"Can't a noblewoman commit crimes? The gentlemen at the Police Department seem to believe that Lassoya lived a debauched life and became involved with a group of cultists who had drifted into the area at some point. Detective, you know that cultists always manage to find companions for themselves."
Miss Bayes took a notebook and fountain pen from her handbag, asking questions while taking notes:
"Ridgewich Field has determined that Detective Sparrow Hamilton died of a sudden illness. After his death, did you follow Lassoya? How many times? Did she ever notice you?"
"Only once. She didn't notice me."
Shade answered honestly.
Miss Bayes nodded, shifting her gaze from the notebook to her finger. She examined her ring, then asked:
"Did you notice anything unusual about her?"
"No."
Shade told the truth again. The only strange thing he had noticed was the young man carrying the Metamorphosis Ring relic.
Seeing Miss Bayes look at her ring again, Shade quietly asked in his heart:
Is that ring a relic?
You sense a Whisper.
The woman's voice arrived belatedly. Shade therefore guessed that the ring could detect lies, though its effect was probably weak and completely useless against him while he was in the state of God's Radiance. At least so far, the young "police officer," Miss Bayes, had not seen through the detective's flaws.
"Detective, was your visit to Lake View Manor on Sunday related to Mrs. Lawrence?"
After saying that, she added:
"We discovered that both you and Lassoya appeared there."
"It had nothing to do with her. I went to play Rhodes Cards at Baron Lavend's invitation. Many people can testify for me—at least several dozen people saw me draw a good hand beneath the Grape Arbor."
A confident expression appeared on his face. He was very confident about