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2017
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Lana had been missing for almost two years. In 2016, Curt returned to the Bay Area with his partner Ben.
Daniel’s clothes were a mess. He looked worn and disheveled while sitting in the Shanghai police department. His dark beard was overgrown, and he smelled of liquor, from a recent excursion.
Daniel stammered while reading a photocopied diary entry, which was covered in beer-stains:
“Dear Diary,
Yesterday, I was sitting at a café near my apartment. I was finishing my coffee when I looked up and saw a frail old man ravenously eating a plate of abandoned donuts. I was shocked because I hadn’t seen this before.
My home is coddled away from the horrors of the world. The man was appallingly thin, his skin was tough like leather, and he ate with such intensity. I glanced at the counter and realized that the clerk had caught me staring. Thus, she demanded that the man leave. If I hadn’t been staring, this wouldn’t have happened.
The man ran across the street. I followed and gave him my hot coffee. He accepted it, smiled and said ‘Xiè, Xie,’ repeatedly. He owed me no gratitude. After all, I was responsible for getting him tossed from the café.”
The detective listened patiently but finally interrupted. “Thank you for sharing, but what is your point?”
“Lana was a nice person.”
“I know,” the detective responded flippantly while finishing his cigarette. He then leaned forward and asked, “Is there anything in that diary remotely relevant to this investigation?”
“Not exactly, but you can infer who had the incentive to murder her.”
“Infer?”
“Curt made a lot of money. Lana would have gotten half of it.”
“Wasn’t he your employer?”
“Curt was my client. He hired me to follow his wife.”
“I see.”
“The guy was never honest about anything. Plus, he left China so abruptly.”
“Where were you when the tai tai disappeared?”
“Huh?”
“Weren’t you supposed to follow her?”
“Yeah, but I got sick.”
“I see,” responded the detective stoically.
“Um, yeah, I passed out after consuming —”
“Mrs. Steiger’s train didn’t leave until after 4 p.m. Why were you drinking in the afternoon?”
“I wasn’t. An admirer left a basket of caviar and chocolate for me. I ate all of it and fell asleep.”
“Admirer?” the detective asked with disbelief.
“Yeah,” Daniel replied smiling. “I’m popular with the ladies.”
“I see.”
“I’m debonair.”
“Obviously,” the detective lied. “So who was this admirer?”
“Some gal at the women’s club, Mrs. Gloria Rivers.”
“Did you verify that?”
“Nah, the old doll has been after me for years. Who else could it have been?”
The detective exhaled and said cordially, “We appreciate your interest, but this case is closed.”
“Why? Lana is still missing.”
“Yes, she’s missing, but there’s no trace of her. She’s probably dead.”
“Lana was murdered by her husband. Arrest him.”
“Without a body, it’s impossible to charge anyone. Steiger has a solid alibi, and he was genuinely grief-stricken over her disappearance.”
“Yeah, the guy has a guilty conscience,” Daniel suggested sarcastically.
“Mr. Petersen, I’m sorry to change the subject ...”
The detective paused briefly to light a new cigarette. He offered one to Daniel who shook his head.
The detective continued, “We’re well aware that you’re working in China without a business visa.”
“What?” Daniel said with alarm.
“The government is clamping down on these violations.”
“Hey, are you threatening me?”
“You need to leave. I advise that you either get a proper work permit or stop working in China.”
Daniel got up and left without saying anything.
Later, a different detective entered and asked, “Was it that lao wai again?”
“Yep, he’s relentless.”
“So Mr. Petersen followed Mrs. Steiger for weeks, but never learned much, did he?”
“He was useless.”
“Yes, and all we have is gossip by the local staff.”
“Sure, and we don’t know if any of it is true. It’s speculation based on the fact that Ben Chang entered Mrs. Steiger’s apartment when she was alone. The two were then seen at a restaurant with another foreigner.”
“Steiger probably asked Chang to check on her.”
“Yes, so this case is closed.”
“Maybe Mrs. Steiger crossed the border and made her way to Russia.”
“We may never know.”
PART 5
SILICON VALLEY — 2022-2023