Chapter 33 sin and sin

When I left her apartment, I fled straight to Mr. Assad's house.I parked the car in the driveway and fled into the marble mansion like a bear being pursued by a pack. I asked the porter, where is Mr. Assad now?The concierge said our boss was in the study.So I rushed into the study and closed the heavy walnut door behind me. Mr. Assard sat at his desk and looked up at me, seemingly displeased at my insolence.But instead of sending me out, he got up quickly and said, "What's the matter, William?" I wiped the sweat off my forehead, walked over to the desk, and put down the envelope, which contained a thousand yuan in cash.Mr. Assad picked up the money with a confused look on his face.

"William, have you been to Mary's flat?" "Yes, sir." "Where is she?" "Yes, sir." "She didn't ask for money? William, I can't believe it." "Sir, she's dead." Mr. Assad turned his piercing gaze from the bill to me.He was a slender, handsome man, about thirty years old in appearance, only the gray hair could hint his real age. "Dead?" he said. "How? William." "It looked to me as if she had been strangled. I didn't linger long to be sure. She had strangulation marks on her neck, her tongue sticking out, and her face was swollen like a gray liver. She must have been a rather charming, charming woman.

I changed my breath and added. "Yes," said Mr. Assard, "she's a stunner." "But it doesn't look attractive now." "She's alone in the apartment?" "I guess so, I didn't dare to look around, I just saw her lying on the living room floor, and then I hurried away and came here." Mr. Assad absently put one thousand yuan into the pocket of his coat: "Three hours ago, she was still alive. Before I went out, she called me. When I came back, I handed you an envelope. When you arrive When she was there, she was found dead. So, she was killed between two o'clock and five o'clock this afternoon."

"Mr. Assad, is it possible that she did a lot of business during that time?" "She shouldn't be doing business today because she's expecting a visitor with a white envelope. William, you didn't see anyone when you left the apartment?" "No, sir." "Didn't call anyone." people? talk to anyone? ""No one, sir, and it was only here that I asked the porter where you were. ". "Well, you've always been a good fellow, William." "Yes, sir," I said, "I try to do my best." It was true.I'm from a mountainous area near Comfort County, North Carolina. I'm a native of the mountains, where the land is barren and the people live in poverty.One summer, Mr. Assad went there for a week of fishing for fun. During that week, I ran errands and did odd jobs for him. At the end of the week, Mr. Assad asked me if I would like to continue working for him. He said I was smart, I was neat and tidy, and I was polite. He said he needed a driver who would also do odd jobs and do some private work.He said that if he wanted, I would have a nice place to live and a fixed salary.Of course I refused to let go of this good opportunity, and I happily agreed. Mr. Assad regards me as a confidant. He trusts me and knows that I keep everything secret. For a big man like Mr. Assad who owns TV stations and newspapers, this is a big deal. One point is very important.

As I calmed down from the horror at Marie's apartment and stopped shaking, Mr. Assad was busy on the phone.He telephoned Judge Hardy and Prosecutor Genney, both of whom were good friends of Mr. Assard, and told them to leave all trifles and come and meet him at once, and that something very important had happened, he said, Cannot explain on the phone.He wanted them to come to his study at once, and the two of them hurried over. The first to arrive was Justice Hardy, the youngest judge on the Superior Court in the state, and his love of parties and wine was evident in his slack face. He was tall, red-faced, and in college he was a famous football star.

He said to Mr. Assad: "What's the matter? I have dinner tonight, old friend, and" "You must have lost your appetite when you've heard what I've said," said Mr. Assard, "to save the repetition Let’s wait for Ginnie to come and talk about it.” Judge Hardy knew it was useless to force him, so he sat down quietly, lit a cigar, and tried to read something from Mr. Isard's thin and serious face. Judge Hardy had just lit the vape when Mr. Genney arrived.Mr. Genney is a bald, fat middle-aged man with thick lips and full eyes. When Mr. Genney entered the study and the door was safely shut, Mr. Assard said to me, "Tell them, William, tell them what you just told me." "Miss Mary is dead," I said.The judge didn't bat an eye when he heard this.The prosecutor's throat seemed to be blocked by something. He rubbed his neck with one hand while he groped for the chair with the other and sat down. "How?" asked the judge, his voice calm.

"Murdered, I think," I said.Prosecutor Genie's voice sounded rough. "By what method?" asked the judge. "Asphyxiated, that's what it seems," I said. "when?" "Between two o'clock and five o'clock." Mr. Assad said. "The murderer has not been caught, and I have no right to try. What did you tell me? How do you think I'm interested in this case?" Prosecutor Genie said hoarsely, "I don't know Mary." "Oh, don't do that, Genie," said Mr. Assard. "Mary did manage to handle the three of us one by one. She didn't make money. The three of us alone are enough. She has her gold mine under control, and she is content. She does not intend to go further, lest she incur greater danger, in other words, to find another silver mine."

Mr. Genney arched his body, grasping the arms of the chair with both hands: "I deny any—" "Please shut up," Mr Assad said calmly, "Now we are not in court. However, the three of us are the ones who could have killed her.It is reasonably certain that one of the three of us killed Mary.Hardy, she cheated on you the longest, I was second, Genie, you were her third and last golden goose.The three of us, during this period, the total donation is estimated to be around 60,000 yuan. " "The bad thing is we didn't file income taxes on that money." "How did you find out about this?" Genie asked. "I mean, about me."

"Ginnie, that's a silly question," Mr. Assad said. "I'm still a top-notch reporter when it comes to digging into personal privacy. Don't forget, I have sources." "Well," said Judge Hardy, who seemed to be sitting in court, considering a proposal made by a lawyer, "the matter is between us, and the three of us are lambs at her will, and each of us has Good reason to deal with her. In other words, all three of us are in the same boat that is leaking, and now the question is left to decide whether we will have oars to row. Unfortunately, between two and five this afternoon, I don't have an alibi, do you have one, Genie?" "What?" Genie looked ashen, as if waiting to take poison.

"Where were you between two and five this afternoon?" "I..." "Where, Genie?" Mr. Assad pressed. Mr. Ginny raised his head and looked at his friend: "I didn't go in. You have to understand that I was one street away. I turned the car around and drove back. I didn't go into her apartment." "Are you going to see Mary?" asked the judge. "Yes, I'm going to beg her. I can't pay her blackmail any more, and I'm going to try to convince him. She'll have to ask for little—or nothing at all. I can't get any more money, I'm not like you The two are rich."

"But you're scared," Mr. Assad said. "You didn't actually go to see her?" "Yes, Assad, you have to trust me." "Whether we believe you or not," said the judge, "doesn't matter much. What matters is that you have no alibi. What about you, Assad?" Mr. Assard shook his head: "At two o'clock in the afternoon, I received a call from her, and she reminded me that she wanted me to send William to send her a thousand yuan at five o'clock. I drove out to look at a piece I wanted to buy. land, and send William to deliver the money when I get back." "Then any one of us could have killed her," said the judge. "Listen," Ginnie said in a tense, urgent voice, "I didn't kill her, but if this scandal comes to me, I'm done, all three of us," and his eyes were mournful, "It's all over. There are a lot of people in the police station in the city hall who have been trying to find fault with us. We can't have anything to do with any murders, not even if Vinthard controls the TV station and the newspaper." "Exactly," said Mr. Assard, "sometimes, Genie, you almost convince me you have brains. Can't we think of ways to cover it up other than the tricks you use in politics? " "So what do you think?" asked the judge. "Let's have a 'gentleman's agreement,'" Mr. Assad said. "Whoever of the three of us is targeted, he has to bear it alone. He must not ask his friends for help or get his friends involved. He must stand up. Firmly insisting that he is the only one related to Mary, no matter which one of us is targeted, he should have no shame in saying that he protected his friend." "It's not easy," the judge said. "When a person is charged with murder, the natural reaction is to mention someone's name, to confuse the view, to confuse the issue." "I know," said Mr. Assad, "that's why I've invited you here. We must agree in advance, we must agree that the two people who are not targeted will support the unlucky ones in the years to come." The family of the unfortunate person, any situation, any trouble, should be treated as if the unfortunate person was still alive." "Mr. Assad," I said.He turned to me, "William, what's up?" "All the while you guys were talking, I've been thinking, I have an idea." "William," Mr. Genney said in a tone that bordered on caustic, "we have more important things to consider than your idea..." Mr. Asard raised his hand in a stifling motion.He said: "I think we have nothing to lose by listening to you, William, speak up!" "Thank you, sir, look, Mr. Assard, you have been kind to me and given me the opportunity to live a life I never dreamed of. I used to be just a poor mountain nest in Comfort County, North Carolina. child." Mr. Genney said impatiently, "This is not the time for silly talk about feelings." "Yes, sir," I said, "anyway, I've said all I have to say, and I just wanted Mr. Assard to know why I'm willing to take the blame for Mary's murder in your place." Now, all their attention is on me, and believe me, at that time, a mouse ran across the roof of the attic, and you could all hear it, and of course, there were no mice in Mr. Isard's attic. "William," said Mr. Assard at last, "I am very moved. But I suspect that you have not finished your sentence." "Yes, Mr. Assad, I haven't finished my words. The three of you have wives from famous social backgrounds, good children, happy families, and all the things necessary for a good life. Once you are involved in Mary's murder, many Things will be lost overnight. As for me, I have no important friends, just myself, and I have never had a chance to get a bonus or anything before." "How much?" asked the judge. "Oh, you've paid Miss Mary quite a lot. The last—pay me—and it's over for good. You give me five thousand dollars each, and I will bear all the consequences of this terrible incident for you. " "I won't do it," said Mr. Genney. "For five thousand dollars I don't—" "Come on, Genney, I think you'll take it," said Mr. Assard, leaning his back on his desk, and the two Eyes turned to me: "William, what are you going to do? " "It's as simple as mowing the wheat when the sun isn't too hot," I said, "with your newspaper and television station on my side, Judge Hardy in court, and Attorney Genney handling the case for the state, I should not be sentenced to a heavy sentence. I want to say that I have been secretly dealing with Miss Mary. Recently, she tried to abandon me and kick me away. We had a big fight. I went crazy and killed her. This No one in the city really cared about her, and no one would pay attention or suspect her death. I estimate that the judge will sentence me for three to five years. I will behave in prison and be obedient, and maybe I can be released on bail in a year or two. "And then?" asked Judge Hardy. "I will take my 15,000 yuan and go back to Kangfu." I said, "I don't need to have more worries, because we are all involved in this matter, and we will sink or bless together." "I propose ’” said the judge, “you and William can practice more in private, Genie.” “Good idea,” said the prosecutor. "You don't have to worry about William screwing over his part," said Mr. Asard. "Don't worry, he's good stuff." "Well, gentlemen," I said, "let's have a drill here as soon as possible, and I reckon I'll have to go to the police station and surrender myself within a reasonable time. It would be easier if I surrendered, regretting my recklessness. ’” “That’s great, William, that’s great,” Mr. Assad said. I have to admit, that was in my favour, too: the police wouldn't be looking into the case if I turned myself in.If they examine it in detail, from the aspects of fingerprints, foot hair, etc., I will also be doomed. Without the help of these three people, I will definitely be sentenced to a heavy sentence.In the near future, I will be able to return to my hometown with the 15,000 yuan that these three people spit out.Miss Mary also had good plans for the future. When I forced her to open the safe in the apartment, I found a little over 40,000 in total. Residents in Comfort County, North Carolina, all participate in the government's ongoing "well-off plan". After I return to my hometown, I may be the richest person in the town.The air in my hometown is fresh. The scenery is beautiful, the folk customs are simple, and the girls are mature and beautiful. I may want to hire a driver and errand runner myself-but I must make sure that his name is not William.