DIGITS KILLER -8

Gongsun carried out a brief autopsy and walked out of the cell to Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.

" How is it?" Bai Yutang asked.

" He is poisoned to death." Gongsun said while removing his gloves.

" Poisoned?" Bai Yutang glanced at the prison guard standing next to him and asked, " How did he get the poison?"

The guard looked all flustered as he replied, " That's impossible!!! He's restrained whenever he leaves the cell and there wasn't anyone that approached him...."

" It's alright , calm down..." Zhan Zhao tried to comfort him while he got someone to bring the prison guard away. Then, he turned to Bai Yutang and inquired," What next?"

Bai Yutang quickly scanned the area and commented," This is a special cell that's completely closed off. But after taking a quick look at the layout, although the cells are isolated from each other, the corridor is connected. To get to Wu Hao's room, one must pass through the two cells before him. However the problem is that...."

He paused for a moment before directing his words to Zhan Zhao, " All our neighbours here are pretty special. It's up to you and your expertise now."

Wu Hao stayed in Cell number 3. And there's only one staircase on this floor, so he would have passed by Cells 1 and 2 to get to his room.

Cell number 1 is an extremely dangerous fellow called Liu Chen, aged 39. He suffered from severe Schizophrenia, maniac and delusional disorder. If you classify the one in cell 1 as a brawns type lunatic, then the one in cell 2 would be a brainy lunatic. He's called Qin Jiaqi who's a medical student that's only 19 years of age. He was convicted of assaulting his roommate in their sleep....

While they waited in the same special visitation room, Bai Yutang was reading the information of the two prisoners. And he was dumbstruck to say something.

" Tsk tsk... Cat, I'd to say that it is good for you to stay sane while dealing with these type of people all the time.."

Zhan Zhao rolled his eyes at Bai Yutang and said," Most people have some prejudice against people suffering from mental illnesses. But I'll have you know that once they are cured, they are the same healthy individuals, just like people who recovered from a cold!"

During their exchange, the doors to the visitation room opened. And a burly, bald- headed, middle aged man walked in. The shackles around his body gave a good indication of how dangerous this man was. He slowly made his way to the seat in front of Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang with his chains. He raised those murky eyes and looked at them and chuckled, " You two look much better than those stinky and dirty policemen I've met in the past."

Bai Yutang thought that this guy was a little more normal compared to Wu Hao as he asked," You're Liu Chen?"

Liu Chen nodded and interjected before Bai Yutang could continue," You guys are here to ask about the guy that died in cell number 3 right?"

Surprise briefly flashed across the faces of Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang when they heard his words. Seeing their reaction, Liu Chen chuckled once more and continued," I saw a doctor walk past."

Bai Yutang perked up immediately, " Doctor? How do he looks like? Have you seen them before?"

" Nope " Liu Chen shooked his head as he leaned forward and said mysteriously in a hushed voice," I can tell that he's not a doctor at all. I know all the doctors here! I've been here for 8 years and I'll be here for many more. This is my territory."

" How are you so sure that he's not just someone new?" Zhan Zhao asked abruptly.

Liu Chen laughed again and pointed at his nose, " It's different! The smell is different!"

" Smell?" Bai Yutang repeated, intrigued by his response.

" That's right!" Liu Chen nodded his head in satisfaction and said, " Everyone has a different smell."

As he said, he pointed to Bai Yutang and said " Cop" . Then to Zhan Zhao,

" Specialist".

Zhan Zhao nodded his head as he asked, " What about that doctor? What did he smell of?"

Liu Chen smiled as he sat back down properly and pointed to himself," The same as me.... The smell of blood...,"

After Liu Chen left, Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao and asked in all seriousness," Are you sure he has a problem? He seems even more normal than me.."

Zhan Zhao didn't respond right away, but stared at Bai Yutang for a while before finally saying , " So you finally realised that you're not normal?"

Anger!!!!!

Just when the two of them were about to start another round of bickering, the door opened and Qin Jiaqi from Cell number 2 came in. His treatment was way better than Liu Chen. There were no chains on his body, he wasn't even wearing a strait jacket. He was just in a simple white and blue striped patient clothing. He looked very timid. Cautiously walking in and taking a seat. He nervously lifted his head to look at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang. When he met eyes with them, he seemed starlted and lowered his head immediately. After a while, he raised his head again to look at Zhan Zhao. This time he didn't get scared, but instead smiled at Zhan Zhao shyly. To which Zhan Zhao returned with a friendly smile. That appearance calmed his nerves a bit and he relaxed a little.

Bai Yutang was about to question Qin Jiaqi when Zhan Zhao gave him a look. He nodded his head, closed his mouth and walked out of Qin Jiaqi's sight.

" Qin Jiaqi?" Zhan Zhao started the conversation with him alone.

Bai Yutang's departure seemed to allow Qin Jiaqi to be completely at ease. As he nodded his head lightly and carefully took a peek at Bai Yutang, who stood by the door with his back to them. Then he whispered to Zhan Zhao," W..will he be angry?"

Zhan Zhao responded with a smile," It's alright, Jiaqi. I have a few questions for you and you'll answer them honestly. Is that ok?"

"Un" Qin Jiaqi nodded his head.

" Did you see anyone special walk pass your room this afternoon?" Zhan Zhao asked.

Qin Jiaqi nodded his head.

" What kind of person he was?"

Qin Jiaqi suddenly started to get restless as he muttered," S ..sa .satan"

" Satan!" Bai Yutang who was standing by the door, turned around and exclaimed in suprise. His sudden reaction caused Qin Jiaqi to bend down in fear. Zhan Zhao glared at Bai Yutang and the latter immediately raised both his hands to express his apologies but turing back.

" Jiaqi, could you describe to me how the Satan looked like?" Zhan Zhao softened the tone of his voice.

" Mmm" Qin Jiaqi nodded his head and said," He was dressed in white, with a n.. needle in his hand... He walked ny and came back really quickly... H...he even gestured at me.."

" What gesture did he make?"

Following Zhan Zhao's question, Qin Jiaqi placed his index finger on his lips and whispered," Shhhh..."

Before Qin Jiaqi left, he pointed at Zhan Zhao and said " Angel" , followed by Bai Yutang and mumbled," Exorcist". And then he went on his way, muttering to himself.

Zhan Zhao was stunned for a moment, Bai Yutang turned around and pointed at the door, " Well, this one is not normal at all...."