Chapter 2562

The next morning.

The carriage stopped beside the Holy Grace Church in the center of Bukgang City.

After learning of Wensente's hidden Catholic identity, A'erruike and Jin Chen decided to come here to investigate, hoping to find overlooked clues.

But their timing was off; as they entered the church, the priest was conducting the morning mass.

They did not want to disturb, so they waited first on a bench a short distance away.

Several townspeople who had come to worship recognized the detective who had recently attracted attention due to the noble young master's case.

A gentleman in a wide-brimmed hat stepped forward, "Inspector A'erruike, good day. Regarding the poor young master Wensente's case…… any progress?"

A'erruike rose, bowed elegantly, shook hands, and gave a faint smile.

"Good day, sir. The investigation is underway; progress so far is not bad."

Out of respect for the detective's identity, that parishioner did not press further, exchanged a few pleasantries, and left.

After dealing with those people, A'erruike reached into his pocket for a handkerchief but found nothing.

Jin Chen handed over a clean handkerchief.

A'erruike glanced at Jin Chen; since they met this morning after waking up, he felt that Xili'er was somehow off, though he couldn't put his finger on it—he seemed quieter than usual.

Jin Chen saw he didn't take it, took his hand, and gently wiped his fingertips with the handkerchief, whispering, "A'erruike, isn't this your habit?"

During the wiping, his fingertip inadvertently touched A'erruike's wrist, which had been bound the night before and still bore red marks.

Jin Chen paused, then lightly rubbed the red mark, lifted his gaze, and looked at A'erruike.

A'erruike felt an inexplicable tightening in his chest; somewhat guilty, he quickly pulled his hand back and shoved the handkerchief back into Jin Chen's hand.

"All right, Xili'er," he said, abruptly changing the subject, "what's up with you this morning? You've been distracted—is it trouble with the case reasoning, or……"

"Or is it because I questioned you about that orchid you drew?"

Clearly, now is not the time to discuss case details, so Jin Chen refused to go along with the excuse he offered.

He lowered his eyes, "I thought you knew the reason, A'erruike…… but it's fine."

Saying that, he leaned in and lightly rubbed his nose against A'erruike's cheek, utterly innocent.

Moreover, as if hinting, his fingers lightly brushed over A'erruike's wrist again.

"No matter what," Jin Chen stared at him, "it won't change my feelings for you."

A'erruike: "……"

He really wasn't good at handling such fervent, cloying confessions; he ruffled Jin Chen's soft blond hair in a rough attempt to break the awkward atmosphere.

"All right, Xili'er, stop saying things that make you sound stupid."

A'erruike affected coldness as he finished speaking, then turned and hurried toward the church hall as if fleeing.

Jin Chen watched his slightly hurried back, then slowly straightened his posture.

The gloom and resentment on his face vanished; the corners of his mouth turned up in a satisfied smile, and he followed at a leisurely pace.

After stating their identity and purpose to the church verger, they met Goodwin, the newly appointed assistant pastor.

Of course, whether it was A'erruike or Jin Chen, they initially had no leads on the search here, but when questioning, the assistant pastor's evasive gaze was obvious—he never dared to meet their eyes.

During the simple questioning, his answers were disjointed.

A'erruike suggested moving to a quiet place to talk privately, which almost made the young assistant pastor faint on the spot; however, Jin Chen, who appeared far more friendly and gentle, stepped forward to persuade and calm him, whereupon Goodwin barely managed to compose himself and ushered them into a room.

No sooner had they sat down than Goodwin poured himself a glass of wine and gulped two mouthfuls.

Afterward, he placed both hands on the table, fingers tangled in his hair, "You really did come to find me……

"Actually…… I've been waiting for you a long time."

Before the two detectives could respond, he raised his voice, "What exactly have you found? I…… oh, God, I mean, am I the murderer?"

Jin Chen: "？"

Jin Chen leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with the panicked Goodwin, "So, are you?"

Pastor Goodwin froze, then covered his face with his hands, shoulders slumping, "I don't know…… I really don't know…… this is too heartbreaking."

"……Heaven, I truly don't know that night's argument with Wensente—how…… how it led to his death afterward……"

After hearing Goodwin's account, Jin Chen made a brief note in his half-used notebook.

April 10, the day Wensente died, around seven in the evening, Goodwin had secretly entered Olga Manor and had a fierce argument with Wensente in the study.

Having written that, Jin Chen looked up, "Pastor Goodwin, could you tell me the specific cause of your argument with Mr. Wensente?"

"Lust!" Goodwin exclaimed, stammering, "Wensente…… he is a sinner given over to lust, defiling the Lord's glory!"

"You are respectable gentlemen; perhaps you cannot imagine what Wensente did…… he, he and that Mr. Joshua Cline, have an emotional relationship forbidden by the Lord, a depraved bond!"

"Even just half a month ago, when I went to see him on diocesan business, I personally saw Wensente and his fiancée embracing in the garden pavilion……

Poor Pastor Goodwin, as a devout and somewhat rigid believer, merely recounting these scandals was enough to make his face flush with shame and indignation.

Jin Chen let out an 'oh', and the record under his pen didn't stop.

Wensente is also like that, when doing bad things he doesn't even hide from people; how come everyone knows he and Qiaoshuya have an affair?

"Well, about half a month ago, that was probably around March 25th, right?" he confirmed.

"Yes, yes," Gudewen tried to recall, then said firmly, "It was March 25th; I remember that day the church had a special evening prayer."

"You accused him of condoning lust, no wonder..." The one who had kept silent, letting Jin Chen speak, Aierruike suddenly said.

He tapped the tabletop with interest, "No wonder Wensente's corpse was looking at the Divine Comedy; that's what it referred to."

What a strange way of speaking, Gudewen was frightened into rubbing his hands.

"But... but I left very early! I swear by the name of God! If... if Young Master Wensente really didn't commit suicide, then the killer definitely isn't me! When I left, he was still fine, although he was angry..."

Jin Chen pressed: "Exactly what time did you leave Zhuang Yuan?"

Gudewen: "Before the church's evening ceremony, roughly... oh, seven thirty, when I left, I saw the Zhuang Yuan's carriage driver return."