Aldridge let out a terrified scream, making people curious about what he saw.
The three of them turned their heads at the same time and found Aldridge slumped over the water tank, saying,
"This is impossible. This is impossible."
Jobtran quickly climbed up the ladder and looked inside through the opened lid.
It was blood-red inside. The security captain's body was torn into pieces, with internal organs and flesh and blood floating on the water. The most frightening thing was a layer of scalp.
The scalp and hair were completely stripped off, and a facial expression of extreme terror was shown on the face floating on the water.
There were two eyeballs floating not far from the hollow face. This disgusting scene made people feel creepy. Even Jobtran just glanced at it and turned his head away.
"It's the security captain, right?"
Joe Butran asked, his back turned to the first mate Aldridge.
"It's him."
Aldridge said tremblingly.
“This tank must be cleaned out, otherwise the entire ship’s water supply will be filled with the plasma mixture.
If the weather gets a little hot, this stuff will rot and ferment and produce toxins.”
Jobtran said sadly.
Jobtran felt a headache when he thought that the future supply of fresh water might be affected and the lives of everyone on the ship would be thrown into chaos.
If it was just a drowned floating corpse, there would not be much follow-up cleaning work after it was salvaged. However, according to the current situation, the entire water tank must be emptied and people must be sent inside to conduct a comprehensive cleaning before it can be used again.
The trouble is that the pipes in the cabin may have been contaminated, and some of the water that flowed out when Sif took a bath obviously came from this water tank.
"My blood is boiling. So this is what it means."
Joe Butran recalled what the black man said before he left, and now he understood the deep meaning behind those words. It turned out to be such a complicated case.
The real murderer should still be on the ship at this time, but Jobtran already has relevant clues and has probably deduced the culprit, but he still lacks the most critical whereabouts and hiding place.
"Great Detective, is it... bad in there?"
Old Gary stood on the ground and asked Joe Butran.
"Why don't you come up and see for yourself?"
Joe Butran said to old Gary.
After hearing this, Old Gary moved like a nimble monkey and climbed to the top of the water tank in no time.
"Oh my god! This is too tragic."
exclaimed Gary Sr.
After hearing this, Sif's curiosity was aroused. Although she knew it might not be a good scene, she still wanted to go and see it.
At this time, Jobtran climbed down from the top of the water tank, held Sif's shoulders, and shook his head.
"If you don't want the undigested sawdust pudding you just ate to appear in the water tank, I suggest you stay on the ground. Old Gary, Aldridge, come down."
After Jobtran finished speaking to Sif, he shouted to the two people on the water tank.
Old Gary climbed down quickly, but Aldridge's legs went weak when he climbed down and he almost fell to the ground.
"What's next, Detective?"
Gary Sr. asked.
At this time, Old Gary missed the pack of cigarettes he had hidden in the security room. Seeing such a tragic scene, Old Gary's heart was in turmoil, even though he looked calm.
"Find a few trustworthy people to clean out the water tank and cut off the water supply from the tank.
If you don't want to cause panic, this matter should be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Some things should never be brought to the surface. I think First Officer Aldridge should understand what the consequences will be if all the passengers on this ship enter a state of panic."
As Joe Butron spoke, he walked to the corridor and stretched.
"What about you, Mr. Detective?"
Aldridge asked.
"I'll have a good breakfast first, then wait for housekeeping to open, and then go back to my own room for a good night's sleep."
Jobtran waved to Sif.
"Are you coming too?"
After hearing this, Sif stepped forward, put her arm around Jobtran's shoulders, and nodded with a blushing face.
"Fuck, we have to face the bloody corpse, and you are sleeping with a beautiful woman in your arms?"
Old Gary complained.
“I’m just a detective passing through, and I haven’t received any payment yet.
Tonight's reasoning is just out of curiosity, but I believe you are capable of handling subsequent issues?"
Joe Butran acted as if he didn't care and spoke casually.
Upon hearing this, the first mate Aldridge immediately knelt on his knees and pleaded excitedly,
"Detective, I will send all my savings back to your room.
Please help us."
Jobtran smiled with satisfaction.
"I also want you to provide me with quality cigarettes and free food, is that ok?"
Old Gary rolled his eyes at Jobtran, who was smiling like a fox.
"I knew it."
Aldridge gritted his teeth but answered firmly,
“No problem, but Mr. Detective, you must ensure my safety.
The captain and the security chief have been killed, and I am the only person left who can reassure the crew.
If I die on this trip, the Second Officer is not capable enough to control the Cyclops, please understand."
Jobtran nodded his agreement, and Aldridge heaved a sigh of relief, as if a huge stone had been lifted from his chest.
"What are you still standing there for? Seal off the captain's cabin immediately and deal with this damn water tank."
Joe Butron crossed his hands over his chest and rolled his eyes unhappily.
After that, Jobtran turned around and prepared to leave with Sif, but Aldridge asked one last question.
"Mr. Detective, how do you know that I am safe at the moment?"
"Think for yourself."
——
"Eh? Aren't we going to have breakfast?"
Sif asked curiously.
Jobtran brought her to the front of the deck where they had been last night. The sky was already showing the light of early morning, and the heavy rain from last night had also stopped a lot.
“To find the truth, you can’t just observe the crime scene, you also have to look at the surrounding environment and the people around you.
Ha, I found it, it’s still there.”
Jobtrand explained.
Then he walked to the security booth in his wet cotton slippers, tapping away.
As expected, the young security guard was still dozing off in the security booth. Jobtran bent his index finger and knocked on the glass of the security booth.
The young security guard answered in a daze, as if he was talking in his sleep.
"Let me sleep a little longer. It's not time to change shifts yet."
Seeing this, Jobtran opened the window of the security booth from the outside, letting the fresh sea breeze blow in through the window. The young security guard was startled by the cold and opened his eyes to see the person in front of him clearly.
"Oh, sir, it's you. What can I do for you? Housekeeping should not be open yet.
It’s only five thirty-nine.”
The young security guard answered and glanced at the clock hanging in the security booth.
“I know, but I have a few questions for you that I need you to answer honestly.
These questions are about one very important thing, can you do it? "
asked Joe Butran seemingly casually.
Sif held Jobtran's arm and listened quietly to the conversation between Jobtran and the young security guard. She could not see any connection between the young security guard and the case.
Jobtran's behavior and logic seemed to be beyond ordinary people, especially his terrifying observation ability. Sif was distracted by the thought and began to imagine what it would be like to fall in love with such a man.
“He will definitely be a good man who cares about everything.
Know my menstrual period in advance and prepare hot water for me;
I will never forget any festival or anniversary. Oh my god, I will be the happiest woman in the world."
Sif was immersed in fantasies influenced by romantic literature and didn't pay any attention to the questions and answers between the security guard and Jobtran.
After hearing this, the young security guard stood up, straightened his chest, patted his chest and replied,
"No problem, sir. Robert II will answer all your questions."
After hearing the young security guard introduce himself, Joe Butran narrowed his eyes and thought to himself,
"The captain's name is Robert, if I remember correctly? Interesting."
Meanwhile, Jobtran quickly asked,
"Thank you for your cooperation, Robert JR.
How old are you now? Do you still remember your childhood
The young security guard was stunned when he heard Jobtran's question. He originally thought that Jobtran was going to ask about things on the ship, but he didn't expect that the question Jobtran asked was about himself.
This made the young security guard Robert II feel awkward. Seeing the young security guard's awkward look, Jobtran immediately continued,
“Hey, I understand this is a personal matter, but these are some really important questions.”
Joe Butran leaned in from the window and whispered in the little security guard's ear,
"You know the legend of the mermaid, right? I'm looking into it.
I'm a private investigator and I'm employed by a big money man in Boston, otherwise I wouldn't be on this damn ship.
Do you understand? "
With these few words, Jobtran casually revealed some key information to the young security guard, and the professional identity of a private detective can often gain the trust of young people like the young security guard: they think private detectives are cool.
The young security guard naturally showed respect to Joe Butler upon hearing this, and shook his hand excitedly.
"Oh my god, I never thought I'd meet a real private detective. I thought they were just figments of fiction writers' imaginations!"
"Relax, being a private detective is not an easy job. Sometimes you lose your keys and get locked out of your room."
Jobtran made fun of his own little story, but this self-mockery had a very good effect and immediately opened up the young security guard's mouth.
"Hahaha, the private detectives in novels can all pick locks. Why don't you pick the lock yourself, sir?"
The young security guard Robert II asked curiously after laughing a few times.
"Why unlock the door when I can kick it? My employer will pay for it if I break it anyway.
But I can't kick down my own door, can I?"
Jobtran replied with a playful wink.
“Hahahaha, sir, the life of a detective sounds interesting, alright.
I agree to your request.
I am fourteen years old. "
The young security guard replied.
"Oh? Where are your parents?"
asked Joe Butran.
"...I don't know. I'm an orphan."
The young security guard seemed a little lonely when answering this question.
“Poor child.
What about your childhood?"
Joe Butran patted the young security guard's shoulder gently to comfort him and asked.
"All I remember was a big, dark, run-down house and my grandmother's creamy seafood chowder."
"Besides that? You don't have a playmate?"
“And my adoptive father.
My adoptive father was always in a hurry every time he came, but he would bring me some fun toys, puzzles, dolls and the like every time he came.
I just don’t remember what he looked like, but I remember he told me not to go out.”
The young security guard answered as he pondered his boring childhood.
"Oh? Then how did you get on this ship?"
Joe Butran began to connect the clues in his mind and asked.
“My grandmother handed me a letter of recommendation one day and said it was my birthday present.
I was asked to work on this ship, and the captain signed his name on it, so I came.
Even though I didn’t know when my birthday was, I was still very happy about it for a long time, because after all, I could finally go out and see the outside world.”
The young security guard replied.
"Do you still have this letter? Have you ever met your adoptive father again?"
asked Joe Butran, pretending to be curious.
"I still have this letter, it's in the security room, I can show it to you later if you need it.
My adoptive father has always been mysterious, wearing a mask every time he came, and I have never seen his true face. However, after that letter, I have never seen him again, nor have I received any contact from him. "
The security guard Robert answered, but he paused and continued to ask,
"Hey, Mr. Detective, I can't figure out what I have to do with the mermaid legend?"
“No, no, no, I really appreciate your honesty and the information you provided.
In fact, the information I obtained was that the mermaid seemed to be still alive, so my employer asked me to investigate everyone on the ship, both men and women.
I know this is stupid, but it's my employer's request and there's nothing I can do about it, right
If you take money from people, you have to work."
Joe Butran made a helpless expression and spread his hands.
"Oh, I didn't expect private detectives to have such boring jobs. I thought they were all thrilling and exciting, like investigating serial killers."
The young security guard said with a smile when he heard this.
"Brother, in real life, private detectives are more likely to help little girls find their runaway cats, or help suspicious wives investigate their husbands.
Thank you for your assistance. What time will you be on duty? I'll go check out your letter."
Joe Butran said humorously.
"Six o'clock, half an hour left.
Honestly, it’s been really cool talking to you.”
The young security guard answered honestly.
“Haha, being chased and beaten by a husband who was caught cheating is not cool at all.
It's almost time for breakfast, shall I treat you?"
suggested Joe Butran.
"Really? Thank you so much, the staff meal is terrible. I want to eat the ham and cheese sandwich in the cafeteria."
The young security guard laughed happily.
"no problem."