Dark Turn

The next day, Jorgen planned to talk to the doctor who delivered Gythra. Although the coincidence of the cigarette marks on Skeeny's desk intrigued him, he had no other pressing matters. Originally, his plan was different; after Dalia informed him about the map the previous night, his first task this morning was to find Elin. However, Elin was nowhere to be found. The blacksmith's son had already paid him the reward for investigating Gythra, but leaving such a case hanging felt uncomfortable for Jorgen.

The doctor's house was only half a block away from Gythra's residence. It was an inconspicuous, shabby alley, like a stubborn mud stain on the city map. Crossing sewage with floating vegetable leaves, Jorgen knocked on a wooden door with a clinic sign. It definitely wasn't a place where people willingly entrusted their seriously ill relatives — at least not without considering economic issues.

The doctor, in his sixties, was initially enthusiastic, but upon learning that Jorgen was not there for a consultation, he hurried to fetch his practice license. Jorgen stopped him.

"Rest assured, I'm not interested in whether you operate legally or not. But if the license you bring out is fake — and I believe there's a 70% chance it is — then I have a duty to do something. So let's skip this troublesome step, and I just want to ask a few questions. What kind of patients do you usually treat?"

"Only those with... ordinary minor illnesses, injuries and such. As you can see, no one sends critically ill patients to me."

"Do you deliver babies?"

"Oh, that's quite common. But I only handle deliveries, nothing else, and I charge low fees. You know, everyone living here is poor, and even if the newborn has issues..."

"I heard you delivered a woman named Gythra recently. Is that true?"

The doctor raised his eyebrows, about to say something, but his mouth opened halfway and then closed again. He sat down on a nearby chair before speaking.

"Oh... that's true. I remember that woman; she's dead now. Sir, you're not here because of this, are you? I haven't done anything wrong, her death was just inevitable."

"Calm down. What do you know about her?"

"Nothing at all. But, with a woman living alone, pregnant, anyone should be cautious. When she first approached me, I was reluctant to take the job because I was afraid I wouldn't get paid. Now, even though I've got the money, losing a mother and child is still unsettling. I don't have many years left myself, and I thought it would be better to avoid getting involved in this kind of thing in the future. So, that might be the last time I deliver a baby. Looking back, when I was still in medical school, that was over twenty years ago..."

"She approached you voluntarily?" Jorgen interrupted the doctor. "It wasn't her landlord..."

"Oh, those are two different things. The landlord rushed me over on the day of delivery, but Gythra came to me for a check-up well before the child was born. Of course, there was a fee for house calls."

"I see. You performed a check-up on her. How was her health?"

"I have to say, she was a healthy pregnant woman. Who would have thought things would turn out like this?"

"Healthy, meaning no diseases or conditions that could complicate childbirth?"

"None."

"Don't tell me your examination was just a formality to get a house call fee."

"Of course not. I also work in this profession with a conscience."

"Stand up."

"Huh?"

"I said stand up."

The doctor looked at Jorgen with unease and confusion, then slowly stood up.

"Everything you said just now is true?"

"Of course, why would I lie to you?"

"To my knowledge, Gythra had a heart condition and needed frequent medication, but you claim she was healthy. So, either you're lying, or someone else is. If it's you — for whatever reason, or if someone made you say this — you have one last chance to tell the truth. Since a physically healthy pregnant woman died under your care, I have every reason to suspect you of involuntary manslaughter. This makeshift 'clinic' won't help you escape charges. I don't think you have any other options now."

Lindy arrived earlier than scheduled. Perhaps due to more anticipation than apprehension for the upcoming meeting, Dalia was pleased to see him ahead of time. They sat in the backyard, and initially, Lindy seemed more interested in the evening's delicacies, but the conversation soon turned to business. Dalia's slight nervousness, caused by overthinking, quickly dissipated. They were talking smoothly until Lindy brought up a question.

"Mrs. Dalia, I seem to be missing some documents, records regarding the orphan transfers, from approximately the last year. Although not critical, I still need them. Perhaps you left them somewhere?"

"Oh, those..." Dalia remembered that Ivanov had taken them, and he hadn't returned them yet. "Yes, I had them, but they're not with me now. I apologize; it was my oversight."

"Did you leave them with someone else?"

Dalia hesitated but decided to be truthful. "A prosecutor named Ivanov took those documents."

"The prosecutor... from the Gallmont family? Why would he do that?"

"Because the prosecutor's office suspects financial issues in my organization, so he came to investigate."

Lindy slightly lowered his head, looking over his glasses at Dalia. "You didn't inform me beforehand. This is something we must address, and I, Lindy Lortleek, won't be scared off by titles like prosecutor."

"I'm sorry." Dalia's right hand unconsciously rubbed her knee. "I shouldn't have..."

"Oh, don't worry too much; it's not a big problem. I trust his investigation won't be more thorough than my research, and I can assure you there are no issues with your organization. Contact him when you have time; let's discuss the remaining matters for now."

"Okay."

Half an hour later, Daisy came to Dalia and said, "Madam, Lord Ivanov is here."

"He's here?" Dalia said.

"Yes, I told him you were home and then invited him into the living room... Did I do something wrong?"

"Ivanov?" Lindy said to Dalia. "Is that the one?"

"Yes."

"By the Holy Light, this is perfect."

"Then..." Dalia turned to Daisy. "Bring him in here."

"Resolving this matter now would be great," even though Daisy had already left, Lindy still whispered to Dalia. "But I must say, I can't tolerate him staying until the evening, sharing the delicious banquet you've prepared. I'll figure out a way to get rid of him before that, and you better help me."

"I can only say we'll see how it goes."

Ivanov arrived in the backyard and, upon seeing Lindy present, displayed an expected surprise on his face, coupled with a peculiar hesitation. After Lindy greeted him, Ivanov took a moment longer than usual to respond.

"Please, have a seat," Dalia said to Ivanov.

"It's an honor to unexpectedly meet Lord Lindy," Ivanov, once seated, resumed his usual demeanor. "Are you and Mrs. Dalia friends?"

"You could say I'm not just Mrs. Dalia's friend but also a secret admirer. In fact, we're discussing something important that requires your presence to resolve," Lindy looked at Dalia, seeking approval, and then presented the issue at hand.

"Oh... I see," Ivanov said to Dalia. "I wasn't aware of such an arrangement between you and Lord Lindy. Indeed, I've thoroughly examined those documents, found no issues, and simply forgot to bring them. But, Mrs. Dalia, forgive me — no matter what, the task assigned to me by the prosecutor's office is not yet complete. This is not the ideal time for the organization handover; it might lead to legal troubles."

Dalia had never thought carefully about why she kept both of them in the dark. Perhaps to avoid trouble. Even though she felt guilty now, it was evidently not the time to back down. She needed to resolve this; after the conversation with Elin yesterday, she knew she had to do it soon.

"The documents you took," Dalia said to Ivanov, "I need them now. Even if you continue the investigation, please return them to me first."

"No problem; I can go home now and get them. But..."

"Mr. Ivanov," Lindy said. "Perhaps I care more about whether Mrs. Dalia's organization is involved in any illegal activities. After this lengthy period of research — pardon my bluntness, but my thoroughness is not inferior to yours — I believe it to be the most law-abiding and well-organized civilian charity organization I've ever seen, like an unblemished crystal. I fully understand the prosecutor's office assigning you to investigate, but it seems that the publicity of doing so outweighs its actual significance. I know the prosecutor's office values public opinion, but for the sake of Mrs. Dalia and true justice, it would be best to end this investigation as soon as possible."

"End it? You're not from the prosecutor's office."

"I'm not, but over the years, I've had quite a bit of interaction with the prosecutor's office and made some friends. I even attended the prosecutor general's private tea party last month. If you're willing, I can accompany you to the prosecutor's office, and we can resolve this matter quickly. I guarantee your reputation won't suffer any consequences."

Ivanov remained silent, seemingly pondering. To prompt him, Dalia said, "If you can, please do us this favor, Mr. Ivanov. In fact, I'm planning to leave Stormwind soon."

"Leave?" Ivanov said.

"Yes," Dalia said. "I want to move, leave this place."

"Mrs. Dalia leaving for a new life." Lindy added. "So, for the sake of this respectable woman's wish, I sincerely invite you to go to the prosecutor's office with me, eliminate the impact of this pointless investigation on Mrs. Dalia, and prevent further misunderstandings."

Ivanov furrowed his brow, glanced at Dalia and Lindy, then looked at the table, his eyes showing both surprise and some inexplicable anxiety. To urge him to make a decision, Lindy spoke a few more sentences, but Ivanov seemed not to have heard or responded.

"I think," Lindy said to Dalia, "we should temporarily withdraw and give Mr. Ivanov some time to think."

Dalia hesitated about this suggestion, but she quickly stood up. Seeing Ivanov's conflicted expression, she could only casually say, "Excuse me for a moment," then walked with Lindy toward the main house. Lindy walked slightly ahead of her and gradually quickened his pace. As soon as they entered, Lindy said to her, "Madam, it seems there's a problem."

"Problem?"

"I can understand his dilemma, but it's not like him... this doesn't fit the prosecutor's style. Did you ask him to show you the prosecutor's investigation appointment?"

"No... I didn't."

"And he didn't offer it voluntarily?"

"It never came up."

"He's been investigating alone, without any assistants?"

Dalia shook her head.

"That's not normal, Madam. Think about it..."

Lindy's words were cut off as Ivanov stood by the door. He looked at the two calmly.

"Mr. Ivanov, have you made your decision?" Lindy immediately turned to him.

"I think... it's like this," Ivanov lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then said.

"Alright, you've decided..." Lindy started to say.

Ivanov didn't answer, turned and faced the corner. After a moment, he picked up a silver candlestick from the wall and struck Lindy's head with force. Lindy fell to the ground.

"Sorry, Mrs. Dalia. It seems we don't have much time." Ivanov said. His eyes widened as if standing on the edge of a cliff about to crumble due to an earthquake; his fingers trembled as he held the candlestick. "Really... no time left."

Dalia recoiled; her back hit the edge of the table, causing pain. However, she remained silent, pressing her right hand against the table, staring motionlessly at Ivanov. Lindy, lying at her feet, also made no sound.