A man in a long coat, with his hat pulled low and something in his hand, hurried out of the dark alley. The policeman stepped forward kindly, but performed his duties with confidence. Time, the notoriety of hutong, the haste of pedestrians, and the heavy objects carried-these naturally constitute "suspicious situations" that need police intervention to find out.
The "suspicious man" stopped at once and pushed his hat back. The swaying street lamp reflects a calm face, a long nose and black eyes that don't dodge. Without taking off his gloves, he reached into his coat pocket, took out a business card and gave it to the police. The policeman leaned against the flickering light and saw "Charles Spencer James, MD" printed on the business card. Streets and house numbers are in decent areas, so there is no room for curiosity, let alone doubt. The policeman glanced down and saw what the doctor was holding: a beautiful medical bag decorated with black leather and silver buttons; The business card has been further confirmed.
"Please, doctor." The policeman stepped aside, a little too friendly. "The above care should be extra careful. Recently, there have been many cases of breaking into houses and picking locks to block roads. It's hard to make house calls on such a night. Not cold; But-sticky. "
Dr. James nodded politely, agreed with the police's assessment of the weather and went on his way. That night, three patrolmen thought that his business card and arrogant medical bag were enough to prove that he was a decent man and did decent things. If any of these policemen think that they should check their business cards the next day (as long as they don't go too early, because Dr. James doesn't have the habit of going to bed early and getting up early), he will find that there is indeed a doctor's name in a beautiful house and a well-dressed doctor in a beautifully decorated clinic. Neighbors are willing to prove that doctors have been law-abiding, take care of their families and have a prosperous business in the past two years.
Therefore, those who are enthusiastic about maintaining public order will be surprised if anyone can see the contents of that seemingly innocent medical bag. As soon as we opened the bag, the first thing that appeared in front of us was a set of newly invented exquisite tools, which were dedicated to "safe expert". The so-called "safe expert" was the self-styled title of the thief who broke into the safe today. Those tools are specially designed and made-a short and powerful crowbar, a set of grotesque keys, a high-strength blue steel drill and punch that can easily punch holes in cold cast steel like a mouse gnawing cheese, can be attached to a smooth safe door like a leech, and can pull out pliers with a number lock as neatly as a dentist pulling teeth. Little patch pocket in the "medicine bag" has a four-pound bottle of nitroglycerin, half of which has been used. Under the tool is a pile of crumpled banknotes and a few gold coins, which make up 830 yuan.
Dr James is called "the great Greek" in his limited circle of friends. This strange name is a half compliment to his calm gentleman style; The other half is a finger, an expert in guild slang. With his address, professional influence and prestige, he can get information for his buddies to make plans and carry out illegal activities.
Other members of this small and capable circle are Skeeter Morgan, Gum Dyke and Leopold Praise Field. Dyke is a "security expert" and Precz Field is a jeweler in the city. He is responsible for handling diamonds and other jewels obtained by the three-person working group. They are all good people who are loyal to their friends, tight-lipped and faithful.
The partners think that they are not satisfied with the harvest that night and can only make up for their efforts. A well-funded old-fashioned safe, with double side bolts, deals in woolen goods, and the deposit should be more than 2500 yuan on Saturday night. But they only found this amount, and the three of them shared it equally on the spot as usual. They originally expected 1 10,000 or1.20,000 yuan. However, one of the business owners is a bit too old-fashioned. After dark, he put most of the cash in a shirt box and took it home.
Dr James continued to walk along the empty 24th Street. The opera fans who often gather in this area have already gone to bed. Drizzle-like cow hair piled up in a small pond between paving stones, which was illuminated by arc lamps and reflected thousands of shiny dots. The cold wind with dignified water vapor came in waves from the cracks in the house.
As soon as the doctor reached the corner of a tall brick house, the front door of this unusual house suddenly opened, and a black woman muttered, kicking her feet down the steps and onto the sidewalk. What she said was probably talking to herself-people of her race always turn to this kind of help when they are alone in danger. She is like a slave in the south in the old days-talkative, unscrupulous, loyal, but unruly; Her appearance says it all-fat, neat, wearing an apron and a headscarf.
When Dr. James came face to face, the image suddenly appeared from the silent house just walked down the steps. The function of her brain changed from pronunciation to vision, and she stopped whispering. The doctor has a pair of goldfish eyes stuck to the medical bag in his hand.
"Thank God!" She blurted out the medicine bag as soon as she saw it. "Are you a doctor, sir?"
"Yes, I am a doctor." Dr. James stopped and said.
"Then please look at Mr. Chandler for God's sake. I don't know if he is ill or something, but he seems to be dead. Miss Amy took me to see a doctor. Sir, if you don't come, God knows where old Cindy can find a doctor. It will be a lot of fun if the old master knows what happened here, sir-he will definitely shoot, count his steps on the ground and fight with a pistol. That lamb-like, poor Miss Amy-"
"If you want a doctor, just lead the way." Dr. James walked up the steps and said. "If you want someone to listen to you, I won't be by your side."
Black women took him into the house and walked up the stairs with thick carpets. They passed two dimly lit halls. In the second hall, the panting guide turned a corner, stopped at a door and opened it.
"I called the doctor, Miss Amy."
Dr James came into the room and leaned slightly towards a young lady standing by the bed. He put the medicine bag on the chair, took off his coat, put it on the back of the medicine bag and chair, and walked leisurely to the bed.
There is a man lying on the bed, still in the same posture as when he fell down before-beautifully dressed, very fashionable, and his shoes have been taken off; The whole body is flabby and motionless as death.
Dr. James seems to exude a halo of tranquility, calmness and strength, which is like the rain after a long drought, the weakness and disappointment among his clients. Some aspects of his behavior in the ward are particularly attractive to women. That is not the connivance and flattery of fashionable doctors to patients, but the attitude of calm and self-confidence, overwhelming fate, respecting, protecting and contributing to people. There is an obvious attraction in his firm bright brown eyes; Kind face is very suitable for the role of confidant and comforter, calm, similar to the peace of a potentially dignified priest. He sometimes makes house calls. Although women meet him for the first time, they will tell him where to hide the diamonds at night in case they are stolen.
Dr. James, who is experienced and doesn't roll his eyes, estimates the grade and quality of furniture in the room and looks at the young lady's appearance. She is small and thin, just in her early twenties, and her appearance has a charming beauty, but now it is overcast. This is not so much caused by accident and misfortune as a long-term fixed sorrow. She has bruises on one side of her forehead. According to the doctor's experience, the injury time will not exceed six hours.
Dr James reached out to check the patient's pulse. His almost talking eyes are asking young women.
"I'm Mrs. Chandler." She replied in a southerner's vague voice and tone. "About ten minutes before you came, my husband suddenly fell ill. He had a heart attack before-several times it was quite dangerous. " The patient's dress in the middle of the night prompted her to explain further. "He came home very late outside; I think it's probably to eat. "
Dr James now turns his attention to the patient. No matter what kind of "professional" activities he is engaged in, he always treats "cases" or "business" with rapt attention.
The patient is about thirty years old. The face is bold and dissolute, but it is still correct, and the optimistic and humorous appearance makes up for the shortcomings. His clothes smell of spilled wine.
The doctor unbuttoned his coat and cut the fake front of the shirt from the collar to the waist with a knife. After removing the obstacle, he put his ear to the patient's heart and listened carefully.
"Mitral valve regurgitation?" He whispered as he stood up straight. There is an uncertain rising tone at the end of the sentence. He bent down and listened for a long time; This time, I said in a positive tone: "Mitral valve insufficiency."
"Madam," he said in a tone that relieved people's worries many times, "it is possible-"When he slowly turned his head to the lady, she was pale, fainted and fell into the arms of the black old lady.
"Poor little lamb! Poor little lamb! Aunt Cindy's baby is suffering from them! May God be angry and punish those who led her astray and broke her angelic heart and brought her to this point-"
"Lift her feet." Dr James went to help the man who fainted. "Where is her room? She must be taken to bed. "
"Here it is, sir." The old black woman with a headscarf shook her head in front of a door. "That's Miss Amy's room."
They carried her into the room and put her on the bed. Her pulse is weak, but normal. She was unconscious and went into a deep sleep from a coma.
"She is exhausted." The doctor said. "Sleeping is good for her. When she wakes up, give her a glass of hot wine-if she can drink it, beat an egg in it. What is the contusion on her forehead? "
"Knock at the door, Sir. The poor lamb fell down-no, sir, "-that old woman's changeable racial character made her suddenly attack-"old Cindy won't lie for the devil. He did it, sir. I wish god would let his hands rot-oh, damn it! Cindy promised her lovely lamb that she would never tell. Sir, Miss Amy's head was scratched. "
Dr. James went to a delicate lampstand and turned off the light.
"You stay here, madam," he ordered. "Be quiet and let her sleep. If she wakes up, fill her with hot water. If she is not feeling well, you can tell me. This is a bit strange. "
"There are many strange things here." The black woman was about to go on when the doctor uncharacteristically and arbitrarily told her not to make any noise like a hysterical patient. He went back to another room and closed the door gently. The man on the bed didn't move, but he opened his eyes. His lips moved as if to say something. Dr. James looked down and only heard a faint "money! Money! "
"Can you hear me clearly?" The doctor lowered his voice, but made it clear.
The patient nodded slightly.
"I'm a doctor, is this your wife? They told me you were Mr Chandler. You are very ill, so don't get excited or panic. "
The patient's eyes seemed to call him. The doctor bent down to listen to the still faint voices.
"Money-twenty thousand dollars."
"Where is the money? -in the bank? "
Negative eyes. "Tell her"-her voice is getting weaker and weaker-"that 20 thousand yuan-her money"-his eyes scanned the room.
"Did you hide the money somewhere?" Dr James's voice is as eager as a banshee in Sai Ren, trying to find out the secret from this man who is gradually losing his mind. "Is it in this room?"
He felt a little approval from those hazy eyes. The pulse he can feel at his fingertips is as thin as silk thread.
The instinct of Dr. James's other career appeared in his mind and heart. He acted quickly and immediately decided to find out where the money was, even though he knew it would definitely kill him.
He took out a small blank prescription book from his pocket and wrote down the prescription suitable for the patient according to the standard routine practice. He went to the door of the back room, quietly called the woman in black, gave her the prescription, and asked her to go to the pharmacy to have it filled.
After she left muttering, the doctor went to the bed where Mrs Chandler was lying. She is still sleeping; The pulse condition is better than before; In addition to contusion and inflammation, the forehead is not hot, but also a little moist. She can sleep for a few hours if no one is disturbed. When he came out, he found the door key and locked the door.
Dr James looked at his watch. He can have half an hour's free time, because the old lady can't go home for half an hour to get medicine. He found a pitcher and a tumbler, opened the medicine bag and took out a small bottle of nitroglycerin-his brothers who played with hand drills simply called it "oil".
He poured a drop of yellowish viscous liquid into the glass, then took out the silver syringe and fixed the needle. He carefully pumped water several times according to the scale on the glass tube, and diluted this drop of nitroglycerin into nearly half a glass of solution.
Two hours before that night, Dr. James used the same syringe to inject undiluted liquid into a hole he drilled in the lock of the safe. A violent explosion destroyed the machine that controlled the bolt. Now he is going to shock a person's main machine in the same way-to stimulate his heart-all for money.
The same method, but different in appearance. The former is a reckless and rude giant with primitive power, while the latter is a flatterer, but his equally deadly arms are covered with velvet and lace. Because the liquid carefully extracted from the glass by the doctor with a syringe has turned into nitroglycerin, which is the strongest cardiotonic known in medicine. Two ounces can destroy a thick safe iron door; He is now going to use one-fiftieth of a drop to make the complex mechanism of a living person stand still forever.
But not immediately stationary. This does not meet his requirements. First of all, we must quickly increase the vitality of the body; Give every organ and function a strong promotion. The heart will bravely respond to the fatal spur; The blood in the vein will return to the heart faster.
Dr. James knows very well that this kind of heart disease is stimulated too strongly, just like being hit by a rifle bullet, and the result is immediate death. When the blood flow suddenly increases under the action of thieves' "oil", the artery with poor lumen will be blocked completely and the fountain of life will stop flowing.
The doctor unbuttoned Chandler's chest in a coma and skillfully injected the liquid from the syringe into the muscles in the precordial area. He is innocent in both industries. After the injection, he carefully dried the needle and put on the thin copper wire to keep the needle unobstructed again.
Three minutes later, Chandler opened his eyes and began to speak. Although his voice is weak, he can still hear it. He asked who saved him. Dr James explained again how he got here.
"Where's my wife?" The patient asked.
"She fell asleep-tired and worried." The doctor said. "I don't want to wake her up unless-"
"No need." Chandler is short of breath and often speaks intermittently. "For me-bother her-she won't-thank you."
Dr James dragged a chair to the bed. There is no time to waste, so we should speed up the conversation.
"A few minutes ago," he said in a low and frank voice of another profession, "you were going to tell me something about money. I don't expect you to trust me, but it's my duty to tell you that anxiety is not conducive to your recovery. If you have something on your mind-I remember you mentioned 20 thousand yuan-you might as well say it to lighten your mental burden. "
Chandler can't move his head, but his eyes turn to the speaker's direction.
"Did I say-where is the money?"
"No." The doctor replied. "I just infer from your vague words that you are very concerned about its safety. If the money is in this room-"
Dr. James, stop. Did he see a hint of epiphany and doubt from the patient's teasing face? Does he look a little impatient? Did he reveal the secret? What Chandler said later restored his confidence.
"Where else can I hide it besides the safe?" He panted. "
He pointed his eyes at the corner of the room, and the doctor saw a small iron safe covered by curtains.
He stood up and grabbed the patient's wrist. His pulse is good, but it is separated by ominous intervals.
"Raise your arm." Dr. James ordered it.
"You know-I can't move, doctor."
The doctor quickly approached the door leading to the corridor, opened it and listened to what was outside. There was silence. He stopped beating about the bush and went straight to the safe to have a look. That safe has an old style and a simple design. Can only prevent servants with dirty hands and feet. As far as his technology is concerned, this can only be regarded as a toy, which is equivalent to something made of straw and cardboard. This money can be said to have been obtained. He can pull out the dial with pliers, drill through the tumblers and open the door of the safe in less than two minutes. In another way, it may only take a minute.
He knelt on the ground, his ear pressed against the safe door, and slowly turned the dial. As expected, he only used the combination code when he locked the door. When the dial turned, his keen ears heard a gentle tick; He used a combination.-the handle is loose. He opened the door of the safe.
There is nothing in the safe-not even a scrap of paper can be seen in the empty iron lattice.
Dr James stood up and went back to bed.
The dying man was sweating on his forehead, but there was a mocking sneer in his mouth and eyes.
"I have never seen it in my life," he said with difficulty. "Medicine is combined with theft! You have two jobs-making good money-dear doctor? "
At that time, the situation was very embarrassing, and Dr. James's shrewdness and ability had never been more severely tested. The victim's extraordinary sense of humor put him in a ridiculous and unsafe situation, but he still maintained his dignity and a clear head. He took out his watch and waited for the man to die.
"You-money-too impatient. But you, dear doctor, can do nothing about it. It is safe. Very safe. Everything is in the hands of the bookie. Twenty thousand dollars.-Amy's money. I took part in the horse race and lost everything. I'm the black sheep of my family, Mr. Thief-I'm sorry-doctor, but I lost fair and square. I have never seen-like you-an unqualified villain-a doctor-sorry-a thief. Give the victim-sorry-give the patient a glass of water-is it against your professional ethics as a thief? "
Dr James poured him a glass of water. He can hardly swallow. The drug reaction came in waves and became stronger and stronger. But he's dying, and he wants to seriously hurt others.
"Gamblers-drunkards-black sheep-I know all about them, but-doctors and thieves!"
The doctor had only one answer to his sharp irony. He leaned down, stared at Chandler's cold eyes and pointed to the sleeping woman's room. This gesture was so severe and meaningful that the exhausted man used up his remaining strength and half looked up to see what had happened. He saw nothing; But I heard the doctor's cold words-the last voice he heard on his deathbed:
"So far, I haven't hit a woman."
It is futile to try to study such a person. There is no knowledge to discuss them. When people mention someone, they will say, "He can do this or that." They are descendants of these people. We only know that such people exist; All I know is that we can watch them and talk about their simple performances, just like children watch and talk about muppets.
However, the two men-a robber and a murderer-stood in front of the victim; The other one, though not seriously violating the law, behaved even worse and was disgusting. He lay in the home of his wife who was persecuted, insulted and beaten. One is a tiger, the other is a wolf. They all hate each other's meanness. Although everyone is guilty, it is understandable to show off your code of conduct (even if you don't talk about the code of honor).
Dr. James's rebuttal must have hurt the other party's remaining shame and masculinity and become a fatal blow. A blush appeared on his face-a dying erythema; Chandler stopped breathing, hardly trembled, and then died.
When the old black woman came back with the medicine, he had just died. Dr. James gently pressed the dead man's closed eyelids with one hand and told her the result. She is not sad, but treats abstract death with a genetic and friendly attitude, complaining darkly and sobbing:
"Isn't it! God has a plan. He will punish the guilty and help those in trouble. It's time for him to help us. Cindy bought this bottle of medicine and spent the last coin. As a result, the medicine is useless. "
"Does Mrs Chandler have no money?" Dr. James asked.
"Money? Sir, do you know why Miss Amy fainted and why she was so weak? I'm so hungry, sir. There has been no food at home for three days except some broken biscuits. The little angel sold her ring and pocket watch a few months ago. The red carpet and beautiful furniture in this house are rented, and the renters are particularly fierce. That devil-forgive me, God-he got what he deserved from you-he ruined everything. "
The doctor's silence made her speak more and more vigorously. He sorted out an old story from Cindy's rambling monologues, which was intertwined with fantasy, willfulness, disaster, cruelty and arrogance. In the vague summary of her chattering words, there are several clear pictures: a comfortable family in the far south; A hasty and regretful marriage; An unhappy life full of insults and abuse; The woman's recent inheritance brings the hope of reviving her family business; The wolf took the money, didn't meet for two months, and squandered it outside; I came back drunk one night. From a messy story, we can see a pure white clue: the black old woman's simple, lofty and unswerving love, no matter what difficulties and obstacles she meets, she will unswervingly follow her mistress.
When she finally shut up, the doctor asked her if she had any whisky or wine at home. The old woman agreed, and there was still half a bottle of whisky left by the jackal in the sideboard.
"As I just told you, pour some wine, some hot water, and make an egg in it. Wake up your hostess; Let her drink and tell her what happened at home. "
Ten minutes later, Mrs Chandler came in with the help of old Cindy. She slept for a while and drank hot wine, and she didn't look so weak. Dr. James has covered the dead man in bed with a sheet.
The lady glanced at the bed with sad and frightened eyes; Close to her protector. Her eyes are dry and shiny. Extreme pain dried up her tears.
Dr James is standing at the table. He has put on his coat, hat and medical bag in his hand. His expression is calm and serene-his profession has made him accustomed to human suffering. Only his flashing brown eyes showed the sympathy of the cautious doctor.
He said thoughtfully and simply, because it is too late, it must be difficult to find someone to help, and he can find the right person to take care of the affairs.
"One last thing," the doctor said, pointing to the open safe. "Mrs. Chandler, your husband finally knows that he is dying; He told me the password to the safe and asked me to open it. If you want to use it, please remember that the number is 4 1. Twist it a few times to the right first; Twist it to the left again; Stop at 4 1. Although he knew he was going to die, he wouldn't let me wake you up.
"He said he saved a small sum of money in the safe-enough for you to finish his last request. He asks you to go back to your hometown, and when things get better in the future, please forgive all the crimes he has committed against you. "
He pointed to the table. There is a neat stack of money on the table with two stacks of gold coins on it.
"The money is there-as he said-one * * * is eight hundred and thirty yuan. Please allow me to leave my business card and let me know if there is anything I can do for you in the future. "
He thought of her at the last minute-very considerate! It was too late, but the lie ignited a gentle spark where she thought it had turned to ashes. She blurted out, "rob! Grab! " Turn around, jump into the arms of loyal servants, and dilute her sadness with tears. In the later years, the murderer's lies are like a little star, flashing on the grave of love, comforting her and winning her forgiveness, which is a good thing in itself.
The old black woman held her to her chest and comforted her in a low voice like a child. She finally looked up-but the doctor had already left.