Conversation · Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife

"Hello, sweetie. How are you?" She sounds tired.

Dark circles around her eyes. She's absolutely exhausted.

She asked about you because she's afraid to hear about the traps. But that's what she really wants news of.

"About your pin..."

"I ran into your husband on the coast."

"Goodness! How is he? Did he say why he hasn't returned yet?" The old woman clasps her hands together over her blanket.

"He's fine, ma'am. He couldn't get back earlier because the water lock on the canal was broken. Now he's just finishing up some work."

"Oh, yes, that's my Morell -- he's bound to catch a cold, staying out there for so long... "

"But I am so relieved to hear that he's okay. Thank you for putting an old woman's heart at ease, if even a little."

Now maybe she'll open up about those fascinating cryptids. Take her mind off all this...

You haven't, however. There are dangers out there, our ageing bodies fail... her heart won't rest until Morell is safely back with her.

"He's fine, ma'am. He couldn't get back earlier because the water lock on the canal was broken. Now he's just finishing up some work..."

"He's fine, ma'am. He couldn't get back earlier because the water lock on the canal was broken. He should be back soon."

"I hope so! He's going to catch a cold, staying out there for so long..."

"He's fine. He couldn't get back before because the water lock on the canal was broken. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"That's all for now, ma'am." [Leave.]

"Officer... I hate to ask, but perhaps you could check those traps one more time? Only if you're in the area... In truth, I know Gary won't be up to it, and I'm concerned about my husband's health..."

"Sorry, I have too many other things on my plate. Wish you the best of luck." (Reject task.)

"I understand. Best of luck with your work as well." She smiles up at you, doing her best not to look disappointed.

"Alright, when you put it that way -- I'll help." (Accept task.)

"Oh, thank you so much. And don't catch a cold out there!" She smiles up at you brightly.

"Just a moment, officer..." She smiles up at you nervously. "If you run into my husband again... do tell him I'm worried, and to hurry back."

Do it. Who knows what cryptozoological mysteries will be uncovered?

"I'm sorry, I don't want to get involved in your affairs." (Refuse the task)

"Of course, sweetie. Good luck with your investigation."

"Sure thing, ma'am." (Accept the task)

"Oh, thank you so much sweetie. Good luck with your investigation now."

"The water lock on the canal is broken, so your husband is probably just stuck on the other side of the coast."

"Oh, my! What happened to the water lock?"

"You may not believe it, but it looks like some maniac crashed his motor carriage into it."

"Oh, sweetie, if it weren't for you I'd be looking forward to another sleepless night. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!"

"You're welcome, ma'am."

"Listen, sweetie. I hate to ask, but if your investigation happens to take you to the other side of the coast, please do keep an eye out for my husband..."

Of course. You're a cop, you were born to do this stuff.

The quest for knowledge is never over!

"And if you see him, let him know Lena is waiting for him here at the Whirling. He gets so tangled up in his work that he may not know the water lock's been repaired. And it's cold out there..."

"I've really spent too much time on this side-case as it is." (Reject task.)

"Oh, of course, sweetie. I understand." She smiles brightly to mask her disappointment.

"If I see him, I'll let him know you're here -- when or if I get there." (Accept task.)

"Oh, you're such a dear! Thank you, sweetie."

This will surely lead to a cryptozoological mystery with that extremely rare insect...

Yes! Some left-field scientific research is exactly what you need right now. Funk up that vanilla murder investigation.

"I really don't know."

"Well, whatever the cause, I'm thankful. You've spared me another sleepless night."

"Probably just some technical problem."

"Word around the canal is some weird new cryptid destroyed it."

"Oh, now you're just having fun at an old woman's expense! In any case, thank you for looking into this. It takes a weight off my shoulders."

"I broke it. Drove my motor carriage into a billboard above the lock, blocking the gates."

"Oh, sweetie... Well, I'm glad you survived that. And I'm grateful for the information -- it will spare me another sleepless night."

"Wouldn't you know, it's blocked by a big butter billboard -- it fell right into the water!"

"Oh, sweetie, if it weren't for you I'd be looking forward to another sleepless night. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!"

"What is this expedition your husband was on?"

"Just some field work, sweetie. Morell is a highly trained scientist. He and his assistant, Gary, are studying an extremely rare species of insect..."

"But they should have returned by now. They were just going down the coast, across the water lock, to set a few traps. He said they'd be back on Monday..." She sighs. "What could be keeping them?"

The water lock! That was broken. Could this be it?

"Are they in a rough neighbourhood?"

"There's a nameless old fishing village nearby, but we've never had any trouble there before..." She stops, then continues, worried. "There is a lot of crime around here, isn't there?"

"That's too bad. I hope your husband comes back soon." (Decline task.)

"Yes, well, thank you for your time, officer. I'm probably just worrying for no reason. I'm sure they'll return before long..."

There's a note of disappointment in her voice that she can't quite suppress.