After the interview with Mr. Wyatt ended, the case finally made some progress.
I was running around, and it only took me two days to go from knowing nothing at the beginning to being able to conduct preliminary analysis. It was really not easy...
However, it is tiring enough...probably a side effect of my desperate efforts to save time.
After all...the two-month deadline has only passed two days.
According to the current efficiency, it is not impossible to find the murderer.
Moreover, the collected information is a bit messy, and it takes a lot of effort to sort it out. For this reason, I might as well...
Just rest today~~
The day after the loft inspection was completed.
I just sat up from the bed, realized that it was still too early, and after careful and careful thinking, I decided——
Get some sleep~~
......
"Felinold! Hey! Felinold——!"
"...Oh, oh, oh, what's the point of calling me so kindly and warmly as soon as I got up? Detective sir."
"That's it! Why don't you call me?"
I asked Felinold angrily, while not forgetting to carefully step down the wooden stairs that were in disrepair.
"Oh~~Have you forgotten, Mr. Detective? As soon as we came back last night, Mr. Detective told me personally, 'Ah~~I'm so sleepy. If you want some pocket money, don't bother me tomorrow morning.'" "That's for you to stop making noise in the morning! What time is it now?"
It's six o'clock in the afternoon.
"Okay~~ I also want to let the detective have a good rest."
"...I don't want to waste too much time."
I originally thought that I could at least sort out the information and ideas today...
I rubbed my head, which was slightly swollen from too much sleep, and walked towards the sink. When I passed by Ferrinold, I stopped.
"...Hello."
"Oh~~ Detective, is there anything else you can do?"
"Did you secretly go out to drink while I was sleeping?"
"Haha, what are you talking about, Mr. Detective~ How dare I do such a thing!"
"Then what's the matter with that strong smell of cigarette smoke on your body? I remember that you don't smoke, is it to cover up the smell of alcohol?"
"...The detective is so awesome..."
"Because this is not the first time you have done this."
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.
"So, where did you get the money for drinking?"
"...It is a knight's habit to keep his property secret, so I refuse to answer the detective's questions."
"...Then please use your secret wealth to settle today's dinner, Drunkard Knight."
"Wow, the detective is so outrageous!"
......
After finishing what I should do after getting up, I went out.
...However, it is already dark.
Anyway, let’s go have a good meal first.
I've been busy for two days and am like a headless fly. Let's give ourselves a holiday today.
Then, if you can find free moldy bread along the way, take it back to Ferrinold.
While thinking this, I walked towards the bustling commercial area.
Maybe it was an illusion, but I felt that the road to the restaurant was extremely far away.
Having said that... every time I feel like this, I meet someone I know.
Soon, the prophecy came true.
I saw Manda standing at the intersection ahead.
...I'd better pretend not to see it and walk away.
"That little intern seems to be in a bad mood."
The talkative Gale said something unnecessary.
Well, let’s go and have a look.
Manda wore light-colored clothing and a pure black scarf.
At this time, she had already passed the intersection and was walking slowly with her head lowered.
"Oh, with such a happy expression, did you have a quarrel with your husband?"
Seeing me coming to her side unknowingly and making outrageous remarks, Manda turned around and glared at me:
"How do you see that I'm happy? And I'm not married, okay? And who looks happy after a quarrel!"
Wow, I’m complaining one by one.
"Ah~~So you are in a bad mood now and you are unmarried?"
"What does my bad mood have to do with being unmarried?"
"Just put them together."
"Since it doesn't matter, don't talk about it together! It will make others misunderstand!"
Manda showed a angry expression.
"..."
"..."
"By the way, how's your investigation going?"
I didn't want to talk about the case at first, but I found that this was the only topic I could talk to Manda about.
"Well..."
Manda's shoulders shook, and then she stopped.
"Are you going to eat?"
She asked as if she didn't hear my question.
"Guessed it right."
"...Let's go together then."
Yes, yes.
After all, it’s so cold on the street that even my brain is freezing.
"Okay."
We walked into the nearest restaurant in silence, listened to the waiter's introduction, and completed our order.
I thought that as soon as the clerk left, Manda would say something to me in a hurry, but she just turned her head to the side and never spoke.
I can only open the conversation.
"Hey, aren't you still angry?"
"No..."
Manda muttered quietly.
"But your response doesn't sound manly at all."
"That's because...no, I'm not a man to begin with, okay?! Ah, it's really...you really are!"
As expected, he becomes lively when provoked.
"Okay...then it's my fault."
"It's your fault in the first place! Why did you use such a helpless tone to deal with me!"
Manda puffed up her face.
Children are indeed children.
"So, can you tell me what's bothering you?"
"Well..."
As soon as she heard this, Manda returned to her original hesitant look.
"..."
Because I thought Manda would definitely tell her, I just lowered my head patiently and waited.
"...the hidden interpersonal relationships of the deceased...I...I can't find out, I...failed."
Finally said it...
But what nonsense was she saying?
"Huh? It's only been a day, and you gave up so quickly?"
"No, no! It's...it's force majeure..."
Force majeure? Earthquake? Tsunami? Or should we rush to buy limited edition comics?
"What happened?"
"The police department is no longer able to provide help."
"Police station?"
"The director received an order early yesterday morning - to complete the verification of the citizens' information within one month."
"..."
"The workload is huge. No one is allowed to enter the data room, archives, and intelligence office except those involved in verification... Even the seniors responsible for testing have been mobilized...
”
"Huh?"
"I have searched all the seniors I can find, but none of them can help me. As for the director... he is not someone I can meet if I want to..."
Well...after all, Manda's qualifications as a trainee police officer are there.
"I can't get any more information, but this is necessary to find out the hidden interpersonal relationships of the deceased..."
Manda's words were like a flood of venting, which made my mood a mess.
"Can't find anything?"
"Well..."
Manda lowered her head.
I am very aware of the importance of the police department to the case.
Whether it was the autopsy report or Schimmel's lifetime information, Manda only learned about it through the police station.
In addition, inspections related to the case must also rely on the professional inspection personnel of the police station.
Is this happening again after the shortage of police officers...
"If I were to act alone... it would take a lot of time to investigate one by one through the deceased's superficial social circle, and it would take a lot of time to find the appropriate logic among the numerous information.
It still takes a lot of time to reason about hidden interpersonal relationships alone..."
...This guy's thinking is still quite clear.
"Oh~~ Then you are going to go bald thinking about it?"
Ignoring my teasing, Manda's eyes were as gloomy as if she hadn't slept for several days, and she analyzed pessimistically:
"Besides, even if these tasks are completed, there are still many things that need to be done... All the work in the future can only be done by oneself. Fingerprints cannot be detected, blood types cannot be confirmed, and...
.Haha...hahaha..."
...Oops, she gave up on herself.
"Well... Even so, there is still something we can do..."
Manda raised her head, blinked, and looked at me with dull eyes.
"It turns out there is something you can do..."
...Obviously I was comforting her, but it was me who was hurt mentally?
"...Please don't be so surprised, okay? I'm just trying to comfort you."
I won’t meddle in my own business next time.
At this time, the waiter brought the meals we ordered.
"You...you really don't care? I...even failed to do such a thing?"
"This... Anyway, let's eat it quickly. It won't be good if it gets cold."
I mean dinner.
Hunger no longer allows me to think about those relatively distant problems.
"...You are really big-hearted."
"This is a stomach problem, right?"
"Alas..."
Manda sighed and then picked up the tableware.
......
"Anyway, the verification work will only occupy the police station for one month, and we have two months."
After taking care of the most urgent stomach needs, I wiped my mouth and spoke slowly.
Although I still couldn't accept the fact that the police station was occupied for a month, I decided to calm Manda's mood first.
As of now, she is the only one who can provide the greatest help.
So she must stay motivated to solve the case.
For my bounty in two months... no, to ensure my safety in two months, Manda is indispensable.
"Listen up, Manda, the police station's information is secondary, the most important thing is the ability of the investigators."
"You mean...everything depends on you?"
"How is that possible! I'm referring to you, aren't you also a case handler?"
What’s wrong with this person’s level of understanding?
"But...I can't even find the hidden interpersonal relationships of the deceased."
"That kind of thing is dispensable. Besides, whether hidden interpersonal relationships exist or not is still a question... I think your giving up is absolutely correct even if it is forced."
"Really, really?"
"It's absolutely true."
"...Okay."
Brainwashing successful.
Beautiful.
So, I said to Manda who had returned to normal:
"However, due to the emergency situation at the police station, the separate operations will be temporarily canceled... Starting from tomorrow, you and I will go to investigate Schimmel's social circle."
"Well..."
"...What's wrong with you?"
"I always feel that it's a bit hot."
"Huh?"
"Especially when I think about being given orders by someone like you."