socalfunplaces Chapter 307 The Closed Door
Chapter 307 The Closed Door
"Is this the Feathered Abode? Although I was mentally prepared, I'm not too surprised. But it truly lives up to its reputation..."
Mary stood in front of the courtyard gate of the villa in the city, curiously looking at the two-story building in front of her that contrasted sharply with the surrounding scenery.
The sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly came from around her; photographer Dai had already found the right angle and was raising his camera to start shooting.
"This should be the doorbell. I wonder if Detective Hugo is in the office..."
The reporter tidied her hair, pressed the button on the electronic communication device in front of Yuqi Residence, and waited anxiously for a response from the residents.
"Hello, this is Hugo Detective Agency. Hmm, these are unfamiliar faces... Have you two made an appointment before?"
A friendly female voice came from the speaker of the communication device. It didn't seem to be the obviously male Detective Hugo from the files; it was probably an employee of the detective agency.
"Hello. We are the interview team from Violet TV. We had already obtained the Detective's permission via email. Although the original plan was an online interview conducted remotely, we received a last-minute request from Mr. Daigo to escort valuables, so the TV station increased the budget and decided to conduct a face-to-face interview. That's why we have taken the liberty of coming to the Unova region."
"If the interview format is changed at the last minute, shouldn't they communicate with us in advance as well?"
The female voice from the speaker raised a question with a hint of doubt, which was actually quite reasonable.
In previous incidents, some people have used the trick of impersonation. The officers of Team Aqua even wore masks and disguised themselves as President Zvoich, making their appearances in the Unova region across the ocean to carry out illegal transactions.
As an employee of Hugo Detective Agency, it was perfectly reasonable for that lady to verify the visitor's identity repeatedly.
Mary replied sincerely, “Of course we also wanted to make contact in advance. But for some reason, starting last week, the email address that we had been communicating with suddenly stopped working. Since we accepted Mr. Daigo’s request, we cannot cancel our trip to the Unova region without his permission, so we have no choice but to take the liberty of visiting you here.”
"Moreover, our original online interview date was today, so we guessed that Detective Hugo might be able to find the time today to accept an in-person interview," the photographer added, holding his camera.
"Oh, I see. It seems there's a reason for it after all..."
One of the acting directors in the firm was silently sweating.
The smug voice of a girl from a week ago still lingered in her ears—
"What era are we living in? Still using email? Azure, if you ask me, if you want to contact a client, it would be much more convenient to just use a social media account!"
I really shouldn't have listened to that junior's instigation...
The reporter outside still hadn't heard the sound of the door unlocking, but calmly continued rummaging through her pockets, intending to compile evidence to prove her identity—
“We understand your concerns, and we also have our Hoenn press credentials to prove our identities…”
"Oh? You've come to see Detective Hugo too?"
Behind the reporter came a voice that was clearly not the cameraman's partner; it was another unfamiliar female voice.
Turning around, he saw a beige police uniform from the Unova region suddenly appear before him as if he had used "teleportation".
It turned out to be Ms. Officer Jenny, who was on official business.
Behind her followed a bespectacled police officer who seemed to be her deputy. Mary's photographer partner, under the latter's sharp gaze, awkwardly put away his camera.
"I don't know if you are clients of a case or reporters or something, but I'm sorry. We have official business to attend to and have to cut in line."
The smart and capable policewoman adjusted her cap in apology and pressed Mary's hand, which had just been pulled out her press pass, back down.
Then, as if by magic, he flicked his fingertips, producing a police handbook bearing the emblem of the Alliance Police. While shaking it repeatedly, he shouted into the communicator by the door—
“Miss Azure, I have some regrettable news to share. Mr. Hugo, the head of your detective agency, is a prime suspect in a recent heinous crime. On behalf of the Feiyun City Police Department, I request that you immediately open your doors and cooperate with the investigation.”
"what?"
The acting director stared in disbelief at the monitor.
Now that things have come to this, she doesn't know whether she should open the door or not.
Why is it that Hugo has been out for only a few hours, yet so many inexplicable old debt lawsuits have come knocking on his door?
Didn't that guy go to challenge the Unova Champions last week? And he caused such a huge mess. How could he possibly be involved in a criminal case being investigated by the Feiyun Police Department at the same time?
The thought of Hugo winning the championship gave Azure another headache...
She's even started to wonder recently if she has some kind of doom aura, like a detective's, that she can unknowingly turn the people around her into league champions—this is the third one already!
"Sir, I think it would be better if we made things clearer to avoid being turned away."
Sierra's deputy's voice rang out behind Officer Jenny.
The deputy then bypassed his superior, who was basking in the satisfaction of delivering a cool line, and presumptuously spoke into the communication device connecting the agency—
“Miss Azure, it’s like this. Although Detective Hugo does have some connection to the case we’re investigating, it’s only a slight, far-fetched connection. Knowing him well, we can see that his suspicion was immediately eliminated. The reason we’re here is because the case is extremely serious and needs to be resolved as soon as possible. That’s why we wanted to ask Mr. Hugo for his opinion on the case.”
"Oh, is that so? Well, that's alright then..."
The acting director breathed a sigh of relief and was about to unlock the door when—
“Yes. We should also ask Hugo about his alibi for these past few days; we haven’t seen him in Flying Cloud City recently,” Officer Jenny added.
Beep—beep—beep—
There was no sound of the lock being opened.
Conversely, a blinding flashing red light suddenly lit up the entrance of Yuqi Residence, and a loud burglar alarm instantly resounded throughout the city center street, attracting the attention of passersby.
"Detective Hugo is not here, and the agency is closed today. Please come back another day."
Acting Director Bilan quickly summarized his remarks and then abruptly hung up the communication.
Only two police officers and two interviewers remained, silently facing each other in front of the courtyard gate of Yuxi Mansion.