Solving the Problem

Lynch ignored Mountbatten's self-serving assumptions. After giving him his instructions and dangling the prospect of becoming chief in front of him, he hurried out to find a carriage to the Blackthorn Security Company.

Although it would cost money, everything he was doing was to clear himself of suspicion, and there was no time to lose. At worst, he could ask Dunn later if the expense could be reimbursed.

The carriage took twenty minutes, and soon Lynch arrived at the Blackthorn Security Company.

He knocked on the door, then charged into the parlor.

Rozanne, who had been slacking off inside, jumped in fright. When she saw it was him, she relaxed, though she still looked a little displeased.

"Lynch, couldn't you be a little gentler? You scared a lady! That's not gentlemanly at all!"

Lynch put on an apologetic expression. He had been so focused on his performance that he'd forgotten about Rozanne, the queen of slacking off.

"The thing is, something happened, and I made a decision. I don't know if I did the right thing. I'm really sorry, but I need to see the captain. It's important!"

His acting was superb; his expression was so tense that no one could spot the slightest flaw.

At any rate, Rozanne hadn't noticed a thing.

"Dunn's office is right across from Mrs. Orianna's. Hurry, don't let me hold you up. And don't blame yourself."

Rozanne tried to reassure him. Seeing how anxious he looked, she shook her head sympathetically.

"It's awful to get caught up in something like this. I hope that once it's over, he can settle down and take a desk job."

Lynch hurried to Dunn's office. Dunn stared for a moment when he saw Lynch sweating, then calmly said, "Don't rush. What happened?"

"Here's the thing, Captain. I went home this morning, to the place I'm renting. I was planning to end the lease and move out, but as soon as I got back, I saw the landlady arguing with someone..."

Lynch described Upton's reaction and what he'd done.

But he changed it from having realized something was wrong at the time to only realizing it afterward.

He said he'd just been in a bit of a bad mood, and hadn't expected anyone to try to steal his money.

Later, when he went to deliver a commendation banner to Mountbatten, he deliberately brought up Upton.

"I only wanted Officer Mountbatten to deal with him. But after Officer Mountbatten brought him in, I spoke to Upton alone and asked him to apologize. Instead, he threatened me. He said he was with the Big Meat Church and told me to hand over the Antigonus Notebook, or I'd die a horrible death."

Dunn listened, then looked at him pensively.

"He knows you got the Antigonus Notebook?"

Lynch nodded.

"That's my guess. They might have seen Klein hit me with the notebook that night, and then it ended up in my hands. That's why Upton used the excuse that I was dead to get into my house and steal it. Maybe that's not what happened, but it's the only explanation I can think of."

Dunn nodded.

"That's certainly possible. Your guess makes sense to me. I was thinking the same thing. So what did you do?"

Lynch pressed his lips together and hesitated before answering. "I paused for a moment, then told him that the Antigonus Notebook I'd gotten was a fake, and that I was investigating it too.

"I also told him I really admired the Big Meat Church and wanted to join...

"I'm sorry, Captain. I just thought that if I could infiltrate their church, I might find out what kind of evil god they worship. You told me about the victims who died horribly after worshipping evil gods. I hoped I could help them.

"Upton didn't believe me, so I wrote him a letter of commitment. He seemed to believe me a little and agreed to pass it along. I don't know if I did the right thing, so I hurried here to report it."

After finishing, Lynch looked at Dunn, unsure whether he believed him.

It was the only plan he could come up with for the time being.

"Captain, did I do the wrong thing?"

Seeing that Dunn wasn't saying anything, Lynch couldn't help asking again.

Dunn sighed softly, his gray eyes fixed on Lynch.

"You weren't wrong, but it was dangerous. I'm starting to regret this. Work like this could really put you in danger. You're only a clerk, after all."

Lynch felt a weight lift from his heart.

As long as Dunn believed him.

Still, Dunn's words made him feel a little guilty.

He wasn't that noble. He was only trying to give the original owner's situation a layer of protection for now.

"All right. You'll be our informant on Upton. If you need help, tell me anytime. And if you can make a real contribution to this matter, I think you'll be able to become a Beyonder."

Dunn spoke gently.

Lynch looked at him in delighted surprise. "Really?"

He hadn't expected this extra benefit. He'd thought it would take five years to become a Beyonder, but all he had to do was take down the Big Meat Church!

"Don't worry, Captain. For the victims, and for myself, I'll do my best!"

He would make sure the Big Meat Church had no place in Tingen!

"Oh, Captain, could you give me the fake Antigonus Notebook? I want to show it to Upton sometime, so he'll know I wasn't lying."

Dunn hesitated, then nodded.

"I'll file a report. You should be able to get it when you officially start work."

That would be perfect.

Lynch was eager to see what had changed about the notebook. He remembered being able to see things when he'd first gotten his hands on it!

That evening, Lynch returned to Klein's home.

He'd been willing to spend money on a carriage on the way there, but on the way back he couldn't bring himself to do it. He hadn't even bought a cup of water, afraid of spending a penny more than necessary.

Fortunately, once he got home, he was in for a comfortable evening.

Klein had already stewed some beef, along with fragrant black bread and little fish coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden. The spread nearly made Lynch swallow hard.

Benson and Melissa had clearly been eyeing the food for a while. They stared at it like two ravenous wolves, their eyes gleaming green.

But they didn't start eating. They waited for Lynch the whole time.

Even Lynch felt a little moved.

But he soon noticed that Klein had secretly eaten a piece of black bread. That was too much! He couldn't even wait for him?

"I'll be right there. Let me wash my hands!"

Lynch rushed into the washroom, washed his hands and face, then sat down at the table and immediately joined Benson and the others in fighting over the food.

It was so delicious that he couldn't hold back his hands.

When the plates were empty and the black bread had soaked up every last drop of gravy in the bowl, Lynch finally clutched his belly and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Klein, once I move into my new place, can I still come over to mooch meals? I can pay for the food. Or you could come cook at my place, and I'll pay you a master chef's wages!"