"Yes, you were not answering my question about your health." James reminds her disapprovingly. "But, seeing how you wobbled your way around that, I'll let it go. Let's get back to missing names on construction sites and missing construction sites with a name on them."
He points at the screen again. "As I said, the company name was attributed to only one of the sites. I did find entries about two additional plots on which test buildings stood, but there is no mention of a constructor. The other, presumably 18 sites seem to have never existed. But your CEO will hopefully clear that up, seeing how they should be hers. All of this really looks like they thoroughly cleaned up all kinds of records, leaving behind only what they want us, Lunastra or whomever else to see."
Marie looks at him thoughtful and adds "Lunastra said the company, if only in name, was around before she met the group, albeit just a small business. If she's telling the truth, and you are right as well, the group spent quite some effort to get noticed by her specifically."
Sighing deeply, she leans over her desk on her elbows "This is annoying. So far, everything really does support the theory of a secret, if not necessarily government supported operation, that spent a lot of time and money to get the attention of one person." She looks at her colleague, clearly showing her distaste in the provided information "Decades later, after being unseen all the time, they draw attention to themselves by altering the personal data of that same person again, this time looking specifically for her attention, but involving the police instead."
An hour later, after looking over all their currently available data again and failing in trying to find new clues, Marie tells James she'll write up a first report for her commanding officer and then head home for the day. "You're going to stay a while longer anyway, aren't you? Could you try to to find out more about Lunastra herself? For example, she hesitated over my questioning her being so young, yet having so much experience in medical issues, as well as businesses."
"Lying about their age is nothing new for a woman." James interjects and receives a swat on the back of his head for it. "What? What did I do?"
"See if you can find anything about her education, loudmouth." Marie responds, packing her stuff. "I'm heading home, with a side trip to the park, stretching my legs a bit." With her back toward him, she misses the surprised, incredulous look James shoots her at that statement.
So she simply goes on, while putting on her jacket "To answer your question earlier, they heal much better when used, it's common sense." Of course, she doesn't let him in on the foot rub she received during an interview with a suspicious person. I'd never hear the end of it. Not that it should have happened in the first place, but alas...I'm not complaining. Which, really, I should. She sighs again. "To answer your second question, I am feeling much better, thank you. I was just getting a bit tired, that's all. Some fresh air will remedy that."
With that, Marie leaves her office and James gets up to return to his own. He turns to look at her receding back, still very puzzled. The park? Now I'm certain something's up. She never goes to the park. "Fresh air"... The strangeness never ending today. With that thought, and a smile, he walks to his office.
On her way out, Marie runs into her superior. "Hello, sir." she greets, hoping she gets off with only a short exchange.
"Heading out, Castaneda? So how did your investigation turn out? A condition for you going was a report today, remember." he tells her with an amused face.
Unprepared as to what she wants to tell him, because of her slight confusion at her current course of action. She feels grateful that her colleague wasn't able to see her face as she told him about it in her office. The park. Where the heck did that come from? But it's kind of a nice idea, so...might as well. Almost lost in thought, staring silently at her Commander just a second longer than necessary. Appropriate? Speak words, woman! "Yes, sir, I was heading out to move the legs a bit more. I'm feeling much better now thanks to...uh.. The report; I'll write it in the park; where I'm headed; to walk. Sir." Smooth. What is wrong with you today? She growls at herself.
Looking at his subordinate with a raised eyebrow, the Commander asks, or rather subtly demands "Would you like to share a short summary of your interview?"
As she fills him in on what she and James found so far and what questions it raised, her commander gets increasingly more concerned. "A government project experimenting on living humans? That is more than just a bold claim. Sounds to me, like she is trying to avoid the subject."
"Yes, it certainly is quite a story. A few pointers here and there, though, actually make it at least sound possible. At the very least, James found some irregularities in use of energy and location, matching the time frame. Records of which were removed." With a frustrated sigh, she shakes her head.
"So far, nothing points at Lunastra having done anything against the law. Granted, I'm only just beginning to get into this, considering how much she threw on the table with her story. Still, for now, if it turns out she is telling the truth, it rather looks like she's the 'victim', or target, or...well, that's also to be determined. There's reason enough for this specific conspiratorial organization to contact Lunastra, but it doesn't make sense yet, why they would have waited this long."
Out of nowhere, a picture of the closed door and the other woman's demeanor upon opening it flashes through her mind again. What's with that thing. Almost makes me feel like it's...involved in all this. Instinct, premonition, whatever, don't tell me this is about a stone.
"Alright, lets hope this turns out to be a system error and a rather intricate coincidence." He forestalls a comment from Marie, a lopsided grin showing he is aware of the likelihood. "If it isn't, keep your guard up." He regards Marie seriously, being as obvious about it as he can, that he's making a point "People that resort to such methods don't have much to lose. You said the medic told you your legs would be completely fine again by the end of the week, right? It would be best if you take the weekend off."
Marie didn't expect this, but, even before she says anything, she knows protesting won't help. She's got to at least try, of course "But, sir-"
Only to get cut off "No taking chances on this. If my field-years taught me anything, it's to be strict in taking care of your subordinates. I know you won't like it, I've been there, but now I know better. So go home, rest. No work, come back fully recovered on Monday morning, just in case. I will have Captain Harwing working on the information until then."
"Yessir..." Defeated, hands in her jacket pocket, Marie leaves and heads out of the building. Still sulking a bit, she enters the transport tube, heading in the direction of Central Park.
The one place in City's Entertainment District, and only one other, much smaller park in the residential areas, with abundant greenery. Man-made landscapes on one half and purely natural growth on the other. The thought about finding a secluded space along the lake, hanging her feet in the cold water, raising her spirit again, after the dismissal from her boss. Feet in the water..Seriously, what is it today? I haven't done that since I was at the academy! Despite her internal grumbling and rather weak reluctance, she still feels a bit of anticipation. This turn of events confuses her slightly, nevertheless, barely five minutes later, she stands in front of the entrance to the park.
Completely baffled why she even does so.
A hint to that came in the form of another flashback to her visit earlier in the day.
–
The foot rub done, the gift of the salve accepted and, with quite some effort, soldiering on through the awkwardness, Marie ends her interview, feeling she found out all she can for now. Or, in her usual cases, more likely not having enough information to lever some more straight, and a little less far-fetched, answers out of her suspect. Sighing at that thought, while still being somewhat irritated that her insistent feeling of trustworthiness over the other woman remains, she bids her farewells.
"Well, I guess that's all for now." Marie says and, unconsciously scratching the back of her head in slight embarrassment, adds "Thank you..for..you know." She shrugs and smirks "Just don't think that will work any better as a bribe than the coffee, hm?" eliciting a bright smile from the other woman.
"I would not think so, no. I will, however, take the liberty to hope that you enjoyed it and, more importantly, that it will help you." She doesn't specify if by 'it's she means the coffee or the medicine and its application. It leaves Marie's thoughts dangerously close to wandering to other places once more.
She focuses again, as the momentary hesitation from Lunastra, which she did notice, ends "I also hope you will enjoy this later on as well." Before Marie realizes what happens, two of the long fingers that worked on her legs a short while ago, touch her forehead.
A strange, warm, welcome sensation enters her entire body and just as suddenly it vanishes. Marie finds herself quickly forgetting anything happened at all; the memory of any words or motions from the other woman dissipating like smoke, she shakes her head.
"What...will help me? Yes, of course." she mutters, thinking of the medicine. She misses the small smile appearing on the lips of the silently waiting woman in front of her. The haze in her mind finally clears and she continues without any recollection of the previous minute happening. "Yeah, I will use the salve, I can already feeling it working, so I'd be remiss not to. That said, back to business. Please stay within City limits and keep yourself available in case we have further questions."
At that, a fast change of expressions, from relief, to sadness, back to the small, nondescript smile, flashes over the face of Lunastra. Hiding her surprise about that, but certainly noting it mentally, Marie leaves the apartment with an array of emotions she, while being certain she shouldn't have, isn't quite so sure she doesn't want.
–
What was that about? Did she...did she do something to me? Marie remembers something happening, but only a vague image of the other woman lifting her arm, looking at her and smiling. More strange behavior by a strange person. Someone want to tell me what is going on? No? Well, damn... Suddenly, she realizes the passing people are looking at her strangely; some slightly amused. I have not just been standing in the middle of the road, staring at a gate for minutes, have I? Oh boy...
She ignores the glances and stares, looking ahead into the park area, she ponders Might as well, since I'm already here, hm? What was it, dipping my feet in the lake? Oh, why not...sounds better than heading home, being bored. Or worse, continuing working on my reports. Not that I get around that. Ugh...
Shouting out loud once in frustration, ruffling her hair, ignoring the now blatantly suspicious looks that earns her, Marie enters the park.
For a few minutes, she walks along the pathways, deeper into the completely overgrown area. The densely wooded entry area opens up to a wider field, allowing the view on a large lake. Marie expects to see a calming blue, framed by the green of trees and bushes, along with the colorful spots of the blossoming fauna.
She hasn't bothered to look at the time, and last remembers the scenery from visiting this place many years ago, so she is surprised by the vivid yellow and red spreading over the green of the landscape. An astonished "Oh..." escapes her, while taking in the play of colors with wide eyes. The park is designed so that the sunlight immerses the area in colors like it is on fire upon dusk. Well, this alone made the trip worth it.
Remembering a secluded area from visits long ago, Marie tries to find it, hoping they haven't changed the park too much. She notices that she's forgetting about any troubles, physical or in her mind, and the increasing anticipation of finding her old spot at the lake. Slowly, the reason that had her come to this park in the first place escapes her, though.
She reaches the place she remembers, a secluded area along a small offshoot of the lake. The view into and out of the spot, in all directions but onto the lake itself, is protected by huge, fern-like plants. One leaf alone easily covers the entirety of the rock, which hangs out a few feet over the water surface.
Marie feels nostalgic, finding the old boulder still sitting in its place, seemingly untouched by time. She hesitates to act on her now quite strong wish to sit on it and let her feet soak in the water, feeling rather childish. Kind of silly to do, but also silly not to. Because of that, she looks around sheepishly, before taking off her shoes and socks. She seats herself on the edge of the rock. Finally, after struggling with herself a bit, she puts her legs in the water. Whatever brought me out here, I'm grateful.
No five minutes later, it suddenly started to rain. Oh! A cloudless shower! Marie halts in her attempt to get up to take shelter. She notices she's not getting wet. Aside from her legs, of course. Looking up, she sees a huge leaf, growing from a plant to her left, angled itself just right over the entire stone. "Huh..", with a shrug, she sits down again and takes in the atmosphere, until the shower dies down. This is really nice.
A bit over a half hour later, Marie is on her way back home, now drowsy and satisfied with the day's end. After all the ridiculousness, that was really soothing. Too bad I still have to write that damn report. No, no. No getting worked up after this. I really shouldn't look forward so much to remembering the details..the ones I need to leave out. Dammit. Her cheeks heat up again, as the thought of a nondescript apartment door opening pops up in her mind once more. She sighs.
Marie leaves the park as she entered it. Another frustrated shout, ruffling her hair again. This time, however, she does so lighthearted, with a grin.