PSYCHO-PASS : Paradigm Shift

Chapter 8: Foolish Insecurities

PART 8 – Foolish Insecurities

"So, what's going on?" Kogami asked. Shizuka appeared behind him, entering the crime scene – which, in this case, was the apartment in the building Gino mentioned as a specified address. Shephard One was standing in front of his Hound, slightly grazing Shizuka as she passed Kogami to approach Kagari, who was thoroughly checking out several computer monitors for clues.

Akane was standing next to the window, looking at the sunny day outside. It was a beautiful day, made to be spent away from the crime scene and dramatic interactions. They all had better things to do than to examine clues regarding broken toilets.

"Apparently, the toilet in this apartment was broken for the past two months. However, the resident hasn't filed a single complaint. So, the management company became suspicious and reported it to us," Ginoza explained to Kogami in his regular, calm and indifferent tone. Shizuka put her hands inside of her police jacket, looking around. Kogami glanced behind his shoulder, shortly looking at Shizuka. Gino opened his wristcom, pulling up the details about the owner.

"Hayama Kimihiko, thirty two years old. Single. Unemployed," he read, and Akane left out a sound of momentary surprise.

"Unemployed? Do people like that exist at this day and age?" she asked.

Ginoza responded automatically.

"I checked his bank account. He's receiving lots of compensation from an affiliated services provider. He probably lived at great comfort," he noted. Shizuka looked around, not seeing anything that suggested the resident was of particularly good status – no expensive pieces of furniture, no paintings, no collections. Just a regular apartment. Except for the three monitors that Kagari was currently reviewing for more data, which suggested the resident was tech-savy and that he heavily relied on his computer for doing his job. More than usual, given how everyone was dependent on the system.

"Well, if you can make tons of money just by being popular on the net, of course you'd feel it's stupid to go outside and work," Kagari said.

"Could he have gone to a trip somewhere?" Akane offered the alternative to the possible murder, but Shizuka was looking at a broken toilet seat, and then through the terrace door, thinking.

"No. When a person leaves their apartment, it leaves a record on the street scanners. In this town, it's virtually impossible to travel without leaving any trace," Gino explained. He scrolled down to read some more. "Besides, his bank account hasn't had any withdrawals for the past two months."

Shizuka was now sure of it. Kogami voiced his doubts out loud.

"Hayama is dead."

"Indeed. Getting killed is easier than disappearing," Kagari immediately agreed.

"And he probably died here," Shizuka uttered.

"It's too soon to come to a conclusion," Ginoza remarked, because he didn't like speculation without concrete proof. Kogami looked around.

"Is it possible to restart the interior holo of this room?" he asked.

"Hold on a moment," Gino pressed the Home Holography System, selecting the latest mode. The hologram showed more luxurious decoration, but the couch was out of its original position. Kogami elaborated:

"You can't sit on a holo object. So normally, holographic is synced with the real object. Someone must have moved the real couch."

"I see," Kagari said. Kogami signalized to the other Enforcer to help him lift the sofa and so they could move it together. Gino stepped aside and Shizuka and Akane exchanged looks. As enforcers moved the couch, Akane leaned down to lift the carpet. Shizuka leander over her to see the floor. There was a scratch on the wooden surface. A small one, seemingly unimportant. However...