Late that night, after filing his completed case report, Renato finally finished work and left the Security Department.
The grounds for closing the case were painfully flimsy, and he could not help regretting it. He should not have left so hastily; he should have discussed it carefully with Detective Aldo and come up with a more convincing explanation.
Elliot's death had ultimately been attributed to food poisoning caused by accidentally eating a poisonous plant.
Renato still remembered the priceless expression on Director Perez's face as his superior reviewed the report.
Despite the man's repeated questions about the details, Renato could only grit his teeth and insist on closing the case.
He had no choice. After all, he had accepted those thirty gold coins. The weight of that bulging purse meant he had to get this done, one way or another.
His very first case as a Constable had turned into such a farce. The mental exhaustion was worse than the physical fatigue of an entire day of overtime.
"Renato, you're finally off work."
Outside the Security Department, Perly stood by the roadside, gently stamping her feet.
"Perly, didn't I tell you to go back first? Why are you still waiting here?"
He hurriedly took a newly issued long coat from his Bag of Holding and wrapped it around the little Mage's faintly trembling shoulders.
"It's freezing out here. What if you catch a cold? You should have waited inside. Did the gatekeeper refuse to let you in?"
Perly caught Renato as he turned to question the gatekeeper and shook her head with a silly grin.
"I'm not cold. Really, not at all. Besides, I wouldn't have anything to do if I went back alone."
"It wasn't the gatekeeper. I didn't want to disturb your work, so I chose not to