After finishing her piano practice in the music room, Audrey glanced at the mantel clock and saw that it was almost time for the Tarot Club. She then headed back to her bedroom.
As she passed her father Earl Hall's study, she saw that the door was ajar, with a thick stack of documents on the desk.
"These weren't here before..." Audrey's curiosity was piqued. She slowed her steps and gave the golden-haired hound Susie a meaningful look—when it came to communicating with a dog through glances, she had grown increasingly skilled.
Having been a "Spectator" for a long time, Susie easily understood what her owner wanted. But every so often, she would pretend not to understand and simply lie there without moving.
Of course, this time she didn't play dumb. Instead, she trotted into the study, placed her front paws on the edge of the desk, and stood upright.
She quickly glanced at the title page of the stack of documents, then returned to Audrey's side and lowered her voice.
"An investigation into the living conditions of all social classes in the East Borough, Dock Borough, and Factory Borough."
"Umm, Audrey, what does this mean?"
An investigation into the living conditions of all social classes in the East Borough, Dock Borough, and Factory Borough? Why did Father suddenly conduct this investigation? Could it be that my subtle hints from before have taken effect?
Audrey was puzzled and didn't have time to answer Susie's question.
She looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to her, calmly and naturally entered Earl Hall's study and walked over to the desk to read the reports.
The investigators for the topmost report included a journalist named Mike Joseph... There were also field investigations conducted by others from different perspectives...
Several of