Detective L Episode 8 Recap
> Detective L Recap
Xiao Lu revealed that Xiao Lang never allowed anyone to touch his music score case. Luo Fei, finding this suspicious, examined Guan Er’s violin case and, as expected, discovered powder in a secret compartment there as well. The two immediately went to the library to investigate further. Their research uncovered that whenever the orchestra performed in a new location, the drug "tears" would appear there, and there were even reports of related criminal incidents.
Luo Fei deduced that Xiao Lang’s orchestra was, in fact, a drug trafficking organization, using their high public profile to conceal their activities and reap illicit profits. Qin Xiaoman found this theory hard to believe. Luo Fei also speculated that an underground factory in the French Concession produced the drug, which the orchestra then sold overseas. Qin Xiaoman went to the police station to request an arrest warrant for the orchestra members, but the Chief refused.
He argued that the alleged drug dealing did not occur within their jurisdiction in the French Concession, and therefore, it was not their responsibility. Furthermore, the Municipality Orchestra represented the concession internationally, and revealing such a scandal would have severe repercussions, which the authorities would not permit. Frustrated but not deterred, Qin Xiaoman returned, and Luo Fei assured her that the Chief’s reluctance was a tacit allowance for them to continue their investigation independently.
Back at home, the three continued to discuss the case. Xiao Lu recalled reading a spy novel where drug organizations embedded messages within music that only insiders could understand. He suggested that the "Higanbana" music score might be conveying a similar message. Luo Fei agreed, remembering that when he played the score, he noticed several sections were off-key compared to the original composition.
He commented on Qin Xiaoman’s lack of musical sensitivity, remarking that she was tone-deaf and would only hinder their analysis, which angered Qin Xiaoman, prompting her to declare she would solve the case on her own. Luo Fei and Xiao Lu continued working on the score. Luo Fei explained that each "Higanbana" score found in Xiao Lang’s case contained six specific wrong notes. For someone familiar with the music, these deviations would be easily recognizable upon playing.
He pointed out numbers written by Xiao Lang on previous scores, which were the decoded passwords. Luo Fei and Xiao Lu then realized that converting the numbered notation of the wrong notes to an octal system, then to a decimal system, matched Xiao Lang's handwritten numbers. With the code deciphered, Luo Fei concluded it must be the password for a safe where the "tears" were stored, and he predicted someone would soon lead them to it.
At Guan Er's funeral, Luo Fei orchestrated a plan. He instructed Xiao Lu to publicly place the "Higanbana" music score into Guan Er’s grave during the ceremony, knowing it would attract the killer. Later that night, Luo Fei and Xiao Lu staked out the cemetery. As expected, Zheng Dong appeared, dug up the score, and headed straight to the Chelus Hotel, a high-end establishment. There, Zheng Dong used the deciphered password to open a safe.
Inside, he found only a photograph of a woman with "I'll wait for you at home" written on the back. Xiao Lu accidentally knocked over a vase, startling Zheng Dong, who immediately dropped the photo and fled. Xiao Lu gave chase but was involved in a car accident. Meanwhile, Qin Xiaoman, pursuing her independent investigation, went to the library.
She discovered an old newspaper article about Xia Lu Na, a pianist who had died five years prior after playing "Higanbana," with a death similar to Xiao Lang and Guan Er. The librarian confirmed knowing Xia Lu Na and her residence at Charles Apartment. Coincidentally, Luo Fei also arrived at Charles Apartment. Qin Xiaoman informed him that she had seen Zheng Dong sneaking into the house earlier and decided to wait for potential accomplices before taking action.
Suddenly, the distinct melody of a music box version of "Higanbana" played from within the apartment. They rushed inside and found Zheng Dong dead in a chair, clutching a music box. Qin Xiaoman observed that the doors and windows were securely fastened, suggesting the killer might still be in the room. They meticulously searched the apartment but found no one. Just then, Guo Rong, the orchestra’s cellist, walked in. He was horrified to see Zheng Dong’s body.
Qin Xiaoman attempted to arrest him, accusing him of the murders and drug trafficking, but Guo Rong, after claiming innocence and demanding to confront Zheng Dong, seized an opportunity to escape. Qin Xiaoman pursued him, managing to wound him but ultimately failing to apprehend him. Simultaneously, Luo Fei returned to retrieve the music box as evidence.
He discovered an open window, confirming that someone had indeed been hiding in the room and had escaped through the window during their pursuit of Guo Rong. Luo Fei later dismantled the music box, which he had noted was unusually heavy, and found a roll of film hidden inside. He developed the photographs, revealing an image of five individuals from the orchestra engaged in drug trafficking. The fifth person was none other than Uncle Cao, the orchestra’s logistics staff.
At the same time, Qin Xiaoman went to the Municipality rehearsal hall, searching for Guo Rong. She found Uncle Cao alone, sweeping the floor. In a backstage room, she discovered Guo Rong’s dead body. As she prepared to call the police, she noticed inconsistencies in Uncle Cao’s demeanor, particularly his knowledge of Zheng Dong’s death, which had not yet been made public. Realizing he was the fifth drug trafficker, Qin Xiaoman confronted him.
Uncle Cao immediately attempted to flee into an inner room. Qin Xiaoman chased him, but he activated a mechanism, causing a sandbag to fall and knock her unconscious. When Qin Xiaoman awoke, she found herself bound to a chair. Uncle Cao confessed that he had accidentally killed Guo Rong during an argument that morning, after Guo Rong accused him and brandished a gun.
However, he denied responsibility for the deaths of Xiao Lang, Guan Er, and Zheng Dong, stating that he didn't know who took the "goods" from the safe. He had initially suspected Qin Xiaoman had taken the drugs from the safe but now realized a third party was involved. He bizarrely claimed Xia Lu Na’s ghost was seeking revenge for her death five years ago, which Qin Xiaoman immediately connected to their drug ring.
As Uncle Cao prepared to kill Qin Xiaoman to silence her, Luo Fei dramatically appeared. He presented Uncle Cao with the developed photograph, proving his involvement in the drug ring, and demanded an explanation. Uncle Cao then confessed the full story. He explained that Xiao Lang, known for his philandering, was dating Xia Lu Na. One day, she unexpectedly walked in on the orchestra members distributing "tears," mistaking the drug for washing powder. She secretly took a photograph of them.
Later, when Xiao Lang tried to break up with her, she used the incriminating photo to blackmail them, demanding a sum of 10,000 silver dollars, and even threatened to expose Xiao Lang's sister if they didn't comply.
