Mystery: Mr. Witch and Ms. Hunter

Chapter 71 Employment
"There's no need to be so anxious, right?"

Altaïr poured himself a cup of tea. "Is it worth your while to come here now?"

Mike Joseph smiled awkwardly. "Actually, I didn't want to come to you at first. After all, you don't really need the few pounds of bounty from the bodyguard business. Even if tomorrow we really need to sneak into the factory, hiring an ordinary veteran will be enough."

"But just now, the bodyguard company I hired suddenly sent someone to inform me that the bodyguard originally assigned to me was attacked during the mission just now and could not continue to work for a short time, and their company could not spare any manpower temporarily. At this time, even if I go to other security companies, it is already past the business hours for the hired service. Among the bodyguards I know, I only know your address, so I came to try my luck."

At this point, he suddenly asked anxiously, "Altaïr, are you still working as a bodyguard?"

He was worried that after Altaïr found a female companion, he would retire and return to ordinary life. After all, he had seen too many such things.

"I haven't really taken on this kind of short-term protection missions lately. After all, as you know, my main source of income is the regular dividends from stocks. And even though my skills are pretty good in this field, similar jobs are still fraught with danger."

Altaïr took a sip of tea. "But it's not a bad idea to take on a mission like this once in a while to stretch your muscles, especially..."

He raised his chin towards Vinata's room and said, "She will have to trouble you to take care of her in the future. Tomorrow's protection will be considered as a thank you, so I won't charge you. However, I plan to go to Serenzo Restaurant with Vinata for dinner..."

"I'll pay for it. It just so happens that the noble gentleman I interviewed last time gave me quite a bit of compensation." Mike patted his chest. "You know, I spoke a few good words for his factory in the last interview, within a reasonable range."

"Deal." Altaïr smiled and raised his teacup to Michael Joseph.

"You seem to take this interview very seriously. Is it some important person?" Altaïr lowered his voice. "Do you want to see any results?"

"I can't say too much, my friend. Knowing too much is not good for either you or me." Mike Joseph also lowered his voice, and the muscles on his face twitched.

"In short, he wants to see the law he recently pushed to sign to protect workers' rights work properly... But you know, there is a gap between the factory owners in the East End and those kind-hearted gentlemen in their definition of normal operation."

Mike took a big sip of the cold tea in the cup depressedly. "The funds allocated by the masters to improve the workers' conditions are almost deducted by 10% to 20% every time the funds are raised. In the end, very little money is actually used for the workers. The gold pounds that were originally enough for the workers to have meat for three meals a day are actually enough to give those poor people an extra piece of black bread on their lunch plates. Thank God."

"Then just report the truth. It's not like you embezzled the money anyway," Altaïr suggested half-jokingly.

"My dear Mr. Brutus, please don't make such a ridiculous joke." Michael laughed bitterly. "Those gentlemen can deduct up to 40% of the king's grant. In fact, they will go crazy if someone embezzles 10% of the money they have lent out."

"But if they themselves are the leaders of corruption, how can they stop their subordinates from doing so? In the end, their anger will still be directed at a small reporter like me. If I really report the truth, I dare say that there will be no less than a beet head on the dinner table of those factory owners, and I will probably become a floating corpse in the Tussock River, and Tanya will have to pay someone to fish me out by then."

"Well, I hope your strength hasn't deteriorated," Altaïr shrugged. "Although you won't have to pay this time, I still hope that you will be more careful when planning your route, and avoid violent conflicts as much as possible."

"Don't worry, I know my limits." Mike nodded and drank the last bit of tea in the cup. "To be honest, it's better not to be discovered by others. After all, I have to interview that gentleman in person the day after tomorrow. If I do something too much, it will be embarrassing."

"Well, it's almost time for me to go." Mike stood up. "If I'm any later, I won't be able to catch the public carriage. Walking in the East End after dark is too crazy for an ordinary little reporter like me."

"I'll send it to you."

Altaïr also stood up and took Michael's coat from the hanger.

Mike Joseph did not refuse, and the two came to the street opposite No. 12 Rose Street. Mike lit a cigar, his movements a little awkward.

"By the way, I'm also curious why there's no smell of cigarettes on your coat this time. Have you quit smoking?"

Altaïr asked curiously.

"Didn't I tell you? Tanya is pregnant." Mike took a deep breath, showing a satisfied look. "But I occasionally smoke two cigarettes when I go out. To be honest, if I hadn't seen Miss Sevens at your house, I might have finished this one at your house."

"You said I was being distant, but you are the same way." Altaïr patted Michael Joseph's back lightly. "When did it happen?"

"She's eight months pregnant." Mike flicked his cigarette, causing the spark to flicker. "I was planning to invite you to a full-month banquet when the baby is one month old."

"That will take some time." Altaïr looked away, toward the bright red moon in the sky.

"It's better to wait a little longer. You should be settled by then, right?" Mike glanced at Altaïr. "I thought you were a person who couldn't settle down, but I didn't expect you to quietly get a girlfriend. But it's good this way. With her to tie you down, I can rest assured to invite you to the full moon banquet."

"What do you mean? If I don't find a girlfriend, you won't invite me?" Altaïr said with a smile.

"Maybe. I'm hoping this kid can be as brave as his godfather. But if his godfather gets himself killed in an alley before that, I won't feel at ease."

Mike gave Altaïr a meaningful look. "We should have asked Detective Moriarty, but he's a man who can't settle down."

"Thank you for your blessing. Next time, don't say such unlucky words." Altaïr scolded with a smile, "The public carriage is here. Hurry up and get on it to accompany your wife."

"You don't need to tell me."

Michael removed his cigar, laughed, patted Altaïr on the shoulder, and walked toward the carriage.

"Say hello to Tanea for me!"

Altaïr shouted from behind the carriage, and his voice disappeared into the night of Backlund.

(End of this chapter)