A Busy Day in the Busy Life of a Busy Detective

Sorry, Aldo. I have to take this...

Renri here. Uh-huh... Yes. Yes...

Again? Really? No, no, it's nothing. I'm already on my way.

That's not much to go on...

What's the big sigh for, Renri? Problems?

No, it's just my boss at the COA. Orders...

COA? I feel like I've heard that somewhere before.

COA?

It's the intelligence service under the Administrator's direct jurisdiction. I'm an agent there.

That's right, I never got round to explaining, did I? It's the intelligence service under the Administrator's direct jurisdiction. I'm an agent there.

So, your orders must mean there's been an incident somewhere, right?

Well, it's not as simple as that.

...Huh?

My boss has a habit of lumbering me with the strangest cases. Things that don't normally fall under the COA remit. This case is something that the EGPD couldn't handle, and have come crying to the COA about it. It's not the first time they've pulled something like this. Probably more of the same, and that's why it's come my way.

That doesn't sound very promising.

Well, there's a lead to follow here, so no possibility of just ignoring it.

I'll help you out! So, where do we go first?

Theta District. That's where the person who called this in lives.

So, they live...just over there.

Good day, citizen. It was you who contacted the authorities, wasn't it?

It was, but... I'm sorry, do you have some form of official identification?

Agent Renri, COA. Could you tell me what this is all about? The report said that your husband...

Mommy... Mommy! Daddy's coming home, isn't he? He hasn't done anything bad, so... He is gonna come home, won't he? Won't he, Mommy?

Hush now! Mommy needs to speak with this lady, so be a good girl and be quiet for Mommy, okay?

I'm sorry. She always gets like this when her father isn't home.

It's quite all right.

Are you worried about your daddy?

*sob* I, um... Yes, I am. *sob*

So, you really love your daddy, don't you?

It's okay, we're going to do our best to find him. So, let's wipe away our tears, huh? You don't want your daddy to see you crying when you meet him again, do you?

No... No, I don't!

There's a good girl. You know what? Good girls deserve chocolate, and I just happen to have some for you here.

Really? Thank you! Daddy says we should always share. Here, you have some, too.

Err, actually...

Daily calorie consumption exceeded. You are advised to avoid snacking between meals.

......

I'm sorry, I, err, can't share with you now. So, you be sure to eat it all up, okay?

Really? But, if, oh, you're on a diet! Just like Mommy!

Will you be quiet?! These two don't need to know that!

Renri, is that right? You on a diet?

I am not! I'm just... I'm just trying to eat more healthily, that's all.

You need to be in top form for a job like this, you know!

I bet you do. And I bet you are.

Anyway, back to the case at hand. I'd like to ask you about your husband. According to the report, your husband was engaged in criminal activities...

Yes...

I first thought he was caught up in something when he brought this odd fellow home with him, one day. He said he was an old friend, but it was the first I'd ever seen or heard of him. And since they left the house together, I haven't heard from my husband since...

He hasn't come home at all?

That's right. And he hasn't contacted me, either.

Now will you tell the nice lady what you heard?

O-Okay... So, Daddy was home and I heard him talking on the phone. Talking about ill eagle goods and the snuggle ring. He sounded really sad for the ill eagle. He was almost crying...

Illegal goods smuggling?

I asked Daddy if the eagle was going to get better, and he got really angry all of a sudden. I've never seen him so angry. The eagle must be really sick...It won't die, will it? That would be sad.

My husband is such a gentle soul. It's not like him to lose his temper like that.

But, Daddy hugged me after that, and said he'd never let anything bad happen to me. But what about the eagle?

I see...Thank you for you cooperation, citizen.

Yeah...

I understand the situation now. It's hard to say whether your husband has broken any laws... But it seems likely that he has gotten himself involved in something illegal. It is my duty as a COA agent to ascertain the truth of the matter.

Thank you. I hope you can... Please help my husband.

You will help Daddy, won't you? He only wants to help the eagle...

I'll get to the bottom of this, I promise.

Having said that, we still don't have much in the way of leads.

So what does the COA do in situations like this?

It would normally boil down to a lot of leg work, but there's not enough time with this case. But there's an informant that a colleague of mine has worked with. He should be able to help.

That's good to know. When I heard things were rough between you and your boss, I was worried. I'm glad you're good with your co-workers.

Of course, it's only natural. The more pressure from upstairs, the more we rely on those at our side. Okay, let's go to Gamma District and see this informant that my colleague has been bragging about.

You're Cetie's informant, aren't you?

Informant is such an ugly word, loaded with unpleasant connotations...

Cetie says you know your stuff, and I'm willing to pay.

......

Renri of the COA: straight to the point, never beats around the bush.

How do you know who I am? Did Cetie tell you to expect me?

He told me someone would be coming, but not who. But it was easy to find out about you. You're quite the rising star in the COA, a favorite with the bosses...

When you're quite done with the sarcasm. It's nothing but the smallest cases that make their way to my desk. But there's something about this case that makes me think it might be bigger than the usual small fries...

You have a detective's instincts, Agent Renri.

But none of the patience. I'm here to buy information, not for the chit chat. What have you got for me?

Well, with your bosses just looking for an opportunity to kick you downstairs... I wonder what effect it would have if I were to smear you with some fake news...

I see. Is this you trying to up the price of the information you have?

I suppose it's just as well that I've recorded this whole conversation. And that I know just the person to send the recording to.

I see... It's *gulp* always good to come prepared.

So, do you have the information that I require? I am, of course, prepared to pay a fair price for it.

You're certainly not your run-of-the-mill kind of agent, are you? I like it!

I think we can do business, Agent Renri. And, as a measure of my good faith, this first tranche of information is free.

A citizen has become embroiled in some illegal activities. Would you be able to find me information on that?

You have their name and ID? This'll be a piece of cake.

Here you are.

Wow, that was quick!

Hmm, this is interesting... Good or bad, black or white?

What do you mean?

There's been an attempt to cover this up, but money has been transferred into his account from an anonymous source. Looks like he's in with a bad crowd...

So what was all that, "good or bad, black or white" business about then?

Hold on a moment, I'm just calling up his credit score...

As I thought; up to his eyeballs in debt. Helping out family members, apparently. You see this a lot; good people falling in with some shady organization because they've racked up debts. But this seems odd. Your man's not clearing debts, he's earning a wage. Has he developed a taste for this sort of work?

Hmm, I see. This doesn't fit the picture of this family father we're investigating.

Yeah, well, money does strange things to people.

It does indeed. Well, thank you for your help. I have no further need of you.

You're off then, are you? Well, I have a parting gift for you. I've been tracing your man's movements...

The airport, is it?

Y-Yes... Theta District. His last known location was exiting the main gate. But, how did you know?

It's common practice, when involving a beginner in a smuggling operation to have them close to the action. Hence the airport.

Oh, I see. Okay.

Come on, Aldo, let's go to the airport. I'm keen to test my theory.

This is the shipment. You be careful with it, now.

I don't suppose I have any choice.

That's the husband there, isn't it?

Yes, he matches our pictorial records. It's just as the child said, he is involved in illegal shipments. If that crate has illegal goods in it, he is definitely committing a crime.

......

But it's not the kind of crime from which there's no return. There's still hope for redemption. But we need to get to the bottom of this matter first.

We better be quick the...

Wait, Aldo. Rushing in without a plan is never a good idea.

I need to find an agent who isn't under the boss' influence. Let's see. Oh no, not him again? There's no choice but to rely on his help once more.

Renri? It must be about time to go. They look like they're done now.

Everything's arranged. We can make our move now.

Gotcha!

COA! Nobody move!

The COA, here?! Don't tell me you...

It's got nothing to do with me, honest!

Let this man go and don't give us any problems!

Let me go? Have you come to help me?!

We're here to protect you. Now, let us examine the contents of those crates.

The contents...of these crates?

Protect 'im? You mean arrest 'im, don'tcha? You can dress it up in pretty words, but it's all the same in the end, ain't it?

Arrest?

'Ow many times did I tell ya, eh? You work wiv us, yer breakin' the law! It ain't like it's rocket science or nuffink! Yer in the same boat as us, mate. You get shopped by the COA, ya don't see ya family again for a long old stretch!

So, what do I do?

It's obvious, ain't it? You split, wiv me!

We've been rumbled! Run!

Stop right where you are!

You do what you want, mate! I'm out of 'ere!

Aldo, keep an eye on this one, make sure he doesn't escape. I'll catch the other one!

Hehehe, reckon I'll've lost 'em by now...

Sorry, but the only thing you've lost is your liberty.

Pipe down, you big hunk'o scrap metal! No need to make a song and dance about it.

I'm sorry, but I won't be letting you go.

I'm sorry, but I won't be letting you go.

More COA?! 'Ow d'ya get here?!

There's nowhere for you to run to.

Affirmative.

I don't believe it!

Did you get him?

Yes. With a little help from a colleague.

Are you going to arrest me too?

I'm afraid so. The law doesn't make exceptions.

B-But then...

She's right. The reasons don't matter; I was breaking the law.

......

Only, please, could you let me see my family before you take me in?

I can allow that. I will have to accompany you, but I'm ready to do that. Let's go, your family is waiting for you in Theta District.

Papa!

Darling, you're safe!

I'm so happy to see you both!

Thank you. I really mean it; thank you so much!

Thank you for helping my daddy.

......

Now, listen to me, you two. Papa has to go away for a while with this...lady.

We won't be able to see each other for a while, and I'm really, really sorry about that.

Daddy, no! Why?!

I've been a good girl. How long do I have to wait? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow?

Well, actually...

It could be a very long time.

Renri!

Oh, err... Well, it might not be very long at all.

Huh?

There's no escaping the fact that you broke the law. I'm going to have to arrest you for that. But, you can get your lawyer to enter you into a plea bargain.

A plea bargain? What's that?

The prosecutor will reduce the charges against you in return for your cooperation. You could be required to testify against the organization you worked for. For a reduced sentence. Given the circumstances, and what you know, you might avoid prison altogether.

You really think so?

Yes. You're not going to do this again, are you? Just be sure you remember how you feel right now.

Umm...?

Hear that, you two? Papa, has to go, but he'll be right back. Whatever happens now, Papa is always going to be here for you!

When you contacted me out of the blue like that, I wondered what was up. Looks like things are as tough for you as ever. I don't see why; you're not really that socially awkward, after all.

When you contacted me out of the blue like that, I wondered what was up. Looks like things are as tough for you as ever. I don't see why; you're not really that socially awkward, after all.

I was sure you'd bring this up, Cetie. It's why I was hesitant to contact you.

I'm only interested in bringing criminals to justice. I give my all to this end. For some reason, the COA, and my boss in particular, have a problem with this.

I see. Well, good luck with that.

In any case, I owe you my thanks with this case. Your help is much appreciated.

I didn't do anything to merit your thanks. A courtesy to a classmate, that's all. I'm there whenever you need me.

Understood. If ever I can return the compliment, be sure to let me know. We might have differing methods, but I see that we share the same goals.

Well, this case is solved, so how about we go and celebrate?

Good idea! What did you have in mind?

Do you even need to ask? That patisserie I was tellin...

Daily calorie consumption exceeded. You are advised to avoid snacking between meals.

Oh, be quiet, will you?!

So... Renri's report seems to be in order.

Wait, what's this?! Admitted his guilt... And...entering into a plea bargain!

It would appear you put Renri on the wrong case. Do you still share her ideals, is that it? Or did you underestimate her again? You will take more care when allocating her work next time. Understood?