Shanghai Redemption by Qiu Xiaolong Page B

leading to Beijing. In such a case, we obtain evidence for them only on the condition that they agree to strict confidentiality. They even have to sign documents agreeing never to name the source.”
    â€œBut if the evidence goes public, wouldn’t the source eventually be identified?”
    â€œYou’ve investigated cases involving crowd-sourced Internet searches. Once the basic evidence is online, others see it and jump in, adding more information and pictures, until the evidence becomes overwhelming. Ultimately, the government has no choice but to investigate officially. A shrewd wife, however, wouldn’t necessarily put the evidence online immediately. She’d use it as a bargaining chip first. Her husband would know all too well that once it’s on the Internet, his political career is finished.
    â€œTo protect our agency, we usually keep a backup copy of the agreement stored in a secure place. If something happens to one or both of us, then the signed agreement will appear online as well,” Old Hunter said. He heaved a sigh, then changed the subject. “Now, you don’t go to the Three-Treasure Temple without praying for something. What’s on your mind, Chief Inspector? You don’t have to mince words like a singer in Suzhou opera.”
    â€œOh? Now I’ve become a Suzhou opera singer too?” Chen said good-naturedly.
    Chen proceeded to tell Old Hunter about his being removed from the police department and about his “promotion,” and then about the events at the nightclub. He finished up by saying that he wasn’t entirely sure he was the intended target of the raid.
    â€œI’m glad you came to me today,” Old Hunter said. “Yu hadn’t told me that this was going on at the bureau. But whatever new position they’ve moved you to, you’re still a high-ranking Party cadre.”
    â€œBut what will happen next? That’s why I wanted to talk to you. Soon I might have to start working as a private investigator, just like you.”
    â€œI don’t think you have to worry about that, but what went on at the nightclub does worry me, Chief Inspector. Sorry, I should call you Director.”
    â€œI wish I could tell you more about the raid, but that’s all I know right now. There’s another proverb you like to quote: ‘A desperately sick man will seek help from any doctor.’ Not that you aren’t a really good one.”
    â€œYou remember Pan Ming—” Old Hunter asked, looking up from his cup, “the former propaganda minister of the city?”
    â€œYes, he came to my mind as well. As I remember it, he got into political trouble in 1989 and was removed from his powerful position. He was then caught at a massage parlor and charged with an illegal sex act. That destroyed him publicly and ruined any possibility of his staging a comeback.”
    â€œExactly. You know the story, so I don’t have to say any more,” Old Hunter said. “Now, in my current job, I’m no stranger to nightclubs. I will go there and find out the information you need. You couldn’t find anyone more experienced for a job like that.”
    â€œNo, I don’t want you to go to the Heavenly World, Old Hunter. I thought about directly approaching Tang, the police officer I recognized in the raid, but that may alert the snakes.”
    â€œYou’re right to be cautious. But I can approach him for you. Tang is getting close to retirement age, and I know how to talk to him.”
    â€œAll right, but remember—you can’t be too careful.”
    â€œI don’t think people will pay much attention to an old man like me. What could be suspicious about a retiree talking to a former colleague? But what’s your own next step, Chief Inspector?”
    â€œI’m going to go to Suzhou to oversee the renovation of my father’s grave,” Chen said, with a wry smile. “I may even visit a