Klein listened carefully and asked in return:
“So, you suspect the Zerel the detectives saw was someone else in disguise?”
Ian held his brown bowler hat and answered as if he had already thought it through:
“That’s a possibility, but I think it’s too difficult, so difficult that it requires taking on immense risk. The gathering was at night, the light wasn’t very bright, but most of the participants were detectives—detectives with keen observation. It’s hard to fool their eyes with just wigs, beards, makeup, and the like.”
Perhaps some Beyonder power could achieve this… just like what “
The preliminary answer was no.
Seeing Detective Moriarty slightly nod in agreement with his reasoning, Ian continued:
“I believe that the Zerel the detectives saw is indeed Mr. Zerel, but he wasn’t free. He was under the strict control of others and couldn’t send out a message for help. The reason he didn’t respond to my contact was to alert me, to make me find someone to rescue him.”
“A reasonable explanation.” Klein released his clasped hands and leaned back a little, making himself look more relaxed and more confident.
Ian was silent for more than ten seconds, then spoke with a slightly solemn tone:
“I want to commission you to investigate Mr. Zerel, to confirm his current situation. Just confirmation.”
Considering that the other party was a semi-professional who gathered intelligence and information for detectives, Klein was interested in making his acquaintance. He smiled and said:
“Then how much are you planning to pay? You should be very clear that this matter might be very dangerous.”
Ian lowered his head and discreetly glanced at the pocket of his shabby old coat, then deliberated before saying:
“There are two ways. First, I directly give you enough remuneration, remuneration that satisfies you. Afterwards, whether the task is simple or difficult, this is the amount, unless you suffer a relatively serious injury.”
“Second, I pay 5 pounds in advance, and after you complete the commission, I will add a fee depending on the difficulty of the matter. But this can easily lead to disputes, even with a contract.”
Klein pretended to think. After almost thirty seconds, he said in a low voice:
“How about this? You pay 5 pounds in advance, and when the task is completed, you help me with three things. Don’t worry, there won’t be anything difficult. Everything is within your ability and won’t make you feel too troubled. This can be stipulated in the contract.”
Ian frowned slightly, then immediately stood up, leaned forward, and extended his right hand:
“Alright!”
Klein lightly shook his hand. He took out a standard contract he had prepared earlier from the coffee table, picked up a round-nibbed fountain pen, added all the details they had just discussed, and pressed his thumbprint.
After signing the contract, he gave Big Boy Ian a stack of blank paper and watched him write down information related to Detective Zerel.
After a while, as he flipped through the materials, he casually asked:
“If there’s an emergency, or if I’ve confirmed Zerel’s situation, how should I contact you?”
Ian pursed his lips and was silent for a long time. Only when Klein looked up at him did he answer a little stiffly:
“No need to contact me. I will appear at the right time.”
He didn’t say anything else. From the pocket of his shabby old coat, he pulled out a thick stack of banknotes. They seemed to be strictly stacked in descending order of denomination, very neatly.
Ian first pulled out three 1-pound notes from the very bottom, then counted six 5-Soule notes, and finally ten 1-Soule notes.
Seeing the other party arrange the notes so neatly, making sure the portraits of the kings were all facing up without a single mistake, Klein suddenly felt a little irritated.
This is late-stage OCD… He silently exhaled and took the payment the other party pushed over.
According to his estimate, Ian’s remaining cash was no more than 3 pounds.
He probably brought all his savings with him… If I had asked for more compensation just now, would he have ended up skipping out? His face doesn’t look like that kind of person, but a person can’t be judged by his appearance… Klein casually folded the notes and stuffed them into his pocket without caring about neatness. He successfully saw Ian’s expression twist slightly.
“I’ll try to complete the investigation as soon as possible.” Klein stood up and made a gesture to see the guest out.
“Thank you for your help.” Ian expressed his gratitude sincerely, because the other party had clearly given him a “discounted price.”
Watching the big boy, who looked much older than his actual age, leave, Klein rubbed his chin and thoughtfully muttered to himself:
“This matter is much deeper than it seems.”
“Ian never once mentioned what Detective Zerel was investigating recently, or what intelligence he had instructed him to gather…”
“Forget it. I’ll mind my own business according to the pay. I only need to confirm Zerel’s current situation.”
He turned around and walked back into the living room. Casually, he pulled a copper coin with a face value of 1/4 penny from his trouser pocket.
*Clink!*
The coin spun upward. Klein’s eyes deepened, and he silently intoned whether this matter involved any supernatural elements.
Then, he opened his right hand, trying to catch the falling copper penny.
*Clink!* The coin slipped through his fingers, fell to the ground, and rolled far away.
This result meant the divination had failed.
“It seems Ian is hiding more than I thought… The information is so lacking that I can’t even get a vague divination result…” Klein pressed his lower lip inward, stepped forward, bent down, and picked up the copper coin.
....
That same evening, in the early hours of the morning.
138 Roselle Street, Bridge District,