A/N: Sorry, I haven't updated this chapter earlier. Fanfiction was going through weird technical issues that were preventing my fifth chapter from updating. It would appear and then randomly disappear, and this went on for—five days at least. It was annoying as heck, but finally, the problem seems resolved now. So, here's Chapter 6.

Chapter 6: Chen Rui Qin

With haste, Chen Rui Qin zipped up the last of her suitcases. Ever since the police arrived at dawn, the Chinese businesswoman had been hurriedly packing up, ready to get away at the earliest moment possible. Even though her heart was pounding against her chest, Rui Qin had a victorious smile. The police, of course, would want to question everyone, but after they inquired with her, she would be off at top speed. If there was one thing Rui Qin lacked, it was not quick-wittedness. In any problem thrust upon her, she always had a backup plan ready. At the sound of knocking at her door, the Chinese businesswoman quickly shoved her luggage bags under the bed. Since her response was not immediate, the knocking soon turned to pounding.

"All right! All right! I'm coming!" Rui Qin yelled, stomping over to the door.

She yanked it open and Kanami fell in with a short yelp of surprise. With his hands on his hip, Inspector Etou stood right behind his daughter, who now had a very flat nose.

"Chen Rui Qin, I presume?" the inspector asked.

"Yes, that's me."

Rui Qin was a young woman of fair complexion and chocolate-brown hair. Her lips, which were painted to look very petite and small, were a bright red. She was plainly dressed in a blazer and grey dress. There was a sharp look in her eyes that told Inspector Etou she was a woman of brilliant mind. She stood tall with her chin raised slightly as if those before her were of little significance. Rui Qin was one who took advantage of her powerful position.

"I am Inspector Etou and this is my daughter, Kanami. We'd just like to ask you some questions."

"Very well."

"May we come in?"

Inspector Etou noted the faint hesitation that seemed to cross Rui Qin's face, but it went away as quickly as it appeared. The Chinese businesswoman ushered them towards the plush sitting area of her bedroom.

Taking out his notebook, Inspector Etou cleared his throat. "Now, Chen-sama—"

"Ms. Chen, if you please. I could never stand Japanese honorifics," Rui Qin said, lighting a cigarette.

His sensitive nose becoming overpowered by the smoke, Inspector Etou tried to keep from hacking as he asked, "Can you please tell us your movements from 12:30 to 1:00 last night, Ms. Chen?"

"That's simple enough," Rui Qin said. "At a quarter past twelve, I was in the lounge talking with the Moreaus, over some nice red wine. At around 12:40-ish, we went our separate ways. I went outside to get some fresh air and have a smoke."

"And that's it, Ms. Chen? You didn't leave at any moment?"

"I stayed out on deck the whole time if that is what you are asking," Rui Qin answered. "And if you are suggesting that I took the opportunity to kill whatever-her-name-is, you are greatly mistaken."

"It's just a matter of routine, ma'am," was Inspector Etou's curt response. "We need to know the accounts of everyone. You are not an exception."

Rui Qin shrugged her shoulders and took another inhale of her cigarette. Despite having remained silent the whole time, Kanami noted how the Chinese businesswoman's eyes would occasionally drift towards the bed, but only for a few seconds each time. Something was definitely up... The Minoseki Toji's intent stare must have caught the attention of Rui Qin because she scowled at the girl, her eyes just as suspicious as Kanami's. She would have voiced some sort of insulted demand if Inspector Etou hadn't opened his mouth first.

"You are the CEO of Royal Chen Finances, correct, Ms. Chen? What exactly does your business do?" Inspector Etou asked.

"We provide funds for failing corporations," Rui Qin replied. "You could say we are lenders to other people."

"You must have been booming in business then, since this worldwide pandemic," Kanami commented.

It sounded like a simple harmless remark, but the almost indetectable tone in the Minoseki Toji's voice made Rui Qin look at her sharply. As young and naïve as this girl looked, Rui Qin could tell she possessed an underlying acute intelligence. And if there was anything the Chinese businesswoman despised, it was the threat of possibly being outsmarted. There was something about this girl sitting in front of her that screamed danger to Rui Qin.

"Now, what about Yanase Chisaki? Do you know anything about her, in particular, that could aid us?" Inspector Etou asked.

"I never met the girl before. Last night was the first time I met her," Rui Qin said.

"And how did she strike you?" Kanami asked.

Still keeping a wary eye on the Minoseki Toji, Rui Qin answered, "Seemed just like a typical teenage girl to me. Not that I cared much about her."

"And just what would you describe as 'a typical teenage girl', Ms. Chen? How did she act?"

"She was cheerful and carefree, that's all."

"And that is all you can tell us?" Inspector Etou demanded.

"Well, about the girl, yes," Rui Qin said, lighting another cigarette. "However..."

"Yes?"

"I did notice that boy—Yukimura Kaito, I think his name was—shooting her a dirty look when we all first boarded the vessel," Rui Qin said. "He struck me as a rather dark horse. Silent amongst all of us, but definitely hiding a streak of repressed anger. At first, I thought him to be just another moody adolescent until later in the evening, I saw him in his bedroom and—"

"What time was this?" Kanami asked abruptly.

Rui Qin's face soured at the interruption. "At around 10:30 perhaps. Anyway, I just happened to see Yukimura Kaito in his bedroom because—first of all, the door was open only a tiny crack. However, I could see faint sounds coming from inside, so I took a peek. And there he was, clearly having a temper tantrum. He was throwing things around and swearing like a fiend. Well, I didn't want to remain there a second longer and I thought it was very uncivilized of him. I mean, you can release your anger in some other way that does not involve destroying things."

"Do you think you know what Kaito-sama was upset about?" Kanami asked.

"It's not a thought. It's a certainty. That girl, Chisaki! For the night, when we were all talking over dinner, the Yukimura boy was agreeable enough—to a point. He would never initiate a conversation unless he was forced to answer a question. And when he'd answer, he was respectful. However, throughout that whole meal, Yukimura Kaito would keep glaring daggers at Yanase Chisaki if their eyes met."

"I see," Inspector Etou said. "Is there nothing else you can think of to tell us?"

Rui Qin shook her head, stubbing out her cigarette. "No. Now, if you please, I'd like some peace and quiet."

However, just as the two investigators rose, Kanami piped up, "Ms. Chen, may we see what is underneath your bed?"

"Why?" Rui Qin demanded.

The Minoseki Toji's eyes twinkled. "It is merely curiosity on my part. Unless you don't want us to for...a particular reason?"

The Chinese businesswoman drew herself up rather stiffly with a toss of her head. "It's just my luggage. Look through them if you wish."

Inspector Etou shot his daughter a look that clearly read, "What are you driving at?"

Nevertheless, he helped the girl stoop down and pull out the suitcases. Rui Qin had sat back down and watched their proceedings with a rather bored expression. There seemed nothing of interest to Kanami and Inspector Etou. Just two luggage bags, neatly packed with clean clothes. Pressing her lips together, Kanami headed into the bathroom and pulled open the little cupboard underneath the washbasin, checking for any other contents—nothing.

"Are you done yet?" Rui Qin sighed.

"Yes, ma'am," Kanami said. "By the way, are you off to somewhere in a hurry?"

The Chinese businesswoman did not move a muscle. "With a career like mine, you'd expect me to be running around everywhere."

"Hm. Just find it interesting how it seems you haven't unpacked at all. Or had in fact, perhaps..."

"Look here, what are you getting at?" Rui Qin snapped.

"Nothing. Just a mere observation," Kanami said, as she helped her father put the suitcases back underneath the bed. "Thank you for your time, Ms. Chen."

"Now, look here—"

But Kanami and Inspector Etou had already withdrawn, closing the door behind them. Rui Qin shook her head, lighting her third cigarette.

"The girl's as mad as a hatter!"

A/N: In the next chapter, Hiyori and Sergeant Tanaka will question Yukimura Rina. See you then!