The Eight Curious Cases of Inspector Zhang by Stephen Leather Read Free Book Online

went up to the sixth floor. Wong already had the door to his apartment open. He was wearing a black silk dressing gown and red pyjamas with gold dragons on them. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Is my wife all right? I’ve been phoning her all night but she isn’t answering her phone.”
    â€œCan we come in, please?” asked Inspector Zhang.
    Mr. Wong opened the door wide and let them into his apartment. He was in his mid-thirties, tall with a neatly trimmed goatee beard. The inspector and Sergeant Lee walked through to a sitting room that was barely large enough to hold two sofas and a circular dining table. The window was wide open and a soft breeze blew in from outside. There was a small LCD television on a rosewood table showing a football match, the sound muted. “Look, tell me what’s going on,” said Wong.
    â€œI’m afraid we have some bad news for you, Mr. Wong,” said Inspector Zhang. “It might be best if you sat down.”
    Mr. Wong did as the inspector asked and sat down on an overstuffed sofa. Sergeant Lee sat on a rosewood chair but Inspector Zhang remained standing. “Where is your wife, Mr. Wong?” asked Inspector Zhang. “Where did she go?”
    â€œShe said she was going out to see a friend, but that was hours ago.”
    â€œWho is the friend?”
    â€œI don’t know. She didn’t say. She just said that she would be back in two hours but that was ages ago. Look, has something happened? Is she in trouble?”
    â€œYour wife died earlier tonight, Mr. Wong. I am so sorry.”
    Mr. Wong’s eyes narrowed and then he looked across at Sergeant Lee. “She what?” he asked, but the sergeant said nothing. Sergeant Lee looked at Inspector Zhang. He was the superior officer so it was up to him to do the talking.
    â€œShe fell from a building,” said Inspector Zhang. “I am so sorry for your loss.”
    Mr. Wong shook his head. “No, there’s some mistake,” he said. “My wife went to a restaurant. She was having dinner.” He frowned. “What building?”
    â€œAn apartment building in River Valley.”
    â€œThen there’s definitely been a mistake. My wife wouldn’t have any reason to go to River Valley.”
    â€œWhere did your wife say she was going, Mr. Wong?” asked Inspector Zhang.
    â€œI don’t know. She didn’t say which restaurant.”
    â€œThen how do you know she wasn’t going to River Valley?”
    â€œBecause she doesn’t have any friends there. If she did, I’d know.”
    â€œMr. Wong, we found your wife’s handbag.” He took Mrs. Wong’s identity card from his pocket and gave it to Mr. Wong. Mr. Wong stared at it, his lower lip trembling.
    â€œMr. Wong, I’m sorry but I have to ask. Was your wife upset about something?”
    Mr. Wong continued to stare at the card.
    â€œMr. Wong, was your wife upset about something?” repeated the inspector.
    Mr. Wong looked up, frowning. “Upset?”
    â€œWe think she deliberately jumped off the building. But there was no note.”
    â€œMy wife did not kill herself. Why would you say that?”
    â€œIt wasn’t an accident,” said Inspector Zhang.
    â€œHow can you possibly know that? You said she didn’t leave a note. Suicides always leave notes, don’t they?”
    â€œNot always.” Inspector Zhang took a deep breath. “Mr. Wong, I know that your wife killed herself because I was there,” he said.
    â€œYou were there?”
    â€œIn River Valley. I saw her jump.”
    A tear ran down Mr. Wong’s left cheek.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mr. Wong, there is no doubt. It is your wife.”
    Another tear trickled down Mr. Wong’s face, then he hunched forward and buried his face in his hands. He began to sob quietly.
    Sergeant Lee looked over at Inspector Zhang. He forced a smile. Sergeant Lee got up and went