"No, it's just good luck, it's just God protecting me." Klein humbly stepped aside to let Stuart in.
He was telling the truth; it was indeed good luck. He already knew where Emlyn White was before the other party even accepted the mission.
As Stuart took off his wool coat and hat, hanging them on the rack in the foyer, he said, shivering:
"This damn weather, it's getting colder and colder. Maybe I should try those stuffed coats."
"This can't be called cold, can it? Go to the north of the Awwa County, to the Winter County for a day, and you'll understand what real low temperatures and real winter are like," Klein chuckled.
Immediately, he asked generously:
"A hot coffee?"
"That's exactly what I was hoping for." Stuart followed him toward the first-floor living room. "I've been to the north of Awwa County and know how cold and snowy it is; it was a rather pleasant vacation. But the cold in Backlund is no less biting. It's like magic, penetrating my clothes and seeping into my bones. Oh, and the fireplace—it deserves praise!"
Stuart stood in front of the charcoal-burning fireplace for a full twenty seconds before sitting down on the sofa, watching Klein busy brewing instant coffee and saying:
"I'm planning a New Year's vacation in the south, fishing in Desi Bay. What about you? What are your vacation plans? We've endured the air in Backlund for a year, working hard to save money for a holiday like this."
"Perhaps, it's also going to Desi Bay..." Klein said hesitantly, his expression momentarily dazed as he turned to face Stuart.
This concerns an agreement.
A promise made with brother Benson and sister Melissa.
"Haha, I'll show you my deep-sea fishing skills then," Stuart rambled on. "We're still not rich enough, otherwise I'd really like to travel to Feysac, Intis, or even the Southern Continent."
Klein finished making the coffee, handed the white porcelain cup to the other person, and then stepped back two steps to sit opposite him.
Stuart held the cup and took two deep breaths of the fragrant, warm steam.
After a few seconds, he put down the cup and said very formally:
As agreed, I will share the reward I received this time with you.
" The White gave a total of 50 pounds, while your contribution was clearly more than mine."
" Sherlock, how about 30 pounds? I still need to give my informants some money for their hard work."
Only 50 pounds? A Vampire is only worth 50 pounds? Klein couldn't help but mutter to himself.
However, he also knew that the White weren't unwilling to increase the reward; they were probably worried that offering too much money would frighten the Detective, causing them to make unnecessary assumptions and attracting the attention of the police or some official organizations.
For an ordinary private Detective, a £50 job is tempting enough. Klein only spent about £7 when he hired someone to investigate all the red-chimney houses in the entire Tingen City and the surrounding towns.
"In addition, the White gave you an extra pound, saying it was for your fare over the next few days." Stuart, slightly puzzled, took out six 5-pound notes and one 1-pound note.
Klein reached out and took it, casually checking its authenticity without explaining the fare.
Stuart didn't ask any further questions, but instead smiled and said:
"Besides Mr. Stanton, you are the most outstanding Detective I have ever seen. Did you become a detective later in life, or did you learn from a great Detective before?"
"Which great Detective did you learn from? There are so many, like Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, the eternal elementary school student, and that guy who swindles people in his grandfather's name..." Klein silently muttered a couple of things.
He thought for a moment and said:
"I come from the Awwa County. I did many jobs early in my career before becoming Detective."
"So you're quite knowledgeable!" Stuart exclaimed in realization.
Hey, your flattery is making me a little embarrassed... Klein smiled but didn't respond.
Stuart took a sip of coffee and said:
" Sherlock, if I ever encounter a difficult case that I can't solve, I hope I can ask you for help."
"I've also built up connections in the Detective world..." Klein replied cautiously.
"If I'm available then."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Stuart tactfully took his leave, and Klein escorted him all the way to the foyer.
Having put on his coat and hat, Stuart was about to open the door to leave when he suddenly turned back and said sincerely:
Sherlock, you are too frugal.
Your talent deserves better coffee.
Huh? Klein was taken aback at first, then felt a little embarrassed.
He gave a dry laugh and said:
"I can't tell the difference between good and bad coffee; they're all the same to me."
After seeing Stuart off, Klein went out and bought some beef bones and beef from the butcher shop, and white radishes and other ingredients from the vegetable shop, along with the necessary seasonings.
He was going to prepare beef bone and radish soup for dinner to go with the leftover rice. As for lunch, he just randomly picked a restaurant on the street and ate a small lamb chop.
On a leisurely afternoon, Klein continued studying " The Book of Secrets," and the more he read, the more he realized how little he knew about the occult.
Fortunately, he had a solid foundation, and he could quickly master many things after just a little exposure and thought.
As evening approached, he smelled the enticing aroma of beef bone and radish soup wafting out, and his Adam's apple bobbed twice.
He heard the doorbell ring again, like a call to action to start the meal.
Swallowing hard, Klein walked to the door and reached out to grasp the handle.
The image of the visitor naturally appeared in his mind: the handsome but not-so-masculine red-eyed Vampire Emlyn White.
No need to rush him... He's a man of his word... Klein opened the door and smiled:
Good evening, Mr. White.
Emlyn raised his chin, his impatience evident.
He was about to speak when Klein glanced at his brown priest's robes and gave him an "I understand" smile.
"Did you just come from the Harvest Church?"
Who said they could keep it up last night?
Emlyn could no longer maintain his gentlemanly demeanor and gritted his teeth, saying:
"That Old Man, that Old Man..."
"Damn it, how do I get rid of that damn Psychological Suggestion?"
Before Klein could answer, he patted his clothes and put on a stern face:
"Take me to see that patient."
A sumptuous dinner awaits me.
As he spoke, he sniffed almost imperceptibly, as if he had caught a whiff of something.
Klein didn't say anything more, and picked up his coat and hat, saying:
"Okay, I'll take you there now."
He closed the door, took a few steps, and cautiously asked:
Do you have a Doctor's license?
Otherwise, how could we convince Jurgen's Lawyer to agree to Doris. Doris taking the medication?
Emlyn looked at the sky at a 45-degree angle and said:
"I don't need that kind of certification to prove my abilities."
Before Klein frowned, he casually added:
"It was too easy; I just did a quick job and got it."
... That tone... he sounds quite proud of his Doctor license... Klein smiled but didn't say anything.
Emlyn looked at the wet ground ahead and casually remarked:
Do you know what I like most about Backlund?
"What?" Klein replied without any curiosity.
Emlyn chuckled:
"The long, overcast sky and the fog that obscures the Sun make me feel less uncomfortable even when I go out during the day."
"This is fantastic, except the air quality isn't great."
So, Vampire really can be harmed by sunlight? Luckily, I considered this yesterday and deliberately didn't wear the Sun Brooch, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to communicate with Emlyn... Klein seems to understand something.
As they spoke, they arrived outside the Jurgen house, and Klein stepped forward and rang the doorbell.
After a while, the door opened, and Doris, who was dressed warmly even at home, spoke with delight:
" Detective, are you here as a guest?"
Brody the black cat silently crouched down beside Emlyn, watching him warily, as if sensing something was off about the guy.
Klein pointed to the Vampire beside him and said:
"I've recently met a Doctor who specializes in treating lung diseases, so I specifically asked him to take a look at you. This is Doctor. Emlyn White."
"Really? You still remember this? What a good child!" Doris happily invited the two inside.
The child... Klein's lips twitched slightly, but he ultimately said nothing.
On the way into the living room, Emlyn lowered his voice and said to him:
"This patient's condition is irreversible; she is very old and extremely frail."
Even if I give her the medicine, she can only survive this winter at most, and she will pass away in three to five years.
"Unless there's some legendary elixir of immortality or something similar, this is the only option. Or, turn her into a vampire? But at her age, she can't withstand the changes that extraordinary traits bring to her body, and my parents and I don't have any more of those traits."
Irreversible... Klein paused, then sighed silently.
He said to Emlyn:
"Let's prepare the medicine for her first, and then we'll talk about it after this winter."
"Okay, I brought a ready-made potion that's perfect for this situation." Emlyn sat down on the sofa without any hesitation.
At this moment, Lawyer Jurgen came out of the kitchen while taking off his apron and asked Klein why he had come.
" Doctor. White, what are your thoughts on my grandmother's lung condition?" Jurgen asked seriously.
Emlyn was clearly adept at this situation; he first launched into a long explanation of his knowledge of lung diseases, confusing Jurgen before continuing:
"What she needs most is warmth and healthy air; that's my most sincere advice."
"In addition, I have a special medicine that you can try for free."
As he spoke, he produced his internal Doctor's license and a small metal vial.
"Are there any side effects?" Jurgen asked cautiously.
"No, the only problem is that it doesn't cure the problem completely, it only provides a temporary fix," Emlyn replied with great professionalism. "If it weren't for Detective Moriarty, I wouldn't have let anyone try it so easily."
"Perhaps we could give it a try? Cough..." Doris. Doris interjected.
Jurgen glanced at Klein, who, having undergone Divination beforehand, gave an affirmative nod.
"Okay." Jurgen finally made his decision.
He watched warily as Doris. Doris drank the potion, carefully observing her reaction.
Doris. Doris didn't change much at the Original, but gradually she felt her breathing becoming easier.
She stood up, bent down to hug the cat, and said happily:
I feel much better!
Seeing this, Jurgen's usually serious and unsmiling face showed a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
But what Klein was thinking was:
Three to five years.
He forced a smile and sighed inwardly:
This can be considered a kind of magic show, using extraordinary abilities to create false results to amuse the Spectator...
PS: I just got home from a long trip. I'll rest for a couple of days and then update three times a week. I'll update early this morning.