Orion waited patiently for the afternoon rays to soften.
One hour before sunset, he went out to find Robert.
It took him quite some time to find Robert. Roaming around, asking people.
And then, in the end, he had to walk to one of the slantiest road that he hated. On top, there ran a street filled with foodstalls and some benches were conveniently placed for people to sit and enjoy the river in the other side.
As he reached the top, he realised the street was mostly empty except three-four people.
Robert was leaning on the railing, his back opposite to the riverview, just so that he could watch anyone walking up and down the street.
Orion met Robert's mocking face. He frowned. Robert had been watching him struggle up the hill.
"Evening, Orion. Were you just passing by or...?" He raised his brows with a carefree smile.
"Don't act like you didn't know I was coming to meet you..."
"Pft— Sorry, excuse m— Pft ahahahh"
"If you knew I was coming to you, couldn't you have just walked down towards me?" He muttered with a offended voice.
"Just checking how athletic you were. Anyways, what do you need?"
Orion adjusted his glasses and fixed his hair. "Say, are there any residents in this town with a Dolvian ancestry, Robert?"
"I already checked. There aren't any." Robert answered proudly.
Orion held his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, seems you were ahead of me in that one...", he whispered to himself then looked at Robert again.
"Well then, I need you to check the residential areas where the detectives of our town live."
"Noted." Robert replied then folded his arms. "But where are you going with these requests? What did you even find out anyways?"
Orion's smiled. "A lot. I found a lot."
He sat down in one of the benches before continuing. "Our suspect, the murderer, the Dolv. His name is Asher. His brother was Tyler. He wears maroon clothing whenever he goes out in public."
Orion paused. "This tells us his appearance. Now, I am trying to locate him. I know that he can't escape the town."
Robert nodded. "He is trapped. The patrol is strict."
"Exactly. He is trapped. So, in the meantime, our suspect's goal is to find someone who can help him fight a certain group. He is in need of a helper.. So whoever he is looking for must know the same things he does—or at least enough to be useful to him."
Orion glanced away for a moment.
"That kind of knowledge could come from people of his own blood. Or from people with particularly niche knowledge."
He looked back at Robert.
"Like detectives."
Orion noticed Robert's mouth had fallen slightly open.
He smirked.
"I think he's looking for detectives more than anyone else."
"You found out so much..." Robert muttered as he understood why Orion had requested for a search. "But are you sure it is accurate, your deduction?"
Orion nodded confidently.
Robert looked down and fixed his police hat, trying to hide his slight amused smile. "Very well then, Orion, I will send an order for a search near the houses of all the detectives."
"Thanks, Robert. I knew I can always count on you."
Robert's lips trembled slightly, but tried hard to keep smiling. Or at least, tried hard not to frown. But soon, Orion met a much serious look on Robert's face.
After carefully considering his words, Robert spoke.
"It feels nice knowing you can rely on me."
Orion looked at him.
"But if you trust me enough to rely on me, why won't you tell me about the organization? Or whatever that group is that you and Wren always talk about in riddles?"
His voice remained calm.
"Tell me about them directly. I can help with that too."
Orion's brows lowered.
...
"No. No no no." He spoke softly, yet quickly. Then he sighed. "It's better not to know." He spoke as he looked into Robert with a face that seemed to plead not to talk about this topic.
Robert gave a feeble smile. Why am I even surprised?
"Well, may I ask something about the suspect then?"
Orion nodded with relief. "Yes. Ask me anything. I'll answer whatever I know about him."
Robert's brows lowered as his eyes became colder. "What does he need a helper for?"
The corners of his brows twitched with realization. Orion understood where Robert was taking the conversation. But his face gave away no hint of expression.
"To fight the organization."
"What organization?"
"I can't tell you."
Robert gritted his teeth as he could control his anger no more. "Stop. Hiding. Things."
"I already refused to talk about the organization. Stop coming back to the same topic."
"BUT IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CASE WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE."
Orion's anger increased with Robert's. "You DO NOT need details about the organization. You can catch Asher with the details I've already provided."
"BUT THAT GIVES YOU NO RIGHT TO HIDE SUCH IMPORTANT THINGS FROM THE LAW."
When Robert shouted 'law', Orion suddenly realised he had never paid attention to the badge that gleamed on Robert's uniform.
Orion bit his lips and looked away. "Stop crossing the line! The stuff that you want to know is dangerous. You do NOT need to get into this rabbithole."
Robert's face became serious, yet the rageful expression seemed to fade away. His eyes scanned Orion silently, his composure still and sturdy.
Then finally, Robert smiled mockingly. "So the Winters siblings will save the nation all alone from the unknown!"
"No siblings. Only me." Orion whispered, his face still away from Robert's view.
Then finally, Orion looked at Robert. His face unreadable.
Robert looked into Orion's eyes coldly, and Orion stared back.
Neither of them moved.
Eventually, Robert was the first one to turn and walk away. When Orion turned, he heard a voice from behind.
"I'll do what you requested me to do."
Orion halted to hear his words.
"It's your choice whether you want to treat my request the same."
Then, there came no more sound other than the footsteps growing distant. Orion was frozen in the same place, the sun already gone under the horizon. None of them ever noticed the sunset, Orion realised. He looked over his shoulder. A empty road.
...
"Well, it is what it is."