When Ed escorted Burke Orton out of the smoke-filled hotel, the gray-blue night sky had already filled the entire sky.
Through the gas lamp on the street, you can clearly see the silver light reflected by the bell-shaped police helmet. Police surrounded a human wall, wielding batons, shouting and pushing away people who tried to watch.
However, even the most daring perpetrators quickly left here after seeing the terrifying beak mask. Ed pulled open the door of the black carriage that had been waiting for a long time and motioned for Bock to go in first:
"I really didn't expect that I could leave this devil's cave alive..."
After hearing the carriage start to move slowly with a "clatter" pace, Burke Orton finally breathed a sigh of relief, took off the gas mask on his face and handed it back to Ed.
"Wait, aren't Tommy and your friend getting in the car together?" he suddenly asked worriedly.
"Oh, you are the key protection target of this operation, and we need to prioritize your safety. As for other victims, they need to be investigated by the Bureau of Divine Investigation to confirm that there are no abnormalities before being dealt with in a unified manner - but you don't have to worry, I My companions will stay there to explain the situation, and I believe that little Tommy will be released soon."
Ed explained. Although the words "explain the situation" don't sound very suitable for Miss Quinn, she is indeed the most suitable candidate, because Captain Gyrfalcon will definitely give this face:
Quinn's sister, Miss "Nightingale" Olivia, served as the captain of the West End Team a few years ago, and was Gyrfalcon's immediate boss at the time. As one of the core figures of the Silvermist City Branch, Miss Olivia has a very high reputation internally. Even if she is temporarily suspended, it will be a matter of time before she is reinstated.
He had every reason to believe that Captain Gyrfalcon would definitely not offend the old leader’s sister because of an insignificant little boy——
There are some things that even if he has to say ten thousand words on his own, it is not as effective as letting the right person say one thing.
"Oh, then I'm relieved..." Orton breathed a long sigh of relief, his tense muscles finally relaxed, and he lay down on his seat like a paralysis.
"By the way, Nakata..."
Burke Orton wanted to continue asking about Catalina, but Ed stopped him as he spoke:
"Shh, do you remember what I told you before I went out?"
After you go out, everything you hear and see here must be kept confidential, and don't tell anything that shouldn't be said - even to the Divine Bureau.
"Oh..." Orton straightened his body and sat up like an electric shock, pursed his lips nervously, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it."
"It doesn't matter. When I first came into contact with the Divine Adjustment Bureau, I was no more calm than you." Ed smiled gently, calming the other party's emotions, "But please be sure to bear in mind that your every move will affect It’s profound and the stakes are high.”
"I see."
The carriage moved forward like this for a while, and the two sat across from each other, looking at each other in silence.
"By the way, I heard that you are a member of the hang-glider aerobatic team?" Ed was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Yes." Burke Orton nodded, "I have been in the group for almost three years, but unfortunately I haven't achieved any results."
"Then do you know Arthur Custer?" Ed asked.
"Of course." When he heard the name, the eyes of the young man in front of him shone with light, "I have a very good relationship with Arthur. I took him under my wing when he first joined the team. That guy is really nice. He can endure hardships, has high talent, and is popular. If he practices for another year or two, I think he can directly participate in the national competition——"
As Burke Orton spoke, he seemed to suddenly understand something, and said to himself:
"Divine Bureau, no wonder...no wonder he insisted on leaving the team inexplicably...no wonder I haven't been able to contact him...Did he go to your place? How is he now?"
"he……"
Ed's breath was suddenly stretched slowly by a turbulence in his chest. He softened his tone, and then said slowly and calmly:
"Unfortunately, he lost his life. Almost three months ago."
"oh……"
Burke Orton seemed to be petrified, and stood there in a daze. After a long time, he slowly said:
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter, our industry will always face sacrifices. There is not much difference between yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Ed comforted, "Peace and stability always have to pay a price. This is our responsibility."
"That's it...that's it."
Burke Orton suddenly burst into tears and murmured in a low voice:
"...No wonder his sister contacted me three months ago."
Ed had seen photos of Arthur with his family in his mind palace, and he had the impression that he did have a sister. The pain of losing a family member must be unforgettable, but she hoped Arthur's death would not haunt her for too long, he prayed.
Time will heal all wounds, I hope so.
"Is it a correspondence?" Ed asked after coming back to his senses. Arthur's family should all be in Fort Holland.
83 Fairwood Street, he remembered this address, it was the address he filled in when mailing Arthur's relics.
"No, it's her herself." Burke Orton lowered his head and covered his face with his hands as he replied.
Me? Ed couldn't help but be a little surprised. The two cities of Holland Castle and Silvermist City were one in the west and the other in the east, almost spanning the entire Lyria. What's she doing here so far away?
"I didn't even know that he had passed away at the time. God..." Burke Orton held his head in pain. "She asked me if I knew the reason why Arthur Custer left the flying group. I didn't think about it at the time. , she just thought it was some kind of family conflict and answered truthfully that she didn’t know. She was silent for a while and then left."
"Holy Spirit, if I had known the whole story earlier, I would never have treated that unfortunate girl like this. What have I done..." he said sadly.
"I see you are a good man, Mr. Orton. Only good people blame themselves."
Ed patted Burke Orton on the shoulder and said with relief:
"You must be hungry now, right? I guess you don't want to eat meat now. You might as well wait until you get to the police station and I'll treat you to tea and biscuits."
"Tea biscuits?" Burke Orton didn't understand what Ed meant.
"Just soak the biscuits in hot black tea and eat them. After the biscuits are soaked, they will taste sweeter, which can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. When I was at my most difficult and confused time, Arthur Custer invited me to eat this. Maybe you should give it a try..."
The thick smoke and noise behind him had long since disappeared. The carriage drove through a small road, startling the barking dogs in the yard. Silvermist City was immediately shrouded in silence again, waiting for its next turmoil.
