Precious Daylight was wasted in the end.

Martial Kim and Inspector Lee searched the streets around the Celestial Dream Brothel. They even dispatched constables to look up and down the whole district.

There were many Palanquin Bearers strutting about, carrying their hand held carriages in groups of four or six and taxiing their well paying clients to one location after another. The investigators were thorough, running into any and all known Palanquin or Sedan chair services to ask around.

In the end, the Palanquin Bearers that served Fae Fae were no where to be found.

Martial Kim and Inspector Lee returned to the Imperial Constabulary to reconvene. As they discussed the details in Fae Fae’s room, they dragged a long standing wooden board to start sorting out their notes and clips of information they collected. They would use sewing needles from the station garrisons to pin hand drawn pictures and notes across the board, before tying it with colourful sewing strings to make connections to them.

“Martial Kim,” Inspector Lee wondered, “You think the Palanquin Bearers skipped town?”

“Why would they?” Martial Kim asked back, “The company they represent is stationed in the Capital and many people in Celestial Dreams brothel all claim they usually loiter around the front of their doorsteps waiting for clients to taxi. Usually they like to wait for Fae Fae. Pretty hard to find work outside of the Capital.”

Martial Kim paused, to turn around to look at Fae Fae in the bed nearby.

Still unconscious. Deep down, he was hoping their conversation spur some curiosity in her chest, to motivate her to wake up her eyes and ad lib some thoughts or two. Even asleep, she looked like a keen girl. But Martial Kim could be just imagining that with wishful thinking.

He then said, “You believe, they are directly involved with Fae Fae’s murder?”

“I am not trying to suggest it,” Inspector Lee waved a hand, “But these guys were known to be the last possible people who kept Fae Fae company. At least, based on the Handmaiden’s testimony... You know, this reminds me of this old case, way before I even joined the Constabulary.”

“Ah. I think I know which one you are talking about.’

Inspector Lee paced about on the spot, before he gasped, “Ooooh! R-remember that serial killer, several years back!? The Horse Wagon Murderer! Yeah, the mad man who strangled and raped any women who just so happen to board his wagon AND it was raining cats and dogs – god knows why. The case was near legend, headliners every day! Although he was caught and his head chopped off, you think those Palanquin Bearers are following the devil’s footsteps!?”

“Well if there is one thing I am happy to say, the killer in Fae Fae’s case is not a copy cat. Otherwise, under the conditions you mentioned, even a Royal Physician cannot save her from such a tragedy. Also, there had been no rain during the days she disappeared and the only wagon tracks we found—”

“Were the ones my constables brought so we could wagon the corpse back...” Inspector Lee then scratched at his hair to stare at the investigation board. “You’d think these Palanquin Bearers would have at least showed up at the brothel and offer their condolences once they hear Fae Fae is dead. Yet, no one has heard of them. Not a peep! Even their boss hasn’t gotten a single news about them since they last went out with Fae Fae. Something is up, there has to be!”

Martial Kim took a break from staring at the investigation board. Rather, it was time to treat Fae Fae with some light medication and acupuncture. As he made preparations, holding several needles over an open flame to sterilize them, half of his mind still drifted off back to the case.

A nonchalant brother, who suddenly reversed his gambling streak and struck gold. Did he get rich before or after Fae Fae was attacked? Was he lying about his whereabouts? Or was he sincerely too scatterbrain to tell his exact locations?

And these Palanquin Bearers?

So far nothing but praises from the Handmaiden, their boss, and some others in their Sedan taxi community. Yet such diligence has not reported in for work since Fae Fae vanished. If they were the murderers, what was the motive? Beauty? Obviously not, Fae Fae was never raped. Money? Perhaps, most of her money was gone when the investigators found her body.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Was it all planned? Or was it only a spur of the moment? A frightening accident?

Martial Kim’s mind was troubled with all this knowledge but no practical usage for them. What hurts the most isn’t the fact he found no clear direction to point an exact finger. The pain was more physical, like the heart in his chest hurt for not being able to do more.

Inspector Lee took a break himself, only he stepped out of the stuffy room to walk around under the fading sunset and get some even fresh air. All the while Martial Kim kept Fae Fae company as he applied acupuncture needles onto her body.

He hoped this treatment would promote better balance within Fae Fae’s body, restart and revive her organ functions. That way, she no longer needed external energy sources to keep her body healthy.

“...We met your brother earlier today if you’re wondering.” Martial Kim spoke, but no one listened.

Rather, he decided to talk to Fae Fae to try and excite her mind with some conversation. He read in some rare books that even when people are in a comatose state, they more or less hear everything that has even been spoken to them.

He has yet to see it in person, so might as well give it a go.

“He’s doing well.” Martial Kim went on, “Actually, well off. He claims he won a lot of money. Even moved out to a better dwelling. Would you believe me, if I told you he had been living in a rental space inside of a Funeral Parlour. A funeral parlour if you can imagine!”

..........................................

“Although we saw the worst side of him today, I wonder what are the good things you see in him.”

..........................................

“Inspector Lee found out from his men. Although you’ve never been on any loan sharks payroll – you’ve always been your brother’s guarantor for some occasions. You, paying off his debt clean... No doubt he kept disappointing you when he re opened his debts time after time. But you couldn’t bring yourself to forsake him. Right?”

..........................................

“If I may ask, do you care for him because he is your brother and it is your responsibility as his kin? Or do you truly care for him from the bottom of your heart? I dare not imagine what life was like with someone like him. In saying that, I admire your tenacity. Even when you work day and night to make ends meet, help your friends, and put a smile to everyone’s face... You always hold those bitter feelings inside of you, the whole time. Handling one bad news after another behind the curtains. It must have been hard on you.”

Martial Kim continued to talk to Fae Fae.

And Fae Fae continued to not respond.

Every now and then Martial Kim would help to move her arms and hands, as part of a bed side exercise to keep her body from losing muscle tone.

“The first time I watched you perform, I was at my lowest. I’ve failed to meet expectations set upon me and it...well...it didn’t end well. Whenever I look back on those days, I feel like I should just jump off a cliff and it would be the end of it. But the night I saw your sword dance...I told myself, I had to work hard and stay strong. To regain myself, so I could be confidant enough to come and greet you... I apologize it took this long...Brothels make me conscious, if you get me. No offence... Ha, ha.....ha.”

Martial Kim blushed a bit in nostalgia. He quietly and gently fixed some of Fae Fae’s hair, to make her look prettier even when she was still asleep and unresponsive.

“So I am always glad, you decided to host your sword dance for the public, so everyone could see and feel moved by your passion... Say, Fae Fae. When this is all over, would you like to go back to dancing?... Or perhaps..........Huh?”

The moment was ruined.

Not because Inspector Lee stomped in like a gorilla neither did Martial Kim did anything sappy in a romantic comedy.

He was legitimately surprised when he looked at Fae Fae’s hands poking out from her long sleeves.

“Why are they still swollen?” He wondered, perplexed, “The fluid retention should have died down by now.”

Fae Fae’s hands were indeed red and puffy, still. They weren’t as bad the first time Martial Kim noticed, but it didn’t go away either. He expected them to be at least half the size, if not all the way back to normal. But it looked like what he used, had no effect.

Could it be another problem? Martial Kim wondered. Another set of internal bleeding he wasn’t aware of? Poison!? He had to check!

“Inspector!” He called out, “Could you please pass me my kit?”

Inspector Lee lumbered right in and tried to figure out which is which. He grabbed the wooden box and brought it over, “Wh-what’s the matter!? Please don’t tell me she’s dying again...Wait! Wh-what the hell happened to the hands!?”

“I am trying to figure that out as we speak!”

“No Martial Kim! I mean YOUR hands.”

“Huh?....Oh....Oh!”