Book 3: Chapter 1: (15)

Book 3: Chapter 1: (15)

Mr. Maybell was looking straight at Cami with a bewildered expression. She shared the same feelings as him, and her expression was a mix of numbness and stress.

Mr. Maybell. he was with you until around dinner, right? Yes he definitely was with us. But, I never thought Do you have any idea of where he went? No idea. This is the first time anything like this has happened

Ms. Maybell muttered as she was clinging closely to her husband

But we did find this note taped to the wall over his desk Did he leave it?

It was torn off a notebook. Some unfamiliar characters were scribbled along the paper rashly. It was a language and writing that did not come from earth. Cami couldnt read it

That cheeky bastard. Theres no way we can read this at all. I wonder what it says This is a dialect of Farbani

Muttered Jamie quietly, who had been listening intently to the entire conversation. Among the Special Vice Squad, she was the most well versed when it came to languages.

What does it say? Seems to be easy to read

Answered Jamie

This is for Norune. Thats all

~o~O~o~

After showing the picture of the note that Jamie and Cami had sent over to Tilarna, she groaned and raised her voice

Nyath!

She brashly returned the portable device to Matoba, and kicked the cars dashboard. The Volkswagen that was parked on a random road in the San Juan neighborhood swung from side to side, and a homeless man that was gathering several empty cans on the side of the road got startled at the noise.

Why did he do something so stupid? Four people died, and theres no way to bring them back. What happened? Why Mendoza? Where did he go? She was feeling completely lost.

If only I had called out to him and stopped him when we passed by each other after the elevator Tilarna was biting her own lips fiercely with regret and frustration. Matoba was looking at the screen of his terminal and reading some incoming information.

Nobody wouldve expected that boy to do something like that. Letting him pass us by was the normal thing to do back then But- Before getting pent up with frustration, take a deep breath and use your head. We still have a lot of stuff we dont know. It would be odd if it was Nyath who killed Mendoza and the other guys Thats true We cant say anything with just this note. However, it is true that he was at the site of the explosion Seems like it

Matoba kept using his terminal.

He was caught on several cameras in different neighborhoods and streets on his way from North Zalze to Corinthos. From 7:31 to 8:15. He had dinner with both his parents and then immediately snuck out of his house, and headed to Mendozas apartment. The route he took complies with that What happened afterwards? Did no other cameras catch him? None. Theres only so many cameras we can check right away, and theres much less surveillance at night. And if on top of that he changed his clothes, then he would be almost impossible to identify Have the patrols not found him either? So far, yeah

Information about Nyaths physical appearance was already given to patrol cars all over the city. They werent given an emergency warning or anything, but officers were told to keep it in mind and to detain him if they ran into him. They were told to keep an eye on any young people that they saw walking around that also looked like him, and to ask him to identify himself if they had the time.

Tilarna looked at her wristwatch. It was 3:16 in the morning.

That watch. Not even twelve hours ago had Nyath looked down on her wealth and indifference because of it. You probably wouldnt get it even in a million years is what he had said.

Did Nyath know about Norunes death by that moment already? Tilarna didnt think so. If he had known about it, he wouldnt have just stormed off like that. He would have been more upset, and he wouldnt have been gossipping with Tilarna all along before that.

Kei What? Do you think maybe Nyath liked Norune? Well obviously he liked her, that was why they were friends. He even went out to get revenge for her and everything Not that kind of like compared to the kind of relationship I had with him, it would be uh Ah

Matoba nodded, looking like he had just understood something

Well, he was a teenage boy after all. Its obvious he would feel all sorts of vague and confusing things for girls. I think he probably liked Norune, but maybe he was also interested in you after you just showed up. He didnt even have to realize it himself either. It was probably something like that

Even after hearing that, her uneasy feelings were still not cleared up.

I dont really get it Look

After hesitating for a bit, Matoba looked like he had made up his mind, and said

Since it was just a kid that had caught your attention during your infiltration, I had mostly been poking fun at you for it so far but now that its come to this Ill tell you something. Dont develop any feelings for Nyath.

His voice was rough. It felt like he had just poured a bag full of ice on her during her slumber.

Depending on how things unfold from now, you may have to end up attacking him. No, you may actually have to end him. In any case, any personal feelings for him will end up getting in the way No. Theres no way that I For instance, say Nyath points a gun at me, what would you do? Would you attack me without holding back? No way. Theres no way that I would ever attack you!!

The strength behind her words of denial even took her by surprise. Matoba looked somewhat surprised as well. Even though he was driving, he still had his eyes wide open, and he was looking straight at Tilarna.

Thats uh because its my work. I would never recklessly attack my partner. Besides, that would make Kuroi sad for sure Well, thanks for that Look to the front, please. Its dangerous. Uh, yeah

Matoba corrected the course of the car, as it had been slowly moving towards the center of the road.

In any case whats true is that we dont know if things will get to that point. I dont usually mess up, but it will only get in the way if youre so unstable. Okay? Okay So do you think you could cut him?

Tilarnas eyes were watering up with tears. But she replied in a high pitched voice

I think I could do it. Probably. If its just cutting off a hand or something Hey I get it. Ill cut his head off then No, listen. Its not like Im not telling you to go around cutting him all over Youre not?! I hate your attitude Im not. Ah, man it always turns out like this whenever I try to be a serious cop for once and tell you something. Whats up with you and your insane ramblings? Rakebye Ah, I dont care about it anymore

He pressed on the accelerator.

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