43 – News

Li Yun escorted the detectives to see Lin He Yong, one of the patients from yesterday. He was lucky to be at the edge of where the bomb was planted. Unfortunately, four of his co-workers did not make it, along with eight others from the upper floors.

"Mr. Lin, I'm Lieutenant Bu Tao from the Yide City department, do you have a moment?" Bu Tao asked, revealing his badge.

"Ah, yes, sure," Lin He Yong replied.

"Mr. Lin, can you describe to me what happened yesterday morning? From the time you entered the building."

"It was really like any other morning," Lin He Yong's hands moved as he spoke, trying to recall more details. "The only thing different was that I took the stairs yesterday. Thinking back, that might have saved my life."

"Did you notice anything unusual?"

Lin He Yong thought about it. "Nothing unusual, except for what happened when I arrived at my floor."

"The incident happened in your office. Do you know if anyone has a grudge against your boss or even some of your co-workers?"

"Well, everyone hates our boss."

"What exactly do you do at the office?"

"We're just a small internet news agency."

Bu Tao couldn't remember any news agency. "Tabloid?"

"I wouldn't call it tabloid, it's just like any other news, but as a copywriter, we come up with titles to make it more interesting. My other coworkers would find articles and then rewrite them a little."

Bu Tao rolled his eyes, but Li Yun thought it was typical. Reading the entire article was the thing of the past, so most internet tabloids didn't put effort into changing the content, just the titles.

"Before being a copywriter, did you do anything else?" Bu Tao continued.

"Yeah, I was in the military, served four years. Never thought I would end up working as a copywriter."

"What happened?"

"Well, it's just, I wanted a job where I wouldn't get blown up. What irony." Lin He Yong looked a bit bitter.

"Did you lose anyone in the skirmish?" asked Li Yun, noticing the wrinkle below his eyes.

"Yeah, a good buddy of mine. After that, I kinda had it."

"Anyone else in your office who was in the military?" Bu Tao was wondering if it was a coincidence Lin He Yong was in the military.

Lin He Yong nodded. "Almost everyone in the office is a retired veteran, except for the boss. He was just someone the headquarters sent down. They like to hire veterans because it's good promo materials."

"Did you have a good relationship with them?"

"We aren't that close. Everyone tries to keep our private and work life separate."

"How about recent former employees?"

"Ah, now that I think of it. I think I bumped into someone who looks a bit like Jiang Hui. He used to work there a month ago."

"Do you have any contact with him?"

"Not much, he kept to himself, just like everyone else."

Bu Tao gathered his contact information and thanked him for the information. After interviewing two other survivors, Bu Tao was about to head back to his office.

"I guess I will look into Jiang Hui next," said Bu Tao.

"Maybe continue researching Lin He Yong's background," said Li Yun.

"You think he's suspicious?" asked Bu Tao. "But he doesn't seem to be lying."

"If he has been planning this for a while, then it's possible for him to convince himself that he has no involvement in this."

When Li Yun checked the bitterness line, something odd came up.

Enemy 41%

Boss 11%

Work 9%

The percentage for 'enemy' was unusually high. Unfortunately, after using line detection on the bitterness line, it didn't work again.

"Of course, a useful skill would be a one and done," Li Yun thought. "I should be more selective about the type of line I want to detect."

"I'll look into then, and have the others check Jiang Hui," Bu Tao as he checked a message to the other detectives.

"Can you check the relationship between Lin He Yong and his co-workers?" asked Li Yun.

"Do you think he had conflicts with them?" Asked Bu Tao.

"If Lin He Yong planted the bomb, it is very likely that his goal is to get rid of someone he viewed as an enemy."

"All right, I'll look into it. I'll leave someone here to keep an eye on him."

Li Yun returned to his work, but he got a call at around noon from the detective. Lin He Yong had requested to be released from the hospital. The news prompted Li Yun to rush toward the ICU and into Lin He Yong's room.

"Mr. Lin, the nurse told me you have requested to be released?" Li Yun asked as casually as humanly possible after sprinting down several hallways.

"Yeah, thanks for the surgery doc, I feel like I can move again," Lin He Yong stood up and stretched his arms around.

Although Lin He Yong appeared fine, his thighs were shaking at a higher rate than usual. Li Yun wondered if Lin He Yong saw one of the detectives guarding his room. If he thought the police were onto him, he would likely panic and want to bolt.

"Mr. Lin, typically we will have to monitor you for 72 hours after the operation," Li Yun advised.

"I can't really afford to stay here. I'll sign whatever form you need me to sign."

"All right, I'll have the nurse get the form for you," Li Yun looked at the nurse waiting at the door and signaled her to get the paperwork. He had told her earlier to be as slow as possible.

Before arriving at the suite, Bu Tao mentioned that they were able to find out that Lin He Yong's friend was killed by friendly fire. The person who shot the round was Luo Suhan. The three were originally good friends, but Luo Suhan was jealous that one of them was promoted. The incident was ruled as manslaughter, but Lin He Yong wasn't happy with the verdict and quit the military afterward.

Luo Suhan started to work in the office seven months ago, and Lin He Yong may have plotted revenge since then. The police were quickly able to get a warrant, and we're currently searching the house for evidence. They should be arriving soon to arrest him.

"What's taking her so long?" Lin He Yong commented, his feet shaking impatiently.

"There were a lot of people injured yesterday," Li Yun replied as he grabbed a stool and sat by Lin He Yong's bed. "Your vitals are a bit high, are you feeling okay?"

"I'm all good."

At that moment, the nurse handed Li Yun the clipboard and left the room. Li Yun pretended to look through the paperwork.

"I don't see doctors handling paperwork that often," said Lin He Yong.

"I'm just a first year resident," Li Yun passed the clipboard to the impatient patient.

"Oh? You performed surgery even as a resident?" Lin He Yong began scribbling the paperwork.

"Technically Chief Gao is in charge, but since he's busy with the more critical cases, I'm handling all the cases that only required IVR."

Lin He Yong signed off the release form quickly and turned it back to Li Yun, who took his time to scan everything by repeating some lines that Lin He Yong had initialed. Midway through, Lin He Yong was ready to walk out.

"All right, everything is all set, but it is still best if you come back in a month," Li Yun explained. "There may be complications, so a check-up is recommended."

"Okay, I'll think about it," replied Lin He Yong on his way out.

Lin He Yong paused his steps. Looking at the detective blocking the door, and then looking back at Li Yun.

****

The following morning, the news reported that the police had apprehended the suspect. The newly governor, Ning, commended the police for their excellent work and for quickly solving the case.

In the meanwhile, Li Yun was being scolded by Chief Lim.

"Even after I specifically asked you not to talk to the reporter, six hours later, I see you on a news report," Chief Lim sternly scolded him as she watched the news coverage on her phone. On the screen, there was a footage of Lin He Yong pausing to look at the cop before turning back and attacking Li Yun. He had planned to use Li Yun as a hostage, but expectedly, Li Yun grabbed and yanked onto Lin He Yong's arm and then rotated the man over until Lin He Yong was knocked down to the ground. "Any thoughts on how I should address this?"

"Chief Lim, the reporter was right there when it happened," Li Yun replied. "I didn't even talk to anyone."

Chief Lim sneered jokingly. "I'm impressed you managed to throw down a criminal with a military background."

"Chief Lim, the criminal had surgery 12 hours before. I wouldn't exactly call that impressive."

"Brave doctor comprehended criminal. Oh wow, he's so cool! What hospital is this? Let me sign up as a patient! Have you read some of the comments?" Chief Lim asked, scolding down on her phone to read the comments.

"Good publicity for the hospital?"

"All right, I'll let you off this time since the reporter snuck in by pretending to be a patient. You may leave." Li Yun was about to leave, but she stopped him. "Oh, the hospital will award you with 1 vacation day for handling the IVR cases."

"Thank you ma'am," Li Yun saluted and quickly left the office.