13 Mingke Street

Chapter 16: The Departed Wife

Dis stood behind Karen, watching his grandson.While everyone else was paralyzed with fear at the scene before them,the only ones present who remained calm were the grandfather and grandson."Do you see anything?" Karen turned around and glanced at Dis, shaking his head."You didn't see anything?" Karen shook his head again and said, "It's disappointment."

"Disappointed?""Yes."Although Karen deliberately provoked the other person on the phone earlier, she still had some expectations in her heart.Using "expectation" and "disappointment" to describe the scene in front of her was indeed inappropriate. In fact, when Karen rushed over with her grandfather after hanging up the phone, she was also worried about Mrs. Darcy's condition.However, the human mind is inherently complex. You can worry, be anxious, and feel grief and anger for Mr. Darcy's death, but at the same time, you can detach yourself and evaluate and consider the "work" in front of you from a different perspective, which is not contradictory.And in front of her grandfather, Karen didn't have to hide too much."Where is the disappointment?""Monotonous, cliché, lacking originality.""Is that so?"Diss looked ahead again at the "Lego Mr. Darcy".

"That's it then." Karen shrugged, "In the end, the layout of the Crown Ballroom was more like the environment that created the killer's work. This time, it was his true level.""Are you really here to appreciate it?" Dis asked."No, there should be other interesting things." Karen's gaze began to wander around, "I remember when I was talking to the killer on the phone, he was struggling to put the final piece together.""So?""If we look at it from an investigative perspective, after the killer hung up the phone, he should have forcefully gone to put the final piece in place.""So, are you looking for that?""Yes.""I'll help you find it.""Thank you, Grandpa."Karen first went to Mrs. Xiusu and helped her up.

Mrs. Xiu Shi is very fair. The first time I saw her, I thought she was fair, and when I got close to her, I could see that she was really fair. Some fair is superficial, static, dull, and boring. But there is also fair with depth, dynamic, emotional, and can be loved endlessly. Uncle Mason and Aunt Mary have both advised me to "be careful" of Mrs. Xiu Shi. As experienced people, they both know what Mrs. Xiu Shi means. "Old Darcy..." Mrs. Xiu Shi cried with tears. "Madam, you should call the police now." "Oh...okay." Mrs. Xiu Shi, as a strong woman, wiped her tears and walked towards the phone. As for the three people lying on the ground, Karen did not help them, but started searching in the crematorium by herself, and Dis also walked around to take a look. The crematorium is not very large, but it is not too cramped to accommodate three cremators.

Karen noticed the still hot incinerator and went over to take a look, but didn't find anything unusual. Then, she went to another incinerator nearby. "Huh?" Karen was a little puzzled and reached out to pull the lever next to it, opening it and then using force to pull it out. On the rack, there was a person lying face down. This person was wearing the uniform of the Shius Crematorium. "Ah!" Mrs. Shius called out behind Karen, startling her. "There's...there's another one here!" Mrs. Shius was in a panic. "No, it's the same one." Karen bent down, picked up the pliers, and pulled at the hand of the body on the rack.

The hand was pulled out of the sleeve;Immediately, Karen pulled the head of the corpse, and the head was also pulled out from the neck of the clothes.The head that was pulled out was only half, with only the back of the head and no front part.The hand was the same, only half of it remained, but without bones, only the skin was left, looking like a processed "boneless pickled chicken feet".Karen turned around and came to the table where the urn was placed, using pliers to turn over the foot inside the urn.The previous "foot" was standing on its side;After turning it over, it was discovered that this foot had been cut in half, leaving only one half.Then, slightly raising the foot, Karen used the pliers to pull the head of Old Darcy in the top urn. The head turned over, with only half of it remaining, and the back of the head was empty, like a cross-section of a watermelon.So,On the shelf of the cremator, half of Old Darcy lay there, and the assembled Old Darcy on the table was also only half.

"The murderer has divided Old Darcy into 'two halves'."Here's something too." Dis pushed a two-wheeled cart over. Originally, it was used to transport ashes and other miscellaneous items, but now it contained a hammer, nails, a ball of string, ropes, and several bottles and jars."What's in this bottle..." Karen curiously pried it open with pliers, but there was no label on it."It's super glue." Dis said."Glue..."Karen took a few steps back and silently returned to the phone.Dis walked over and stood next to Karen, asking, "There's half a body on the crematorium rack, and here's the urn, so what does the murderer want to do?"Karen pursed her lips and said to Dis:"Old Darcy is burning Old Darcy.""Is that what it means?"

"The killer likes to use ironic methods to express his artistic mood. Half of the old Darcy lies face down on the shelf, while the other half holds a small hammer and stands next to it wearing gloves, ready to push him into the crematorium.Alternatively, the half of the old Darcy is incinerated, and then the other half is ready to smash his bones and put them in an urn.Choose a perspective, and when you look at it, the divided object can be seen as two complete people." "Like a wax figure," Dis said.The wax figures in the wax museum are designed in poses of doing something, like a farmer plowing or a soldier charging."Yes, Grandfather, your analogy is very accurate. I believe that is the feeling the killer wants to convey.""But if that is what the killer wants to show, why did it end up like this? Is it because of your phone call that he didn't have time?""I think it's more because he realized his abilities were not enough to complete such a meticulous task of separating and stitching the body back together. It not only requires a lot of work, but also a high level of 'tailoring' skills.So, he had to settle for second best and ended up like this."No wonder when I was talking to the killer on the phone, his emotions would explode with just a few subtle provocations. It was because at that time, the killer was in a state of frustration where his creative abilities couldn't keep up with his thoughts.

"However, Grandpa, there is something that I am puzzled about. In the Crown Dance Hall, the killer used the "Song of the Soul" to mock the Berry Church. According to reason, this should also involve religion. Criticizing authority, mocking religion, everyone is drunk but I am the only one awake, it is a common factor that can elevate the spirit of an artist.""This is actually it." Dis said, "In the doctrine of the Abyssal God Church, there is a record about the Abyssal God. It is said that he split himself into two halves; one half forever fell into hell, while the other half turned into crystal powder and ascended to heaven.Then, the him in hell and the him in heaven forcibly connected through their own bodies, creating a space that belongs to heaven but is connected to hell, and yet exists independently, known as... the Abyss.His followers also like to call him the master of the Abyss.""The Lord of the Abyss?" Karen looked at Dis, "Why have I never heard of it?""The origin of this church is very remote, and coupled with their extreme rituals and doctrines, many governments have declared it banned and prohibited its preaching in their countries."

"Don't say in Luo Jia City, even in the whole Rui Lan, there is no organization of the Abyssal Cult, at least not on the surface." ...The police arrived. Leading the team was Chief Duke. When he received the report, an old detective's sixth sense made him feel that this might be the new work of the killer. Throughout the afternoon, the "new artwork" kept pounding in Chief Duke's head, along with the calm expression of the young man named Yin Moleisi when he said those words. If it weren't for the current situation and the connections that the Yin Moleisi family, especially the old man, had in Luo Jia City, Chief Duke really wanted to find an excuse to detain the young man and give him some "care and attention." And then,

When Sheriff Duke and his team entered the Shius Crematorium and saw Karen standing there, he immediately clenched his fists and exclaimed in disbelief, "Damn it, did you make a deal with the Grim Reaper? You always come so quickly!" "Hello, Sheriff Duke," Dis spoke up. "Uh, uh?" Sheriff Duke shook hands with Dis, "Hello, Father Dis." The police began their work, while Karen, who had directly spoken with the killer, was asked to make a detailed record. Sheriff Duke was present throughout the entire process; "...That's all I know." "So this time, you switched from the Berry Church to the Abyss Church?" Sheriff Duke puffed on his pipe and tapped his forehead, "What I'm worried about now is whether he will continue to kill." Karen calmly replied, "That is inevitable, and it will happen quickly."

"Soon?""Because his work failed.The killer is someone who is arrogant but actually has average skills. This type of person will not stop to reflect on themselves, but will impatiently try to prove themselves again and again."In the previous statement, Karen did not mention the "mocking" content she said to the killer on the phone."By the way, Chief, have you found out the identity of the first victim?"Chief Duke shook his head and said:"We have some leads, but we are waiting for the police station in the neighboring city to help confirm. The victim is not from our city.Also, there is one more thing. You mentioned that the killer and the victim must have a close relationship for there to be a sense of empathy.""Yes, so I suggest you start by investigating Darcy's social network."Chief Duke narrowed his eyes, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Karen, asking:

"In that case, once the identity of the first victim is determined, we can connect the two individuals through their social networks and find common points to narrow down the range of suspects?""In theory, yes.""Would the killer really be that foolish?" Chief Duke couldn't believe it.Karen shrugged and said, "He really is that foolish."..."Thank you, Mrs. Shu." Karen thanked Mrs. Shu.Because she personally drove and sent herself and her grandfather back to Mingke Street.

"Sorry for causing trouble for you all.""You're welcome," replied Dis.Mrs. Xiu took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Darcy has been my employee for a long time. I never expected him to encounter such a thing. Father Dis, I entrust Mr. Darcy's funeral to you. I will take full responsibility.""Okay."Mrs. Xiu forced a smile and said, "It will be hard work for Mary. I have one request, I hope that on the day of the funeral, Mr. Darcy can be intact... at least appear intact.""Okay.""Thank you. There is one more thing, I hope you can consider it.""Go ahead.""I want to sell the Xiu Crematorium. Actually, I have been very tired. These years, thanks to the support of my old employees, especially Mr. Darcy. Now that he is gone, I can no longer manage it alone. I hope you can consider purchasing the Xiu Crematorium. As for the price, we can discuss it. As long as you propose a price, I will not refuse."

"This is absolute trust in Grandpa's character. In addition, although Old Darcy died in the crematorium, what kind of place is a crematorium... a place where people are burned every day would care about becoming a "haunted house"? "I will tell Mason." "Thank you again, and... your grandson." Mrs. Darcy bowed to Dis, then stretched out her arms and hugged Karen. Immediately, Karen felt a sense of fulfillment, as if she was sinking into a pile of cream, but she didn't feel greasy at all. It was like an old farmer, lying on top of the barn at home, and getting great satisfaction in spirit. Mrs. Darcy sat back in the car, started the engine and left. Karen followed Dis into the living room on the first floor, and Aunt Winnie was sitting on the sofa looking at the account book.

"Father, you're back.""Mhm.""What about Uncle, is he still not back?" Karen asked.Earlier at the door, he didn't see the hearse from their house."In the evening, Mason and the others came back, bringing two 'guests' and a family member.""In the Yilmers' household, 'guests' specifically refer to corpses, while the paying deceased's relatives are called guests' family members.""In other words, Uncle successfully obtained those two cases."One was a half-decapitated head sitting in the passenger seat, and the other was fatally injured and didn't make it."So where is Uncle now?"

"I went shopping, with the wife of that guest." Aunt Winnie pointed to her head as she said this, meaning the wife of the deceased whose head was split.Karen remembered Aunt Mary saying in the afternoon that when the wife received the notification, she insisted that her husband was on a business trip in Vienna and couldn't have died in the ballroom on Hill Street!It seems that the wife has accepted the truth.No,Not only has she accepted the truth, but she has also suffered severe mental distress.Her husband died during the day,And at night, she sits in a hearse and goes on a crazy shopping spree.It sounds a bit crazy... but Karen can understand.However, Karen couldn't help but ask curiously:"How could Aunt Mary agree to this?"

"Can you let Uncle accompany a woman who just lost her husband to go shopping at night?"Because Mrs. Seymour ordered the B package!"Aunt Mary's voice came from the stairs, and she also walked out of the basement, looking radiant.Karen had seen the "menu" at home. The A package was prepared for real millionaires and might not even be used once a year. The coffin used in that package was the "Golden Coffin" and "Light Breeze Coffin" that Karen had seen before.The B package, on the other hand, was the most expensive among the main business of the family.For normal clients, it was a funeral that cost a lot of money;This also meant that the profit would be huge."Oh Karen, I wouldn't mind lending her to her for two nights, let alone letting your uncle accompany her shopping."Karen made a gesture to Aunt Mary,Aunt Mary looked over and only then noticed Grandpa sitting on the sofa, immediately covering her mouth in shock.

Dis just shook his head slightly and said, "Old Darcy has passed away.""Who is Old Darcy?" Aunt Mary was a bit confused, then said, "Oh, the old cremator from the Shius Cremation Society. Poor Old Darcy, may God accept his soul."After saying that, Aunt Mary made a praying gesture, apparently trying to make up for her previous absurd words.Dis went straight upstairs.Karen spoke up, "Mrs. Shius wants us to handle Old Darcy's funeral."Upon hearing this, Aunt Mary didn't show any excitement, but instead rolled her eyes, "I hate doing business with acquaintances. Not only is there no profit, sometimes we even have to lose money."Karen couldn't help but think to herself: This is a true friend.After hesitating for a moment, Karen didn't tell Aunt Mary that Mrs. Shius was planning to sell the cremation society, since Grandpa didn't mention it to her directly before. "Oh, by the way, Karen, when you and Grandpa were out this afternoon, a gentleman came to visit you. He left when he found out you weren't home, but he left a letter for you, saying you can go to his house for coffee whenever you have time."Karen took the letter, the sender was "Pierre", the psychologist who accompanied them to the Shius Cremation Society with his wife last time.

The content of the letter is very simple, the gist is that I was unable to meet today's visit, and at the same time, I invited Karen to his house as a guest. I left my phone number and address: 45 Rhine Street. If I explain that Kek Street belongs to the second ring, then Rhine Street belongs to the first ring city center, and the city government building is also on that street. "Okay, Auntie, I understand, I want to go up and take a shower first." "Well, you should rest early." But at this moment, the sound of a car came from outside, it was Uncle Mason bringing Mrs. Seymour back. Mrs. Seymour is probably around thirty years old and dressed very plainly. And following behind her, Uncle Mason carried a lot of bags, bought a lot of shoes, clothes, and bags. "Mason, why didn't you send Mrs. Seymour home?" Aunt Mary asked. After shopping, shouldn't you send her home first? It's so late, why did you bring her home?

The handling of the body and the arrangements for the funeral will not begin tomorrow, but a few days later. After all, the urgency to dispose of the father, like Mr. Mosang's children, is a rare exception.Most funerals will reserve enough time for sending out invitations and for relatives and friends to prepare to attend. At the same time, the body needs to be embalmed first.Mrs. Simor preemptively answered, "I heard from Mason that your family also offers psychological counseling services, which I need now."Mason, who was standing behind Mrs. Simor, raised his eyebrows at Karen and made a gesture to Aunt Mary.Aunt Mary understood and immediately said, "Yes, yes, we have it. We will arrange it for you right away."...Providing psychological counseling requires a closed and comfortable space.But Karen didn't have her own studio, and Aunt Mary didn't dare to ask Mr. Dis to vacate his office now, let alone ask Mrs. Simor to go to the basement;In the end,

Aunt Mary gave up her and Uncle Mason's bedroom and asked Karen to provide psychological counseling to Mrs. Seymour."Please.""Okay."Mrs. Seymour walked in and began to observe the furnishings of the bedroom, a very cozy room, and then sat down on the bed.Karen pulled a chair over and faced Mrs. Seymour sitting on the bed.She knew that Mrs. Seymour was currently in a "volatile" state, not only because of her husband's death, but also because of his betrayal."Mrs. Seymour, can you tell me about you and Mr. Seymour?"Karen quickly entered work mode and for a moment, she felt a bit dazed.It was as if she had returned to her previous life.But after this moment of daze,

When Karen looked back at Mrs. Seymour, she noticed that Mrs. Seymour had taken off her coat and was in the process of removing her clothes underneath."Mrs. Seymour, what are you doing?""Young man, you are very handsome.""Thank you, but you...""Let's do it, now, immediately.""Mrs. Seymour, we are providing psychological counseling services.""I know, after we're done, I'll pay you for the counseling.""I'm sorry.""I'll pay you double the counseling fee!"Mrs. Seymour, now only in her underwear, approached and started pulling on Karen, trying to remove his clothes.

"Now, immediately, right here on this bed, do it with me, I will satisfy you, whatever position you like, it's all possible, if you've never done it before, I can also teach you."Karen didn't resist violently,but instead opened her arms,letting Mrs. Seymour take off her coat,and at that moment,Karen calmly asked:"Any position is okay?""Of course, yes.""Then let's go to the basement, I want to do it in front of Mr. Seymour."In the next moment,

As if being poured with a bucket of cold water, Mrs. Seymour's movements came to a halt. Karen changed to a gentler tone and asked, "Is it worth it?" Mrs. Seymour slowly squatted down, hugging herself with her arms and began to cry. "Why, why did I give up my career and my family for him? I have been a good wife and mother at home for him. Why does he treat me like this? How can he do this to me?" Karen picked up Mrs. Seymour's clothes and draped them over her, then sat down on the ground without saying a word, just watching her cry. Crying it out will make her feel better. Mrs. Seymour reached out and hugged Karen's arm, pressing her face against Karen's shoulder, and kept asking, "Why, why?" And Karen knew that she didn't really need an answer.

"How much did you quote?" Aunt Mary asked quietly at the outdoor dining table."Two thousand lucre," Uncle Mason replied."Are you crazy? That's so expensive.""The previous one paid twenty thousand lucre," Uncle Mason corrected, "I asked around, this one is expensive.""Do you think Karen can handle this job?"Uncle Mason pondered for a moment before answering:"She...should be able to, I think. Ever since my nephew woke up from his illness last time, he feels like a different person.""What do you mean?""I have this feeling of wanting to call him uncle."

"Click." The door opened, Karen stood at the doorway as Mrs. Seymour walked out. "Thank you." "You're welcome, it's my duty." Mrs. Seymour then bowed to Aunt Mary and Uncle Mason, "I entrust my husband's affairs to you." "It's our pleasure, it's our pleasure." "You're too kind." "I apologize for disturbing you today, I'll go back now."

"It's too late now, it's difficult to catch a taxi. Let me give you a ride," Uncle Mason said."That would be great, thank you. My address is 46 Rhine Street," Karen replied."Okay, no problem. It's not too far," Uncle Mason said.Upon hearing the address, Karen, who was politely saying goodbye to her client, asked, "Mrs. Seymour, do you happen to know Mr. Piajia?""Mr. Piajia? Yes, I know him. He's my neighbor and my husband and I are good friends with him. He often goes fishing with my husband. His wife Linda is also very nice and a great cook. She often invites us over for dinner," Mrs. Seymour replied."Oh, I see," Karen noticed that Mrs. Seymour had a strange smile on her face when talking about Mr. Piajia's wife.This smile was a bit odd and according to logic, she should have added, "Unfortunately, his wife passed away last week." That would make more sense.

Next, Mrs. Seymour continued:"This morning, Linda also brought me an apple pie, it was delicious. I saved half of it in the fridge for my husband, but unfortunately, he won't be able to eat it."