"Dust Guderian, a doctor at Greenherd Asylum..."
Klein silently repeated Detective Henry's words, beginning to think about how to approach this doctor who was suspected of being a "Spectator" and a member of the
He didn't want to take too big a risk. He didn't want the Nighthawks to discover there was something wrong with him. He didn't want to lose his current life just for information and resources that could only be used for exchange.
Moreover, that gentleman was very likely a "Spectator," and without special training, it was nearly impossible to hide one's true purpose and thoughts from him.
"Find someone to act as a middleman, make it mysterious? No. The more people involved, the easier it is for something to go wrong… Hmm… Maybe I can consider a method of hiding the truth within the truth. Let the expressions and body language the doctor sees all be reflections of my genuine thoughts, but not my complete thoughts..."
As he listened to Detective Henry's introduction of Dust Guderian's relevant details, Klein pondered what method to use to minimize risk without affecting the achievement of his goal.
Gradually, he found inspiration from police and spy films he had watched.
"Hmm... I can give it a try, but I must practice it repeatedly beforehand..." Klein nodded to himself and refocused all his attention on Detective Henry's words.
"Ahem..." Henry cleared his throat. "We're still working on the Red Chimney commission. As you should know, there are quite a few similar buildings in
Klein let out a hoarse chuckle. "If I had any other clues, I wouldn't have hired you."
To be honest, the long period of investigation and searching made him pessimistic about the outcome of the matter. Because the puppeteer behind the scenes had clearly sensed his divination and had ample time to move their hiding place.
Therefore, he could only hope to find further clues from the corresponding tenant information. And that was worth 7 pounds... Thinking about it made his heart ache...
After Detective Henry finished his description, Klein picked up his cane, took his leave, and went out.
…………
Saturday morning, 8:40 AM, inside the doctor's office at Greenherd Asylum.
Dust Guderian, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and possessing an outstanding temperament, took off his coat and hat, hanging them on the coat rack.
He had just picked up a tin can containing coffee grounds when he heard a knock on the door.
"Please come in," Dust said nonchalantly.
Then, he saw the ajar door pushed open, and a young man in a black knee-length trench coat walk in.
Because the other person was a stranger, Dust asked in confusion.
"Good morning... who are you?"
Klein casually closed the door, took off his hat, pressed it to his chest, and gave a slight bow.
"Good morning, Dr. Guderian. Please forgive my unexpected visit. I am Acting Inspector
"Inspector?" Dust murmured, taking the other party's ID and badge.
"Special Operations Department..." He slowly looked up, his gaze calm without a single ripple, as if examining something.
Black short hair, pupils slightly darker than brown, somewhat scholarly, composed and calm, no malice detectable for now...
Dust returned the items in his hand, deliberated for a moment, and pointed to the chair opposite his desk.
"Please have a seat, Officer. What business do you have with me?"
Klein sat down, put his cane away, slowly put away his ID and badge, and revealed a smile.
"Please allow me to reintroduce myself."
"I am also a member of the Tingen City Nighthawks, specializing in handling matters involving supernatural elements."
"Good morning, Mr. Spectator."
Before his voice faded, he saw, as expected, Dust's pupils contract, his hands retract, looking as if he wanted to bolt for the door.
"Officer, I don't know what you mean," Dust said, barely holding himself together, almost unable to maintain his composure. "I don't like this kind of joke. Maybe I should call the guard."
Klein slowly took his revolver from his shoulder holster, his smile unchanged.
"Mr. Guderian, I know you can see my confidence, and you can also see that I harbor no ill intent. Haha, to be frank, I was a bit uncertain at first, but your reaction gave me the answer."
Every sentence above is true... Klein silently added to himself.
Dust relaxed a little, eyeing the other's revolver with his peripheral vision, and asked in confusion.
"I find it hard to understand why you would come to me... I don't think I have exposed anything..."
Klein chuckled.
"This is just a coincidence. Perhaps fate arranged for us to meet."
"In truth, we met before in the underground trading market at the Dragon Bar, but you didn't notice me at the time."
"Although you were clever enough to buy the supplementary ingredients for the Sequence potion separately, to me, who also happens to be familiar with this formula, it was still enough to warrant attention."
Dust suddenly let out a breath, as if losing the motivation to defend himself.
"So that's how it is..."
"I thought I was careful enough. Who would have thought... who would have thought..."
After mumbling a few sentences, he stared into Klein's eyes and said.
"Officer, I know you are not here to arrest me. What is your real purpose?"
Klein relaxed his demeanor and said.
"Unlike other Nighthawks, I don't believe every Beyonder who isn't one of us is a potential criminal. It's not fair to those who yearn for order and kindness."
Dust changed his sitting posture, no longer so tense, and said.
"If the other Nighthawks, Punishers, and Machine-Oculus members could be like you, the world would be at peace."
"You know about the Nighthawks, Punishers, and Machine-Oculus?" Klein asked, pretending to be surprised. "This isn't something a person who stumbled into the supernatural domain should know. You definitely have an organization behind you."