Robin Bailey, who had once emerged from a heap of beggars, certainly knew that this seasoned old man was full of false words and threats. To do justice to Robin Bailey’s reputation as a ‘people butcher’ abroad, some intimidation was necessary.
“Who are they?” Robin Bailey asked again.
“I don’t know. The letter appeared next to me in the middle of the night,” the man shook his head.
At that moment, Robin Bailey released his foot from the man’s body, prompting a look of relief on the man’s face. He was finally spared from further torture. However, Robin Bailey gestured towards Jeff Reczek.
“Take him to the small grove over there, don’t make a racket, everyone’s trying to sleep.”
“Alright,” Jeff Reczek grinned menacingly.
This grin almost scared the man’s soul out of him. Being dragged away, the man began to sweat profusely as he spoke, “Although I don’t know who did it, I have a suspicion. I have multiple targets of suspicion, a total of eighteen. I mix in these circles, I always have a backup plan. Those people thought they were flawless, but I caught on to some clues. Although there are eighteen suspects, I guarantee the person who gave me the envelope is definitely among these eighteen families.”
The man, sweating profusely, said seriously, every word resonating with truth. He was experienced in the underworld, how could he not leave any backup plans? Although they discreetly placed the envelopes, he still managed to discover something.
“I hope what you’re saying is true,” Robin Bailey waved his hand, signaling Jeff Reczek to release his grip on the man. He then said, “Before taking you back for investigation, I have one more thing to do. Drag him away.”
Robin Bailey gestured.
Jeff Reczek then grabbed the man by the neck and dragged him away like a dead body. The man dared not resist because he knew it would be futile.
Meanwhile, at the old man’s house.
He paced anxiously at the door, his face fraught with worry. His agitation stemmed from Robin Bailey and the sound of a scream outside a moment ago. Without a second thought, they rushed out, ignoring the old man’s attempts to stop them. They were too fast.
Subsequently, more screams were heard, causing his face to pale. He worried if they were the ones in danger. Then, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
The old man’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if it was some ghost coming for him. However, relief washed over him upon hearing Robin Bailey’s voice, “Sir, it’s us.”
“Oh, it’s you.” The old man heaved a sigh of relief and beckoned, “Come in, hurry.”
Robin Bailey entered, followed by Conrad Reid. Lastly, Jeff Reczek entered, causing the old man’s blood pressure to rise slightly. Jeff Reczek came in with a figure in white, scaring the old man momentarily. He pointed at the figure, trembling, “Ghost… ghost… ghost…”
“It’s a person,” Jeff Reczek said, dropping the figure on the ground, startling the old man. However, upon closer inspection, the old man realized it was indeed a person.
“You brat, how dare you pretend to be a ghost and scare me. I’m older than your grandfather,” the old man lashed out, grabbing a stick and striking the man before him.
The man dared not strike back nor could he. If he had been at full strength, perhaps he would have seized the opportunity to capture them, leveraging his life as a bargaining chip. But now, with a broken foot and spine, he was powerless.
Though old, the old man remained resolute, striking the man several times until blood almost seeped out. Finally, the old man calmed down and spoke, “This man orchestrated it all, even the Daoist priest. It was all staged by him, frightening our village. This man is not only a ghost but also the priest. He orchestrated it all.”
As he struck, the old man realized the truth.
The man was behind it all.
“Sir, rest assured, we won’t let this man off the hook. By the way, do you know of any paths around here that lead inside?” Robin Bailey inquired.
“Inside?” The old man pondered, understanding what Robin Bailey meant by inside. Thoughts raced in his mind before he finally spoke, “There is a dangerous path, and few know of it. Even the bravest men of my generation in this village attempted it, but died. It’s sealed now, and few are privy to its existence.”
There really was a path!
Robin Bailey speculated on how those people entered. They hired someone to pretend to be a ghost, scare them, and prevent them from leaving at night. They even thought any sound was ghostly, allowing these people to pass through undetected.
No one had seen it coming.
Despite the dangerous road the old man mentioned, these infiltrators were experts, for whom such obstacles were mere trifles. Investigation would likely yield nothing, as once entered, they disappeared like fish into the ocean.
Their plan was flawless.
However, they never anticipated encountering an old fox like the man who had uncovered clues to protect himself. In the end, Robin Bailey benefitted and thoroughly investigated the matter.
Just as they planted pawns in Kisia, Robin Bailey had his own in Shadow Killers.
Who feared whom?
“I want roasted chicken… I want to eat roasted chicken…” Suddenly, a faint voice broke the silence, drawing everyone’s attention to the sleeping granddaughter on the bed, drooling and murmuring about roasted chicken in her dreams.
The old man chuckled awkwardly, “Sorry, this girl always craves roasted chicken, but I never bought any.”
“No worries, she’s quite adorable. Where are her parents?” Robin Bailey inquired.
“They’re working outside, we’re poor,” the old man felt embarrassed, “And we don’t sell roasted chicken here; only inside does. It’s quite a journey, and my legs aren’t what they used to be.”
“I see,” Robin Bailey nodded.
That night, they slept over, departing early the next morning. Not long after, by the little girl’s bedside, a plastic bag containing chicken legs and two thousand dollars materialized, much to their surprise.