Time to check if we're the lucky winners!
Jesus. A winning lottery ticket.
Indeed. For the fifty thousand dollar jackpot. A shame we cannot keep it.
Well, YOU can't keep it maybe
Thank God. This is how gambling addictions get started.
There is that. And it would also attract... attention.
Yeahh, I get it.
Technically, *I* bought the ticket, so I won the jackpot.
If we are being technical, you did not actually purchase the ticket. But we are making too many assumptions. We need to learn why this ticket was purchased in the first place.
Better start talking, Wang.
Hey, looks like you bought a lotto ticket from us. Is there a problem?
Could you tell me who bought this ticket?
Sure, I can do that. The paper looks a bit weather-worn, but the barcode should work.
Holy shit why are you doing this for total strangers?!
He scans the ticket, it goes beep beep.
... huh? That's impossible. No... WAY. Here, take it back.
Is there a problem?
No, but... Kevin HUANG bought this ticket. You heard about him, right? And the stuff that happened at the Dragon Tree?
Huang, Wang, Wing. Very creative surnames the people here have. Can't wait for Ching, Chang and Chong.
What happened at the Dragon Tree?
They said that Kevin Huang killed his parents. Shot them, I think? That's what they're saying, but I never believed it.
And why is that?
Because I know Kevin. I know his whole family. He wouldn't do anything so... he just wouldn't do it, is all.
Just-a rike Hiroshima.
You know Kevin's family?
Well, yeah, the Huangs run the Dragon Tree restaurant. Or, um, ran it, I mean. Our families did business together for like fifty years. Mr Huang bought all his raw ingredients from us. I don't wanna brag, but we're the reason that restaurant was so popular. But I practically grew up with Kevin. He wouldn't do this. I didn't believe it then, I don't believe it now.
What makes you think Kevin didn't do it?
Because he adores his mom and dad. Practically worships them. Plus he's a colossal wimp. He's ten times smarter than me, but the kid wouldn't hurt a fly let alone his parents.
Brutal truths.
This ticket you checked for me? It's a winning ticket.
For real?
It is the truth.
But that's Kevin's ticket, right? I mean, I checked the system, he DEFINITELY bought it.
Speaking of which, I also find the notion of named lotto tickets unconvincing.
That is also the truth.
Right. The ticket's registered to Kevin, not you. So don't even think about cashing it in.
Wow! This is robbery! I found the winning ticket fair and square!
Don't worry, man, as far as I'm concerned, that ticket's a loaded gun.
Shut up Logan
Hm. Okay then.
So Kevin won the lottery and then killed his parents?
... yeah. YEAH. That doesn't make any sense, does it? I mean, who the hell does that? Win the lottery and then commit murder? That's crazy!
I've seen crazier. Believe me.
Logan has seen some shit, yo.
Doesn't matter, I KNEW it. Kevin's innocent. Whatever you guys are doing, keep doing it.
See you around.
We need more clues.
Mayhap these folks here will provide them.
Do you know what happened at the Dragon Tree around the corner?
I don't know much, it wasn't my case.
[Perception] Your case. So you are a police officer.
Bu-bu-bu-busteeeeeeeeeed
Huh. Yeah, you got me. Detective Sam Durkin, Midtown South.
called it
So you must know what happened there.
Nothing I can tell you. It wasn't my case, so it wasn't my problem.
Do you know anything about Kevin Huang?
Not much. I know he's locked up in the Tombs for killing his parents. From what I hear, the case is open and shut.
Sorry to bother you.
Eh, whatever.
We'll probably need to talk to the perp, but since we're here already.
Do you know anything about the Dragon Tree restaurant around the corner?
It was a nice place, nicer than here. They... didn't deserve what happened.
uh-oh
What happened at the Dragon Tree?
Stuff I don't wanna talk about while people are eating.
"People" aka just the jaded detective. But no matter.
Time to work our mind trix.
Do you know what happened at the Dragon Tree restaurant?
Who doesn't? It's not exactly a secret. The couple that runs the place was shot to death, by their kid. It's insane, right? The Dragon Tree has been around for sixty years, now this happens. Shame. Their peking duck was kind of amazing.
Is there anything else you can tell us?
Uhm, just why are you asking?
We are... investigating what occured.
FFS Bandana, stop talking
Under whose authority?
Our own.
We're on a mission from the God Emperor. That's just our Mandy
Sorry, the case is closed as far as the cops are concerned.
Is Kevin Huang here?
Yeah, he's here.
May we talk to him?
Are any of you on the approved visitor list?
I do not believe so.
Kevin is... look, I don't know all the details, but his files say he's under special observation due to psychological problems. His visitors are closely monitored. You need to be on an approved list before you can see him. Sorry.
You know, for all the special observation and mysterious mystery and soopa high security, this cop sure is being helpful and open as hell. In the real world, Codexia & Co. would have probably already been bludgeoned and taken to an interrogation for "investigating under their own authority".
How can we get approved?
Well, if you like, I can submit a request. It needs to be approved by a psych eval board.
How long does that take?
Three to four weeks, usually. The only way is to have a ranking officer vouch for you. Ranking meaning detective or higher. Otherwise I can't help you.
And thus, Codexia has been ground by the gears of bureaucracy.
I'll leave you alone.
Yeah, see you.
Fortunately, we just happen to know a ranking officer.
BLABLABLABLA
We'd like to speak to Kevin Huang.
So? Go and speak to him.
That is... not currently possible. We require special authorization.
So? Go get it. The vetting process only takes a couple of weeks.
The need is urgent. And our request could get rejected.
Whaddaya want me to do? Just give you authorization right here and now? I barely know you guys. Unless you can give me a good reason why you need to see the kid, then I can't help you.
Correction: you don't know us at all
You have activated my trap card, Durrkin.
Did you know Kevin Huang won the lottery?
He did, huh?
Yes. He won fifty thousand dollars.
That's not chump change, I'll say that much.
Indeed. He wins prize money and then commits murder. Why?
I don't see what this has to do with me.
This is new evidence. We need to question Kevin Huang about it.
"We"? There's no "we" here. There's not even a "me". This isn't my case. The case is closed. Him winning the lottery doesn't have to do with anything. Sorry I can't help you.
Such unhelpful.
So two people from the neighborhood won the lottery?
You mean Wing and Kevin? Looks like it. Lucky.
Yeah, I don't trust that kind of "luck".
They won ten years apart from each other. You're telling me they are related?
Look, I'm in the program. I've met tons of guys who throw thousands of dollars at lottery tickets. They all hope for the big payout, but it never comes. Not for a single one of 'em. And now I meet two from the same block? Come on.
I don't see the problem here.
You are lying, detective.
OOOOOOOOOO
SHOTS FIRED
Excuse me?
I spoke clearly enough. You are lying. You DO see the problem here, and I believe it concerns you greatly.
What I believe is that you should quit while you're ahead.
Look, we don't want any trouble, we're here to HELP.
Help? Hah! I did nothing wrong.
You... are telling the truth.
*Sigh* Does anybody else know that Kevin bought that lottery ticket?
Picking any option other than 2 is probably going to make Mandana go apeshit.
Lo Wang knows. He confirmed Kevin bought the ticket.
Damn it. But I suppose it doesn't matter who knows. You came to this conclusion, somebody else will too.
Without a doubt. It would be... best if we got to the bottom of the mystery before that happens.
And you can do that by talking to Kevin?
We can try.
*Sigh* Nothing's ever straightforward, is it? Okay, I'll call the Tombs. Tell them you're cleared to talk to Kevin. But if you blab to the press or the lotto board or anyone...
We will tell nobody. And that is the truth.
Fine. Now get outta here.
O hey banter.
This is true. We decided long ago that the Bestower's duty remained with the mundane world.
... every single - every single - blackwell game kind of contradicts that
the unavowed really are the best at their job
Mundane? You call what I do mundane?
You deal with death. Death is a natural extension of the mundane world. But circumstances are... different now. We welcome your help, Logan.
It is natural to die.
You hear that, KayKay? We're welcome.
No need for sarcasm.
lololo
I don't know who you guys are, or how you pulled that off, but Kevin's yours if you wanna talk to him.
Friends in high places, lah.
Can we speak to Kevin Huang?
You've got authorization, so I guess it's okay. I'll go fetch him.
Short fade.
We're looking for Tracer Tong. You know where we can find him?
No. NO!
NOT YOU!
We're from Russia and here to help.
Help? HELP?? You come here to gloat? Is that it? What do you want?
Well then.
Do you know me?
You're KIDDING, right? I don't believe this. Officer Chan, it's her! IT'S HER!
"Officer Chan". Well, I was close.
Huh?
The one I told you about! The lady that killed my parents!
Predictable.
I... killed your parents?
It's your fault! This is all your fault! I can't put her back.
Put her... back?
THE DRAGON.
Kevin! Calm down! You promised.
This is the one! Investigate HER! The dragon needs to be put back!
Oi, warden, Oi'm innocent 'ere, swear on me mum.
Right! That's enough.
You don't understand!
Move it, Kevin.
This isn't over!
Another short fade as Huang is dragged kicking and screaming back offscreen.
Lololo. Bet he's getting an enema as we speak.
You see what I was telling you? Dragons. Frig's sake.
Can you tell me more about the murders?
Only what's in the report. It happened after hours. A neighbor heard gunshots, so they called the cops. They found Mr and Mrs Huang dead on the floor of the restaurant, shot at point blank range. Kevin was standing in the corner, holding the gun and muttering to himself. The bullets found in the body matched the gun. Kevin didn't even resist when they arrested him. If he was innocent, you think he would have said something at the time.
Truly, that's a smoking gun!
And that's all you've got?
And that's all I got. Aside from his personal effects.
Kevin is innocent.
Really. Was Kevin right? Did you do it?
Awkward silence for a moment.
Jesus, the look on your face. I'm JOKING! Kevin's been saying all sorts of crazy stuff since he got here. Besides, it's pretty open and shut.
well the local cops seem as competent as the unavowed
Can we see Kevin's personal effects?
Well, there wasn't much. According to his file, he just had his wallet on him. No money inside, just a credit card which we've got in lockup. Oh, and some papers were folded up in there too. Seemed like nothing, but we scanned them anyway. Procedure and all.
May we see them?
I mean, I guess so? It's just a receipt and a bunch of gibberish, but... whatever. Takes like five seconds to print out. Here you go.
All too easy.
Half a pound of bananas? HE'S THE GUY!!
What do you think this dragon story means?
Hell if I know. Looks like some kind of math problem? The original was folded up in his wallet. Whatever it means, Kevin won't tell us.
Kevin shopped at Doug Wang's store?
Yeah, just a few days before the murders took place. He used his dad's credit card to buy some stuff. But everyone around here shops at that place, it's not like it means anything.
Not even his own card, lol poorfag.
I'll leave you alone.
Let's see if Wang has anything to say about this receipt.
Well, before whatever happened happened.
Useless!
Seems our immediate leads are spent.
But mayhap we can try accessing the ristorante somehow.
... next time!
also all this fucking blablablablabla i swear