Chapter 53 - Audacious Investigator (1/2)

Chapter 53: Audacious Investigator

“Employee ID, take it out.” Kyle Leonard commanded the operator, pressing the revolver against his head.

“….”

“It can’t be. I don’t think you’re with the Laurent Railway.” The operator’s face immediately turned pale upon the investigator’s remark, pulps of sweat forming in his forehead.

“If you don’t want to get a bullet in your arms and legs like your colleagues, step aside and talk.” Kyle Leonard threatened. He pulled a handcuff out of his uniform and swiftly fastened it around the man’s arms.

When the operator refused to cooperate, shaking his head, Kyle Leonard hit the back of his neck with the revolver. In an instant, the man lost consciousness. Then, Kyle Leonard pushed his body to the corner and began to examine the controls in the driver cab — automatic train stop, speedometer, handle, electricity supply, boiler control valve, brake valve.

His peering eyes stopped at one place: the odometer, which indicated the train’s route. The odometer blinked red light, signaling that the train was in motion. However, the route on the map and the direction indicated by the train’s odometer were different. The route was north, but the train was running east.

That can’t be true.

According to the map, the route from Lunazel to Central Edman was a plain area that stretches on a straight path; its route had no wide turns. Hence, the odometer should not be pointing east.

Should the train continue to run east, it would arrive at a completely different location, not Central Edman. Feeling a sense of foreboding, Kyle Leonard hastily pulled the brake valve. But…

“…It’s not working.”

He tried to pull the valves one by one, but all were jammed. Suddenly, the operator shuffled, starting to wake up. Kyle Leonard’s eyes shifted towards the man’s neck and cuffed arms. Wrist.

Without hesitation, he pointed the revolver at him and fired.

Bang!

“….!” An abrupt scream resounded in the driver cab. The man gripped his bloody wrist, writhing in extreme pain.

“If you just faint, you won’t see blood. Anyway, I happened to aim just right. Where is this train headed?” Kyle Leonard clicked his tongue in subtle satisfaction.

“Ugh…”