They didn't go directly to the crime scene on Linden Avenue, where not even bullet casings and bloodstains remained, and it wasn't suitable for direct divination with people coming and going during the day.
Leonard, experienced in field investigations, brought the two newcomers to the intersection of Linden Avenue and Field Street, where the police station responsible for managing several nearby blocks was located.
After showing their inspector badges and explaining their purpose, the duty officer led them to a small room next to the evidence room. After waiting briefly, another officer around 30 years old with two V-shaped insignia on his shoulder came in carrying a small paper box.
Seeing that all three people in the room wore inspector badges, this officer quickly put down the paper box, saluted, his face showing some surprise and unease.
"Hello, I am Inspector Leonard Mitchell. This is Miss Granger and Mr. Moretti. We are here to retrieve evidence from the July 21 Linden Avenue suicide case and hear testimony from the investigating officers at the scene."
"Sir!" The officer first saluted before continuing to answer: "I was the officer who first arrived at the scene. You can call me Dean. I've brought the evidence together."
Dean finished speaking, picked up the paper box, and handed it to Leonard.
"Very good, please repeat the situation at the time of the incident, in detail."
Leonard took the paper box and opened it, placing the contents on the table. The box wasn't large, and there were only three pieces of evidence: a brand-new brass revolver, three small-caliber bullet casings, and a paper scroll that seemed to have something written on it.
He examined them while having Dean continue speaking.
"Alright."
Dean swallowed and took a few seconds to organize his words before beginning to describe the situation at the time.
"July 21, Saturday morning, actually almost noon, I was patrolling Field Street and had just reached the intersection with Linden Avenue when I first heard a gunshot, then a lady screamed, coming from the direction of Linden Avenue..."
Attracted by the screams, Dean thought a street robbery had occurred and immediately ran toward Linden Avenue. After advancing about 200 meters, he saw Laurence's body, already dead, surrounded by passersby.
He was lying on the ground with a large hole in the back of his head, red and yellow matter splattered everywhere, holding a brand-new revolver in his hand.
Around were panicked ladies, men trying to appear calm, children being covered and led away by their parents, everyone looking terrified and innocent.
"You knew his name was Laurence at the time. Did you recognize him?"
Leonard asked curiously as he examined the evidence while listening, wearing gloves.
"No, I didn't recognize who the deceased was, but passersby recognized him and introduced him to me. The deceased was the founder of Tingen Second Steel Factory, which had already gone bankrupt last month due to poor management and heavy debt."
"A bankrupt business owner... I understand, continue."
Leonard nodded and handed the revolver to Angel beside him, who also put on gloves provided by the evidence room and began examining the revolver.
Small caliber, single-action, the lubricating oil in the mechanism was still clean, the rifling showed no wear, it looked newly bought... There was a bit of blood at the muzzle, from pressing against the roof of the mouth to fire... The cylinder could hold six rounds, but there were only three casings, one used for suicide, the rest used for practice with the new gun?
Angel carefully examined the revolver Laurence used for suicide. Seeing Leonard wasn't asking more questions, Dean continued introducing the case.
"According to descriptions from witnesses at the scene, before his death, Laurence had shouted loudly, attracting passersby, displayed a banner he carried with him, denouncing the mayor... former mayor Dennis for not keeping his promise, resulting in him still owing huge debts after bankruptcy. He then pulled out this revolver from his coat pocket and without hesitation put it in his mouth and shot himself dead."
Klein unfolded the banner among the evidence on the table. This was a paper banner about 1.5 meters long with blood-red large characters reading "Liar," "Go die with the fraudster," and other words. In the very center was written former mayor Dennis's full name with a large X drawn over it.
"Based on the situation at the time, do you think Laurence was mentally normal? Did you smell alcohol or drugs?"
Klein rolled up the banner and asked casually.
"I didn't smell these odors near the body. According to people who knew Laurence, apart from being somewhat excited, his mind was very clear. He even recognized his acquaintances and told them to take the children away quickly."
"Would a man desperate enough to commit suicide after bankruptcy still care about these things?" Klein murmured, "What about his family? Children? Any clues?"
"A week before his suicide, Laurence had sent his wife and daughter back to the countryside in Wintershire County. Their house in Tingen was also repossessed by the bank. Wintershire County is conducting further investigation, but no results have come back yet."
"Does the police have information about his dealings, or rather grievances, with the former mayor?"
After finishing her examination of the pistol, Angel also joined the conversation, asking Dean.
The officer shook his head, but it wasn't denial: "I don't know about this either. They said they would investigate, but they've been..."
The several Nighthawks looked at each other.
"Alright, we understand. Now please go out and wait at the door for a moment. We need to discuss the case, and if needed, we'll call you in."
Seeing that the other two had no other questions to ask, Leonard issued an order for Dean to leave. After the officer saluted and left, he immediately locked the door.
"What do you think?"
He returned to the table, his gaze sweeping over the pieces of evidence one by one, asking in low voices.
"The pistol is very new, purchased recently. Only one shot was fired at the scene, but there are three casings. Laurence should have tested it before his death, understanding the weapon's power." Angel answered first, "I checked with spirit vision, it's just an ordinary revolver, but we can consider investigating from the gun purchase location."
"Before his suicide, he told the children at the scene to leave, probably not wanting to scare the kids. This shows Laurence still had reason at the time and wasn't acting on impulse. He didn't want to take revenge on society, only wanted to suicide while giving the former mayor some public opinion backlash. We can start from the source of hatred and investigate whether the steel factory's bankruptcy was related to the former mayor."
Klein took over the conversation, stroking his chin as he spoke, though unfortunately he hadn't grown a beard, making this action seem somewhat affected.
"You're really treating yourselves like detectives..." Leonard smiled bitterly, "I'm asking if there was supernatural influence. I didn't call you here to follow clues and investigate the mayor's corruption cases."
"Unless there's a Beyonder who can remotely control him to perform these actions, what means could make a person commit suicide in public with a clear mind, even arranging for his wife and daughter in advance?" Klein asked, not knowing if he was inquiring of others or asking himself.
But he didn't dwell on it, instead pulling out a copper penny from his pocket.
"It seems I can only ask the magical George III."
This Seer silently recited "Laurence's death was influenced by supernatural factors" while half-closing his eyes and tossing the coin upward.