In a corner of the East District.
Drunk Gene faced the wall, dropped his trousers, and comfortably watered the moss.
Just as he finished his business, someone patted him on the shoulder.
Gene couldn't help but shudder. He hurriedly pulled up his pants and half-turned, spotting a short boy in a canvas jacket and a peaked cap.
The "boy" raised his head, revealing a face that, despite being filthy, was gentle and refined.
"Xiu? Why are you dressed like this?" Gene blurted out in shock.
Xiu raised her index finger to her lips, signaling him to keep quiet.
Then, lowering her voice, she said:
"I ask, you answer. Keep it down."
Intimidated by that commanding air, all Gene could do was nod.
"Among the guys Williams knew, who else has died in the last two days?" Xiu asked in a low voice.
Gene racked his alcohol-numbed brain for a moment and said:
"Gavin! Gavin was found drowned in the Tasok River this morning!"
"He probably fell in last night. The poor fellow couldn't swim at all, and he liked to go to the riverside for some fresh air after getting drunk."
Xiu's gaze sharpened instantly, and she pressed on without hesitation:
"Did Gavin take on Williams's commission to track down the wanted criminal Lanerus?"
"Of course, we all took that commission from Williams. It's not like it was any trouble — just show the portrait to everyone you know and ask them to keep an eye out for someone who looks like him. That's all. Oh, and Williams said, said that if I found any leads, he'd treat me to three days of drinks and three days of meat! And then the poor bastard died in a gas explosion, so, so I'm dead set against letting the landlord install gas pipes! Ugh… that was months ago. Now I can only afford cheap motels." Gene babbled on and on.
"Which area was Gavin responsible for? Did he mention anything to you?" Xiu glanced to the side, pressed her lips together, then fixed her gaze on Gene's face.
"He… he usually went around the East Baelon Dock in the dockyard district. He actually ran into me last night and said he'd spread the word about finding Lanerus at the Workers' Union tavern there, and showed Lanerus's portrait to everyone present." Gene let out a burp.
Backlund had many docks. Most of them fell within the dockyard district and bore various names like the such-and-such "Wharf."
"And after that? Did Gavin say what he was going to do next?" Xiu furrowed her brows in confusion and asked again.
"Of course, of course it was drinking! He planned to have a good drink and then find somewhere to sleep! Oh, the poor guy must have gotten too hot from drinking and wanted to take a dip in the river, only to forget he couldn't swim — and winter's almost here!" Gene let out another wistful sigh.
So… Gavin hadn't found a thing. He'd merely gone to the Workers' Union tavern at the East Baelon Dock to distribute "flyers" about finding Lanerus, and ended up murdered — dragging Williams into it as well… The killer's reaction couldn't even be called an overreaction anymore. It was outright madness…
If I were Lanerus, the best and simplest option would be to relocate immediately and avoid the search — unless, unless he was entangled in something and couldn't leave for a long time… But it wasn't just me looking for him. There were plenty of bounty hunters out there. Could he kill Williams and then kill all of them? If he had the guts, he should go wipe out the entire Sivellas Station — the place that issued the wanted order!
Hugh felt completely unable to understand this, just as she had found it difficult to accept Williams's death.
In the end, she decided to first report the problems she'd encountered to Miss Audrey, then disguise herself and head to the Workers' Union tavern at the East Baelon Dock—not to ask questions, just to observe, to see if there was anyone suspicious.
…………
Jordwood District. Rice Police Station.
Klein found himself squeezed onto a long bench with a backrest alongside thieves and drunkards once again.
What terrible luck… Running into a police raid and not having time to switch routes—it was all that damned serial killer's fault! Klein cursed the man under his breath as he thought about how to hide the charms and inexplicable herbal powder on his body before the search.
He tried to stuff everything into his black gloves, then find an opportunity to stash them in some hidden corner of the police station, retrieving them after he left.
Just then, his eyes lit up as he spotted the young lawyer Jurgen Cooper—hair slicked back neatly, dressed formally as if heading to a banquet—approaching under the escort of an officer.
"Just go sign and you can leave," Jurgen said with his usual stern, serious expression.
"That's all?" Klein asked in surprise.
Jurgen gave a slight nod:
"Yes. They know you're a well-known detective."
What kind of reason was that? Klein didn't dare ask further, immediately standing up and following Jurgen—who was wearing a black woolen frock coat—at an unhurried pace as he signed and walked out.
Unlike the weather the last time Jurgen had led him out of the police station, there was no rain this time—only thick clouds and fog obscuring the red moon and stars, the streets lit solely by gas lamps on both sides.
"Thank you so much! I've troubled you again!" Klein quickened his pace to catch up to Jurgen's side.
Jurgen turned his head toward him without a trace of a smile:
"No need for thanks. It's my job."
"Two pounds."
"…" Klein studied him for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Alright."
His wallet had been quite full lately, and he immediately produced two one-pound banknotes.
Jurgen didn't stand on ceremony, accepting the payment:
"If you're willing to establish a formal cooperative relationship, then each time you come to the police station afterward, I'll only charge one pound. Of course, that doesn't include serious cases—you have to understand, a large portion of what I collect has to be turned over to the firm."