Chapter Five: The Cheapest Life

In the reflection on a car window, the watch still read 10:26. “Not one second of movement across fifteen minutes,” Chenzhou said. “This video was generated from a still image. Preserve the original for forensic analysis and trace the upload device.” The older officer hesitated. The younger kept his hand on his body camera as though awaiting instructions. Jingming stepped toward him. “Fabricating evidence to detain someone carries a longer sentence than whatever tonight's payment bought you. Your camera hasn't been recording. Shall I turn it on for you?” The officer moved his hand. Then the hospital called. He Shusheng was alive. He had merely been transferred to an unregistered private room.