Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 113 The Romantic Elwin

Blackwater Alley was still familiar to Green.

He had sought refuge there for a few days after the William incident. It was arguably the most chaotic place in the entire city of Oberhafen.

"That's right, Blackwater Alley." Alvin said, his mouth slurring as he smoked a cigarette. "It's a melting pot of all sorts of people, the rent is cheap, and the owners don't ask about your background, making it the perfect place to hide."

"Most budget hotels there have shared bathrooms, or none at all. Those with private or semi-private bathrooms can be counted on one hand," Green said in a deep voice, recalling the layout of Blackwater Alley.

"And we also have to consider 'Jackson's' financial situation and the need for disguise."

Alvin added, "He's well-dressed, but he might not stay in one of the best places—too conspicuous. Below average, clean but unassuming, that's most likely."

The two exchanged a glance, each having already identified their target area.

"Let's go check out 'Old Eel' and 'Mole's Hole' first." Alvin took the lead. "These two are the most suitable, and I know the owners."

"Do you go there often?" Green asked, somewhat puzzled. Alvin seemed extremely familiar with that area.

"I've only stayed there a few times, and we're all adults, what's the big deal?"

Alvin gave a vague reply, without giving a direct answer, but flicked the cigarette butt into the roadside ditch, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips.

Seeing his expression, Green's previous doubts vanished instantly. Indeed, given Alvin's personality and behavior, what else could it be but staying a few times? It was for some "romantic encounter" or a brief moment of pleasure that required secrecy.

The cheap hotels in Blackwater Alley, where people don't ask about your background, pay in cash, and leave immediately after use, are the perfect place for a thrill-seeking wanderer like Alvin who doesn't want to get into long-term trouble.

"I understand." Green gave a slight smirk, a look of comprehension on his face. "'Work requires it,' right?"

Alvin chuckled, patted Green on the shoulder, and lowered his voice, "Sometimes, a little private 'diplomatic activity' needs a quiet and inexpensive place to take place. The owners of Blackwater Alley are tight-lipped, and the rooms are... enough."

He blinked. "Don't tell me you don't have that 'need,' Green. Adults need a little variety in their lives."

"I'm a decent person." Green didn't bother to respond to his comment.

He understood, of course. But in such a chaotic and potentially dangerous environment, Alvin's taste and courage were truly admirable.

"Your 'diplomatic activities' cover a wide range," Green replied casually.

Three hours later, the two arrived at the entrance of "Old Eel".

Green looked up at the hotel sign, frowned, and then looked at Alvin. "That name really suits you."

Irwin ignored Green and even casually straightened his collar and cuffs, though it seemed a bit superfluous in this setting.

The hotel owner was a plump, good-looking middle-aged woman wearing a tight floral dress that accentuated her full breasts and revealed her waistline.

She was leaning against the counter, filing her nails with a small file, when she heard the door open and lazily looked up.

When her gaze swept over Elwin, her slightly tired eyes instantly lit up. She tossed aside the file, a flirtatious smile immediately spreading across her face, and swayed her hips as she approached him.

"Oh my! Look who's here!" Her voice was bright and crisp, with the characteristic sassiness of Blackwater Alley. "Our busy Mr. Alvin hasn't patronized my business for quite some time!"

As she spoke, she opened her arms to hug Alvin's neck, the movement very natural.

Alvin reacted incredibly quickly, almost as if he'd been electrocuted, taking a large step back while raising a hand in a "stop" gesture, forcing a serious expression on his face: "Lisa! Stop! We're here to handle a case, something serious!"

Green froze, staring at Alvin in disbelief, and whispered, "Are you fucking sure this is an inn?!"

Alvin gave an awkward laugh. "It is indeed a hotel."

"Handling a case?"

Lisa paused, placed her hands on her ample waist, and giggled, her laughter like the tinkling of bells.

"When have you ever not come here to investigate a 'case'? Last time it was the 'home invasion investigation,' and the time before that it was the 'suspect tracking,' weren't you quite 'thorough' with those investigations? What role are you going to have me play this time?"

Wow, that's some serious fancy stuff...

As Green watched this "reunion of old friends" unfold before him, his lips twitched involuntarily, and he had only one thought in his mind: This is too much!

Lisa's gaze swept quickly over Green's face and body, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes that had seen countless people. She puffed out her already impressive chest, stretching the neckline of her floral dress even wider to reveal a dazzling expanse of white cleavage.

"Wow!" she drawled, her voice brimming with undisguised interest. "This gentleman is someone I've never seen before; he's quite handsome! Darling, your colleague is much more proper than you... I wonder if he's just 'seemingly' proper like you? Shall we go together this time?"

As she spoke, she winked at Green.

Alvin immediately stepped to the side, trying again to block Lisa's overly enthusiastic gaze, his tone tinged with helplessness and warning:

"Lisa! Let's get down to business! A young man, in his twenties, with a southern accent, checked in about three or four days ago. Do you remember him?"

Seeing that Alvin didn't seem to be there to "reminisce," Lisa restrained herself slightly and pretended to be trying hard to remember.

"Southern accent...young man..."

She touched her full lower lip with her bright red nail polished fingers. "Three or four days ago... um, I think someone came to ask about the room."

Green was invigorated.

Lisa continued, "He was dressed decently, not like someone who hangs out here often. He spoke in a soft, gentle tone, definitely from the south. He asked me if I had brought... um, a room with a private bathroom."

As she spoke, she glanced at Alvin meaningfully, "You know, I only have the top-floor room here, but he thought it was too expensive and didn't stay there."

After all that trouble, it turns out they don't live here. Green frowned. "I'll wait for you outside."

After saying that, he turned around and was about to push the door open to leave.

"But I know where he went," Lisa said suddenly.

Green's hand, which was pushing the door open, paused.

He slowly turned around and looked at the woman behind the counter who was once again meticulously filing her nails.

Do you know where he went?

Lisa didn't even lift her eyelids, focusing intently on her bright red nails, gently filing the edges with a file, as if it were the most important thing in the world.

She didn't say anything.

Alvin cleared his throat, leaned close to Green's ear, and whispered quickly, "Pay."

"Huh?" Green didn't react for a moment.

Lisa then raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping between Alvin and Green before finally settling on Green, a mischievous smile playing on her lips:

"Let's settle the bill together, including the last one, darling. In total... um, let me calculate. The 'special service fee' last time, plus this 'information consultation fee,' I'll give you £10 shillings, and I'll give you a discount."

Green's mind went blank, and a surge of heat rushed to his head.

He abruptly turned to look at Alvin, his eyes practically spitting fire, his voice forced out through clenched teeth, low but filled with unbelievable rage:

"Alvin... did you bring me here to find clues and solve a case, or to pay for my services?!"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Alvin's face, but it was quickly masked by his usual playful grin. He put his arm around Green's shoulder.

"Hey, don't rush, don't rush! Look, we have a lead, right? 1 pound 10 soules for an important lead, what a bargain! I'll pay you back when I get my salary this week, not a penny less! I promise!"

"A guarantee?" Green shook off his arm, almost laughing in anger. "What guarantee do you have? You even paid for Leah's fortune telling on credit!"

"That's different! Leah's investment is...that's a long-term investment!"

Alvin argued illogically, "This was official business! Official expenses! I'll ask Clarisse for reimbursement later... uh, maybe not all of it, but definitely some! Don't worry, we're all on the same side, would I ever cheat you?"

He patted his chest, then lowered his voice, "Next time, next time you have this kind of 'need,' I'll pay for it for you too! I can also introduce you to someone, I guarantee you'll be satisfied. How about that? Pretty generous, right?"

After saying that, Alvin turned his head and whispered in Green's ear, "Don't let the clue we finally found just disappear like that. I don't care, it's not like Clarice gave me this task."

Calm down, calm down.

Green felt a throbbing pain in his temples. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The clue was right in front of him, and this money... he probably couldn't avoid paying it.

He glared fiercely at Alvin, then reluctantly reached for his purse, stiffly counted out 1 pound 10 soule coins, and slammed them onto the counter.

The crisp sound of coins clattering against the wooden counter was particularly jarring in the quiet hotel lobby.

Lisa's eyes lit up, and she quickly stuffed the money into her blouse, her smile instantly becoming much more genuine and radiant. She stopped teasing her, leaned forward, and lowered her voice:

"The young man asked about the room and thought it was too expensive, so he was about to leave. But he ran into someone he knew at the door—or at least someone who looked like he knew them."

"An acquaintance?" Green and Alvin asked simultaneously.