Read Online The Eight Curious Cases of Inspector Zhang by Stephen Leather - Free Book Online Page A

if she had only just drowned?”
    Sergeant Lee frowned but said nothing.
    â€œHow does someone drown without their clothes getting wet?” whispered Inspector Zhang to himself. “Now that is a mystery.” He folded his arms. “I think we need to take a closer look at the list that the security guard gave us.”
    They drove back to New Bridge Road police station. Inspector Zhang had left the list in his desk and he took it out while Sergeant Lee fetched him a glass of water so that he could take his aspirin.
    â€œWhat are you looking for, sir?” she asked when she returned with his water.
    Inspector Zhang swallowed a white tablet and washed it down and then tapped the list. “Mrs. Wong must have gone to that particular building for a reason,” he said.
    â€œYou think she went there to see someone? A man?”
    Inspector Zhang smiled. “I certainly think she went to see someone, but I think it much more likely that it was a woman she was calling on.” He passed her the list. “There are only three single women living in the building. We shall go around first thing in the morning.”
    Inspector Zhang and Sergeant Lee arrived at the River Valley apartment block at eight o’clock on the dot. Mr. Lau was already at his desk and he buzzed them in.
    Inspector Zhang showed Mr. Lau the list of tenants. “I see there are three single women living in the block,” he said.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Mr. Lau. “This is mainly a family building; the apartments are all quite spacious.”
    â€œWould you happen to know if any of these women are Chinese, between twenty-five and thirty-five years old, with shoulder-length hair. A little taller than my sergeant here.”
    â€œWhy, yes,” said Mr. Lau. “That describes Miss Yu perfectly. She lives on the ninth floor. Shirley Yu.”
    Inspector Zhang took back the list. “Excellent,” he said. “We shall go up and talk to her. Just one more thing, Mr. Lau. Do you happen to know if she works in the airport.”
    Mr. Lau nodded. “Yes, she does.”
    Inspector Zhang smiled to himself and walked to the elevators. Sergeant Lee followed. They rode up to the ninth floor in silence.
    Inspector Zhang knocked on the door to Miss Yu’s apartment. A pretty Chinese woman in a dark business suit opened the door.
    â€œMiss Yu?” asked Inspector Zhang.
    â€œYes,” she said. “What do you want?”
    Inspector Zhang showed her his warrant card and identified himself, then introduced Sergeant Lee. Miss Yu looked at her watch. “I’m going to work,” she said.
    â€œThe airport?”
    â€œThat’s right. What is this about?”
    â€œWe’re asking residents about the girl who died the other day,” said Inspector Zhang. “Can we come in?”
    â€œI really am in a hurry,” she said.
    â€œIt is important, and we won’t take up too much of your time.”
    Miss Yu sighed and let them in. The apartment was large with a balcony overlooking the river. The furniture was Italian and there was a huge television dominating one wall. “You have a lovely home, Miss Yu,” said Inspector Zhang.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œAnd you live here alone?”
    Miss Yu nodded and looked pointedly at her watch again.
    â€œWhat is it you do at the airport?” asked Inspector Zhang. “It must pay well for you to be able to afford a beautiful apartment such as this.”
    â€œMy parents bought it for me,” said Miss Yu tersely. “You said this was about the girl who killed herself?”
    â€œYes, were you in the building when it happened?”
    â€œWhat time was that?”
    â€œJust before ten o’clock.”
    Miss Yu nodded. “I was at home, yes.”
    â€œAlone?”
    â€œOf course, alone.”
    â€œAnd did Mrs. Wong press the buzzer for your flat?”
    â€œMrs. Wong? Who is Mrs.