The Poisoned Pen: A Guardian Story

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Final Preparations

It turned out that Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng had accompanied the three men that would be setting up camp at the Shen residence, and Zhao Yunlan was thankful for it.  Whilst he knew he had no reason to distrust his old friend's colleagues, it was still comforting to see a couple of familiar faces alongside them, and it showed how seriously the police were taking the threat.

He glanced across to Shen Wei, who was sitting on the sofa in the drawing room looking serene and composed.  However, he knew that beneath the surface, the man must be going through emotional hell. Wanting nothing more than to sit down next to the writer and comfort him, he resisted the temptation, and instead focussed on the issue at hand.

"I don't think the grounds need to be patrolled constantly during the day unless Shen Wei is outside," he said.

"I agree," one of the police officers spoke up, "but it would be better if Mr Shen did not go outside at all."

The detective shot a quick glance at the author and saw his jaw twitch.

"Not an option," he countered.  "He needs access to the gardens.  We can restrict it to an hour or so in the afternoon with two people close by, but no less than that."

"Fine," Chu Shuzhi conceded, as Shen Wei aimed a small, grateful smile in Zhao Yunlan's direction.  "But no visitors to the property other than those on the pre-approved list, and that includes deliveries."

"Acceptable," Yunlan confirmed.

The rest of the morning followed much the same formula, with the permanent residents of the house and the new arrivals eventually arriving at a truce that combined the highest level of protection with the need to prevent Shen Wei from feeling like a prisoner in his own home.

Finally alone while Chu and his men were setting up their equipment in the sitting room allocated to them, the detective and the writer retreated to the latter's study.

"How are you holding up?" Zhao Yunlan asked, the concern evident on his face.

"I'm fine," Shen Wei replied, wearily.  "I don't like it but I know that it's necessary.  I just think that maybe..." his words tailed off and he looked down.

Seeing a flush start to creep across the author's face, Yunlan stepped closer.

"What is it, Wei?  You know you can tell me anything."

"I think that maybe we shouldn't sleep together in the same room while the police are here."  The younger man's words came out in a rush and he turned away from the detective so as not to show his obvious embarrassment.  However, Zhao Yunlan was not deterred.

"Nonsense," he said.  "I haven't waited this long for you to accept me only for us to be separated now.  We're spending every moment we can together, and that's all there is to say about it."

"But Yunlan," Shen Wei reasoned, "we won't be separated.  Not really.  I will only be down the hall."

"Nope.  Not happening.  You're moving into my bedroom with me and that's final."

"Why aren't you going to stay with me in mine, then?"

"Because we have to assume that the stalker probably knows which room is yours.  We need to change routine."

The writer did not protest any further.  It was frustrating to let Zhao Yunlan win yet another argument, but his words made sense.  And anyway, being honest, it wasn't really much of a sacrifice.  He gave a brief nod, then suddenly found himself being pulled into a strong embrace as the detective thanked him for his understanding in his own way, leaving the younger man gasping for breath and struggling with a sudden weakness in his knees.