However, Klein had little interest in the club's sensual pleasures. He came here often to practice shooting at the Underground Shooting Range.
Early that morning, he had started working on the investigation commissioned by the lady the day before. But with only a name, he could not even perform divination. After all, in Backlund, with its population of several million, far too many people shared the same name.
So he tossed a coin several times and ultimately decided to try his luck at the club first. Unfortunately, a circuit of the place yielded nothing.
"Oh well. Since I'm already here, I might as well practice shooting for a while."
He briefly greeted Talim and was about to head to the Underground Shooting Range when Talim said hesitantly:
"May I ask your advice on something, Mr. Moriarty?"
"Of course."
After some thought, he said, "I have a friend who's suddenly seemed like an entirely different person lately. First... he fell desperately in love with a woman. Despite the enormous difference in their status, he wanted to defy his elders' wishes and marry her."
Klein smiled. "He sounds like a very devoted gentleman."
Talim shook his head. "That's precisely the problem. I've known him for a long time, and I know his character well. He really is the sort to act impulsively for love, but... but..."
He drew a breath. "He suddenly fell in love with another woman! Just as obsessively, just as desperately. And as for the woman before her, it was as though he'd suddenly lost his memory. No, not lost his memory. When I asked him about her, he clearly remembered, but his attitude had gone from passionate to indifferent, as though everything before had been an act."
Uh, wasn't that a textbook scumbag?
Talim saw what Klein was