Chapter 896 Queen's Ball (Ⅳ)

Joan also applauded in the crowd, sincerely admiring Mrs. Josephine's performance.

"It's a very nice piece of music, and it's played well. It makes people feel happy after listening to it."

Although he has no artistic talent, let alone appreciate music works and performance skills, his ears can't lie, and what sounds good is good.

Professor Moriarty didn't applaud, and said sourly: "This frivolous style of music... In my opinion, it would be more appropriate to change its name to "The Merry Widow Waltz."

It's hard to say whether it was because she heard her ex-boyfriend's ridicule that she decided to pay back to the professor. After thanking the audience, Mrs. Josephine sat back on the piano bench and announced that she would play a "scherzo" next and improvise for The tune is accompanied by lyrics, played and sung by myself, dedicated to an "old friend".

...

my friend mocavity

Mocavity, Unfathomable and Mysterious

he is a wise man

also a badass villain

Mokaviti, the unique Mokaviti

transgress all laws

contempt for ethics

Mokaviti, with fluttering silver hair

Slender with a handsome face

Sunken eye sockets, eyebrows furrowed

the way he shakes his head and smiles

like a cobra

Mokaviti, the unique Mokaviti

hopeless monster

devil in human skin

look like a gentleman

but i know he cheated at cards

Mokaviti, the unique Mokaviti

Both evil and wisdom, unmatched charm

...

The keys danced at Mrs. Josephine's fingertips, playing cheerful and playful notes.

The touching singing voice coupled with the improvised and bantering lyrics made the atmosphere of the dance party more lively and cheerful.

While listening to Mrs. Josephine playing and singing, Joan couldn't help but peek at the changes in the tutor's face.

Although the main character in Lady Josephine's song was called "Mocavity," he could of course recognize that it was just a little trick, and that the song was actually sung for Professor Moriarty. .

Professor Moriarty's expression was rather complicated, sometimes he sighed, sometimes smiled wryly, and seemed helpless to the joke conveyed by his ex-girlfriend through the sound of the piano and singing.

After finishing the song, Mrs. Josephine declined the audience's request to return to the scene with warm applause, and returned to Mr. Kaufman.

The band took over from Madame Josephine, and the people went back to the dance floor and danced.

Just when the atmosphere of the dance party was gradually reaching its climax, there was a sudden sound of heavy footsteps outside the door.

The hall door was suddenly pushed open, and two men in patrol uniforms broke in, immediately attracting people's attention.

Joan was also attracted by the commotion at the door, and curiously forgot about the past.

Two young patrolmen guarded the entrance of the hall with stern faces, and then a middle-aged man in a windbreaker and a cap walked in.

Joan noticed that the uninvited guest was carrying a cane, exuding a magical aura. It was obviously a magical weapon disguised as a cane. As for the activation of the spell, it would turn into a sharp sword or a magic crystal gun. Then I don't know.

Mr. Kaufman also noticed this group of unexpected visitors, and quickly winked at his son beside him.

Harry Kaufman nodded, hurried forward and stopped the middle-aged man.

"Mr. Grayson, welcome to the dance, I thought you threw the invitation in the trash again."

Sergeant Grayson, the sheriff of Hot Springs, raised his eyelids to glance at Harry, and said flatly, "Looking at my civilian clothes, you should be able to tell that I'm not here to attend the ball."

The smile on Harry's face was a little stiff, looking bewildered.

"Mr. Grayson, I don't know how I can help you?"

David Kaufman approached in due course and intervened with the sheriff on his son's behalf.

"I know I'm not welcome on this occasion, Mr. Kaufman, so I won't bother you for a long time. I'm here this time to ask you for a case."

Mr. Sheriff said straight to the point.

"Please speak."

"Has a guest named Harrell Lancashire checked into the hotel in the last two weeks?"

David Kaufman frowned, and murmured: "I don't have any impression of this name...Mr. Sheriff, I have been busy preparing for the wedding these days, and Harry will take care of everything about the hotel. .”

He turned to look at his son, and said in the tone of ordering a servant: "Go and get the reservation list for the last two weeks, and ask Mr. Sheriff to have a look."

Harry Kaufman nodded repeatedly, and ran out the door in a hurry.

After a few minutes, he ran back out of breath, holding a thick register in his hand.

"Father, Mr. Grayson, I have inquired at the front desk. Some time ago, there was indeed a Mr. Lancashire staying in my hotel, but he left last weekend. He left very suddenly. He did not check out, nor did he have any luggage. take away."

Sergeant Grayson nodded thoughtfully, but remained silent.

"Mr. Sheriff, can you tell me what happened?" Josephine came over and asked.

"Good evening, ma'am, I didn't want to spoil your interest, but since you asked, I can only tell you the truth."

The sheriff took off his hat and nodded to Madame Josephine.

"This afternoon, the patrolmen under me found the body of a middle-aged man at the edge of the swamp. The body was carrying a gold-plated pocket watch with the name of the deceased engraved on the inside of the case. It is likely to be the old man who once lived in the 'Happy Palace'. Hotel, and then left without saying goodbye to Mr. Harrell Lancashire."

"Judging from the traces of fierce struggle remaining at the scene, we have reason to suspect that Mr. Harrell Lancashire died of murder."

Mr. Sheriff stated the case coldly with a sullen face.

It was as if a stone was thrown from a calm lake, stirring up turbulent waves. The ball hall fell into noise and commotion due to the bad news brought by Sergeant Gleason, sparking heated discussions.

"My God! This is really sad news!"

"In just two months, this is already the third murder case, it's really unbearable!"

"The rumors of monsters wandering in the wetland forest, are they all true?"

"Who can say for sure? After all, there have been so many murders, but there is no trace of the murderer."

"Unless people are willing to admit the reality of police incompetence, they can only blame murders on monsters that come and go without a trace!"

The guests who gathered around were also amazed and talked a lot.

Joan stood in the crowd, listening to the sheriff, the Kaufman family and the guests discussing the case, guessing the murderer, and gradually frowning.

Recalling Ms. Betty's exhortations before leaving, Joan faintly felt that this murder was not accidental, but more like a chain of serial murders.

Behind the glitzy appearance of the "Happy Palace" hotel, and even the entire hot spring resort, there seems to be a mysterious and dangerous fog that is quietly spreading...

P.S: The lyrics of this chapter are rewritten from Macavity:TheMysteryCat(UK1981/Musical "Cats")