A Decent Friend

"It looks like you've made a very good friend."

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Dunn smiled.

Klein nodded. He thought Lynch was a genuinely good person, too. Even if his emotions had been heightened in the dream, the fact that Lynch had stood up to those two police officers for him—and had even urged him to run despite knowing the consequences—made him the most loyal friend Klein had ever met.

But at that moment, more than admiring Lynch, he wanted to ask about his own situation.

He was worried that if the original Klein really had something to do with Welch and Naia's deaths, he might face some kind of punishment.

"In theory, you could be sentenced. But it might not have been your fault. We've dealt with many cases like this. Some people didn't kill anyone while in their right minds, so if you were truly under some kind of influence, you generally wouldn't be punished.

"But that doesn't necessarily mean you're in the clear. We once dealt with a case involving a cult. The victim seemed perfectly fine at the time, but a year later, he suddenly strangled himself and his child in his office."

Strangling himself sounded downright bizarre.

And what Dunn had said only made Klein more worried.

Something could still happen even a year later. What about him?

The Antigonus Notebook had suddenly changed, which meant the matter wasn't over. Could he still be in danger?

He fell silent, consumed by worry.

Lynch didn't say anything either. He was trying to soothe his guilty conscience over having drained the Antigonus Notebook dry.

The carriage paid no heed to their thoughts as it hurried onward. About twenty minutes later, they finally reached their destination.

It was the place Welch had rented.

The expert, Miss Daly, was performing Spirit Channeling there.

"Any results?"

Dunn asked.

Lynch and the others followed Dunn into Welch's home.

The first person they saw was Miss Daly.

She wore blue eyeshadow and a light blush, and her gaze remained fixed on Dunn, as if she couldn't see anyone else.

"The spirits that were here before are all gone, including Welch and Naia's."

Daly explained, then finally found the time to look at Lynch and the others.

"Oh, a handsome man."

She winked at Lynch.

Lynch gave an awkward laugh. Miss, please don't wink. Your sweetheart will see and get the wrong idea!

"Good evening."

Lynch nodded and greeted her.

Behind him, Klein held his hat and bowed.

Lynch wondered if he ought to put on the same kind of act in the future. It seemed more refined than simply saying "Good evening."

"Come along. Dunn's already told me what I need to do to you. Don't worry, I won't be too rough. I'll add a little fragrance to make you feel all warm and comfortable before I begin."

Miss Daly joked like a seasoned pro.

Lynch sighed inwardly.

Miss, your sweetheart is watching!

Even he was getting embarrassed for her.

Lynch thought to himself that Miss Daly was really lively and charming. No wonder Dunn was so self-conscious around her.

Perhaps he could suggest to Klein later that he arrange a little get-together for the two of them?

That was for the future, though. For now, Lynch still had to be hypnotized.

Or, more precisely, undergo Spirit Channeling.

Miss Daly took out a small bottle and dripped some of the liquid inside onto the blue candle flame.

"Sit down. Don't just stand there. I need you to relax as quickly as possible."

Daly explained.

Then she took out another small bottle and sprinkled its contents into the candle flame as well.

Lynch shook his head. A sense of peace enveloped him, and his body began to feel weightless. Only a light, airy soul remained, rising upward.

He seemed to be looking down at himself and everything in the room, yet he could still think clearly.

"Lynch, can you tell me why you went down Lupa Street on the twenty-seventh? Based on your usual habits, you should have taken another route."

Lynch's heart jolted.

He hadn't even realized there was a problem.

Had he been influenced, or had the original Lynch been influenced?

But he naturally couldn't hint that he knew anything about it. He could only answer in a bewildered tone, "I don't know."

"You really can't remember? Did anyone suggest that you take that route?"

"I don't know."

Lynch answered in a light, airy voice, as if he were drunk.

"All right, next question. Do you know Welch? Have you ever met him?"

Lynch continued to deny it.

"I haven't. I've been working all the time. I couldn't possibly have had time to meet him."

Daly nodded, then looked at Dunn.

"He's not a Beyonder. There seem to be signs that he was influenced, but they're faint."

Dunn nodded silently.

Only then did Daly turn to Klein.

She spoke with Klein for quite a while, mostly trying to help him recall those memories.

But Klein didn't remember anything. He also put on an Oscar-worthy performance for Lynch, who couldn't help feeling that he had a lot to learn.

"All right, you can go back now!"

"Go back now!"

Daly's gentle voice rang out, as if she were afraid of startling them.

Lynch felt as though he had just woken from a nap. He shook his head, then, taking a cue from Klein's award-worthy performance, pretended to be confused and asked, "Sorry, I fell asleep. Have you started yet?"

"It's already over."

Miss Daly replied in a distant, ethereal voice.

"What... I didn't feel a thing!"

Lynch patted his forehead and acted as if he hadn't noticed anything. His performance made both Daly and Dunn laugh.

"What were you expecting to feel? Some sticky sensation afterward?"

Daly asked with amusement.

Lynch sighed helplessly.

She wasn't wrong, but, Miss, that was a little too crude.

"Oh, I forgot. Neither you nor Klein has ever been in a relationship!"

Miss Daly added.

Lynch immediately abandoned his idea of asking Klein to arrange a get-together for Dunn and Daly.

Miss, you have no idea what you've lost!

"All right, you can go back now."

"Does that mean we're in the clear?"

Klein hurried to ask.

Dunn shook his head.

"It only means you're safe for now. As I told you before, a lot of people have gone through this sort of thing and ended up in trouble later."

Klein sighed and walked ahead, weighed down by worry.

Dunn stood beside them, seeming to hesitate over something. It wasn't until they reached the carriage that he finally spoke up, still uncertain.

"Have you ever considered joining us?"

What?

Lynch could barely contain his excitement.

He'd thought only Klein could join the Nighthawks.

Sure, Tingen would face a major disaster later, but Klein would save the world, and Lynch only had to stay out of the way.

After Klein left, Tingen would return to peace and quiet, which suited Lynch's plans to make money here without taking too many risks.

But...

"Would you really want someone like me? I'm just a worker. I mean, I'm not like Klein—I never went to university. My parents died when I was young, so I dropped out early. I don't even have a diploma."

Dunn smiled.

"Don't worry. I hesitated to make this suggestion because I was wondering whether I should let you enter this dangerous world, not because of your education.

"Especially you, Lynch. You may not have a diploma, but your loyalty and kindness toward your friends have won my admiration and Leonard's, too.

"Under normal circumstances, we shouldn't bring someone like you into our group. It would only get you killed sooner.

"But you've already become involved in this matter. I know how Klein got caught up in it, but I don't know why you were dragged in. That means you could still run into trouble, which is why I wanted to make this offer.

"I think going out to look for work could be about as dangerous as joining us in an auxiliary role. Besides, you lost your job because of our investigation. This is compensation from us. Please forgive our rashness."

Dunn removed his hat and bowed slightly.