Chapter Two: The Seven Seconds Every Camera Forgot

Red lights came on. Zhao remained in Xu's grip, but his helmet lay on the floor, coated inside with fine white dust. He repeated, “They called me.” They took him to a windowless interview room at the evidence center. Four cameras watched him. One locked door served as the only exit; the vent was too narrow for an arm. Two officers stood guard, and a live locator circled Zhao's wrist. “If the card marks a target,” Xu said, “this is as safe as we can make him.” Lin studied his behavior log. He had opened Chen's profile, saved her photograph, called her, and gone to the stall. For Zhao, he had searched his work, followed his location, and stared at him. Every action raised the hidden weight.