That night, Impa completes her final errand of collecting Caedis's letter from the Milk Bar before she ventures to Imogen's apartment at around ten o'clock. She knocks on the door and waits. A hand reaches out and pulls her inside.
"What's going on, Imogen?" Impa demands answers as she removes Imogen's grip from her wrist.
"Sorry…" Imogen apologises. "I didn't want anyone to see you up here…"
"Why not?"
"My paranoia will become apparent shortly." Imogen explains. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Not until I receive a complete explanation of what's going on." Impa affirms, folding her arms.
Imogen sighs. "Follow me."
Imogen leads Impa to the shelving unit stocked with jars of multicoloured spices. She pushes it aside with surprising ease, revealing a large crack in the wall plaster.
"Through this hole is a view to the neighbouring building." Imogen explains carefully. "The neighbouring building is a Curiosity Shop open during the late hours of the night. I suspected some shady activity was taking place in the shop when I heard a angry outburst coming through the wall. I listened into the conversations and discovered that they were exchanging stolen goods."
"Listen, Imogen." Impa interrupts as politely as possible. "Crime-fighting really isn't my responsibility. Besides, this kind of sordid corruption goes on all the time in towns like this."
"I understand that you do not wish to entangle yourself in such petty affairs, especially with all the responsibility you have in the Castle." Imogen sympathises. "However, I'm not concerned with stolen supplies or valueless trinkets. Recently, I learned that the Curiosity Shop was holding something much more precious…"
A bell rings through the wall. Imogen jumps into action.
"A customer! Quick! Take a peek and see for yourself!"
Impa eyes Imogen with utter disbelief, but nevertheless, she leans into the crack in the wall and peers through into the building next-door…
