Criminal Case: Shadows of Qyshin

Chapter 7: When Technology Meets Art

"Anthony!" Isabella greeted the man in Charlie's door.

William raised his one eyebrow. "Anthony? That's his name?"

Anthony walked closer to William, grinning. "Yeah, that's me. I'm a rookie officer just like you and Isabella, but I'm pretty good at handling cases since my father is a sheriff in Blossom Suburban."

"That's good to hear. By the way, William Grayson. Nice to meet you."

Anthony nodded. "Anyway, quit messing around! I think I've just found a lead for your current case!"

"Do tell."

"Well, I saw your victim at Mistyland Steakhouse yesterday, ordering...well, steak."

Isabella and William went silent. Charlie burst out laughing.

"Well, it's still a lead nonetheless." William closed his eyes. "Address?"

"Eh, it's not far from Technofair Hall, for all I know."

Astra beeped slowly.

"Okay then. Thanks, Anthony."

Anthony nodded, leaving Charlie's office without saying another word.

"Astra, dispatch portal and teleport me to the steakhouse."

Astra shot a beam near Isabella, spawning a portal for her, before going above William's head to teleport him.

"Good riddance." Charlie sighed, reaching for his phone on the table to call his friend. "Hayashi-sensei, you, Asami-san, Juliette, Cindy and I, we need to do an emergency meeting right this instant. They are back, closer than expected. We have to act fast, protect the city, before they destroy it all."

***

William revealed himself in Mistyland Steakhouse along with Isabella.

William sighed.

"What's wrong?" Isabella asked.

"Nothing." William shook his head.

"I know a liar when I see one, y'know."

"It's just...the smell. It's captivating."

Isabella grinned. "I know, right? I'm hungry now...and I would've ordered one if we weren't working at the moment."

William let out a slight smile-his first smile of the day. "Once we finished our job, we can have them as our lunch. It's on me."

"Really? Well, I mean, sure!"

William hummed softly. "You know, Isabella, there will come a time you understand the mindset of a scientist eventually."

"I don't think I've ever seen a scientist in a full formal attire before."

"You forgot about Ethan."

"Technically, he takes courses in forensic pathology, so he doesn't count."

"Yes, he does."

"No, he doesn't."

Isabella fixed her hairstyle. "Anyway, what did Astra find?"

William raised his hand, summoning Astra-who brought some pieces of torn poster and a tablet.

"What's that?" Isabella asked.

"A torn poster." William grabbed the pieces and tossed them into the air. Astra shot a plasma beam towards them, restoring the poster.

"Is this a poster for promoting yesterday's exhibition?" Isabella looked at the poster closely. "There's Christopher on it and a writing. 'No chance with this big head!'"