Chapter 73: An Awkward Death
Klein's understanding of the acting method was quite profound, even more insightful than Lu Ze had anticipated. After listening to his explanation, all the Nighthawks team members became stunned and silent, as if they had suddenly understood something, but were still a bit far from the ultimate goal.
This peculiar atmosphere lasted for several days, so much so that even the usually slow Rosanne noticed something was amiss.
"Lu Ze, what's wrong with everyone lately?"
The moment Lu Ze arrived at work that day, she nervously leaned over and asked him.
"What's wrong? I don't know what you're talking about."
Lu Ze feigned ignorance.
"They've all been acting strangely, don't tell me you haven't noticed!" Rosanne said anxiously. "I think only you and Leonard are still normal. What exactly happened?"
"I can't reveal that, I can only tell you it's a good thing," Lu Ze said with a smile. "Unless you want to delve deeper into the Nighthawks' confidentiality rules, then I can ask Captain Dunn for permission."
"No need!"
Rosanne didn't know why she was so afraid of Dunn, and immediately shook her head in refusal when Lu Ze said that.
She was about to find an excuse to end the conversation and return to the reception desk, but then she suddenly noticed that Lu Ze seemed to be holding some brightly colored paper. She asked curiously, "Lu Ze, what are you holding?"
"Oh, this? These are tickets to the Tingen Theater."
Lu Ze held up two exquisitely printed hard cards and waved them in front of Rosanne. "'The Trier Merchant,' adapted from Emperor Rosell's classic comedy, the best seats in the middle row, prime time this weekend evening."
He had specifically ordered these from the theater. Having stood up his sister twice already, he couldn't possibly break his promise a third time. So he paid special attention, rushing to the theater before work just to get the best tickets.
"Are you going to the theater with your sister? That's so nice!"
Rosanne couldn't help but show an envious expression. "But I saw in the newspaper that there's a play in Backlund called "the count returns" that's getting rave reviews, and it's coming to Tingen in a few weeks. Why not save your money for that one?"
"It's fine, I'm not short on money."
Lu Ze, who had just received a raise, smiled confidently. "If it's well-received, spending another sum of money wouldn't matter."
"How nice! How annoying!"
Under Rosanne's envious and jealous gaze, Lu Ze left the hall and went downstairs to study occult knowledge.
After reading some materials on paid time for a while, Lu Ze felt a bit tired, so he returned upstairs, thinking of getting a cup of black tea from Rosanne. As soon as he passed the partition, he saw Dunn and Corpse Collector Frey sitting in the sofa area, communicating with a tall, corpulent police officer.
"Lu Ze? You've come at just the right time."
Dunn called out to him, "I have something here that requires you."
"What is it, Captain?"
Lu Ze walked over and asked.
He noticed that Frey was not wearing his usual formal attire, but rather the uniform of a probationary inspector. This uniform was made of crisp fabric, black with white checks, and came with leather boots and a soft cap. On his epaulet was a silver star, representing his status as a probationary inspector. This uniform looked very sharp on the uniquely tempered Frey, making him seem less corpse-like and more serious.
Lu Ze also had a set of such uniforms after becoming a Nighthawk, but he usually didn't wear it.
"This is Police Inspector Toler from the Tingen City Police Department. He needs our help."
Dunn introduced the officer to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
The tall inspector stood up and kindly extended his hand to Lu Ze.
I think I've heard that name somewhere. Oh, right, it was when I first joined the team. He was the officer who handled three murder scenes in one night.
Lu Ze, with a hint of sympathy, exchanged a few polite words with him and then chose a sofa to sit on.
"It's like this."
After Police Inspector Toler sat down, he began to explain the situation. It turned out that a viscount in Tingen City had died unexpectedly last night. Because it involved a nobleman, the police were under great pressure and hoped the Nighthawks could provide some assistance to quickly identify the killer, or at least investigate the cause of death.
Lu Ze looked at Dunn.
"From the current situation, this case doesn't seem to involve anything mysterious. When you go there, your main task is to provide clues. Klein is off today. I originally planned to send Frey to examine the body, but since you're here, you can go together and make use of your rituals and 'eyes.'"
Dunn said so.
"Okay, Captain, I understand."
Lu Ze hadn't had much to do recently and was a bit idle, so he naturally had no objections to Dunn's arrangement. He also went to the lounge to change into his probationary inspector uniform, brought his identification, and then followed Police Inspector Toler out of the security company's door, boarding a carriage with a police emblem.
"So, how did Viscount Dorset die, and why do you think his death is suspicious?"
In the swaying carriage, Lu Ze asked.
Upon hearing Lu Ze's question, Police Inspector Toler immediately showed a very awkward expression.
"Well, because the scene was not very dignified. To show respect for the deceased, I won't go into detail. Please go to the scene and see for yourselves."
Saying that just makes me more curious.
Lu Ze thought to himself. Seeing that Police Inspector Toler was genuinely unwilling to speak, he didn't press further, but instead closed his eyes to rest. As he folded his arms, he subconsciously pressed his chest. In the inner left pocket, he had a bone flute and a bell, and in the right pocket, he had the clockwork clown. Fortunately, all three items were relatively small, so they didn't protrude through his clothes.
After this period of testing, he found that the clockwork clown's mainspring had an upper limit. When spirituality was infused to a certain extent, the mainspring would lock again and could not be wound. In this situation, the mainspring could last for about three minutes. However, for close combat, three minutes was already quite sufficient.
The carriage drove all the way to Tingen City's most exclusive Golden Wattle district, stopping in front of a high-end detached villa. This villa, belonging to the Dorset family, was even better than Mr. Azk's, covering a vast area, surrounded by flower gardens, artificial fountains, and lawns. Straight, wide paths connected the scattered stables, gardener's house, servant's quarters, wine cellar, and other areas.
At this moment, a large number of police officers were guarding the outside.
Lu Ze and Frey, led by Police Inspector Toler, entered the main building. They saw several elegantly dressed men and women in the living room being surrounded by police officers, who were asking them questions. The police were very respectful, and the expressions on the faces of these noble individuals, in addition to arrogance, also contained a hint of embarrassment and anger.
What kind of death did that viscount suffer to make them all look like this?
Lu Ze became even more curious.
They went up to the second floor, to the scene. Toler motioned for the police guarding the bedroom to step aside, then handed each of them a pair of white gloves. "Please, both of you, we hope you can find some clues for us."
The two put on their gloves, pushed the door open, and then saw an unbelievable scene.
They saw Viscount Dorset's body covered by a white sheet, with a certain protrusion on his body propping the sheet up high. Even though he was already dead, he maintained this posture.
Both of them were dumbfounded.
"This… this is truly… quite stiff."
A moment later, Frey said hesitantly, a hint of discomfort appearing on his usually cold face.
Yes, we still have to lift the white sheet to examine the body later. I really don't want to see that kind of scene.
Lu Ze was also speechless.
Frey scanned the room left and right, and easily found some powder on the bedside table.
"Mummy powder, for arousal."
He showed no surprise at all.
"Poor Lord Viscount."
Lu Ze shook his head, and for some reason, a sentence suddenly popped out of his mouth, "I think he might need a deeper coffin."
"Why?"
"Because if it's too shallow, the coffin lid might be pushed up."
After Lu Ze finished speaking, the corresponding scene involuntarily appeared in his mind, and then with a puff, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Ah hahahaha!"
His laughter grew stronger, completely uncontrollable, and he burst out laughing. His laughter was so intense that it even traveled outside the door.
"Lu Ze, keep your voice down!"
Frey reminded him.
"Hahahaha! I can't control it!"
But Lu Ze simply couldn't stop. He covered his mouth with his hand, but the laughter still squeezed out from the corners of his lips, echoing loudly in the bedroom. He saw the door being pushed open, Police Inspector Toler looking at them in astonishment, and also saw the several furious nobles rushing up from downstairs.
Oh no, this is not just social suicide anymore.