by AK Leigh
First, she needed to call the AFP and find out what they knew. She retrieved the phone from her pocket and dialled.
Chapter 33
He’d blown it. For good this time. How could he have been so stupid? As much as he’d told himself he wouldn’t, he’d gone and made the same mistake he’d made eight years ago … given into the sensations that had told him he could have something different with Nina.
When was he going to accept that would never happen?
People like him didn’t get a happily-ever-after. His life wasn’t a fairytale and he wasn’t a handsome prince.
The FSB, the lies, the shame of his past. That was all his life would ever be.
Accepting his fate, he grabbed his short-listed suspects. If this was going to be his life, he was going to put everything into it. No more distractions. No more innocent people being killed. No more fantasising about an impossible future. And no more Nina Farris. He would figure this out before one more person was hurt. Then he would win a medal and get back to Russia—the only place he would ever be allowed to belong.
* * *
After the phone conversation with the AFP, Nina went straight to her sisters’ hotel. The instant they let her inside and closed the door behind her, she blurted, ‘I spoke to the detective superintendent. A Chinese woman was at the scene.’
Carrie snorted, ‘We tried to tell them it was a Chinese suspect! Maybe now they’ll listen to us?’
Nina pressed her lips together and threw them a look.
Lizzie said, ‘Oh-oh. What is it?’
‘The woman had a distinctive hair style … a pink pixie-cut.’
She saw the meaning sink in. When they’d been on the shuttle bus … a woman with a distinct pink pixie-cut hairstyle stepped inside …
Lizzie responded first. ‘No way.’
Carrie said, ‘They’re thinking Liu set the bomb? Liu Yang.’
‘They do.’
‘That’s ridiculous.’
‘Exactly what I said.’
Carrie groaned, ‘Let me guess. They told you to let them take over the investigation?’
‘They did.’
‘Screw that.’
‘Exactly what I thought.’
Lizzie frowned, ‘What are we going to do?’
Nina focused on her middle sister. ‘What we’ve always done. Solve it.’
Carrie said, ‘How? We haven’t done this before. We don’t know what we’re doing.’
‘We have our list. We can now rule out the Chinese men and focus purely on the women, which leaves only Liu … and Chenguang Mu.’
Carrie nodded, ‘Okay. Lizzie and I will follow them.’
‘I can do it.’
Carrie shook her head, ‘Let us do it.’
She was about to put up a fight, when Lizzie got in on it. ‘Carrie’s right. You’re still grieving. Why don’t you lie down on one of our beds and get some rest?’
‘But—’
‘We’ll wake you as soon as we get back.’
For once, she relented and obeyed their orders.
Chapter 34
The sound of the hotel door opening woke Nina from her light sleep. She sat up just as a light tap came on the bedroom door. ‘Nina?’
It was Carrie’s voice.
‘I’m awake.’
Her sisters stepped inside.
Carrie asked, ‘Did you get much sleep?’
‘A little … but did you find anything out?’
Lizzie nodded, ‘There have been some developments.’
Carrie explained, ‘The police arrested Liu. We were following her when it happened.’
Nina’s stomach tingled, the way it did whenever she felt something was off about a case. ‘It’s not her.’
Lizzie and Carrie nodded together.
Lizzie said, ‘We think that too.’
‘What about Chenguang Mu?’
Carrie shook her head, ‘We followed her too. She went to a bookstore—bought a romance novel—went shopping for a warm jacket, then caught up with friends. The conversation seemed light and fun rather than political.’
Lizzie agreed. ‘We didn’t get the terrorist vibe from her at all.’
‘Then who the hell is it?’ Nina exhaled in frustration, ‘I’m supposed to be here solving this case and instead I’m … sleeping!’
‘Because you’re exhausted.’
‘Carrie’s right. You need to rest or you won’t be any use to anyone.’
‘Besides, Liu does fit the profile. Maybe it is her?’
Nina frowned at Carrie, ‘Just because she fits the profile doesn’t mean she did it.’
How many law enforcement agencies and officers had made that mistake?
‘I know. I’m just playing devil’s advocate. Also on that note, she was seen … in public displays of affection … with a known anti-government protestor.’
‘Who?’
‘Ah …’ Lizzie pulled out a notepad from her jacket pocket, glanced at a page then back up at Nina. ‘He goes by the English name Brad Peters.’
Nina frowned. There was something not right about this. She could feel it.
‘Is there any way we can get in to see her? The AFP have told me to stay out if it, so I can’t ask them to pull any strings.’
There was silence as both Carrie and Lizzie thought it over.
Finally, Carrie said, ‘Maybe we play off the identical triplet thing?’
‘How?’
Carrie grinned, ‘Leave it to me.’
* * *
‘It’s not her.’
‘She’s on the list you gave us.’
‘I know, but I revised the list after the explosion and it can’t have been her.’
‘Where’s this new list?’ The mission leader didn’t hide his annoyance.
Andrei ignored it. ‘I was about to send it when you called.’
‘Send it the instant this call is over.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Back to the woman in custody: why don’t you believe it’s her? She has motive.’
Her parents had been detained by the police for reasons that were still unclear. But the parents had not been injured, or harassed again. There had been no overt or covert political activism on Liu’s behalf. Not that he could find, at least. Aside from her choice in hair colour and style, she’d led a conventional Chinese life.
Summing up, Andrei replied, ‘There’s no activism in her history. She has no criminal record. Everyone I spoke to said she was sweet and never mentioned politics.’
‘Her boyfriend has been arrested too.’
The other competitors had mentioned she had a boyfriend.
‘Any news on him?’
‘We’re still waiting for intel. Is there anyone on the new list you think we should focus on?’
‘Yes, I’m certain we’re looking at a Chinese suspect.’
‘All right. We’ll put our team on it. In the meantime, see if you can dig up anything else. We want this finished before the opening ceremony. Goodbye, Andrei.’
The mission leader ended the call before Andrei could respond. To himself, he frowned and muttered, ‘You’re welcome.’
* * *
Just under an hour later, Nina, Lizzie, and Carrie were sitting across from Liu Yang in a steel-walled room. Liu’s eyes were darting around the room; she was fidgeting with her hands. She was scared.
Nina softened her voice and plastered a relaxed smile on her face. ‘I believe you.’
Liu glanced over at her, the fidgeting suddenly stopping. ‘You do?’
‘I do. But …’ She lowered her voice, ‘I need you to help me to help you.’
‘How?’
‘Tell me everything you know.’
Liu exhaled in clear frustration, ‘I don’t know anything. That’s what I’ve been telling the police since they brought me here. Nobody’s listening.’
‘You were seen with an anti-government protestor.’
‘Seriously, Nina. I had no idea who h
e was. I just thought he was cute. You know what hook-ups are like here.’
Yes, she did. They could be unbelievably intoxicating … and romantic … and blinding to the truth.
Nina reoriented her thoughts. ‘So you only met him when you came here?’
‘Yes, two days ago.’
‘Did he talk to you about the government at all?’
‘No. We just …’ Liu peered around, as if she were suddenly aware that there was a guard nearby and she was embarrassed by what she was about to confess. She mouthed the word ‘screwed’.
Nina nodded, ‘I see.’
Carrie piped up, ‘Did the police say they found anything in your room or in your belongings?’
‘No, because there’s nothing to find!’
Lizzie lifted a palm in a calming gesture, ‘It’s okay. We believe you. We just need all the facts. Now, is there anyone else who can verify your story?’
She started to shake her head, then stopped. ‘Brad can.’
‘Uh …’ She looked at her sisters then back at Liu.
‘What is it?’
‘He … confessed to being involved.’ Liu threw her hands up, ‘Well, that’s just great. Might as well sign my death certificate now.’
‘That’s not going to happen if we have anything to say about it.’
‘I appreciate your support and faith in me, Nina, but it’s no use. They are going to pin this on me.’
‘No they’re not. We just need to find the evidence to clear you.’
‘How can you do that?’
‘With your help.’
‘I’m not being very helpful.’
‘Yes, you are. Where did you first meet?’
‘Um … at the dorms. He was in the building beside mine.’
‘What buildings are they?’
‘Mine is D, his is C.’
C was Andrei’s building. Perhaps he had seen the man?
Carrie asked, ‘Did he approach you or vice versa?’
‘He approached me.’
‘Was anyone with you at the time? Can anyone vouch for you?’
‘Yes, my roommate. Amber Cransen.’
‘Oh, I know her.’
Liu frowned. ‘She’s been a bit depressed.’
‘Why?’
‘I think she had a fight with her girlfriend.’
Nina saw Lizzie scribbling the information down on her notepad. They would have to organise a chat with Amber after they left the prison. And Andrei.
She focused back on Liu, ‘Where were you when the bomb went off?’
‘I had just come out of the shower.’
Nina’s heart spiked with excitement as she recalled something she’d noticed during her first day. To clarify, she asked, ‘Did you shower in the dorms?’
‘Of course.’
Nina grinned. ‘I can get proof of your alibi!’
Liu wrinkled her nose, ‘How?’
‘There are video cameras set up in the hallways. We can check the footage. It’ll show you on there at the time of the explosion. That’s your alibi!’
For the first time since their arrival, Liu smiled. ‘Are you sure?’
‘You are as good as free, my friend.’
They said their goodbyes, knocked for the guard to let them out, and walked from the prison in silence.
Once they were inside their hire car, Carrie asked, ‘So how much of what you said to her did you actually believe?’
Nina sent her a wry smile, ‘Some of it.’
Lizzie said, ‘That’s better than nothing, I guess.’
Carrie snorted. ‘Trust you to see it as a positive.’
‘It should be on the video footage. We just have to convince the AFP to get involved and request the footage.’
Carrie frowned, ‘How are we going to do that?’
Nina groaned, ‘Does begging ever work?’
Her sisters laughed.
Once they were back at the hotel, Nina called the DS, saying when he answered, ‘It wasn’t Liu.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘She was taking a shower at the time the bomb went off.’
‘A likely excuse.’
‘We can check the video footage. That will confirm her whereabouts.’
‘How am I supposed to get the footage?’
‘Ask the Chinese police.’
‘I can’t go to them based on a hunch. Regarding one of their own competitors, no less!’
‘It’s not a hunch. It’s her alibi.’
‘Why haven’t they checked it already then?’
‘I don’t know? Maybe they didn’t ask her? Maybe they assumed she was guilty by association. Wouldn’t be the first police unit in the world to do that.’
‘Farris, we are not supposed to be investigating. You’ve put yourself, and us, in a compromising situation. You’d better hope those guards don’t talk, or we’ll all get kicked out of China, then your friend will have no hope of ever getting released.’
She said nothing. What could she say? He was right.
‘I’m sorry, but I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Not when innocent lives are on the line. Besides, ruling her out one hundred per cent brings us one person closer to the real criminal.’
The detective superintendent sighed, ‘Leave it with me. But, please, lie low until I get back to you.’
She grinned, ‘Thank you, Detective Superintendent. Just one more thing …’
‘What is it?’
‘Have you been able to get an alibi for Chenguang Mu?’
‘We have. She was with her friends outside of the village at the time.’
‘Okay. Thank you.’
She hung up.
‘What did he say?’
‘Chenguang Mu has an alibi … and we are to lie low while they sort out the footage for Liu.’
‘We’re not doing that, are we?’
‘Of course not! We still have the real terrorist to catch.’
Which was going to be even more difficult now that they had zero suspects left on their list.
She pushed that conclusion aside and said, ‘Let’s go talk to Amber … and Andrei.’
* * *
A knock on his door pulled him from the suspect files and notes he’d accessed via his phone. With the training facility undergoing repairs, and the replacement Dendix skiing area still being set up, Andrei had decided to take the opportunity to review anything he might have missed. Obviously, there was something. Otherwise a terrorist wouldn’t still be on the loose.
He logged out of the highly encrypted FSB site and answered the door.
His heart felt like it turned to slosh when he saw her. He heard himself say her name. ‘Nina.’
She looked away. Which was when he noticed her sisters were there too. Both of them aimed death blades at him. That was a first from Lizzie. He’d really screwed up if Lizzie was mad at him.
Carrie spoke up, ‘We need to talk to you about something.’
Before he could respond, she pushed past him and into the room.
He focused on Lizzie, because Nina had still refused to make eye contact, and said, ‘Please come in, ladies.’
They did.
Once they were all inside, he closed the door, turned around and made himself smile as he asked, ‘What can I do for you?’
Carrie didn’t waste time with pleasantries, ‘Have you heard of Brad Peters?’
He frowned. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Because Nina’s friend has been arrested for this bombing and we’re trying to get her out.’
That made four of them.
‘What does this Brad person have to do with it?’
‘They’d hooked up.’
‘Ah.’ That was the boyfriend he’d been told about. Another implication for their questioning came. Did they think he had something to do with it? ‘Why would you think I knew him?’
He tried not to sound offended that Nina might think he was involved with a terrorist.
Once again, Car
rie answered, ‘He was assigned this dorm.’
Andrei shrugged, ‘I’m sorry. I haven’t heard of him. I can ask around if you—?’
‘No, that’s fine. If we need anything else, we’ll come back.’
Then, as quickly as the Farris sisters had arrived, they were gone.
Nina hadn’t looked at him once.
Chapter 35
It was hard to concentrate on training, and not only because of the irritating Dendix surfaces they had no other option to train on, when so many things were up in the air. She’d heard nothing from the AFP since they’d told her to hang tight. And the conversations she and her sisters had had with Amber and Andrei had produced nothing they could work with.
Marcel pulled her from the thoughts. ‘My star?’
‘Sorry. I was distracted.’
He nodded, ‘I noticed. Do you need another day to rest?’
She shook her head, ‘No, the training is good for me. Clears my head and keeps me focused on other things.’
‘All right. One more round then.’
She nodded then skied away. As she took the first slope, she ran through the suspects in her mind. It has to be a Chinese female. But who?
Radha, Chenguang, Maggie, and Liu had been their only female suspects. Radha was dead, Liu had a hopefully soon-to-be verified alibi. Chenguang did too. Maggie had been at training.
So who was it?
What about Amber? She had been dating a Chinese woman. She pushed the thought away. No. Amber was an Aussie. Lizzie’s profile said the woman was Chinese by birth or by heritage.
The final two words lodged in her throat.
By heritage …
A crazy conclusion nudged at her consciousness. Was it possible? Her heart pumped a beat that was caused by more than the uphill skiing. There was one suspect that had been right under their noses this whole time … and they’d missed it.
Nina turned and skied back down the slope as fast as her beating heart and suddenly wobbly legs would allow.
Marcel gave her a blank look when she reached the bottom. ‘I thought you were doing another lap?’
‘I, uh, changed my mind. I don’t feel too well after all.’
She was already taking off her skis when he replied, ‘Okay. How about this afternoon? Will you be here for that session?’