Chapter 14

Guzhangjun was handed over to the criminal investigation team for interrogation, and the leaders left one after another, heading to the hospital to visit Ma Guoqing, who was injured on duty. Before leaving, Song Jianfeng smiled and said, "Everyone, relax. Although it's a murder case and a gun case, no police officers or innocent civilians were injured, and no guns were lost. The case isn't as complicated as we imagined. Everyone, stay focused and solve the case quickly to restore peace and order for the people."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The leaders truly had a broad vision.

The Huahuo Office and the police station were responsible for cleaning up the scene. They convened a meeting with community activists overnight to convey the spirit of the higher authorities, urging the activists to delve into the community to dispel rumors. This was just a public security case involving a fight, and people should not believe or spread rumors, causing panic.

The landlord, Bao Yumei, was the first to respond. With a death in her building, it would be hard to rent out the rooms, significantly affecting her income. She naturally responded positively to the organization's call. The other activists were mostly retired party cadres with nothing to do. They would firmly implement whatever the organization said without any hesitation.

At No. 108 Tiesha Street, the bullet heads were dug out of the walls, and the bullet marks were covered with cement. The blood had been washed away, but the work was a bit rough, and there might still be some brain matter on the ceiling. Fortunately, there were few residents, and the impact was minimal. The residents of this street were used to violence, so calming them down wasn't difficult.

A police cordon was set up at the entrance to the courtyard, and late-returning residents were not allowed to enter. Zhang Dajie took her child to a relative's house, while Xiao Li and Xiao Hong slept at the hair salon. The mahjong players returned to their respective homes. Zhu Xiaqiang came back with an umbrella. It was raining, and he had planned to pick up his goddess from school, but she was taken away by an Audi. Now, he was blocked by the police, feeling both sad and angry. However, he didn't dare to say anything and went to the Dihao Internet Cafe for the night.

The leaders arrived at the Medical University Affiliated Hospital. The bullet in Ma Guoqing's abdomen had been removed, and he was still under anesthesia. He was transferred to the inpatient department, but the ward was full, so he had to sleep on an extra bed in the corridor.

Ma Guoqing's wife had already arrived. She was a retired ticket seller from the bus company, and her loud voice was a result of her profession. Seeing the high-ranking police officers in white shirts, she immediately rushed over, crying and complaining, saying, "Our old Ma risked his life for the public, and he doesn't even have a proper bed. Leaders, you must do something for us."

Song Jianfeng immediately gave instructions, ordering the municipal bureau's office to coordinate with the hospital to ensure that Ma Guoqing was moved to a ward that night. He held Ma Guoqing's wife's hand and said, "Sister, don't worry. The organization is here. Old Ma is a hero, and we should all learn from him."

Ma's wife finally stopped crying.

A young woman with a ponytail came out of the washroom with a bowl and chopsticks. Seeing the provincial and municipal leaders, she pulled out a Type 54 pistol from her waist and spun it on her finger, shocking the accompanying personnel, who were almost ready to shout, "Protect the leaders."

Song Jianfeng smiled and said, "You must be Ma Ling. Truly, a tiger father doesn't have a dog daughter."

Ma Ling held the gun by the barrel, pointing the handle at Song Jianfeng. "My father's gun, here you go."

Song Jianfeng took the pistol, skillfully checked the chamber for any remaining bullets, and then handed it to his assistant, saying, "Comrade Ma, we need your cooperation to answer some questions and make a statement. Do you have time?"

Ma Ling replied cheerfully, "Sure."

Song Jianfeng looked at his watch, an old Huaijiang brand watch from the 1980s, which could be bought for less than 50 yuan on Taobao.

"It's late, we won't disturb Old Ma's rest. If you have any difficulties, report them to the organization. By the way, we'll leave two young comrades to take care of Old Ma. It's not convenient for a girl to take care of her father."

"Yes, we'll arrange it immediately," the assistants nodded.

Song Jianfeng returned to the provincial public security bureau's office and held a case discussion meeting overnight. As the head of the provincial bureau, he was responsible for the overall work, and such a case didn't require his personal attention. However, he敏锐地察觉到，这件案子可以深挖，从古长军入手，挖出世峰集团的毒根，或许会有大收获。

有一个关键证人必须找到，就是刘汉东。

……

凌晨，江北铁路货运编组站，刘汉东跳下一列运煤火车，沿着铁路前行，走了许久才见到市区。他坐了一班公交车进城，在一个老旧的居民小区下车，看着熟悉的环境，回家的感觉油然而生。

小区门口，摆着几个早点摊子，刘汉东买了一份豆浆油条狼吞虎咽地吃着，还没吃完城管就来了，摊主急忙收起家当，刘汉东帮着他把小板凳放上三轮车，目送摊主们仓皇离去，走进了小区大门。

滨河小区建于九十年代初，现在已经老旧不堪，垃圾遍地，路边停满了廉价家用轿车，绿化带里杂草丛生。刘汉东来到小区尽头的一栋楼前，敲响了二单元101的房门。

防盗门打开了，一个精神矍铄的老人站在门内。

“小东，回来了。”老人说。

“嗯，爷爷，我回来了。”刘汉东进了门，家里摆设依旧，墙上挂着爷爷年轻时候的照片，五五式军礼服，二级解放勋章，陆军中校军衔，旁边是奶奶，也是一身戎装，挂着大尉军衔和卫生兵符号。

“吃了么，爷爷给你下面条去。”老人单住，身子骨硬朗得很。

“吃了，在小区门口吃的早点，爷爷你别忙乎了。”刘汉东答道，他是从小被爷爷带大的，最亲近的人就是爷爷。这套房子承载了他的幼年、童年、少年时期的几乎所有记忆，他是跟爷爷学会的游泳、骑车、打拳、打弹弓，爷爷甚至会帮他做火柴枪。

老人说：“小东，出了什么事？”

刘汉东说：“您怎么知道出了事。”

老人说：“小子，你爷爷九十几岁的人了，什么没见过，说吧，闯了多大的祸？”

刘汉东说：“我没惹祸，只是奋起反击而已。”他坐下来，将这几天发生的事情说了一遍。

老人沉思片刻说：“你打算怎么办？”

刘汉东说：“先等等看，如果没有转机，就只能去缅甸那边躲躲了。”

老人加重语气说：“躲什么，你又不是罪犯！”

刘汉东说：“爷爷，真罪犯逍遥法外，无辜路人冤狱十几年的事情可不是没有。”

老人说：“小东，你说的情况确实存在，但你和他们不同。你可以找出足够的证据证明自己的清白。你保护了夏家的女儿，他们也会帮你的。如果你逃走反而给了他们栽赃你的理由。”

刘汉东说：“那我现在怎么做？投案自首？”

老人说：“你没犯罪投什么案，你要配合警方调查。”

刘汉东沉默了一会，说：“我想先去看看我妈。”

老人说：“先帮爷爷浇浇花，定一下心神。”

……

半小时后，刘汉东来到位于博爱路上的煤机厂宿舍，这是一栋七十年代的筒子楼，外墙红砖剥落，自来水管道锈迹斑斑。上了四楼，掏出钥匙打开门，一室一厅的房间，塞满了东西。电视机还是老式的二十一寸平面直角长虹彩电，电冰箱门上的绿漆都掉了，大衣柜镜子上贴着九十年代的广告画，阳台上晒满衣服。

刘汉东在破旧的沙发上坐下，感受着弹簧的弹性。小时候他经常坐在上面做作业，茶几还是以前那个茶几，玻璃都磨花了。

门外传来悉悉索索的声音，是有人掏钥匙开门。简陋的防盗门打开，一个穿旧迷彩服的中年秃顶矮胖男人站在门口，见到刘汉东，急忙放下手中的菜篮子说：“东东回来了，吃了么，我去给你买包子。”

“不麻烦了，我妈呢？”刘汉东说。

这个男人是他的继父，也是他生父的战友。父亲战死在越南战场，而他却全须全尾地回来了，还娶了自己的母亲。

刘汉东鄙视他，除非不得已，不愿意和他说话。

“你妈出摊子去了，早市卖鱼，生意好。”继父说，走进狭窄的厨房，拿出一包挂面来，“下鸡蛋面给你吃吧。”

“我不吃。”刘汉东说，出门扬长而去。

家附近有个农贸市场，大棚下各种新鲜蔬菜、肉禽蛋鱼，熙熙攘攘，地上污水横流。刘汉东静静站在角落里，看着鲜鱼摊前，妈妈娴熟地从盆里捞出一条活蹦乱跳的鱼，摔在板子上，剔掉鱼鳞，掏出鱼鳔。

刘汉东觉得鼻子有些酸，妈妈两鬓已经斑白，每天起早贪黑做小生意，还不是为了攒钱给自己买房结婚吗？自己二十大几的人了，连个工作都没有，情何以堪。

妈妈看见了刘汉东，招呼同行帮自己看着摊子，摘下手套喜滋滋地走过来：“东东，啥时候到的，吃了么，妈给你钱买麦当劳去。”

说着从口袋里掏出一把沾着鱼腥味的零钱来。

“妈，我吃过了，我就是回来看看，没啥事。”刘汉东说。

“东东，工作找好了么？”这是妈妈最关心的问题。

“找好了，给人家开车，是事业单位哩。”刘汉东低下头，这是他成年以后，第一次说谎。

“事业单位好啊，旱涝保收，好好干，有点眼色，巴结着领导，争取转正。”妈妈很高兴，又问道：“单位叫什么名字？”

“叫……”刘汉东一时语塞。

“近江交通局下属的职业技术学院，给学校开大巴，绝对的好工作，大姐你想啊，交通局多肥的单位，每月光福利就好几千，下属单位能差了？”一个男子从后面走了过来，笑呵呵地说。

“交通局下属的学校，这工作太好了，东东你得好好干啊，这位是？”妈妈欣喜万分。

“哦，我是刘汉东的同事，我叫韩光，学院后勤处的。”男子自我介绍了一下，转头对刘汉东说：“今天我带车到江北来接学生的，顺便让小刘回家看看。”

刘汉东点点头。

妈妈说：“哎呀，有公事啊，别耽误了，看也看过了，赶紧忙你的去。”说着将兜里的红色大票子数了三张，塞进了刘汉东的口袋。

“妈，那我走了。”刘汉东跟着韩光走出了农贸市场，回身看去，妈妈还在门口冲自己招手。

“谢了。”刘汉东说。

韩光拿出证件：“江北市公安局刑警二大队，韩光。”

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