“No, only good luck and divine protection are involved here.” Klein modestly stepped aside to allow Stuart inside.
In fact, what he said was true. The success of the mission was indeed due to a bit of good fortune. He had already known Emlyn White’s location before Stuart accepted the task.
As Stuart removed his tailored coat and took off his hat, hanging them on the rack in the entrance hall, he shivered and complained:
“Damn weather! It's getting colder by the day. Maybe I should try those coats filled with cotton.”
“Damn weather! It's getting colder by the day. Maybe I should try those coats filled with cotton.”
“Can’t you call it cold? Go to Bayshore in the north of Sea Province and stay for a day in Frost Province, and you’ll understand true low temperatures and winter.” Klein chuckled.
Then he offered:
“A cup of hot coffee?”
“A cup of hot coffee?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted.” Stuart followed him down to the living room on the first floor. "I’ve been to Bayshore in the north, know the low temperatures and snow there. It was a nice holiday. But Berlankd’s cold isn’t bad either. It’s like magic—penetrating my clothes and seeping into my bones. Oh, what a wonderful fireplace to praise!”
Stuart stood by the charcoal-burning fireplace for about twenty seconds before sitting on the sofa and looking at Klein who was busy making instant coffee.
"Next year I plan to go south for vacation and fish in Dis Bay," Stuart said. "What about you? Any plans for vacation? We’ve endured Berlankd’s air for a whole year, worked hard and saved money, so this is our reward."
“Perhaps… go to Dis Bay…” Klein hesitated. The expression on his face was momentarily dazed.
This concerned an agreement.
With his brother Benson and sister Melissa.
With his brother Benson and sister Melissa.
"Ha! I’ll show you my fishing skills," Stuart chattered on. "We’re not rich enough, or we would have gone to Fuchsia, Indus, even toured the southern continent."
Klein poured coffee into a white porcelain cup and passed it to Stuart while he moved back two steps and sat opposite him.
Holding the cup, Stuart took two deep, warm breaths.
After a few seconds, he placed the cup down formally:
"Following our agreement, I will share the rewards with you.
"The Whites gave 50 pounds. But your contribution was more significant than mine.
"Sholom, take 30 pounds? I have to pay my informants for their efforts."
"Following our agreement, I will share the rewards with you.
"The Whites gave 50 pounds. But your contribution was more significant than mine.
"Sholom, take 30 pounds? I have to pay my informants for their efforts."
Just 50 pounds? A vampire is only worth 50 pounds? Klein couldn't help but grumble.
Still, he knew the Whites didn’t want to increase the reward. They were likely worried about scaring off a detective by giving too much money and prompting unnecessary associations, leading to police or official scrutiny.