The Demon’s Menu

Jason’s sincere smile was able to calm the lady in front of him, and she began to quieten down.

Of course, more of it should be due to the honorific title of “Your Lordship” the young constable mentioned in his salutation.

“You are?”

“Are you the replacement for Chief Bondy here?”

The lady looked Jason up and down. There was some distrust apparent in her eyes when she saw Jason’s young face.

“Everyone is unique.”

“Whether it’s me, Bondy, or you, my lady. It’s the same for us all.”

“Which is why I can’t replace Bondy.”

Jason maintained his smile and deliberately spoke much slower. It was as if he were a hunter–a hunter who was worried about frightening his prey. So, as gradually as possible, he said, “But as I just said, I might be able to help you. Especially when you are dealing with a situation that ordinary people can’t understand.”

After Jason’s last sentence was said, the lady immediately loosened her grip over the young constable, as she wanted to grab Jason to plead for his help.

But just before her palm was about to establish contact with the sleeve of his top, Jason took a step back without any obvious hint of movement and avoided her pull.

Jason did not like being touched by strangers.

That lady did not manage to catch hold of Jason’s sleeves at her first attempt, but that did not stop her from opening her mouth to account for her visit.

“Please help me!”

“My husband is also a constable!”

“He told me that, should he meet with an accident, I can always look for Chief Bondy.”

That was what the other party said.

Constable?

Jason cast an unexpected look at the lady in front of him.

He had not expected the other party to hold such an identity.

“Your husband is?”

Jason asked.

“My husband is Tik!”

The lady replied.

Tik!

The constable that was tied up and taken away by the “Avenger”!

Suddenly, Jason’s face became serious. He did not wait for the lady to speak again, nor did he wait for her to take any further action. He simply said to the young constable, “I wish to speak with this lady. Is there any unoccupied interrogation room available?”

“Also, I hope Bondy can be there as well.”

Jason was well aware that Tik’s disappearance was now the only clue to the “Kalina case”.

Or rather, it was a breakthrough.

At times like this, Bondy had better be there.

It was not only because Bondy was more skillful in asking questions, but it was also because Tik was Bondy’s subordinate.

“Understood.”

The young constable beckoned to his companion on duty, then he ran to the police dormitory.

And the other constable, who stayed behind, brought Jason and that lady to one of the rooms inside the police station.

After gesturing for the lady to take a seat, Jason did not close the door. Instead, he waited quietly for Bondy to arrive.

During this time, Jason silently observed this lady who called herself Tik’s wife.

Her clothes were not made of coarse cloth. Jason could not tell what the specific material was for the time being, but the sleeves, as well as the edges of her skirt, were lined with lace. This skirt was bound to be quite expensive.

Her feet wore a pair of leather shoes with heels, which were probably made of cowhide. And like the skirt she wore, the price of these shoes would also cause ordinary families to flinch.

And the ring she wore on her left ring finger was probably made of gold. By the looks of it, its weight would not be less than 4 grams of golf.

An outfit of such an array was not something a mere constable could afford to give.

Jason was dead certain.

Because he had asked Finch before.

Finch was considered a senior constable, but his weekly salary was only 10 grams of silver. He did not need to worry about his accommodation. But, on the premise that he needed to ensure sustenance of his basic meals, wanting to accumulate enough to match up to the price of that lady’s outfit, he would need at least a year, or even longer.

It was like that for Finch. An ordinary constable like Tik would simply take an even longer time.

As for this lady in front of him… what if she was someone who went out to work?

Jason could not see any signs that indicated that the other party was someone who had a job. Her hands were fair, without calluses. Her face was not the least weather-beaten, showing no signs of hardships in her life. It was completely believable if anyone were to say that she was a noble lady who lived a life of privilege.

Of course, the other party was certainly not of aristocratic origin.

It was not only because the other party did not exude the temperament similar to that of aristocrats. If she had been from an aristocratic family, it was impossible for her to turn up here alone.

Or in other words, the lady simply would not be appearing here at all.

A maid or housekeeper would be the best candidate, instead.

A wealth that did not conform to her identity?

Jason secretly thought to himself.

Plod, plod, plod.

Amidst the sound of footsteps, Bondy appeared at the end of the corridor.

Though his eyes were bloodshot, he seemed pretty invigorated. Obviously, he had used cold water to sober up quickly.

Bondy widened his strides and quickly walked into the interrogation room.

After a greeting made through mere eye contact, this sheriff pulled a chair out to sit across from the self-proclaimed Tik’s wife. Between the two of them was a long table. After shutting the door, they were completely enclosed within the four walls of the room. The oil-lamp on the table was the only source of light they were provided with.

Bondy lifted his hand to adjust the light to its brightest.

Jason raised an eyebrow at this move.

This was, by no means, a proper attitude that should be shown to a subordinate’s wife. Instead, it was, in a real sense, a treatment given to a convict being interrogated.

Was the other party an imposter faking her identity?

Not right.

Such a lie would be exposed at the slightest nudge. The other party could not be ignorant to such an extent.

Also, as soon as Bondy appeared, the other party was obviously relieved.

Apparently, the other party recognized Bondy.

Bondy, on the other hand, did not show any reaction.

So, the other party had probably heard the detailed description of Bondy from Tik.

Jason observed everything from the sidelines.

Bondy opened his mouth and started questioning.

“You said you’re Tik’s wife?”

The sheriff asked in a deep and low voice.

“Yes.”

The lady in front of him seemed to recognize Bondy and replied to him with due honesty.

“Impossible!”

“As far as I know, Tik is not married!”

Bondy’s voice was raised a notch higher.

“We’re married!”

“At the town hall. You can always check it out!”

“It’s just that…”

“When we got married, we didn’t tell anyone.”

The lady in front of Bondy immediately retorted. But the next moment, she bowed her head low and seemed a little afraid of looking Bondy in the eye.

“Why did you not want to tell anyone?”

Bondy asked.

The lady fell silent immediately.

Bondy asked the same question three times in a row, but the other party did not reply to him at all.

“Did you know that Tik is missing?”

Bondy changed the question and used a more euphemistic choice of words.

“Yes, I know.”

The other party nodded.

And after getting the answer he wanted, Bondy slapped the tabletop hard.

Bang!

“How could you possibly know?”

“I gave the orders to seal all news about this!”

Bondy shouted.

The bang and shout scared the lady across from him, who jumped in her seat. Her body shook, and she seemed to be on the verge of tears as she said, “Please help me. Save me! I’m begging you!”

This made Bondy feel quite helpless.

The other party was not the real criminal after all.

Subconsciously, Bondy looked to Jason.

Jason, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, sat up straight and looked at the person across him. Then, he asked slowly, “Do you know Kalina?”

Immediately, this self-proclaimed “Tik’s wife” trembled from head to toe.

But the lady shook her head at once.

“No, I don’t know!”

His tone sounded almost resolute and decisive.

“Oh?”

Jason was doubtful. He raised his hand in puzzlement, pointed behind her, and asked, “Since you don’t know her, then… why is she behind you?”