The meeting with the police passed in a blur.
"Let me tell you what we have," Detective Byrne said as soon as we shook her hand and sat down. Eunhwa Home's director was there too, as well as a few other officers who came and went but didn't linger in the room. "The package was delivered at 7:42 this morning through a courier. Staff became suspicious because your grandmother's not one for online shopping and, in their experience, you're usually her only visitor and always deliver things in person, if she requires anything."
That was true.
"The return address also looked suspicious. Taking into consideration your interview last week and all the reporters hanging around lately, the staff decided it would be safer to call us immediately. We came here as quickly as we could. As you've likely been informed, the device was fake. Wires leading nowhere, no explosive material. It was meant to scare, not to harm."
She slid the evidence bag toward me, so I could see that it contained a single printed page. As the worker on the phone had already told me, the text said: Next time, it will be a real one.
Llewellyn's eyes went dark. Uh. In the rush to get here, I'd forgotten to tell him about the note.
"Any fingerprints?" I asked.
"None. We contacted the courier service, but it was paid in cash and the name given was fake."
Well, not surprising.
"We're treating this as a serious threat," Detective Byrne said. "We'll have increased patrols in the area and we're working to trace the package's origin. However..."
"You can't guarantee Gran's safety," I said, rubbing my eyes.
That was also not surprising.
"We'll do everything in our power," Detective Byrne assured me. "But given your... public profile recently..."
"We're really sorry, Mr. Haewell," the director cut in, looking genuinely apologetic. "Your Gran is lovely and everyone here likes her, but we don't have any procedure in place for this. While I'm sure we could arrange heightened security, it doesn't seem fair on our other residents."
She was not wrong.
I sighed.
***
By the time we stepped back into the hall, it was clear that I had to move Gran as soon as possible.
That was complicated. There weren't that many nursing homes in Baekhaven, so even if I moved her, people were likely to find out where she was at some point and she'd be in danger again.
Though, I suppose I could ask the System to pay for one of the more high-end accommodations now, with full-on magical security. I might not have used much of the money offered by the System on myself yet, but I definitely had no qualms about using it for Gran.
The problem was that, unless we left Baekhaven, they would probably find her again.
Still… I didn't want to force Gran to leave Baekhaven either. She didn't go out much, but we had initially selected a nursing home on the Baekline because she could quickly get to the cemetery to bring flowers whenever she wanted, take a stroll in the city centre to buy her novels, and come back.
I didn't want her completely isolated.
…I stopped on the staircase landing.
"Hey, System," I said. There was currently no one around, so this seemed as good a spot as any to ask questions. "Weren't there some new, super fancy, luxury retirement apartments in Baekhaven somewhere? With communal areas and entertainment? I remember seeing an ad recently."
[System Notification: Affirmative.]
"Do they include medical care?"
[System Notification: On-site staff includes licensed doctors, nurses, and various medical practitioners. Specialists can also be requested for an extra fee.]
Llewellyn had stopped next to me on the landing and was eyeing me with interest. He couldn't see my System window, so I suppose this probably looked like a monologue to him, but well, he could piece it together.
"Is there any availability? Is the security good? And if I moved her there, would you consider this as part of my contract and pay for it?"
[System Notification: Availability confirmed. Security verified: 24-hour on-site staff and controlled access, Elemental protection, and harmonization of localized magical field designed to prevent intrusion and harm without restricting privacy or movement. Full relocation and housing costs eligible for coverage under current System contract.]
…I let out a noise and almost collapsed in relief. That all sounded ideal.
"Is it in Baekhaven? Even better, is there any chance it's on the Baekline?"
[System Notification: The facility is located within Baekhaven's Hyanglow district. Elemental flow in the area rated optimal for long-term stability and comfort. The Baekline is reachable in two stops from Hyanglow Station.]
Ah, my body had really turned to jelly in the last few seconds.
This was much better than expected. I didn't think I'd be able to find something suitable so quickly.
I should have moved Gran sooner and this would have never happened.
"Any chance this place also allows pets? At least for a visit?"
I mean, I could probably sneak Penguin in easily, but what if Gran wanted to adopt one? Maybe pet-sit Lumos sometimes? She'd always liked pets.
[Affirmative. Residents are allowed to keep pets in their own apartment and some of the communal areas.]
Damn. This place sounded amazing.
It must cost a fortune.
Good thing the System was paying.
"Let me speak with Gran," I said. "I'll confirm in a bit."
[System Notification: Understood. Details remain pending.]
Llewellyn and I made eye contact.
"You can leave if you like," I said. "I'll probably have to go and check this place out after this and help her pack if all is good and she agrees."
"I'll help," Llewellyn said immediately.
Huh? I mean, I was grateful but—
"You really don't have to. You barely have a moment off, you should enjoy the ones you get. We were in a Distorted Realm only a few hours ago."
Llewellyn's eyes narrowed.
"Do you want your Gran to hate me?"
…What?
"Unless you're kicking me out, I'm not going anywhere," Llewellyn said, annoyed. "Lead the way. I'll help however I can."
…Well. I felt flustered for a moment, then sighed.
"System," I said, "can you let Llewellyn know everything you just told me as well?"
***
Back in the common room, Gran was having an animated conversation with a very absorbed Penguin, who was looking up at her with round eyes.
"All sorted?" Gran asked, when we joined her at the table again.
"Yeah," I said. "But Gran, we need to talk about moving you somewhere safer."
Gran looked down at Penguin as if to say, See? Told you.
Penguin chirped. He waddled to my side of the table and rubbed his head against my hand.
"I figured as much," Gran said. "Where am I going?"