Chapter 23...Chapter 23...
He walked into the deserted strip on the beach. He walked briskly, his eye scanning every corner. Suddenly, he saw a lone figure near the water. Fei squinted. The figure turned its head slightly and Fei could see that it was a woman. He broke into a run, and ran towards the figure.
As he neared the person, he saw that it was really Quin. Joy burst in him, covering his worry. At the same time, he was a bit disgruntled that Quin put him through literary hell. He ran towards her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Fei: You had me worried to death, silly girl. Where have you been?
Quin didn’t answer him, but shrugged out of his embrace. Without turning to face him, she stood up and walked away. Fei was confused. He caught her a hold of her arm.
Fei: (questioningly) Kwan?
Quin whirled around and glared at him. Fei saw her red-rimmed eyes and was immediately alarmed. He reached out to touch her face.
Fei: Kwan, what’s wrong? What is the matter? Why are you crying? Are you hurt?
Quin: Don’t you touch me.
Fei: (confused and worried) What did I do wrong?
Quin: You dare to ask me that question? You knew. All this while, you knew. You knew exactly the significance of my dream, you knew why I had that dream, you knew about Ching Ching! And you’ve hid it from me all this time? How could you? (repeating angrily) How could you?
Fei: How did you…
Quin: I saw Ching Ching today. And I remembered. I remembered everything about her, you and me.
Guilt immediately seeped through Fei. He was immensely sorry.
Fei: Kwan, please, listen to my explanation…
Quin: I don’t want to hear anything! I thought we had trust! I trusted you! How could you have hid such a big matter from me? Have you ever thought about how I would feel when I find out, when I remember? You don’t, do you? Did you ever, for once in your life, think about me? Do you know how I feel? I feel betrayed, Fei. Betrayed. The man I love, the man who I thought I could trust, look at me in the face and deliberately lied to me. Lied.
Fei: I…
Quin: (cutting him off) I don’t want to hear another of your lousy excuses. I thought we had trust. Well, it looks like I’m wrong.
Quin turned around and stomped off. Tears were coursing down her cheeks as she hurried away. Fei chased after her.
Fei: Kwan, please, listen to me…
Quin: (icily) Don’t you dare follow me, Tsui Fei.
Quin turned and ran. Fei stood like a stone, staring after her. Tsui Fei, you never could do anything right. You really are a 100% moron. Fei looked down and clenched his hands into fists. He didn’t blame Quin for being angry with him. He was pretty frustrated at himself, too.
Chi San watched silently as Fei sulked over his beer. He was tempted to say “I told you so” but he knew his friend wouldn’t be thankful for that.
Fei: I am such an idiot. A total and complete idiot. I should’ve told her earlier. I should’ve.
Chi San: (sarcastically) Oh, you were saying?
Fei: Please. I’m not in the mood for your sarcasm.
Chi San: (sighed) Sorry.
Chi San: It’ll blow over. She’s just mad now. She’ll calm down, and you can explain it to her then.
Fei: I hope so, San Gor. I really hope so. But what if she’s never going to forgive me?
Chi San: She’ll forgive you. After all, she loves you. Just be patient. You will able to settle things with Quin eventually.
Fei didn’t answer, but continued to drink. Chi San shook his head. There wasn’t anything he could do, but just be there for Fei.
As Fei was as drunk a sailor, Chi San saw him home before returning to his own home. As he parked his car and walked towards his apartment, he saw a desolate figure walking forlornly along his apartment complex. Chi San recognised the person. It was Quin.
Chi San: Quin! QUIN!
Quin turned around and saw Chi San. She stopped and waited for Chi San to catch up with her. She smiled thinly.
Quin: Hi. Out with Man?
Chi San: (shaking his head) Nope, Fei.
Chi San: Listen, do you have a second? I’ll like to talk to you for a bit.
Quin: If it is about Fei…
Chi San: (interrupting) Yes, it is about Fei.
Quin: (angrily) You don’t know what he has done, Chi San!
Chi San: As a matter of fact, I do know. Why didn’t you give a chance to explain?
Quin: What is there to explain? He lied. Lied. Pure and simple.
Chi San: Yes. He lied. But do you know why?
Chi San: You knew. If he’d told you so from the very beginning, and if his words triggered your memory, you know you’ll insist he go back to Ching Ching.
Quin: …
Chi San: (gently) Talk to him, Quin. Don’t you think your love has endured enough? Don’t you think Fei has suffered enough? For that matter, haven’t you yourself endured enough? This is just a mistake on Fei’s part. A forgivable mistake. He lied because he loves you, and he doesn’t want to lose you. Can’t you forgive him?
Quin: (in a whisper) I…I don’t know.
Chi San: (patted Quin on the shoulder) Think about it, Quin.
Quin: Thanks, Chi San. I’ll better get home now. Man is going to be worried.
Chi San stood and watched Quin leave. The two of them will be able to settle things. I know they will.
Fei woke up feeling utterly lousy. Ugh, I hate hangovers. His head pounding, Fei managed to drag himself out of bed and into the bathroom. He glanced at his watch. It was already 8 o’clock. Damn, I’m going to be late for work. San Gor is going to have me for breakfast if I’m late again. After brushing his teeth quickly, Fei threw on the first outfit he could lay his hands on and hurried into the kitchen to find some breakfast. His eyes landed on a slice of coffee cake. His heart ached. Kwan.
Fei shook his head. He couldn’t afford to dawdle any longer. He pulled out a carton of juice and shut his refrigerator. Gulping down the juice straight from the container, he tossed the empty carton into the trash and grabbed his car keys.
10 minutes later, Fei was reversing his car into a parking space at the station. He got out of his car and locked the door. He trudged towards the police station wearily, his head still throbbing. Suddenly, he saw Quin’s car pulling into the parking lot. He stopped and waited. Quin got out of her car and saw Fei. She immediately turned and walked towards the opposite direction.
Fei: (yelling) Kwan! Kwan!
Fei: Kwan! Listen to me!
Fei: Kwan, I’m sorry!
Officer: Dr.Mo, Tsui Sir is calling you.
Psychologist: Dr.Mo, didn’t you hear Tsui Sir?
Quin looked around her. All the people wore amused expressions as walked they past and some were positively snickering. Quin could feel herself turning red with embarrassment. Okay, might as well get this over with. She stopped walking and waited for Fei. Fei ran up to her, out of breath.
Quin: Well? I’m listening.
Fei: Kwan…I never meant to lie to you. I never meant to hide anything from you.
Quin: Don’t you think I deserve to know the truth about Ching Ching?
Fei: I…I was afraid that if you knew, you will leave me. I was selfish, and I admit that. I am a jerk, and an idiot. But I can’t bear to lose you again, Kwan. It had been so long. Loving you was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
Quin: But Ching Ching…
Fei: Ching Ching is in the past. In the past, I made a mistake and chose responsibility. I shouldn’t have. From the moment I met you, I stopped loving Ching Ching. A small part of me will always cherish the times we had together, but the one I love is you. Ching Ching was part of my past. But she is not my future. You are, Kwan. I am not haunted by memories of Ching Ching anymore. And neither should she haunt you as well. Ching Ching doesn’t need me; and I don’t need her. I need you. I love you. I love you so much, it hurts.
Touched by Fei’s words, Quin could feel her icy resolve crumbling. She took a step towards Fei.
Quin: Promise me one thing. Promise me you won’t ever lie to me again.
Fei: (anxiously) I promise you, Kwan. I will never lie to you again. (hopefully) Does that mean I am forgiven?
A slight smile played at the corners of Quin’s mouth. She nodded. Relief and love swept over Fei as he took Quin into his arms. They hugged tightly, basking in each other’s warmth and love.
Quin: (suddenly) Uh-oh.
Fei: (momentarily loosening his arms around her) What’s wrong?
Quin: You’re late for work. Chi San is going to kill you.
Fei: (laughing) To the hell with Chi San.
Fei leaned towards Quin and kissed her. As they were kissing, Fei’s pager suddenly began to beep loudly. Fei broke off their kiss and tossed his pager aside. He pulled Quin back into his arms and kissed her again, more passionately. The rest of the world disappeared as they became engrossed in each other. There was Fei, and there was Quin. No one else existed.
Fei entered the station, a silly grin on his face. Chi San immediately accosted him.
Chi San: You’re late. It’s already 10 o’clock.
Fei: (still grinning goofily) It was? I didn’t notice.
Korean: (snickering) It looks like someone had a run in with Miss Mo.
Hoi: (clasped his hands to his chest in an exaggerated manner) Ah…the power of lurrrve.
Chi San: (grinning) Get back to work, everyone.
The station phone rang loudly, startling everyone. Chi San picked up the phone and assumed his professional tone.
Chi San: Hong Kong Central Police Station. Inspector Kong Chi San speaking.
The caller on the other line said something. Chi San’s face registered shock, and he nodded his head quickly.
Chi San: We’ll be there in 5 minutes.
Hanging up the phone, Chi San faced his team.
Chi San: There has been a murder in Kowloon. Move out, now, everyone!
Everyone: Yes, sir!
At the scene of crime…
Chi San: (showing his badge to the officer) Inspector Kong. Who discovered the body?
Officer: This aunty who came here every other day to collect cans.
Chi San nodded and immediately gave out orders.
Chi San: Korean, Gigi, look around and see what you can find. Hoi, interview the aunty who discovered the body. Fei, come with me.
Fei and Chi San walked towards the body. The police photographer was snapping away photos. Fei and Chi San showed their identity badges to the officer on duty and got the nod. Chi San knelt down next to the overturned body. The forensic expert, Dr.Yong, was examining the body.
Fei: What’s the cause of death, Dr.Yong?
Dr.Yong: Early examination shows that the victim was stabbed to death. This (she pointed at two deep gashes over the heart) is what probably could have killed him. But…the cause of death could have been due to this injury on the head.
Dr.Yong: This was probably caused by something heavy, a piece of wood maybe, or a hammer. I’ll have to conduct further examination to be certain.
Chi San: Just now, you mentioned “him”. The victim is a male?
Dr.Yong: (nodded) Yes, him. The victim appeared to be male, estimated to be in his late twenties.
Fei: How long had the victim been dead?
Dr.Yong: By the amount of decomposition, or should I say, the lack of it, the victim had been dead for less than 48 hours. (she stood up) I’ll have the complete report for you by tomorrow, Kong Sir, Tsui Sir.
Chi San: (nodded) Thank you, Dr.Yong.
Hoi: (handing Chi San a clipboard) Here are the aunty’s words. She was collecting cans nearby and saw the body on the grass. She immediately contacted the police.
Chi San: Okay, Hoi, go back to the station and ran a detailed check over the missing persons bureau. See if anyone was reported missing recently, a Chinese male in his late twenties. Report to me when we get back.
Hoi: Yes, sir.
Chi San: Did any of you find anything, team?
Korean: I think there had been a struggle. The dead grass here, and overturned earth are probably signs of the struggle.
Chi San: You may be right, Korean.
Fei: San Gor, over here!
Fei: (slowly) I think a woman might be involved with this. She might even be the murderer.
Korean: Huh?
Fei: It had been raining the previous night. The murderer had left behind some shoe prints. These prints of a Nike running shoe probably belonged to the victim. I saw his shoes just now. But these…(Fei pointed at a another set of shoe prints)…these shoe prints of an Adidas sneaker belonged to a woman. It was too small to be a man’s shoe.
Korean: Couldn’t it have belonged to someone who was passing by?
Fei: (shook his head) This part of the hill is pretty deserted. Besides, the prints are too near with the murder scene to be a coincidence.
Chi San: (thoughtfully) You’re right, Fei. Korean, measure these prints. Have the police photographer take some pictures of both sets of prints. Look around, team. See what else you can find.
Fei: (muttering to himself) No sign of the murder weapon.
Gigi: San Gor! I found this organizer some 20 meters away from the body.
Chi San: Good. That could be one solid lead.
Gigi handed Chi San the evidence bag with the organizer inside it. Chi San slipped on a pair of rubber gloves and took the organizer out. He opened the organizer gingerly. Suddenly, he felt faint. The earth beneath his feet seemed to tilt.
Fei: San Gor? Are you all right?
Wordlessly, Chi San handed Fei the organizer. Fei glanced at it, his eyes growing wide. Printed neatly at the front page were these words: This organizer belongs to Mun Yuen Lan.
Fei parked his car and got out. He looked around him. This beach was his last resort. If he didn’t see Quin, he’d decided that he was going to call Chi San and have the team looking for her. It was already 8 o’clock, and 7 hours since Quin had gone missing. He was worried to death. He prayed silently that he’d see Quin here. He didn’t know where to look anymore.
(Quin threw his hand off her.)
(Quin whipped around.)
(Fei shot Chi San a look.)
(Chi San patted Fei consolingly on the shoulder.)
(Quin stared at the ground and didn’t reply.)
(Quin refused to meet Chi San eyes. She didn’t reply.)
(Quin nodded.)
(Quin continued walking as if she didn’t hear him.)
(Quin increased her walking speed.)
(A passing officer tapped Quin on the shoulder.)
(Another psychologist in the psychology department called after Quin.)
The team got out of their cars.
(Dr.Yong turned the victim’s head to show Chi San a serious injury at the back of the head.)
(Dr.Yong scrutinized the body. She pursed her lips thoughtfully.)
(Korean was looking at the grass around the body thoughtfully.)
(Chi San leaned down to examine the dead grass. He nodded.)
(Korean and Chi San ran over to where Fei was crouching. He seemed to be examining something on the ground.)
(Fei pointed at the shoe print impressions on the dried earth.)
Could Man be involved in the murder? What was the connection between Man and the victim? How would Chi San handle the case now that the murder had been linked to Man? Also, stay tuned for the continuing story of Fei and Quin.
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Yong June-Ling
Copyright 2001