Chapter 10 Chapter Ten Ai Pulu's Friends

Red and yellow fallen leaves decorate the trees and grass in the college, and the lawn of the adjacent Anthropology Foundation is also full of autumn leaves, soaked in a golden autumn color.Babi breathed in the cool autumn air greedily, recalling the strange smell in his dream, but what he could smell now was only the smell of burning fallen leaves. On the road to the college, he met a group of students, six first-year students led by the second-year students, holding props paddles, carrying a cage with "Clarendon tiger" in it, holding a football game in a mighty manner. Ceremonial parade before the season.It's a local tradition that students always carry the mascot "Clarendon Tiger" in a parade before the annual football game with the state university. Babies do the math, this week happens to be the "tiger cubs return home". Home Week".

The mascot "Clarendon Tiger" is the same size as a real tiger, with sharp canine teeth, piebald stripes, and a simulated roar, which is quite lifelike.Looking at everything in front of him, Babi couldn't help recalling the past. This tiger was "hijacked" from the state university. Back then, the four "Mule Drivers" under Dr. Monrick's school were the heroes of the tiger robbery. They also drove Lex's old-fashioned Cadillac during the "Tiger Cub Homecoming Week". Crossing the peaks on both sides of Clarendon, disguised as Indians from the State University, painted in red wartime paint, joined the crowd in the war dance, and snatched the tiger in full view.

That was many years ago, though, before the old doctor kicked him out of the group.He was stunned for a moment, wondering why Monrik would do that.However, the complexity of the immediate problem far outweighed the old petty resentment.He parked his car at the corner, stepped onto the sidewalk decisively, and walked towards the foundation building. The strange smell that lingered in the dream for a long time disappeared, and the "jingling" carpentry work also stopped. At this time, in the corridor, the lights were dim, people's expressions were serious, and there was an ominous omen.The girl at the information desk in the past was replaced by a stout man today. Judging by his appearance, he is already older than the age of going to college.

"I'm sorry, sir." The man said sullenly, "Today, the library and exhibition hall are closed." "It doesn't matter." Bobby replied in a cheerful tone, "I just want to find Mr. Quin." "Mr. Quin is very busy." "Then I'd do well with Spinwick or Mr. Sturt." "They are all busy, so we won't have customers today." The man's face became even more gloomy. Seeing that there were two people near the escalator, Babi prepared to use his "striking skills".The two were wearing Clarendon tiger T-shirts with yellow and black patterns, but their attire did not seem to match their age. They looked back at Babi's expression, very vigilant.Seeing their bulging waists, Bobby remembered that Sam Quinn hired security guards to guard the Foundation.

He scribbled on a card: "Sam, if you could talk to me now, we'd both save time." Nodding and smiling at the cold man. "Please give this to Mr. Quin." The man quietly pushed Barbie's dollar back to him, picked up the card and walked to the elevator.From the way the man was walking, one could tell he was a policeman. The pistol on his waist also made his clothes arch high.Apparently, Sam Quinn went to great lengths to protect that box. Under the scorching eyes of the security guards, Babi endured ten torturous minutes before seeing Sam hurried out of the elevator, trying to hide his anxious and tense expression. He was not wearing a coat and his shirt sleeves were rolled up. Gao, with a pair of big hands, there is still a faint smell of chemical reagents, and his face is unshaven, and his face is full of vicissitudes. No wonder Nora is so sad.

"This way, Willie." His eyes were sunken, and when he saw Babi, he didn't show any kindness. He just led Babi straight through the corridor and walked towards a long room. Babi was a little puzzled. The walls of the room were covered with continents There are also some maps that Babi couldn't see for a while, but after looking at them for a while, he realized that those were restoration maps of different coasts, and there were also geological maps of continental plates that had been submerged.At the other end of the room were card punchers and card sorters, next to rows of gray steel-plate vim cabinets.

Babi thought for a moment, guessing what kind of information and materials Monrick and his assistants were sorting out here, and what they were analyzing.The rivers and mountains on the submerged continent marked on the map are older than the legendary mysterious islands of Atlantis and the ancient continent of Lemuria in the Indian Ocean.It is not clear whether the indoor research work is over or stopped halfway, because the machines here are not running today, the light in the room is also dim, and it is quiet everywhere. Sam Quinn closed the door behind him, turned to another table, and stopped facing Babi.There were quite a few chairs in the room, but he didn't invite Babi to sit down, he subconsciously waved his clenched fists to restrain his emotions.

"Better get out of it, Willie!" he said in a low tone, with uncontrollable intensity. "It's for your own good." "Tell me why." Babi was not convinced. Sam's face twitched in pain, his sunken eyes stared at those ancient maps in pain, he coughed dryly, and his voice was a little choked. "Please, Willie—don't ask that!" "We're friends, or we were, and that's why I'm here. There are things you know that I must know, tell me, and I must know, for many pressing reasons." Sam's face darkened when he heard this.

"I can't say anything." "Listen, Sam!" Babi's voice became a bit tough with his eagerness, "What did old Merrick want to say before he died? What did you find in Alashan? That is to say, what did you find in that wooden box?" What the hell? Who are the 'sons of darkness'?" He paused, but Sam remained motionless. "You better tell me, Sam." Babi continued pressing forward, "You know I'm a journalist, and I know how to keep sources of information secret. I'm going to find out what's in that box of yours—whether you like it or not."

Quinn's blue eyes narrowed into thin slits, and his Adam's apple kept moving up and down. "You don't know what you're messing around with." Sam's short, low voice was filled with uncontrollable pain, "Can you stop meddling in this matter, so that we can preserve some of our friendship for many years, and stop acting like that?" Some kind of journalist who meddles here and there?" "I'm not doing an interview for The Star," Babi immediately defended himself. "The newspaper isn't interested. Now I've got some things I don't understand, and I'm going to unravel these mysteries, Sam. I can't let them overwhelm me." Make a fool!" Babi trembled with excitement, "I know, you're scared, Sam. Otherwise, why would you do those useless efforts to protect old Monrik at the airport? Otherwise, why would you take the entire Foundation building Turn the building into a fortress?" He swallowed. "Sam, what is the danger? What are you afraid of?"

Sam Quinn shook his head stubbornly. "Willie, don't ask any more," said Sam. "Even if you knew, it wouldn't be any happier." Babi stood up trembling slightly. "I already know a little bit," His voice was a little hoarse. "That's enough to drive me nuts. I think it's something I'm implicated that you're putting up a horrible front against something, though I don't know why. But, Sam, I'm going to Stand by your side." Sam Quinn sat down heavily on the chair behind the table, groping for a paperweight nervously with his hands, and Barbie recognized at a glance that it was Monrick's ancient Roman lamp, and the black glaze pattern on the lamp represented Luo Molos and Remus, the twin sons born of the God of War, Rais, and the Vesta, are sucking the milk of a she-wolf. "Whatever you know, it could be unlucky, either for you or for me." He pushed the clay lamp away, and stood there dazed, studying Babi with deep-set worried eyes. "I think you're cranky," he said finally, in a gentle tone. "Nora told me you've been working hard and drinking a lot lately. She's worried about you, Willie, and I think she's right. , you need to take a rest." He said, putting his hand on the phone on the table. "I think you need to go away for a while, rest somewhere else, don't blow yourself up, I'll make arrangements for you, if you agree to go to Albuquerque, take this afternoon's flight." Babi frowned and stood up quietly without saying a word. "Look," Sam explained, "the foundation has a team digging in New Mexico, and if it works, it could explain why humans died out in North America before the Indians arrived, but you don't have to worry about them. Why bother." There was a hopeful smile on his face, and his serious expression eased a lot. "Willie, how about a week off?" he went on. "I'll give Tey a call and make a deal with the paper. You might even do a feature. Get some sun and exercise—forget about it." Doctor Monrique." He said, reaching for the phone. "If it's arranged, can you leave today?" Bobby shook his head. "I don't take bribes, Sam." Before Babi finished speaking, Sam was already flushed with anger.Babi continued: "I still don't understand what you are trying to cover up. But don't try to coax me out of the city like this. I won't go. I will stay here and see what happens." Sam stood up slowly. "Dr. Monrik decided not to trust you anymore, Willie—it was a long time ago." Sam's voice was flat and indifferent. "He never told us why. You may be fine, or you may be fine." What's the problem, but we can't take the risk." Sam had a stubborn, pale, dangerous look on his face. "I'm sorry, Willy, that you're being so unreasonable on purpose. I'm not bribing you. But now I want to remind you, step aside, don't meddle in this matter, and if you mess up again, we won't You're welcome. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is." He said, shaking his head resignedly. "Think about it, Willie. Now, I have to go." After he finished speaking, he strode to open the door, "Wait, Thumb!" Babi shouted in protest, "Even if you give me a reasonable reason—" But Sam had already closed the door and hurried away, and Babi took a few quick steps, but the elevator door slammed shut almost on his nose.Babi noticed the cold gaze of the man at the information desk.Feeling uncomfortable all over, he had to walk away.This tower-like tall building has now become an unknown city wall. Bobby returned to the parking lot on the side of the road and turned to look at the high windows from which he had seen blue arcs in his nightmares. Quinn had sent someone to fortify the room for the wooden box.He felt another shiver, searching for the unpleasant smell in the dream. Although he couldn't smell anything now, the dream was so similar to the reality that it really made him shudder—he felt that his reason had been overwhelmed. It was completely locked in the heavily guarded wooden box. A sudden, illogical anxiety forced Bobby to get into the car, start the engine, put it in high gear, and spin onto the freeway.A fool, he blamed himself.Sam's complex expression of nervousness, seriousness, remorse and fear really couldn't make him feel at ease. He drove around the campus until the anxiety gradually subsided, and then he drove towards the city. Check the time, hoping to call Ai Pulu, but it's still early.He remembered that it was time to work for the Star, and Colonel Walwin's file was still in his drawer.His mind is in a mess, but he refuses to do any reporting that flaunts Walwin and confuses voters. Oh, it occurred to him that he should go and see Rowena Monrique. Why does she always wear those strange old silver jewelry, whether in reality or in dreams?What exactly did she and Dr. Monrique dig up in Nigeria, and what happened to that black panther attack?What did she know about Dr. Monrik's later research work?Does she know who is waiting to kill the doctor at the airport?Who is the Son of Darkness?If she could answer any one of these questions, she could point him in the right direction, and her answer would be the litmus test for distinguishing fact from whiskey illusion. Babi drove past the office, walked to Zhongyang Street, and then turned north to Xinhe Road.Glenhaven is a hundred acres of land and water, situated four miles outside of Clarendon. The autumn trees still acted like a screen, and the hospital wards and the physical therapist's consulting room were all hidden from the sight of the highway. Bobby parked his car in the parking lot behind the main building, a three-story brick building that looked like a prison.Babi skirted the brick wall and entered the gloomy reception room, which was as stately as a bank vestibule, or as a temple to the new god Floyd.A slender girl sat behind a huge mahogany desk with the air of a chaste priestess.Babi stepped forward and handed over his business card. "I'm here to see Mrs. Rowena Monrick," he said. The girl's delicate and lovely demeanor reminded Babi of a portrait of an Egyptian princess in the university museum.Her eyes and hair were black, her skin shone like ivory, her eyebrows were low, and the top of her head was a little too long.Flipping through a book with a black cover, she gave Babi a dreamy smile. "Sorry, sir, but I don't have your appointment list here," she said in a sleepy voice, "You see, all visiting patients must make an appointment with the doctor in charge in advance, if you can leave your— —” "I want to see Mrs. Monrick now," "I'm sorry, sir." She smiled slowly, very peculiarly, "I'm afraid not today. If you would like to—" "Who is her doctor in charge?" "Please wait a moment, sir." Her ivory-like slender and tender fingers gracefully flipped through the black book, "Mrs. Rowena Monrique was admitted to the hospital at eight o'clock this morning. She was—" The girl's soft voice was beautiful, like a little god, "She is in charge of Dr. Gran." "I'll see Dr. Grann, then." "I'm sorry, sir." She replied in a sweet voice, "you must make an appointment to see Dr. Grann." Babi was so anxious that he gasped, he didn't care what happened, and walked straight forward to see what the girl could do.The girl's dark eyes looked at Babi, and Babi knew that she could call in enough strong guards to defend the dignity of this sacred temple. He was embarrassed and wondered what to do next.Glenhaven is a first-class psychological and physical therapy hospital in the country, this, he knows.So, there is no reason to be biased against psychiatric institutions. "Mrs. Monrique is my friend," he said to the girl. "I just want to see her." "It is not allowed to discuss the condition of our patients casually." The weak female priest was charming. "Patients under the personal care of Dr. Grant, you can rest assured that Mrs. Monrique will receive the best treatment and care. If you want to visit—" "No, thank you," Babi muttered under his breath, and went out. Escape from the strange smile of the girl, escape from the well-ordered palace with strict barriers, this high-efficiency temple dedicated to new gods in the 20th century! The poor blind lady should not be its victim, he said to himself.In fact, Dr. Glenn is a famous physical therapist. He must be very patient with his wife, and his medical skills are also of a high level. After leaving the hospital, Babi breathed a sigh of relief, happily breathing the cool autumn air, letting the cool feeling permeate his entire chest, and then hurried back to the car.There was another setback, but Ai Pulu was still there.Thinking of Ai Pulu, Babi's breathing became fast, oh, fresh red hair, it's almost noon, he went to return the jade wolf to her, and asked her if she had any dreams—— Bobby's train of thought was interrupted by the thin figure of Miss Alford, who was sitting at the bus station on the corner of the street waiting for the bus.Babi parked his car on the side of the road and said he would take her back along the way. "Thank you very much, Mr. Barbie." Miss Alfred smiled gratefully, showing her bright yellow false teeth. She got into the car and sat next to Babi, "I just missed the last bus." She continued to chatter gratefully, "I don't know when I get off work I just came and I should have asked the lady at the desk to help me call a taxi, but my mind was in a mess and I didn't know what to do, oh, poor Rowena." "How is she?" Barbie asked in a low, hasty voice. "Acute anxiety disorder - Dr. Grann wrote so in her medical record." Miss Alford spoke with a strong nasal voice, and her voice was full of worry, "She is still a little hysterical, and she wants me to leave, but Gran The doctors told me to go - they sedated her to calm her down." "What?" Babi's voice was choked up, "What's the problem?" "Di suffers from intractable imaginary phobias, Dr. Grann said, a strange kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder." "Oh?" Babi frowned uncomfortably, "What does that mean?" "You know her usual attitude about silver jewelry, don't you? Dr. Grann calls it 'Phantom Phobia,' and it got worse last night. When we bandaged her wounds this morning, we put those weird Silver jewelry off--you know, she fell down and broke all over--poor thing, she's crazy and wants us to give it back to her. Mr. Grand wants me to go back and get it, After she saw the jewelry, she kept thanking me as if she had saved her life, as if I had saved her life." Babi tried to control himself and not show his face. "What is this compulsion?" he asked feebly. "I don't know." Miss Alford hunched slightly, raised her head, and looked at Babi with hesitant and sad eyes. "Madam wants to see Mr. Sam Quinn. She said she had something important to tell him, but The absurd thing is that she refused to call or write a note, and she didn't even believe that I would pass the news on her behalf. She kept begging me to invite Mr. Quin to the hospital. She wanted to see Mr. Quin in person and to remind her He what. But the doctor won't allow it." Bobby felt that his eyes were dry, as if something was stuck, and he stopped asking, lest Miss Alfred would see something wrong.The car hadn't been in high gear all the time, so he frantically put it on the highest gear, and drove along New River Road towards Clarendon. "I'm so sad, poor Rowena," Miss Alford was still babbling, and I could hear that she was really sad. That's it. She kept begging us to get Turk back, her big dog. She let the dog out last night and she never came back, and now she says she needs that dog, wants him Protecting her in the dark. Dr. Grann asked her what she was afraid of, and she wouldn't tell." Bobby felt cold all over, and he listened blankly while driving, not daring to look at Miss Alfred any more.Although he looked straight ahead, he actually saw nothing.Suddenly he heard Miss Alfred screaming, and he took a closer look and saw a large truck driving up the Deer Creek Highway Bridge.His car was going too fast, he slammed on the steering wheel, slammed on the brakes, and with the screech of the wheels, they scraped the concrete barrier and skirted the truck, both shaking with fear. "I'm sorry." Babi apologized in a hoarse voice, "I only care about Rowena." But I was secretly glad that Miss Alford didn't know what he was thinking.On College Road Miss Alford got out of the car and Bobby turned back into town. It was almost noon, and Babi was sitting at the table, absently flipping through the materials related to Walwin, and impatiently waiting for a phone call with Garden of the Trojan Warriors. When he finally picked up the phone, the impatience to see April Bell disappeared suddenly. Apart from her incomparable beauty, Barbie didn't believe that April was more dangerous than other redheads. An uncontrollable sudden, nameless panic forced him to put down the receiver. Better to wait until things get back to normal, Babi advised himself.Maybe, it's better not to call, just go.What would happen to Ai Pulu if he returned the white jade brooch to her face?Babi wanted to bet on the scene with his own eyes. It was time for lunch, and Babi was not hungry.He stopped at a store for a soda, then a strong whiskey at Mint's.This glass of whiskey still works, he suddenly regained his energy, so it is time to go to Walwin’s law firm for an interview, so as to change his mind, and maybe find a new perspective on the mystery of Ai Pulu. Walwin, the affable statesman, offered Barbie a glass of whiskey and then went on to talk about how unscrupulous his opponents were.But Colonel Walwin's enthusiasm and wit were gone when Babby brought up the matter of the sewer stock.He said that he suddenly remembered an important appointment, and Babi had no choice but to leave and return to his office. But he couldn't concentrate, the only thing in his mind was the tightly guarded wooden box, and the unpleasant threat from Sam Quinn; and he couldn't forget Rowena in the dream, holding a silver dagger, chasing after him.What on earth was she going to tell Sam; a green-eyed she-wolf, leaping off the page, grinning grinningly at his typewriter. Without further delay, he pushed aside Valvin's material and decided to get to the bottom of the Epuro mystery—another panic, the panic he had been waiting for. It's already two o'clock, and Ai Pulu should have come out long ago, if she is really a trainee reporter for the "Clarion".Babi hurried to the parking lot, drove back to the apartment, took the white jade brooch, drove wildly, crossed the north main road, and drove towards the Garden of Troy Warriors. Bobby wasn't surprised that Preston Tee's blue limousine was parked in the parking lot, since a charming former secretary of Tee's lived in the top-floor apartment. Babi didn't stop at the information desk, because he didn't want Ai Pulu to prepare in advance and make up the story of Aunt Shan Ajiasha.He was going to put the brooch in the palm of her hand and see how she reacted, how her green eyes blinked.Babi didn't wait for the elevator to arrive, and walked up to the second floor with big strides. Tey's thick back, walking slowly in front of Barbi, this is still no surprise, Barbi thought, maybe the former secretary moved to the second floor.He walked forward along the corridor, 2-A, 2-B on the second floor, and the next door should be 2-C-Babbi suddenly held his breath. When he saw Tei, who was walking ahead, stop before 2-C, Babi opened his mouth wide and looked at him in surprise.Tey, a short, stocky man in a crisp double-breasted suit and a purple tie, neither knocked nor rang the bell, but took out his keys.He opened the door of the apartment by himself.Babi heard Aprile Bell's velvety voice, low and affectionate, and the door closed. Babi stumbled back to the elevator and slapped the elevator switch hard.He felt sick, like someone had punched him in the chest.Indeed, he has no reason to have any special demands on Ai Pulu. She also said that besides Aunt Agatha, she has other friends.Apparently, she didn't just make a living at the newspaper. Still, Bobby felt sick.