Chapter 10 Chapter 10 The Flower of Death

I opened my sleepy eyes and felt that I just dozed off, then closed my eyes again and slipped back to sleep.But then he struggled dully to wake up.Something is wrong. I struggled to open my eyes, close them, and open them again.Whatever was wrong, it had something to do with it—my eyes could only see darkness whether they were open or closed.This made sense: it was dark, and my windows were out of range of the streetlights.This makes sense, but there's one problem - I remember my door was left open while the hallway light was on.But I can't see the rectangular white spot where my door should be, and I can't see Gabrielle's door either.

Now I'm wide awake enough to jump up.I listened, holding my breath, but there was nothing but the ticking of my watch.I moved my hand cautiously to look at the glowing surface - seventeen past three.Looks like I've been asleep longer than expected, and the hallway lights have been turned off. My head was numb, my whole body was stiff and heavy, and my mouth felt very bitter.I threw back the blanket and climbed out of the chair, moving awkwardly, my muscles stiff.With my socked feet, I crept up to the door and slammed into it.The door was closed.When I opened the door, the corridor lights were still on.The air in the hallway seemed exceptionally fresh and pure, refreshing.

I turned around and went back into the room, twitching my nose.There is an old fragrance in the room, weak and lingering, it smells more like dead flowers than the fragrance of flowers.Lilies of the valley, petunias, and maybe one or two others.It took me a while to sort the smells out, trying to figure out if there was honeysuckle at all.Then I vaguely remembered that I seemed to be dreaming about a funeral.I leaned against the door frame, trying to recall the details of my dream, and just fell into a deep sleep again. The muscles in my neck convulsed from hanging my head so low, and I woke up with a start.My legs were already numb, I struggled to open my eyes, wondering why I didn't go to bed.Maybe there's a reason why I shouldn't be sleeping, I thought vaguely, and I'll have to remember that reason.I steadied myself with one hand against the wall, and I touched the light switch, awake enough to know I should press it.

The light burns my eyes.I squinted to see the real world around me and remembered that I still had work to do.I headed for the bathroom, splashing cold water on my head and face, still dull and dazed, but at least partially conscious. I turned off the light, walked down the corridor to Gabrielle's door and listened, but found nothing.I opened the door, stepped inside, and closed the door.My flashlight revealed an empty bed with the covers thrown back at the end.I reached out to touch the trace of her sleeping on the bed - it was cold.The bathroom and changing room were empty.A pair of green slippers were placed on the floor beside the bed, and a green dressing gown-like fabric was draped over the back of the chair.

I went back into my room, put on my shoes, and went down the front stairs, intending to give the house a thorough inspection.I'd do it softly first, and then, if I didn't find anything--and that's quite possible--start kicking the doors around, pulling the tenants out of bed one by one, and turning it upside down until I find the girl.I wanted to find her as soon as possible, but she started too much earlier than me, and now it doesn't make much difference if she is a few minutes late; so although I won't waste time, there is no need to rush desperately. As I walked from the second floor to the first floor, I saw something moving below—or rather, I only caught a glimpse of a shadow, but didn't see what it was.The thing moved into the house through the street door.I was going down the stairs, looking at the elevator, and the railing blocked my view, so I couldn't see the door.In fact, what I saw was the shadow passing between the six railings on the upper right.By the time I focused my gaze there, it was already empty.I thought I saw a face, but that's what anyone in my situation would have imagined.Actually I just caught a glimpse of something pale and white.

When I got to the first floor, the lobby and the corridors in my view were empty.I walked towards the back of the house and stopped.For the first time since waking up, I heard a sound, and it wasn't coming from me.Outside the gate facing the street, there are shoe soles grinding the stone steps. I walked up to the front door, feeling the latch with one hand, engaging the latch with the other, snapping them both open, yanking the door with my left hand, the gun in my right. Eric Collinson stood on the first stone step. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked angrily. It's a long story, and he couldn't express it because he was too excited.The result I managed to sort out is: he has been in the habit of calling Dr. Rees every day to ask about Gabrielle's progress.Today—or should I say yesterday—and last night, he hadn't been able to contact Reese.At two o'clock in the morning, he called again and was told that Dr. Reese was not at home, and the whole family didn't know where he was or why.It was after that phone call that Collinson came to the temple, thinking if he could meet me and find out about the girl.He said that if he hadn't seen me looking out, he wouldn't have planned to visit.

"What else?" I asked. "I see you." "when?" "A minute ago, when you looked out." "You don't see me," I said. "What do you see?" "Someone's looking out, poking around. I thought it was you, so I got out of the car I parked on the corner to find out. Is Gabriel all right?" "Of course." I replied.No need to tell him I'm looking for her—so he can take it out on me, "Don't talk so loudly. Don't Reece's family know where he is?" "Well, they seem worried. But as long as Gabriel's okay." He put his hand on my forearm. "I... can I see her? Just for a second? I won't say anything .No need to let her know I've seen her. Not that it's time to—er, can you arrange it?"

The lad was tall and strong, and would die for Gabrielle Leggett.I knew something was wrong, but not exactly what.I don't know how to solve the problem or how much help I will need.I can't bear to drive him away.But then again, I can't tell him the inside story of this gang of magicians-he'll go crazy if he hears it.So I said, "Come in. I'm doing a routine check. If you don't make a sound, you can follow me. We'll see how we go next." He entered the door, looking like he was going to follow me, St. Peter, into heaven.I closed the door and led him across the hall and into the main hallway.At this moment, this black shop seems to be the world of the two of us, but it will not be the next moment.

Gabrielle Leggett turned the corner directly in front of us.She was barefoot, covered only by a yellow silk nightgown splattered with dark spots.She walked with her hands outstretched, holding a large dagger, almost like a sword.The dagger was dripping with blood, as were her hands and her bare arms.One side of her cheek was stained with blood, and her eyes were clear and calm, shining brightly.Her small forehead stretched out, her lips and jaw tensed. She walked towards me, met my maybe a little confused gaze with steady eyes, and then spoke calmly, as if she had expected to find me here, and she came here specially for me.

"Here, here's the evidence. I killed him." "What?" I said. Still looking me straight in the eye, she said, "You're a detective. Hang me." At this moment, it is better to use your hands than your mouth.I took the bloody dagger from her.It was a broad double-edged knife with a thick blade and a bronze handle that looked like a cross. Eric Collinson pushed me away and walked towards the girl, his outstretched hands were shaking, and he was muttering something.She shrank back to the wall in a flash, her face full of horror. "Don't let him touch me," she begged.

"Gabrielle!" he cried, reaching out. "No, no," she gasped. I went up to him, stood between them, faced him, put my hand on his chest and pushed him back, shouting, "You! Don't move!" His big brown hands grabbed my shoulders, trying to push me aside, and I made up my mind to hit him on the jaw with the heavy bronze hilt.But we don't have to get there yet: he catches a glimpse of the girl over me, forgets his intentions, and slumps his hands limply on my shoulders.With the hand on his chest, I pushed him straight to the wall, stepped back, turned slightly sideways, and watched him and her look at each other between the two walls. "You don't move until we figure it out," I told him, then turned to face the girl and pointed the dagger at her, "What the hell is going on?" She calmed down again. "Come on," she said, "I'll show you. But don't let Eric come with you, please." "He won't bother you anymore," I promised. She nodded in acceptance, with a dignified look, and then led us back down the corridor, around the corner, and towards a small iron door with a crack.She went first, and I followed, with Collinson close behind.A puff of fresh air hits us as we pass through the door.I raised my eyes to see the dim starlight on the dark dome, then looked down again.Through the light from the door behind us, I could see that we were walking on a floor of white marble—or pentagonal imitation marble tiles.The place was pitch black save for the light behind us.I took out my flashlight. She walked on the cold floor with bare feet, walking slowly, leading us straight to the square gray blocks looming ahead.She stopped as she approached, and said, "Here, this is it." I turned on the flashlight. The light suddenly projected on a wide altar, the altar was white and translucent, emitting silver light. Dr. Reese's body lay supine on the third step leading to the altar. His face was very still, as if in sleep; his arms hung loose at his sides, his clothes were not wrinkled, but his coat and vest were unbuttoned, and his shirt was bloody.There were four identical holes in the front of the shirt, all the same size and shape as the weapon the girl had given me could have made.His wound was no longer bleeding, but when I reached out to touch his forehead, I found that the body was not completely cold.There was blood on the altar steps, as well as on the floor below; Dr Reese's spectacles, still intact and tied with black ribbons, lay motionless on the floor. I straightened up and swung the beam of the flashlight onto the girl's face.She blinked and squinted, but there was no expression on her face other than physical discomfort. "You killed him?" I asked. "She didn't!" cried little Collinson, struggling out of his trance. "Shut up," I said, walking over to the girl so he wouldn't come between us. "Did you do that?" I asked again. "Are you surprised?" she asked quietly, "My stepmother said that I was bleeding from the cursed blood of the Dan family, and that it was a misfortune for me and those who came into contact with me—whether it was in the past or not." The future. You've heard that too. What's happening in front of you," she asked, pointing to the corpse, "you really didn't expect it?" "Don't be stupid," I replied, musing on her calm demeanor.It's not that I haven't seen her get high on drugs, but this time it's different.I don't know what the hell is going on this time. "Why did you kill him?" Collinson grabbed my arm and dragged me toward him, furious. "We can't just stand here and talk," he cried. "We've got to get her out of this place. The body has to be hidden, or put somewhere to put the blame on someone else. How's that sort of thing usually done?" You should know. I'll take her home. You deal with the aftermath." "Oh?" I asked, "What do you want me to do? To that Filipino maid? Want him to die for her?" "Yeah, that's what it means. You know how to—" "Fuck that," I said, "you're really resourceful." His face was flushed, and his tongue was tied: "I don't... I'm not saying that I really want someone to die, no. How could I ask you to do that kind of thing? But you can arrange for him to abscond in fear of crime, right? I... I promise he won't regret it. I'll give him—" "Stop it!" I yelled, "You're wasting our time." "But you've got to figure it out," he insisted. "You're here to keep Gabriel safe, and you can't let it go." "Really? You're such a smart little guy." "I know that's asking too much, but I can pay—" "Come on!" I shook off his hand, turned to the girl again, and asked, "Who else was there when it happened?" "no one." I flicked my flashlight around the corpse, the altar, the floor and walls, and saw nothing I hadn't noticed before.The walls are white and smooth, and except for the door we entered, which is exactly the same as another door opposite, all you see is the wall.These four undecorated white walls are six stories high and tower straight into the sky. I put the dagger back beside Reese, flicked off the flashlight, and said to Collinson, "Let's take Miss Leggett to her room." "My God, let's get her out of the house--now! It's too late!" I replied that she would be very conspicuous if she ran barefoot in the street wearing only a blood-stained nightgown. When he started yelling again, I turned on the flashlight again.While wrestling his arms out of his coat, he said, "My car is parked around the corner, I can carry her there." Then he walked towards her with his coat in his hands. She slid around to the other side of me and whined, "Oh, don't let him touch me." I stretched out my arm to stop him, but couldn't.The girl hid behind me, and when Collinson went after her, he went around in front of me.I feel like I'm almost the center of a merry-go-round, which isn't a good feeling.When Collinson turned in front of me, I slammed my shoulder into his waist, knocking him stumbling to the side of the altar.I followed the past and stood still in front of this idiot, and then yelled condescendingly: "Stop it! If you still want to participate in this matter, stop messing around, and obey my instructions obediently, don't harass her. Can you?" He spread his legs out and said, "But, man, you can't—" "Leave her in peace," I said, "and me in peace too. I'll hit you on the jaw with the butt of a gun if you make trouble again. If you want to be beaten, just say so. Can you just keep quiet?" "Okay." He murmured back. I turned my head, and immediately saw the girl swaying towards the half-open door like a gray shadow, the sound of her bare feet stepping on the floor tiles was barely audible.I chased after it, and the soles of the shoes made extremely harsh noises.Just as I was approaching the door, I put my arms around her waist.But the next moment my arms were jerked away, and I flew to the side, my shoulder hit the wall, and then I fell to the ground and knelt on one knee.Collinson, who appeared to be eight feet tall in the dark, stood right in front of me and yelled at me, but all I could hear from his barrage was "Damn you." I stood up on my knees, furious: it wasn't enough to be a nanny to a crazy woman, but to be thrown around by her boyfriend.I opened my mouth as if nothing had happened, and said in as friendly a voice as I could, "You really shouldn't have done that." Then I strode towards the girl standing by the door. "We have to go upstairs to your room," I told her. "Not Eric," she protested. "He won't bother you." I promised again, hoping this time it would be more or less fulfilled, "Let's go." She hesitated, then stepped over the threshold.Collinson followed me, looking embarrassed and savage, and quite unhappy.I closed the door and asked the girl if she had the key. "No," she said, as if she didn't know there was a key. We took the elevator up, and the girl kept putting me between her and her fiancé—if he was still like that.His eyes were empty.I studied her expression, still trying to figure out whether she was sobered up after the shock, or more confused.I looked at her and felt that the former seemed more likely, but my intuition denied this conjecture.We passed no one on the way from the altar to her room.I turned on the light in her room and walked in together. I closed the door and leaned my back against it.Collinson put his coat and hat on the chair and stood by, gazing at Gabrielle with folded arms.She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at my feet. "Tell me the cause and effect, hurry up!" I ordered. She looked up into my face and said, "I want to sleep now." As far as I'm concerned, that sentence answers the question of whether she's sane: she's out of her mind.But now I'm worried about something else: There's something wrong with the way this room looks.After my recent visit, something has been moved.I closed my eyes and spent a few minutes trying to sort out what this place was like from my memory.Then I opened my eyes and looked at the scene before me. "Can I sleep?" she asked. I put her words aside and looked around, checking each item in turn as best I could.The only change that could be discerned was Collinson's coat and hat, which were resting on the chair.Their existence was no surprise, so I decided that the chairs had raised my suspicions.And looking at it now is still wrong.I went to the chair and lifted his coat.There was nothing underneath.And that's the problem: there used to be a green robe or something on it, but now it's gone.I didn't see it anywhere else in the house, and I figured it must be gone, so I didn't bother to dig around.The green slippers are under the bed. I said to the girl, "Not now. Go to the bathroom and wash off the blood, then change your clothes. You take your clothes in and wear them, and when you're done, give the nightgown to Collinson." I turned to him, "You take that nightgown Put it in your bag and don't throw it away. You can't go until I come back, and no one else can come in. I'll be right back. Got a gun?" "No," he said, "but I—" The girl got up from the bed, stood in front of me, and then interrupted him. "You can't keep him with me," she said solemnly, "it won't do. I've killed one tonight, isn't that enough? Don't let me kill another." As she spoke He looked quite serious, but not excited, as if he felt that his words were very reasonable. "I've got to go out for a while," I said, "and you can't be alone. Do as I tell you." "Do you know what you're doing?" she asked in a sharp, weary voice. "Of course not—you wouldn't say that if you knew." She turned her face away from Collinson, her voice barely audible, and I Relying on the movement of her lips to tell, "No Eric, let him go." She made me dizzy, and if it was any worse, I could be in the room next to her--in fact, I really wanted to listen to her.I pointed to the bathroom with my thumb and said, "You can stay there until I get back—if you want, but he's still here." She nodded disappointedly and walked into the dressing room.When she walked from there to the bathroom with her clothes in her arms, two lines of bright tears welled up in her eyes. I hand over my gun to Collinson.He held it tremblingly, breathing heavily and loudly.I said, "Don't be an idiot, just help me once and don't make a mess. No one is allowed in or out. If you have to shoot, do it." He wanted to say something, but couldn't say it. He grabbed my hand and then took a lot of effort to let go.I pulled away and went downstairs to the scene of Dr. Reese's murder.It took a while to get there.The iron gate we passed through a few minutes ago is now locked.That lock looks pretty simple.I unwrapped the new gear on the jackknife and started to do it, and the door opened in a matter of seconds. I didn't find the green dressing gown in the room.Reese's body was nowhere to be found on the steps of the altar, nor anywhere.The dagger disappeared.All the blood was gone—except for a pale yellow spot from the original pool on the white floor.Someone has already cleaned this up.