Logan Redford was standing with his arms crossed, looking out the window.

Logan’s silhouette against the gloomy gray sky looked somewhat lonely.

That can’t be. That arrogant Logan wouldn’t care about Walter’s words.

Sidney took a deep breath and continued speaking.

“Then this ring box……”

“I will search all of Marcel’s jewelry shops.”

As soon as the words ended, a volunteer stepped forward. She handed him the ring box and spoke.

“That ring is likely to be the motive for the crime. There were traces of a ring on Miss Marien’s finger at the time of the murder.”

“I will also find out information on the customer who bought the ring and gave it to Miss Marien.”

“When you find the jewelry shop…… Check if the rings they sell have been circulating as stolen goods.”

“Are you suggesting we consider the possibility of a robbery that led to an accidental murder?”

After working together for a year, even the guards could now read her thoughts well.

A pleased smile played on Sidney’s lips as she looked around at the guards filling the conference room.

She recalled Logan’s words and opened her mouth.

“For now, we need to keep all possibilities open.”

Her gaze shifted towards her superior before stopping on a guard who had raised his hand.

“Then I will look into the costume shop that made the stage outfits.”

“They used real jewels and expensive fabric…… It must have cost quite a bit. First, find out which costume shops the dancers at Cielo Strip Bar prefer and start from there.”

“We’ll be able to learn about Miss Marien’s usual habits too.”

“Find out in detail if Marien had any sponsors or lovers.”

“Yes.”

Sidney wrapped up the meeting in place of Logan, who looked troubled.

“The rest of you join the assigned investigators and help out. And if you need more manpower, just let me know anytime.”

“Yes, understood.”

With the sound of chairs being pushed back, the guards all stood up at once.

From now on, the investigation team would move based on what they uncovered. As always.

Sidney was also gathering her documents to leave the conference room with them when.

“Sidney Warden, stay behind.”

Logan’s voice stopped Sidney in her tracks.

The Walgarden Avenue in front of the Imperial Army Headquarters building was gloomy. Along the wide street where carriages passed, hundreds-year-old street trees stood in a row.

Across the street, the gray courthouse building and the blue-roofed parliament building used by the House of Lords and Commons were visible.

Logan frowned as he scanned the buildings one by one.

He had long known that Walter Asner didn’t think highly of him. He himself wasn’t fond of Walter who kept pestering Sidney.

But to think he would bring in Steve Deniro to scheme to send Sidney to the police force.

Damn it. Logan ground his teeth and flung open the window. A chillingly cold wind enveloped his entire body.

Loyalty….. There’s no way Sidney Warden would have such a thing for him.

Logan slowly turned around and leaned against the window frame. He caught sight of Sidney Warden standing at a distance.

“Sidney Warden, has the work been too much lately?”

“You heard?”

“That I’m a bad superior who drove you to the point of collapse.”

“I pushed myself too hard to ensure there would be no disruption to the schedule due to my vacation.”

Sidney’s sideburns fluttered in the wind. As she lowered her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ear, her coat flapped open in the wind.

The Imperial Guard’s red jacket and white pants. The figure he had always regarded as unremarkable now looked like a woman’s. Feeling his gaze, Sidney cleared her throat and closed her coat.

Feeling awkward for no reason, Logan frowned and blurted out.

“Steve Deniro, he was that cousin Victoria Owello said she would introduce to Marien.”

“Are the two cousins?”

Seeing her surprised eyes, it seemed she didn’t know. Why did that feel so reassuring? Logan nodded and raised one eyebrow.

“Yes, he’s Ernest’s half-brother. And he was also my superior in the past. So……”

“Yes.”

He still hadn’t figured out if Sidney Warden was Marien, and if so, why she was hiding that fact. He couldn’t let Sidney Warden slip away in this state.

Even if it’s a bit underhanded…

“He’s not someone you can really trust. Just stay here and lead the Conrod case.”

“Even if I end up transferring to the police force, I’ll proceed according to procedure.”

Logan crossed his arms and stared intently at Sidney.

The posture unwavering even in the blowing wind, the expressionless face, even the clear eyes asking what nonsense he was spouting… it’s trouble that she looks pretty.

What to do? Should I remove the reason for her to leave the investigation team?

Logan Redford took out a cigarette from his coat pocket and said.

“In 3 months, I will be leaving the Imperial Army. Until then, use me as I have used you.”

Click, a match was struck and the cigarette lit up. Logan inhaled the cigarette and straightened his upper body. Sidney Warden, facing him like that, spoke in an even colder tone than usual.

“Understood.”

That’ll do. It’s useless after the given 3 months anyway.

Logan turned around abruptly and muttered to himself as he watched Sidney’s retreating back leaving the conference room.

“How cold.”

And he blew out a long puff of smoke as he gazed out the window.

Beyond the gray clouds covering the sky, the breathtaking moment from just a few hours ago flickered.

After leaving the building, Logan got into an argument with the police chief, Thomson Garfield, over the right to investigate.

It would have been simple if he claimed it was a serial murder case. But Sidney wouldn’t want to bring Peter forward as a witness, so…

In the midst of the mental battle, he unconsciously looked for Sidney. And his eyes widened when he spotted the man standing next to her.

Steve Deniro.

He was the illegitimate child of the Holden family, Ernest Holden’s half-brother, and Victoria Owello’s cousin.

In other words, the ‘good man’ who almost spent the night with Marien in the penthouse was…

Sparks flew from Logan Redford’s eyes as he thought that far.

Did Victoria Owello ask a favor?

No. A man who only moves when he’s thoroughly calculated the benefits… He wouldn’t move on his cousin’s personal request.

Then is it because of the police corruption that they don’t want to hand over this case to the investigation team? If that corruption is exposed, it would be a big blow to Steve Deniro as the police chief.

But if he comes forward like this, it’ll be hard to deny knowledge later. He’s not the type to take such risks either.

Ah, is that why he put forward the police chief, Thomson Garfield? No. He’s not stupid enough to expect Thomson Garfield, just a lieutenant, to secure investigative rights against himself.

Then… what is Steve Deniro aiming for? Don’t tell me, is Sidney Warden the goal? To divert her…

Logan muttered with an incredulous look.

“…So he intends to dismantle the investigation team.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s right. If he takes Sidney Warden, Walter Asner will also…”

Only then did Andy Spencer catch on and chimed in.

“He’ll leave too.”

“Yes. Then the investigation team loses its justification.”

What a rat-like idea, befitting Steve Deniro.

Logan ground his teeth as he glared at the damned Steve. Just as he was about to rush over, Andy Spencer grabbed his arm and whispered.

“Commander, let’s secure the investigative rights first.”

He’s right. We can’t give up either the investigative rights or Sidney to the likes of him.

Logan stepped forward towards Thomson Garfield and lowered his voice.

“Inspector Garfield, the ‘Marien’ killed in that building was involved with the corruption of high-ranking nobles.”

“What do you… Miss Marien was just an ordinary strip dancer…”

“Hmph! Would the Imperial Guard request cooperation from the police to find an ordinary woman?”

“…!”

It’s a lie. But Logan Redford continued without minding such things.

“I thought you’d have enough sense to realize that.”

“But our Chief Deniro…”

The moment Steve’s name popped out, Logan Redford was certain his guess was correct.

“I’ll say it again, our Imperial Guard will take this case.”

Thomson Garfield let out a “hup” sound, startled by the suddenly close distance and Logan’s fierce gaze.

Logan put his mouth close to the frightened Thomson’s ear and murmured softly.

“If you have any objections, tell the police chief to formally request the documents. That’s what procedures are for, right?”

After driving that point home, he turned around. But Sidney Warden and Steve Deniro, who should have been there, were nowhere to be seen. Only Walter Asner was laughing and chatting with the police officers.

White breath spread across Logan’s lips as a name flowed out.

“Walter Asner…”

The black carriage parked in front of the building at 19 Conrod Avenue sped off with all its might.

Logan Redford glared at Walter Asner sitting across from him with wild eyes. Walter Asner calmly met that crazed gaze.

In the midst of the tense mental battle, Logan spoke first.

“Why did you go this far?”

“Commander, why are you going this far yourself?”

Walter was clearly convinced that his actions now would help Sidney Warden.

That’s the kind of man he was. He was obsessed with Sidney Warden like a duckling following its mother. To the extent of persuading the Asner family that had maintained political neutrality for generations…

Yet you set a viper on Sidney?

Logan sneered, curling up the corners of his mouth.

“You fool, do you even know how Steve Deniro will use Sidney Warden?”

“He’ll dismantle the investigation team and gain recognition from Duke Yant, I suppose.”

“Ha, and you know that yet…”

Unless you’re insane. Logan Redford let out a hollow laugh, unable to finish his words.

“Because I knew, that’s why I did it. You used Sidney Warden too, didn’t you, Commander?”

“……”

“You used Sidney to persuade me, and the Warden family to persuade the Spencer family. All of this stemmed from your desire to keep Sidney Warden by your side.”

Bang! Logan lunged like a beast pouncing on its prey and growled.

“Walter Asner, shut that mouth.”

Bang, Logan slammed Walter’s face against the carriage wall. With his face crushed, Walter gritted his teeth.

“I will… protect Sidney. From you.”