In the afternoon, Elyon and Bell continued to analyze the case in the office. Elyon brought over a wooden board with a map of the Gonia district on it.
"Hand me two pushpins."
Bell handed over the pins, and Elyon used them to affix notes with the victims' names to their respective locations on the map.
The first victim was found on Birchwood Street in the western part of Gonia district, and the second on Starlight Street in the eastern part, roughly eight thousand yards apart. The killer likely resided somewhere between these two points. However, this midsection was the most densely populated area of Gonia district, with tens of thousands of residents—far too many for the handful of people at the port precinct to investigate. The only known detail was that the perpetrator wore a crimson coat, but it was unrealistic to assume they wouldn't disguise themselves. It would be simply too foolish not to.
"We're at a dead end," Elyon said, scratching his head—a gesture he brought with him from Earth that signaled he was grappling with a tough problem.
"Knock, knock, knock." There was a rapping at the door.
"When did Rita leave? Since when is she polite enough to knock?" Elyon mused aloud.
Bell shrugged, "She left after hearing our analysis and seeing Dr. Kraisinger's autopsy report. Said she could get her story into tomorrow's news if she hurried. That kind of politeness doesn't sound like Miss Rita."
"The door's unlocked, come in."
The door creaked open, and in walked a woman wearing a black vest over a white shirt, brown cropped pants, and a gray bowler hat. After hanging her hat on a hook, Elyon recognized her—it was a striking beauty, with pale skin partly concealed by the gray hat and brown hair, and her brown eyes sparkled in their round sockets. She was as lovely as his two sisters, Elyon thought.
He nudged Bell, who seemed to be lost in thought, and the teenager snapped to attention.
"Miss, this is a clerk's office. If you need to file a report or require other services, please go to the duty room on the left."
"I'm exactly where I need to be. Are you Elyon? It's so hot in here; you could at least offer some ice to cool down." The woman's voice was crisp but carried a tone of disdain. Elyon didn't take a liking to her.
"That would be me. And you are? I don't believe we've met."
"Didn't Captain Kappa tell you? I'm from the Special Actions Division, sent to guide you all in catching the 'k' organization."
Elyon scrutinized her, "Miss, I was informed we were getting support, not guidance. And your attire doesn't match the typical black garb of the Special Actions Division."
"They don't issue uniforms to interns, and I don't care for their all-black outfit—it doesn't exactly scream 'good guys.' This should prove my identity."
She handed over a note, its contents flamboyantly inscribed. Though difficult to decipher, Elyon managed to make out the captain's handwriting.
"You must assist Miss Emma Granger with this case."
Elyon read aloud, realizing it meant they were expected to offload any blame onto Miss Granger. No wonder the captain seemed in good spirits—someone was willing to take the fall. The name Granger rang a bell, but Elyon didn't dwell on it.
"Miss Emma, would you like something to drink? From today, we're here to assist you with the investigation."
"Do you have soda? Surely you don't expect us to drink tea in this heat."
"We don't have any at the moment, but I can buy some. Bell, can you fill Miss Emma in on the case details?"
Though the price of soda pinched his wallet, Elyon was more than willing to make the expense for someone eager to take responsibility. After reluctantly handing over a silver coin for five small bottles of soda at the corner store and enduring the shopkeeper's grinning like a profiteer, Elyon wiped the sweat from his brow and returned to the office. Emma was already flipping through his notes.
"For you, Miss Emma. Any thoughts?"
"Why isn't it cold? I suppose you don't have enough ice in this little place. Well, it'll have to do. Your collected clues are adequate, but why haven't you gone out to investigate?"
"Miss, our port precinct is just over a dozen people, including clerks and logistics, overseeing over a dozen blocks. We're already stretched thin managing daily patrols; we simply don't have the manpower for thorough investigations. Getting two people for this task is already at our limit."
"Then you'll accompany me this afternoon to search for clues."
"Aren't you seeing I'm still injured?"
"Just a hurt left hand, not your legs. Why can't you move?"
Elyon stopped arguing. Before making someone take the fall, it was best to comply with their requests—at the very least, it could prevent her from backing out.
"Now the question is, Miss, do you know how to drive?"
"Drive? I have a personal carriage."
It seemed he was in the company of a wealthy lady.
"Well, Miss Emma, the soda cost one shilling. Would you like to pay now or after you finish these five bottles?"
Emma spat out the soda in surprise, dousing Elyon, who calmly wiped his face with a handkerchief.
"How stingy can you be? You want money for the bit of soda I drank?"
"One shilling is my daily living expense, and I have two sisters to support for food and lodging. I can't afford to be wasteful."
"Sorry, I didn't realize you were under such a burden. Here, take this. I expect you to cover my drinks for the next few days." Emma took out a fancy wallet and handed Elyon a note.
It was a five-pound note, featuring Alfred the Great. Elyon marveled at her seemingly absent concept of money as he accepted the note equivalent to ten days of his salary.
"Where are we headed?" Elyon asked after he hopped into Emma's high-end carriage, which was more luxurious than the one he'd ridden with Chief Orion, complete with velvet cushions and silver-framed windows adorned with multicolored gemstones.
"Let's head to the scene of the second murder. We might find something useful there."
"Then off to Starlight Street."
Elyon checked his watch and sighed, realizing he'd likely be too late to pick up his sisters after school. He hoped for their safety.
"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to be going out with me?" Emma noticed Elyon's slight concern.
"The honor is all mine, but I have other matters to attend to later. I hope Miss Emma's detective game can be concluded quickly."
"This is not a game. We are going out to investigate a case. Can you take this seriously?"
"Of course, of course. I'm all ears to Miss Emma's commands," Elyon had no desire to argue and decided to go along with her whims. After all, he still had her five-pound note in his pocket.