Devoted to You

Interviews

   The next morning, Chen Yu heads into the station rubbing at a bite mark on the side of his neck. He doesn't want to play favorites, so he sent Gu Wei in ahead. He sees a group of six people seated near his desk, Gu Wei and Xinger among them. Wu Zhen Feng and Xi both look at him and then Gu Wei, frowning.

"Well, since everyone is here, let's get started. I know some of you need to get to work, we'll start with you." Chen Yu says, placing his jacket on the back of his chair.

"Uhm, wait. Isn't someone missing?" The janitor asks, looking confused.

"What?" Chen Yu, Wu Zhen Feng, and Xi all ask.

"Uhm, the orderly Tang. He had been leaving the room as I was going in to clean." The man says, scratching his chin. "So, shouldn't he be here too?" Chen Yu nods and places a call.

"Alright. While we wait, who'd like to go first?" Chen Yu asks, looking at the nervous little crowd. He wonders, could one of these people really be a killer?

"Uhm, I need to be to work in about an hour, Detective sir." The janitor says frowning.

"Alright. Let's head back to an interview room sir." Chen Yu says, nodding at the older man.

"Interview three A'Yu." Wu Zhen Feng says, nodding.

                                                                            *   *   *

   Chen Yu is sitting across from the janitor. He cocks his head, studying the man closely. He's nervous, but it's unclear why.

"You seem, anxious." Chen Yu says, crossing his arms and giving a stern look.

"Honestly, I'm scared to death sir." The man says, wringing his hands. He's in his mid-fifties and slightly plump. His greying hair is standing on end, from him repeatedly running a nervous hand through it. He sighs and sits up straighter. "I, I was a little nervous about coming here. I mean, I could be here with a killer!" His eyes widen and he trembles slightly. "So, I, I took something not quite legal to calm my nerves." He confesses and blinks at Chen Yu's unsuppressed chuckle.

"Relax." Chen Yu grins, leaning back in his chair and looking the man over again. "Lucky for you, I left drug enforcement last year. I'm more concerned about the homicides happening in your workplace."

"Wait. Homicides? As in, plural?" The man flinches and bites his lip.

"So, I'd just like to go over that day with you. See if you've remembered anything else." Chen Yu sees the man is about to have a full blown panic attack and he slides a card across the table. "Also, if you notice anything unusual at work, you can call me immediately." The man reaches out a trembling hand and sighs in relief taking the card. "So, Mr. Lee, what do you remember?"

"Uhm, that fella seemed to be... a little out of it." Mr. Lee begins, Chen Yu pouring him a cup of water and passing it to him with a focused expression. "I got the call for, a deep clean up." He pulls a disgusted face and shakes his head. "Anyway, I was just about to open the door after knocking, but the knob turned and Tang hurried out. He looked embarrassed. I figured the mess in room got to him, he's still young and he hasn't been working at the hospital long." He notices a strange look wash over Chen Yu's face, but he thinks back hard. "Uhm, when I went into the room, it looked like the patient was sleeping peacefully. I hurried to clean the room and didn't pay much attention to anything else. The old man started to groan as I was leaving room and I went back to see if he was okay. Seemed he was having a hard time waking up. I figured it was a bad dream and told him he's safe. He settled back and I left." He sighs, tears springing to his eyes. "I told him he was safe. I lied to him." The tears begin to fall and Chen Yu passes Mr. Lee a tissue.