After completing their systematic review of historical documents and modern reports, Lin Jie and William's investigation had built a solid theoretical framework.
But this wasn't enough, because history consisted of cold words and rumors were empty imagination—they still needed the freshest perspective from an "eyewitness" to inject soul and detail into this framework.
Their target was the key person Sergeant William had identified during that successful "tavern investigation"—Ian McGregor.
This old man was the direct eyewitness who had provided the latest "monster" sighting report to the Inverness Courier, and he was also the center of all recent rumors.
However, since that sighting incident, this once bravest old fisherman of Urquhart Bay had become a different person. He sold his fishing gear, hid in his wooden cabin all day, isolating himself from the entire world with cheap whisky, becoming a "crazy old man" that everyone avoided like the plague.
Early the next morning, a rented carriage carried the two along the winding lakeside road of Loch Ness toward the remote fishing village where Ian lived.
Fisherman Ian's home was a lonely wooden and stone cottage situated at the edge of the fishing village.
Even before approaching, they could smell a strong alcohol odor drifting from the cracks in the doors and windows.
William stepped forward and knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside, only a drunken, indistinct stream of curses.
"Perhaps we should try a different approach to communication."
Lin Jie, however, wasn't disappointed. His gaze passed over the wooden cabin and landed on a dilapidated fishing boat dragged ashore nearby.
He glanced at the cabin window facing the fishing boat, and a plan instantly formed in his mind.
"Sergeant William, can you find a way to lure him out of the house, even if only for five minutes? I think this boat might be able to tell us more than its owner."
William immediately understood Lin Jie's intention.
He nodded, then circled around to the back of the wooden cabi