After waiting for the other two to calm down, Officer Stephen stepped forward with what they thought happened. He thought himself cruel, but Officer Stephen wanted to tell them because he thought they had the right to know what happened. He knew that the police were a bit constraining when it came to controlling information with regards to the underground because most of the top members were in cahoots with them, but he still wanted to act on his personal justice. Even if he’d be thought of as cruel.

“It’s as Mr. Dex says, We believe that Rising Feather was behind this incident. They are known for their black market antics and human trafficking. Though, the incident a few months ago confirmed the death of its founder, there were confirmed sightings of remnants. We believe Mr. Ernesto was stripped of his organs so they can be sold in the black market. Trying to get funds and doubling down in their efforts to reinstate themselves in the city as a superpower once again. ”

To his surprise, Officer Stephen did not hear a welp or a cry when Rising Feather was mentioned. In fact, it seemed the atmosphere in the room tensed up. In the past, whenever those guys were involved, the families would go hysterical because they knew exactly what kind of organization they were, that they couldn’t do anything. When the civil war ended, they built a strong standing in society, and this persisted even after they were branded as a terrorist organization. They controlled politicians like they were puppets and further lavished themselves in their own greed. A few months ago, he was overjoyed that the leader was killed in an infighting incident that happened in the pier, labelled as the “Pier Incident” by the mass media. This brought joy and peace to the island until recently. So they were reluctant to release new information on the matter to prevent the public from panicking.

Flustered with the three people’s reactions, Officer Stephen asked the three of them to keep it a secret, until it would be confirmed and broadcasted in the news for their safety. Afterwards, the three were asked questions about the logistics of Mr. Ernesto’s departure. When was the last time they saw him, when he would be back, where he was going, and if they had any tips on what happened to him or anyone that might’ve been after him. All of the details the three answered checked out with the time and date with the information they had on the victim so far. They had wanted to know of any leads that might point them in the direction of the investigation, such as if he really did have beef with the underground organization. Unfortunately, all three of them answered unsatisfactory answers, that he really didn’t have any prior involvements with the organization.

After the interview, he gave the young daughter the number of the police station, his personal phone number, and Davis’ phone numbers if any developments were to occur in the case. He then asked Davis to escort them back to the station.

Once they were gone, he silently pondered. Why did the young man from earlier seem a bit out of it? And why the question from Rising Feather? Though he understood that the other two were probably out of it because of the loss of someone close to them. He understood that the young man had only known the person for a good two months. He could have been particularly close to the victim, but it seems he was a bit preoccupied with other thoughts. It may have been normal to be concerned with the organization, but he wasn’t even in the island until two months ago because he just moved here. He did seem a bit sad, but it looked like he was thinking about a problem he had instead of the actual death.

God, I shouldn’t be thinking like a detective again. It’s exactly this passionate overthinking that got me demoted in the first place.

He was a former detective of the precinct known for cracking down on Rising Feather when they were still active. This earned him a target on the back with some of his superiors that were in cahoots with the organization, but they couldn’t pin him down because of his perfect track record. The Pier Incident, where he screwed up rounding members of the organization who were trying to get away was just the ammunition he needed. He was demoted to a normal police officer.

He still had some freedom because his partner, Davis was a big fan of his, but it wasn't the same as when he was a detective, reports to HQ weren’t getting through about some of his more questionable actions and Davis (technically his superior) had even let him have the reigns over most operations. He was given little to no attention in the office and was constantly belittled by pears. What stuck to him the most though, was he believed that some of the recent calls he made in cases were made ineligible. Calls that would have pinned culprits quicker and brought them in faster. A pragmatic solution to prevent more crimes and injuries.

I need to find "that guy" who got away from us, then I might get my position back. This case just smells like it'll lead me to it.

As the logical detective mused about the ridiculousness of a man of logic like him believing in hunches, he made a mental note to take special attention of the bar they worked in as he reclined his feet on the table.

I have to believe in the intuition that never failed me in the past.

The way back to the bar was awkward. Officer Davis tried cheering up the three of them with a bit of small talk, but he was met with lukewarm answers. He stopped when he realized he might have been a bit insensitive. Thanking him in his head, Dex gave him a small smile.

This guy’s a bit weird, but he’s nice

I think there’s no point to think about that case right now that I still have work. Later tonight I’ll be looking into where possible remnants of the organization could hide. Right now I’m more worried about Miki though.

Miki was sound asleep next to him with her head patted softly on Mr. Aoi’s shoulder. I guess Mr. Aoi noticed my gaze when he started berating me again.

“What the hell are you looking at?”

This old man is seriously annoying

“Nothing much, I’m just concerned about Miki. I may joke around with her all the time, but of course I’m still concerned about her. What are you still mad about what I said earlier? Let it go.”

“I only said that because you were being insensitive, you’re too brazen for your own good.”

Cross-armed, as if defending a fortress, Mr. Aoi answered with a stern and firm voice.

“But concerned huh? Why are you so concerned about these two? Sure they gave you a roof above your head and a paying job, but that was all two months ago right? It just sounds fishy. After All, you did run away from your family that took care of you for about two decades all willy nilly right?”

His words bounced up and down my heart, but I’ve already gotten used to him mentioning the fact that I ran away. Officer Davis though, looked paler and paler per every word he said.

“I won’t deny that and I wholeheartedly agree with what you’re saying. I guess after running away and experiencing how the world really works out there, I got to learn a thing or two about companionship. I’m not even sure what to do now that Mr. Ernesto’s gone. I’ll have to talk to Miki soon about it.”

Seriously thinking about what the old man said, I begin to also cross my arms and think about it.

Maybe I’ll wait til the case is solved, look after Miki a bit then go home? Without Mr. Ernesto, I don’t think Miki will continue running the operation.

Sighing loudly, Mr. Aoi mumbled in his breath, just far away from me to not here him.

“I just hate it when people bite on the hands that fed them.”

Officer Davis dropped us off at the bar thirty minutes after leaving the station. The three of us thank him and ask him to contact us if any new information on the case surfaces. I was about to enter the backroom when Mr. Aoi called out to me.

“Dex, we still have a bit of time right? Come with us, I want to show you and Miki something.”