Chapter 191 Chapter 190

The fence of the Quinlan Institute is covered with thick ivy, like a thick and beautiful green carpet, which is in stark contrast to the bleak winter scenery, and the bronze plaque marking the entrance is hidden in it, almost invisible. The car drove slowly through a long and curved lane, and the driver and passengers were lost in their own deep thoughts. For Claire, the shock of Carey's murder has yet to be felt.Inspector Pittman was about to complete the jigsaw puzzle, which lessened her immediate pain. For Pittman, professional habits outweighed the fear of losing his life.He was only one person, and the thrill of chasing the murderer still lingered in his heart.Although he is too old to be promoted again, his subconscious still hopes to end the case here and now, to officially end people's real fear of the most wanted man in the UK, and to clear the air for an innocent person. reputation.This may be the best way to end his 40 years of police career, and it will also allow him to retire early as his wife wishes with peace of mind.

"Claire, I think you'd better wait here for me. You don't mind? It's all the police's job now." He turned up his collar against the wind and the growing snow shower. "I'll be back as soon as possible." He thought for a moment, then added: "Lock the car door, Claire, just in case." As soon as Pittman left, Claire felt a chill down her spine. She fastened every lock, and then instinctively checked every handle. "I'm Detective Inspector Pittman. From Kent Criminal Investigations." He showed his badge to the surveillance cameras. "I want to talk to Dr. Quinlan."

"Excuse me, have you made an appointment?" "No, this is the police on duty." "Sorry, Doctor Quinlan is not here now." "I suppose Miss Reynolds is here?" "Yes, Dr. Reynolds is here, but I don't know if she's available right now." "Please tell her that I have something urgent to talk to her about." "Please wait." This "wait a moment" lasted a full 5 minutes.Pittman stamped his feet to keep warm, he was losing patience.Just as he was about to ring the doorbell again, he heard the sound of the automatic deadbolt sliding.The moment the door opened, he recognized the hunched figure of Ruth Reynolds.She was blinking at him through thick tinted lenses.

"Detective?" "Miss Reynolds, I need to speak to Dr. Quinlan as soon as possible. When will he be back?" "I'm sorry, he's gone on a business trip. It won't be a few days before he comes back." Pittman sighed deeply, "Then only you can talk to me about this." "You have chosen an unlucky time, Inspector. My patients have been coming and going all day today." Pittman glanced at the front yard.Except for his own tire tracks and footprints, there was nothing left on the thin layer of white snow. "I think they all went through the back door. Is there a place to talk?"

Reynolds glared at him. "Come in." She led him through the reception area to the counseling room. "I'll cut to the chase, Miss Reynolds." "Please call me Ruth." She forced a smile. "You're David, right?" "Miss Reynolds, a girl died." She tried to appear sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear the news, but..." "A very young girl, only nineteen." "I'm sorry, Inspector, did I miss something?" "She was murdered. Uncle Tom did it." Reynolds was really taken aback.Otherwise, Pittman is ready to hand over his badge anytime.But Reynolds quickly adjusted, and carefully structured her words. "My God, Inspector. You mean Greg Randall got away?"

"I did not say so, Miss Reynolds. I now have every reason to believe that the arrest of Randall was a mistake. He was not Uncle Tom. The real murderer is still at large." "I don't quite understand, Inspector." "That's why I need to talk to Dr. Quinlan." Pittman muttered softly. "I don't know how I could explain it to you better, Miss Reynolds. I think the real Uncle Tom is one of the people who comes to this clinic, a patient of yours." "They're clients, Inspector, not patients. And, sorry, I still don't understand you."

"I think Uncle Tom somehow got the details of your patient. Not only did he know that Greg Randall had a penchant for children, but he also knew about his appointment at Woolwich .” "That's absolutely impossible, sir. Not at all. Our files are perfectly safe. As for Greg Randall, I can assure you that he is an extremely dangerous man. My only regret is that I did not report to the authorities sooner. Report about him." "Miss Reynolds, I'd like to have a look around if I can. Go check your security. Where you keep your patient files or something." "Impossible, Inspector. Client confidentiality is the first principle in an institution like ours."

"Even so, I still have to check your related facilities in person." "As I said, Inspector, it's impossible. Even if Dr. Quinlan were here, he would have said it verbatim." "You don't seem to understand, Miss Reynolds, that this is the police. It's a murder investigation." "I'm sorry, Inspector, but I can't." Pittman took out his pipe and stuffed it with tobacco. Reynolds looked alert. "Inspector, smoking is not allowed in the clinic." Pittman lit his pipe. "Miss Reynolds, let me explain it to you in a different way. You can show me what I want to see, quietly, just the two of us. Or I can come back in an hour or so with a A search warrant and a dozen officers, and we'll go room by room, drawer by drawer."

Reynolds couldn't hide her displeasure. "All right, Inspector, but I must insist that I accompany you from beginning to end." "Trust me, I wouldn't want it any other way."