Reconciliation

-Take Flight Pt.1-

Hali POV.

I walk in with the evidences Sadie asked for. Earlier, I called Sadie if she could come investigate the apartment Alcove died in. Unfortunately, she said she couldn't come because she was 'too busy', so here I am.

KNOCK KNOCK

I knocked the metal door (again) and tightened my coat up. It was getting cold and a blizzard was forming. 2 minutes pass by. 3 minutes. 4 minutes. 5 minutes. I've been waiting long enough.

SMASH

The metal door went flying to the other side of the laboratory, with a shocked someone staring back at me. "Did you just do that?" she asked. I nod slightly as I try to recall back this person's name. "Um, what's your name, again?" I said uneasily. "Xan, Sadie's partner." So this was the girl Sadie was talking about. "So..." I started, "Where's Sadie? We have something to discuss about." "She's in her room, hasn't been talking to me lately though" she replied.

My ears perked up when I heard this. "Really? May I know more about this?" I slammed my hands on a nearby metal table. I instantly regretted that; the metal table felt as cold as what's going on in the blizzard. "Careful, you're going to ruin the handprints."

"The what?"

"Handprints. Lately someone has been coming into the laboratory stealing stuff, don't know exactly what though."

She took a sip of what I assumed was coffee. In the meantime, I took note of every single thing I thought would be important.

"So, could you care to explain about the issue with Sadie?"

She looked at me then said, "No, but I'll tell you since you're a detective."

What was the point of saying no then?

"Sadie hasn't come out of that room for days, maybe weeks. I don't know since I don't keep track of days."

Took note of that.

"And she hasn't eaten for awhile but I assume she's fine 'cause she can go without it for days. And she has a sink there as well to drink."

Xan paused for a moment, then turned serious.

"I'm not for sure but I think its Sadie doing all the handprints and breaking the front door."

"What has it got to do with the door?"

"You know how you broke that metal door? Same thing has been happening, in fact, I had to order another one of those six times this week. That got me a little startled when YOU broke the door open."

After I finished taking note of everything, I decided to leave the evidences of the table. "You can give that to Sadie, just drop it in that metal box over there" Xan said, "It's like a mailbox, you put the mail, and once you push the box to the other side, the person on the other side gets the mail!"

I did what she said and got up to leave. "WAIT! Sadie sent a message back." I turned my head to see Xan giving a note in front of my face. "Why can't she just send me an email?" I asked. Xan shrugged again. I took the note and read what it had.

"Thanks!"

It read, along with a sealed envelope with something inside. I'll have to find out later, right now I need to go back to Doha...

Doha POV.

Ding!

The elevator doors slid open to its intended floor, while Nanousy leads us through the receptionist at the front. "So Hali, what happened when you went to the laboratory?" I asked.

"I'll tell later"

"You're no fun."

I rushed to Nanousy leaving Hali behind to 'admire' the golden halls.

"So, Nousy" I interrupt.

"I told you not to call me that"

"Are you gonna elaborate on what just happened earlier?" I asked with the most passive-aggressive tone.

"You see, our company has dealt with various kinds of people, such as noblemen and women, CEOs, or anyone that's deemed valuable to us" Nanousy started, "But we've also dealt with certain people with.... Special cases."

"Special cases, huh?" I lips turned into an irked frown, "I'm guessing you guys assumed we're on of-"

"Do not interrupt me." Nanousy dictated, which I impulsively obliged, "We have certain treatments for, as I've said before, certain people. With higher-ups, we'd serve them with care and respect. For our enemies who try to destroy our company from the inside, we love toying with their instincts with the element of surprise."

"That's pretty messed up" I point out, "Continue."

"We have certain codes that we often use for situations like these, especially when we were needed to provide a vehicle for our guests." She confirmed, "The code is '8' for people we consider important. And the code '4' is for traitors and enemies that deserve what's coming for them."

"Ohhhh" I snap my fingers, as it finally clicked in, "Wait, does that mean we're...?"

"No, you two were considered an 8. There must've been a honest mistake passing the code."

"A very FATAL mistake" Hali grumbles, finally showing up, "Why even use codes? Why not just text it to each other to avoid any miscommunications?"

"Everyone's phone is under surveillance. Your encrypted messages can be used against you in court." Nanousy explained as us three walk side by side, "Not to mention, your messages or pictures never truly vanish. Just because they're deleted doesn't mean they're deleted all together."

We continued to talk about important topics till we reached the end of the hall. Nanousy pushed the gigantic doors open as she lets the two detectives inside. It was an office with high ceilings, a large golden chandelier, and in the middle of the room, a desk and an occupied office chair facing away from the door...

"RODENDA! Good to see you again!" I exclaimed, "Never thought you'd end up in a high positioning service like this!"

"Yes, but no time for introductions. After all, I did call you two for something important" Roda explains, "I'll tell you in a moment." 

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another new record! the longest chapter (maybe)!