In fact, the always hooded and mysterious Io had told Eric how to get to their new base the last time they parted. They'll draw funny and cute animal motifs on the nondescript corners of the walls to guide them in the right direction. There was only one animal that could properly reach their base, and its name still rings in Eric's ear piercing.

However, things don't always work out that way. He had just descended the stairs when a man blocked Eric's path.

"Hey, I'm guessing you're the new Inspector Eric. ”

The man who came held out a hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry. Eric waved his hand, refusing to make contact with his hand. But he didn't expect the person to jump up very difficult, and once again blocked his way.

Eric gave him a helpless look, and turned to look at the little police officer beside him. "Why was an unrelated person able to enter a crime scene. Isn't that a rereliction of duty?"

That means: help me get rid of this guy.

But several police officers received instructions, but none of them stepped forward. At the same time, his face was full of embarrassment.

For a moment, there was an unpleasant smell in the air.

Eric suddenly realized that his colleagues clearly knew this guy, and they knew him well enough. I think he often appears at the scene of murders. It's frustrating that he doesn't have the same status in the eyes of these police officers as the pretentious guy in front of him.

It seems that Eric, who is usually focused on the case, has obviously forgotten to build a good relationship with his colleagues.

The visitor seemed to notice something, and he waved warmly to the officers on both sides of him in thanks, and grinned, "Sorry, Inspector. I'm not an outsider, I'm an old friend of the Pyros Police Department, and I'm often invited to be a consultant on cases. I deeply regret the tragic death of Inspector Martin this time, and it is incumbent upon me as a friend of his to take this case. So could I have the pleasure of hearing what you think about this case?"

"I'm sorry. This is the detective's exclusive secret, if you want clues, find out the traces of the scene yourself. ”

It's rare for Eric not to have a crush on someone, and he doesn't usually speak to people in that tone. So the guy in front of him is a lucky one.

"Oh, look at what you said, man. Don't be so grumpy, I just want to get to know you, a brilliant "new star". The man laughed, as if he had put away his arrogant attitude, but in the next second, he revealed his original form: "Do you think I'm here to ask you about those boring things? Please, don't think that only you can find clues from the clues on the scene." I'm a detective anyway, and it's a shame for us to get clues from other detectives, right, man. ”

He winked at Eric.

"That's right. True detectives do. Well, you must be well aware that the detective is quite strict about time, and especially hates that others interfere with his established work plan. ”

Eric rolled his eyes and decided to turn his head away and leave the neurotic. But the man's nose sniffed out of thin air in the air: "You stayed up late yesterday, didn't you?" But depending on the way you walk and the way you dress, you rarely or don't touch the contents of the glass, right? It's clear though, you're drinking a good amount of alcohol. And the body is very good! I didn't close my eyes all night, and I didn't feel the slightest tiredness. Well, probably because you exercise regularly. ”

"That's right, I run home every time I get off work, it's a great workout. Eric stopped, saying something he didn't know if it was true or not. He turned to look at the other party with great interest: "There are indeed two hits. But what are you proving? Your powers of observation?"

"Prove I'm not an idiot. I know all detectives hate dealing with fools. The man stroked his brown curls, "I've heard of you, Mr. Eric. Since you came to Pelos, you have solved many cases, the biggest of which is the Pelos Hospital case not long ago. I also lost a famous painting, that's really funny hahaha..."

Perhaps seeing Eric's face, he put away his laughter and coughed dryly, "Oh sorry, I want to say that this is Pelos! My hometown! I undoubtedly have an advantage over you and me as outsiders, and I was a frequent visitor to the police station long before you came." I've heard that Sheriff Porto handed over the case to you, but I'll investigate it at the same time. Rest assured, check each one. Because I knew I would be the first to solve the case. ”

"So... You want to play with me?"

"Frankly, yes. I like to compete with smart people. By the way, forgot to tell you. My name is Newsom. is a famous private investigator of Pylos. ”

Newsom held out his hand again.

Public Detectives and Private Detectives. The latter tend to be a lot smarter than the former.

Eric looked at the hand and didn't step forward.

“...... Detectives have to work together to solve the case faster, knowing that the time to solve the case is fleeting......"

"Oh, are you scared?!"

Newsom yelled at Eric.

Eric rolled his eyes again. "Do you want to prove yourself through competitions? or do you have another purpose?"

Newsom shook his head: "No, no, no. ”

"I must tell you, Mr. Newsom. Although I don't want to say that. Detectives are a profession that exists to solve crimes, time is our life, and it is our duty to save victims and find criminals. Don't mention any boring games, that's ...... at all."

"Who prescribed it?"

Newsom interrupted rudely.

"What did you say?"

"Who made it? Detectives are a profession that exists to solve crimes? Should you slap that guy who said that. If you want me to say, detectives are a profession that exists for fun. Newsom became excited: "Solve the puzzle and find out the culprit." There's nothing more exciting than that, and as a detective, you must know that feeling! You look down on competitions? I'm telling you, it's because there's competition, that detectives have a lot of motivation to solve crimes faster! That's what I used to do. So if you want to catch the prisoner faster, you'll have to ...... with me."

There's no doubt that Newsom is a weirdo. Eric believed that the police officers around him thought so. Moreover, the chatter that came out of the other party's mouth stabbed Eric's brain, and he just wanted to end it all as soon as possible.

"Okay, okay, stop! You just said that as long as I play with you, you will solve the case faster and win the game, right?"

"That's right. So, you agreed to play with me?"

Newsom's eyes sparkled.

Always reluctantly, Eric nodded. If not, he doesn't know how long he's going to be tortured by this neurotic guy. Then, before Newsom could react, he turned around and walked away quickly.

From behind came Newsom's shouts.

"Eric, I'll win!"

The sound fades away.

Eric, who is already a detective, is not as simple-minded as Newsom. A childish game to be the first to solve a crime? He might have done that when he was younger. For the police station, no matter what, it doesn't matter who it is, as long as it can solve the case as soon as possible and catch the culprit.

However, Eric remembered that he was not old.

Suddenly, a smile appeared.

"It's me who wins. ”