On a gloomy morning in Midnight City (due to its perpetual clouds), Casey woke up to the sounds of customers laughing and chatting inside the Flame of the Night café.
Casey: I completely forgot I arrived here, must be the exhaustion.
She got out of bed, entered the attached bathroom for a quick shower, then dressed in her work clothes and stepped out of her room. As she opened the door, she ran straight into Nila. They froze for a moment, then Nila quickly returned to her usual sarcastic expression.
Nila: Has our princess woken up?
Casey: If you're calling me a princess, at least bring me some coffee instead.
Nila: And the servants don't work for free, haha.
Nila left, leaving Casey annoyed. Suddenly, Liner appeared behind her.
Liner: Don't mind her, she's annoying as always.
Casey: I guess you're right… Oh, by the way, where's the police station? I was supposed to start working there yesterday.
Liner: The police station is four long streets past the main clock tower, not through the narrow alleys. Then turn right, and you'll reach it.
Casey: I can't remember all that… Draw me a map.
Liner: Hah… fine.
Liner quickly drew a detailed map on a small piece of paper, marking some buildings for reference.
Liner: Here, take it.
Casey took the map and started walking through the city, noticing police chasing a few thieves, which gave her a sense of reassurance. After twenty minutes, she finally reached the police station.
Casey: I'm tired of walking.
She glanced to her right and noticed a much shorter route directly overlooking the café.
Casey: Was he mocking me?
Casey entered the station and immediately saw officers working diligently, reading crime files with enthusiasm.
Casey (thinking): This… is the real police.
She approached the department head's office and asked about her workspace. He pointed to a random desk among the empty investigators' offices and told her to take whichever she liked.
Casey: Oh.
She sat at her desk, examining files. Suddenly, the two people who had chased her yesterday in the city entered the station, greeted a few officers, handed them some money, and left. The director appeared behind Casey.
Director: What are you doing?
Casey (nervous): Reviewing files.
Director: Good, don't worry about it.
Casey: Understood… Do you have any work for me?
Director: Hmm.
He picked a random file from the desk and placed it in front of her.
Director: Investigate this.
He left, and Casey began reading the file.
Elsewhere in the city, a police team was analyzing a crime scene: a man was found dead, his mask removed, blood everywhere.
Officer: How did this happen without any trace of the perpetrator's steps?
Forensic Analyst: What else do you want me to figure out? Luckily, we know the weapon was silver, but we haven't identified the knife type or any fingerprints.
Suddenly, elegant footsteps approached from behind.
Sherlock Holmes: Well, well, well… what do we have here?
Officer: When did you get here, Detective… Sherlock Holmes?
Sherlock Holmes: I spotted you from afar a short while ago and decided to see your investigation in action.
Officer: As you can see, this is the crime scene of a gang member. It seems he was killed from behind.
Sherlock Holmes (whistling sharply): Your analysis is completely wrong. Look at the victim's body and the footprints. You expect me to believe this was a sneak attack? No, it's a gang member.
Officer: Then… what do you think?
Sherlock Holmes: The killer concealed his footprints, while the victim didn't. All visible footprints match the victim's shoe type. This indicates a professional who used illusion magic to hide his tracks.
Officer: Illusion magic?
Sherlock Holmes: Yes. Even a veteran magician couldn't conceal everything. Look near the trash bin, there's a small part that looks off.
(Holmes throws a wooden stick at the distorted figure, revealing reality.)
Sherlock Holmes: See?
Officer (in shock): My donut just fell!
Sherlock Holmes: I'll leave the rest to you. But Jack has returned. Keep a closer eye on it.
Back at the Flame of the Night café, during the staff break, Nila sat near the back door, Casper was cleaning dishes, and Liner sat alone carving something. Two others played chess, a young woman holding the advantage. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and someone in a formal suit opened the door