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Hobert glanced around the café. There were few customers at this hour, and the two waiters were chatting idly at the counter.
He quietly asked Xio, "Have you heard of Beyonders called 'Swindlers'?"
Xio was slightly taken aback, as this essentially revealed their identities as Beyonders. But she quickly realized there was no need for secrecy—Hobert must have heard from Miss Audrey that she was a Beyonder. And Hobert, knowing a Beyonder doctor, was surely one himself.
Xio considered Hobert's question: "I've heard some Beyonders take pleasure in fraud."
Hobert nodded. "That's likely referring to 'Swindler', Sequence 8 of the Marauder pathway. Fortunately, Swindlers aren't skilled fighters. If we're not deceived, I think the two of us could subdue one."
Xio frowned, not expecting this seemingly ordinary commission to involve Beyonders. "Are you saying Zachary is a Swindler?"
"It's possible. The gang leader and insurance company manager personas could be identities he crafted," Hobert said. "Or he might not be, and someone else is behind this."
He finished his cheap coffee. "I wanted to warn you, Miss Xio, that our investigation may require preparation for confronting a Beyonder. That's the main reason I sought your cooperation."
Xio nodded. "Thank you for the warning. However, while we're cooperating, we won't be splitting the payment equally after completing the commission. You'll collect your fee from your client, and I'll get mine from my client."
Hobert smiled. "Of course."
He then asked, "Do you know the Cuckoo Bar?"
"Ah, having a partner familiar with the East Borough is truly delightful."
Xio neither appreciated nor disliked Hobert's praise. She silently paid for the coffee and led Hobert to the Cuckoo Bar.
The Cuckoo Bar was typical of the East Borough. Opening the door, Hobert felt like he'd entered the Blue Knight Bar with a different sign. The same raucous laughter and pungent odors, the same drunken, hazy-eyed patrons eyeing newcomers, the same shifty characters whispering in corners.
Xio, clearly accustomed to such establishments, nonchalantly hopped onto a barstool and ordered a simple meal.
Hobert checked his pocket watch, realizing it was lunchtime. The bar's simple fare included mashed potatoes, meat pies, and not-so-fresh salad, all cheaper than the café's offerings.
He didn't rush to inquire about Zachary's whereabouts. Instead, he ordered a meal and wolfed it down.
Having once survived on instant noodles for a week, Hobert was highly tolerant of food quality. Audrey's housekeeper, Lisa, would likely refuse to touch anything here.
Hobert finished first and struck up a conversation with the bartender: "Let's chat about the latest news at the Cuckoo Bar."
The bartender was about to ask for a tip but suddenly found the gentleman's suggestion quite reasonable. It was just a chat, after all–no need for a tip. "Certainly, sir. I heard the Blue Knight Bar's boss, Weir, is back. Seems the rumors of his paralysis were false..."
Xio, who had been prepared to watch the young master Hobert make a fool of himself, was surprised. She realized this might be Hobert's Beyonder ability.
She marveled at how convenient this power was, effortlessly "persuading" others.
Meanwhile, Hobert, growing more adept with his Lawyer Beyonder abilities, thought to himself: I've already paid for the meal, no need to tip you!
After sharing two trivial pieces of gossip, the bartender continued, "I heard Boss Zachary swindled a large sum of money. Some say he's enjoying life in Desi Bay, while others claim he fled to the Berserk Sea."
Hobert inquired, "When did he leave the Cuckoo Bar?"
Hobert nodded, noting it matched Mr. Robin's timeline. He then asked, "Do you know or have you heard of a Mr. Heyman?"
The bartender shook his head. "I haven't heard of him."
Hobert thanked him for the information.
As he was about to discuss the next steps with Xio, a middle-aged man with a kind face and a warm smile approached them. "Gentlemen– oh, pardon me, sir and miss, you seem quite interested in Boss Zachary's whereabouts?"
Hobert countered, "And you are?"
The man politely tipped his hat. "Sir, I'm Darkholm, the new boss of the Cuckoo Bar. You know, someone has to handle the dirty work."
He continued, "Zachary was a respectable boss, but he's long left Backlund. I've taken over his operations. I can show you to the treasure room–if you see anything you like, I'll give you a discount."
As he spoke, he kept winking at Hobert.
Hobert was puzzled, wondering if they were being mistaken for buyers of stolen goods. "Treasure room"? Why not call it a "treasure vault"?
Before Hobert could decipher Darkholm's winks, the man was already pulling him towards the exit, still winking. "Don't worry, we'll have exactly what you're looking for."
Hobert decided to play along and followed Darkholm out of the bar, with Xio jumping off her stool to follow closely.
In a corner outside the bar, Darkholm wore an expression of narrow escape. "You two, I just saved your lives. You don't know, but the bar is full of Zachary's loyal subordinates. Asking about his whereabouts was practically suicidal."
Hobert felt like he was dealing with a street con artist. The "I saved your lives" routine was far too simplistic.
Neither Hobert nor Xio thanked him, seemingly waiting for Darkholm to continue his performance.
Undeterred by the lack of audience response, Darkholm maintained his air of camaraderie. "I saved you out of genuine goodwill and respect for the Goddess. Her oracle teaches us to help others within our means."
He sighed. "Ah, you don't know my predicament. Zachary treated me as a mere pawn, placing me in the bar to entertain guests, but I had no real authority."
"But I have true information about Zachary. He hasn't actually left Backlund; he's just in hiding."
"I sincerely want to help you both. For the right price, I can take you to him."
Hobert exposed his ploy: "You're trying to use us against Zachary so you can become the true boss of the Cuckoo Bar, aren't you?"
Darkholme smiled kindly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of cunning. "You've seen right through me."