Perhaps out of curiosity for “the great detective who frequently appears in newspapers,” Wayne didn't just “stand there like a nobody” at the Beaton Family ball.
However, this was clearly thanks to Mr. Bask's son—the one who sounded like the most useless among their family's three generations—who proactively took Wayne and Victor Biddon to socialize.
Although he had suffered a great loss in politics, his cultivated foundation was still there, and tonight's ball was hosted by their family; one had to show respect, even if not for the monk, then for the Buddha.
So Wayne did get to know quite a few new important figures—whether they could help in the future was another matter, but at least he had “met” them.
But everything has pros and cons. His father not only demanded that his son, Victor Biddon, socialize more, but Wayne was also implicitly included in this demand, probably treated as an example of “look at other people's children.”
Just wandering around various groups of men wasn't enough; he was constantly encouraged to invite dance partners, and whenever there was a break, he would come over and nag.
According to the rules of balls in those days, “the same pair” could only dance once. Legally married couples could stay together after dancing, but similarly, they either didn't dance at all or couldn't always dance with each other.
Wayne first found Inessa and Lina, then a vaguely familiar classmate he must have “known” from the academy, and after that, he could only brace himself to invite other young ladies he didn't know at all.
Inviting a stranger to dance could, according to etiquette, be refused by the other party without losing face, but sometimes, when mentioned among friends, it could be considered an “embarrassing incident.”
Wayne initially felt his charm was considerable, as he didn't miss a single “blind box draw,” but he was quickly slapped in the face by reality.
The second young lady who was “blindly drawn” was clearly there for “gossip.” “Mr. Wayne, Miss Inessa and Miss Lina are both partners in your Detective Agency. What is your relationship with them? Which one do you prefer?”
The third one was even more “impure in motive,” constantly asking during the dance: “Mr. Wayne, are you really friends with Miss Olivia? I heard you're very familiar with Ian Fisk? Will he also be coming to Richmond recently? If there's a chance, could you introduce us?”
Hmm…
I'm not even asking you to talk about “cases,” but if you just paid a little attention to “fingerprints” or “luncheon meat,” I'd feel a little happier…
After finishing another dance, Wayne felt that his social battery and exercise for the evening were pretty much depleted, so he chose to avoid Victor Biddon and went to the dining table to find something to eat.
The food provided by hosts in those days had a function that could be loosely used for “checking household registration.” For example, the sweeter the pastries, the higher the probability that their ancestors were Windsor nobles—sugar in the Windsor Kingdom was once a delicacy only nobles could enjoy, while commoners could only occasionally use small amounts for “medicinal purposes.” Therefore, the sweeter it was, the more it signified “nobility.”
Although descendants of other immigrants to the Windsor Kingdom also had this sweet tooth, fortunately, due to the “restraint” advocated by early Puritans, it hadn't yet evolved to a “lethal dose” for Wayne. Even the sweetest could still be eaten plain, without needing to “chew it with strong tea.”
Stereotypes are, of course, not always accurate, but Wayne considered the Beaton Family's financial power and status and decisively avoided the pastries, not even daring to touch the jam, fearing they might accidentally crystallize.
While he was picking out the relatively “more appealing” roasted meat, a voice came from beside him, “There were other people just now, so I wasn't willing to mention it. But I heard, Wayne, you seem to be investigating James Damody of the Dock Area recently?”
Wayne turned his head to look. The person was a gentleman he had just spoken with. His surname was “Schwartz,” and like the mastermind involved in the reporter's case, his status seemed similar, appearing at this ball.
Wayne wasn't sure if this person was the “real deal” at first, as there was a chance he was a relative or something, but since he had approached him now, it was probably him.
Wayne nodded upon hearing this. “I've been investigating a murder recently and found that a reporter's death is actually related to him.”
How are your local people so well-informed?
Did Jimmy tell you?
Mr. Schwartz smiled amiably. “Who assigned you to investigate? If it was Bishop Corleone, he has passed away now, and the funeral will be held the day after tomorrow. Some matters, if left at that, might be good for everyone.”
You guessed wrong.
It was assigned by the “current” one.
However, Wayne did not immediately refute. For old foxes above a certain level, a clear “rejection” actually contains a considerable amount of information.
What Wayne found a bit strange was that Mr. Schwartz didn't seem to think Father Tyrrell would assign someone to investigate him, but the truth was quite different.
To be fair, Father Tyrrell's list did not include this Mr. Schwartz, which probably meant he wanted the Detective Agency to stop at his “next level,” which was the “actual perpetrator” stage.
Wayne hadn't yet figured out how this case should end. “Successfully overturning the verdict” was certainly one outcome, but whether it could be traced back to the “mastermind” was another—bankers, even if they could be prosecuted, often had to contend with various lawyers at the court stage, and trials might take several rounds, dragging on endlessly.
“Justice” in America sometimes needs to account for costs.
Noticing Wayne's silence, Mr. Schwartz didn't know what he was thinking:
“I heard, Wayne, you seem to be planning to invest in business in Richmond recently. Are you under financial pressure? I can offer you a certain degree of support. Although it won't be completely interest-free, the interest will definitely be lower than market loans.”
Although he didn't intend to accept, Wayne couldn't help but be curious, “What kind of figure would that be?”
“A few thousand… ten thousand dollars.” Mr. Schwartz estimated briefly. “For investing in a restaurant, this amount should be enough to buy a sufficiently desirable property in Richmond. I can even give you recommendations, ensuring you're satisfied with the restaurant's location.”
Wayne's pupils constricted, not from being surprised by the amount, but from a slight fear.
Fortunately, when Lina wanted to pick up that mirror with the aura of the Wise Sage, he didn't stop her, otherwise, hearing this number now, his heart would probably be pounding, right?
And “collectibles” are truly a bottomless pit. That Simon Sherman was actually willing to throw out thirty thousand dollars at once to buy a broken mirror. The Detective Agency should really set up a memorial tablet for him and worship him…
Having satisfied his curiosity, Wayne's thoughts quickly returned to the main business. For now, he chose to remain “ambiguous,” responding with a similar smile, “I'm afraid I still need to consider this matter.”
Mr. Russell had already provided the restaurant for free, and Wayne didn't have a dream of running a restaurant, so there was no need to buy in a better location.
As for talking trash, there was no need either. In social situations, it's best to leave some room, lest words spoken cannot be fulfilled, and then he would be the one losing face.
Mr. Schwartz also said no more. “Very good, caution is a commendable quality.”
After Wayne left with his plate, another well-dressed gentleman slowly walked over to Mr. Schwartz's side from not far away. “You actually intend to provide him with funding?”
“He's still hesitating. But I think he's wavered; it's just a matter of time.” Mr. Schwartz picked up a plate and began selecting food.
“Are you planning to tamper with the contract?” the other person asked.
“No need. Bazzini mentioned him before the incident, and he's Corleone's ‘enforcer’ kept in the dark. Directly confronting such a person is not my style.”
Mr. Schwartz looked confident. “According to analysis, the war in the Old Continent might be ending soon, probably within the next year or two. At that time, under the constraints of high tariffs, many blindly expanded commodity exports in America will face problems. Many highly indebted investors are expected to go bankrupt, and related practitioners will also lose their jobs. At that time, business for various shops in the city will definitely be difficult.
“I am very patient and plan to transfer a downtown shop to him while the premium is still high. If property prices fall and business becomes difficult, then the loan maturity date will be when only I have the right to ‘consider’—he might even deduct the shop back at a discounted price.”
