Hypothalamus

Chapter 3 Decode This Shit

Tapping my finger on the table my vision bores into the encrypted notes in front of me. If I had laser eyes this notebook would have been nothing but ash by now. Looking for the time I peer at my watch the hands unmoving. Tapping at the glass the hands refuse to tick. I feel like I've been staring at this for hours. There has to be something I'm missing, guess I'll come back to it.

Viewing my files for the hundredth time I start to brainstorm. Pyro's first kills were rich dudes, why? Rich people are annoying. They have generational wealth. Most times are snobs, greedy and wanting more money. How do they get rich? Stepping on other people's backs and investing in stocks and companies-

Companies.

Rich people fund and invest in companies. Victim before last worked at NeuroCarte, let's see if any others are connected to that company. Wilson McCain, technician. What kind of technician? Biomedical. Biomedical? Biomedical technician. Tech. Biotechnology. NeuroCarte. Oh of course brain shit. MRI, EEG and CAT scanning machines need technicians to repair and manage them. Okay, a connection now for in depth search and proof.

Hopping out of my chair I leave it spinning as I race out the door and across the street. "Good afternoon Samara."

"Good to see ya, whats the rush?", she asks looking at me with an amused but concerned expression.

"Can't explain but, I need three double shots of expresso and a box of donuts."

"What kind?"

"Which is the sweetest?"

"Probably our cinnamon sugar or iced jelly donuts."

"Then can I get a box of those?"

"Coming right up Vance. Seis donas de azucar con canela y gelatina helada! Oh, and three double shot expressos", Samara yells to her father in the back.

"Thanks", I say sliding a few dollars out of my wallet.

"Whats the rush?", Samara asks preparing three coffee cups.

"Close to a breakthrough but I gotta give payment to the little lady in the basement", I quickly explain as I help her put the coffee in the cup holders.

"Ah, okay....Who's the little lady in the basement?"

I chuckle providing no answer for her, she gives me an odd questioning look as she slides my order across the counter.
"Here's your donuts and coffee."

"Thanks Mel."

"No problemo. Tell Mel I said hi, will you?"

"Will do ma'am", I agree making my way out the door. Balancing the food in my arms, I carefully walk across the street back to the police station.

"Wow, how nice of you to get the squad donuts", Mel thanks with a gleeful smile.

"Not for you. Samara says hi, and these are for the little lady downstairs", I correct her, delivering Samara's message.

"Rude. And aw, this means she'sthinking of me, I should go over there", she smiles to herself for a moment before furrowing her eyebrows. "Little lady downstairs? You mean Alina?"

"Yeah her. I know she doesn't do fast work without payment", I say gesturing to the food, "I'm off."

Heading downstairs past our storage unit I find Alina spinning on her chair.
She drags her barefoot on the floor making her chair come to a slow halt, "Hi Vance. Set your payment on my desk."

"Yes ma'am", I say following her instructions before getting straight to the point, "Need information about NeuroCarte and those who fund and invest in the company."