Back in the living room, Klein picked up a letter cutter, casually tore open the seal, and took out the letter from Isengard Stanton.
The famous Detective wrote in the letter:
"Your idea has been of great help to us, please allow me to express my gratitude here."
"After receiving your letter, we immediately organized a team to investigate some key areas and indeed found relevant clues. Many stray animals that frequently appeared in the neighborhood and were remembered by residents have disappeared one after another."
"During this process, we also noticed something interesting. In the serial murder case four years ago, yes, the one where the target was a single prostitute with a child, many people living around the crime scene mentioned that although the most suspicious teenager was withdrawn and ruthless, he was quite kind to animals, especially a large black dog."
After the boy died in a gang shootout, no one in the area ever saw the dog again.
"I'm curious, who is its current owner? Is it the killer of some unsolved serial murder case from long ago?"
"All of the above was corroborated at the scene of the 12th murder case and played a crucial role in helping the police initially identify the suspect. If everything goes smoothly and the perpetrator is arrested, we will be able to obtain the majority of the reward."
"My friend, I clearly remember your contribution and will never forget your share."
Isengard Stanton seemed to suspect that I knew the truth about the " Devil," so he deliberately Psychological Suggestion at something? Klein put down the letter and muttered to himself silently.
However, this letter also truly put his mind at ease:
The official Beyonder have chosen the right target!
Without further assistance, it was only a matter of time before that Devil giant dog was captured and killed.
As for Isengard Stanton's speculation that the other party had another owner, Klein lacked sufficient evidence to confirm it, and could only say that there was a certain probability.
"In short, my mission ends here. The rest is up to the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind Squad." Klein pulled out a brand new sheet of paper, picked up his round-bellied fountain pen, and wrote a humble reply to Isengard Stanton, ignoring his subtle Psychological Suggestion, just like a typical private Detective.
After cutting out another paper figure and mailing the letter, Klein strolled to the public carriage waiting area, feeling relaxed as he thought:
"Now we can just wait to collect the money..."
" Leppard said he's going to see the Roselle Memorial Exhibition for three days straight. I have to wait until Saturday to see him again to pay the last installment. Hopefully, the bicycle patent will be approved by then. Sigh, the Backlund Patent Office always seems to be inefficient."
Klein had already planned out his day. With the Beyonder Gathering canceled and the necessary items unavailable, he suddenly found himself with free time, a brief respite from his busy schedule.
"I'll go to the Cragg Club in the morning to practice my shooting and develop my extraordinary skills, then have lunch there. Afterwards, I'll find a decent circus to watch the Magician perform and see if I can get any Spirit Intuition." He took out his gold-cased pocket watch, glanced at it, and boarded the public carriage in a good mood.
Hillston Borough, Cragg Club.
Because Klein came at least twice a week, the waiters all remembered him and no longer needed him to show his membership card or the White Frost Constellation badge.
It was Wednesday morning, and the members of the Cragg Club were mostly middle-class people with stable and respectable jobs. They rarely came unless it was Sunday, annual leave, or afternoon tea time.
The spacious and bright hall seemed unusually empty, with only a few people sitting in the corner coffee table and sofa area.
Klein glanced around and spotted a familiar face, so he went up to greet him.
" Talym, the weather is so nice today, you should be at the racetrack."
The acquaintance was none other than Talym Dumont. Mary had also once brought Klein a job: protecting Mike Joseph, a reporter for the Daily Observer, while he went to the " Golden Rose " to conduct an investigation.
Talym raised his head, touched his short, curly brown hair, and smiled.
"Oh, esteemed Detective, what have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you in ages."
"That's because you haven't been to the club for several days..." Klein smiled and sat down on the sofa next to Talym.
"Helping the police investigate that serial murder case may not yield any results, but the reward is tempting enough, and building a good relationship with the police department is very important for us private Detective."
"All of the above is just bragging. I'm just an insignificant character who was called up..." he thought to himself, making a self-deprecating remark.
Several members sitting in the sofa area behind them were discussing the latest Western Railway stock and East Balam Plantation stock, led by a man who appeared to be a stockbroker.
Talym had no doubt about Klein's answer and chuckled:
"This is definitely something the great Detective is busy with."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he gradually entered a thoughtful state.
Just as Klein was about to take his leave to go to the underground firing range, Talym suddenly looked at him and said:
"Mr. Moriarty, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, you can charge a consultation fee."
"This deal is free. And just call me Sherlock," Klein laughed.
Talym nodded slightly, then hesitated before saying:
"I have a friend who has fallen in love with someone she shouldn't. What should she do in this situation?"
Although I've always believed that when asking similar questions, "I have a friend" is equivalent to "myself," Talym's emotional state indicated it wasn't him. He was troubled, yet I couldn't see any pain... Klein, having activated his Spirit Vision, leaned back slightly, clasped his hands together, and said:
"I'm sorry, I'm not Psychiatrist, nor am I one of those experts in newspapers and magazines who specialize in solving emotional problems."
My only advice is, don't break the law.
"Haha, that's a joke. First, we need to figure out what the 'shouldn't' stem from. Is there some kind of animosity between the two families?"
Talym glanced at him and said helplessly:
No, this is not the story of Romeo and Juliet!
Upon hearing the other party's reply, Klein seemed to hear a faint, ethereal whisper:
Author: Roselle Gustav... Author: Roselle Gustav... Author: Roselle Gustav...
He shook his head, apologized to Old Master Sha, and smiled:
"The novel Emperor Roselle is such a classic; it's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of inappropriate love."
"So, why shouldn't they be together?"
Talym paused for a few seconds before saying:
"I have to keep this a secret. Sorry, just pretend I didn't ask."
Keeping it a secret? He's a very important person... Falling in love with someone of the same sex? Falling in love with someone related by blood? Klein suppressed his intense curiosity and spread his hands, saying:
"Then I can only offer one more suggestion: read more emotionally rich bestselling novels like * The Stormwind Villa * and * Love and Jealousy *."
Talym moved his lips a few times, then sighed and said:
"Sigh, this can only be a last resort. In my opinion, the relationships depicted in those bestselling novels simply don't seem like they happen between normal humans."
"I think so too!" Klein echoed, deeply agreeing.
After exchanging a smile with Talym, he got up and went to the underground shooting range to practice his extraordinary skills. It was almost noon when he returned to the first floor and headed straight for the cafeteria.
He had previously noted that today's limited-edition dish was pan-fried foie gras in red wine, served with apple slices and bread soaked in butter.
After collecting his food, Klein carried his tray to the table where Talym was. At that moment, besides Talym, there was another acquaintance of his, the Doctor Allen Kreis, who had also acted as his guarantor and introduced him to the club.
Just as he set out his plate and before he could even sit down, Klein suddenly noticed a cane leaning against the chair of the renowned Doctor.
" Allen, what's wrong?" he asked with concern.
Tall and thin, with a cold appearance and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, Allen lightly patted his right leg and said:
"No, don't mention it, it was so unlucky! I fell down the stairs and suffered a pretty serious fracture, so I have to wear a cast to immobilize it."
"What bad luck," Klein sighed in agreement, cutting off a piece of foie gras, dipping it in the sauce, and popping it into his mouth. The moment it touched his lips, it seemed to melt, releasing the rich aroma of the fat that tantalized every taste bud.
"I've been having a run of bad luck for a long time." Allen raised his hand to push up his glasses and rubbed his temples.
He then looked at Klein, then at Talym, and hesitated before asking:
"Mr. Moriarty, do you... do you...?"
"What?" Klein asked, looking up.
Allen lowered his voice and said:
"You're a famous Detective, you must know quite a few people, right?"
"It's alright," Klein replied dismissively, not understanding what the other person meant.
Allen glanced at Talym again, took a breath, and said:
"Do you know anyone like a village witch doctor? No, I mean, a skilled Divination or occult enthusiast. I think, I feel, my recent bad luck is really abnormal..."
"I know those things are most likely fake, scams, but I can't find any other way to get rid of this bad luck. I've tried going to church to pray, donating, and attending Mass, but nothing has worked."
Some skilled Divination or occult enthusiasts... you seem to be talking about me... Klein pondered:
" Allen, tell me in detail what happened to you."
Talym next to him nodded in agreement:
"Don't worry, although I am a believer in the Lord, I do not reject mystical things."
Allen sighed in distress:
"So many things have happened, like a surgical mishap, Steam train accident Travel, a burglar breaking into my home, and falling down the stairs at the hospital... Do you think someone might be cursing me?"
Hmm, I've heard Allen mention something similar before... Klein frowned slightly.
As a former Nighthawks, he easily associated such a description with a Sealed Artifact:
Misfortune Cloth Doll!
Similar items? He activated his Spirit Vision and asked seriously:
" Allen, think back carefully. Before those unfortunate events happened one after another, did you or your family—well, did your family members also experience any unfortunate events?"
P. S.: Please vote for me! Don't worry about whether there's double rewards at the end of the month; maintaining a good ranking at the beginning of the month is much more important than climbing up at the end.