It was around eight o'clock on Sunday morning, and Pops and Jenkins were in the middle of a wager over how many customers they'd get that day. The loser would have to organize the warehouse that evening. But before either of them could name their number, a uniformed police detective politely pushed the door open and stepped inside.
He hadn't come to arrest Jenkins. The detective was simply there to update him on the break-in from the other night.
“The investigation is now quite clear, Mr. Williams. Thank you for your contribution to Nolan City. I imagine the families of the deceased will be grateful to you, and the souls of the innocent will be able to rest in peace.”
The man Jenkins had captured was, in fact, the midnight killer responsible for a recent string of murders. Finding Jenkins's house hadn't been a coincidence; he'd wanted to murder another well-known figure for the thrill of it.
Even criminals possess a certain vanity. Obviously, killing an ordinary person was an entirely different matter from killing Jenkins Williams.
He had pieced together Jenkins's address and personal information from newspapers and publishing houses, then broken into his home that night, intent on murder. Unfortunately for him, Jenkins had taken his cat for a walk and wasn't home. When he did return, he noticed something amiss with his warning ward. Otherwise... well, even without the warning, the killer never would have succeeded. An ordinary person trying to murder a level-four Enchanter with a small knife was as insane as trying to slay a dragon.
With the Church helping to handle the matter, Jenkins didn't even need to go back to the police station. The officer informed him that the criminal's trial would be held later in February and that he would be notified when it was time, should he wish to attend.
“Am I really that unlucky?”
Jenkins mused aloud after the officer left. There were so many prominent figures in Nolan, yet he was the unlucky one to get dragged into this mess.
Pops replied, his eyes still on the newspaper.
“So, you're saying I brought this on myself by being too much in the public eye lately?”
“Hmm... I'm not sure how you reached that conclusion, but you shouldn't change your way of life over an accident. It was a freak occurrence.”
Pops said reassuringly. He didn't want Jenkins to revert to his old, monotonous routine of shuttling between home and the antique shop.
“I think you've been under too much stress lately. Fate has placed too heavy a burden on you. Maybe you should find a way to relax, like...”
“No, I don't need a vacation. Those are absolute torture.”
Jenkins was quick to shake his head.
“I agree, it's probably best you stay in Nolan. That's beneficial for everyone. While problems of all sorts will continue to crop up, at least the Church is here to help you... Why not attend a gathering with your friends? I've noticed young people are always fond of lively salons, or balls with pretty girls.”
Jenkins had attended such events before, but only when invited by Hathaway and Briny. When the invitations stopped, he stopped paying any mind to them.
“I know you dislike these sorts of things, but giving it a try would only cost you one evening.”
Pops continued his coaxing, having realized just what would convince Jenkins:
“Chocolate doesn't like being cooped up in the house all the time, does he? I've heard that cats need plenty of exercise to live longer.”
Jenkins was actually tempted. What Pops said made sense—it was cruel to keep the cat cooped up at home all the time. Taking him out for a walk, letting him attend a social event... perhaps that really would be good for Chocolate's health.
“You're going to the opera with your friends this evening, aren't you? That's the perfect opportunity. You can ask them if there are any balls or salons coming up. I doubt anyone would turn you down.”
Pops's reminder brought the evening's impending situation crashing back down on Jenkins. A wave of vexation washed over him, and he had no idea how he was going to handle the night.
But the river of time waits for no man, and it certainly wouldn't stop or turn back for him. Jenkins desperately hoped Pops would find some reason to make him stay and work late, but his hope went unfulfilled.
He dawdled while packing his things, then looked expectantly at Pops, hoping for an excuse to stay.
Pops had no idea what Jenkins was up to, nor did he know what had transpired between him and the young ladies. Seeing Jenkins lingering, he decisively shooed him out the door.
He returned home in low spirits, changed his clothes, and had dinner. The carriage arrived punctually at half-past six, stopping at the corner of St. George Street. Jenkins stood in his foyer for a long moment, trying to calm his unruly heart before finally stepping outside.
Chocolate stood innocently beside the walking stick, as if to remind Jenkins not to forget him.
This wasn't the first time Jenkins had shared a carriage with Hathaway and Briny, but it was by far the most awkward.
Both young women were dressed in elegant evening gowns, the sort one might wear to a formal banquet. Their beautiful hair was topped with hats adorned with simple artificial flowers, and they wore heavy coats against the cold. Peeking out from their sleeves were the cuffs of white lace gloves.
Jenkins was thankful that, out of sheer boredom while waiting, he had taken the time to carefully choose his own attire. Otherwise, the situation would be even more awkward.
But the situation was better than he'd feared. At least, when he stooped to enter the carriage and his eyes met Briny's, she simply gave him a slight nod, just as she always did, with no hint of anything unusual in her expression. Hathaway, too, seemed perfectly normal, even shifting over to make room for him to sit opposite Briny. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the noveⅼfire.net
“That's right, nothing happened at all.”
Jenkins told himself silently. He offered the young women a polite greeting and sat down opposite them with a smile.
That smile was what was abnormal. He rarely wore his 'shopkeeper's smile' when he was with acquaintances.
Hathaway said nothing about it. For the entire ride, the three of them only discussed Jenkins's new house and his latest book. He was grateful for the reprieve, but he knew that if he kept evading the issue, something was bound to happen eventually.
“Just as long as it's not today.”
The shameful, evasive thought surfaced in his mind.
It had only been a week or so since the girls had gotten his new book, but it seemed both had already finished it. Briny grew very excited when she brought it up—a little too excited, in fact.