Chapter 8: Strange Events In and Out of the Hospital

Jenny hesitated on how to relay the strange command "The suspect is right beside you" to her subordinates. Before she could figure it out, Hugo snatched the walkie-talkie from her hands.

The detective skillfully adjusted the device's settings, connecting to the officers stationed at the hospital, and issued orders with such professionalism that it sounded completely natural:

"Attention to all personnel inside Castelia City Pokémon Center No. 2. Look out for suspicious individuals. Pay special attention to someone in their early twenties with a faint smell of gasoline, showing unusual concern for a Liepard, and appearing more like a delinquent than a student. If you spot the suspect, do not act immediately. The area around the hospital is densely populated. Track their movements discreetly and wait until they are in a secluded location before making an arrest!"

After finishing his directive, Hugo handed the walkie-talkie back to Jenny and gave her a knowing look. She immediately understood his intentions and relayed to the confused officers on the other end: "Consider this my command. Execute it immediately!"

After receiving confirmation, Jenny lowered the walkie-talkie and directed a skeptical gaze at Hugo.

"The No. 2 Pokémon Center is the nearest Pokémon hospital," the detective explained. "I deduced the Liepard would likely be taken there for treatment."

Jenny shook her head, indicating this wasn't the answer to her real question.

"The buttons on the police walkie-talkie aren't hard to memorize," Hugo elaborated. "Earlier, when your officers contacted the hospital, I noted the numbers associated with those dispatched there. So, I naturally used that knowledge."

Jenny couldn't help but admire his audacity but decided to press further. "What I want to know is, why would the killer be a young delinquent? And why would they follow the Liepard to the Pokémon Center?"

"That's an easy explanation. However, I suggest we head to the Pokémon Center ourselves. Having the lead investigator on-site during an arrest is always beneficial. Plus, as a detective, I've always dreamed of reenacting the entire case in front of the culprit."

"That's quite a sadistic dream," Jenny sighed. She quickly coordinated with the evidence collection team and officers inspecting the trash bins, synchronizing all available information.

Next, Jenny pulled out a Poké Ball from her police utility belt. With a press of its center button, a Zebstrika with a sleek black body and striking white lightning patterns appeared in front of them.

Jenny swung herself onto the Zebstrika's back and motioned to Hugo. "Get on behind me. Hold onto the mane tightly. Don't worry—Zebstrika doesn't discharge electricity while carrying passengers."

Seeing their mode of transportation was a Pokémon, Hugo hesitated, but eventually steeled himself and climbed onto the Zebstrika behind Jenny, wearing an expression of grim determination.

The moment he settled onto the saddle, both Jenny and Hugo let out cries of pain.

"Zebstrika is usually very gentle! That must have been an accidental shock," Jenny said awkwardly.

Hugo, already resigned to such misfortunes, waved it off with a pained smile. "It's fine, it's fine…"

By now, evening was falling, yet Castelia City Pokémon Center No. 2 remained brightly lit.

A hospital in a big city is ten times busier than one in a small town. A Pokémon hospital in Castelia City? That's ten times busier still. This adage, passed among doctors and nurses, encapsulates the sheer chaos of their daily work.

Medical staff hurried between wards and consultation rooms. Pokémon of all shapes and sizes were taken to various departments for treatment. Outside the wards, trainers waited with their partners, their numbers constantly changing but never decreasing.

Amidst the hospital's bustling crowd, several plainclothes officers vigilantly observed the various visitors.

After patrolling several times, the officers discreetly withdrew to inconspicuous spots like stairwells and restroom stalls to report:

"Report: no suspicious individuals near the special outpatient clinic where the Liepard is being treated."

"Report: everything normal near the emergency department."

"Report: all clear near the burns, frostbite, paralysis, and poisoning clinic."

…

The walkie-talkie fell silent for a moment before a superior's voice came through: "Focus on the adoption area in the Pokémon Center. Once the Liepard's treatment is complete, if someone tries to claim it, follow them as instructed. And don't get too close—"

The superior's instructions were interrupted by a sudden cry, and the signal was cut off.

A few seconds later, Jenny's cold and composed voice replaced it. "Carry on as planned. I'll arrive on-site in ten minutes."

The officers split up—two focusing on monitoring the adoption area, while others continued patrolling the hospital.

The adoption area, the least crowded part of the Pokémon Center, housed Pokémon that had been treated at the hospital but left unclaimed. The hospital would post notices both on-site and online, hoping kind-hearted individuals would adopt them. Those unadopted for extended periods were transferred to Pokémon research labs, where experts would determine the best environments to release them back into the wild.

At this moment, the adoption waiting area had three individuals: a salaryman absorbed in his phone, an elderly woman in an elegant dress with gray-streaked hair, and a balding older man with a scruffy beard.

None of them fit the profile of a delinquent—they seemed like ordinary citizens waiting for family members. Could the real culprit really be among them?

Despite their doubts, the officers reported the situation to their superior. The response came immediately, this time from the young man who had issued the earlier command.

His voice sounded frustrated. "Damn it, I didn't consider the possibility that the culprit might be a woman. Listen carefully—focus on that elderly woman in the dress. If she approaches to adopt the Liepard after its treatment, she must be the killer. Wait until she moves somewhere isolated before making the arrest!"

The signal paused briefly, then Jenny's voice came through. "Follow his instructions."

The Liepard's treatment went smoothly. Its injuries were comparable to those sustained in an ordinary battle and were quickly addressed by the doctors.

Officers waiting outside the treatment room explained the situation to the medical staff: the Liepard's trainer had been murdered during a reckless battle, leaving it without an owner.

"In that case, we'll place it in the adoption area," the doctor replied matter-of-factly.

Thus, the now-recovered Liepard was led to the adoption area by the doctor, walking gracefully on silent paws.

As the officers had anticipated, the elegantly dressed elderly woman immediately stood up.

"Oh! What a beautiful Pokémon! May I meet its trainer? What? The trainer has passed away? Such a poor creature. May I adopt it?"

Her trembling voice overflowed with exaggerated sympathy. The doctor saw no reason to refuse—this was precisely why the Pokémon had been brought here. Although he found the woman's reaction slightly odd, he handed the Liepard over to her and turned to complete the adoption paperwork.

However, the purple feline Pokémon bristled with hostility. Its fur stood on end as it let out a low growl before suddenly lunging—not at the woman, but at an undercover officer concealed behind her.

Caught off guard, the officer fell clutching his injured abdomen. Only then did it dawn on him that the Liepard's sharp sense of smell must have identified him from earlier patrols. To the Pokémon, he was still a suspicious figure despite his disguise.

But why would the victim's Liepard…?

As chaos erupted in the hospital, the Liepard's sudden attack threw the crowd into panic, hindering the police. Seizing the opportunity, the elderly woman and the Liepard vanished amidst the confusion.

"The Liepard attacked out of nowhere and escaped with the suspect!" an officer urgently reported through the walkie-talkie.

Outside the hospital.

Jenny dismounted from her Zebstrika with a grim expression, then yanked the nearly unconscious detective off its back and tossed him onto the grass like discarded luggage.

Unexpectedly, the Zebstrika had lost control several times en route, repeatedly discharging static that left both Jenny and Hugo jolted. The electric zebra Pokémon, with its innocent eyes, seemed to insist it was all accidental.

Suppressing her frustration, Jenny pulled her police cap down over her electrified, spiky green hair and barked orders into the walkie-talkie.

"Stick to the original plan and commence the search. Reinforcements have arrived!"

Finally freed from the nightmarish ride, it was time to get to work.