Audrey's Arrangements

The boy named Ian was thin and fine-featured, but his eyes were remarkably lively. When asked, he hurriedly nodded and recounted the clues he had found. Then he added, "But, Detective... there's something strange about that place. I tried everything I could think of, but I couldn't open the hidden door."

Detective Zeriel immediately understood that the door Ian mentioned had probably been sealed by extraordinary means. An ordinary child naturally couldn't open it.

But since the matter involved the extraordinary, Detective Zeriel didn't explain. Instead, he happily took out three one-pound notes and handed them over with a smile. "This is your reward. If you find more clues, I'll pay you another two pounds."

Ian took the money but frowned. His expression twisted slightly as he instinctively unfolded the three crumpled notes and smoothed them flat. He arranged them neatly, even making sure the portraits of the kings all faced up and lined up perfectly.

Detective Zeriel was speechless at the sight. The kid doesn't have a noble's fortune, but he's certainly picked up a noble's habits. So particular about everything.

Ian pulled a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket. They appeared to be layered in strict order from highest denomination to lowest. He slipped Zeriel's three notes into the first layer.

"Thank you for your generosity." After returning the notes neatly to his pocket, Ian offered his sincere thanks. To an orphan like him, three pounds was a great deal of money.

Detective Zeriel watched the boy, who seemed far more mature than his age, leave. Stroking his chin, he silently mused:

A hidden door even that Mystery Pryer lady couldn't find... It might be dangerous! Hmm, looks like I'll have to report this to the station chief and let him handle it...

With that thought, he