Chapter 9 Section 2 Obstruction

"Excuse me, what can I do?" "I'm an agent from Bureau 11, looking for Mr. Rügenmann." I showed my police officer ID. "Oh, do you have an appointment in advance?" "?No." "I'm sorry. Even the police officers, if there is no clear reason and there is no appointment before, they can't meet with the master. I'm really sorry." 9 Fafnir Street, Rügenmann Hofer's house, February 29. I hadn't even called to make an appointment with Mr. Rügenmann before, and it wasn't too surprising that such an abrupt visit was rejected.

However, as for "clear reasons", I don't lack any lack of them—if I can get in touch with Mr. Rügenmann through this dedicated villa guard, then, I think, at least there is no problem in obtaining the qualification to meet. "Oh, here's the thing. Followed up by our team, there are some new developments in Eliza's case, so?" "Sorry! Please leave immediately, thank you." The young guard's attitude suddenly became stiff—this obviously had something to do with my mention of Eliza's case. I took another careful look at the guard in front of me: he looked only eighteen or nineteen years old, but he was physically fit.

On his chest is an ID card that seems to be dedicated to the staff of the villa—I learned that his name is Transkei Schmitz, and his identity is the captain of the villa's security affairs. Generally speaking, the photo on this kind of identity card is different from the photo on the city's police officer's card, and it does not need to be changed every three years-this can be seen from the fact that another person in the guard room is reading today's "Freedom Herald" It was confirmed on the laid-back guard: the wrinkles on his forehead and the heavily bald crown indicated that he was at least forty-five years old, and the photo on his chest ID showed a completely young appearance.

But compared to Transkei's appearance, the photo on his certificate was just taken and developed-then, he should not have been working here for a long time: but he is in charge of the security affairs of the entire villa, and Such an obvious reaction to the case that happened eight years ago (judging by his age, he probably just entered middle school eight years ago).This fact, combined with his surname, is enough for me to make a small inference: "Ilize was your childhood friend, wasn't she?" I admit that such tentative remarks are quite risky - and at the risk of being thrown out.But since what I said before was wrong (although I didn’t want to), if I don’t take this method, I still can’t pass through this door—since the result is the same, why not try?

"? Why do you ask this?" The young man was a little surprised. "If I'm not wrong, you should be the son of Mr. Rhodes. I have studied Miss Eliza's case in detail, and the testimony provided by Mr. Rhodes has greatly helped the case, so I remember this name." I suspect that the sudden change in Transkei's attitude may be due to doubts about the police's ability to do things - the case has not been solved after eight years of absence from a childhood playmate: this disappointment It is only natural to blame the ineffectiveness of the police officers. "Huh? What's the use of remembering. You can't really catch any of you, can you?"

"On the contrary, I know who the murderer is." "? Ha, what a joke! If you know who the murderer is, why don't you handcuff him?" "We can't arrest Mr. Rügenmann without seeing him. Do you believe that?" "Well, at least show some evidence. You know, I don't really trust you guys?" "Sorry, I can't show you any of them, but I can guarantee with my police badge that they exist! Otherwise, I wouldn't have come!" I looked at Transkei, Trying to convince him of my steadfastness. It's a little psychological warfare—of course I don't know who the murderer is at all at the moment: but as long as there are facts and truths, no matter how deeply they are buried, they will be discovered.So I don't think I'm lying.

Besides, I also plan to surrender my police badge in a short time? I must admit that I did not tell Mr. Transkei the whole truth about my so firm "guarantee": I think, In hindsight I should have apologized to the young villa security chief for my little sleight of hand between words. After a moment of staring at each other, Transkei's eyes softened: "The master should be in the tea room now. I will ask Mr. Barth to take you to the reception room first. I will inform Mr. Rhodes later, and he will receive you. Please forgive me for the impolite words just now. forgive."

Transkei bowed slightly to me as an apology, and Mr. Balter, who had been reading the newspaper just now, walked out of the guard room and motioned for me to follow him. When I passed the flower bed, I noticed that the planted there was no longer the German primrose, but the tall variegated orchid that looked a little wilted. It's been eight years and it seems normal