Chapter Three: She Takes My Night Shift

I hurled the glass beside the sink. It passed through the darkness at the door and shattered against the wall. When the light came on, the entryway was empty. Only my white coat hung from a hook, its sleeves wet. I stood there a long time before approaching. Dark red fluid stained the right cuff. A household glucose meter read HI when I tested a swab—not forensic proof, but enough to suggest blood. In the pocket was a silver cuff link that was not mine. The back bore two letters: HY. He Yuanshan. The night desk said Director He had returned for paperwork and left ten minutes ago. He did not answer his phone. I found Lu Wenchuan's number on my screen but remembered his warning and could not press Call.