The Resetting Lady

[55]

2. A bet between her and him

“You’re in trouble.”

Police officers were uncomfortable revealing Raymond’s visit. He was famous in many ways and still belonged to the army. The police found his interference unpleasant. It is regarded as an infringement of authority.

“Why don’t you just take it as a common citizen’s report.”

“Mr. Knight, if you’re like this, you’re really….”

“I want you to do what you have to do.”

“Hey, if you’re a regular citizen, you’ve already left with a statement.”

Raymond raised his head in a sharp voice. And I saw the face of a man who would do so to him.

“Albert.”

“Long time no see. How long has it been?”

A handsome young man with brown hair came out and shook hands with Raymond. It was Inspector Albert Strader who graduated from the same school. He was a classmate who gave Raymond vicious advice that if he didn’t kill his temper, he would die right away.

He did not leave the military school and enter the military, but was assigned to the National Police Agency. He followed his father. Thinking that he should have met in advance if he knew this would happen, Raymond held Albert’s hand and shook hands.

“I managed to live.”

Albert smiles as he puts his hand on his shoulder.

“I thought you were going to get shot in the head in no time. On the back of the head.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t meet your expectations. I didn’t have a bullet in the back of my head, but I’ve seen all the stars, so it’s a comfort.”

“…can’t you joke?”

Raymond was a little uncomfortable with his friendly gesture. Trying to conciliate in this way often implies rejection. Raymond cut off his greeting and immediately threw his point.

“Albert, are you in charge here? I’d like to ask you something about the body that was found this morning.”

“Why you?”

Albert showed signs of discomfort when he immediately brought up the main point without exchanging appropriate greetings. Raymond answered pointing at himself.

“I’m the one who reported it. I sent a servant first, but he didn’t register properly.”

Albert opened his eyes wide and turned his head toward his subordinate, who had just been struggling with Raymond.

“No, I got it. Hey, there. The woman’s body split on 7th Street. Yes, you did, didn’t you?

“Yes? Yes, yes, if you do.”

When Albert asked, I could see the police respond in a hurry. Raymond immediately refuted the insincere response.

“What I said was a body found in a forest sent this morning. And the woman we just found was a sewer. Who else is Seventh Avenue?”

Albert raised his hand openly with a frown to express his displeasure. The sound of Bolmen is coming out.

“Hey, Raymond. This is over the top. You can’t put pressure on us like this. Now leave it to us and get out. Let’s just calm down.You’re now… I think I’m almost delusional. What you said now is the last time… What was it, anyway, with her.”

“You mean the dead man? All the newspapers had nothing to do with it’s I’ve been selling myself since I was 13.Or he died at the age of 18, or he was wearing red when he died.

Isn`t it an ordinary newspaper article? It’s just enough to satisfy the curiosity of the citizens.”

“Then you can’t tell that much to the nervous witness who finds the body.

“Come on, cut it out.”

“Albert.”

“I know my name, Raymond.”

The air in the room became drastically harsh. The two men were nearly as close as they could be, and the people around them looked like they would do anything if they could get out of the space right away.

“Oh, God, don’t claim to be such a serial killer. There are more differences than commonalities. And prostitutes often die in the city. You’re a soldier, not a cop. Don’t try to make a living.”

“Show me.”

“I can’t understand you.”

“I want to make sure that the coroner has left a record. There must be something to do with the sketch I sent you. You get into a habit when you use a knife. We want to cooperate.”

“Stop it. I learned what you learned, and I know this place better. You can’t solve a case with that habit. We need a witness.”

“Albert.”

Albert groaned and stroked his forehead. And he glared at Raymond.

“To be honest, if you’re a normal person, the first suspect is you.”

“…Ha.”

“Thank you for being noble. Because of your reputation and position.”

“I’m so grateful.”

“It’s not an army full of men you can afford. This is a city. There’s a procedure. We have our own know-how.”

Albert held Raymond by the shoulders with a forced smile. I felt a little relieved after a loud shout.

“Help me.”

“…….”

“This isn’t even a battlefield, and you’re going to fill your seat soon. Wait a minute, prostitutes’ bodies come in once a month. Most of them are beaten to death by men. And we can’t find him. It’s obvious again. It’s not the right thing to do with a geeky gentleman.”

“Are you saying I can die because I’m a whore?”

“Don’t catch a horse. There’s no end to it. It means that you can’t focus on this case all of a sudden because of the discovery of yourself by an aristocrat. If you want, you can try to get a lot of money into us later on.

“…….”

“Two months after the election? Please, please.”

You don’t make much money. I wasted my time.

Raymond folded his clothes and pushed the door. Albert shouted in the background.

“Let’s stop doing the boring stuff and see you when we have time. My father wanted to see me. You’d better do that, wouldn’t you?”

“…….”

“Okay?

“Where are you going?”

“The poor citizen is scared to cry in his room.”

“I’ll send you a telegram, so make some time! All right?

“…yes.”

Raymond answered reluctantly and took to the streets. Xenon was sitting on a bench across the street and found Raymond and raised his hand.

“What’s going on, Raymond?”

“Not much income.”

“What did he say?”

“It’s literally true. I haven’t heard anything. He said, “Don’t interfere.”

“Well… there must be a reason there.”

“…I think you know things better than I do.”

Jenon asked, scratching his head.

“Well, I think it’s too much meddling, but… When you find the body, um… Well, you were calm as expected, but now you seem very embarrassed. May I ask you why?”

Raymond thought for a moment. What should I answer? Actually, I think my fiancee has something to do with serial killings. So I’m going crazy right now. Should I answer like that? Raymond held back a bitter smile and dismissed it in a word.

“Too much intervention.”

“…yes.”

Raymond messed up his hair and sighed. What do you do with words? You don’t even believe in yourself. Being swayed by her words makes me feel ridiculous.

“I’m from outside the book.”

It is impossible to believe such nonsense unless you are shot in the head. But it’s also hard to ignore what she says. Raymond first tried to get over Karen, then he was dumbfounded, and ultimately confused. Raymond was forced to visit the city hall.

“I didn’t find anything out in the end, but….”

“Mr. Raymond tried his best.”

“Thank you for your consolation.”

I didn’t get anything.

Raymond pressed his finger around his eyes. Tired. If you don’t believe it, if there’s a clue, if there’s a murder, you can’t stand by. Even if it’s not your job. This is even more so if it’s something you could have prevented.

“It’s not a battlefield, but the bodies are constantly visible.”

“…that’s the way it is. Why don’t you go home and rest? Raymond did as much as he could.”

Deng-deng.

The bells rang in the evening.

“Oh, it’s already… Would you like to go back for dinner?”

The street was getting dark. The streets of the sunset had a dismal atmosphere. There were people everywhere on this street where the station was located, but when I went back a little bit, there was literally no one.

There was a cathedral along the boulevard. All roads lead to the cathedral. God’s power remained in this era when miracles did not happen. Raymond made a habit of drawing the sign.

“Mr. Raymond?”

“Next body number seven, then number 17.”

“Where is 17th Street?”

“What? …you’ll find it down there.”

“You know it well.”

“… Mr. Evans’ mansion is very uncomfortable. Even the maids are so picky that I can’t drink a glass of beer comfortably.”

“Such a thing.”

“So I often go out and eat. It’s not that far, so it’s worth walking.”

“What about you and the rest of your servants.

Raymond and Xenon talked as they walked to 17th Street. Xenon poured out his grievances against the Evans family. It was a conversation that was not like a middle-aged man.

“Yeah, well… some young servants and maidens just pop out every weekend and eat somewhere else. Thanks to you, I got a lot of recommendations. The chicken dish is amazing in the alley around here. The chicken skin is crispy, but the inside is soft and the sauce is very….”

Raymond looked up and found a place where he could see the streets of 17th Street well.

“Let’s just go over there.”

“…why did you ask?”

grumbling, Xenon followed Raymond into the tavern. It was gloomy and noisy. Some men and women looked at Raymond outright.

“Oh, you’re handsome.”

“Jennon? Who is it?”

“The boss.”

“Well… rumored?”

“You’re handsome.”

Raymond turned away from the dirty-clad women who were flirting and went upstairs.

“I told you it wasn’t a good place to come. Are you all right?”

“…I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but you think I’m too young. That’s okay. I’d prefer the window.”

Raymond frowned. A familiar figure appeared before sitting down.

“That’s….”

When he saw the direction Raymond was looking at, Xenon turned his head.

Xenon knew the face.

“You must be Donna, Lady Karen’s maid of honor. Should I call you out for a drink?”

“Wait a minute.”

Donna was being handed a note by the man with a grimace. Raymond looked at Donna’s mouth. Donna took the note, spoke out protestingly, then drooped her shoulders and pushed the door out.

“Oh, he’s gone.”

“How would you like your meal?”

The ugly chef appeared in front of Xenon and Raymond. But Raymond saw Donna, not the chef. Why is that girl here?

“Jenon, eat slowly.”

“Mr. Raymond?”

Raymond took his seat and hurried down the stairs.

“Dona?”

The new street was covered with dim darkness. I could see Donna’s head in the distance. Raymond hurried to the alley. What Karen said came to mind.

“The serial killer is Baron Ain.”