The Corpse and the Abandoned Church (1)

Green could not help taking a long look at the elderly woman. Anyone who called the police chief "little Lukewen" was probably no ordinary person.

But that was an internal matter for the Luca County Police Station, and he had no intention of prying. He nodded his thanks and went straight inside.

Beyond the entrance lay a large open-plan office. More than a dozen officers, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, had little to do but drink coffee and read newspapers. They all looked up when Green and Lola entered. At the sight of their Anomalies Bureau uniforms, the officers quickly looked away, intimidated but also relieved. The strange string of grave robberies had clearly put them under considerable pressure. Yet they dared not investigate cases involving the supernatural and the Eerie, leaving them with nothing to do but worry.

Following the elderly woman's directions, Green walked down the corridor and turned left. He immediately spotted a sign reading "Police Chief's Office."

Green stopped. Lola promptly stepped forward to knock. When a voice inside called for them to enter, she turned the handle and stepped back to let Green go in first.

The chief's office was spacious. Behind a huge oak desk sat a portly middle-aged police officer, drinking coffee as he read the newspaper. He looked up at the two unfamiliar young people and paused in surprise. Then he saw their uniforms, put down the paper, and hurried around the desk with a broad smile. "You must be Mr. Wilson and Miss Claudi! We at the Luca County Police Station have been eagerly awaiting you both."

The Anomalies Bureau had sent official notice ahead, so Chief Lukewen knew who Green and Lola were.

Their arrival was also a lifeline for him. At last, he could hand off