At Tai Kwun, the Police Force headquarters, Zhou Quan met Siu Chi Yan, the Red Thief leader, inside the Operations Command Centre temporarily established to handle the DC-8 incident.
Of course, at that moment, Siu Chi Yan had yet to give himself away in any way.
His identity could therefore still withstand public scrutiny: a visiting professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a specially appointed consultant to the DC-8 Special Task Force.
Professor Zhao was effectively the last person to arrive. Members of the other relevant Hong Kong Government departments had already been waiting in the command centre's conference room for quite some time.
"Hello, Professor Zhao. Zhou Quan, Police Force."
At a round glass table, Zhou Quan slowly rose and extended his hand to welcome the professor serving as their consultant.
"This is a serious situation. Sorry for the trouble of making the journey!"
Even if this was an act, it still had to make sense in reality.
Thus, Zhou Quan personally took charge at the command centre for this operation concerning DC-8.
At his side were two of his most trusted subordinates.
They were Luo Danian, the current commander of the Police Force's National Security Department, and Chow Sing Sing, commander of the Police Force's Operations Department.
"Sir Kwan, I'm only doing my duty. It's no trouble at all. After all, we're all working to keep Hong Kong Island safe and stable."
Siu Chi Yan, who had a full beard around his jaw but looked every inch a scholar, hurriedly clasped the offered hand in both of his.
The Police Force's second-in-command, its de facto administrator, had come forward in person.
Naturally, the attitude and treatment he received were beyond anything an ordinary superintendent could expect.
Siu Chi Yan had concealed his movements and lived under a