The Selfless Beech Mountbatten

"How did you know?"

Klein asked subconsciously.

Lynch sighed.

There were only so many places to hide things in this house. He glanced at Klein, saw no gun on him, and had quietly checked the drawer earlier.

But of course, he couldn't say that.

"Your movements were a bit too obvious when you hid that just now. I guessed you must have run into trouble, which is one of the reasons I haven't left yet."

That was, of course, a lie.

The main reason he was still staying here was that he had given all his money to Melissa; he only had ten soli left and didn't dare go back to spend it alone.

He had taken three days off, and he was worried that ten soli would starve him to death.

Besides, he didn't really know how to cook.

Right, when Klein entered Sefirah Castle, he could still absorb energy.

At the very least, until he could be pulled into Sefirah Castle by Klein, he figured he would have to sponge off the energy nearby.

Fortunately, he knew the timing of the Tarot Club gatherings, so he could just wait for the rabbit to hit the tree when the time came.

"Alright, be careful. I'll be right behind you with a stick. If you fire that gun, I'll rush up to help!"

Lynch shook those thoughts from his head and grabbed a stick he found in Klein's room.

He had read Lord of the Mysteries a long time ago and had forgotten many plot points. He could only recall a few things, like the police showing up and making Klein feel a bit nervous.

But he couldn't guarantee the plot hadn't changed, turning the visitors into attackers.

The person who had snatched the Antigonus notebook earlier had disappeared after he elbowed him, which really made him a bit worried.

But fortunately, as Klein opened the door, they quickly discovered that the visitors were four police officers.

Without waiting for Klein to prompt him, Lynch immediately tossed the stick aside and enthusiastically invited the four officers inside.

"Come in, come in! Don't be shy, make yourselves at home!"

Klein stood by the door, speechless, watching Lynch act like he owned the place. He really wanted to say that this was his house—how could this guy be so brazen as to say something like that?

Lynch didn't notice Klein's speechlessness at all. He stepped back two paces, clearing the path for the four officers.

"I wonder what brings the four officers here?"

Lynch felt his pocket; there were still a few cigarettes left, so he immediately handed one to each of them.

He naturally skipped over Klein; such valuable items shouldn't be wasted on Klein for the time being.

"Hey, didn't expect a bonus like this."

One of the officers, who looked fierce and menacing, immediately took the cigarette with excitement, borrowed a light from Lynch, and took a deep drag.

Another officer with gray eyes took the cigarette and put it in his pocket, while the green-eyed officer in the back shook his head, refusing Lynch's cigarette.

"Sorry, I don't smoke."

Lynch immediately put the offered cigarette away. He didn't smoke either, but the original owner had been a heavy smoker, spending his entire salary on this stuff and food.

Right, rent was also a huge expense.

"What were you two doing just now? You looked quite nervous."

The gray-eyed officer turned his head and asked gently.

Lynch didn't wait for Klein to speak and immediately put on a bitter expression.

"Don't even mention it. Yesterday, when I came back from work, I saw that Klein didn't look too well, so I stopped him, and ended up getting beaten up for my trouble. On my way to settle the score with him, I ran into a robber. If I hadn't run fast, I would have lost my life there. When I heard the knocking, I thought something else had come for me. Thank goodness it was just the police. By the way, I remember not calling the police last night, so how did you know what happened?"

Lynch wore an expectant expression, which made the officers turn their heads in embarrassment.

The officer who had just taken his cigarette and was enjoying it cleared his throat, and under the judgmental glares of the other three, he hesitated and said, "I... I will give you an explanation as soon as possible. If you need compensation, I..."

Was he going to pay for the medical expenses?

Lynch nodded desperately.

"I really need it! That robber yesterday beat me up too, and it cost me and Klein five pounds in medical bills. If you don't believe me, ask Klein!"

Lynch looked at Klein.

Klein hadn't understood why Lynch was saying this just a moment ago, but now that he heard about money, he nodded desperately.

"Yes, Lynch told me that he was fine after I hit him twice, but then he ran into a robber on the road. He was beaten so badly he suffered internal injuries and fainted at my doorstep. It was miserable. My sister Melissa and I stayed up all night helping him call a doctor—the one at the corner, Dr. Skiko."

Klein pushed his responsibility away with a straight face, showing no guilt under the officers' gaze, though his lips twitched when he saw Lynch looking at him.

A little white lie—he hoped this Mr. Trance wouldn't expose him.

After all, it was five pounds!

"Five pounds? Why doesn't he just go rob someone? Skiko's medical fees have gone up, and he must have seen that you two came to him at night and that you kids are naive, which is why he's asking for so much. I'll go warn him. Three pounds at most. If I can't get the price down to three pounds for you, I'll pay the rest out of my own pocket!"

This officer was clearly stunned by the five-pound price tag as well, though he didn't seem willing to actually pay the difference. However, the fact that he would help lower the price was already enough to satisfy Lynch and Klein.

"Really? That's great, thank you, Officer! If you can really do that, I'll bring you a silk banner. Not in private, but while you're on duty, I'll bring it right to the police station. It will say: 'The Just and Selfless Officer Beech Mountbatten'."

Lynch said loudly.

Beech Mountbatten immediately broke into a smile.

He laughed heartily, and his fierce-looking face took on a bright and cheerful expression.

"Good lad, I'll be waiting for you. By the way, how did you know my name?"

Officer Mountbatten looked at Lynch with curiosity.

Lynch had only just thought of it, but he naturally couldn't say that.

He puffed out his chest.

"Although I don't live here, I remember Klein telling me that the officer in charge of security here, Officer Beech Mountbatten, is a very warm-hearted man, and the people under his protection are all very happy. I didn't recognize you at first, but your magnanimity and generosity made me certain it could only be you!"

Beech Mountbatten's smile could barely be contained.

He glanced at Klein, then at Lynch, and suddenly felt that the insults he had received from those idiots were nothing at all. Didn't he see that the real public loved him so much?

"Mr. Smith, I dare to vouch for these two gentlemen. They definitely didn't kill anyone!"

Beech Mountbatten patted his chest with great bravado.

The gray-eyed officer didn't speak, but the green-eyed officer behind him laughed instead.

"If solving cases only required a guarantee, then all we'd hear every day are promises."

Mountbatten was retorted by him, and his expression instantly became awkward.

Lynch quickly stood beside him, looking at the other three officers with a righteous expression.

"Don't blame Officer Mountbatten. He's just too kind-hearted. Seeing how much we admire him, he understands our character, but we won't let him have any trouble with his colleagues. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Klein and I will absolutely not tell any lies!"