Red Light

Morning Part 2

Liu Tingyu was at her desk at eight sharp. Last night she had gotten home after eleven, dragged herself into the shower and fell into bed.

She was working on her second cup of coffee with a shot of espresso in it.

'Blessing of the Gods.' she smiled to herself as the hot coffee warmed her belly. The smile disappeared as she glanced at the manilla envelope on her desk. It held the pictures she'd promised the Inspector yesterday. For once, the photographer seemed to realize how important her request was and the pictures were ready without a fight.

Another swallow of coffee and she grabbed the envelope. A knock on the inspector's door and she entered. No inspector. He hadn't been there either. No Coke cans on his desk. It was the first thing he did upon arriving. Open his first Coke of the day. He might leave the cans during the day but he always cleared his desk at night. No cans, no Inspector.

Concerned, she headed for the department secretary. That man knew every tidbit of gossip in the department and was more than willing to share.

"Excuse me but where's the Inspector?"

"Spent the night in the hospital."

"He what?!? Why? Is he okay? Why didn't you tell me when I came in, you ridiculous little man!" Liu Tingyu didn't get angry often but when she did, everyone knew to watch out.

"I'm sorry! I should have! I - " the secretary babbled.

"Stop groveling this instant. You are a police officer. Have some dignity. Now, what happened?"

"Sergeant?" Zheng Fan Xing spoke up. "I was with him last night. He's okay. He fell asleep while they were bandaging him and the doctor said she'd take care of him."

Liu Tingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

"What happened?" she repeated calmer. "Why was he being bandaged?"

"There was a call. Three men forced a condo door and hauled out the owner. We caught two of them but it was after a chase. One of them jumped the Inspector." Zheng Fan Xing's eyes were shining as he recounted the events.

"Inspector Jiang fought with him and laid him out flat! The guy lost two teeth! Looks absolutely awful with bruises all over. The Inspector took him down hard! When he was done and handcuffed the perp, I took him  to the ER because I was worried the Inspector's nose was broken. It wasn't and he was just exhausted. Our Inspector is the best." The crowd that had gathered to hear the story nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Thank you, Fan Xing. Everyone, criminals aren't going to catch themselves. Do our Inspector proud and go back to work." the Sergeant announced.

As the crowd dispersed, she walked to her desk lost in thought. She was caught between being proud of him and worried about him. After the last two days, she wasn't sure which Diety Jiang Cheng had angered but she was definitely going to burn incense for him.

And make him a batch of honey cookies.
-----

Nie Huaisang was sitting in his car. He had walked by the river for a bit but the place was unnerving. He had retreated to his car to await the evidence team and the diver.

He sipped at the remains of his caramel latte and turned pieces of the puzzle in his mind. Looking for where pieces fit, patterns in the picture.

He would have to work on it this afternoon. Right after he got the kid out of the police station and somewhere safe.

Motion to his right caught his attention. It was Song Lan and his partner, Xiao Xingchen pulling in. Huaisang liked them. They worked well together. The times he had employed them, the information had been accurate and impeccably documented.