Ao stood at the north pier with a timetable open on the counter. She saw Bai’s signal and raised a hand. A man beside the gangplank turned at the same moment and stepped toward the boat.
“Mo,” Ao called. “The Registry wants to ask about the supplement shipments.”
The man looked at the ferry, then back at them. Yan moved into the open space between Mo and the gangplank, leaving enough room for passengers to pass. He did not touch the seller.
“Hold the ferry until the port authority hears the dispute,” Yan said to Ao.
Mo’s face hardened. “You have no warrant. You can’t keep me here.”
“We’re asking you to answer questions about a documented shipment,” Gu said. “You’re not under arrest.”
“Then step out of my way.”
Yan held his position. “If you want to board, you can wait for the authority to decide whether the ferry should go. I’m not going to grab you.”
