晚霞,映照在西方的天空,橙紅的暮色染上粉紫色的微光,斑斕中帶著一種柔和的美。81Please respect copyright.PENANAUAeHRAREid
81Please respect copyright.PENANAIWVsZzAw6Q
然而那濕冷的晚風,依舊如記憶中那般,噁心得令人作嘔。81Please respect copyright.PENANAzTvYVCDztk
81Please respect copyright.PENANAMyBwTK5ikz
夏伊勒關起了辦公桌旁的窗,連一點小小的縫隙都沒留下。81Please respect copyright.PENANAC2L8BJ7nWc
81Please respect copyright.PENANAVjHQhM0OHy
「克萊爾小姐!妳看這個,這是我買飲料時抽到的贈品!」查理臉上掛著雀躍的笑容走入辦公室。81Please respect copyright.PENANAap6ces3BEG
81Please respect copyright.PENANApO37dKmoJP
他將手上的其中一杯飲料放在夏伊勒桌上,上頭還掛著一個綠色的青蛙吊飾。81Please respect copyright.PENANAHVZ2yCheQS
81Please respect copyright.PENANAc8aSHgurqM
「你影響到我工作了,查理。」她冷冷回道,目光沒有偏離螢幕一點。81Please respect copyright.PENANAlYOoQBXlSb
81Please respect copyright.PENANAlzvZG2dKkr
「別這樣說嘛!這可是限量版的耶,妳看,很可愛吧?」他蹲在桌邊,雙手環繞著那杯飲料,像在施展某種魔法一樣。81Please respect copyright.PENANA9ioRBEdW4c
81Please respect copyright.PENANAkHXLNIGDGQ
夏伊勒眉間透出一絲無奈,稍微側過身,視線落在那枚吊飾上。81Please respect copyright.PENANAxD0LF1rYJo
81Please respect copyright.PENANAO0AR4KCXAv
圓滾滾的身體,小小的眼睛配上大大的鼻孔,更別提那副「睿智」的眼神,看上去就像吸嗨了一樣。81Please respect copyright.PENANAk6S1FgQU6c
81Please respect copyright.PENANAJIMz2lgaki
「好醜。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAyKzDqdrlSJ
81Please respect copyright.PENANAy8bHCUu9j6
「也太傷人了吧?」查理趴在桌邊,一臉受挫。81Please respect copyright.PENANAwUwCdnZ2OT
81Please respect copyright.PENANAsC6w6wTujW
「但是,就真的很醜啊。」她抬起那隻青蛙翻轉,嘴角不自覺勾起一道不易察覺的弧度。81Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7VIHpenIx
81Please respect copyright.PENANAtlNLeUJT2Y
「電力公司的事怎麼樣了?」她放下吊飾,輕聲問道。81Please respect copyright.PENANA6h7Vyuh7kZ
81Please respect copyright.PENANAkjkvVOQGN1
查理抬起頭,聲音悶悶地說:「已經請人調查中了,如果妳想親自接手的話也可以......不過我不建議就是了,畢竟我們沒有搜索票。」81Please respect copyright.PENANANgnsiNTiGf
81Please respect copyright.PENANAFTP8ohT8Ht
夏伊勒微微低頭,沉思了片刻:「沒關係,就給他們一點時間吧。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA4tobZLe1Fz
81Please respect copyright.PENANAUYM9sw0Q5u
「反正我們現在還有更重要的事情。」她轉回椅子,繼續滑動著那已經疲乏的滑鼠滾輪。81Please respect copyright.PENANAjLxpCEHmwk
81Please respect copyright.PENANA62eDtajP6U
查理站起身,探頭看向螢幕上那貼滿掃描照片的報告書。81Please respect copyright.PENANAfILlEFFOFu
81Please respect copyright.PENANAxmPQ7quzBO
「妳還在看這個啊?」他微皺著眉湊近:「都已經看三遍了吧?不休息一下嗎?」81Please respect copyright.PENANA3YVCmSWNaK
81Please respect copyright.PENANAgWMu3za9t1
「嗯。」夏伊勒輕哼一聲,並未停下手中的動作。81Please respect copyright.PENANA53yW87Y9DZ
81Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8rOcRWKVw
見到她那一如往常的反應,查理沒有再多說什麼,只是拉來了一張辦公椅坐在旁邊。81Please respect copyright.PENANAjzfLYdMR9r
81Please respect copyright.PENANAtgIMubcq4t
「結果他們兩個沒有來解剖室呢,我還以為他們絕對會出現的。」他托著下巴,漫不經心地說。81Please respect copyright.PENANA4oybnKaYQ2
81Please respect copyright.PENANACKOj4QUQnz
聞言,夏伊勒指尖微頓,她腦海中閃過羅特的臉龐,以及荷布希那沒來由的警示,眉頭不自覺地鎖得更深了。81Please respect copyright.PENANAmWNwGgEmGd
81Please respect copyright.PENANATFLH31Bcgn
「也許他們已經看完想知道的東西了吧?」她輕描淡寫地帶過,繼續滾動滑鼠。81Please respect copyright.PENANApPedNFgHjN
81Please respect copyright.PENANA3h2R9tncRg
但是,除了荷布希那令人心神不寧的話以外,也勾起一件令她十分在意的事情。81Please respect copyright.PENANAWWP4dTrHQK
81Please respect copyright.PENANAEoSMXRRoXZ
「查理,你聽說過『獵人與風』的故事嗎?」81Please respect copyright.PENANArmzq0LJiMI
81Please respect copyright.PENANAoiigy6aCBF
查理愣了一下,一臉困惑地看向她:「那是什麼?」81Please respect copyright.PENANAI2VxU88rNs
81Please respect copyright.PENANAtWSvWnjHnK
夏伊勒思考片刻後,開口說道:「傳聞中,在蟲族戰爭爆發之前......不,再更久以前,在現在的西方廢土那裡住著一群以打獵維生的人們。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAIWT0pNJTA2
81Please respect copyright.PENANAMEmnQGF0c6
「人類的身體素質有限、對環境感知很弱、嗅覺又不靈敏,常常不經意驚動野獸,讓獵物逃出掌心,一次狩獵往往要折騰好幾天,甚至幾週才有收穫。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAkPFsrDKzQ3
81Please respect copyright.PENANAW4ztNN3vdQ
「然後,人們發現了根本的問題,那是因為野獸的嗅覺往往比人靈敏上好幾百倍,因此只要有一點風吹草動,將獵人的氣味帶到獵物鼻子裡後,對方就會立刻逃跑,追都追不上。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAAqKJHizWi2
81Please respect copyright.PENANAq8eqXxrzMj
查理撫摸著下巴,語氣猶疑地說:「所以......妳是想說,因為蟲族的鼻子很靈,所以我們才會抓不到嗎?」81Please respect copyright.PENANAVdGygcRYkA
81Please respect copyright.PENANAOus1Tg4Scy
「才不是。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA8S0xnDAjHM
81Please respect copyright.PENANAHrnYJJmOvx
她嘆了口氣,稍作停頓後繼續娓娓道來:「因此,獵人們掌握了一種狩獵技巧,他們先用舔濕手指的方式確認風的來向,然後在下風處埋伏不動,如此一來,位在上風處的獵物就無法聞到他們的氣味。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAecSR78uSvK
81Please respect copyright.PENANAj3UjshgQbZ
「但是,僅僅是這樣還不夠,因為你並不能確定獵物會從你的下風處來,還是上風處來,這種狩獵方式對沒有豐富經驗的獵者來說,就是種另類的賭博而已。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA1BBZkOGkeP
81Please respect copyright.PENANAOiRk1Ja71E
說到這,她停下了手中的動作,眼神微微瞇起:「所以,他們發明了第三種狩獵方式。首先,在一處空曠的地點放下『誘餌』,緊接著躲在下風處的掩體中,他們很有耐心,就這樣一直等,一直等,直到獵物在預想的地方出現......」81Please respect copyright.PENANAaNzMKvvqb1
81Please respect copyright.PENANAhdX0vlutNt
她舉起比槍的手勢,對準了查理:「然後,碰——射出致命的一擊。獵物到死前都沒明白,自己已經站在了『上風處』。」81Please respect copyright.PENANADWyrjK6FKf
81Please respect copyright.PENANAHfTyxyxJDg
查理像被冰凍槍射中了一般僵在了原地,遲遲沒有反應。夏伊勒接著說道:「你不覺得很奇怪嗎?查理。一般來說在沒有激戰的情況下,蟲族根本不會剝落那麼多甲殼。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAbGBXbRJW6Y
81Please respect copyright.PENANAkZusTn37oU
查理愣神了好一會兒,忽然瞳孔一震:「妳的意思是指......我們視為證物的黑色碎片,其實只是誘餌嗎?」81Please respect copyright.PENANAK1DCksu51M
81Please respect copyright.PENANAx4bF5amshm
「沒錯,從頭到尾都是,根本沒有意義。」她將文森特案件的報告扔至查理面前,上頭還掛著那片黑色碎屑的清晰照片。81Please respect copyright.PENANAi9p6cL12iT
81Please respect copyright.PENANAdQ1bplmF5D
「荷布希——那隻蛾說過,這些東西已經『死』太久了,我現在才聽明白她的意思......這都是預先準備好的『線索』,並不是從兇手身上脫落的。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA8QrEpgaf2X
81Please respect copyright.PENANASv112C819Z
但是,羅特難道不知道嗎?如此熟悉蟲族的他應該知道的才對,那麼,他為何默不作聲?81Please respect copyright.PENANA6d2zI8Tu3q
81Please respect copyright.PENANAcVqZfv7XtV
「兇手應該是知道了我們對這東西有興趣了後,故意讓它頻頻出現在案發現場附近的。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAQPGL9EfRI1
81Please respect copyright.PENANAszBLhu97dV
「也就是說,無論我們將其視為兇手殘留的線索,還是當成為了干擾警方判斷而佈下的蹤跡,都已經中計了。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA0GmpUQ3Qt6
81Please respect copyright.PENANAq6zsG23MQW
查理激動地撐桌站起:「但是,他們是怎麼知道的......」說道這,他像被電到般,突然放大雙眼。81Please respect copyright.PENANAAPXledvcmH
81Please respect copyright.PENANAwvqqUydM9j
「沒錯,我們在『上風處』,查理。」夏伊勒眉頭深鎖,聲音不自覺沉下:「兇手既不是從前門進入、也不在後街、更沒有走屋頂……所以,兇手在哪?」81Please respect copyright.PENANAzWPV7VBYDW
81Please respect copyright.PENANAhkAqsm9h6M
與她對視片刻後,一種毛骨悚然的戰慄竄上背脊。81Please respect copyright.PENANAGrGcKdYuMg
81Please respect copyright.PENANAr3YE8Y69w3
「就在......下風處。在案發現場的附近,我們看不見的地方。」他握緊拳頭,緩緩地坐回辦公椅上。81Please respect copyright.PENANAFU543pdgzs
81Please respect copyright.PENANAipEpXQ7vT3
夏伊勒輕輕點頭,小心翼翼地說:「兇手先在案發現場附近,確認了我們找到了什麼線索、對什麼線索有興趣,然後,再製造相對應的偽證。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAnK12GesnrN
81Please respect copyright.PENANA6ewJyTR8wI
「和故事裡的獵人一樣,他先殺掉了受害者,吸引警方的注意,如此一來,死者就是『誘餌』,把我們自然地聚集到『上風處』,而我們根本不會注意到案發現場以外的地方。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAf2wcCe6bnq
81Please respect copyright.PENANAsqUqy2Xxk6
「在現場周遭窺視嗎?那麼,他就必須在雙方都看得到彼此的地方。」查理摀著嘴,推敲著說。81Please respect copyright.PENANAoZ6GtNO5XG
81Please respect copyright.PENANAI0xwJLRCFs
「那倒不一定。」夏伊勒打斷了他:「米勒調查員說過,蛾種就算不使用那個外掛的『全知』,也能一定程度的感知到周遭事物,兇手可能也具備同樣能力,如果是這樣的話,他只要躲在沒人看得見的暗處就好了。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAfRsJZvupZV
81Please respect copyright.PENANAGJc5VJAXE0
「但是,妳當初說那個......荷布希,使用『全知』的時候也沒發現什麼人躲在附近,不是嗎?」查理眉頭深鎖地問道。81Please respect copyright.PENANAGc70Bzh794
81Please respect copyright.PENANAbEIIengkky
「確實如此,這也是一個疑點。」她撫摸著下巴,沉思了好一陣子:「但是,在我們第一次抵達案發現場的時候,並沒有米勒和那隻蛾吧?而且,第二次命案現場的時候,荷布希也沒有使用『全知』......」81Please respect copyright.PENANAp9kPqnjCtE
81Please respect copyright.PENANAQKutVEuSPW
「確實是這樣沒錯......」81Please respect copyright.PENANABW2YblgbyN
81Please respect copyright.PENANAnjdISMLmLO
現場的空氣陷入一片死寂,兩人都摩挲著桌面的文件堆,各自揣摩些什麼。81Please respect copyright.PENANAyLMEvz6tM4
81Please respect copyright.PENANAmXwUPgA3od
此時那道討厭的聲音再次自腦中響起,那是與布萊克他們初見時的對話:「啊~不行不行,只憑你們幾個的話一定抓不到兇手的。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAhDZTKnYD6Z
81Please respect copyright.PENANA5bs3TwqrUD
布萊克帶著一副難以揣測的笑意說道:「妳的眼睛還不夠清晰啊,夏伊勒小姐。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAfTqG7CyICZ
81Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5j4hZprb2
想到這,她止不住嘖了一聲,手中的文件被狠狠捏出一道道皺褶。81Please respect copyright.PENANATWmmA8KqP9
81Please respect copyright.PENANAlORBqtqnum
「一個個都這樣......明明都知道些什麼但都閉口不提......」她低聲呢喃道,不自覺咬緊了牙。81Please respect copyright.PENANAxx8sFyBldV
81Please respect copyright.PENANAKBTrgTVEmF
「克萊爾小姐?」81Please respect copyright.PENANAyGbjfteJt9
81Please respect copyright.PENANA17GTpUqrUE
「我沒事。」她嘆了口氣,撐桌站起:「我今天要先回家了,剩下的事明天再討論吧。」81Please respect copyright.PENANARr4lzA0f3N
81Please respect copyright.PENANAf8f0SQe5A6
「欸?回家嗎?真是難得。」查理一頭霧水地看著她。81Please respect copyright.PENANAzmL1I8RbtY
81Please respect copyright.PENANA3AAGHXN2Z2
「嗯,因為今天有重要的事要做。」她俐落地拿起包包和椅背上的黑色大衣。81Please respect copyright.PENANA6ASty1pBlA
81Please respect copyright.PENANAyonyvnMigC
「啊......那飲料......」查理匆忙地站起身,握住桌上的飲料杯。81Please respect copyright.PENANAOrk333AGft
81Please respect copyright.PENANASrVRuRhbRJ
「不用了,我今天不想喝。」她冷冷說道。81Please respect copyright.PENANA9p61qE1yGF
81Please respect copyright.PENANAJYslk92Li0
「這......這樣啊......」他垂下頭,面露失落。81Please respect copyright.PENANAik09qpcTXw
81Please respect copyright.PENANAxj3PQqckvS
「不過。」夏伊勒說著,一手解下了掛在飲料杯上的吊飾:「這隻青蛙我就收下了。」她露出了一個難得的微笑。81Please respect copyright.PENANA9uB7iPBJfL
81Please respect copyright.PENANAf9dhNTNMvq
「喔......沒、沒問題。」他有些愣住,呆呆望著夏伊勒離去的背影。81Please respect copyright.PENANAJcbFmRmUze
81Please respect copyright.PENANAqF6vfq2dOi
在向前兩步後,夏伊勒停下了腳步。81Please respect copyright.PENANARz7DXPzYod
81Please respect copyright.PENANA57FQYhcMDy
「查理,如果今晚有哪裡發生了什麼不對勁的事,就直接出動警力,不要猶豫。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAO7usJTEs61
81Please respect copyright.PENANAvz4ZjGHY2U
她轉過半邊臉頰,已經沒入地平線的夕陽,在她頰上映出亮暗分明的陰影:「就說是我授權的。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAjguQYLhxhT
81Please respect copyright.PENANAEM5o2sY51W
查理猶豫片刻後,沉下面色應道:「......我知道了。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA3CHo9S999b
81Please respect copyright.PENANAshCoStJzWk
「克萊爾小姐。」幾乎就在她要走出辦公室時,查理出聲叫住了她。81Please respect copyright.PENANAcRL5dXuoYU
81Please respect copyright.PENANAtUtCqlrGpP
他微微張口,欲言又止。最終只是輕聲說道:「請注意安全。」81Please respect copyright.PENANAaQfOmJJ9td
81Please respect copyright.PENANA3B1MiwVHbe
夏伊勒愣了一下後點頭應答:「我知道了。」81Please respect copyright.PENANA8M0O0SYEd2
81Please respect copyright.PENANACqoDa2L8fs
她緩步走出辦公室,只留下一張凌亂的桌面、兩杯未開封的飲料和呆站一旁的查理。
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起點——直到那一天的黎明。
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起點——直到那一天的黎明。
Author:
夢
ISSUE #28
2-19:上風處
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READS 77
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