The light rain that had begun in the afternoon continued without pause until evening, even showing signs of growing heavier. Shade had hoped it would stop before tonight's operation, but by the time Doctor Schneider and Miss Louisa arrived, the rain was still falling in a steady drizzle.
The rain formed a curtain, dripping from the eaves outside Shade's door like falling beads. The warm yellow gas lamp in the entryway was blurred by the rain. Within that strange halo of light, the doctor in rain boots was the first to arrive at 6 Saint Derain Square on that damp night, followed by Miss Louisa, who came by carriage.
"Good evening, Shade."
The doctor was surprised when she addressed Shade by name. But he said nothing. A middle-aged man would not meddle in the relationships between young people.
There were two targets tonight: Mr. Pangdun of the City East Steam Engine Special Screw Factory, and Mr. Roosevelt, the accountant at Star Grass Public Tobesk Nursing Home. After gathering, the three planned their route in Shade's study while comparing it with a city map.
They ultimately decided to find Mr. Roosevelt, the accountant, first.
According to Mr. Schneider's investigation earlier that day, the accountant stayed at the nursing home throughout the workweek and only returned home on Sunday. Star Grass Nursing Home was also closer to Saint Derain Square.
With Doctor Schneider paying, the three took a carriage to the nursing home. Rainy summer days were especially cool. The city lay silent beneath the sound of rain; the Gas Lamps of the Upper City District and the candlelight of the Lower District were all part of this era.
Star Grass nursing home was a public nursing home, though naturally, one still had to spend some Gold Pounds to enter it. The