Watching the security team's carriage disappear in the direction of the old city district, Jorgen remembered that he was supposed to pick up the cheese he had ordered long ago from Elin Tias's cheese shop today.
Elin was four years younger than Jorgen, but he had already retired. The two had been partners for decades.
"Dad's upstairs, go find him yourself," Elin's daughter Elaine said without looking up from the counter.
"Oh." Jorgen nodded awkwardly and went upstairs to the shop.
As Jorgen pushed open the door, he saw Elin hurriedly wrapping something up, saying "Ah, you're here," before immediately handing the package to Jorgen. "This is your share, take it."
Jorgen weighed the package.
"Is there 5 pounds here?"
"You doubt that I didn't give enough? Has decades of detective life taught you to treat old friends as suspects too? You disappoint me, Jorgen..."
"No offense. You have something here, Elin." Jorgen pointed to Elin's left chin.
"Where?" Elin wiped the cheese crumbs on his chin with his finger and hastily wiped it on his trouser leg. "Oh, thank you."
After receiving the cheese, Jorgen didn't seem to want to leave. He pulled up a chair and sat down, saying, "Do you remember the case that happened in the dwarf district two weeks ago?"
"Of course I remember. Architect Oliver had his neck wiped, and the criminal used his blood to write two characters on the wall - what were they?"
"A similar case happened today."
"What case? How is it similar?"
"A body was found in the canal with the two large characters 'V3' carved on its back, just like the ones found next to Oliver's body."
"Back, back," Elin wrapped his left hand around his back, frowning as he imagined what it would look like to have words carved there. "Oh, that must have hurt. So, what are you trying to say?"
"This is definitely not an isolated case. Coincidentally, I know the second victim, his name is Raiden Fandaron, who works in the Population Audit Office..."
"Don't tell me you want to get involved. This matter may not even be under the jurisdiction of Military Intelligence Section Seven, not to mention Mathias's attitude towards you now."
"He made it clear to me this morning, thanking me for my contributions over the years and such."
"That rascal! But I think he's right. You're old, Jorgen, we both are," Elin said. "Remember when we climbed two snow-capped mountains in Dun Mor one breath to chase a troll? We can't do that now. What old men should do is enjoy life."
"I know, I know."
Elin sniffed. "Well, my daughter's lamb soup is almost ready. How about staying for dinner?"
"Never mind," Jorgen stood up. "I think Elaine is particularly unhappy with me today."
Elin escorted Jorgen to the door of the shop. The setting sun's afterglow, like a faint golden tide, covered the rooftops of Stormwind's houses.
"Jorgen, do you know why Elaine doesn't like you?" Elin asked.
"Are you finally going to tell me?"
Elin sighed.
"From the time Elaine was a child, the smell of blood on you has made her uneasy." Elin paused before continuing. "We both do dirty jobs. But after the work is done, I have to turn myself back into an ordinary person, otherwise, my daughter won't hug me. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I think I can understand."
"Jorgen, you are very dedicated and hardworking. But you take selling your life for Military Intelligence Section Seven more seriously than anything else. You are too harsh on the people around you. Look at you! Fifty years old, no wife, no children. This is not the life you deserve."
"Elin, perhaps you're not the first person to say these words to me." Jorgen's fingers rubbed the edge of the cheese package.
Elin sighed again.
"As an old friend, I want to advise you about this murder case, let it go, and live a more normal life."
"Thank you for your advice," Jorgen nodded, "and thank you for the cheese."
Then he left, walking into the alleys of Stormwind with the fading sunlight.