Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 33 Emily's Abnormal Behavior

[On June 3rd, a consultation fee of £150 was collected from the "Anchor" company, corresponding to the "accelerated processing" of scrap metal in the 3 Good Warehouse.]

[On June 7th, paid £20 for "Golden Bell Orchid" for "Special Companionship Service," note: new stock, requires training.]

[On June 18, received a bribe of £7.60 from a "dockworkers' union representative" to expedite the process of obtaining a workers' compensation determination.]

......

However, when Green turned to the latter part of the ledger, especially the records of the most recent year, the contents suddenly escalated. Records of bribery and offerings began to appear frequently, clearly targeting higher-ranking figures in the port authority and even the city hall.

These entries are usually more subtle, but when combined with the amount and code, their meaning is self-evident:

On December 5th, £200 was paid as a "Yearly Advisor" bonus to the "white glove" (a junior consultant), with the note: "Old position".

On December 11th, a piece of 'classical art' worth £450 was purchased and gifted to an 'important client', invoice number 032647, corresponding to the 'extension of priority use right for a berth in the South Zone'.

Pay the £150 monthly information fee to the city council on December 25th to ensure you are informed in advance of freight quota adjustments.

On January 12th, received an advance payment of £3000 for the "Fast Track" project. As per the agreed-upon ratio, 40% was deducted as a "superior-level favor fee" of £12,000, transferred in three installments: £800 for "DL" (Delegation of Leadership), £300 for "Member of Parliament Assistant," and £100 for "Internal Audit Coordination."

Among them, the abbreviation 'DL' appears more and more frequently and involves the largest amount of money. The most recent one even reached an astonishing £15,000, with only a simple note: 'Annual contribution, keep quiet'.

Seeing this, Green stopped looking and looked up at the wall again, where the photograph of that piece of paper served as proof of the ledger.

The purchase of hidden camera equipment, the payment of "service fees" or "hush money" to women under different code names, and even a few entries marked as "special gift purchases" corresponding to some women's names, followed by disturbing comments.

Then, with a hint of curiosity, he opened the velvet box.

The box was lined with a soft black velvet cushion, on which lay a silver brooch.

The brooch is small, and the design is an abstract, closed eye surrounded by twisted patterns. It looks very old.

Although the texture is dark, the closed-eye pattern gives people a strange sense of tranquility.

"What is this?"

Green was somewhat surprised, because the brooch didn't look expensive; in fact, it looked rather old, even worn. Nevertheless, Henry carefully kept it and locked it in a safe, indicating that the brooch must have some history.

"I've accepted your compensation, but it's not enough, Manager Henry," Green said in a deep voice, frowning.

Clearly, he blamed Henry entirely for his near-loss of control. If Henry hadn't bullied that female employee, if he hadn't happened to witness it, if he hadn't threatened him, he wouldn't have come here at all; it was all Henry's fault.

Without hesitation, Green pinned the brooch to the inside of his coat.

He cleaned up the traces, restored the mechanism, and turned to leave.

When Green reappeared in the shadows of the port authority's exterior wall, he had an account book tucked into his arms, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

"The 'apprentice' is simply a born thief... no, I should say a born champion of justice."

He straightened his collar, took a step, and walked along the street towards Ti'an Street like an ordinary office worker finishing a day's work.

Green did not use Blink again. Although there were few pedestrians on the street, it was necessary to be cautious last night to avoid being discovered that he was an Extraordinary, especially after just "visiting" Director Henry's secret.

The snow crunched underfoot, a rather pleasant sound, though it might also be related to Green's mood.

After walking for about ten minutes, he heard the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling over the cobblestones behind him. Green turned around and saw Old John's somewhat old carriage slowly approaching.

Old John also saw him and immediately slowed the carriage down.

"Good evening, Mr. Morris. It's so late, did you just finish your investigation?" Old John greeted him politely. The carriage slowly pulled up beside Green.

"Good evening, Mr. John." Green stopped and smiled. "The investigation is temporarily on hold. I'm now working at the Port Authority."

"The Port Authority?" Old John's eyes lit up slightly. "That's a good place, stable and respectable. It seems you have a good uncle who can arrange such a job for you."

He was clearly pleased that Green had found such a "proper job".

Green smiled modestly, "It's just a temporary job, but my uncle has been very good to me."

"Temporary worker... Don't be discouraged, if you work hard, you'll have a chance."

Green didn't argue. "Yes, I appreciate this opportunity."

"Public carriages are probably scarce at this hour. Ti'an Street isn't close; it'll take quite a while to walk. Come on, son. I'm heading home too," Old John patted the seat beside him, extending an invitation.

Green hesitated for a moment. It would indeed take some time to walk back, and since Old John was someone he knew quite well, he didn't refuse. "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. John."

"No trouble at all, it's on my way," Old John said with a smile.

Greene boarded the carriage smoothly, and old John gave the reins a gentle tug, and the carriage began to move smoothly again.

Along the way, the two chatted casually, mostly with Old John asking Green about his feelings on his new job, and Green answering with a smile, occasionally asking Old John about his business that day. It was all very ordinary conversation.

The carriage passed through the gradually quieting neighborhood, crossed the stone bridge spanning the canal, and finally came to a steady stop in front of 27 Tigan Street.

"We've arrived, Mr. Morris." Old John tightened the reins.

"Thank you very much, Mr. John. The fare..." Green reached into his pocket.

Old John waved his hand: "It's just on my way, no need to be so polite. You even gave me too much last time. I bought a gift and said it was from you. My wife loves it and has been hoping you could come and visit us sometime."

Green then remembered that it had happened several days ago; so much had happened recently that he hadn't thought of it at the moment.

"I'm glad Mrs. Durand is happy. Thank you... Please give her my regards." Green didn't insist any further, thanked her, and got off the carriage.

Watching old John's carriage turn around and disappear around the street corner, Green turned around, took out his key, inserted it into the lock, and turned it gently.

The door opened.

The warm light in the living room dispelled the darkness of the porch.

Green took off his snow-covered coat, hung it on the coat rack in the foyer, and went into the living room.

The fireplace crackled. Aunt Sylvia, who was sitting in a rocking chair by the fireplace, knitting a half-finished blue sweater, looked up at the sound and her gaze fell on Green.

"You're back? Working overtime again? Go wash your hands, dinner's keeping warm on the stove, I'll bring it out for you."

She put down what she was doing, stood up, and nimbly walked towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, we cleaned up a lot of files today," Green replied vaguely, his gaze sweeping across the living room.

The sofa is empty.

"Is Uncle working overtime today too? He's not home yet?"

Aunt Sylvia came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming pot of stew. She paused for a moment upon hearing this. "Well, your uncle called this afternoon and said something came up and he'll be back later. Don't worry about him, let's eat first."

She placed the stew pot on the dining table covered with a checkered tablecloth, then turned to get a bowl and spoon.

The pot contained the familiar stew of potatoes and beef, its rich aroma filling the air, along with carrots and onions. Beside it sat a basket of golden-brown, crispy toast.

Green's stomach, which had been growling, growled even louder upon seeing the food, making Aunt Sylvia giggle.

He quickly sat down, took the bread slice his aunt handed him, and took a bite.

Sylvia pulled up a chair next to her and sat down, watching Green wolf down his food. "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she lowered her voice and asked, "Green, don't you think Emily is acting a little... strange today?"

"Um?"

Green slowed his chewing, looked up, and said, "Something's wrong? What's wrong with her?"

"She's just... absent-minded." Sylvia frowned. "She's completely distracted, and she barely responds when you talk to her. We went to the tailor shop this morning, but before we even tried anything on, she said she was going to the library. She didn't get home until very late, and when I asked her what she was reading, she stammered and couldn't give a clear answer. She barely ate any dinner before going upstairs and locking herself in her room."

She paused, then tentatively asked, "Do you think...she's...in love? Is she seeing some guy, and something's bothering her?"

Upon hearing this, Green, with the beef still dangling from his mouth, carefully recalled Emily's behavior over the past two days. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for the day he threatened her...

Wait a minute! Could she really be dating that pharmacist?!

"Cough! Cough cough cough—!"

"Oh dear! Slow down, slow down!" Sylvia was startled and quickly shoved the water glass into his hand.

Green grabbed the cup, tilted his head back, and gulped down several mouthfuls. After swallowing the beef, he gasped for breath.

"Are you feeling better?" Sylvia asked with concern, but quickly returned to the original topic, "Your reaction is so strong, do you know something? Have you seen that young man? What's he like? What does he do? What's his family like...?"