Chapter Four: Condemned by the Camera

Zhou Jiming's question still hung from the speaker when the photography shop's shutter turned red. It was not sunrise. Six patrol cars had aimed spotlights at the door. A loudspeaker announced, “The occupants are suspected of stealing commercial secrets. Surrender.” Tang Guo handed Lu Chen her phone. The official stream showed the shop empty except for three guns and a bag of white powder. Its title was already set: ANONYMOUS CRIME RING CAPTURED. “Those guns appeared ten seconds ago,” she said. Zhou chuckled through the call. “Cameras never judge people. People who trust cameras do.” Lu ended the call and hid the third photograph. “They can have the front door. We'll take the back.” “There are twelve cameras there,” Wen Xia said.