098. Snake Creepers (1)
“I am the owner of this place.”
Two new cocktails were placed on the bar table.
From the intermittent bursting of bubbles, it looked like carbonic acid had been added.
Zervia erased the look of surprise from her face and looked at her opponent.
‘Did you stop by the management car store and find us and come to us?’
It’s in the bar, but in plain clothes.
It was not unusual because there were not one or two facilities operated.
Coincidentally, I did not know that we would meet in such a situation and at such a time.
Jason took out a business card and handed it to Vicious.
“I accidentally overheard the conversation a bit. I am Jason Weisser, the CEO of Supreme Security. Sergeant Vicious.”
There was a subtle emphasis on the two letters of the word “slope”.
If you don’t listen carefully, you won’t notice.
Vicious’s facial muscles twitched in response to the word.
It was a subtle movement that even he did not recognize, but Jason’s eyes did not miss it.
‘indeed.’
I didn’t know anything about the investigators.
No matter how great the information guild was, it was extremely difficult to investigate and deliver the personal information of those who were organized and dispatched on the same day.
However, the plan was not significantly affected.
A person’s tone of voice, facial expression, and gestures were meant to tell a lot about the owner.
no matter how hidden
irrespective of their own will.
“… It’s not really something to hide. This is Vicious. Seeing that you only give me business cards, it seems that you have already made an acquaintance with this inspector.”
Vicious took the business card and put it in the inside pocket of his coat.
Zervia said.
“You are diligent. Usually, there are many cases where there is a middle manager and entrusts the operation separately.”
“There is a manager, but when there is an important part to look out for, I tend to come directly to the store. It is because the information that can be verified is different from receiving a report in documents and seeing it in person. Anyway, you’ve put a lot of effort into the investigation, but you’re thirsty.”
The two looked at the freshly placed glass and swallowed a sip.
A strong refreshing feeling spread in the mouth with a subtle sweetness mixed with bitterness.
Vicious said with admiration.
“In terms of color and smell, it looks like a blue martini, but the taste is a little unique, isn’t it? The freshness and sweetness are much stronger than the existing ones… .”
“This drink is not on the menu. I changed the recipe a bit from the old one.”
“It’s amazing. It usually spoils the taste. Do you have any relevant qualifications?”
“It’s not like that, but I know about the mainstream. Alcohol is one of the things I drink more than water in business.”
Zerbia also agrees that the cocktail tastes great.
It had a strangely addictive taste, and he was sipping a few more sips without realizing it.
And in the next moment, when he heard what Vicious said, he almost spewed a cocktail.
“Mr. Jason, there are rumors that you are the agent of Blue Serpent Executive Cain. What do you think?”
She stared at Vicious with absurd eyes.
Without thinking of gradually narrowing the investigation network without the other party noticing it, they choose a method of confrontation without countermeasures like that.
It was then that she remembered that one of the reasons she disliked him was because of the diametrically opposed method of investigation.
“… … .”
On the contrary, Jason, who was asked the question, had a calm face.
He looked at the two with quiet eyes and opened his mouth.
“I tried to hide it as much as possible because it was not very respectful, but it seems that we cannot completely stop the rumors from spreading. Let’s change seats and talk.”
Jason called one of the staff members and whispered.
The employee nodded and disappeared into the hallway inside the hall.
“Let’s go.”
Jason turned and followed the staff.
Vicious, looking at his distant back, stood up.
And he shook his head towards Zervia, who was hesitant about what action to take.
“Aren’t you going, what are you doing?”
“… Before asking such a dangerous question, it’s a matter of discussion. Vicious Sergeant.”
Vicious’s lips twitched, but she didn’t notice.
“If you don’t go, I will go alone.”
Watching Vicious follow Jason away, she sighed and stood up.
* * *
We were guided to a luxurious room located at the inner end of the hallway.
“This is a room reserved for the VIP guests. I don’t think it’s a good place to host investigators.”
Expensive paintings on the walls.
Gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Even the tables and sofas looked like high-priced products that could not be compared with industrial products.
“As I warn you, if you are trying to buy us with money or anything else, you are very much wrong.”
Jason chuckled at Zervia’s words.
“I hope so. However, there is a part of the rumor that is wrong, so I have brought you here to tell you the truth. It’s probably because it’s a story that people are reluctant to talk about in places where there are many ears to hear.”
Soon, a staff member left the tray with alcoholic beverages and drinks and disappeared.
Jason said, breaking the stillness that filled the room again.
“I’m curious to know exactly what the rumors you got in the first place are.”
Vicious answered immediately.
“The predecessor of Supreme Security is Puttyland. The representative is Cain’s agent, who was in charge of Fertilland. It’s about two things.”
“It’s half right and half wrong.”
squeak.
The glass was poured, but no one raised it first.
Vicious and Zerbia had their hands near the scabbard of the waist, ready to engage in battle at any time.
As if the treatment would be different depending on the contents to come.
However, the party who was actually threatened was an innocent Tuo.
“First of all, the story of Cain’s agent is not true. I’ve seen it face to face while buying land and buildings, but it was always a relationship between the seller and the buyer. After that, we never met.”
“… … .”
“And the rumors that Puttyland was a forerunner are somewhat true. It wasn’t just buildings and land that were handed over when dealing with Cain.”
“You used all the mercenaries as they are.”
“Yes. Security guards are needed to protect the facility, and it is quite laborious to hire a new manpower. Of course, it took some time and money to conduct the training.”
“… … .”
“… … .”
The two investigators felt a moment of exhaustion.
Because his words were logically persuasive.
Rather than the assumption that Cain, no one else, left a trace.
Of course, it did not completely erase the suspicion, but it was true that the boundary had softened a little compared to the beginning.
“If you want, I can show you the new contract with the mercenaries.”
“it’s okay. So far.”
“please.”
It was Vicious and Zerbia’s reaction, respectively.
“Then we will prepare the documents and send them to each other. I can prepare it in front of you, Inspector.”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
“no. If there is anything we can help you, please let us know at any time during your stay in the city. Oh, and there are a few more rumors about Cain.”
As the story progressed, it was all raw information that I had to sell and check myself.
Cain was sighted on some street in the city.
Like seeing people with blue snake tattoos wandering around.
Other miscellaneous rumors.
The two investigators fell silent after writing down what they thought was important in their notebooks.
“If necessary for the investigation, you can use the devices in the room.”
said Jason.
When the panel on the table was manipulated, a bird’s eye view of the city made of holograms appeared.
“It’s amazing. It’s something you can only see at the headquarters of the National Police Agency. Isn’t this pretty expensive?”
“A brilliant idea can happen anywhere and anytime. This room is often used for business meetings, and it is quickly transformed into a conference room. As you know if you have used it, you can use other functions depending on the operation.”
Jason smiled softly and looked towards Zervia.
She pursed her lips to say something, but didn’t say anything as she decided that it would probably help the investigation.
“Then you can stay comfortably.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“… … .”
Jason went out and closed the door.
Kick- Kick.
When he looked up, he could see a woman coming in through the hallway entrance.
neat impression.
Appearance of mid twenties.
It was as if he stopped walking little by little and listened to the conversation coming from inside the room.
I could guess who it was.
Even if it wasn’t for the sword on the waist and the staff watching this side restlessly at the entrance to the hallway.
“You seem to be looking for a companion. You should go to the innermost room.”
“Oh, thank you.”
She bowed her head slightly to say hello, passed Jason and turned inside.
Then I stopped in front of the door and listened to the conversation coming from inside, then opened the door and went in.
widely.
Silence came again in the hallway.
At that moment, the smile disappeared from Jason’s face.
He returned to his original cold expression and shook his head toward the staff.
“Go and do your work.”
“Yes, yep!”
They dispersed from their seats as if running away.
* * *
“Are you sure you can think of that possibility?”
“Sergeant Vicious is gone. Wasn’t the performance the worst in the last investigation?”
“… … .”
“… It would be better if both of you would be quiet.”
I overheard their conversation through a wiretap installed in the room.
There was talk about the investigation, but all important parts were communicated in secret language, so very nutritious information could not be obtained.
It was proof that they were well-educated elites.
Whether you are still suspicious of me, or an action that comes from your subconscious.
But there was much else to know.
The subtle hierarchical relationship between them and the sense of competition.
In particular, a woman named Inspector Paula was openly refusing whenever Vicious expressed her opinion.
smart.
“The letter has arrived.”
I pulled out a bunch of papers from the envelope the employee brought.
It was data about investigators, sent by the Intelligence Guild.
Perhaps because the investigation period was short and the security level was high, there were not many details other than simple personal information.
‘Still, this will be enough for now.’
I skimmed through the papers, filling in the gaps in my guesses.
“… I’ll come get some air.”
It was Vicious’s voice.
At the same time, I got up from my seat and went out of the office.
From the top of the spiral staircase, I looked down at the hall of the pub downstairs.
I saw Vicious heading to the bathroom.
I went down the stairs and followed him at intervals.
I stopped at the entrance to the bathroom, counted a few seconds in my mind, and went inside.
shoot-
I found him washing his hands in the sink.
I sneaked over to the seat next to me and trimmed my hair and clothes.
“Are there any progress in the investigation?”
“It’s not easy. The information the crews have gathered is already limited, but even that is because they do not want to share it.”
“I understand. Since the target is a giant named Cain, there is no choice but to want anyone to take possession of the ball.”
“You understand the situation quickly, sir.”
“Well, competition is a story that applies to all groups, even if it’s not the police, isn’t it? It’s a competitive society where you can’t survive if you fall behind.”
I repositioned the tie and continued.
“The employees who saw the investigators were talking nonsense amongst themselves. Will the infamous Cain ever be caught, and if so, which investigator will catch him? If this could be rude, I apologize for it.”
“no. That’s all I can talk about.”
A moment of silence passed.
He asked in a voice with a hint of anticipation.
“CEO, who do you think will catch Cain among the three of us? Oh, I don’t know if you saw Inspector Paula when you left.”
“I saw it. I haven’t talked to him, so I don’t have enough information to judge, but I think Sergeant Vicious is the most likely.”
The corners of his lips twitched.
It was a sign of joy that he tried to hide but could not hide.
“May I ask why?”
“I think that the fact that you are the same commander of the special task force, even though you are one rank lower than the other two, is already proof of your ability.”
His expression changed instantly to trembling.
The rank of the commander of the special task force is not significantly limited as long as the level of force is recognized.
All three of them took on the captain’s posts when they were sergeants, and only Vicious was missing promotion.
“… First of all, thank you for your consideration.”
I walked over to the magic device a few steps away and dried my hands.
“Besides that, there were many things that made Sergeant Vicious a person of great ability. It was the way we asked questions and the way we organized clues.”
“ha ha ha… .”
He let out a mischievous laugh.
I slowly opened my mouth, feeling that it was time to bring out the prepared lines.
“Sergeant. Don’t you feel inferior to the other two investigators?”
His two eyes widened.
he said with his mouth open.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about all of a sudden.”
It was easy to tell that the voice was masquerading as composure.
As if he couldn’t figure out what expression to make, his facial muscles were showing constant slight tremors.
“Isn’t it? I definitely felt that way.”
“Stop it.”
His face became increasingly hard.
“The human eye does not lie.”
“I told you to stop.”
“It was a brief moment, but I could tell by looking at the eyes when the investigators were talking. Hiding your feelings is bad for your mental health.”
Nettle!
The next moment, the sword that had been pulled out was touching the tip of my neck.
“I told you to shut up.”
It looked like it was going to kill me at any moment.
The tip of the sword trembled slightly with his rough breath.
“Now, honestly, you have lost your feelings. Let me ask you a question.”
I said with a smile.
“Don’t you want to hold Cain alone?”