Trafford's Trading Club

568: The Third Party 568: The Third Party Qian Guoliang’s body was still lying in its original spot for now, though it had been temporarily covered with a white tablecloth.

You Ye squatted down and lightly lifted a corner of the cloth—this kind of task, of course, wasn’t something the maid could let her own master do.

The maid’s blue eyes sparkled—for the Queen Elizabeth who created her hadn’t just made these eyes beautiful, but had also bestowed upon these gem-like pupils a few very special abilities.

For example: x-ray vision.

The two crew members standing guard here stood upright, eyes straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to everything going on.

A moment later, You Ye lowered the cloth again, stood up, looked at Luo Qiu, and said, “Master, Qian Guoliang’s fatal wound was indeed the knife in his chest, but there are no fingerprints on it, so I guess the killer was quite careful.”

Luo Qiu had long made peace with his fate of trouble finding him wherever he went—since that was the case, he might as well use it to kill some time.

Anyway, for the boss, investigating this murder was way more interesting than just vacationing on the Baiyu Cruise—since it was just to pass the time, the boss wasn’t planning to buy information directly for now.

Let’s just treat it as a fun little game to play with You Ye.

“What else?” Luo Qiu nodded, asking.

In any case, once Officer Ma’s backup arrived, forensics would do their thing and find all the details—so, in Luo Qiu’s eyes, having You Ye handle it with the same ability but much faster didn’t really count as cheating.

It was only a matter of how soon you got answers.

“Besides that, he was poisoned.” You Ye said directly, “Judging by the toxin in his body, it should be an Amino Fully Hydrogenated Quinazoline Compound, commonly known as Tetradotoxin.”

“Pufferfish?” Luo Qiu blinked.

“Yes.” You Ye nodded.

“I remember there’s a Japanese restaurant in the entertainment district, and fugu is on the menu.

Unless he brought it on board ahead of time, he probably got it from that restaurant, then prepared it himself.”

“If it’s Tetradotoxin, that alone is enough to kill.” Luo Qiu shook his head, “If you wanted to kill someone, poison would have been plenty—no need to stab him as well.

Besides…”

Luo Qiu glanced at the trail of blood snaking down from the stairs, speaking calmly: “We’re out at sea; tossing the body overboard would be a cleaner solution.”

With that, Luo Qiu started walking down the stairs.

You Ye of course followed, and before leaving she waved at the two crew members standing guard… Suddenly, the two jolted as if coming back to life.

The boss followed the bloody handprints along the wall, stopping when the handprints ceased.

He carefully studied the area, then finally looked up at the ceiling above.

You Ye said softly, “It’s probably Ms.

Ren and Miss Lizi.”

Luo Qiu grinned, “That’s her hobby, let her be.

Besides mice and roaches, there’s nothing up there.

Even if something shows up, with Lizi around, I doubt there’ll be a problem.”

Saying that, Luo Qiu turned back the way he came, talking as he walked, “Qian Guoliang was after the Baiyu Cruise’s treasure.

Another one here for the loot was Flying Eagle… but Flying Eagle was locked up in Qian Guoliang’s cabin all night, tied up and knocked out.

You Ye, what do you make of that?”

“Each of them held a key to finding the treasure,” the maid mused.

“Since Flying Eagle got knocked out, Qian Guoliang must have double-crossed him.

Officer Ma and the others didn’t find the blueprints or protractor in the room, so Qian Guoliang must’ve taken them when he left.

Two doubts: first, if Qian Guoliang wanted all the loot for himself, why only tie Flying Eagle up and not kill him?

Second, since neither the blueprints nor the protractor were found on Qian Guoliang’s body, that means there’s at least one other ‘Hunter’ or someone else in the know.”

Luo Qiu stopped in the middle of the corridor, with bloody handprints on both sides, and right in front a door with a bloody handprint on it.

This was…the corridor supply closet for cleaning tools.

“It’s locked,” You Ye tried it and said.

“Hm, Uncle Ma is coming to see the body,” Luo Qiu suddenly said.

“Nothing much to see here now.

Let’s go check out that restaurant.”

…

…

When the white sheet was lifted off the body by Officer Ma, Flying Eagle’s already gloomy face turned surprised, and it was impossible to hide his shock.

“This guy used a fake name and fake ID.

His background is completely unknown.”

Officer Ma looked right at Flying Eagle, “You’re the only link we’ve found to him… If you still refuse to cooperate, you know the consequences.

It may be hard to dig up the past of a nameless corpse, but you, a living person, trust me, we have quick and easy ways.”

“Officer, could you at least untie me first…” Flying Eagle suddenly said.

He was still tied up.

“Sure.”

To Flying Eagle’s surprise, Officer Ma agreed immediately and without fuss.

Flying Eagle was taken aback, secretly pleased… but the smell of happiness faded fast.

Because Officer Ma immediately handcuffed Flying Eagle’s wrist to his own, then gave the key to Captain Mu Enli before telling someone to untie Flying Eagle.

“Now can you tell the truth?” Officer Ma asked coolly.

“What rotten luck to run into a hard-ass like you!” Flying Eagle glared at Officer Ma.

“I’ll talk, but only to you—let’s step aside.”

The two walked off to the side.

Flying Eagle looked at Officer Ma.

“Officer Ma, first off, let me say: I really had nothing to do with this guy’s death—I couldn’t have killed him.”

“What’s your relationship?

Why’d he target you?” Officer Ma cut in.

Flying Eagle sighed.

“We were more or less partners.

I met him on the boat… We teamed up to look for the Baiyu Cruise’s treasure.”

Officer Ma frowned, voice low.

“Go on, talk straight.”

At this point, Flying Eagle figured what the hell—being a Gentleman on the beam (thief) was better than getting nailed for murder, so he might as well lay it all out.

After all, he was still trapped on this ship; there might be a chance to escape later, but if he pissed off this tough cop now, he’d be screwed.

Being adaptable was key for thieves like him.

“…So that’s how it went.

After he knocked me out, I didn’t wake up until you guys showed.

Damn bastard even took my blueprints!”

“Are you telling the truth?

There really is treasure on the Baiyu Cruise?” Officer Ma eyed him skeptically.

Flying Eagle said, “You saw it yourself—there were still a bunch of cruise blueprints in Qian Guoliang’s room.

Besides, what would I get out of lying?

I don’t benefit at all…”

With that, he glanced nervously at the captain and crew nearby, then lowered his voice, “Sir, you’re the only one I’ve told about the treasure… How about we team up?

You’re a cop, probably don’t get paid much—dangerous job too!

If we split this treasure fifty-fifty, neither of us would ever have to worry again!

Think about it… treasure!”

Officer Ma smacked Flying Eagle on the head, “And you think you could keep any of that?

Even if it exists, it gets turned over to the state!”

“Or sixty-forty!

You six, me four… seventy-thirty?” Seeing Officer Ma’s face darken, Flying Eagle almost begged, “Ninety-ten, ninety-ten okay?

It wasn’t easy for me either… Don’t hit, don’t hit, I’ll turn it over, turn it over, just don’t hit me…”

“Hmph!” Officer Ma snorted, “I’ll keep your treasure story in mind for now.

But the most important thing is to catch the killer!

Flying Eagle, from now on, you’re not to leave my side and you will help me find the culprit!”

Flying Eagle glanced at the handcuffs chaining them together, the key now with Captain Mu… How the hell am I supposed to leave you?

Whatever makes you happy!

“So… what about using the restroom?” Flying Eagle gulped and asked, deadpan.

Officer Ma sneered, “You petty thieves always think you can escape with the bathroom excuse?

Forget it—use this!”

Saying that, Officer Ma tossed Flying Eagle a mineral water bottle.

Flying Eagle took the bottle, looked mournful, and asked, “Sir, um… is this one you used?”

“Yeah, does it matter?”

“N-no problem.”

What else could Flying Eagle do?

He was just as miserable as he looked!

…

…

In the control room, Mu Qinghai walked in.

“Vice-Captain Mu!” The crew immediately stood up.

Mu Qinghai said coolly, “Police from the city have been contacted—they’ll be arriving by helicopter soon.

Make sure you monitor the signals and guide the landing.”

“Understood!”

Mu Qinghai nodded, then suddenly asked, “Did Officer Ma already check the surveillance?”

The crew responded, “Yes, but it looked like there were no findings.

After that, he left with the captain—think they went to the victim’s room.”

“Hmm…

Keep working here.” Mu Qinghai nodded.

“I’ll go check out the monitoring room.”