Although the unexpected visit caught Shade a bit off guard, fortunately, Mrs. Lawrence was a reasonable person. After reading through the detailed report in its entirety, her disappointment regarding today's visit was significantly lessened
"Since the investigation has concluded, why didn't you deliver the report to me immediately? Was it because of Mr. Spyro Hamilton's sudden illness?"
The noblewoman inquired politely, placing the report by her side. She was fashionably dressed, with a ruffled collar that accentuated her fair neck. Although she appeared considerably older than Madame Lasoya, her temperament was exceptional.
"After I took over this agency, I organized Uncle Spyro's remaining commissions. My original intention was to supplement the end of the report with the final follow-up investigation that couldn't be completed due to Uncle Spyro's illness, so I conducted another follow-up on Lasoya last Saturday."
Shade put on a troubled expression, then shooed away the ginger cat that had approached out of concern. Sitting on the single armchair, he spoke to the client in a very worried tone
"In my investigation, Madame Lasoya's background seems complicated. She appears to... have connections with local illegal social organizations."
He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa, projecting his anxiety
"It is very dangerous."
He then adopted an even more hesitant manner and stopped speaking. Mrs. Lawrence nodded, as if she understood perfectly.
Shade wasn't quite sure what she understood.
"You believe that continuing the investigation would be dangerous, and that submitting the report might allow that shameless woman to discover your surveillance of Spyro Hamilton, so you decided to abandon further investigation."
The noblewoman summarized, having nearly guessed Shade's thoughts
"Yes, that's exactly it. I don't want to get into trouble because of this. Of course, by doing this, I am effectively terminating the investigation myself. If you require it, I can return the advance payment Uncle Spyro collected, and you may take this report with you, but I have nothing more to do with this matter... Please forgive my bluntness, but I also hope you do not involve yourself too deeply in this."
Madame Lasoya was connected to the illegal organization [Mercury Blood], and this organization was currently planning to make a major move. Since the professors had helped Shade sever all ties with [Mercury Blood], Shade had no desire to have any further contact with illegal organizations.
"Detective, thank you for your kindness, but I don't care what kind of background that woman has. Do I not have a background myself?"
Mrs. Lawrence, whose sole focus was finding evidence of her husband's infidelity, said while tilting her head up.
"But that Madame Lasoya, she..."
Shade didn't know how to express it. He truly did not want this already pitiable woman to meet with misfortune because she misunderstood his meaning.
"She not only has connections with the upper aristocracy, but also with the local gangs. Do you understand? She is the kind of person who can bring us misfortune through either legal or illegal means."
Shade tried his best to exaggerate the opponent's influence.
"Detective, I understand your good intentions, but I am not a housewife who stays home all day."
Hearing this, Shade immediately recalled the client's basic information. Although Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were not nobles, they were major factory owners; their combined industries were enough to intimidate an inexperienced outsider. They had not built everything from nothing; both came from prosperous families, and their marriage was laced with elements of interest.
If Detective Spyro hadn't been so renowned for his expertise in investigating extramarital affairs, a client of this caliber would never have come here. Therefore, Mrs. Lawrence's claim of having "means" was not mere self-praise.
Seeing that Shade wanted to say more, the noblewoman shook her head and said with feigned mystery
"Detective, the world is actually not as simple as we think."
The ordinary woman spoke to the outlander Circle Mage. Her perfume was strong, but unexpectedly not overpowering; at least Mia did not show any dissatisfaction with the client.
"The world is like a series of isolated islands, Detective, but reality lies outside those islands. In this world, there are some very miraculous people—powerful, effective, eerie, and dangerous. I have met some such people during my afternoon tea gatherings with other housewives; they are capable of solving my troubles."
Shade naturally understood what she was implying but did not know how to react in his shock.
The Kingdom had deep cooperative ties with the Divine Church. Although the three Great Arcane Academies were hidden outside of civilized society, they all had varying degrees of connection to the nobility and the Royal Family—a point Professor Sanchez had mentioned when discussing Miss Louisa. Furthermore, Circle Mages of non-regular backgrounds might appear alongside ordinary people for the sake of gold pounds or other reasons. Thus, Mrs. Lawrence's claim of knowing Circle Mages likely didn't mean she knew scammers
"Is that so?"
He believed his expression must look quite strange at this moment
"That is good to hear. But Madame Lasoya is truly dangerous. Regardless of what means you have, please be sure to be careful and cautious."
The young detective nodded.
"Yes, of course I understand. If I truly intend to do something, I will certainly be very cautious, and I will not allow myself to show my face before her... This investigation report is excellent; I can use it to track the movements of that shameless woman and my husband."
She rolled up the report and placed it into her small lady's handbag. Then, she took out her wallet, opened the brass clasp, and placed two gold coins—each representing one pound—on the tea table between them. Her fingers, painted with red nail polish, pressed lightly on the coins
"I am very sorry for the death of Detective Spyro Hamilton; he was a very reliable man. This is the final payment for this commission. Detective, the remaining matters have nothing to do with you, nor will they involve you."
The noblewoman gave Shade a polite smile, then straightened her skirt and stood up.
The original final payment was "1 pound and 7 shillings," but it had now become "2 pounds." Shade was unsure if he should express his gratitude. He stood up to see her off, and while being polite, he vaguely understood that she would never appear in this house again
"Mrs. Lawrence..."
In the first-floor foyer, Shade called out to the noblewoman as she was about to step out. He naturally could not reveal his identity as a Circle Mage, but he did not want her to meet with misfortune
"Please be careful. Even if you have very good friends, Madame Lasoya herself is quite extraordinary. She is a very dangerous person."
Mrs. Lawrence turned and smiled at him
"Detective Hamilton, you are truly a good man. But I think, compared to your uncle, you are actually not suited to being a detective here."
"Hmm? Why is Spyro Hamilton's reputation so poor? Little Franklin seemed to dislike him last time as well," Shade thought to himself, standing on the stairs and watching Mrs. Lawrence open the door to the first-floor apartment and board the carriage waiting for her at the entrance.
The young detective walked to the door, standing on the stone steps of No. 6 St. Delan Square, watching the private carriage circle half the square's streets under the gloomy sky before disappearing into the distance. He felt deeply anxious about what might happen next.
In the stifling summer of Tobesque City, it seemed as though it was about to rain.