Skinner's Box (Fang Mu (Eastern Crimes)) by Lei Mi Page B

and said bluntly, "Let's talk."
    Fang Mu stared into his eyes for several seconds. "Okay."
    "But I have one condition."
    Fang Mu nodded. "Tell me."
    "While we're talking, no one else can be present, and no audio or video recordings allowed. And whatever I say, you can tell no one."
    "All right, that's not hard to make happen."
    In order to preclude any unnecessary worry on the part of Luo Jiahai, Fang Mu did not take him to an interview room; instead he arranged for their conversation to take place in a small conference room on the third floor. While waiting for the elevator in the lobby on the ground floor, the doors had just started to open when he heard an urgent set of footsteps rushing up from behind them.
    "Wait!"
    A middle-aged man carrying a briefcase hurried over. Fang Mu, Luo Jiahai, and the accompanying police officer hadn't yet stepped into the elevator when the man called out. Fang Mu thought he wanted to catch the elevator, so he reached out to push the door-open button.
    The middle-aged man took his time getting into the elevator and asked Luo Jiahai eagerly, "Excuse me. Are you Mr. Luo Jiahai?"
    "I am. Who...?" Luo Jiahai looked a bit baffled.
    Exhaling in relief, the middle-aged man wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand and retrieved a certificate of attorney from the briefcase. "I'm Jiang Dexian, attorney at Hengda Law Firm. I heard about your case and would like to be your defense attorney."
    So, a corporate defense lawyer. Fang Mu thought this both curious and ridiculous, but at the same time he felt puzzled. He had heard of this person; Jiang Dexian was a well-known lawyer in the town, and his hands were likely filled with a number of cases already. Why would he take the initiative to come knocking for such an insignificant case like this one?
    There was an unwritten rule in the legal profession: Lawyers who were just starting their careers would take on a few criminal cases, especially cases involving the death penalty, in the hopes that they could make a name for themselves if they won. But Jiang Dexian did not need to make a name for himself through such methods.
    Luo Jiahai laughed bitterly. "Thank you, but don't bother. I have no use for a lawyer."
    "Oh, but you do." Jiang Dexian's tone was firm. "The rules of criminal procedure stipulate that an attorney must be involved in all legal cases involving the death penalty..."
    The words death penalty seemed to sting Luo Jiahai. A gloomy settled over him. "I'm sorry, but I don't need you. Nor do I have money enough to pay you."
    "No; no payment necessary," Jiang Dexian added. "I'll defend you for free. Believe me; I can save your life."
    "I don't need you!"
    "Give yourself a chance, buddy. Think of your family; think of your girlfr—"
    Fang Mu had to doubt Jiang Dexian's professionalism; this probing of his into the family and relationships of a man who was practically doomed to die could be nothing other than rubbing salt in the wound. And thus provoked, Luo Jiahai suddenly lost all reason.
    "Get the hell out of here!"
    He tried to rush at Jiang Dexian, but having forgotten for the moment that his feet were still cuffed, he took one step and immediately fell to the floor. Terrified, Jiang Dexian retreated a couple of steps, all blood drained from his face.
    The policemen in charge of Luo Jiahai's custody snapped into motion, pinning him to the ground. Luo Jiahai continued to struggle and shout abuse. "Get out! Get the hell out! Don't think you can use us to get famous… Get out of here!" His posture suggested that he would not be satisfied until he had bitten a chunk of flesh from Jiang Dexian's leg.
    The commotion brought several more cops over to help. Seeing one of them pulling out a baton, Jiang Dexian jumped forward and shouted, "I warn you all, do not use force against my client. If you do…"
    With one hand Fang Mu waved for the cop to put his baton away while unceremoniously shoving Jiang Dexian backward with the other. "He isn't