Chapter 3 First Impressions

Alison shook her head, trying to clear the dizziness that clouded her mind.

She saw a hippopotamus in a red tie walking upright and scolding her—likely Steve. There were also two figures she'd never seen before—a tall white goose in light-colored clothing standing with perfect posture, and a smaller, sharp-eyed monkey.

Oliver had been watching Alison intently.

She was indeed young, but prettier than he'd expected. Petite with golden-brown curls and clear, light brown eyes, she resembled a doll that little girls would adore. Her cheeks carried a soft blush, and her expression seemed innocent, almost harmless. But those unfocused eyes, clearly experiencing hallucinations, made Oliver wary.

He suspected she might be on drugs.

Oliver exchanged a glance with Taylor, ready to restrain Alison if necessary. He'd witnessed firsthand that her combat skills were formidable.

"Matthew, are you okay?" Steve suddenly let out a yelp. He had been checking on Matthew's condition when unexpectedly took a punch to the eye socket.

Matthew had lost all rationality. After breaking free from Steve, he charged toward Alison again.

Oliver cursed, directing Taylor to handle Matthew while he focused on blocking Alison.

"Big white goose, move aside!" Alison made a shooing gesture at Oliver.

Oliver paused, pointing at himself questioningly. "Big white goose? Me?"

Behind him, Taylor called out anxiously, "Mr. West, I can't handle this! Something's wrong with this guy!"

Alison raised her voice. "He's having a manic episode! Little monkey, just knock him out!"

"Manic episode?" Taylor's voice rose in surprise. "Wait, who's 'little monkey'?"

In the end, it was Oliver who knocked Matthew unconscious, ending the chaotic scene.

Steve called the school physician while holding his injured eye. The doctor arrived quickly, and Matthew was carried away on a stretcher. Steve followed, leaving without introducing Oliver and Taylor to Alison.

Alison pushed her disheveled hair away from her face and intended to go to the rest area for a nap. Seeing Oliver and Taylor following her, she gave them a confused look. "Steve's office is on the third floor. You can wait for him there."

"We're here to see you," Oliver reminded her, suppressing his annoyance. "I'm Oliver. We had an appointment today."

If he had known he would encounter such troublesome events and people, he wouldn't have come.

'Best to finish this quickly,' he thought.

"It's you." Alison suddenly remembered, leading Oliver and Taylor to a meeting room where they sat facing each other.

Taylor broke the ice. "Have you heard about the Triple Hanging case? We're investigating it. Some clues found on the bodies need interpretation from a religious studies expert. We initially planned to consult Professor Rose, the authority on religious studies, but unfortunately, she's abroad and currently unreachable. Her assistant recommended you to us."

Alison's excited nerves gradually calmed, and her symptoms slowly abated, revealing Oliver and Taylor's true appearances.

The "white goose" was actually quite handsome, though his nostrils seemed upturned, giving him a look of disdain toward her.

Alison considered whether she had offended him somehow.

Since it wasn't her problem, it must be his.

From Oliver's behavior and attire, she could tell what kind of person he was—arrogant, self-important, difficult to get along with.

Alison made up her mind to deal with these two quickly. She needed to go home and sleep.

"What would you like to ask?" Alison inquired.

Taylor looked to Oliver, unwilling to disclose case details without his approval.

Oliver nodded slightly, signaling Taylor to reveal minimal information—just enough to discourage Alison.

"The three victims at the scene were all hanging upside down, facing outward with their backs to each other, forming an equilateral triangle. We suspect this represents some religious symbolism. Any thoughts?" Taylor asked.

"Triangles are common symbols, and hanging upside down suggests judgment or punishment," Alison said. "Were there any special markings on the bodies?"

"What do you mean?" Taylor hesitated.

"Like tattoos or symbols on their faces, limbs, chests, or backs?" Alison clarified.

"Yes," Taylor nodded. "Each of the three victims had different markings carved into their skin with a knife—a sun, a moon, and—"

He looked at Alison, deliberately pausing.

"Stars," Alison answered.

"Exactly!" Taylor said excitedly. "Do you know which religion this is related to?"

"Sun, moon, and stars—a very common combination," Alison muttered, pulling out her phone.

Oliver's questioning gaze fell on her hands. "Are you planning to search online? Just admit you don't know. Don't waste our time and energy."

"What I know isn't available online," Alison challenged, raising an eyebrow and showing her phone screen to Oliver. "Look at this illustration."

The screen displayed a hand-drawn image showing two men and a woman in pure white robes, each with markings on their chests—a sun, a star, and a moon. Their hands were raised above their heads as if cheering, their eyes half-closed with peaceful, joyful expressions. However, they were upside down, suspended in mid-air with their heads pointing downward. In the surrounding shadows knelt numerous worshippers.

Oliver couldn't control his surprised expression. The crime scene was practically a recreation of this image!

"That's it!" Taylor exclaimed, slapping his thigh excitedly. "Who drew this? Is this some religious ritual? Who are these hanging people? What do the symbols represent?"

Oliver finally looked at Alison properly. "Tell us everything you know. Name your price."

Taylor quickly explained to Alison. "My boss means if you can provide information, we'd be very grateful! The payment is just a form of thanks. If you don't like that..."

"I like it very much," Alison wasn't interested in worthless verbal gratitude. "Who doesn't like money?"

Oliver was agreeable. "Provide the information for thirty thousand dollars. Help me solve the case successfully, one hundred thousand."

"Deal." Alison sent the illustration to Oliver's phone. "This isn't a religious ritual per se. A few years ago while traveling abroad, I bought a second-hand book from a street bookstore. Inside were seven hand-drawn illustrations and handwritten poems, author unknown. If you need them, I'll look for them when I get back home and send you photos."

"We definitely need them. Thank you." Oliver immediately transferred ten thousand dollars as a deposit.

He preferred this kind of financial arrangement over dealing with social niceties. As long as Alison could help him uncover the truth, he could generously overlook her oddities and rudeness.

Having concluded their business, Oliver stood to leave.

Alison escorted them out of the meeting room, only to see Steve approaching from the other end of the hallway with a bruised eye and a stern expression. "Alison, Mr. Thompson wants you in his office immediately!"