"Who is it you're tracking?" Xio asked eagerly. She'd always felt indebted to Ebner, so hearing he needed help instantly sparked her interest.
"It's the owner of a clothing shop. Lately, his behavior has been... unusual." Ebner 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 on her own to do something risky without telling Fors, she'd always been just as secretive.
Her guess fit with Ebner's suspicions. He was keen to 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 that could endanger her.
"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!" Ebner 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 'Azure Star,' which disrupts the mind for one or two seconds. It should work as protection if things go awry." Now, Ebner 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 thought she'd return it to him later.
After breakfast, they parted ways, and Ebner took the subway to the Cherwood Borough, heading for a few of the public libraries. As a "Reader," he wasn't limited to studying mysticism; the histories, politics, and literature of this world were just as important to him if he wanted to fully digest the potion.
"Excerpts of Emperor Roselle's Writings," "The Intis Consul's Journals," "The Secret History of Emperor Caesar..." Ebner sighed as he stared at an entire shelf of books spawned from his "transmigrator" predecessor's influence. What could he say? Roselle's reputation still had traction even after over a hundred years.
Yet, these books were undeniably part of this world's "knowledge." So, with little choice, he began to read.
...
Reading hours passed quickly. When Ebner left the library, it was already one in the afternoon. He grabbed a Deasy meat pie to fill 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.
Ebner, intrigued by the prospect, nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir."
They boarded the carriage and made their way to the Cherwood Borough Police Station.
On the way, Detective Isengard filled Ebner in on the case. "I don't know all the details yet, but I do know that 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."
As Ebner listened, he noticed something peculiar. "You don't know the details… yet you know so much already?"
Detective Isengard raised an eyebrow, amused by his student's skepticism. "I have… friends in the force who keep me well-informed."
Ebner silently accepted this explanation, his suspicion giving way to respect for his mentor's network and influence.
Upon arriving at the Cherwood Borough police 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 Fasson said courteously.
"No need for thanks; we're old friends, after all," Detective Isengard replied with a genial smile, then nodded to the stack of files on the desk. "Are the case files here?"
"Yes, all here." Fasson 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, efficiency in every word.
"Certainly. We're eager for your help in bringing these missing people home safely," Fassin said, happy to comply.
After the inspector had left to arrange things, Isengard noticed his student's thoughtful look.
"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Inspector Fassin seems unusually deferential to you. Isn't that 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.
Ebner 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 his mentor's shift to work mode, Ebner quickly opened the files and set about sorting and analyzing each record.
An hour later, he looked down at his notes, quietly activated his White Eye, and fell into contemplation. A few moments later, he raised his head, eyes meeting Isengard's. "I think these eleven disappearances were the work of more than one culprit."
"Oh?" Isengard's surprise turned to an appreciation for his student's analytical skills. He had no idea that Ebner 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 were connected, and the other five were separate incidents."
Ebner 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, and we don't need to pursue them further."
"And the remaining two?" Ebner asked, curious. 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 cases."
"Yes, sir." Ebner was eager for the chance to investigate. He found he enjoyed the work of investigation, far more so than reading "The Collected Sayings of Emperor Roselle."
Inspector Fassin had already arranged for an officer to assist Ebner. Although the officer seemed less than thrilled with his assignment, he offered no resistance.
The officer, a young man with a single V-stripe on his shoulder named Aetris, didn't bother to hide his distaste. Ebner greeted him politely.
"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 townhome with a garden, home to Mr. and Mrs. Hayd and their two children.
The missing person was Mr. Hayd's younger son, who disappeared yesterday, on Wednesday afternoon. According to his sister, Miss Rachel Hayd, who was at home practicing piano at the time, her brother had gone out after a friend called to him from the garden. But the maid, who was stationed near the front door, claimed she hadn't heard anyone call or knock on the door all afternoon.
Recalling these details, Ebner looked over the house and the garden, then sighed.
"Did you all really investigate this thoroughly?" Ebner asked, glancing at Aetris.
"What do you mean?" Aetris asked, bewildered.
"Do you have a loud voice, Officer?" Ebner asked in return.
"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 the sound of her piano?"
Aetris blinked, and then his eyes widened in realization. "Are you saying Miss Rachel was lying?"
"I'm saying it's unlikely she could have heard anyone calling her brother unless she was supposed to." Ebner 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.
Ebner 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 liked the 'Moon' tarot card…"