Hearing my question, instead of looking surprised, Shelton asked me, "How did you know about this?"

I could tell that he had long known about this matter.

But he didn't tell me.

I could understand why he did so. After all, if I knew about this, it wouldn't be of any avail at all.

But his question made me realize that both Ned and Shelton suspected that Patrick had contacted me.

"Grandpa Cowell called me." I told him the truth.

Hearing this, he, who frowned slightly, looked somewhat relaxed and nodded, saying, "It seems that the last time I got in touch with him happened one week ago. Over the...