Chapter 35 - The investigation.

As she turned to walk into the hotel, Liqin returned, accompanied by the police officers.

As they walked to the reception the police officer in charge said, "We would like to speak to the security officers in charge here, along with someone responsible."

The receptionist replied, "Kindly have a seat while I arrange."

She then dialed a certain number and informed the same. After she disconnected a concierge appeared and guided them to a conference room.

As they sat there Mr. and Mrs. Altermatt arrived along with the security officers.

Liqin introduced them to the team, and said, "Mr. Altermatt, let me introduce the team here. Mr. Muller from the police department would be assisting along with our private security team headed by Mr. Chen Wei." They were apprised of the situation and its urgency.

Jia then asked, "Mrs. Altermatt, How are the two doctors who arrived today morning connected to this case?"

Mrs. Altermatt turned around and replied, "They are not connected to Mr. Li, but Ms. Xiao, whom he was pursuing. Dr. Wu was supposed to be engaged to her this Christmas. They will be back tomorrow, and I will introduce them to you."

Liqin tapped on the table and asked, "Is there anything, that could be of any use to us?"

"Can we look into the CCTV footage to check for any suspicious movements around Mr. Li.?" Mr. Chen added.

Mr. Altermatt sighed and replied, "Well, can we be specific about this here because it also concerns the privacy of our clients, and it could impact our business and tarnish our image?"

Mr. Chen then stepped ahead, and said, "We have some photos here with time, and date imprints on them with people suspected of trailing him. Some of them are taken to the hotel. Currently, we only need to check them. Also, can you check with your staff about any unusual activity surrounding Mr. Li?"

The security officer of the hotel called up the reception, and asked, "Did anyone come asking for Mr. Li?"

The receptionist replied, "There was a guy who had asked yesterday. When I informed him, that we do not provide information of clients, he kept on asking for a while, and then left."

The security officer said, "Come over to the conference room of the security office."

As she arrived, Mr. Chen asked, "When was this?"

The receptionist replied, "Yesterday evening around half-past seven. He said that they were business acquaintances, and his boss wanted an appointment with him."

"Did he leave a number?"

"No, he said he will come back tomorrow."

"Did he come today?"

"No, he did not return to me for the same."

"Do you remember his face clearly?"

"No, I don't think so, as he had headgears with mask, and thick winter clothing but if he visits again, I will surely be able to recognize him."

Mr. Chen handed over some photos, and said, "Can you see if it is one of them?"

As she browsed through the photos, she said, "He's not amongst them. I saw him take an electric car, that belonged to a local guy known to us."

Mr. Muller looked up and asked, "Do you know that cabbie?"

"We have his number in our registry."

"Can you get the number for us?"

The receptionist called for at the reception and handed over the number to Mr. Muller.

Mr. Muller looked at the number, and said, "Thanks for the help. If we need any further assistance, we will get in touch with you."

As the receptionist left Mr. Muller said, "It is already two o'clock in the afternoon, and the telecommunication network should be up by now. Let me check."

He dialed the number, and as it gets connected, he said, "Mr. Weber, I am Mr. Muller from the police department. Is it possible for us to meet, now at Chalet Zermatt Peak?"

"I can be down there in half an hour."

"We will meet at half-past two."

As the call gets disconnected, Liqin stood up and said, "Let us have a quick lunch before we proceed. We will need the energy to investigate this thoroughly."

He turned around further added, "Mr. Altermatt, add the bill to my account for the lunch. Is there a possibility for a conference room, that can be arranged for our discussions? We would not want to discuss these matters without privacy. It is not good for your business as well. The same can be billed to me."

Mr. Altermatt smiled and replied, "Well, that can be done. But I would prefer your discussions with the police officers at their office, as it would not be good for us to have them visit us too often. Mr. Muller would agree to this."

Mr. Muller nodded and replied, "I understand your concern, as it would raise eyebrows of the clients on vacation."

Liqin held his waist with both his hands and replied, "For matters concerning them, we will discuss at their office after this. For our discussion now, can a conference room be arranged?"

Mr. Altermatt shrugged and replied, "We could do that. My reception will guide you whenever required. I will inform them, on the said matter."

"Thank you for the co-operation."

Liqin held out his hand for a shake to Mr. Muller, and said, "We will meet you at half-past two."

He then turned to the security officers of the Li household and said, "You guys go, and get fresh. We will meet later. Our rooms are close to each other, and there are no security concerns raised around both of us."

After lunch, as they all wait in the conference room, a concierge came along with Mr. Weber.

Mr. Muller greeted him, offered a seat, and asked, "Yesterday evening had you picked up a gentleman from this hotel?"

Mr. Weber pondered and replied, "Yes."

"Who was it?"

"He was a tourist from Australia. He left for the Zurich airport an hour ago, as there was an emergency back home. A friend of mine has gone to drop him."

Mr. Chen looked forward and asked, "How often had he come to this hotel? Had he mentioned meeting any Mr. Li? Can you check these photos, and tell us if he had met any of them?"

As he was going through the photos Mr. Weber said, "I remember him meeting them often. They are all tourists. I believe all of them have already left for the airport today."

Mr. Chen narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you sure? Have they also been dropped by an acquaintance of yours?"

"Yes, they must have not reached till now."

Mr. Chen tapped the pen on the table and replied, "Can you connect to this friend of yours?"

Mr. Weber dialed the number, and as the call got connected, Mr. Muller took over the call, and said, "We are calling from the police department. Now, for all those questions being asked hereafter, only reply in yes or no."

Mr. Muller paused and continued, "When you reach the airport wait, till they enter the airport, and check-in at the entrance. I will have officers at Zurich check on them. Once they check in, I will give you a call. I will now disconnect the call as you are driving."

"Yes. I will do as you say."

Mr. Muller then called the department and asks them to call up the Zurich police cell to ensure, that they have checked in.

Mr. Weber froze for a moment and stared with wide eyes and said, "I had seen him meet an elderly man yesterday. He was probably of Chinese descent. I had seen him for the first time yesterday."

Mr. Muller bent forward and asked, "Do you know who he, is or which hotel he is staying in?"

Mr. Weber shook his head and replied, "No I am not aware of it."

Mr. Muller rested his chin over his arms and said, "If you find out anything, intimate us immediately." He then writes down a direct number and hands it over to him.

Mr. Weber accepted the number, and replied, "I will do as instructed."

As he left, Mr. Muller watched him leave and said, "We have reached a dead end. If the guys that you mentioned in these photos leave the country, then our investigation was futile."

Mr. Chen shook his head and replied, "Well, that's not true. There was a clear pattern in the people, who were trailing him. Could they have found out, that we were out for them? If this is a planned assault by a group headed by someone, then they could have been sent away to misguide us, and replaced by someone else. If that is the case, then it becomes a larger threat, as we would not have evidence to track them. The only clue is the man of Chinese descent. Mr. Muller, we might get some crucial information, one hour down the lane, when we can again talk to the cabbie. We might get some leads from there. Also, can we check, as to when the tickets were booked for them? If they have been alerted by our presence, then the tickets must have been booked today. What kind of emergency can all of them together have?"

Mr. Muller nodded and replied, "We can do that. I will call you in an hour after I check things out."

Liqin stood up and asked, "Are the telecommunication and electricity restored in Cervinia as well?"

Mr. Muller shook his head and replied, "No it's not. It might be restored only post-midnight."

Mr. Chen brushed his hair with his hand and said, "Can we in the meanwhile, visit the office of the copter services to check on any information as to when they can fly us at the earliest to Cervinia? I somehow have a bad feeling about this."

Mr. Muller stood up and replied, "We can do that now as we have an hour."

Liqin turned to Jia, and said, "You stay back here, while we check it out. Enlai uncle is on his way, and might reach any time now."

As they reach the office of the copter services, Mr. Chen accompanied by Mr. Muller asked, "When can we get to Cervinia at the earliest?"

The officer at the customer care desk looked up and replied, "Even for emergency cases, we can fly only after the storm subsides. We could do it early next morning. We have been receiving a lot of these requests.

As they leave the office, Mr. Chen turned around and asked, "When will the roads be opened for travel?"

Mr. Muller looked down and replied, "If the wind stops, then it could open up post-midnight. They will start clearing the roads as soon as the storm stops in Cervinia."

Mr. Chen raised his brows and pondered, "Could they take the road in this blizzard? Who would want to risk their own life to take another's, and for what? Were they only paparazzi? Were we just overreacting?"

As they reach the police station, they receive a call from the Zurich police department confirming, that Swiss Air had confirmed their departure. They, however, also inform, that the tickets were booked at around about eleven in the morning today, at an exorbitant price, by an Australian company, that owned a chain of restaurants serving Chinese Cuisine named Mandarin Delight.

Mr. Muller rolled his eyes and said, "Could they be only looking out for some business transaction with Mr. Li?"

Liqin sighed and replied, "Well it's pretty strange though. Let us call up, the cab driver who drove them to the airport. It's already half-past five, he must have dropped them off by now."

As they connected and asked for the information, the cabbie said, "They were stationed in Chalet Sunrise Paradise."

Mr. Muller stood with his hand pressed against the wall and said, "Thank you for the information."

As they visited the Chalet Sunrise Paradise, they found some strange information as the concierge said, "It was very strange to have them here."

Mr. Muller looked with narrowed eyes and asked, "What were the circumstances, that made you feel, that they were quite strange?"

"They were not normal tourists. They had rarely visited any places of interest. Moreover, they never used any of the cab services nor discussed any travel plans. They used to leave around eight in the morning, and come back late. One of our service staff saw them use electric cabs. But the points of pick up and drop were never our hotel, in which they stayed. Today morning they went out as usual. However, at around eleven in the morning, they came back and then decided to vacate the rooms. They seemed to be in some form of urgency. There was an elderly man and who helped them check out at around noon."

Mr. Muller tilted his head and asked, "Was he also stationed in this hotel."

The concierge shook his head and replied, "No they were stationed elsewhere, and we had seen them for the first time yesterday."

Mr. Muller pointed to the CCTV and asked, "Can we get the CCTV footage, to have a check on the person who visited them?"

The concierge then introduced them to the security team of the hotel to procure the CCTV footage.

As they checked the CCTV footage, Mr. Muller said, "Well if this is an attempt to harm Mr. Li, then this guy is well planned and disguised. Their winter gear and face mask have camouflaged them perfectly."

Liqin looked at the footage and said, "Let us procure a copy of these footages, and then send them over to the helicopter services, to alert us, in case of any requests for flying, to Cervinia by them."

Mr. Chen sighed and said, "There is a high possibility of them avoiding the helicopter services if they are aware of us being on their trail."

Mr. Muller pinched his chin and said, "The cable car services, will also not be up by tomorrow."

Mr. Chen shrugged and replied, "The best option, that we have now is to ensure their safety first."

Mr. Muller checked his watch and added, "It's 6:45 PM already. Let me check for the weather updates."

After checking with the updates on the weather Mr. Muller added, "The blizzard has subsided, and the strength of the snowstorm has reduced drastically. They will start with the de-icing of the roadways by nine in the night. If things go as planned then the roadways in Cervinia will be open to the public by early morning five o'clock tomorrow. The helicopter services will also be up by six in the morning."

Mr. Chen picked up the phone and replied, "Let us call up the copter services, and book for their first service tomorrow. When will the telecom and electricity services be up?"

Mr. Muller looked up and replied, "The electricity should be up by six in the morning if there are no major damages. The same goes for telecom services. Let me call up the copter services, and book a ride."

Mr. Muller called up the copter services, and booked the first ride for seven o'clock in the morning, and added, "We can leave for Cervinia at seven in the morning."

Mr. Chen replied, "I will ask Mr. Accardi, the keeper of the villa to join us to ensure, that we reach without any delay."

Mr. Muller tapped his feet and replied, "Is he from Zermatt?"

Mr. Chen shook his head and replied, "No, his family were in Cervinia. Due to the blizzard, they had moved to their relative's place in Zermatt."

Mr. Chen called up the keeper, and asked him to join them, and then said, "He will meet us at quarter to seven in the morning near the copter pick-up point."

Mr. Muller looked around and checked his watch and said, "It's past seven in the evening and it is pretty dark already. Let us meet at the copter pick-up point at quarter to seven in the morning. If you need any assistance then call me up."

Liqin shook his hand and replied, "Thank you Mr. Muller for the support extended till now. You were of great help. We will meet you in the morning."

As Mr. Muller left, Mr. Chen said, "We need to get the details of the owner of Mandarin Delight, who booked the flight tickets for them."

Liqin turned to him and replied, "You relay this piece of information to the security team. They will get the details required."

Mr. Chen then called up the security team and informed them. As he disconnected the call he said, "We might get this piece of information by tomorrow morning in detail."

Liqin hung his head and replied, "Let us head back, and take rest. We might need to wake up early tomorrow. Is the villa covered by surveillance?"

"Yes, it is, and it has power backup for two days at a stretch. As soon as the network is up the security team will be able to check the surveillance online."

"The power backup of the villa was for two days, and today is the third day. I hope they are fine in there."

"Let us hope for the best. Mr. Li is good at finding solutions during trying times as these. They must be doing well."

As they reach the hotel Liqin said, "Mr. Chen, keep me updated on any fresh news. We will meet post-dinner."

As he reached the suite, Jia asked, "How did the investigation go?"

Liqin shook his head and replied, "We do not have any concrete leads as of now. We were unable to pinpoint any individual. The only lead, that we got is circumstantial with no concrete evidence pointing to any intent to harm. I am too tired and need to freshen up. We will be leaving for Cervinia at seven in the morning. We will leave by six in the morning for the helipad."

"You go and have a nice bath. I will order food for you. We can eat dinner in the suite today."

"That would be great. I will freshen up while you order."

As he got up his phone rang, with a call from the security. He quickly answered the call, and said, "Good morning guys. Is everything all right?"

The security in charge replied, "Senior Mr. Li, and the security officers have already boarded the flight three hours ago They will reach Zurich by five in the morning, and Cervinia by half-past seven. Will call you back once they reach."

"We will update you tomorrow morning then. Take care."

As he disconnected the call he said to Jia, "The whole team along with Enlai uncle will reach Cervinia by half-past seven."

As Liqin went to the bath to freshen up, Jia called up the reception to order for food to be delivered to the suite.

As he came out Jia looked at him, and said, "You look quite exhausted. Let me dry your hair for you."

As she was drying his hair Liqin hugged her tightly, and said, "Hope we all reach home safely."

"Don't worry, things will work out well. Let us hope for the best."

"Bao had been a family to me, since the time I understood the meaning of what a family is supposed to be. I just hope we all can go back to Shanghai with joy."

Jia placed the towel on the side table, and consoled him as her fingers ran through his hair caressingly, and said, "We will all be together as one big family in the future."

The silence of the suite was breached by a knock on the door. Jia answered the door, as the staff brought in fresh food for dinner.

As the attendant was about to leave, Jia instructed, "Kindly collect the wares in an hour."

"Yes, Madam."

As the attendant left, Jia said, "Let us have dinner. You must have exhausted your energy. You need to replenish them."

Liqin walked up to Jia, and held her in his embrace, and said, "You feed me today."

"Fine, I'll do that. Have a seat first."

Liqin tightened his embrace, as tears welled up and said, "Stay like this for a while."

"You need to rest well tonight so that you can leave early for Cervinia tomorrow. Now let us have dinner."

Jia held him by his hand and had him seated, and filled the plates for dinner. She then took a spoon, and said, "Here try this out. You must be hungry."

As they finished the dinner, the attendant came to collect the wares. As he left the suite Jia said, "Let's go for a walk, before we retire for the day."

"Yes, we will do that. I need to meet Mr. Chen as well for the updates."

As they walked the roads of Zermatt, hand in hand enjoying the Christmas decoration Jia said, "This looks like a snowclad fairyland. The warmth of the lights, in the icy blue snowclad landscape, overlooking the glowing heights of Matterhorn looks awesome. Christmas seems to come earlier in Zermatt."

"We have only a day left for Christmas eve. Probably we all can enjoy Christmas eve together along with Ms. Xiao and Bao for a few days once things get sorted out. It is great, that the blizzard has stopped."

As they returned, they met Mr. Chen on the way who had returned too, after a brisk walk. Mr. Chen looked around and replied, "We could have enjoyed the serenity of this place, had we not come during an emergency like this."

"Yes, that's true. We will do that as a team once our operation is complete tomorrow. Senior Mr. Li and the security team are on the way. They will reach Zurich by five in the morning tomorrow."

"Yes, I am aware of their arrival. I have been apprised of the same by the team."

As they reached the hotel Mr. Chen said, "Well, meet you tomorrow morning Mr. Chang. Good night to both of you."

Liqin and Jia replied in unison, "Same to you Mr. Chen."

As they walked up to their suite hand in hand Jia rested her head on Liqin's shoulder, and said, "Hope things are fine tomorrow as discussed."

As they enter the suite, Jia said, "Let us rest early tonight, so that we can rise up early tomorrow morning. I will go change, and come."

As she walked away Liqin pulled her back into his embrace and smiled sheepishly.

Looking into his eyes Jia asked, "What are you up to now?"

"Well, let's help you change."

Struggling to get out of his embrace Jia replied, "Help is not needed in that matter tonight. You better get some sleep. I need to get my night suit from the closet."

Liqin tightened his hold, and said, "You know post marriage the husband becomes the night suit of his sweetheart. Thus, said your clothes are right here."

"Well, I don't like the color of this suit. I would prefer to wear a deep blue one tonight rather than a pink one."

Liqin picked Jia in his arms, and said, "We'll see that once you change."

Like the snowclad winter land that glowed in the joy of the twinkling lights, their love and joy had no bounds as they retired for the day in the loving and caressing embrace of each other.

They were too exhausted, and their eyelids closed into a deep sleep as soon as they hit the bed.