"I want them to keep a close watch on someone. Starting now, twenty-four hours a day. They can't let up, not for a second."
"Listen closely," she said, enunciating each word. "The moment she makes any move, even if it's just stepping out of her room, report to me immediately. There can be no delays."
Song Qingya stood on a hillside, gazing at the evening glow as it slowly faded from the horizon.
Her heart sank with it, bit by bit.
"Qingya, it's almost dark, and the wind's picking up. Why don't we head back to camp and rest for now? We can come back first thing tomorrow morning, right at dawn. We might find a clue then."
Cheng Peng rubbed his red, frozen hands, his voice laced with worry.
In truth, he wasn't the least bit confident.
These mountains rolled on and on, covered in thick vegetation. Trying to find someone here was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
