The Bizarre Detective Agency

“Athena and Ruth have been dealt with. As for Anna’s painting and the statue, neither will harm anyone. Just inform any new hires about them, and the gallery can resume normal operations.”

Lu Li turned off the oil lamp’s valve, and the flame extinguished as the remaining oxygen was depleted.

Bathed in the slightly dim light of dawn, Lu Li stood by the door and continued, “By the way, during the exorcism last night, the statue’s arm was broken. Please arrange to have it restored.”

“Of course, of course… Thank you so much, Exorcist. You’ve saved the future of Madame Anlef’s Art Gallery. I think your actions will make the gallery even more popular with the locals,” Benjamin said, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically.

“Now, let’s discuss the payment.”

“Uh…” Benjamin’s smile froze, and he quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t we take a look around the gallery first?”

“Fine.”

Lu Li nodded, not objecting to Benjamin’s insistence on inspecting the results. It made sense, after all.

Closing the door behind them, the two walked deeper into the gallery’s hallway.

“This painting is called *Pride of Heros*. It depicts the moment King Heros III was sent to the gallows by our ancestors.”

Benjamin seemed intent on introducing every piece in the gallery, pausing to explain each one as they passed.

Lu Li wasn’t interested and kept walking at a steady pace. Benjamin, dragging his portly body, had to hurry to keep up, skipping over several pieces he didn’t have time to describe.

It wasn’t until they passed Anna’s painting that Lu Li halted.

Benjamin’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly began explaining. “This painting is titled *Madame Anlef’s Daughter,* but we usually just call it *Anna.* It was painted by Madame Anlef herself, in her family estate, when Anna turned sixteen. Look at those artistic lines and colors! The darker tones give it a unique beauty, reflective of this era’s special charm…”

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As Benjamin rambled on, Lu Li approached the painting.

He had never taken a close look at it before.

The painting depicted a scene in a manor garden, with dark green and pale pink flowerbeds lining a path and a grand estate forming the background.

Anna sat gracefully on a garden chair, her delicate hands lightly pressing her skirt. Dressed in an intricately detailed white gothic pleated gown, she looked like a porcelain doll. Her noble demeanor couldn’t fully hide the lively energy emanating from her.

The surface of the painting was speckled with fine particles, giving the canvas a slightly uneven texture. Perhaps due to the lack of protective measures, the pigments had oxidized, giving the painting a faded, muted appearance. However, as Benjamin had described, this worn, darkened quality added a unique patina to both the painting and Anna.

“Madame Anlef was a renowned painter in Schimfast. After she passed away from illness, her family entrusted this gallery to me. As an art dealer, I know Madame Anlef’s value, especially after her death… I mean, after she was no longer able to paint.”

“Many collectors would be interested in pieces like this one. If you can resolve the supernatural issues tied to it, I’m sure it would fetch a high price.”

Benjamin’s incessant chatter jumped from the painting to Madame Anlef, and then to its monetary value, finally revealing part of his intentions.

Lu Li withdrew his gaze from the painting and turned to Benjamin, his brows slightly furrowed. “What are you trying to say?”

Under Lu Li’s emotionless gaze, Benjamin felt a chill but forced himself to speak. “I’d like to offer you *Anna* as partial compensation for the commission fee.”

This wasn’t just due to Benjamin’s stinginess—it was also because he was out of money.

To be fair, Belfast was hardly a place for art. The air here was filled with acrid smoke and a persistent fishy odor, an environment entirely unsuited for art to take root.

The situation had worsened after the gallery’s supernatural reputation spread.

Yesterday saw only fourteen visitors in total, earning a mere 90 shillings from 5-shilling tickets. After paying the wages of three employees and covering the gallery’s expensive rent, Benjamin had little left.

He had pinned all his hopes on resolving the ghostly disturbances.

But as Lu Li’s emotionless eyes and silence stretched on, Benjamin’s heart sank into despair.

“Alright.”

Benjamin’s head shot up in surprise, his perpetually squinting eyes opening wider than ever before. He watched as Lu Li steadied the painting’s frame, looking as if he was about to take it down with practiced ease—likely from helping Anna back into it earlier.

Benjamin, quick on his feet for once, hurried down the hallway. A faint commotion came from the second floor. Seconds later, he returned, panting, with a white cloth in hand.

Lu Li took the cloth and draped it over the painting, covering both the front and back.

“Shall we continue?” Benjamin asked, still catching his breath.

Lu Li shot him a long look but said nothing, following him deeper into the gallery.

Having been thoroughly seen through, Benjamin stopped trying to hide his intentions with overly detailed introductions. Besides, he needed to catch his breath.

“When did Anna die?” Lu Li asked once Benjamin’s breathing steadied.

Benjamin thought for a moment before answering, “About six months ago.”

“How old was she?”

“Eighteen.”

Their conversation brought them to the statue. Unsurprisingly, Benjamin slowed his steps.

Ignoring him, Lu Li turned his attention to the statue and noticed something amiss—its severed arm was missing from where it had been placed.

“Where’s your arm?” he asked.

Benjamin held his breath and quietly backed away a few steps.

The statue didn’t respond. Perhaps it hadn’t awakened, or perhaps it was incapable of speech.

Glancing around the statue, Lu Li found no sign of the missing arm. He turned to Benjamin.

“If I find it, I’ll personally deliver it to your agency!” Benjamin hastily promised, speaking as though the statue already belonged to Lu Li.

Lu Li’s expression remained calm, but his tone carried a hint of sarcasm. “You’re selling two ghosts to an exorcist and even making him pay for them?”

Benjamin lowered his head in embarrassment.

“I’ll take these two. How much of the remaining fee will you pay?”

“250 shillings!” Benjamin blurted, raising his head.

Lu Li shook his head slightly. “300.”

Benjamin nodded quickly. “Deal.”

Lu Li continued, “But just in case, I should warn you: I can’t guarantee the statue will be willing to leave with me. If it sneaks back to the gallery at night, you’ll need to pay me for dealing with it again.”

“No problem!”

Perhaps aware of the unfairness of his actions, Benjamin agreed without hesitation.

In a way, this arrangement was mutually beneficial. Benjamin resolved his financial difficulties and ghostly troubles, while Lu Li acquired two ghosts who bore him goodwill for 700 shillings.

In the end, Benjamin didn’t cheap out entirely. He rented a carriage, had the statue packed into a wooden crate, and arranged for it to be delivered back to Lu Li’s detective agency.

When Lu Li returned to his quiet office with the long crate containing the statue and the covered painting, even he couldn’t help but feel a faint wave of confusion.

Why had an exorcism ended with him bringing two ghosts home?