Fan Fiction |
by Mimosa
“Nick” Gallen spoke quickly, afraid of changing his own mind “Do what you suggested and transfer the money! Would you have it done in two hours?”
“I could do that. But, are you sure?” The voice from the other end did not bother to hide the doubt.
“I don’t have a choice, Nick!” Gallen let out a sigh “Look, I trust you with that.”
“No problem!”
“Thanks. Got to go now, but I’ll check back with you after I’m done here!”
***
Julian tapped Raymond shoulder before rushing out after others. Raymond felt as if he’d just got robbed. One minute he was so hot after the track, the next he found himself involuntarily on a vacation break. Sir Lam had been very nice and repeatedly told Raymond not to take it personal, but Raymond could not help to feel being cast aside. After more than 48 hours working nonstop on the case, Raymond felt he was a part of the sad affair already. As much as he wanted to, Raymond simply could not convey all of his impressions to his colleagues within the limit of a one-hour meeting. All he could transfer were mere facts and records. Now there was nothing else Raymond could do. Raymond sighed. What would he do now as he had all the time in the world for? He might come back home and sleep the rest of the day off, or he might stop for a drink. Well, he had not had a drink for quite a while. Raymond sighed again and reluctantly got up. He hoped Julian and that arrogant thing of a detective would be able to solve the case soon. Raymond felt sorry for Julian. Working under that sulky-faced Eddie Cheung would not be pleasant at all.
As Raymond walked by one of the interrogation cells, he thought he saw Roger sitting there, across the table from Julian. Only when he propped his head in that Roger realized he had mistaken. Gallen greeted Raymond with a polite nod of his sleek head, and looked inquiringly at Julian. The later drew another chair toward Raymond and motion Gallen to continue.
“My Dad wanted to speak to me at the office” Gallen repeated, there was a faint hint of tremor in his warm voice. “So I came after I brought Hester back to her home.”
“What time was it?” Asked Julian,
“Around 7, I guess..”
“And what did you and your father discuss?”
“He wanted me to go back to Berkeley and finish my degree there!” Gallen winked unhappily “He didn’t want me to hang around Hester. He said she will ruin me!”
“What kind of degree, if I might ask?”
“Medical. I did four years but found myself uninterested…”
“So you objected to your father’s idea, obviously?”
“I told him I would not do what he dictated to me! I don’t want to spend my life doing something I am not interested in,” Gallen’s face reddened as he went on rather fast “and I certainly don’t want to give up somebody just because he thought she would “ruin” my life!”
“What did your father say then?”
“He said he would cut me off” Gallen traced the side of his nose, his fingers long and elegant “I told him I could take care of myself. Then I went on and told him about the contract I signed with TVB.”
“He must be very angry?”
Rubbing his face with both hands, Gallen stifled a sigh. “He threw me out!” He said at last “Told me not to see him ever again.”
“What time did you leave your father’s office?”
“I don’t know, 7:30 maybe…”
“Did anyone see you leave?”
Gallen hesitated for a split moment, and then spoke quickly “No.”
“Well, in that case, I think we have got everything we need from you, Mr. Wong” Julian got up and extended his hand.
Raymond watched as Gallen walked out of the room with free, long striding steps. Raymond had expected this man to offer some excellent alibi for himself, but what Raymond just heard was quite on the contrary. Turning toward Julian, Raymond asked with vivid interest:
“Are you going to get a warrant for his arrest?”
“Seem like a logical next step, don’t you think?” Julian retorted. “See, he was on the spot, nobody saw him left, he had an actress girlfriend that unapproved by the tyrannical old man… Hmmm, what else? He was telling the bartender he felt like killing someone… What more? He has the knowledge and probably the mean to get the drug! He did Medical school for 4 years for God’s sake. The man is doomed, I’m telling you!”
“Not too fast, Julian!” Raymond was frowning by now “He should know better than admitting he had no alibi, that nobody saw him leaving that night. Don’t you think that’s really dumb?”
“Bother!” Julian waved it aside “He was probably acting smart and thinking that if he gave no alibi, people like you would think he is innocent.”
“Just your deduction there Julian. The judge would need solid evidences and witnesses.” Raymond pointed out.
“Only a matter of double-checking, my dear Ray” Julian made a face “I bet Sulky Face has done talking with Berkeley by now!”
“How? Did you guys know Gallen went to Berkeley before questioning him?” Raymond was surprised
“Sure, Ray. I have to admit Sulky Face is great. Too bad he is such a pain to have as a boss!” Julian wailed
“Poor you.. Can’t help you there Julian… I’m off enjoying my life now. You enjoy your sullen boss all right?”
And with that, Raymond left his work. Just as he wheeled his car out of the parking lot, he saw the second son of the Wong striding along the pavement. Raymond thought quickly, and then rolled down his window:
“Gallen, is it?” Raymond called out
“Yes, and you’re detective...?”
“Hsuan. But you could call me Raymond. Where are you heading?”
“Oh, the bus stop I guess” Gallen was uncertain himself. He was released from the questioning session sooner than he had anticipated. Roger still had some work to do, and Gallen told his brother he would find a way to go home.
“Hop in” Raymond offered, and Gallen hesitated
“Don’t worry, I’m off duty now!” Raymond assured the other.
Gallen talked very little inside Raymond’s car. At times he would finger his cell phone wearily. As they cruised passed the intersection, Gallen seemed to make up his mind and asked Raymond to drop him off at an old shabby auto shop. Raymond sighed rather regretfully. He’d hope to use Gallen to pass the dragging free time ahead of him. He’d like to learn a bit more about the guy as well, just to see what his sister found so interesting.
***
Raymond sipped his beer slowly, feeling totally bored. The pub was deserted. It was only 6 o’clock in the afternoon. Only loser like him would resource to a beer in the middle of the afternoon like this. Raymond grunted, and then his cell phone rang. Raymond’s eyes lit up, he was willing to talk to anyone.
It was Julian at the other end, slightly out of breath
“You won’t believe it, Ray!”
“What happened?”
“That son of a gun… He killed again!”
“Who?” Raymond startled
“Gallen Wong! I’m obtaining a warrant! We’ll get him very soon!”
“No! I can’t believe it!”
“Yes, my friend. Somebody reported a body 2 hours ago. Then his convertible was found bouncing down the cliff. Lucky for us, or rather unfortunate for him, the car did not get completely under the water. We recovered some hair and some other nasty stuff in the trunk.” Julian stopped to catch his breath “Ray, the lab report came in just now! It matches beautifully!”
Julian rung up with a victorious “I told you so!”, leaving Raymond completely shocked.
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Mimosa's note:
Hi, we have a new investigation team now, ;) Eddie Cheung aka Sulky Face, and his junior partner Julian Cheung.
And have you notice lovely Vivian on the poster? :D