Ethan shrugged indifferently and replied in agreement,
"Yeah, you're right, but I don't mind cutting the meat with you… you know, just to save some time. Besides, the stock's empty, and we've got to fill it up again."
Gabriel nodded with a faint smile and began walking with Ethan to deliver the dead skin — the result of the victim's resistance before death — to the lab, so they could analyze the sample and identify whose DNA it belonged to, leaving the rest to the investigators.
After half an hour, both Ethan and Gabriel exited the building. They got into the car, Gabriel turned the keys, started the engine, and began driving back to his mansion to finish his work and prepare dinner the way he liked it.
---
Data Update:
Current Location: [Oakridge Estate]
Current Time: [5:22]
---
After two hours of driving, Gabriel and Ethan finally arrived at the mansion — owned by Gabriel Krauss.
Ethan opened the iron gate, which made an awful screeching noise that grated on the ears. He stopped immediately, covered one ear with his hand, then looked at Gabriel, who didn't seem bothered at all.
"Are you seriously not gonna fix that door? Or— fine, just… oil it a little, at least!"
Gabriel smiled, patted Ethan on the head silently, and continued walking toward the entrance without saying a word. Ethan stared at him, unimpressed, like a tired babysitter dealing with a stubborn kid. Sigh. He rolled his shoulders in boredom and muttered as he followed him inside,
"Well, he's never gonna change, so… let's just get this done fast. I really need some sleep."
Ethan stepped inside, squinting as the dim lights of the mansion's hallway hit his eyes. The smell of dust and old things filled his nose, making him sneeze.
He turned to his left, staring at the strange paintings hanging on the walls — most of them depicting historical battles, and others showing wild beasts tearing apart small deer.
Ethan quickly looked away, yawning as he muttered,
"Art… I'll never get it. Like an Italian guy putting ketchup on pasta — just doesn't make sense."
While Ethan mocked the paintings, Gabriel had already reached the basement door. He turned around to find Ethan laughing to himself, clearly amused by his own jokes. Gabriel rubbed his face in exhaustion and called out coldly,
"Ethan, get over here. Now."
Ethan turned, whistling casually.
"What?"
Gabriel sighed, gesturing toward the basement with his hand. His voice was dry.
"The body's in the freezer. Did you forget why you're here and not at home?"
Ethan looked up at the ceiling, replying with mock surprise as he walked lazily toward him,
"Oooh, the body! I totally forgot— haha! Alright, I'm coming, partner~."
Gabriel let out another tired sigh and went down into the dark basement. Ethan followed quickly, closing the door behind him with a grin that didn't look the least bit natural.
For hours, muffled sounds came from behind the door — slicing, chopping, the tearing of flesh from bone — followed by the rustle of plastic bags being filled. The noise continued until sunrise.
When the two finally came out of the basement, Ethan could barely move from exhaustion. His clothes were soaked in blood, his face somehow looking worse than his outfit, and he was carrying several bags filled with strangely colored fresh meat.
Gabriel followed behind him, eyes lifeless — the kind of look that made it impossible to tell if he was tired or planning to kill someone slowly. He looked even worse than Ethan and carried the same amount of meat bags in both hands.
Ethan turned toward Gabriel sluggishly and asked,
"So… is today gonna be a day off or what?"
Gabriel smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward with odd energy,
"Don't worry. We'll go to the meeting at noon."
He walked past him toward the kitchen, placing the meat into the huge fridge before continuing,
"This meeting's important for people like us. We go every month."
Ethan's jaw dropped in disbelief. He looked around, then dropped his head in defeat, letting out a long sigh.
"Guess I'm living on Red Bull again… great."
---
[Later at the Forensic Building]
Gabriel and Ethan were in the lab, receiving the DNA analysis results. The first suspect in the case had been identified.
Gabriel lifted the report and began reading carefully.
"Silas Crowe, thirty-two years old. Quite the record — a few thefts, drug dealing at seventeen, and accused in several random murder cases."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes with a mocking smile.
muttering to himself
"Hm. Seems like you're a hardworking young man, Silas. But you're far too messy." a small laugh
"I wanted to help you, but you're not the type who deserves saving."
While Gabriel was lost in his own thoughts, Ethan called out from across the room, snapping him back to reality.
"HEY!"
"DOC!"
Without looking up, Gabriel responded calmly,
"What is it now, Ethan?"
Ethan replied, "Detective Robert and Sarah just arrived."
Gabriel finally turned his head and saw the detectives walking in. He smiled coolly, set the report aside, and began approaching them with steady steps.
As Gabriel reached them, Detective Robert turned and smiled, extending his hand.
"Doc. Good to see you again."
Gabriel shook his hand firmly, replying with genuine warmth,
"Likewise, Detective Robert."
Robert straightened up, glancing around the spotless white lab. The smell of disinfectants and medical instruments lingered in the air. He turned back to Gabriel and asked,
"So, Doc. Where's the report?"
Gabriel looked down at the black folder in his hand, then at Robert. Lifting it slightly, he said dryly,
"Here it is. The primary suspect's been identified."
Robert smiled, took the folder, and began flipping through the pages beside Gabriel as they discussed the details of the case.
Meanwhile, Ethan was standing next to Detective Sarah. She seemed both curious and slightly nervous as she asked,
"So! You work here, right?"
Ethan, clearly exhausted and half-asleep, replied lazily,
"Yeah, that's obvious. I'm just an assistant, but I basically do the same stuff the doctor does."
Sarah began looking around the lab like a curious kid before turning back to Ethan.
"So… how do you even handle, you know, corpses every day?"
Ethan lifted a hand sluggishly, speaking slowly,
"I got used to it. Besides, you're worse than me. You're the detective here."
Sarah laughed softly, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. She looked down for a moment before meeting Ethan's half-lidded eyes again.
"You know what? I just wanted to… say thank you again. So… thanks."
Ethan blinked, confused.
"Wait, you're thanking me for… long yawn what, exactly?"
Sarah frowned slightly,
"You know, because you were the only one who stood by me last night— when I almost messed up the crime scene."
Her voice grew quiet, eyes dropping in shame. "Because I was too weak to handle it."
Ethan leaned against the table, watching her blame herself for her fear. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said softly,
"Sarah. You shouldn't blame yourself for being afraid."
She raised her head, her voice trembling,
"How could I not? This is my first time as a detective, and it's hard. Everything's strange, there's pressure, work— and—"
"Shhhh."
Ethan interrupted, placing a finger on her lips. He spoke with a sleepy drawl,
"Listen, Sarah."
"Hmph?"
"You're overreacting. Seriously. Every new thing is hard at first. It's just a phase—you'll get used to this stuff and more. So stop being so dramatic, you're embarrassing yourself."
Sarah tried to keep a straight face but couldn't help laughing at his drowsy yet oddly wise tone. She gently moved his hand away and giggled,
"Oh my god! I don't know if I should be moved by what you said or just laugh at that sleepy face of yours!"
HAAHAHAAHH!
Ethan chuckled while yawning,
"So, are you gonna stop being dramatic about your job?"
Barely catching her breath, Sarah laughed, holding her stomach,
"Alright, alright. I'll stop being dramatic. But you, my friend, need some coffee."
While Ethan and Sarah were lost in their cheerful exchange, Gabriel glanced at his watch — it was already three in the afternoon. He smiled faintly, then looked out the window, spotting a gray car waiting below.
He turned to Detective Robert, shook his hand firmly, and said,
"Well, Detective Robert, good luck with your case. My work here is done."
Robert raised an eyebrow, surprised by Gabriel's sudden change of tone.
"Wait, Doc, where are you going?"
Gabriel was already walking toward Ethan as he replied,
"I've just got some business to take care of. So… goodbye."
He reached Ethan, grabbed him by the collar, and spoke in a low voice while pulling him toward the door,
"Come on, Ethan. The meeting—don't forget."
Then, glancing at Sarah who waved at Ethan with a smile, he added sharply,
"And no flirting. Remember who you are, boy."
Ethan sighed deeply, walking beside Gabriel,
"Yeah, yeah… I won't forget."
Gabriel smirked.
"Good. Now, let's go."
The two of them left the building after changing into formal suits. They stopped in front of a luxurious gray car as a young driver stepped out, opened the doors for them, and spoke softly,
"Mr. Gabriel Krauss, the Spider Lady is honored to invite you… again."