Mordret remained silent for a while, the amused expression slowly draining from his face. Eventually, he looked at his subordinates scornfully.
"...I understand you find it hard to believe, detective, but I really had no idea that such a DNA sample existed before you told me. Still… if memory serves, I was at a very public charity dinner on the night the Nihilist claimed his first victim. There should be plenty of video recordings showing me mingling with the guests."
Sunny smiled darkly. "Video recordings can be doctored."
Mordret looked at him with curiosity.
"And I guess witness testimonies can be bought off? But, detective, there is a flaw in your logic. Wouldn't it be much easier for someone to plant my DNA at a crime scene?"
Sunny glared at him for a few moments, then admitted reluctantly:
"Sure. A few drops of blood could have been planted. But who would go that far to frame you?"
Mordret remained silent before letting out a bitter sigh and looking away.
"I have countless enemies, detectives. Sadly, that comes with the job."
It did not escape Sunny's attention that Mordret looked at the family photo while saying that.
So… there was trouble in paradise, after all.
Sunny leaned forward a little.
"Anyone in particular come to mind?"
Then, he added with a faint smile:
"How is your sister doing, by the way?"
For the first time, Mordret's expression showed a sign of cracking.
What was revealed behind the pleasant smile was not the heartless malevolence of his true self, however. Instead, it was… pain? Sorrow? Confusion?
Mordret froze for a few moments, then leaned back and looked at Sunny with a cold expression.
"My sister can't be behind this. She… has suffered a psychotic break a while back."
Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"A psychotic break?"
Mordret nodded slowly.
"She… might have… tried to harm me, in her compromised state. She is now receiving treatment in a reputable establishment — she hardly could have done anything from there."
'Did Morgan try to kill Mordret?'
That would surely make a lot of sense, considering what she had told him.
Sunny summed up what they had learned.
The Great Mirror version of Mordret seemed to have no memories of his true self. There was no concrete evidence connecting him to the murders, and the man himself seemed eerily innocent. Clan Valor was one big, loving family in this fantastical realm, and Morgan had tried to kill her brother some time ago, which landed her in a psychiatric hospital…
For her own good, if Mordret was to be believed.
'Damn it. I think I understand even less now.'
Morgan… Morgan had all the answers, it seemed.
Sunny looked at the family portrait of the Valor family with a dark expression.
"We might have a talk with your sister, then."
Mordret's expression changed.
"Absolutely not. Under no circumstances will you — or anyone else — disturb my sister. She doesn't need more shock and trauma to distract her from healing."
His voice sounded cold and absolute, showing the harrowing authority of the ruler of the Valor Group for the first time.
Sunny wanted to respond, but at that moment, Effie leaned forward and put a hand on Mordret's shoulder.
And said:
"Hey. Mordret… snap out of it."
'What is she doing?!'
Sunny's eyes widened slightly, and so did Mordret's.
For a few moments, the luxurious office was silent.
Then, something changed in Mordret's gaze.
He suddenly seemed…
Confused, and a little bit embarrassed?
Taking Effie's hand gently, he awkwardly removed it from his shoulder and asked in a hesitant tone:
"Excuse me, Detective Athena? Snap out of what?"
Effie frowned, then retracted her arm and cleared her throat.
"That… uh… just saying. Never mind."
She looked at Sunny and raised an eyebrow.
Whatever authority she had as the master of Bastion did not seem to have affected Mordret at all. He was still blissfully devoid of any memories... allegedly.
He was also quite keen on seeing them off now.
A charming smile returned to his face.
"As I've said, I'll be glad to help the investigation in any way I can. We can request the personal file of the unfortunate victim from the Human Resources… security footage of his latest shift can also be arranged. I'm afraid I will have to hand you over to my assistants now, detective — please excuse me, but my schedule today is quite full."
Just like that, the meeting was over. Before too long, Sunny and Effie found themselves standing in front of the Valor Tower, looking at it with grim expressions.
Effie sighed.
"Well. That was…"
But before she could finish, Sunny's communication went off.
He took it out of his pocket, looked at it darkly, and pressed the green button to receive the call.
A second later — and for a while longer — the Homicide Division Captain's angry screams could be heard flying out of the flimsy speaker.
Sunny took a deep breath.
'Damnation...'