Chapter 22 Missing Case
"Who is it you're tracking?" Xio asked eagerly. She'd always felt indebted to Enber, so hearing that he needed her help instantly sparked her interest.
"It's the owner of a clothing shop. Lately, his behavior has been... unusual." Enber briefly explained Mr. Grant's situation.
Xio listened carefully and nodded thoughtfully. "Doesn't sound like he's sneaking out to see a lover. It seems more like he's doing something dangerous and doesn't want to involve his family."
She spoke from experience—whenever she went out to do something risky without telling Fors, she was just as secretive. It fit with Enber's suspicions. He wanted her help not only because he'd agreed to Jane's request, but also out of concern for her safety, in case Mr. Grant was involved in something dangerous.
"Alright, I'll take this request. Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it tonight," Xio promised. With her experience and abilities, she had no trouble following an ordinary person.
"Thank you!" Enber handed her a brass charm. "Take care and just observe. Don't put yourself at risk. This is a Confusion Charm, activated with the Ancient Hermes word for 'Venus'. It disrupts the mind for one or two seconds. Use it only if things go wrong."
Now, Enber had only one Confusion Charm left, though keeping one hidden away was enough for emergencies.
Xio nodded, accepting the charm without question. If she didn't use it, she planned to return it to him later.
After breakfast, they parted ways. Enber took the subway to Cherwood Borough, heading for the public libraries. As a "Reader," he wasn't limited to studying mysticism. Histories, politics, and literature were just as important for fully digesting the potion.
"Excerpts of Emperor Roselle's Writings." "The Intis Consul's Journals." "The Secret History of Emperor Caesar..." Enber sighed as he stared at an entire shelf of books spawned from his "transmigrator" predecessor's influence. Even after more than a hundred years, Roselle's reputation still had traction.
Yet, these books were undeniably part of this world's "knowledge." With little choice and a heavy heart, he began to read.
Hours passed quickly. When Enber left the library, it was already one in the afternoon. He grabbed a Desi meat pie to fill his stomach up, then headed to his mentor's home for his afternoon lessons.
When he arrived, Detective Isengard Stanton was stepping out of his house, fully dressed and ready to go.
"You're just in time. Sivellaus Yard has a case that needs my assistance. You'll come along as my assistant so I can teach you how to conduct an investigation," Detective Isengard instructed, signaling for his servant to prepare the carriage.
Enber, intrigued, nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir."
They boarded the carriage and made their way to the Cherwood Borough Police Station.
On the way, Detective Isengard filled Enber in. "I don't know all the details yet, but since last week there have been several disappearances in Cherwood. Inspector Fassin and his team have been investigating for a week but haven't made any headway."
Enber frowned. "You don't know the details… yet you already know so much?"
Detective Isengard raised an eyebrow, amused by his student's skepticism. "I have friends in the force who keep me well-informed."
Enber silently accepted this explanation, his suspicion giving way to respect for his mentor's network and influence.
Upon arriving at the station, they were greeted by a man in a black-and-white checked uniform with three V-stripes on his shoulder—Inspector Fassin. He led them to his office with obvious respect for the detective.
"Mr. Stanton, I appreciate you taking the time to help us with this," Inspector Fassin said courteously.
"No need for thanks; we're old friends, after all," Detective Isengard replied with a gentle smile. He then nodded toward the stack of files on the desk. "Are the case files here?"
"Yes, all here." Fassin gestured to a half-meter-high stack of folders.
"I'll need some time to go through these files in your office. Could you have someone arrange a trip to the potential crime scenes?" Detective Isengard instructed.
"Certainly. We're eager for your help in bringing these missing people home safely," Fassin said, happy to comply.
After the inspector left, Isengard noticed his student's thoughtful look.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Inspector Fassin seems unusually deferential to you. Isn't it uncommon for police to be so agreeable to a private detective?"
Isengard chuckled. "Because I'm old friends with his superior as well." He leaned in conspiratorially.
Enber was enlightened and decided not to probe further. He barely had time to dwell on it before Isengard tossed him a stack of case files.
"Sort these by age, gender, preferences, disappearance time, known locations, and social circle. Let's see if there are any patterns."
Understanding the shift to work mode, Enber quickly opened the files and began sorting and analyzing each record.
An hour later, he looked down at his notes, quietly activated his White Eye, and fell into contemplation. After a few moments, he raised his head. "I think these eleven disappearances were the work of more than one culprit."
"Oh?" Isengard's surprise turned into appreciation for his student's analytical skills. He had no idea Enber had "cheated" a bit. Taking a puff from his pipe, Isengard said, "Your instincts are correct. Six of these cases were strange, with hardly any common factors other than complete disappearance. I believe those six are connected, and the other five are separate incidents."
Enber nodded. The White Eye had already revealed hints, but in the short time he had, he couldn't match his mentor's thoroughness.
"The other five cases," Detective Isengard continued, "three involve traffickers or accomplices, similar to that Feysac Syndicate member who attacked Xio. I reported the cult's trafficking activities to the Church of Steam, so they're investigating those three cases. We don't need to pursue them further."
"And the remaining two?" Enber asked curiously. His White Eye analysis had already given him a partial answer, but he wanted to hear the details from his mentor.
"Two unrelated cases, as you guessed." Detective Isengard stood and gestured to the door. "You'll examine those two scenes. I'll tackle the six more complex ones."
"Yes, sir." Enber was eager to include himself in the upcoming investigation . He found himsef enjoying investigation—far more than reading The Collected Sayings of Emperor Roselle.
Inspector Fassin had already arranged for an officer to assist Enber. Although the officer seemed less than thrilled with his assignment, he didn't refuse. The officer, a young man with a single V-stripe on his shoulder named Aetris, didn't bother to hide his distaste but Enber still greeted him politely. No need for complicated rivalries, he thought to himself. "Officer Aetris, would you please take me to Gravely Street?"
Aetris pursed his lips, muttering, "Hope you actually find something, detective." Their first stop was at 17 Gravely Street, a standard townhouse with a garden, home to Mr. and Mrs. Hayd and their two children.
The missing person was Mr. Hayd's younger son, who had disappeared yesterday afternoon. According to his sister, Miss Rachel Hayd, who was practicing piano at the time, her brother had gone out after a friend called to him from the garden. But the maid, stationed near the front door, claimed she hadn't heard anyone call or knock all afternoon.
Recalling these details, Enber looked over the house and garden, then sighed.
"Did you all really investigate this thoroughly?" he asked, glancing at Aetris.
"What do you mean?" Aetris asked, bewildered.
"Do you have a loud voice, Officer?" Enber asked.
"Pretty loud… but what does that have to do with the case?"
"Imagine standing here and shouting for Mr. Hayd's son. Do you think his sister, sitting on the opposite side of the house, could hear it over her piano?"
Aetris blinked, then his eyes widened in realization. "Are you saying Miss Rachel was lying?"
"I'm saying it's unlikely she could have heard anyone unless she was supposed to," Enber explained, thinking aloud. "Maybe she was misled by someone else… like her brother, the one who disappeared."
"You mean… the boy faked his own disappearance?" Aetris stared, incredulous.
Enber chuckled. "Why not? According to the files, young Mr. Hayd has a passion for collecting dolls, and he recently found a figurine by a renowned artisan he couldn't afford… reminds me of a certain vampire who likes dolls."
(End of Chapter)