BBDW 16 [Black Butterfly] - Nevereverland

Section 16 (UNEDITED)

“-Looking at her state, I don’t know if she’s alive, but she may be. Did you say you’re a detective?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m Jude. Well, please contact me as soon as her condition is stable. The number’s… here. She’s a criminal. If she has just regained consciousness and is asking for something weird, don’t listen.”

“What? A criminal? Wouldn’t it be better to go with her?”

Jude smiled and shrugged at the paramedic who arrived lightning-quick as he looked at him with somewhat scared eyes.

“I still have some work to do. I’ll take care of it before I go. I’ve contacted the station, so another detective will be there soon. Don’t worry, have a good day.”

“Eh, eh, eh …”

Answering a little clumsily, the paramedic boarded the ambulance carrying Mrs Sarkozy, who had fainted, and closed the door. While staring at the vehicle leaving with black smoke, Jude soon turned to the residents who came out of the door one by one at the sudden commotion. Their faces, which seemed to harbour no malice, were mixed with questions, vigilance, and light fear.

And Martha, who was standing the closest, came up to Jude, hesitatingly.

“Well, Detective? What’s going on? Why on earth did Mrs Sarkozy… did she get sick?”

Jude looked at Martha silently for a moment. It was a fact that he should have told her anyway. The fact that your close neighbour killed her husband and your father and your niece. Even more troubling, there was no malice at all. The impulse, like a drug addict, would be hard for this woman to understand. Furthermore, if the story goes to the frozen body in the basement, there will probably be a violent cry or denial. Her reasoning will break apart and disappear.

But before that, there was one question he had to ask.

“Ma’am, I have a question.”

“Yes? Yes, what….?”

“Did you hire a part-timer at home? Like taking a dog for a walk.”

“Oh, yeah, Albert. You know, Jane and his father used to walk the dog, but when things suddenly happened, everyone was in a state of panic…… and there was a student who travels on foot. He’s staying at a small inn nearby, and he asked if there’s anything he can do because he said his travel expenses have run out.”

“So, did you hire him as soon as you heard that?”

“Yes? Yes. The student looked so steady and spoke so quietly, he’s kind of like a college assistant. He speaks tactfully and talks to children sometimes. Not only did he walk my dog, but he also sometimes helped me with the housework. He helps with gardening. He usually worked in the morning or lunch, why do you ask?”

“……no……what did he look like?”

“Looks? His hair was light brown. Were his eyes blue? Was it a little grey? And he wore slightly thick-rimmed glasses. He also dresses neatly.”

“Is he still working part-time?”

The woman shook her head in bewilderment as she didn’t know why Jude was asking.

“No, he said he would only work until today and go on a trip again. He suddenly said that after work today. It was a shame, but I said yes. I can’t stop him.”

“How long has it been since he left?”

“It’s been hours.”

Jude nodded his head with an expressionless face, and from the doorway over there, Martha’s son, Luke, ran out. He was holding something in his hand. With Martha and Jude looking suspiciously, the brown-haired boy ran towards Jude in a glance. With a slightly recollected face, the boy held out what he had in his hand to Jude. It was a white envelope.

“…….Uh…….what is this, uh…….Luke?”

“Yes. Albert says, when the blond detective came back, he asked me to give this to him. He gave it to me on his way home from work today.”

“Oh, yes.”

Opening the white envelope, Jude pulled out the paper and spread it out. Now that he’s beginning to get used to it, Jude sighed a little.

-Did it end well?

It was a little better than last time. It wasn’t that boring to watch. The funny aspects of the conflict that took place in the poor lady’s life were interesting. It ended up like this, but it was going to happen sooner or later. Maybe she wanted it herself. I wrote last time that I found something interesting on my trip, but I didn’t know that detective would intervene. It was nice to see you, really. We didn’t have time to talk to each other because I made a small promise to myself to travel smoothly. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to put our appointment back a little bit. Stay healthy.

-Alvin Jones.

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