Chapter 61

Chapter 61

The sound of the waves crashing on the rock fills the study.  Inside, everyone is apprehensive.

Chills are running down Jian Yao’s spines.  After a few seconds, she tells everyone: “Jenny, is my English name.”

Everyone is astonished.  Even Anam raises his head in shock.  

Bo Jinyan looks at her too.  His eyes look cold as ice.

“What are you nervous about?” He says flatly.

Everyone looks at each other.  Bo Jinyan looks at Jian Yao in the eyes: “He is just saying Hello.  It’s the only thing he will be able to do to you.”

———————-

Ten minutes later.

Bo Jinyan is standing with his hands in the pockets of his trousers.  Jian Yao is inside one of the police vehicles.  The technicians are putting on a tracking device on her.  They also fit a small microphone on her shirt collar.  Two officers are standing guard beside the vehicle.  

Bo Jinyan knew how to break ‘his’ code. He was doing the calculations in his head as the computer was analysing the data.  He got the results a split second before it was shown on screen. 

He just feels an anger building up inside of him.  

“’He’ thinks ‘he’ is able to provoke him?  It only takes him seconds to completely calm down.

Say hello to Jenny. 

He already knows what “he” wants to do next.

Every time “he” says hi, it means someone will be killed.

So “his” next step is to hurt the person that matters most to Jian Yao.

But Bo Jinyan is going to keep it a secret from Jian Yao for now.  If she knows about it, she will be worried sick for her family and friends.  

An officer runs up to Bo Jinyan: “Professor, we have made contact with the Tung City.  We’ve also talked to Jian Yao’s mother and sister.  The police will be protecting them.” 

Bo Jinyan nods.  Then he asks: “What about the guy called Li Xunran?  

The office replies: “Oh, he is an officer himself.  He is currently out of town.  We haven’t been able to get hold of him yet. This morning, a firework factory in the suburbs of Tung City had an explosion.  There’s no casualties, so the local police didn't report the incident to Ministry of Public Securities.  But the latest updates show they found a small amount of flesh residue at the scene.  They are currently analysing if it belongs to animals or human….”

——————

 After all the necessary devices have been fitted and tested, Jian Yao sits in another police car with a pen and a piece of paper, deep in thought.

The sky is dark.  It’s getting harder to see what’s outside the car.  The two officers assigned to protect Jian Yao is still standing next to the car she is in.  This is a request of Bo Jinyan.  From now on, they will be protecting her around the clock.  

Jian Yao looks around.  She sees Bo Jinyan standing outside the front door of the villa.  He looks like he is giving the officer some instructions. 

Everyone was startled when they saw “his” statement.  He was the only one that remained calm and collected, as if he is completly not affected by ‘his’ provocations.  But his gaze looks even colder than usual.  

He is angry.  But he hides it well.  

If Bo Jinyan is with her, she has nothing to fear.

He is walking towards her.

Jian Yao is sitting at the backseat.  He opens the door and sits beside her.  His short hair is a little messed up by wind.  

“Are you feeling better?” He asks

Jian Yao smiles at him.  Under the lights, her eyes sparkles.  Her smooth skin has a nice glow too.  

“Yes, I have calmed down for a while now.” She answers: “You are right.  I can’t stop others from greeting me.”

Bo Jinyan gives an approving smile.  He looks at the pen and paper on her lap: “How’s the profiling coming along?”

The profile Bo Jinyan refers to is “him”.  He has passed the task to her. At least, to give it a go.

Jian Yao replies: “I have some ideas.”

Bo Jinyan looks at her.  His hands are resting on his knees.  He is extremely relaxed. To her, it feels like the master is waiting for a rookie’s first performance.  

Jian Yao decides to ignore his expression.  She starts: 

“So far, Lin Yi Yang has the highest possibility of being ‘him’.  But we can’t draw any conclusions yet.  

I asked Anam to give me everything he can find on Lin Yi Yang.  During the Killer Machine case, Lin Yi Yang was overseas.  Then for the rest of the cases, we don’t know where he was at the time.  But that is not important.  As he might have an assistant.”

Bo Jinyan nods.

Jian Yao continues: “He is from a rich family, but his childhood was not necessarily a happy one.  His father has several mistresses.  He was sent to boarding school for his high school years.  He was once in trouble with the police over some driving offences.  But that’s quite typical of a lot of rich young man.  So that’s not much for us to work on.”

Bo Jinyan smiles: “This Anam is fairly useful after all.  It’s not easy to dig out people’s love affairs.”

Jian Yao nudges his arm: “So, occasionally you have to encourage him.  It helps build relationship. If you guys work together, it will speed up the investigation.”

Bo Jinyan gives her a noncommittal look.  He keeps quiet.  

Jian Yao asks: “What are your thoughts on Lin Yi Yang?”

Bo Jinyan puts his hands behind his head and leans back: “I agree with you.  He might be a criminal, but yet he might be a victim too.  It’s hard to tell at this point.”  

Right from the start, all the clues are deliberately left by ‘him’.  Perhaps he led us to Lin Yin Yang.  It’s part of his plan.  We don’t know yet.  Perhaps Lin Yi Yang is just another Jiang Hao, a scapegoat to divert our attention.” 

Now she understands why the old officers that come to them for assistance always have a look of desolation on their faces.   Even someone as smart as Bo Jinyan cannot predict crimes in advance. It’s not possible to protect everyone.  

This man, whether he is someone that has no regards for human lives, or he is the notorious Flower Cannibal, or a wealthy young man with split personality….

“We must catch the bastard.”  She turns and tells Bo Jinyan.

“Nonsense.”  He replies.

Jian Yao is not angry at his response.  Instead, she laughed.

Bo Jinyan asks again: “Let’s get back to the point.  What conclusions have you come up with about ‘him’?”

Jian Yao thinks about all the information and impressions she has on ‘him’.  Like Bo Jinyan says, all the clues are deliberately left behind by him.They really don’t have much to work on.  And he knows a lot about criminal psychology.  But based on the little information they have, Jian Yao has come up with the following: 

“Let’s put aside the possibility of whether ‘he’ is Lin Yi Yang, and profile him as a stranger - 

Firstly, the man who kissed Yin Ziqi is around your age. So… between 25 to 35 years old, tall.  Not too fat or thin.  Smart and strong organisational skills.  I suspect he has a history of crimes, perhaps he’s never been caught out, but he definitely has a lot of experience in the area.  

And of course he needs to be wealthy, to fund all his crimes.  

From a personality perspective, he is puffed up with conceit. He doesn’t seem to be releasing any emotions through his crimes.  As far as I can tell, he has no feelings or regards for anyone, except for you.  He looks upon the crimes as a game.  A game with you.

What is his motive?  He does not attack you directly.  His aim… is to beat you?  Because he is Flower Cannibal No.1’s accomplice or follower?” 

“No.” Bo Jinyan lifts his head to look out the window: “I have worked out their relationship.”

“He is a spiritual mentor to Tommy.” 

Jian Yao: “….you mean … Tommy listens to him?”

Bo Jinyan nods: “The FBI and I originally thought Tommy worked alone because:

1. Serial killers like him generally like to work alone.  Working with others don’t fit their mental profile.  

2. In those six months, there were no traces of anyone else.

3. Tommy is a cunning criminal. He is fully capable of committing  all the crimes by himself.  So we never suspected there is another person involved.

But everything has exceptions. ‘He’ is extremely egotistic.  He won’t want to be under someone else, or even considered to an equal.  I think his mind control techniques are over and above Tommy’s.

Therefore it’s more likely he is an instructor to Tommy.  He influenced Tommy, not the other way around.

He is real Flower Cannibal.  Tommy should be ranked No.2.   As for his aim.  It’s obvious. His desire ‘to conquer' is much greater than ‘to revenge’.  Because I was the one who sent his protege to prison.

Jian Yao is worried: “What should we do next?”

Bo Jinyan thinks for a while.  He turns to look at her.

“Now that we know his motives, we can take proactive measures.  I will make a trip to the US, to talk to Tommy.  That’s where all the root knots lie.” He pauses: “But first, we need to go to Tong city.”

———————

Night. A few police cars are traveling on the road to Tong City.  There is no direct flight to Tung City, taking the road option will be the fastest.  

Jian Yao sits on the backseat of the car.  Bo Jinyan is next to her.  The two officers protecting her are sitting/driving in the front. Jian Yao is on the phone with her family, assuring them everything will be ok. 

After she hangs up, she gave a sigh.  She asks Bo Jinyan: “What about Li Xun Ran?  Will he be part of the team working with us?”

   

It’s not bright in the car.   The lack of light hides the gloomy look on Bo Jinyan’s face from Jian Yao.  He looks at Jian Yao and says calmly: “We can’t locate him yet.  He is working out of town.”

Jian Yao is a little concerned.  

Her hands are sweating.  She tries to call Li Xun Ran, but again, it goes straight to voicemail. 

She leaves a message for him: “Emergency situation.  Please call immediately.”

After that, she looks out of the window into the dark scenery outside for a while.  Bo Jinyan stretches out his hand to leans her to his chest.  

Jian Yao wraps her hands around his waist: “It should be ok. He always switches off his phone when he is working on a big case.”

“Umm..”  Bo Jinyan says.  

Nobody talks.  There is only the monotonous and repetitive sound of the engine.  

Suddenly, Jian Yao hears Bo Jinyan says: “I was threatened during the investigation of Flower Cannibal No.1.”

Jian Yao lifts her head to look at him. 

He continues: “I received some wrong information from an FBI agent.  I went after Tommy by myself.  The others were not there yet.  It’s an opportunity that will past quickly if I didn’t take it then.  It’s a street near a primary school.  Tommy blew up a school bus in front of me.  More than ten children died on the spot.  He asked me to put down my gun and get into his car, or else he will blow up the second bus.”  

It’s the first time he is sharing his experience with the Flower Cannibal with Jian Yao.  

“All the FBI staff, especially the analysts are told never to compromise with criminals.  But I compromised at the time.” 

Jian Yao tightens her hug: “Why are you telling me this now?” 

He looks down at her gently: “Because you need me now.”

    ——————————-

It’s 5a.m. when they arrives Tung City.  

Bo Jinyan and the team went straight to the site of the explosion.  Jian Yao went home under the protection of the two police officers.

She is relieved to see her mother and sister safe.  But of course they are very concerned.  Jian Xuan is asking a lot of questions.  As for Jian Yao’s mom, there are tears in her eyes, but otherwise, she looks calm.  She didn’t say much, just told Jian Yao to take care of herself.  Jian Yao feels bad for them.  She gives them a big long hug, and leaves.  

Her mother watches her leave the house.  After a long time staring at the door, she turns to Jian Xuan: “Your sister is just like your father.  Whatever they think it’s right, they will do…. I hope nothing happens to her.  Or else, what would your father think…”

—————————-

Jian Yao arrives the firework factory.  There are a lot of staffs there.  The area is cordoned off.  The place  looks like a war zone after fire.  There is ash and charred pieces of scraps everywhere.  

She walks up to the front gate and sees an older officer.  She recognises him: “Uncle Zhou, what’s the situation?”

The officer looks at her: “Jian Yao.  You are back.”

Jian Yao don’t have a good sense about this.  The officer is a tough man, an ex-colleague of her father.  But he has tears on his face right now.  

Jian Yao’s heart starts to sink.  Li Xun Ran!

She rushes in.  She sees a few more officers.  All of them are crying.  Bo Jinyan is standing amongst them, expressionless.

“Jian Yao.” He says to her: “I am sorry to have to tell you this.”

Jian Yao’s mind has gone blank.  An sickening feeling swells up inside of her as she hears Bo Jinyan says: “We have results from the DNA testing.  The flesh residue we found, belongs to Li Xun Ran.”

Jian Yao feels as if someone is stabbing her continuously.   Her body starts to shake.  Bo Jinyan steps forward and holds her in his arms.  

Tears stream down her face uncontrollably.  

Li Xun Ran…. Li Xun Ran?  

The cool and handsome Li Xun Ran? Her big brother from young?  Her best friend who helped match make her with Bo Jinyan?  The passionate and devoted police officer?  

She is speechless.  Everything around her seems to be spinning.  

Only Bo Jinyan’s familiar voice is coming through the vacuum she is in right now: “We didn’t find a suicide note.  Perhaps he couldn’t be controlled.  He is considered missing at this stage.  There is still hope.”

———————

Then Bo Jinyan’s phone has an incoming text.  He takes a look at it, then he calls out : “Anam!”

Anam runs over with his laptop.  He takes out more equipment from his backpack.  

On Bo Jinyan’s phone screen, there’s just a phrase - “Now it begins.”

    

Anam grabs the phone and connects it to his equipment.  He is trying to trace the origins of the message. He asks whilst his hands are busy: “His message.  What does it mean?”

Bo Jinyan pauses for a while, then answers: “Up until now, he is not committed any crime with his own hands. Even the arsonists case, we can connect him to it, but we have no direct evidence that he started the fires.”

He pauses again, then he continues: “But now, he is ready do it himself.”

Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Historically, there are a lot of cunning and cruel criminals that managed to escape the raid, yet exposed their identity under the least expected circumstances.  For example, Ted Bundy, the American serial killer was arrested after he failed to pull over for a routine traffic stop. In China, Yang Xinhai was stopped by police check points in an entertainment venue.  

Now, in front of Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao is a valuable clue that’s obtained in a similar fashion.

After lunch.  A quiet conference room.  

A few technicians from the Ministry of Public Security are analysing data they collected from the arsonists’ house.  One of the senior technicians explains: “Three of the five arsonists had computers at home.  We noticed that all of them have been hacked a few days before the fires.  All the data inside were wiped off by a virus sent by the hacker.  Not only were the computers, but the servers in the areas were attacked too.” 

Bo Jinyan stands behind them.  His long fingers taps the desk: “So, the internet cafes that are close to the two other arsonists’ houses were hacked too?”   He says coldly: “Internet.  This is the quickest way to source his victims.”  

Jian Yao says: “They are born all in the 70s.  People from this generation are usually technically proficient.”  She turns to Bo Jinyan: “We should add this to the profile: frequent users of the internet chat rooms and discussion forums.  It’s common for these middle aged men, who are not successful in their careers, to spend a lot of time online.” 

“You are right.” The senior technician is impressed with her analysis: “And we have a bonus. The data in one of the computers was not completely wiped off.”

The last arsonist, who is also the oldest of the five arsonists, is in better financial shape compared with the others.  The old computer he normally used was at the repair shop.  What the hacker wiped was his son’s laptop.

‘We traced the data back to an online discussion forum.  According to the company that runs the forum, their server was hacked around the same period as well.  But their firewall managed to block the hacker.  So we managed to retrieve the information that belonged to all five arsonists.  The results show that all of them had frequent contact with a particular ID account.”  The senior technician turned to a young man: “Anam, please show Professor Bo.”  

Anam looks like he is in his early twenties.  He wears a pair of glasses with a thin golden frame.   He turns the monitors towards them: “The name of the ID account is Ching Tian Gu Chi*  It uses an overseas proxy login, with a number of firewalls around it.  We are currently using a few different algorithms to crack his location.  

(* literal translation: the solitary notes/accounts of the clear sky)   

This is not a speciality of Bo Jinyan, he takes a look at Anam: “How long till we get the results?

Anam: “Approximately three minutes.”

Bo Jinyan has a satisfied smile on his face.  He pulls a chair over to sit next to Anam.  The others take a seat too.  Everyone is waiting anxiously.

“Ching Tian Gu Chi…” Bo Jinyan mocks: “What a narcissistic name.” 

Suddenly, all three computers flashes and turns into a blue screen!  Rows of data fills the screen, then there is an error message.  The original program is nowhere to be seen anymore. 

“What happened?” asks the senior technician. 

Anam frowns and looks at the machine.  They try typing on the keyboards but the computers are not responding.

Bo Jinyan says coldly: “Are we….. being attacked instead?”  Jian Yao’s heart tightens.  She taps his shoulder to remind him not to be too harsh to Anam.

The senior technician says to Anam: “Deal with this immediately.  If we lose this clue, we will be at a dead end.”

Anam, who has been silent since the computer started to play up, speaks calmly: “His safety system uses the  best technology  he can get his  hands on in the US.”

Everyone starts to worry, but then he continues faintly: “But it’s not the best in the world.”  Then his fingers start typing on the keyboard at a quick speed.  

In a few seconds, his screen flashes again, and rows of calculations re-appear on screen.  

The technicians are relieved.  Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan looks at Anam.  His hand is on the mouse. They hear around 10 clicks, then another set of numbers appear on screen.  He turns to look at Bo Jinyan.  His glasses reflect the lights from the computer screens: “I’ve got his address - didn’t take more than 3 minutes.”

Everyone is surprised.  The senior technician taps Anam’s shoulders.  He passes the information to the officers waiting outside.  

Bo Jinyan stands up.  He takes a glance at Anam: “The security system for the discussion forum. Is it designed by you?”

Anam has no expressions on his face.  He closes his laptop screen: “A small job I took on while studying in university.”

Bo Jinyan doesn’t say anything more.  He walks out of the conference room. Jian Yao looks at him.  Then she looks at the young man, Anam.  Then she walks out after Bo Jinyan.

————-

Half an hour later.  On a plane.

The address Anam identified is a villa in a seaside city.  The special team in charge of this case is taking the first available flight there.  They have informed the local police to work with them.

The plane is travelling through a clear blue sky.  Bo Jinyan has his sleep mask on.  He adjusts his seat so that he can lean back more comfortably.  His handsome face glowing from the rays coming through the cabin window.  He is holding Jian Yao’s hand.  His thumb gently rubbing the back of her hands.

Even in the midst of stressfulness and hard times, love brings a sense of peace to the situation.  When he is by your side, you heart is settled.  Even if you are in a dangerous place, you feel that together, you can face it with ease.

“Anam is a genius too.” Jian Yao says softly.

When they were in the conference room.  It was like watching two masters at work.  Jian Yao is glad to have another genius working with them in the team.

Bo Jinyan faintly repeats an important word: “Too?”

Jian Yao laughs: “Yes. Like you.”

Bo Jinyan looks disdainfully at Jian Yao: “Criminal psychology is an art.  Mathematical calculation is a skill.  How can you compare the two?”

Jian Yao: “……”

Man, can this man be more arrogant?

Then he says again: “Of course, he is one of the best amongst his field.  He should be very pleased to be working with me.”

Jian Yao asks: “Why is that?”

“Because I can help him maximise his value and live to his full potential.” He says: “Why shouldn’t he be happy?”

Jian Yao: “…..”

There are a lot of empty seats in the plane cabin.  Some of the others within the special team comes over to discuss the cases with Bo Jinyan.  

Jian Yao looks at Anam.  He is sitting quietly by himself in a window seat a few rows behind them.  He is reading something on his mobile phone.  Looks like he has no intention of joining the discussion.  

Mmmm… so is this what happens when two geniuses meet?  They simply ignore each other?

——————

 The private beach looks lovely in the setting sun.  A golden sheen covers the sand.  A cool sea breeze is blowing.

Several police cars are driving along the coastal highway. From afar, one can see a black and white villa.  It has a contemporary design, at the water’s edge.  There are a few police car in front of the property - the local police who arrived ahead of them.

“It’s a new dwelling.  There’s no registered owner yet.” says one of the officers.  “But to be able to build a villa like this, the person must be very rich.”

When Bo Jinyan’s police car arrives the car parking area of the villa, they see a person they don’t expect to see.

Yin Ziqi.

She is wearing a causal pair of cream colour track pants.  Her hair is tied up to a poly tail.  There are few people standing behind her.  They don’t look pleased either.  Jian Yao recognises them.  They are her assistant, secretary and two bodyguards.

“Welcome to K city.  Let’s keep this brief.” One of the local police is addressing the special team: “The owner of this villa is Lin Yi Yang, the deputy general manager of Feng Kai Group.  The lady over there is Ms. Yin Ziqi.  She is his fiancee.  When we arrived, she is already at the villa.”

Jian Yao is shocked.  Bo Jinyan walks overs to her.

When Yin Ziqi sees him, a concoction of emotions arises: surprise, joy, dependence, confusion, shock ......

“Jinyan.  What’s the matter?” She grabs hold of his shirt: “What’s happened to Yi Yang?”

Bo Jinyan asks her coldly: “Why are you here?”

“A few days ago, Yi Yang said he will be here to go sailing.  I am here on business.  I thought I’d join him.  He said he will be back today.”

Bo Jinyan is quiet for a moment: “I think you might need to prepare yourself.  He may never return.”

Yin Ziqi’s face turns pale.  Jian Yao is very quiet too.

He is right.  Whether it’s Lin Yi Yang is or is not the person behind the arson cases, he might never come back.” 

This is an unexpected turn of events.  Yin Ziqi’s finance is involved in this case?

Is ‘he’ someone close to them?

Yin Ziqi’s heart is very troubled. 

They have been together for five years.  Their relationship has been very steady.   Both of them regard each other as their future partner for marriage. It is very hard to accept Bo Jinyan’s words.  

She is not ignorant.  She knows that Bo Jinyan only gets involved with big cases.  She asks as streams of tear start to flow down her face: “So…. Yi Yang is murdered?”

Bo Jinyan asks the police to leave first, then he answers: “We are not sure.  Perhaps he is the killer.”

Yin Ziqi can’t believe what she is hearing: “What did you say?”

Bo Jinyan is looking at her without any expression on his face.  Jian Yao suddenly understands why he said that - he wanted to observe Yin Ziqi’s reaction.  He wants to know if she is hiding anything.

From what Jian Yao can tell, she doesn’t know anything about the case.  

Bo Jinyan has obviously reached a conclusion.  He softens his voice and says to his sister: “Don’t be sad.  I know you are a strong woman.  I will find him for you.  Dead or alive, I will bring him back.”

What was intended to be ‘words of comfort’ by Bo Jinyan is just making Yin Ziqi feel worse.  Jian Yao steps forward to console her: “Perhaps the situation is not as bad as we think.  Don’t worry. Just leave everything to Jinyan.”

Yin Ziqi does not reply to Jian Yao.  She takes out a packet of tissue.  After wiping her tears, she turns to ask Bo Jinyan again: “Tell me, what has happened?”

Bo Jinyan: “I don’t have time to explain.  The other police officers will fill you in the details.  I just need you to answer a question now.”

Yin Ziqi nods.

Bo Jinyan looks at her and says in a clear and slow voice: “Flower Cannibal No.2 kissed you.  And you have spent a lot of time with Lin Yin Yang.  Tell me.  Do you notice anything strange about your fiance?  Do they have any similarities?”

Yin Ziqi is shock to hear what Bo Jinyan is suggesting: “That’s impossible.  How could you….”

“Are you sure?” Bo Jinyan interrupts her: “Is there anything, no matter how small it seems, that you find unusual about him?”

“No!” This time, it’s Yin Ziqi that is cutting him off mid-sentence. 

“Jinyan.  Sure.  We are both very busy people.  I don’t know everything about him.  But you said it.  The Flower Cannibal kissed me before.  Would I confuse his kiss with my fiance’s kiss?”

——————

This is a typical rich man’s villa.  Luxurious, refined and elegant.  Especially the bedroom, and study, full of touches that reveals the masculinity of its owner.  In the middle of the bedroom hangs a large artist self portrait - half body, shirtless, muscular, and with a smile on his handsome face. 

Inside the study, Anam connects his laptop onto the computer.  Other officers are busy looking around for clues and evidence.  

Bo Jinyan stands in front of a window.  He puts up the blinds and looks at the ocean that stretches out to the horizon.  Jian Yao walks up and ask him softly: “Do you think it’s him?”

Bo Jinyan puts down the blinds.  He looks at her: “I don't plan to make a conclusion now.  But he does fit all the criteria we set for ‘him’.”

Jian Yao thought about that earlier too - He is close to Yin Ziqi, wealthy, capable of doing what ‘he’ would have done… But from another angle, he is a normal rich kid with a good qualification and high IQ.  Who knows if he is hiding something underneath his charming appearance?

But Jian Yao shakes her hand: “I don’t think Lin Yi Yang is him.”

Bo Jinyan lifts his brows: “Why?  My female detective?”

Jian Yao chuckles.  Then she says in a serious voice: “Yin Ziqi is right.  If ‘he’ is Lin Yin Yang, she would know when ‘he’ kissed her.”

Bo Jinyan looks quietly at her, then gives a laugh: “What an interesting view.  From a kiss?  Unless he has a very distinct bad breath, I don’t think it’s easy to confuse Yin Ziqi by changing his kissing style.”

Jian Yao: ‘But I still think….”

“Ok.  Let’s test it out.”  He says.  He steps forward, grabs her waist and lower his head to kiss her.

A hot and wet scent quickly fills her mouth.  But this kiss is different from his usual ones.

His usual kisses start off gentle.  He likes to linger for a long time.  When he gets passionate, he will suck and lick her, it can be rich, deep and intense, but he is always very patient, and warm toward her. 

But now, his hand is squeezing her chin.  it’s so tight that she is feeling a little painful. His tongue invading greedily, sweeping around the inside of her lips.  He  even bites her tongue, till it’s painful and numb.  It’s like he’s changed to a different person.  Powerful, and cruel.

After a while, he lets go of her.  Their lips are still wet from the kiss.  Her lips are still burning from this short but fiery kiss.  

“I don’t like this style of kissing. And I don’t think you enjoyed it either.”  He said: “But we have proved a point.  Kisses can be used as a disguise.”

Jian Yao is just catching her breath back.  Then she remembers - 

There is someone else in the room!

Even though the kiss is an experiment, but it’s still awkward that others would watch them.  She turns her head.  Surely enough, Anam stands in the other side of the room.  He has a surprised look on his face.  When their eyes meet, he looks down again to the computers.

Jian Yao blushes.  Then she turns to Bo Jinyan and asks: “This style.  Did you learn it from a book?”

Bo Jinyan: “There’s no need to.  I just imagined myself as a ruthless criminal.”

Jian Yao smiles: “But you are wrong.”

Bo Jinyan frowns at her words.

Jian Yao grabs hold of his shirt and pulls him towards her.  She says quietly in his ears: “Whenever you kiss me, you have a habit.  At the end of the kiss, your tongue will always curl at the tips, then lick mine from bottom to top.  It’s a subconscious trick you do every time.”

Bo Jinyan is stunned, then he looks down at her. 

He thinks for a while, then he smiles: “Ok, you have successfully convinced me.  Yin Ziqi and Lin Yi Yang have been lovers for years.  They would be very familiar with each other’s, and Yin Ziqi is a sharp and observant woman.  Based on this, she should be able to tell if those two men are the same person.”

Jian Yao nods.  It’s a relieve to hear that he agrees.  The last thing she wants to see is that people she knows are involved in the case.

But then, he says: “It’s not a good enough reason to eliminate the possibility that Lin Yi Yang is ‘him’ yet.”

Jian Yao is puzzled: ‘Why?” But didn’t he just admit….

Bo Jinyan has a faint smile: “You have left out a possibility - Split personality.”

She thinks about what she has read in the books about split personalities.  It’s like two people living in one body.  They can have completely different likings, characters, and of course personality.  So kissing habits and styles can be completely different too. 

So it’s back to square one again.  The truth seems to be hiding behind layers upon layers of fog, and they can’t see where they are going.  

————————

Some of the other special team members walk in.  They ask Anam: “Any new discoveries?”

Anam: “His motherboard and hard drive is destroyed.  I am trying to recover some of the data…” Suddenly he stops and looks at the computer screen.  

Everyone looks at him.

He tells everyone: “We have a set of numbers.” 

On the black screen, there’s a few rows of numbers in red. Blood red.  And it’s arranged in a pattern very familiar to Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao - 

“135 / 329

25100 /16

….”

Anam enters the numbers into another analysing programme.  Jian Yao turns to looks at Bo Jinyan.

The room is very quiet.  No one moves.

Jian Yao has a bad feeling about what will happen. 

Then Bo Jinyan’s face changed when he saw words starting to appear on the screen.   

The others in the team don’t know about the codes Bo Jinyan received earlier, or anything about the Flower Cannibal.  Anam reads out the words on screen: “Say Hello to Jenny.” 

He looks ups: “Who is Jenny?”