4 The Truth

Arthur sat behind his L-shaped white oak desk, and reclined in his chair, waiting. His desk had stacks of neatly organized folders and files, some pens, and a mug filled with coffee. He wasn't usually much of a coffee drinker, but he'd had more whiskey than he'd planned earlier, and he didn't want to be drunk at seven-thirty in the morning. He blew on his coffee and then took a sip. Unfortunately for him It was still too hot and burnt his tongue slightly. He grimaced and set down his mug.

His office was for the most part unremarkable. It was modestly large and mainly consisted of white furniture. The filing cabinets along the walls were white, the walls themselves were white as was the floor and ceiling. Even his coffee mug and folders were white. He wasn't sure why but the blankness of the color calmed Arthur and made his work a little more bearable.

Arthur turned in his chair and stared out of his window. Ahead, he could see the San Francisco bay, sunlight reflecting off its calm blue surface and making it shimmer brightly. It was a truly magnificent sight, one he hardly ever had time to admire because of the usual cloud cover. He did have a meeting scheduled for today, but he wasn't sure with whom. Annoyingly whoever it was, they were over an hour late. That did however give him a moment to catch his breath. Moments like these were precious to Arthur. It felt like he was always on the move these days, or always on the job, living on autopilot. He was so exhausted... And he wasn't sure how he kept on going, day-in and day-out.

He tied his hair in a ponytail behind his head as the doors to his office finally opened, revealing a tall stately woman standing there. She walked towards him gracefully and took a seat on the other side of his desk. The blonde woman wore a blue skirt that extended to her chins and a white button-up blouse. She was one of the most powerful women on the face of the planet: Tessa Vanderbelt, president of Titanus industries.

"Mr. Jefferson. I wish I could say it's a pleasure seeing you. I assume you know why I am here?" Tessa said, placing one golden-skinned leg over the other.

"I do indeed," Arthur said, nodding. "I assure you my investigators are already on it. We will soon know what happened to your husband!"

"Mmm yes. Your investigators…" She said, rolling her emerald green eyes. "Liam's been missing for two whole weeks, and your investigators have not found a single lead. The CTO of the largest company in history goes missing, and you're sitting here twirling your thumbs? I'm NOT impressed, Jefferson."

"Mrs. Vanderbelt, are you doubting my team's capabilities? The same team that had the highest rate of closed cases last year throughout the planet?" He said, defiant. "With all due respect, I cannot allow you to slander our good name. We're doing everything we can."

Tessa cocked an eyebrow, fixating on him with an icy cold gaze. "It's not slander. Your detectives are idiots… And we both know that you're NOT doing everything you can."

That part was true. There was more that could be done. Ever since the Privatisation of Services act was passed in the World Council, policing had been handled by private corporations, like Arthur's very own company. While the privatization of policing had allowed for a much more efficient police force, it had also allowed the rich and powerful to pay their way through the system. Arthur hated the fact that any big spender could just pay for more resources, and if it had been up to him he would've banned the practice. Unfortunately, all the competing police forces throughout California state offered this policy to their rich patrons, and that meant Arthur had to as well, at least if he wanted to still have a business to speak of. He didn't make the rules, he just played within them.

"Ah of course. Our elite tier service will cost you fifty thousand credits," he said, rubbing his forehead. "Once we have confirmation of payment, a senior investigator will be assigned to your case."

"Not good enough," she said shaking her head, blonde curls bouncing about her shoulders. "I don't want a senior investigator on the case. I want your best investigator on the case… How do five million credits sound?"

Arthur was caught a little off guard by the offer. He'd always heard of the Vanderbelts' immense wealth, but a hundred times the requested fee? That was something he hadn't expected at all. "Five million will guarantee that my best senior investigator will take the lead on the case, while the rest of the senior investigation team will provide support. It will also ensure that we will dedicate every resource that we possibly can to finding your husband."

"Not good enough," Tessa said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm not interested in having more of your varsity team of investigators on the case. I want the best detective in the world… I want you, Arthur."

He winced at the idea of himself out in the field again. "I'm afraid that's out of the question. My role here is to act as commanding officer. My only involvement when it comes to active cases comes in the form of advice or training for my senior investigators… Nothing more, nothing less. And no Mrs. Vanderbelt, this isn't something you could request by throwing more money at me."

"Pity. I would've gone as high as five hundred million," Tessa said, standing up, an annoyed look on her face. "I guess I'll have to go to one of your competitors. Good day, Jefferson."

"Good day Mrs. Vanderbelt," he said, nodding at her as she made her way towards the white double doors of his office.

An idea began forming in his head… It was a longshot, that was for certain, but perhaps the best idea he's had in years. An idea that could finally allow him to atone for failing his family. I'm going to free you Mya… get you unshunned. Even if it's the last thing I do…

"Wait, Mrs. Vanderbelt I have a counter proposal!" he said, jumping to his feet.

"Five billion credits? You drive a hard bargain Jefferson…" She said, turning back around to face him. "But perhaps I could make it w-"

"No, I don't want more money. Five hundred million will be just fine..." Arthur said, an inkling of a plan beginning to form in his head. "I will personally take on your husband's case but on one condition. Once the case is closed, I will call on you for a favor, and you will oblige, no questions asked."

Tessa cocked an eyebrow. "An open-ended favor? I don't like the sound of that at all... Why do I have a feeling it's going to be more costly to me than the five billion credits?"

"You're the one that wanted the best. This is what the best will cost you."

Tessa walked over to his desk and extended a hand out to him. "You have yourself a deal. Find out what happened to my Liam."

"I will," he said, taking her hand in his own and shaking it. "I always find the truth."

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