.”

Qiu Tian smiled and approached him. “I have a book, but a page is missing. I wonder if you might have the same edition?”

“If you tell me the title and ISBN, I might be able to see what I can do.”

“Oh, of course.” Qiu Tian said, placing her backpack on the counter and retrieving a 1968 edition of Mayan Ruins published by Andes Press, handing it to Jonathan.

Jonathan flipped through the book, then looked up at Qiu Tian. “Your book is missing more than just one page, but perhaps I can help you.”

“Please wait a moment.” Jonathan said to Qiu Tian, turning and pushing open a door leading to the stockroom and office, quickly returning with two old, faded pieces of paper – one large and one small.

Jonathan carefully repaired the missing pages 97/98 and replaced the excised illustration on page 163, then returned the book to Qiu Tian with a satisfied expression.

“Excellent! Thank you very much!” Qiu Tian said happily, examining the completed repairs.

“You’re welcome! Is there anything else I can do for you?” Jonathan asked politely.

“I need to reach the ‘Wanderer.’”

Jonathan nodded in understanding. Qiu Tian continued, “Please inform the ‘Wanderer’ that the rendezvous is tomorrow night at 10 PM, level B3 of the Metropolitan Casino parking garage.”

Jonathan simply nodded to acknowledge the message.

Qiu Tian placed the Mayan Ruins back into her backpack and instructed Jonathan, “After this, remain silent for 60 days. If anyone attempts to contact you during that period, you must relocate immediately. I will provide you with the new contact method when I make payment.”

The “Wanderer” was Lawrence’s code name. Jonathan was only responsible for relaying contact information. He knew the code name of Zhang Hui’s contact, but had never met him in person, nor did he know the Wanderer’s identity. But Jonathan did know that the “Wanderer” was male, as “Flare,” or Zhang Hui, had inadvertently used the pronoun “he” when referring to him.

“Very well, no problem.”

The bookstore door chimed again as a new customer entered. Jonathan greeted them, then selected two copies of The American Civil War published by United Books in 1952, handing one to Qiu Tian. “I don’t mean to be intrusive, but just a recommendation. Perhaps you might be interested in this book.”

Qiu Tian flipped through the book Jonathan offered, nodding. “You are a good shopkeeper. Yes, I like this book. By the way, how much is everything?”

“The repair to your book is $70, and this one is $95, making a total of $165. If you enjoy our bookstore, please leave us a good review online!”

Zhang Hui’s travel agency operated out of an office on the 6th floor of the Waterfront Building. She lived in a detached house with a garage on Malcolm Street in the west of the city. After Helen reported her missing, the police inspected Zhang Hui’s home, searching the rooms and the car parked in the garage. They then sealed the front door and garage door with tapes.

In the late afternoon, Qiu Tian infiltrated the garden behind Zhang Hui’s house, picking the lock on the back door to enter. The natural light was still sufficient, eliminating the need for additional illumination and avoiding the attention of neighbors. But someone had already thoroughly searched the house even before the police arrived. Finding anything useful now would rely entirely on luck.

Qiu Tian surveyed the scene and found nothing of value. There was no sign of a struggle, indicating the intruders were professionals, capable of subduing Zhang Hui before she could react. Furthermore, being able to remove Zhang Hui without arousing any suspicion from the neighbors, leaving no trace of her whereabouts, was beyond the capabilities of ordinary robbers or thugs.

Qiu Tian passed through the door connecting the living room and garage. Zhang Hui’s silver Ford station wagon sat silently in the garage. Using a flashlight, Qiu Tian meticulously inspected both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, finding nothing as expected. She took a laptop from her backpack and connected it to the Ford’s data port via a cable, downloading the vehicle’s driving history.

Zhang Hui’s last recorded outing began with a visit to a large supermarket in the south of the city, followed by a trip to the intersection of Lauderdale Road and Addison Road in the east. Qiu Tian consulted a map. The location was in the suburbs, bordering Maryland, and Zhang Hui had parked at a gas station.

Qiu Tian checked online gas prices. The station Zhang Hui visited charged only two cents less per gallon than stations near Malcolm Street. It seemed illogical to drive across the city to save two cents, considering the fuel consumption of the round trip. Qiu Tian decided to investigate the gas station in person, to see what the attraction was.

When Qiu Tian arrived at the gas station at the intersection of Lauderdale Road and Addison Road, it was past 9 PM. She filled up her car and entered the convenience store. She initially intended to ask the station attendants if they had seen Zhang Hui six days prior, but noticed a police missing person poster for Zhang Hui taped to the counter. She deduced that the police had already obtained Zhang Hui’s vehicle history and investigated the location, so she refrained from asking about her, purchasing two bottles of water before leaving.

Qiu Tian parked her car on the side of the road outside the gas station and surveyed the surroundings. This was a major thoroughfare leading to Maryland. Driving another four miles would take you out of Washington D.C. and into Maryland. The area had no residents or businesses; the gas station was the most bustling place nearby.

Approximately 800 meters from the gas station, the faint glow of neon lights caught Qiu Tian’s attention: a pawn shop, First Pawn.

Could the “First Pawn” have been Zhang Hui’s true destination? Perhaps she sensed danger and deposited important items, or even intelligence, with them? That would be a discreet and intelligent move. But the pawn shop was closed, and tonight, there would be no answers.

The owner of First Pawn was a hardworking man, opening from 10 AM to 4 PM, but arriving at the shop by 9:30 AM. Despite its remote location, First Pawn benefited from its seclusion. Customers who preferred to remain discreet and didn’t want to be seen at downtown pawn shops were happy to patronize it. As a result, Aliero Lorenzo’s business was consistently good, with a wide variety of high-value items. Few who came to pawn or bargain left disappointed.

As a pawnshop owner, Aliero Lorenzo had his principles. He welcomed legitimate business, wouldn’t refuse gray-market transactions, but steered clear of outright illegal dealings unless introduced by a trusted contact. After all, running a business alone wasn’t easy. He needed to balance relationships with both sides of the law and appease various influential figures, otherwise, it would be difficult to survive in this line of work, let alone make a profit.

First Pawn’s location had previously been a car repair shop. When the business failed, Aliero took over the premises and converted the garage into a pawnshop with minimal expense. The property had a large yard, convenient parking, and the shop itself was spacious. There was no display window, only a large door, which was protected by a steel roll-down gate. This allowed vehicles to drive directly inside for discreet transactions, adding an extra layer of security.

Seeing the young Asian woman step through the door, Aliero Lorenzo said coldly, “Ten o’clock!”

“Dude, I just have a few questions.”

“You’ve come to the wrong place!”

Qiu Tian smiled and entered the pawn shop, walking up to Aliero Lorenzo and pointing to the police missing person poster pasted on the door. “Has this woman been in your shop? Within the last seven days?”

Aliero Lorenzo put down the electric guitar he had been carefully polishing, glared at Qiu Tian, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and wafted the scent of marijuana into her nostrils. “I buy and sell goods, not information about people!”

“Dude, the police have clearly been here. I’m not a cop. I just want to know if she came here, what she pawned, where those items are, and who else was here.” Qiu Tian didn’t mind Aliero Lorenzo’s rudeness.

Aliero Lorenzo sighed, left behind the counter, and deliberately took a shiny Ruger GP100 revolver from the display case, polishing it as he said, “You ask too many questions! You better disappear while I’m still in a good mood!”

“I won’t feel good about leaving without answers,” Qiu Tian replied.

“Not my problem!” Aliero Lorenzo waved the revolver and pointed toward the door. He didn’t take the young woman seriously, viewing her as a troublesome busybody who wouldn’t listen to reason.

“Put that toy away, it’s unloaded.”

Qiu Tian’s dismissive attitude instantly enraged Aliero Lorenzo. He lowered the gun, placed it back in the display case, slammed the glass door shut, and swung his thick right arm at Qiu Tian, narrowing his eyes. “I don’t need a gun, this alone can kill you! Get out!”

“I respect your confidence, but I’ve never heard of a sausage being able to kill anyone.”

Aliero Lorenzo glared at Qiu Tian, taking a few deep breaths to compose himself, then launched a powerful jab at her face. Qiu Tian ducked and twisted, avoiding the punch, then leapt forward, scissoring her legs around Aliero Lorenzo’s neck. Using his momentum against him, she brought him crashing to the ground. She grabbed his right wrist with both hands, twisted his arm behind his back, and firmly pinned his neck with her right knee. Aliero Lorenzo gurgled in his throat, his voice growing weaker until he lost consciousness.

Aliero Lorenzo awoke to find the shop door closed and the steel roll-down gate lowered. His red Ford Mustang had been driven inside, the engine hood reflecting the overhead lights in a dazzling pattern. He tried to sit up, but quickly realized his hands and feet were bound, his body suspended from the ceiling by his wrists. He could barely move on his own.

Seeing that Aliero Lorenzo was awake, Qiu Tian pointed to his Mustang. “Nice car. I parked it inside so no one would know you’d arrived.”

Aliero Lorenzo’s veins bulged on his forehead and neck. “You better kill me, or I’ll kill you.”

“Alright,” Qiu Tian shrugged. “I’ll kill you then, but it will take some time. Just hang in there, it’ll all pass.”

Aliero Lorenzo regretted his carelessness. As a pawnshop owner, he wasn’t someone to be trifled with, but he had clearly underestimated the young woman. She had ambushed him, and now he found himself in a decidedly passive situation. He struggled to think of a way to regain control.

Qiu Tian calmly searched the shop, stopping in front of a row of tactical knives. She admired them, selecting one and turning it over in her hands, holding it up to the light and testing the sharpness of the blade. Then she walked towards Aliero Lorenzo, who was hanging suspended in mid-air.

Qiu Tian sized him up and used the tactical knife to transform his jeans into shorts. She then ran the blade lightly over his thick-haired legs, wiping away the few stray denim fibers that clung to it. Aliero Lorenzo’s muscles clenched, then relaxed.

“The knife’s good. I see you have a lot of nice things here,” Qiu Tian remarked.

“Just kill me already!” Aliero Lorenzo wasn’t even sure if he meant it, but he had to maintain a show of force. It was the only thing he could do at the moment.

“Of course. But, as I said, it will take some time.” Qiu Tian swiftly slashed two cuts across Aliero Lorenzo’s left knee, then patiently waited for him to stop screaming.

“Your patella has dislocated. I think you know what that is – your kneecap. Don’t worry, modern medicine can help you relocate it. Just be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your patella with you.”

The excruciating pain reminded Aliero Lorenzo that this young woman wasn’t as ordinary as she seemed. Beneath her gentle exterior lay a body that was unpredictable and dangerous. Having dealt with both sides of the law for years, he was certain of one thing: this woman was a highly skilled professional. She appeared to be an unremarkable girl next door, but once she struck, it was a fatal blow. He realized that achieving his goal – his death – would be impossible until she had accomplished hers.

Before Aliero Lorenzo could fully process what was happening, Qiu Tian slashed two more cuts across his right knee, just as cleanly as before.

“No need for an explanation this time. Still the patella. You understand.” Qiu Tian tapped his right ankle with the tactical knife. “This is the anklebone. Dislocating a foot is more complicated than dislocating a kneecap. But it’s okay, we have time.”

Aliero Lorenzo completely broke down. He abandoned his pride and stubbornness, sobbing and pleading, “She came, she was here!”

Qiu Tian tapped his ankle again, pressing, “What did she pawn?”

“A watch, a Casio G-Shock.”

“Where is the watch?”

“Someone redeemed it!”

“Who?”

“I don’t know him, a man. He had a pawn slip and paid the amount.”

“How can I find him?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t know! I only recognize the slip and the money. I don’t ask about anything else.” Aliero Lorenzo defended himself, his voice frantic.

This time, Aliero Lorenzo hadn’t told the complete truth. He did only recognize the pawn slip and the money. The MR-G series watch was in excellent condition and could have easily fetched $3,000. He had only offered $500, and the woman had accepted without haggling. Although the pawn slip stated a redemption price of $500 plus a 30% fee, the man had given him $5,000 and a bullet, instructing him never to reveal anything about the woman or the watch to anyone, not even the police.

Aliero Lorenzo was now struggling to calculate the costs. He hadn’t revealed any information to the police, and they hadn’t pressed him, but repairing two dislocated kneecaps would cost far more than the $5,000 he’d received. The bullet hadn’t killed him yet, but this strange young woman was very likely to end his life today, saving him the expense of the medical bills. Whether he’d profited or lost with the $5,000 – or, more accurately, the $4,500 – was a thoroughly muddled account.

Qiu Tian ignored Aliero Lorenzo’s explanation and ran a cut along his shinbone. The thickly haired skin of his right leg, from knee to ankle, immediately parted, revealing the wound. He couldn’t see it himself, but felt a sharp sting, followed by a rush of warmth spreading down his calf, soaking into his shoe, pooling around his foot, and slowly turning cold. He knew it was blood—a lot of blood.

“Stop! Stop! I know his license plate number, I saw it!” Aliero Lorenzo gritted out.

“So?”

“I was afraid the man would come back, so I asked a friend at the police department to check the car. It was a rental, a small company, not far from here, at 30 Master Street in Nokesville, Virginia, Speedy Rentals.”

“And?”

“That’s it!” Aliero Lorenzo shouted. “Believe me, I didn’t dare pursue that man any further. This has nothing to do with me. He gave me money and a bullet, do you understand?! I don’t want to die!”

“What do I need to ensure your silence after I leave? Or should I help you keep silent right now?”

Aliero Lorenzo shook his head frantically. “Don’t kill me, I promise I won’t say a word. I know the rules. As long as you don’t kill me, I promise! I have a photo of that G-Shock MR-G on my computer, and I also have its serial number. I’ll give it all to you!”

Qiu Tian released Aliero Lorenzo, kicking him lightly as he lay on the floor groaning. “Quiet! Your patella is fine. You just need stitches. You need a doctor. But if I come back, you’ll need a priest.”

---

Truth drips slowly in the places light cannot reach.

§ The Alphabet Series §

§ Miss Qiu Series §

§ Stand Alone §