Looking at reporter Joseph who looked very enthusiastic in front of him, Klein instinctively smiled, took two steps forward, and held the opponent's right hand that was stretched out in the air.
"Sherlock Moriarty, you can call me Sherlock."
"Then you can call me John." Mike Joseph was stunned for a moment, but did not refuse and accepted Klein's overture.
As he said that, he walked to Klein naturally, raised his brows, and took the initiative to open the topic.
"Sherlock, the newspaper office has been very busy recently. You have also seen that there are always many people coming and going here. How about we go outside to talk?"
Is the newspaper office very busy recently?
Klein subconsciously thought of the recent incidents of the crazy Ripper and the rotting male corpse that have caused panic among people.
One only targets women who are generally not in a good living condition, while the other targets male employees who are obsessed with being near romantic places.
In a sense, the murderers in these two cases are quite "single-minded", but I don't know whether they were deliberately guided behind it, or if there happened to be some hidden secret...
Alas, it's a pity that I'm not a real detective, otherwise I could use reporter Mike's resources to try to search for clues about the Ripper... Although Klein felt a little melancholy in his heart, he still kept a smile on his face and behaved as usual.
road:
"No problem at all."
During the conversation, Klein maintained a position one shoulder away from Mike Joseph, and together they walked out of the increasingly crowded lobby of the Daily Observer newspaper office.
It seems that something big happened today. Just a few minutes while Klein was waiting for reporter Mike to come out, all kinds of foreign reporters and news personnel suddenly swarmed in, rushing to crowd into the newspaper office, and even occupied the visitor registration area.
channel.
It's rare. Although newspapers in this era have begun to use the common routes of steam trains for long-distance news under the promotion of Emperor Russell, news in big cities like Backlund can still only be reported.
Completely relying on manpower to solve it... Klein looked around at the crowded crowd in front with some emotion, and his eyes that kept passing by suddenly stopped.
Next to the visitor registration channel, a young-looking gentleman with gold-rimmed glasses on his tall nose, a pair of conspicuous dark red pupils, and a bookish attitude was explaining something to the staff maintaining order at the door, holding a
Zhang Xinxin’s press credentials.
Is this the gentleman I had spoken to in the library before? Klein was a little surprised, but his body did not stop moving forward. With Mike's convenience, he walked out of the door of the newspaper headquarters smoothly.
Reporter Mike, who had been walking in front, was obviously curious about what happened. After walking out of the door, he took the opportunity to approach an intern reporter and used his status as a senior to ask about the reason for their madness.
"Oh, I'm sorry for letting you see such a scene." Mike, who no longer had to take charge of this part of the news, spread his hands helplessly and walked over leisurely.
As he spoke, a touch of mischief suddenly appeared on his somewhat mature face, and he smiled and joked to Klein:
"The police officers at Silveras Field may not be able to sleep well today. Just yesterday, another lady was victimized. In the tenth case, they have already thought of today's title. Silveras Field is helpless!"
The tenth episode? Klein resisted the urge to frown, but the thoughts in his mind were already confused.
The church hasn't taken action yet? This number and frequency are enough to cultivate a powerful "devil"!
This kind of case with an obvious "demon" style must have been handed over to the official extraordinary team long ago. Whether it is through channeling, divination, or the most basic carpet search, why have the extraordinary people of the church not caught the criminal yet?
Is it really true that I have recently been caught up in the possible big operation of the Aurora Society that I reported before?
As a former Nighthawk, Klein instinctively sensed the clues behind this incident, and his brows almost curled up.
There was still a smile on his face. Mike, who was observing the expression of the only detective who had contacted him, gradually became stiff and smiled reluctantly.
"Well, maybe this is not something that can be made fun of."
He took Klein's increasingly serious expression as dissatisfaction with his speech.
For many believers of the Storm Lord Church who have a strong sense of justice, such incidents related to evil deserve to be taken seriously, especially not as a joke.
Although reporter Mike didn't know Sherlock Moriarty well, he still felt a little wary about this strong man who walked neatly and had a sharp style in his movements.
Doesn’t he think I’m the kind of old-fashioned person who can’t joke casually?
How could I, a former "keyboard strongman", not be able to listen to these things? My friend, please understand the furry bear joke.
Klein immediately put away his serious and rigid expression, shook his head with a smile, and took the initiative to explain:
"You may have some misunderstandings, Mike. As a detective, I am instinctively sensitive to these messages. You know, the case of the Crazy Ripper has become too big recently. This is a good opportunity for us detectives.
.”
After saying that, Klein raised his right hand familiarly, tapped his chest a few times, and outlined a complete triangular holy emblem pattern.
"Praise be to the gods of steam and machinery."
Visible to the naked eye, the somewhat awkward expression on Mike's face quickly faded, and he soon returned to his usual relaxed look with a smile on his lips.
As we all know, believers in the God of Steam and Machinery are relatively flexible.
"Actually, I'm not very interested in the serial murder case itself. I've been mainly investigating the reasons behind it recently." After walking for a while, Mike broke the silence again and considered.
Knowing that the other party wanted to talk about the subject, Klein tilted his head cooperatively and said in a deep voice:
"What's going on behind the scenes?"
"Yes." Mike's face suddenly showed a touch of solemnity, and his tone was no longer casual, and he said more seriously, "Although I have not followed up on the scene, I have recently used the resources of the newspaper to sort out the victims.
After looking at various identity information of the victims, I found that they all have one thing in common.”
"Although these people are either maids or female workers, the only thing that seems to overlap is that their lives are relatively difficult, but in fact they have another thing in common."
As he spoke, Mike paused and blinked.
"They all used to be street girls."
Street girl? Klein subconsciously thought of Jack the Ripper, who had committed serious crimes in the foggy city, and felt a little sad and unreal about it.
"Is Backlund's situation so serious in this regard?" Looking at Mike's questioning look, Klein shook his head subconsciously and "explained" without hesitation:
"Oh, my hometown is in Jianhai County, and I spent my previous life studying in Lundberg. In fact, this kind of situation is not very common in these two places."
During the conversation, they had already entered a street cafe. Under the guidance of the waiter, they randomly ordered twice as much coffee and chose a seat by the window.
Not liking direct sunlight, Mike, who was sitting under the curtains, adjusted his seat and then slowly answered the question that Klein had just asked.
"The specific situation is different. The density of factories in Jianhai County is even higher than that in Backlund. It is not too difficult for women to find jobs. As for Lundborg, a country that values knowledge, your previous studies should have been mainly in
Wandering in the city, right? Of course you won’t see similar situations in this kind of place.”
He cast his gaze out the window, staring at the still crazy newspaper office on the other side of the road. The colors in his eyes were obscured by sunlight and shadows, making it difficult to see his original emotions.
Klein, who was sitting opposite, stopped moving and was a little lost for a moment.
What he just said was just made up to confuse the audience. He did not expect that this seemingly cynical reporter would reveal the truth behind it.
Compared with other materials that have been seen on the Internet, the reality presented by Mike Joseph is more bloody and merciless.
"Indeed, I have only seen the prosperity of Lundborg under the light of knowledge, at least near the university, where women all advocate truth and the future. Such things rarely exist." In order to cover up his confusion, Klein quickly changed
With a wry smile on his face, he put his right hand on his cheek and rubbed it gently.
Soon, the waiter in the coffee shop brought double the amount of coffee he had just ordered. On a rectangular tray, white sugar and separate milk were served with a butterfly, close to Mike's coffee cup, and a silver spoon leaned against the wall of the cup.
edge.
He picked up everything on the tray with familiarity, and according to his usual habits, tried to adjust the steaming coffee in front of him to his liking.
"I prefer drinking something sweeter."
Mike, who was bowing his head and tending carefully, glanced at Klein's curious eyes, explained casually, and then continued:
"The baristas in this cafe are not as attentive as those in better cafes. Many times, asking them to serve sugar and milk separately will be more in line with their own tastes."
Klein, who had already picked up the coffee cup, blinked and carefully took a sip of the hot coffee in his hand.
Sure enough, he didn't taste anything different from the drink, he only felt a strong bitter taste.
Alas, compared to this, I prefer the sweet ice tea from Dixi Beach, and the recently famous lemon tea from Intis. The appropriate amount of sweetness can sometimes make me more energetic than this kind of coffee.
He took another sip, instinctively wanting to reject it, but remembering that he bought it for twice the price compared to Backlund Bridge District, he silently raised his right hand and took another sip.
Mike, who finally prepared the flavor, tasted it with satisfaction, kept licking his lips, raised his head and said:
"Actually, I want to hire you to assist me in my investigation of the Eastern District. Although I have been to that kind of place more than once, without the help of professionals, I don't think I can really discover anything useful."
"Especially with the recent changes in gang power in the East District, the turmoil in the Zigman Party has made me, a reporter who is not strong enough, even more reluctant to take risks."
But I'm not a professional who can help you understand the East End...
Although he thought so, considering that he needed to establish normal income channels, Klein still nodded and accepted the commission.
"Of course it's no problem Mike. As far as I know, the backer behind the Zigman Party has had some problems recently. The kingdom's agencies have intervened. It shouldn't be very dangerous recently."
Of course, if you happen to meet the "Bishop Rose" lurking in the East District, it would be another story... Klein suddenly remembered the "Bishop Rose" she had briefly fought against and the man who later accompanied her to the party.
Instinctively, I was a little worried and cursed secretly.
But it’s just a simple investigation, so you shouldn’t encounter such a powerful extraordinary person, right?
"Oh, Sherlock, you are indeed very professional." Listening to the "inside information" that Klein just said, Mike clapped his hands excitedly and praised without hesitation.
He picked up the coffee on the table again, took a sip, and then continued the topic.
"Then we have decided. As for the issue of remuneration, I think we can give it a try now. If the effect is good, we can also establish a long-term relationship in the future. How about assisting in the investigation for five pounds at a time?"
Mike spoke his thoughts quickly, his eyes constantly paying attention to Klein's expression, and repeated it again.
"Of course, this attempt is also five pounds at a time."
It can be seen that this reporter has really not found a partner with suitable price and capabilities... Hehe, he can put forward the conditions so readily, which should be the same as my fake Lundborg University Criminal Investigation.
Master's degree related.
But even though I'm a forgery, can I definitely use my fighting ability and divination to make up for this shortcoming... Klein nodded lightly without feeling guilty, and calculated the price of five pounds a time, almost.
You must directly agree to the other party’s proposal,
But his professionalism as a "divineer" reminded him in real time.
Klein smiled slightly and said:
"I'll wash my hands first, and I'll give my answer when I get back."
As he said that, he walked to the washroom behind the cafe, tossed a coin in it, and got the answer he wanted.
"I think the price is very reasonable." A minute later, Klein, shaking his hands with water droplets on them, walked back to his seat with a smile and said with a smile.
Huh... Seeing that Sherlock Moriarty didn't bargain, Mike couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became even brighter.
It's not that he hasn't considered more famous and experienced detectives, but they all seem to be busy with two mysterious cases published in the newspapers recently. Even the most famous detective Essinger Stanton seems to be involved in this.
A grand hunt for detectives.
"Then we've decided, today I want to start with the factory area." Mike raised his cup and gestured unceremoniously.
"Happy cooperation." Klein also signaled, and the steaming heat from the coffee cup blurred his lenses, turning them white.
............
"It's a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Evans." The editor-in-chief of the "Daily Observer" handed back the intern reporter badge prepared by Dunn just now with a smile on his face.