The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
The first interrogation
CHAPTER 17 - THE FIRST INTERROGATION
Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 5:13 p.m.
Gregory Harris
<Will everything be alright now?>
When Mr. Harris finally had found solutions to his problems, he got a new one in the form of an aggressive villager named Terence Westley.
Terence Westley, a middle-aged woodcutter, was clearly an enemy of the Harrises because he was against their purchase of Mrs. Wilson's house that would become Repose Hotel.
Less than an hour ago, Terence was aggressive towards the Harrises.
When Isaac Kenley, an employee of theirs and also an acquaintance of Terence's, tried to stop the woodcutter from advancing towards the hotel owners, he was pushed down onto the floor.
Luckily, Detective Pan Mei-Hua was able to stop the middle-aged man by letting him taste his own medicine when he tried to slap her buttocks.
Afterwards, the detective tried to interrogate him.
Any attempt was futile in the beginning, and Terence didn't want to co-operate.
But since Mr. Harris has shown him the e-mail with the latest threat, and Mr. Kenley has managed to explain that Mrs. Wilson actually wanted to move out from her house, Terence seemed to finally understand.
Is Terence Westley really innocent?
Pan Mei-Hua
Just because you've admitted that you know nothing about the threats, and you've apologised for your behaviour, doesn't mean that I can let you go just yet.
Terence Westley
What the---?!
Pan Mei-Hua
You STILL have violated the law.
Terence Westley
Come on...
Pan Mei-Hua
Besides, I haven't finished the interrogation yet.
Everyone begins to pay extra close attention.
What questions will she ask Terence Westley now?
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, do you often go and take a walk during late evenings?
Mr. Harris begins to understand what the detective is trying to uncover.
Gregory Harris
<Even if that rough woodcutter didn't send the threatening e-mail, he could have been in cahoots with someone else!>
Gregory Harris
<Could he be the one who made the silent calls during earlier nights?>
Gregory Harris
<Good thinking, Miss Pan!>
Terence Westley
*Looks puzzled*
Terence Westley
Sometimes?
Terence Westley
I don't go out often after work.
Gregory Harris
*Becomes a bit disappointed*
Gregory Harris
<So much for that theory.>
Gregory Harris
<It seems that I've overestimated Pan Mei-Hua too much!>
Even if the chance is low that Terence Westley has something to do with the silent calls, Mei-Hua is steadfast.
Shannon Harris
*Looks at her husband and sighs quietly*
Mrs. Harris understands her husband's doubts.
After all, Mr. Harris has done everything he could to hire Pan Mei-Hua and her assistant at a low cost, but failed.
If the young Chinese detective fails with her first assessment, then Mr. Harris sure will try to withdraw from the agreement.
But what would happen afterwards?
Would Mr. Harris try to renegotiate Mei-Hua's fee, or would he simply sack her?
Pan Mei-Hua
*Seems to realise Mr. Harris's doubts, but doesn't care*
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Harris, when was the last time you've received an unknown call in the middle of the night?
Gregory Harris
*Thinks for a moment*
Gregory Harris
When was it...?
Gregory Harris
*Immediately takes his smartphone out of his pocket and looks at the call list*
Gregory Harris
On 11 July.
Gregory Harris
At 11:38 p.m.
Pan Mei-Hua
Almost midnight then.
Pan Mei-Hua
Less than two days before you received that e-mail threat.
Gregory Harris
That's right!
Terence Westley
I don't wanna be rude, but...
Terence Westley
...What does this have to do with me?
Terence Westley
Come on, seriously?
Isaac Kenley
Terence, just allow Miss Pan to ask her questions, alright?
Terence Westley
Even if they have little to no relevance?
Pan Mei-Hua
Yes, Mr. Westley.
Pan Mei-Hua
Remember, you're currently a suspect.
Pan Mei-Hua
And I decide when to stop this interrogation, whether you like it or not!
Terence Westley
*Shakes his head in frustration*
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, where were you on the night of 11 July?
Terence Westley
Come on, Missy.
Terence Westley
How am I supposed to---
Pan Mei-Hua
ANSWER THE QUESTION!
Terence Westley
Okay, okay, you don't need to shout!
Terence Westley
Look, detective.
Terence Westley
I can't remember everything because I...
The middle-aged woodcutter suddenly stops himself.
Isaac Kenley
Because what, Terence?
Isaac Kenley
Come on now, just continue.
Terence Westley
Are you really kidding me, Isaac?!
Terence Westley
Am I supposed to reveal my alcohol addiction...
Terence Westley
*Lowers his head in shame*
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, if you're too embarrassed to continue, let me try to help you out.
Pan Mei-Hua
You usually drink lots of alcoholic beverages at late evenings.
Pan Mei-Hua
You drink so much that you get drunk every time and therefore can't remember anything?
Terence Westley
*Nods in shame*
Pan Mei-Hua
I'll accept the explanation, for now.
Terence Westley
*Looks up*
Terence Westley
I'm not a suspect anymore?
Pan Mei-Hua
I haven't said that.
Pan Mei-Hua
Besides, we can't let you off that easily, especially when you've committed the three violations.
Terence Westley
What will happen now?
Pan Mei-Hua
Well, we will allow you to return home to the village.
Pan Mei-Hua
But it is Mr. Harris's decision if he wants to press any charges against you.
Pan Mei-Hua
In the meantime, as long as there are guests at Repose Hotel when my assistant and I are staying here...
Pan Mei-Hua
...If anything were to happen to them, and I see you close to Repose Hotel, you WILL be in legal trouble.
Pan Mei-Hua
Have I made myself clear?
The door to Mr. Harris's office suddenly opens.
Thelma Morris, the housemaid, comes in furiously and shoves the youngsters David Andrews and Samantha Reed into Mr. Harris's office.
Thelma Morris
Mr. Harris, I caught these two children eavesdropping at the door!
Bryan sees that the 16-year-old girl is also holding a glass in her hand.
Did Sam try to eavesdrop on the whole interrogation in the same way as Mrs. Harris did earlier?
Samantha Reed
For the last time, lady, we're not---
David Andrews
Let us go already!
Fred Maxwell hurries behind Mrs. Morris and tries to get her attention.
Fred Maxwell
That's enough, Sam and David!
Fred Maxwell
Mrs. Morris, allow me to apologise on their behalf.
Fred Maxwell
They're still young---
Thelma Morris
That doesn't matter!
Thelma Morris
This is an important meeting, and unauthorised people aren't allowed to know any details of it!
Pan Mei-Hua
I agree, Mrs. Morris.
Pan Mei-Hua
But actually, it doesn't really matter any more.
Pan Mei-Hua
Since the children are going to be a part of Repose Hotel's staff---
Both Sam and David's faces light up as soon as Mei-Hua mentions their names.
Pan Mei-Hua
---They'll learn of the details sooner or later.
Thelma Morris
Alright, Miss Pan.
Thelma Morris
Anyway, there's another reason why I came in.
Thelma Morris
It's almost time for dinner, and we need the volunteers to start working.
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