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“…I understand the situation, Euphemia. Zelaide, the police report states that the prostitute Manuela was killed right after you left.” Erica swiped away the image on her large IHT screen and faced the Beast Blood.
Erica realized the gravity of the situation after Euphemia’s foreboding call that morning and promptly contacted the precinct. Every minute of Erica’s day was scheduled. With the recent increase in Nightz-related crimes, the media had become more critical of her by the day, and the mayor had to stay a step ahead of everyone in order to maintain her position.
Her plate was full of approving new regulations and detailed policy revisions, but she managed to make time to hear her sister out before her next meeting.
“…I knew it,” Zelaide growled.
“She was killed in a one-story apartment she rented out for work in Out Circle’s District G. Considering the location and what the place was used for, only people who had business with her entered that room,” Erica said, reading off the facts of the investigation. “Since she ran a private business, there aren’t any coworkers who frequent the building either. Her only son lives elsewhere…”
“……”
“According to the forensics, she resisted her attackers to the bitter end. The room was destroyed and blood splatter is all over the ceiling and walls… Mia, leave the room if you don’t feel well,” Erica instructed after glancing at her sister.
“…No, I’m fine. I’ll listen to the rest of the report,” Euphemia insisted, acting strong despite her stark-white face.
Erica said nothing more on the matter and pointed to the data on the screen. “That apartment complex is used by multiple prostitutes to service their clients at night. It’s mostly empty during the day. That’s why no one came to check on her despite the noise. But a drunkard who passed in front of the room just past noon said he heard loud bangs coming from inside. From that, we can deduce that was the time of the crime. The body happened to be found by the apartment manager who came by to pick up rent this morning.”
“I left at noon. The timing adds up.”
“The cause of death is blood loss. More details will come out with the autopsy results... They will perform a necropsy, so we won’t know for sure until then. Do you know why she was killed?”
“Because I went to see her… They must’ve thought she was my mistress… I heard the news first thing this morning from an acquaintance. Has it already leaked to the media?”
“The police are on the case. They have their own information network, so it’s probably out there. But it’s possible they haven’t confirmed the victim is a Beast Blood woman. Either way, it will be on the news by the end of the day.”
“…Any other information?”
“I can’t tell if it’s connected, but there was a tip that an unfamiliar man had been loitering around the area since last week. Strange men are a dime a dozen in that district, but the tip giver said he seemed too well-dressed to be a client. Place being what it is, it’s hard to say if that man’s target was the victim or something else entirely. My people are looking into it.”
“I’ll ask around too. That said, Mayor Saionji…”
“What is it?”
“Sorry to say this now, but don’t you think it’s best if I stop hanging ’round your sister? Manuela ended up like that just after talkin’ to me…”
“No!” Euphemia shouted over him, breaking her patient silence.
Erica and Zelaide stared at her.
“Mia…”
“Zel wasn’t with that woman when she was killed! If he had been there, she wouldn’t have died! Besides, the enemy already knows I’m connected to Zel. And we’re the ones who roped him into this, asking him to protect me! Separating us now will only make it more dangerous for me! I’m a target, too!”
“Yumi… That’s why you should stay here…”
“No. I won’t be able to continue my research on the Mongolian gerbils! I don’t want to let the opportunity Director Burhardt gave me go to waste! He gave me a ton of advice just today, too. I need to continue my research!”
“Your life matters more,” Zel argued.
“You’ll protect me, won’t you, Zel? It’ll be less dangerous if we stay together all the time. Erica can make it so you can freely enter the lab—”
“That will just make it easier for them to target you both at the same time,” Erica calmly pointed out. “You should listen to his professional advice and stay—”
“I absolutely refuse!” Euphemia shot down Erica as well. “They’ll target us both? Sounds perfect to me! Then we will know who’s after us and who they’re working with in one go. I doubt they’ll come at us with heavy firepower. Zel can stick close to me and then I can get in touch with Wei for police assistance… I’ll become bait. Let’s drag out those cowardly scumbags who kill innocent people on a whim.”
“But—”
“Zel! You said you’ll protect me. Don’t abandon me now! Please, stay with me!”
Euphemia was desperate. Her research team had just started to get somewhere, she couldn’t give everything up after coming this far. Being ripped apart from Zelaide was just as unbearable.
“I don’t want to run or hide! I’ll fight back in my own way! Please let me do this, Erica—no, Mayor Saionji. Your little sister won’t flee in terror over this!” Euphemia declared with both feet planted firmly on the ground and her head held high.