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Chapter Fifteen: Offer:

-Anna-

That evening, I came across a problem. I checked my e-mail and found a request.

“Job Offer?” I read. Hm… I clicked on the message.

Niwa-san:

I need your help with a case that I’m working on. Are you familiar with the Mori-chan murder case? I will be on IM at six o’clock.

Okamoto-san

I read the message again. Okay, what’s this? How did a detective get my e-mail? I vaguely remember seeing the case on TV. Is he related to the victim in any way? I looked at my clock on the screen. It’s about six already. So, this guy should be on in five… four… three… two…

An instant message invite popped up on the screen. Hm, right on time. I clicked on the box to bring it up.

ShounenLupin69 invites you for a chat, huh? That’s an odd username for a detective. I shrugged. Each is to their own, I guess. I clicked accept.

“Hello,” I typed. I waited for a few seconds. My potential client replied back.

“Hi,” he wrote.

“I got your e-mail,” I typed.

“Good. Are you familiar with the case?”

“Vaguely. Was it that little girl who got killed?”

“That’s right.”

“But didn’t they already have a suspect? Wasn’t it his new wife?”

“We did, but something doesn’t add up.”

I paused before typing. I saw where this was headed. “You don’t believe she did it, do you?”

“No. The evidence is too circumstantial.”

“So, why come to me?”

“I need you to summon the little girl’s soul for the answers.”

Figures. It had to be that. Yet, I have a few questions of my own.

“How are you related to the child?” I typed. I waited for a response.

“I’m not,” he replied back. I stared at the message.

“Then, how did you find this ad?” I wrote back. Something told me that I would not like his answer.

“Some doctor showed me,” the potential client wrote back. An icy feeling came over my hand and spine.

“Who was this doctor?” I wrote.

“He wouldn’t say,” the potential client wrote.

“Why not?”

“He wouldn’t say.”

“BRB.” I reached for my phone and dialed Ju-Oh-Cho. I stared at the screen as the other line rang.

“Hello?” the operator asked.

“Ah yes,” I said. “Can you put me through to Konoe-san, please?”

“One moment please,” the operator said. I waited and read over the chat.

“Hello?” I heard the old man ask. I sat up straight.

“Konoe-san?” I asked.

“Kimoto-san,” he said. “What is it?” I leaned back against the couch.

“I have a question,” I said.

“What is it?” Konoe asked. I read him the e-mail and chat log. He didn’t speak at first.

“And he won’t say who?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “What should I do?” He didn’t need to think long.

“Turn them down,” he said. I paused at his words.

“You sure about that?” I asked.

“We can’t have any more risks for leaks,” he told me. “We will investigate the possible leak at Ju-Oh-Cho. In the meantime, put your work on hold.”

“But…” I began to say.

“No excuses,” Konoe-san cut in. “This is for your own safety, understood?” I drew my mouth closed over the phone.

“I understand,” I said. “Thank you for the advice. Goodbye.” I hung up my phone. Stopping my work for my benefit, huh? I turned back to the screen. This is really going to hurt to do this.

“I am sorry,” I wrote the client. “But I cannot accept your request at this time. Only people in grief should be able to see the ad in the paper. I don’t know how you or this doctor were able to see it. I would like to help, but the circumstances don’t add up. Again, I’m so sorry.” I sat back and waited for a response.

“I understand,” he wrote back. “I am so sorry to waste your time. Thank you for replying back.” I closed and logged out of the chat. I sat back and sighed. That’s done. Time to find another way to kill time again. I puffed up my cheeks. That’s sure to be an entertaining ride…

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