亚洲综合中美

“What happened?” cried he over the counter.

“They’ve stopped the cartoons for some breaking news,” sniffled the warmly dressed Celina.

“Must be important, go have a shower. You can always rewatch it later.”

“Fine,” a long thoughtful stare stamped onto his face.

‘Must have been really into the show. éclair, what’s the issue?’

“Murders,” said he, “-a body has been found at Carter Lake; south-east of the city.”

.....

“What’s so breaking news about it?”

“It’s the body of a young starlet. The cause of death has yet been to be determined. The detectives aren’t willing to divulge information on the issue.”

“Oh, a star died,” said he presumptuously, “-big deal. Tis a city of stars, I bet she overdosed.”

“Thing is,” paused the spirit, “-stars and starlets go missing suddenly after gaining a good reputation. Those who fight the casting couch are often the prey to said cruelty. I forgot to mention, the lady who died, was also the one being pestered at the photoshoot.”

“The one involving that director?”

“Yes,” said he, “-the city is livening on the verge of a Class-4 warning.”

*Barge,*, “-Igna,” said a palpitating Alicia, “-I need a lift to Eldow’s High.”

“Why, what’s the matter?”

“Didn’t you hear, the starlet who died was a friend of mine. Please, don’t ask questions, and let’s go.”

“Steady now,” said he calmly, “-rushing isn’t the wisest choice. Her body is under autopsy. If the cause of death is ruled as a homicide; then she might be in the morgue for a few days, even weeks at worse.”

“No, no,” refuted she, “-I got word from her parents. The body’s already on way to her home.”

“And the cause of death?”

“Suicide.”

“Is that so,” wiping the hand clean, “-go get dressed properly first. I surely don’t mind you not having any leg-wear, yet, the family of the deceased might not agree.”

“Sorry, sorry,” her emotion calmed a little, “-Class 3 warning and her death to boot, I overreacted, sorry again.”

“Don’t worry; go freshen up. I’ll set the table.”

“Are we going somewhere?” wondered Celina scurrying to the table.

“Did you have a shower?” wondered he sternly.

“Yes, I didn’t wash my hair,” familiarity grew per the days spent together. A trio of strangers grew to be a very tightly knitted group of friends.

“Please, have breakfast without me,” said she grieving at the memories. Her warm feet crossed the cold-floor with a sticking-like sound.

“éclair, when was the body found?”

“Two days ago. The information was kept until today, thus the announcement.”

“Have they made any official statement?”

“Yes, says the cause of death is suicide by overdosing on narcotics.”

“Those reports, can you acquire them?”

“All of it?”

“Yes.”

“As you wish,” and so, he went to work infiltrating the servers for information. Security stood on as a menacing castle of which éclair laid siege. There and then, many reports from two differing investigating units at the first stages of the case were shown. Disparities ranged from the cause of death to the actual whereabouts of the body. The stench of foul-play cut his appetite. Reading more into the paragraphs, the officer pointing to a homicide was ousted for one who didn’t seem credible. What the latter wrote was of the victim being a player in her own death. Even the coroner changed the cause of death from drowning due to unknown factors to drowning under the influence of narcotics. Security was strongest around the rejected report, the photos were locked behind biometric-type security. Alas for the public safety office, the security they used was programmed and built by Elon’s Dynasty. The one at the forefront of said security; éclair – else dubbed the Phantasmic Programmer.

“Got it,” commented he in an excited voice.

“Good job.”

“Date 18th February. An anonymous call into the station claimed to have found a dead body. Upon reaching the location, the skin was pale and dirty blue. The lady, who we later find is Melle Nao, was recovered on the shore of Carter Lake. The surroundings showed no evidence of a fight nor struggle. A scan of the immediate area pointed to a possible suicide,” tis the summary of the first investigator’s findings. Now for the second investigator, “slight bruises around her chest and nether regions point to foul-play. The victim could have been drugged and assaulted as is most cases nowadays. A possible overdose on the strong narcotics might have been a miscalculation on the assailant’s side. The case has similarities to the one of Bheta Zena; who’s death came as an anonymous call.”

“Interesting,” thought he sipping tea, “-can you bring up the case of Bheta?”

“Found dead on the 12th of January in her apartment. Cause of death, an overdose of narcotics. Her body was found two days after her death. Possible links are the refusal to lay atop the casting couch for a chance at stardom.”

‘We’ve got two killed for refusing the casting couch. Things might get difficult from here.’

“I’m back,” said Alicia dressed in a coat and warmth-clothes, “-will Celina accompany us?”

“Yes,” said Igna, “-have breakfast now, I’ll go get ready.”

The mysterious deaths weren’t so mysterious. Those wanting a conspiracy scrutinized the officers for their lack of evidence. Such bold claims were refuted instantly by the higher-up saying, ‘-the fantasy of crazed individuals shan’t trouble our highly capable investigators.’

White-shirt, a black overcoat and black-tie. The hair was neatly parted down the middle to hang just above the brows. ‘This isn’t going to be pleasant to attend. éclair, have the lenses set to reconnaissance.’

“As you wish.”

From plain and normal, the interface changed to display various information of items the host focused on. Outlines were seen through walls, the dimmed conversation between Celina and Alicia was audible. In this mode, the user could control éclair’s power over technology with the movement of the eyes. Then again, the connection was mostly telepathic. Tightening the tie, the two silhouettes headed to Celina’s room. The Oxford leather shoes’ heels were very loud against the cold-floor. Each step made the same as heels.

‘The weather is only worsening.’ Hard winds had already toppled a few advertising boards.

“Igna,” said Celina in a black dress, “-Is this necessary?”

“Oh yes, it is,” said he taking her hand, “-you’ve never attended a funeral before?”

“No, father had me stay home for those occasions.”

“Well, it’s not fun, that’s for sure,” the eyes met Alicia who opted for a plain black dress, leggings, and heels. A black coat hid most of her features. Black gloves and handbags, her hair neatened with a white ribbon.

“Good to see you’ve changed into a more formal outfit,” said he.

“Yeah, well, I was lost as to what to wear.”

The journey north took more or less twenty-minutes. ‘We’re here,’ said she signaling Igna, “-there, you see those butlers?” retainers were lined outside to act as guides for the coming guests. Many walked to the location; the Nao family’s a prominent trading company allied to the Kura’s Trading corporation.

“Please, this way,” said they at the car. Drive on inside, the architecture reminisced of the olden-era of being big, blocky, and full of windows, similar to ones in Hidros. Many vehicles were rounded at a parking lot nearest to a fountain.

“We’re here,” said he, “-Celina, could you grab the umbrella?”

“Sure,” she reached for the back, “-rains stopped.”

“We won’t need it,” said Alicia in a subdued voice; sadness whelmed her throat and heart.

Arms locked with Alicia and holding Celina’s hand, they walked at a reserved pace. éclair immediately went to work digging information on the people in attendance. Most were affluent and prominent figures. A given since a lady of the house of Nao died.

“Alicia, I’m glad you made it,” said the short grieving mother. Her husband was a few inches taller.

“Lady Nao, I’m sorry for thy lost,” they embraced to tightened the pain.

“Mr. Nao,” voiced Igna, “-my dearest sympathies.”

“Thank you, young man,” said he slowly,”-please, our daughter is on her way to heaven as we speak. Do pay her a visit.”

‘A very nice man,’ thought he.

Like many who came before, the body was laid in a casket at a makeshift altar. It would be taken to the church after all the guests gave their condolences and spoke with for the last time. Coming to the room felt heart-breaking. Many mourned her death, close family, close friends, they all hurdled. Women on one side and men on another, the room split per tradition.

Lowered heads, hands held onto another, a few prayers exchanged in silence. Celina mirrored Igna for the most part. Alicia wept her tears. “-I’ll help lady Nao.”

“As you wish,” said he.

‘Isn’t that the leaders of Kura’s Corporation?’ éclair confirmed their identities, ‘-I guess the five-conglomerates will be in attendance.’ He stood at a more reserved spot, watching as the guests filled the room one by one. At one point, Alicia joined with other ladies who began to gossip.

“What’s going on there?” wondered Celina spotting chaos at the entry.

“No idea,” returned he, “-I’d guess someone important has arrived.”

Mr. Dorino, lady Shino Pierre Gaso accompanied by lord Guiz Patek and their son, Ziu Patek. Dorino grew older, Lady Gaso seemed the same as memory, the Patek’s were a new sight.

‘It’s time,’ he gritted, ‘-this could be the perfect opportunity to put an end to the five conglomerates,’ rage ended in a tighter grip of Celina’s hands.

“Are you ok?” asked she pinching his hands.

“Yes, sorry,” shaking off the embarrassing display of emotions – the four prosperous names paid their respect and split to merge into the hall.

Ziu Patek’s demeanor befell onto a grieving Alicia. The well-built heir stood at her side as if an acquaintance. The ladies around were mostly scared to make eye contact.

“éclair, enhance the audio.”

“Hello there, Alicia, how have you been. Looks like the hot-headed Melle had an unfortunate accident,” he took her arms, “-why do you always refuse my advances. Come on, be at my side and I’ll make of you the most powerful lady in the continent. Staying single for that amount of time is only going to put thy beauty to shame.”

“Please, I don’t want to hear of thy lust at the moment. It’s a place of mourning, can’t you keep quiet for once?”

.....

“Alicia,” he caressed her cheeks, “-don’t be so harsh for I’m only a man in love.”

“That’s enough,” voiced Igna holding Ziu’s arms.

“Who the hell are you?” side-glanced he, “-how dare you hold my arm?”

“I’m Alicia’s lover. Is there perhaps something you want to discuss?”

“Her lover?” he chuckled, “-impossible... looking at you now, I guess you are a handsome man, not better than me though. Are you going to let go?”

“Sure,” the grip lessened, “-try and not make a fool out of thineself, heir to the Patek’s.”

“Very well,” he inhaled,”-I’ll take the words to mind. See you around,” he stomped over to Lord Patek who glared mercilessly at Igna.

“Why did you do that?” wondered she, “-the conglomerates are angry, look.”

“I don’t care about them,” said he giving a smile, “-we’ve come here to pay respect to thy friend. Not put up to some pompous bastard,” he spun as the situation sorted itself.

“Wait-” she grabbed his hand, “-about what you said...”

“Don’t worry about it,” knelt to wipe her tears, “-I did what needed to be done. Take care, I’ll go check on Celina.”

“What a gentleman,” whispered those around, “-he gallantly stood up for his lover, how very romantic.”

“It’s not like that,” said she.

“Oh, I think there’s more than meets the surface.”

Meanwhile, at the more ‘reserved entourage,’ “-what happened over there?”

“Nothing much, father. I found someone interesting. Tis the first time anyone’s dare lay a hand on me,” they all glared in a threatening manner.

‘Trying to intimidate?’ he glared right back with a darker sense of violence, ‘-let’s see how mighty the leaders are in the country.’