Chapter 52: "Renowned Detective" Kevin

Having traveled extensively across the globe, Nelson naturally had certain expectations in mind:

"Are you perhaps interested in seeing how this case unfolds?"

"It is my duty. As a detective, even if I did not actively step forward, I would likely have to reveal my identity shortly anyway due to the security screenings conducted by the crew of the Colin yacht. Under those circumstances, wouldn't I appear rather passive?"

He smiled calmly and said, "Besides, I hope the captain of the Colin liner will be willing to offer a generous price."

Su Wen defined his external motives as the "right to know" and a "commission," thereby placing himself in a strictly neutral position.

The confidence that allowed him to speak such words stemmed from the fact that this identity was not entirely fabricated.

It dated back to the final night at the Freezing Point Bar in Detroit: he had specifically mentioned a "trivial" transaction to the hacker Caroline—asking her to help him acquire a failing and obscure detective agency somewhere in the United States. Furthermore, once the acquisition was complete, she was to fabricate some fictitious detective cases on the surface web to enhance his credibility.

As for inventing those specious "detective cases," it was hardly difficult for Su Wen, who had read countless cobbled-together news pieces by unscrupulous editors on the internet.

When facing the hacker girl, while sipping his cocktail, his justification as "Night Watchman Rhein" was that he required an identity that was not overly conspicuous.

Of course, Su Wen was mentally prepared for his fake detective persona to be exposed. Yet even if it were uncovered ten days later, the story belonging to the Samoa Islands would likely have already come to an end.

At the very least, for tonight, he could use this identity to participate legitimately.

"Ed Law Firm. This is my business card, Kevin Ed."

Su Wen gracefully drew a black business card from his breast pocket. Naturally, a business card was an indispensable part of the forgery service:

"My detective agency is located in the commercial district of Orange County, North Carolina. If Mr. Nelson ever takes an interest in North Carolina, I would be delighted to host you next time."

Looking at the exquisite business card in his hand, the renowned photographer believed most of it. He nodded at Su Wen:

"My travel plans have always included the Linville Gorge waterfalls in North Carolina. Since Mr. Kevin has put it this way, I will take you to meet Adrian, the captain of the Colin."

Just as Su Wen had anticipated, as a globally celebrated photographer, Nelson Joel’s travel journals naturally could not overlook descriptions of the Colin yacht for promotional purposes.

Sure enough, he possessed a way to see the captain.

Su Wen verified the correctness of his reasoning.

The two walked from the deck into the corridor, catching a glimpse through the stairwell of the banquet hall—originally intended to host the evening gala—now cordoned off with yellow police tape.

Without lingering, they headed straight to the uppermost level of the yacht.

Security personnel stopped them: "This is a special period. Unrelated personnel are requested not to wander about."

In response to these words, Nelson pulled a dark green badge with a golden leaf patterned in the center from his pocket:

"I need to see Captain Adrian."

"You are the gentleman specifically mentioned by the captain. I understand."

The security guard lowered his weapon and let them pass.

As they walked, the photographer continued explaining to Su Wen: "Captain Adrian and I both belong to the Forest Ranger Sect. You can think of the Forest Ranger Sect as an extremely loose, transnational conservation organization spanning Europe and the Americas. Therefore, this badge is probably more useful than a special invitation."

Nelson pushed open the door as he explained.

The decor of the captain's quarters was completely different from the maritime rum-bar style of the cruise lounge they had just passed. The room was so lush with plants that it resembled a greenhouse, though desks and sofas were by no means lacking.

There were two people inside: Captain Adrian, wearing black-rimmed glasses and un-shaved stubble, and opposite him sat the chief mate, dressed only in a tank top.

Seeing them enter, Captain Adrian asked with a calm composure tinged with mild perplexity:

"Mr. Nelson, the Colin is currently experiencing some unexpected circumstances. Do you happen to have a problem as well?"

The travel writer briefly introduced the gentleman beside him, whose profession was that of a detective named "Kevin."

Simultaneously, Su Wen seamlessly cast two [Appraisals]:

[Appraisal: Adrian Langert, Captain of the Fals Chamber of Commerce luxury cruise liner Colin, Tier 2 transcendent, Transcendent Trait: Current Perception]

[Appraisal: Austin Fran, Chief Mate of the Fals Chamber of Commerce luxury cruise liner Colin, Tier 2 transcendent, Transcendent Trait: Strength Specialization]

[Interfered by the transcendent field 'Scan Shielding'.]

[You cannot obtain further information.]

This was already more than enough.

Su Wen introduced himself with gentlemanly poise:

"As a detective, I understand that encountering unexpected situations during a voyage is hardly a pleasant matter. Moreover, I imagine Captain Adrian would not want the reputation of the Colin to suffer on account of this."

Before the captain could speak, however, Chief Mate Austin crossed his arms, looked at Su Wen with utter disdain, and spat crudely:

"A detective? More like a swindler, if you ask me."

Mr. Nelson hesitated slightly.

Austin continued with even greater vulgarity: "Mr. Nelson, you know how many times I, as an old sailor, have bought inferior rum because I was conned? The taste of that rotgut alcohol is even worse than the squeezed juice of rotting oranges left out for over a dozen days. When it comes to spotting frauds, I’ve got plenty of experience."

Having listened to his outburst, Su Wen felt that for someone of such simple intellect, there was nothing whatsoever to worry about. On the contrary, he knew all too well that the more some people failed to suppress their volatile tempers, the more vulnerabilities they would expose.

Therefore, when dealing with such a "fool," Su Wen certainly wouldn't coddle him.

He smiled mildly, then said with utter calm:

"In that case, Chief Mate Austin, would you be willing to take responsibility for your conclusion just now and make a wager with me?"

Austin Fran grew intrigued. He found this move by Su Wen somewhat interesting: "Wager on what?"

"Since we departed from Vladivostok, I originally thought about trying my luck with a revolver's 'Russian roulette'."

He shifted his tone: "However, since someone has already died on this ship, adding another might be somewhat inappropriate."

Su Wen's offhand remark stunned the other three occupants in the room.

Then, he uttered a wager that was likely far more "fatal."

When Nelson later composed this story into his travelogue, recalling the opening of this experience, he wrote it with an overwhelmingly admiring tone:

[I had the privilege of meeting an exceptionally brilliant and handsome detective gentleman while boarding the 'Colin' yacht bound for the Samoa Islands. There, we encountered a murder case. To prove himself as an investigator of the homicide, under a cloud of suspicion, he proposed a 'wager' that made cold sweat break out on the back of the ship's chief mate:]

"How about we try to guess this: Before the homicide was discovered by witnesses, who exactly was the last person to walk out of the banquet hall?"

Su Wen looked calmly at the chief mate and asked, "What do you think of this wager, Mr. Austin Fran?"