His Conundrums

Chapter 40

All For That Missing Girl

A limited-edition Lamborghini Veneno stopped in a fine dining sushi restaurant about to open in a week. The owner, Mr. Jaejoon Kim, waited and smiled when he saw him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Welsch,” he greeted.

“Don’t call me that. I might think you’re referring to my precious brother,” he said.

Mr. Kim laughed.

“It’s an honor to be your guest during your pre-opening.”

Mr. Kim gestured him to come in. Three waitresses greeted them and led them to their table. There were no other guests aside from him. A piece of classical music played in the background, soft enough to hear each other talking.

“I’d like to enjoy my food first before talking. Food shouldn’t wait to be eaten, or it will spoil its taste,” he said.

“Of course.” Mr. Kim let his people served what they had prepared and let this man enjoyed every bit of it.

“Your family never failed to amuse me when it comes to cooking. How old is your youngest again?” he asked.

“She’s turning 18 this year,” Mr. Kim answered.

“Does she want to take over your family business?”

“She’s too picky with food but never takes any interest in it. I felt a bit of guilt since I never really paid attention to her while she was growing. Time really flies so fast. Never thought she’s coming of legal age this time,” he said.

“You’re too busy providing her comfort. She’ll understand.”

“I hope so. You grew up in a wealthy family as well. Any thoughts about your parents? I’m not trying to offend you, but I think I might use it as a reference as a parent,” he asked.

He smiled. “I never really thought about it. I guess we’re used to not seeing them all the time, and I think we should stand on our own. They work because they have a family to feed.”

“You are really a smart kid, as they said,” Mr. Kim remarked.

“So, what is it you want to talk about?”

“I think you already heard about it. You know that Venice Lampt was reported missing two days ago. My daughter Luna can’t go to school without being talked to. As what all this feud between our families, I guess people will start to think we have anything to do with this Lampt’s disappearance.”

“You want me to do something about it?”

“Kind of. This restaurant will start to open in a week, and I’m afraid hearing that can affect our first week sales or even worth of a month’s sales.”

“Indeed.”

“We assure you, my daughter is innocent,” Mr. Kim told him.

“If it is because of the conflict between your families or because she really has something to do with Lampt’s disappearance…”

“…I have no control over that,” he continued.

“But your brother is a cop.”

“He is, not me. It would be best if you had come to him,” he said.

“I heard he’s ill,” Mr. Kim told him.

“Yeah, that’s why we haven’t got to see each other.”

Mr. Kim sighed.

“Well, the sushi was good, and I really enjoyed it.”

Mr. Kim looked at him as he stood up from his seat.

“I think I might think about it and see what I can do,” he said.

“I guess it’s the time to visit him. I missed that bastard,” he added.

“Thank you, Mr. Welsch.” Mr. Kim stood up and bowed his head.

“I told you don’t call me that,” he laughed.

“I’m sorry. Thank you, Polaris,” Mr. Kim said.

-0-0-0-

Sirius went to Mr. Lauve’s coffee shop. He’s been thinking a lot. The bell rang, which means someone just entered the coffee shop, but he didn’t even notice it. Mr. Lauve greeted the man who just arrived, standing behind Sirius.

“Sirius?” he called.

Alex scratched the back of his head.

“Sirius.” He poked him this time, and luckily he got his attention.

“Why are you spacing out?” he asked Sirius.

“Oh Alex, since when did you get here?” he asked him.

“I just came in. Here’s what you made me processed last time. Is he with you?” Alex gave him a parcel of documents.

“Thanks. I made him do some errands. He’ll be back any minute now,” he said.

“Any clue you got with the Lampt’s case?” Alex pulled a chair across him and sat. Mr. Lauve served him a friendly and warm espresso.

“Thank you, sir,” Alex thanked the old man, and he smiled.

“No,” Sirius said.

Alex sighed. He blew his coffee and took a sip.

“I’m not going anywhere if I only talk with these kids. I need to search myself,” Sirius told him.

“I already make a search and rescue team. You only have to know the cause, so we’ll have something to report to her parents when we find her,” Alex said.

The bell rang once again, and it was Joe who was out of breath. Sirius threw him the parcel Alex gave him earlier.

“What’s this?” Joe asked.

“You won’t be able to seek an answer if you don’t open it yourself,” Sirius said.

Joe opened it, and the first thing he saw was an employee ID with his name and picture on it. He pulled out the plastic and made sure he’s not dreaming.

“I don’t want to go around solving cases with a thief,” Sirius told him.

“He really put an effort persuading me to appoint you as his secretary,” Alex laughed.

“So, I am employed?” Joe couldn’t believe Sirius would do that for him.

“I didn’t do it for your own benefit,” Sirius clarified.

Joe sighed, saying, “I know my impressions of you were correct. Come here, let this handsome fella hug you.”

“Do it, or you’ll get fired on your first day,” Sirius said made him a few steps backward.

“Is this something to celebrate?” Mr. Lauve asked them, holding a bottle of wine.

Joe cleared his throat, and his face changed.

“I went to the river near the Hallray High School and decided to look around when I found something,” Joe pulled his phone and showed them a picture.

It was one of the pair of a woman’s doll shoes and some messy tracks of footprints that looks like the owner slipped directly to the river.

“The shoe was a bit muddy and the tracks left are not that clear but visible enough to see since it rained yesterday,” Joe told them.

“Did you bring the shoe?” Alex asked him.

“Yes,” he answered.

“Let’s verify it if she owns this,” Alex told them.