On November 6, 2001, the client received a second postcard. Attached: one postcard.
The back of the postcard was still blank. It had two postmarks: the one from the sending post office was smudged, while the one from the receiving post office was clear.
The front of the postcard was no longer just shades of green. It had gained a little color.
The background was the same sunless forest, with people hanging from several of its branches.
Lots and lots of people.
Most were hazy figures, little more than outlines. But three people were clearly depicted.
The three looked as if they had been carefully drawn in pencil. Though small in the overall image, their facial features were distinct. Two men and one woman: the woman and one of the men were middle-aged, while the other man was young. All three were expressionless, staring straight ahead. Their facial features bore some resemblance to one another, and a quick glance was enough to conclude they were a family.
On November 6, 2001, the client came in. Audio file: 00720011106.wav.
"Hello, Mr. Shen."
"This is it..."
Rustling...
"Did you see anyone delivering the postcard this time?"
"No... You've seen it, right? They look exactly like the three of us in my family! We even have these same three outfits! That person... This is a threat, isn't it? This is definitely a threat!"
"Please try to stay calm, Mr. Shen."
"How can I stay calm? I didn't even dare show this to my parents. They'd have a heart attack if they saw it! That Xiao Ying... What the hell is he up to? What the hell is he doing? My family never asked him for money! First he suddenly gives us money, and now he suddenly does this! Damn it..."
"Mr. Shen, I'd