Niu Zhiqiang** was a veteran police officer. He stood in front of the door to Wen Chao's bedroom and sighed. He was not looking forward to this but it was his job and if it helped get that bastard off the streets, he could do it. He had two younger officers with him. Old enough to be experienced and young enough to help move the furniture.

"Okay, let's do this."

He opened the door.

The room was a mess and reeked of stale sex. He couldn't help but cough.

"Let's open a window. We'll start at the bed and work our way out." he almost gagged. How could someone live in all this?

"Yes, sir." Cen Ming** covered his nose and headed toward the window. With a lot of effort, the window finally opened. The air seemed crystal clean in comparison to the stench of the room. Anything was better than the miasma currently clinging to everything.

Hong Yi** took the far side of the bed. They began by carefully shaking the red velveteen bedspread. Two used condoms fell out. Cen Ming gagged.

"When it gets to be too much, we'll take a break. Just don't throw up on anything. It could destroy evidence." Both men nodded at Niu Zhiqiang.

Systematically, the men stripped the bed. Sex toys, lube and a half eaten sandwich were found. The sandwich did in Hong Yi. It had mold on it. He barely made it to the bathroom.

A fifteen minute break later and they were back at it. Together, they lifted the mattress straight up and then put it in the hall way. The three men stared wide-eyed at the box springs before Nie Zhiqiang bellowed down the hallway.

"We need the photographer! Now!"

-----

Liu Tingyu was looking at the photograph of a sullen young man.

"This is the new gardner? Fai Duyi?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Madame hired him. Very unusual. In the past she hasn't cared who was hired as long as they could do the job and didn't annoy her. She brought this man to the house in her own car. Unheard of." Chang Bingwen commented.

Liu Tingyu took a photo of the picture and sent it to the day secretary of the department.

'Please see if this man is in our databases. Currently going by name of Fai Duyi. Most likely an alias. Additional information attached. Thank you.' and the email was sent.

"Is there a room I can use to start talking to your staff?" she asked the butler.

"If you don't mind using this room, it is quiet and comfortable." Chang Bingwen said. "This is actually my office. You'll have easy access to the files if you choose."

"That would be lovely! You are too kind, Chang Bingwen. Your efforts are much appreciated." Liu Tingyu's smile was completely genuine. Chang Bingwen smiled back. It was nice to feel like his efforts had value.

Madame Yu only found fault and screamed when something went wrong even if it had been an accident. The woman was a nightmare but jobs were hard to come by so he did his best and enjoyed a glass of plum wine most nights.

Just to ease the day into perspective of course.

"Come, let's go back to your people. Who is the most timid? They will most likely be uncomfortable waiting." she asked conversationally.

Chang Bingwen marveled at this police officer who cared about people she had never met. It just wasn't a part of his world. Damn, he needed a new job.

"There is a young maid. Mostly cleans. She is usually nervous, anxious. She will be the one most likely to be panicking." he said thoughtfully.

"Then let's begin with her. By the time she gets back, there will be tea which will be soothing." Liu Tingyu was a clever woman. If the most shy amongst them came back saying it wasn't that bad, the others would relax. Relaxed people tended to reveal much more information.

The formal dining room was full with staff members who sat stiff and uncomfortable. They looked anxiously as the police office and the butler returned.

"Will you please call her?" she whispered to the butler.

"Ye Xuan Tong**? Will you please follow the police officer?" Chang Bingwen announced.

A slender girl who looked possibly eighteen stood up slowly. She was already shaking.

Liu Tingyu smiled. "There is no reason to be afraid. We will have tea and talk for a few moments. Come."

The scared girl wove her way through the assorted folding chairs until she was by the officer. She looked at her shoes.

"Can we have a pot of tea in the butler's office. We'll need several cups at a time. Thank you." she spoke to a passing officer.

"Of course, ma'am. Tea is already being prepared and should be there soon."

"Thank you." She turned back to the young woman.

"Please, follow me." and she headed off with the reluctant maid in tow.

-----

Nie Mingjue had heard the bellow for the photographer and had followed the man. The three officers he had assigned to Wen Chao's bedroom were just standing around the box springs. Staring at it.

As he got closer, he understood why.

The surface was almost covered. Pictures, thumb drives, envelopes, a hard drive back up, cds and even what appeared to be a bound ledger were laid out haphazardly. It looked like a bizarre puzzle.

Nie Mingjue pulled out his phone and took a picture. He texted it to Nie Huaisang.

'Your profilers weren't kidding about keeping things close. Found this under Wen Chao's mattress. Holy shit, Di-di...'

He hit send.

-----

Liu Tingyu smiled at the young woman. "I know you are nervous but you will do just fine. I already know your name..." she typed it into her lap top. "Yu Xuan Tong... May I have your address, please?"

She smiled at her like she did her second youngest grandson. He was a shy child too.

It took a few stuttering attempts before Yu Xuan Tong managed to get her basic information out.

"Thank you. Have you - ah tea! Thank goodness! I think we could both use a cup." After a brief thank you for the officer bringing it, she poured and passed a cup over to Yu Xuan Tong.

A sip. "Ah, I needed that!" the officer said quietly. She enjoyed the top-of-the-line jasmine tea while watching the young woman before her. Her shaking was subsiding.

"My dear? I was wondering if there had been anything that seemed unusual lately?" Another sip. "A request or an event perhaps?" It was in the same tone she used when asking her neighbor about her garden - comfortable and casual.

The girl was thinking. "W-well, Madame told me not to enter her office. Said she had a project she didn't want disturbed. She would tell me when she wanted the room cleaned. Until then we were all to stay out."

She looked at Liu Tingyu. "I-is that what you meant?"

"Exactly what I meant. Thank you. Was there anything else?" she asked with definite tones of encouragement.

"Not that I can think of, ma'am." They sat for a moment and continued to enjoy their tea.

"Have you noticed her coming and going at odd hours, maybe?" Another sip.

"I come to work very early. Four in the morning. She has come home several times lately around five. Very late for Madame." she answered between her own sips. An attentive eye noticed the girl's shoulders had dropped into a more relaxed position.

"My goodness, that's quite late. She obviously has more energy than me!" Liu Tingyu laughed.

Yu Xuan Tong gave her a shy smile. "Madame is very busy with her business and her social activities."

"It sounds like it! Well, I think that is everything for the moment, dear. I appreciate your willingness to speak to me." The smile was kind. Not something Yu Xuan Tong was used to from women in positions of authority.

"Thank you, ma'am." Her smile was a bit stronger.

"If you'll follow this officer back to the dining room, I'll be there in a moment to get the next person." She told the young woman who nodded and left.

As soon as she left, Liu Tingyu was on her comm unit. "Is anyone in the office yet?"

There was dead silence.

"I am on my way there." At a brisk pace, she headed for the office while slipping gloves on.

Slowly opening the door, she peered in. Nothing immediately came into view that could be considered a 'project'. She flipped on the lights. One focused a soft light onto the desk at the far end of the room. Liu Tingyu looked at the desk with a confused tilt of her head.

"What the hell...?" as she realized what was on the table, she was suddenly very glad she wasn't in charge of the arresting team. This woman was insane.

She pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Inspector? You need to see this."
~♡~♡~♡~

Niu Zhiqiang played Sect Master Yao.

Cen Ming played Hong Yi. 😏

Ye Xuan Tong played Jiang Yanli as a child.

Thank you to everyone for their well wishes on my anniversary! We had a lovely time!

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and got the chance to eat some chocolate!!

Drink tea. Smile. Repeat!

❤️🍫🫖❤️