Chapter 11

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Rio rose from his seat, his mind already focused on the next step of his investigation. Yamane watched him go, a mixture of relief and anxiety evident in his expression.

Exiting the restaurant, Rio's thoughts churned with the new information he had gleaned. The mention of Dr. Mossing, the forensic doctor, was a significant lead. If anyone could shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Batho's death, it would be her.

But, it was too late now to look for Dr. Mossing at the mortuary.

Even though it wouldn't be a problem looking for Dr. Mossing's address on the National Registry, but Rio did not want to act hastily and alert whoever was behind all this.

A visit to mortuary would be inevitable to see the dead body himself and have a chat with the forensic doctor who examined the body.

There was a bar near the police station where Rio had visited in the past before. Rio decided to go in to have a drink and a quick bite.

Nestled amidst the neon-lit streets and bustling crowds, stood "The Electric Oasis," a bar unlike any other in the city. Its facade shimmered with holographic displays, beckoning patrons from all walks of life with promises of camaraderie, entertainment, and a glimpse into the future.

As Rio stepped through the entrance, a wave of pulsating music and vibrant lights washed over him, engulfing him in an atmosphere of electric energy. The interior of the bar was a symphony of modern design and futuristic aesthetics, blending sleek metallic surfaces with plush furnishings and holographic projections that danced across the walls.

At the centre of the room stood the bar itself, a gleaming monolith of polished chrome and glass, manned by a team of expert Synthetik bartenders programmed to concoct the finest cocktails and drinks known to man. Their movements were fluid and precise.

Around the bar, patrons of all kinds mingled and conversed, their voices blending into a harmonious cacophony of laughter and chatter. SynthHumans, with their flawless features and uncanny realism, rubbed shoulders with their human counterparts, while Synthetiks moved gracefully among them, serving drinks and attending to the needs of the guests.

In one corner of the bar, a group of humans huddled around a holographic gaming table, engrossed in a virtual reality simulation that transported them to distant worlds and fantastical realms. Nearby, a SynthHuman performer took to the stage, their voice augmented by state-of-the-art sound systems as they belted out tunes that captivated the audience.

At the back of the bar, a secluded VIP area offered privacy and exclusivity to those willing to pay the price.

Rio sought solace in a quiet corner, away from the clamor of the main area. He placed an order for chicken wings and a frothy mug of beer, his mind preoccupied with Mr. Kagiso's pondering on the purpose of human existence.

A wry smile tugged at Rio's lips as he mulled over Kagiso's musings. To think, Kagiso found amusement in the idleness of ancestors, deeming it a waste of life. Yet here, amidst the pulsating rhythms and vibrant atmosphere of the bar, Rio found a different kind of existence. The patrons around him seemed wholly engrossed in their own worlds, surrendering themselves to the music and entertainment that enveloped them. It was a scene Mr. Kagiso would struggle to comprehend, a microcosm of human indulgence and escapism.

Mr. Kagiso had been coddled, Rio had no doubt about it.

As soon as he took the first sip of his beer, a familiar voice sounded from the table behind him, "How did your first day go?"

Nearly choking on his beer, Rio craned his neck to meet the alluring eyes that he had seen yesterday. "Oceane, I didn't see you when I came in," Rio remarked, almost certain she hadn't been there initially.

Ignoring his question, Oceane flashed a quick, charming smile. Her presence illuminated the room like a beacon of light against the muted ambiance. Clad in a pristine white dress, she stood out amidst the sea of patrons in darker hues. "I didn't get a chance to ask about your decision to join us earlier," she said.

Raising his eyebrows upon realizing her purpose for appearing, Rio continued to sip on his beer. "I haven't made up my mind on that matter."

"Just the case for now?" Oceane inquired, amusement evident in her tone.

"Just the case for now."

As their eyes locked, Rio couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue. What was her role in all of this? Just a member from the W club to recruit him?

"I'll keep you informed of any developments," Rio assured Oceane, his voice laced with determination. He wasn't one to be swayed easily, especially when it came to matters of trust and allegiance.

"Just let me know if you need any form of assistance in this investigation. Money and people are no problem for the W Club," Oceane said, lifting her glass of red wine. Rio noticed her preference for red wine.

Cocking his head in amusement, Rio asked half-jokingly, "If you have the money and people to investigate this case, why not look for someone else instead of a person who has been disowned by the government?"

The same enigmatic smile lingered on her lips. "This decision wasn't made solely by me," she said, insinuating her involvement in his recruitment. "It was made by the whole board. You possess something that the club desires. It's as simple as that."

Rio chuckled. "Simple" would be the last word he used to describe the whole incident.

"I think you have gathered enough information to start the investigation," Oceane said, taking out her AD from her extravagant purse and tapping on the TransactTech on her table, indicating her desire to leave the bar.

"It seems like everything is a dead-end," Rio spread out his hands, hoping that Oceane could offer more information to shed more light.

"I hold no information back on this case," Oceane said, her expression turning solemn. "Mr. Kagiso is an important customer for the W club. Solving this case would not be solely a personal interest but also a means to expose the things the government has been hiding."

"I doubt the involvement of the government in this..." Rio attempted to explain the lack of updates on Inspector Jaquan's status in the law enforcement team, only to be halted by Oceane's slender hand.

"Don't jump to conclusions too soon," Oceane said. "We have learned not to take things at face value after many encounters with the government."

With that, Oceane gracefully rose from her seat. With a flick of her wrist, she adjusted the strap of her purse, the gesture exuding poise and confidence. As she walked towards the exit, her long, flowing dress trailed behind her, swaying gently with each step.

Rio smiled as he continued to devour his chicken wings, certain that Oceane's exit had drawn glances from those around her.

Finishing the last bite of his meal, Rio adjusted his jacket and set off into the night, his mind buzzing with questions and possibilities.

The next morning, Rio woke up with a newfound sense of purpose - something he hadn't felt in years. Ignoring the multiple beeping sounds from his computer - requests for illegal passes and hacking jobs - he freshened up and drove to the mortuary, located just five miles away from the police station.

To facilitate his meeting with Dr. Mossing, Rio had created a fake ID, identifying himself as Inspector Morrison. As he waited at the front counter, the clerk checked his ID. Rio was confident that the ID would pass most of the security systems in government buildings.

Rio tried to maintain his composure as the clerk cast more glances at him than necessary.

Then, the clerk rose from her seat and retreated behind the front counter. Moments later, a young man with thick-rimmed glasses emerged with the clerk. He glanced at Rio's ID and then at Rio himself, offering a polite smile.

The clerk resumed her tasks at the front counter, seemingly oblivious to the interaction.

"Inspector Morrison?" the young man said, extending his hand. The Pastolium in his fingers marked him as a SynthHuman.

Rio shook his hand and stated his intention to see Dr. Mossing.

"What brings you to see Dr. Mossing?" the young man asked, attempting to sound casual but failing miserably.

Sensing something amiss, Rio replied, "I'm afraid the investigation is still confidential. I'm not at liberty to divulge any details of the case." The young man's suspicious behavior only heightened Rio's unease, especially as he avoided confirming Dr. Mossing's availability.

The young man pulled out his ID from his pocket. "I am Dr. Well. Dr. Mossing has gone on leave, and I will be covering her absence during this period. You can tell me what you want, and I will be happy to assist," he said. This statement earned another confused glance from the clerk, heightening Rio's alarm even further.

"I see..." Rio's mind raced, searching for any excuse to retreat from the counter without arousing suspicion.

Inspector Jaquan had been absent from work without a legitimate reason, and now Dr. Mossing had gone on leave. All of this couldn't be a coincidence.

"I appreciate your offer, Dr. Well," Rio began cautiously, "but my business with Dr. Mossing is quite sensitive. It involves a matter of great importance, and I'm afraid I cannot divulge the details to anyone other than her."

Dr. Well's expression remained neutral, but Rio detected a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "I understand, Inspector Morrison," he replied smoothly. "However, Dr. Mossing is currently unavailable. If there's anything I can assist you with in her absence, please don't hesitate to ask."

Rio needed information, but he couldn't risk exposing his true intentions.

Just as Rio anticipated Dr. Well's departure from the front counter, Dr. Well leaned in and lowered his voice. "Perhaps it's related to the missing child's case? That was the last case Dr. Well handled before she went on leave."

The direct inquiry stirred an uneasy feeling in Rio's stomach. He froze for a moment before replying, "The missing child's case?" Internally, Rio hoped his feigned nonchalance would deceive the young man.

Instead of providing an answer, Dr. Well offered a cryptic smile. "If Inspector Morrison prefers to wait for Dr. Mossing's return to discuss the matter you've come for, then I shall leave it at that." With a nod, Dr. Well added, "I shall return to my work, Inspector Morrison."

The subtle adjustment of his thick-rimmed glasses sent a shiver down Rio's spine.

Dr. Well muttered something indiscernible to the clerk before returning to his workstation. Rio stared at the front counter, contemplating his options.

He was almost certain Dr. Mossing wouldn't be returning to work anytime soon, if ever. While the young man may genuinely be covering for Dr. Mossing's absence, he could also be a spy, monitoring who inquired about the case. Rio wasn't sure if Dr. Well was convinced by his act.

If Dr. Well harbored any suspicions, he would likely alert the authorities, landing Rio in trouble. 

Taking a deep breath, he decided to retreat for now, his mind already racing with strategies to uncover the truth without drawing unwanted attention.

Now, out of the corner of his eye, Rio caught a glimpse of the ID hanging around the clerk's neck. He then cast another glance at his own.

Having already made his presence known at the counter, returning with the same purpose would only attract unwanted attention. Rio realized he needed to find another way to obtain the information he sought from the mortuary.

As an idea began to form in his mind, Rio strode back to his Hyperloop Pod and retrieved his AD. While it might not be as straightforward without properly connecting his Pastolium to the AD, it was the best option available to infiltrate the mortuary.

Rio decided to take a more complex route to hack into the mortuary system, aiming to avoid setting off the security alarms. He managed to download a list of the forensic doctors who worked in the mortuary, but Dr. Well was not on the list. Rio shook his head in disbelief - he should have expected as much.

Over the next hour, Rio forged himself a fake ID to aid in his infiltration. He only needed the ID to gain access to the mortuary through the back door. Utilizing a program he had downloaded onto his AD but not yet utilized, Rio made subtle changes to his appearance, just in case he encountered the clerk or Dr. Well.

With his altered appearance and the new ID identifying him as Dr. Callas, Rio scrutinized his reflection in the rear view mirror of his Hyperloop Pod.