I guess I should get some information about the last time he saw Feliciano. He seems a little receptive to questions at the moment, but I’d still better be careful.

Feel free to talk to Ludwig.

I know…thin’s like this happen…never pretended I wouldn’t have to face this sooner or later…

I can’t say…that I saw this comin’…

What’s he gonna say when I tell him?

What am I gonna tell him?

He’s cleanin’ like usual…and I dun’ see his brother anywhere abouts. It’s too early for this place to really even be open…and I already feel like I need a drink. If I sat down ‘n ordered one, he’d know somethin’ was up for ‘shore. Guess there’s no way around it…

“Good morning, cher…I think…I think you’d best be closin’ your doors for the day.”

“Alfred? What’s the matter?”

“…Ludwig…I…I’m sorry to have to say this…but…he’s dead. He’s dead and gone, cher…I didn’t want you to find out from someone else…and I know how much he meant to you…I’m so sorry, cher…”

I can talk to him…but given the nature of his and Feliciano’s relationship…I’d better be careful with what I say. He and I may be friends…but that doesn’t entitle me to be disrespectful.

I wasn’t sure who was more upset: the officer or that private detective. Neither were too happy to see the other, and I had the distinct feeling that they knew each other…thought that could just be the investigative side of me digging in where I shouldn’t belong.

What caught me off guard, though, was what that detective, Alfred, said next.

“I can’t just stay here and let him find out through the papers or, god forbid, either of their brothers!”

And then he just took off…and left me there…

“HEY! HEY WAIT!”