The Secret of the Black Box

Back at the Pokémon Center.

Baimu immediately contacted Leo, who worked for the International Police.

He had worried about interrupting Leo's work or rest, so he had only sent a message. To his surprise, Leo called him back almost at once.

After hearing his explanation, Leo did not mock him for being overly nervous. He simply asked Baimu to wait.

Five minutes passed.

"Hello? Are you still there?"

"Still here."

Baimu set down the brush in his hand and stuck his right hand into Deino's wide-open mouth before it could start yelling. "Well?"

Leo spoke through the phone. "You weren't planning to sleep yet, were you?"

"No."

"Good. A bearded man will come pick you up in a bit. Just go with him."

"Huh? I'm going too?"

"Of course. You're the one involved. Did you think you could hand over the Black Box and wash your hands of the whole thing?"

Leo sounded as though it were obvious, leaving Baimu speechless.

That was exactly what he had hoped to do... But he had been the one to trouble them. Shirking responsibility now would be too much.

"All right. I'll wait."

Leo hung up after that.

Baimu coaxed all his Pokémon to sleep.

Not long afterward.

Someone knocked on his door. Through the peephole, Baimu saw the bearded man Leo had mentioned. He had a full beard and dark skin, and looked at least thirty or forty.

Baimu opened the door, and their eyes met.

The bearded man spoke first, offering a salute. "Hello. Are you Mr. Baimu?"

"Yes."

Baimu patted his bag. "It's in here."

"Good. Please follow me." The bearded man led him outside. When they reached the ground floor, Miss Joy stopped Baimu to remind him that the Pokémon Center closed late at night.

Baimu apologized to her,