The six of them took two carriages to the Three Cats Inn. Once there, the doctor took them to meet the innkeeper and collect the keys to the rooms they had reserved in advance. Mrs. Sangmei, the innkeeper who knew Shade well, saw that the three were Shade's friends and even smiled as she offered to waive part of their room fees:
"Detective, you must come support my business more often."
"Mr. Hamilton is quite well-known in Tobesk."
Behind Shade, Emilia tugged lightly at Dorothy's sleeve and whispered:
"I already knew he was impressive, Miss Louisa. Is he very famous in the city?"
Most students at the Academy knew of Tobesk's renowned detective through Dorothy's novels.
Miss Writer smiled and nodded. She had a very favorable impression of Emilia. Just as she was about to explain Shade's reputation in the city, a noisy commotion came from the inn's front entrance behind them.
When they turned to look, a group of officers in police uniforms entered from outside. Mrs. Sangmei hurried away from the counter to greet them. After exchanging a few words at the door, she reassured the guests not to panic. The police were merely searching for a wanted criminal and would therefore be checking the rooms upstairs.
"People from the Church."
Doctor Schneider said softly, keeping his voice low enough that only those near the counter could hear. He and Dorothy shifted slightly, shielding the three behind them, but Dorothy soon laughed.
Shade also knew they were from the Church, because among the ordinary police officers were clearly two "employees" of Blackstone Security Company. The "female officer" at the very back of the group, holding a notebook and apparently responsible for taking notes, finished writing and looked around. Her gaze happened to meet Shade's.
Iluna Bayes forcibly suppressed