Chapter 401: Gray Zone
Chapter 401: Gray Zone
"Hard... Could it be that you saw me nearby at the time, Mr. Feng?" Odette gasped, her reaction confirming Feng Bu Jue's speculation had hit the nail on the head.
"Hmm... Just basic reasoning", Feng Bu Jue replied, mentally grumbling, Are you kidding me? Out of all my half-baked reasonings before, quite a few guesses turned out right. Now that I'm being slightly serious, there's not even the slightest deviation... With eight chapters left, how can this case be this simple?
Madam Carol, you're too honest! Don't Npcs with your looks usually have some depth of character? Now that you've said this, the killer's motive for setting up the Secret Room has practically been exposed! All we need next is Barton's motive, and we're done!...
Barton, you're really underwhelming. Who else can you possibly fool besides Scofield? Heck, even if Scofield investigated alone, he'd still crack this case. What's the point of my so-called 'Celebrated Detective' title...? Any average detective or police officer could handle this!
Is this really okay...? The overly generous word count has caused the author to lose their sanity, throwing bizarre descriptions at me. Ever since they invented the Reading Compulsion, Reasoning Addiction, and Fear Immunity settings over a million words ago, they've neglected character development. Now they're adding 'Inept Creator' and 'Middle School Syndrome Cooking' traits just to pad another thousand words. Sure, it enriches my personality, but I feel like this author's dragging my dignity and standards into the dirt...
Clearly, Feng Bu Jue had no idea the last protagonist who complained about the author in a main chapter—Wang Mou—ended the series still a virgin. Thus, he boldly defamed the author mentally. Don't take offense, dear readers.
Back to the matter at hand.
Just then, the kitchen door swung open from outside. Scofield entered, camera in hand, spotting Feng Bu Jue and exclaiming, "Oh, Mr. Feng, you're really here!" He paused, eyes widening. "Whoa, are you cooking?"
"Indeed", Feng Bu Jue replied, glancing back. "What's wrong? Haven't you ever set foot in a kitchen before?"
"Eheh... Well..." Scofield chuckled. "My wife's amazing at cooking—she practically bans me from the kitchen."
"Ah..." Feng Bu Jue gave a noncommittal reply, mentally groaning, Seriously, I asked a simple question. Couldn't you just answer "no" instead of flashing that smug, blissful grin? And why add unnecessary commentary...?
With my Reasoning Ability, your rotund figure and that ring on your left ring finger already told me your wife's culinary skills are top-notch. This reaction's clearly laced with mockery...
Did my earlier obnoxious behavior really annoy this guy that much...?
If you've got a problem with me, just say it straight!
"Take this Justice-Powered Hook, Mr. Feng!" How hard would that be to say?
"Ah, right—I came to inform you that Madam Carol, Lord Kolston, Butler Henderson, Doctor Powell, Mr. Barton, Miss Nancy, and Jack have all gathered in the dining hall", Scofield reported. "Also, if it's acceptable, I'd like Karl and Mark to transport the corpse back to town first. As you know, even though it's late autumn and the body's in a body bag, after some time the... smell..."
"Hmph... You sure are considerate, rattling off seven names just to pad twenty words. Smooth move changing the topic right after", Feng Bu Jue mused.
"Proceed as you wish", Feng Bu Jue said aloud, maintaining his composed exterior. "Oh, and there's no need to guard the crime scene anymore. Nothing left to investigate."
"Understood." Scofield turned to leave.
Suddenly, Feng Bu Jue called out, "Detective!"
"What is it?" Scofield halted.
"You mentioned once working as a detective in a big city for years?" Feng Bu Jue asked.
Scofield's gaze sharpened. "Yes. What about it?"
"So... Do you have any... reliable contacts at the police station there?" Feng Bu Jue used deliberately vague phrasing.
Scofield caught the unspoken meaning immediately—Since you've been around the city for so long, you must have some connections, right?
"Heh... A few trustworthy old friends, yes." Scofield's expression shifted to his initial demeanor at the villa—confident, sharp, and hardened.
"Excuse me a moment", Feng Bu Jue told the two ladies beside him. Grabbing a rag, he wiped his hands while heading toward the kitchen door.
Reaching Scofield, Feng Bu Jue slung an arm over his shoulder, pushing the door open as he led him out.
"I knew it... You're no ordinary Detective", Feng Bu Jue remarked with a grin.
"Flattery will get you nowhere", Scofield replied, though his smirk betrayed his pride. A compliment from the Celebrated Detective was a rare honor—like a momentary superiority surge when a movie star praised an extra's acting.
"Let's be frank. I've already identified the killer", Feng Bu Jue lowered his voice, glancing both ways down the corridor before whispering, "But we're missing key information to close the case. We need to uncover their motive for everything to make sense. This is where your friends come in."
"What did you have in mind?" Scofield asked.
"Call your contacts at the city police station. See if anyone can dig up the killer's past records", Feng Bu Jue explained.
"But... that might bend a few rules", Scofield hesitated.
Feng Bu Jue smiled. "That's precisely why we need reliable contacts."
Scofield paused a few seconds, then grinned. "The Celebrated Detective lives up to the name. You understand the gray zones of police work, ten points for you."
"Easy for me to say", Feng Bu Jue replied. "I know all the tricks—planting seized drugs in a suspect's home when evidence is lacking, sprinkling some around the furnace... I'm well-versed in such tactics."
(End of Chapter)
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