Red Light

Blink

Wu Hoayu mechanically loaded the cd into the tray and pushed it in. His eyes were red rimmed. Gritty. His jaw had patchy stubble scattered on it.

He hadn't slept since he had watched the video.

He had nodded off twice and woke himself trying to scream both times.

The nightmare was crushing.

Brutal.

His shift had been over hours ago but he couldn't face the silence of his apartment. The emptiness would consume him.

So, he worked. It wasn't like he didn't have enough to do. The department was overloaded between the evidence from the Mattress Stash and everyday work flowing in.

He kept drinking coffee and hoped it would keep him going. So he didn't have to sleep. Didn't have to think about what he had seen. Didn't have to watch the video play in his head over and over. Didn't have to feel everything. The huge knot in his chest that throbbed. Sorrow. Pain. Anger. Horror. Grief. It swirled through him. Threatened to swamp him.

All for Mo Xuanyu. A man he had never met. Never could meet.

He jumped when Jiang Cheng burst through his door.

"Are you Wu Hoayu?"

"Y-yes." He stuttered for a second as he looked at the bruised man. "Can I help you, Inspector?"

"We caught him."

Wu Hoayu blinked.

"Jin Zixun. We caught him at the airport. He is under arrest and is being processed as we speak." Jiang Cheng said with a lopsided smile.

Another blink.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jiang Cheng's smile faded.

"Yes, I - yes. Thank you. I -" The man covered his face with trembling hands for a moment. Lifting his head, he looked at Jiang Cheng.

"You really got him?" His voice begged for reassurance.

"We did. All because you went out on a limb and did some great work. I have no doubts he would have done it again. Well done, officer." Jiang Cheng wasn't sure what was going on but, after the past few days, he understood a bit more about needing a little support. 

"Thank you, sir." Wu Hoayu said with a wisp of a smile. "Glad I could help."
-----

When Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan arrived at the private room, they found all three occupants asleep. Yanli gently adjusted their blankets under the fond gaze of her husband. Quietly, they exited the room. A soft click and the door shut.

"Officers, we'll return soon. No more than two hours. Please, allow them to sleep." Yanli said with a smile. "You have my number?"

"Yes, ma'am. We'll call you when they wake." The officers had marveled at the difference between their gruff, bellowing, irritable boss and his warm, kind, charming sister.

"Thank you. Where is Detective Lan, please?"

Jin Zixuan stiffened. He had a few things to say to the detective.

"Here." A voice said down the hall.

Marching forward, he headed for Lan Wangji.

"You! Don't ever threaten my brother again. Do you understand?" The words were shoved out. Stiff. Loud.

Seeing Lan Wangji rekindled his anger, shame and fear.  They roiled in his chest. Jin Zixuan had no idea how to deal with it.

"You had no right!"