Chapter 585: "Female Ghost"

They stayed at the restaurant until evening.

Lina, who had left after lunch to continue working on the "intelligence network," didn't return by car until after dinner.

Establishing an intelligence network isn't something that yields results in just a week or two, even informants in movies and TV shows don't constantly have news – after all, they're essentially part-timers, selling information to earn extra money, and can't be compared to so-called "agents."

Wayne didn't have particularly high expectations for an intelligence network not entirely composed of "professionals." As long as it could occasionally leak valuable tidbits or promptly relay some current urban rumors, it would mean the Detective Agency gained a few extra "eyes" and "ears," and the invested funds wouldn't be wasted.

It turned out Wayne had clearly underestimated Lina's luck and ability in digging up scraps of information.

When Lina walked into the restaurant, she had a dirty child tightly holding a paper bag of bread trailing behind her. The blonde girl smiled proudly, "Guess what Peng Zhang and his group found today?"

Wayne thought for a moment, "Is it a clue about that banker, Mr. Schwartz?"

"No."

"Then is it about the case that now involves me?"

"...Not that either, it's not related to the case." Lina tossed something over, "Here's a little hint."

Two ropes were connected by a small cloth pouch in the middle, looking similar to the type of slingshot used by Indigenous people, but a bit more "miniature."

Looking at the child Lina brought back, and putting it together, it looked very much like the kind of thing mischievous kids use to "break your windows"...

The fact that it was worth Lina specifically bringing someone back meant it definitely wasn't meaningless.

Breaking glass...

Wayne made a slight connection, "That 'evil spirit' that was bothering the gangsters in the Dock Area before?"

"Bingo."

Lina snapped her fingers, indicating Wayne had guessed correctly. Then she had the dirty child sit down at the table with them, calling out that he was hungry while also asking the freckled girl working there what food was available.

The first things served were two meat patty burgers with lemonade, followed by thick-cut fries that had been cooked earlier but just fried. The lemonade was more in line with the version from this era, containing slices of pickled lemon.

Lina pushed one of the servings towards the dirty child, "Eat, and then tell him again what we just talked about."

It felt like children's tastes were similar no matter the era. The dirty child guarded the tray with the burger in front of him and leaned in to smell the aroma, but didn't really touch it.

It wasn't until the fries arrived that he swallowed and couldn't help but imitate Lina, dipping them in ketchup and eating a few. Only then did he stop, still seeming to want more, his eyes unable to look away.

Wayne looked at him and tentatively said, "It's okay, there should be enough ingredients in the kitchen. We can pack you another identical meal to take back later."

"Can I?" The dirty child seemed a little surprised.

Wayne nodded, "We can talk after you've eaten your fill."

After getting a positive response, wow, the dirty child ate like a wolf, absolutely devouring his food.

He took a bite out of the burger in two mouthfuls, and before he had even finished chewing, he was shoving fries in. The sound he made when lifting the lemonade was "gulpgulpgulpgulp," followed by a silent, long exhale – "Ahhh"—and then he did it again.

When the dirty child's eating speed gradually slowed down, Wayne, who had been playing with the "slingshot," spoke again, "Tell me, what have you been doing in the Dock Area?"

Hearing this, the dirty child immediately stopped eating, wiped the sauce from the corner of his mouth with his finger, and quickly licked it twice, sitting up properly:

"I shot marbles at someone's house in the middle of the night... but I can't say who exactly. She, like Miss Lina, is a kind person who is willing to help me."

She...

Still a "female ghost," huh.

While Wayne was mentally "profiling" the other party, he continued to coax the child, "How does she usually help you?"

The dirty child answered without hesitation, "She gives me or my companions some cash, sometimes food, and then she asks us to do some small favors for her. She's not a bad person."

She isn't considered a "companion" by the street kids, but they also don't think taking payment from her is wrong. Her economic situation seems to be at least that of a comfortable citizen who doesn't lack food and clothing.

Wayne continued to ask, "What kind of favors does that Miss ask you to do?"

"Hmm..." The dirty child seemed to hesitate, glancing secretly towards Lina. After seeing an encouraging smile, he turned back and continued, "Just throwing things into some houses... At first, it was small objects, but now it's usually marbles."

He didn't react to the word "Miss." Female, not old or possibly unmarried. Her extraordinary ability requires external objects as a medium, but she doesn't seem to need to be present herself.

Wayne continued asking, "I won't ask for specific information about her. But can you tell me how many times you've helped her? Do you remember the exact times and locations?"

After speaking, Wayne also gently pushed the tray towards him, "This isn't anything serious, you can eat while you talk. We might have quite a bit to discuss."

...

Only after the dirty child left with the packed meal did Wayne and Lina, who were still sitting at the table, begin to review.

Lina had finished the thick-cut fries and hadn't finished her burger yet, struggling to bite into the remaining part:

"This child was noticed by Peng Zhang and his group because he lives in the dark alley of the commercial district and is a stranger to the children in the Dock Area. Kids living on the streets are sensitive about this; when they see a stranger similar to themselves appear, they worry about their already scarce work being taken."

Wayne was currently looking at a map of Richmond. "The target is very familiar with the addresses of those gangsters, so the probability of her being a local of Richmond is not low. Judging from the areas where the child usually helps sell newspapers and runs errands, the target might live in the commercial district or be a regular customer. Can you find her?"

"If the other party acts again, it shouldn't be difficult." Lina's struggle with the burger had entered the decisive stage. "Should I have Peng Zhang and his group bring her back when that happens?"

"You guys should talk to her first. I feel like the target's actions are personal. If there's no malice, just tell her to be careful about how she acts in the future and not involve our Detective Agency anymore. Otherwise, we'll handle it depending on the situation, sending her to the Church or the Police Station are both options."

Lina didn't look up, "Got it, that's simple."

"Oh, right," Wayne thought of something else, "I plan to print some discount coupons and free meal vouchers as a promotion during the opening period. I saw he ate quite heartily just now; the taste will get worse if it's packed to go. So, if you give the children rewards again, you can just give them vouchers, they should be popular."

"Will some customers have an issue with those children?" Lina asked.

"Remind them to clean up a bit when they come, as long as there's no strange smell on them, it's fine. Our restaurant isn't positioned as a high-end establishment; all citizens are welcome to come and consume. As long as it doesn't interfere with business, people can even just come to sit and chat."

Lina thought for a moment, "Are you trying to turn the restaurant into another type of 'tavern'?"

Wayne nodded, "Actually, more foot traffic is good for the restaurant. Plus, the restaurant is ours anyway. Doing this might even save some expenses, and at most, it would just mean a little less profit."

"You're going to make another profit from this too? Wow, you really are a shrewd businessman. My hotel will have to learn this in the future."