Chapter 15 Chapter Fourteen

(one) "Right now, we're pretty sure," Jin Qiao said. "We've had it before." "True, but it makes me more certain." I was silent for a while, imagining Mrs. Tuckerton going to Birmingham Town Hall—meeting Mr. Bradley. Any danger (he had to reassure Mrs. Tuckerton of that).I think when she left, although she had buried this idea in her heart, she still didn't dare to fully accept it.Maybe she went to see her stepdaughter, or her stepdaughter came home for the weekend, and they had some conversation that hinted at a marriage, and all the while she was thinking about "money" - not just a small amount of money, but a Huge wealth—too much, too much money, allows one to realize any dream in one's life as one likes!But all this money is going to be in the hands of a slumped, grumpy girl who walks in and out of Charles' Cafe in jeans and a scruffy top all day long!Why?Why should such a beautiful banknote be given to this forever worthless girl?

So she went to Birmingham again, who gave her more assurances.Finally they finally talked about the conditions.I smiled unconsciously. Mr. Bradley must not be able to fully meet his ideal conditions, and she will definitely bargain hard.But in the end, the two parties still negotiated the terms and signed the contract, and then? My imagination stops here, and I don't know what's next. When I looked up, I realized that Jin Qiao was looking at me.She asked, "Have you figured it out?" "How do you know what I'm doing?" "I'm getting to know your way of thinking. You're imagining her going to Birmingham, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I can only imagine her negotiating terms in Birmingham—and what happened next?" We look at each other. "Sooner or later," Jin Qiao said, "someone will find out what 'White Horse' is up to." "How to check?" "I don't know... It's not easy anyway. People who have really been there and done something must not tell the truth, but only those people know what's going on inside. It's really difficult... I'm thinking ..." "Maybe we can call the police?" I suggested. "Oh, anyway, we have some clues now, enough for us to take action, what do you think?"

I shake my head suspiciously. "There's evidence of criminal intent, but is that really enough?" It's all about that absurd will to die.Oh," I prevented her from interjecting, "maybe not necessarily absurd, but it is absurd to say so in court.We don't even know the actual process. " "Well, we must know the real procedure, but what can we do?" "Must see it or hear it. But there's nowhere to hide in that big room—I think that's where 'the thing' must have happened." Jin Qiao sat up straight, very upright, like a leopard full of life, and said to me, "There's only one way to know what 'White Horse' is doing—by actually being their customer."

I stare at her. "A real customer?" "Yeah, either you or me, want to get rid of a nuisance. Go to Bradley and make a deal." "I don't like doing it," I said sharply. "why?" "It's—because it's dangerous." "Dangerous to us?" "Maybe, but I'm thinking about the victim right now. We have to find a victim, and we have to have a real name, so there's no way to fabricate it. They might investigate—actually, I think they will investigate 100%, don't you Agree?" Jin Qiao thought for a while and nodded.

"Yes, the victim must be a real person with a real address." "So I don't want to do that." "And we must have a real reason for wanting to get rid of that person." We were silent for a while, each thinking. "No matter who that person is, we must get his consent," I said slowly, "and then we will be asked a lot of questions." "The whole structure must be very good," Jin Qiao mused, "But there is one more thing, you were absolutely right that day, the weakness of this thing is that they are in a difficult situation, on the one hand they have to keep secrets, on the other hand And it can’t be completely silent, lest no customers come to the door.”

"What seems strangest to me," I said, "is that the police don't seem to have heard anything about it. But they usually know there's some crime going on anyway." "Yeah, but I think the main reason is because it's an 'amateur show,' it's not professional, there aren't any professional gangsters involved, it's not like hiring a murderer. It's all—secret." I said I thought she had a point. "Now suppose you, or I, set your heart on getting rid of somebody, then who could that be? I have a dear old Uncle Mervyn, and if he dies I'll get a good fortune." inheritance, so I may have a motive to murder him. But he is already in his seventies, and he is somewhat crazy, so logically I should be patient and wait for him to die of old age-unless I desperately need money, but this reason is very good. Difficult to fake. And he is very likable, I love him very much, no matter what, I would not want to deprive him of the joy of living, and I would not risk his life! What about you? Is there any legacy that will be left to you Rich relatives?"

I shook my head and said: "not a single one." "What a nuisance. Maybe we should change the subject of blackmail, okay? But we have to make up more reasons. You don't have any great weaknesses. If you're a member of parliament or something, it's different, and so am I. If Fifty years earlier, it would be much easier to handle, reconciliation letters, photos, whatever, but no one cares about it these days. Well, what else is possible? Bigamy?" She looked at me reproachfully With a glance, "It's a pity you're not married yet, otherwise we could have fabricated a little accident."

Something on my face must have given away the secret in my heart, Jin Qiao is very alert. "I'm sorry," she said, "did I say something that hurt you?" "No," I said, "it's nothing, it's been a long time. I don't think anybody knows now." "Have you ever been married?" "Yes, it happened when I was in college. We got married quietly. She wasn't—anyway, my family will definitely oppose it. I'm not yet old, and we all lied about our age." I silently recalled the past. "I know now," I said slowly, "that marriage can't last. She's beautiful and sweet, but..."

"What happened?" "We were on holiday in Italy and unfortunately there was an accident - a car accident and she died instantly." "And you?" "I wasn't in the car, she was — she was with a friend at the time." Jin Qiao gave me a quick look, I thought she understood what was going on, and I was surprised to find that the girl I married was not a faithful wife. Jin Qiao brought up the practical question again. "You were married in England?" "Well, registered with Pete Barlow." "But she died in Italy." "right."

"So there are no records of her death in England?" "No." "Then what do you expect? Isn't this the best gift God has given us? There is nothing simpler than this. Now you are madly in love with another person and want to marry her, but I don't know if your wife is You are still alive, and you have not heard from her since you broke up a few years ago. Just when you wanted to marry another girl, she suddenly appeared, not only refused to divorce, but also threatened you to find that girl Girl, spoil your good deeds." "Who is that girl?" I asked a little confused, "You?" Jin Qiao seemed very surprised. "Of course not me. I'm not that kind of person at all. You should know who I mean—the pretty brunette girl you used to hang out with, the very learned, serious one." "Hermia Racliffe?" "Who told you about her?" "Barbie, of course. She's rich, too, isn't she?" "She's rich, but honestly—" "Okay, okay, I didn't say you married her for the money, I know you're not that kind of man, but it's easy for a scumbag like Bradley to think that. Very well, now your The position has been determined. When you were about to propose to Hermia, that unpopular wife suddenly came to London. You asked for a divorce, but she refused to agree to it—then you heard about the 'White Horse' , That's why you went to probe them that day. They also thought you were probing on purpose, that's why Sesha took the initiative, she was trying to sell their work." "I think it's possible." I replied while recalling the scene of that day. "And then you went to Bradley again, and everything fit our thesis so well. You're hooked, a likely client." She paused happily and triumphantly, there was something in her tone—I just didn't see it at the time... "I still think," I said, "that they'll look into it." "Of course." Jin Qiao agreed. "It's all well and good to make up a wife who's been resurrected from the past—but they're bound to ask me for details, like where she lives, and so on. If I keep haggling—" "You don't have to hesitate. In order to make this matter perfect, your wife will of course come to London!" "Don't look so discouraged," Jin Qiao said, "I am your wife!" (two) I stared at her, or, rather, stared at her dumbfounded.I'm surprised she didn't smile. "Don't look so surprised," she said, "I'm not asking you to marry me." I finally said: "You don't know what you're talking about." "Of course I know. What I'm proposing is very practical, and it will prevent innocent people from being harmed." "But you are in danger yourself." "I will be careful." "No, and it will be full of loopholes." "No, I've thought about it. I could take a foreign-labeled suitcase or two and take a furnished apartment. I'll register under Mrs. Easterbrook's name, Who knows if I'm Mrs. Easterbrook?" "Anyone who knows you knows you're not." "No one who knows me has a chance to see me. I will resign temporarily because I am sick. I also have to dye my hair. By the way, what color is your wife's hair? Black or blonde?" "Black hair." I said mechanically. "Well, I don't like dyeing my hair light. As long as I wear different styles of clothes and more makeup, not even my best friend will think who I am! Since you haven't had a wife for the past ten years Around, no one will know that I am not her. How can the people of 'White Horse' suspect that I am not who I claim to be? If you are going to sign a contract with someone and bet a lot of money that I am still alive, no one will Doubting my real identity. You have nothing to do with the police - you are a real client. All they have to do is check in Somerside and they will be able to prove that you were indeed married. Besides, they can find out that you and Hermia's love is true. So, what doubts are there?" "You don't understand—it's too dangerous." "Danger—Jesus!" said King Joe. "I'd like to help you win a petite hundred or anything back from that crook Bradley." I look at her and I adore her... her red hair, her freckles, her go-getting spirit.But I can't let her take that risk. "I can't bear it, Kim Joe," I said, "what if something happens?" "You mean me?" "good." "Isn't that my business?" "No, I pulled you in." She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, you may be right, but it doesn't matter who started it first, now we're all involved in this, and something has to be done. I'm really serious, Mark, this is no joke. If we all You are right, this thing is so disgusting and cruel, we must find a way to stop it! You know, this is not killing people out of hatred or jealousy, but killing people as a common practice-no matter who the victim is. "Of course, I mean if the whole thing is true." She gave me a suspicious look. "Of course it's true," I said, "that's why I worry about you." Jin Qiao put his elbows on the table and argued with me. We argued back and forth, and the clock on my mantel moved slowly. Finally, Jin Qiao came to a conclusion. "That's it. I was warned over and over again. I know someone is trying to harm me, but I don't believe she can do it at all! If everyone has a 'will to die', it's a pity that mine is not so developed! My body Very well, I don't believe at all that Cesar Gray drawing figures on the floor, or Sybil performing a trance . . . will get me gallstones or meningitis." "I think Bella will also sacrifice a white rooster," I mused. "You have to admit that these are all deceptive things!" "So far, we don't know what's actually going on," I said. "Yes, that's why we're going to find out the facts. But do you really believe that what three women did in an old stable at the 'White Horse' could make me, living in a house in London, infected with A deadly disease? Of course you wouldn't believe it!" "Yeah," I said, "I don't believe it, but I really..." We look at each other. "Yes, this is our weakness." Jin Qiao said. "Listen," I said, "let's do it differently. I'll go to London, and you'll pretend to be their customer, and we'll make up another story—" Jin Qiao shook his head vigorously. "No, Mark," she said, "That won't work, for several reasons, the most important being that the 'White Horse' people already knew me as a smiling, carefree girl, and they I can get all my information from Roda - but I have no past history. You are in a much better situation than I am - you are a nervous customer, asking for information, not ready to reveal your secrets. Come out. Yeah, that's what we decided to do." "I don't like it, I don't want you to live in a strange place with a false name and no one to take care of you. I think it's best - er - to file a case with the police before we do it." "I agree," Jin Qiao said slowly: "You should do this. Where should you register with the police? Scotland Yard?" "No," I said, "I think it would be best to inform Inspector Li Jun."