403. She Died

Trist's plan was simple: find out the identity of the deceased prostitute today, then investigate the gangster from the Catania Family, and he should be able to get to the bottom of all the people involved in the case. The next step would be to investigate and analyze the case to determine the killer's characteristics.

With Stone's support, Trist should no longer need to worry about Madam Martina taking any harsh measures against his investigation.

Some people think that detectives solve cases by smoking a pipe, looking around with a magnifying glass, and using ingenious reasoning and logic to break down the criminals' crimes, and that they can solve earth-shattering cases while sitting in a rocking chair.

But in reality, while detective analysis is important, the truth still lies in the facts.

Even in the Ruined City, most cases are solved by investigating relationships, motives, and alibis.

Even this case involving supernatural powers, Trist believes, is no exception.

The culprit must have been to Dr. House's clinic, so it doesn't matter whether he killed with a knife or with telekinesis. As long as we figure out who hates Dr. House, who would profit from killing him, and who was in the clinic at that time, we can deduce most of the facts.

The Red Dance Hall echoed with old songs that had gone off track. To Lu Ban, these songs sounded like they came from the metropolitan style of the 1920s and 30s, but when sung in that special style, they had a strangely eerie feel to them.

During the day, the area is relatively empty. Most of the prostitutes are still asleep, while some are dressed simply, washing clothes or chatting at the entrance. These women, without their heavy makeup, look no different from ordinary people.

Some people still have wounds on their faces and are trying to wipe them clean and apply medicine, hoping to reduce the swelling as soon as possible.

Trist arrived at the entrance of a shop with a sign that read "Theater," took out a photo of the call girl's face, and asked her questions.

Have you seen this woman before?

The woman sitting by the door washing clothes glanced at the photo and shook her head indifferently.

I asked several companies, but didn't get an answer.

Xiya looked at these women, her emotions a mix of complex feelings.

There are no prostitutes in the Night Country. Just as Xiya knew, in the Night Country, as long as you are willing to work, you will definitely reap the rewards. Women do not need to sell their bodies to earn money.

"This is Flora, or at least that's what she told us. She works at ' Good Times ' across the street and hasn't been back for several days."

Finally, a short-haired woman told Trist the answer.

Trist gave them some money, and the three of them went to a place called "Good Times." Such places generally do not provide overnight stays, and no one would look for a hotel in the Black Street. The prostitutes in the Red Dance Hall generally have two options: either they charge by the hour at the place, or they pay to have a prostitute come to their door.

"Flora? Where did that rascal go? I thought she really eloped with some customer!"

The moment the name was mentioned, the woman behind the counter in the shop got angry. She grumbled and muttered as she packed up her things.

There was an indescribable smell in the store, mixed with perfume, stimulating human hormones.

Xiya pinched her nose, not really wanting to smell it.

Lu Ban sniffed, trying to find a familiar scent in it.

Seeing the starkly different reactions of his two teammates, Trist decided to ignore them.

"She is dead."

He informed the other party.

Upon hearing this, the woman paused, somewhat taken aback, then a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes, before she became angry.

"I raised it all these years, and it just died like that, what a lousy thing!"

The woman cursed.

"Does she know Dr. House?"

Trist ignored their relationship, treating him as a heartless detective machine.

"Yes, we all know Dr. House. He often treats our girls' minor injuries and provides some medicine. You know, injuries are inevitable in our line of work, but that's about it. Flora went out a few days ago, and I thought she was going to solicit clients, but I didn't expect she went to see a doctor."

The woman took the banknotes from Trist, held them up to the sun to check their authenticity, and then spoke.

"By the way, how did Flora die?"

"No comment, it's still under investigation."

Trist didn't reveal the details of the case; after all, sometimes you just have to wait for the killer to let it slip.

"Does she have any friends or close relatives? Did she go to see the doctor by herself?"

"She gets along well with the other girls, but she doesn't have any close friends. It's mainly because she had some arguments with other girls in the past, which didn't end well. That's normal; everyone's just selling themselves, so it's not like they're really close."

The woman stuffed the money into her clothes and said casually.

"Can we go and see where she lives?"

Trist asked again.

"Follow me."

The woman led the three people upstairs and pushed open the door to the Room at the end of the corridor.

There are eight beds in total, bunk beds, and barely enough room to stand. Several women are still sleeping and remain unmoved by the woman Door Opening.

The room was damp, dark, and stuffy, making for a harsh environment. In contrast, the room next door, which was for guests to enjoy, was much cleaner and tidier.

The woman pointed to a bed.

"This is Flora's bed."

"What's wrong with her?"

"A call girl asked, half asleep and half awake."

"Dead."

The woman answered.

"So, can I take her clothes now?"

The call girl's first reaction was to divide the inheritance.

"Dream on."

The woman grabbed the clothes and blankets from the bed, revealing what was on the mattress.

There wasn't much there; the prostitutes had hidden all their money. There were only some clothes on the bed. Trist found a pendant-like object, a wooden flower carving, which wasn't worth much.

"Can I take this?"

Upon hearing this, the woman examined the pendant carefully, even scratching its surface with her fingernail to confirm that it was just a piece of wood before handing it to Trist.

Leaving "Good Times," Trist glanced at the necklace, unable to identify the flowers on it.

"That store doesn't have that perfume scent."

Lu Ban said.

"You can smell it?"

Trist instinctively asked a question in return.

"Of course, I have a very keen sense of smell."

Lu Ban said again.

"There was no paint or coating on them or in the shop."

"So, the person who killed Dr. House and Flora was a woman who wore perfume with a distinctive scent and worked at a paint factory?"

Xiya summarized the information about the two people.

"He could also be a man who works in a paint factory and likes to wear cologne. The smell of paint in a factory is so strong, it's not good to see people there."

Lu Ban proposed a new approach.

"Being able to wear perfume already means you're very rich. Look at the women in this Red Dance Hall, none of them wear perfume. I think they might be the owners of a paint factory."

Trist didn't know why he had a problem with the paint factory.

"Forget it, let's go check on the bodies of those Catania Family first."