The slightly warmer day started off routine as usual for the deviant detective as he handled small cases pertaining to either missing deviants or small thefts through the city, but that soon took on a more hectic atmosphere as an alarming threat came his way. A reported explosive had been spotted beneath the bridge leading out to New Jericho Tower, and as a result both Connor and Lucas were taking charge of the dangerous situation as discreetly as possible. Neither deviant wanted to accidentally cause a panic to those residing within the tower or unintentionally provoke some guarded deviants who resided outside the tower into targeting humans out of misplaced anger and fear.
After quickly identifying the explosive and confirming that it was of similar design, construction and overall lethality of the previously uncovered explosives, Connor took it upon himself to disarm the bomb before it could go off. Trusting Lucas to watch his back and keep him safe from anyone who may want the bomb to detonate, Connor carefully disabled the correct wires and removed the remote detonator to fully deactivate the explosive.
"...Done." Lifting away the physical explosive itself Connor held it between his hands and looked back Lucas over his shoulder. "The bomb is now nothing more than an eccentric alarm clock."
"This is becoming truly unnerving." Lucas noted as he examined the remaining shell of the bomb and confirmed that it was in fact the same type of explosive that had been found throughout Detroit's abandoned or sparsely traversed areas over the past month. "This is the first time such an explosive has been located anywhere near a populated location."
"Agreed." Cybernetically Connor uploaded the coordinates of the located explosive to the Central Precinct and confirmed that the explosive had been properly disarmed at the scene without incident. "Whoever is creating and planting these explosives is becoming bolder. I'm beginning to suspect that the explosives we located earlier was actually from the designer testing police response and protocol to such a scenario."
"If that's the case, then this invisible engineer of these bombs could be planning a very large and very catastrophic attack against Detroit." Eyeing the city that neighbored access to the drive itself Lucas began preconstructing where he'd be placing additional security cameras and motion sensors. "We need to take steps to not only protect key locations throughout the city, but we need to find a way to identify this faceless suspect."
"The discovery of these explosives has only recently begun happening." Noting the time frame and comparing it to the impending events for the city gave Connor a sense of dread. There were two big events scheduled to happen in Detroit in just one month, and both could be ideal targets. "This dangerous person or potentially dangerous persons may be planning on making a move during either the first year anniversary of the peaceful Revolution or..."
Lucas heard his brother trail off and looked toward Connor curiously. The deviant detective was staring up at a digital billboard glowing across the street that was reminding the city of the upcoming mayoral election and of how Kamski was still running unopposed. "...The mayoral election."
"We have to act now if we're going to prevent potential future tragedy."
"You're correct. Where do we begin?"
Turning to face his younger brother Connor gave Lucas a terse stare of utter confidence and decision. "I'll go and speak with Kamski and determine if he's been threatened, or if he knows anything about the design of the explosives in general."
"Very well. I'll improve security measures around the tower and inform Markus of this recent discovery." Lucas looked as anxious as ever about the situation as he didn't want to see anyone needlessly hurt by another person's destructive behavior. "We'll ensure that New Jericho remains secure at all times and can act as an emergency shelter in the event of a tragedy. I'll update you on the situation as soon as I know anything beneficial."
Connor nodded in approval as he approached his silvery-white motorcycle parked just down the street and replaced his brown fedora with his black helmet. Turning the engine over, Connor slipped his fedora inside his trench coat's interior pocket and took in a deep breath before he proceeded to speed away from the now secured and safe drive to head out of the city and toward the reclusive billionaire's mansion on the outskirts of the city.
The swift drive gave Connor enough time to think and assess everything happening in the city at the moment. It seemed every time a sense of peace fell over Detroit at least one person would go out of their way to try to create chaos. Those who would disturb the serene and delicate balance of the city were always motivated by selfish desires and had no concept of empathy towards those they had indirectly harmed. Selfishness, violence and apathy were all the core traits regarding tragedy and historic downfalls throughout the entire world, and that particular pattern of behavior showed no sign of breaking any time soon.
Based on the deviant detective's personal experience, the epicenter of selfish, violent apathy all came from one person. Elijah Kamski.
Unsure of what to expect from the man regarding honesty or cooperation, Connor prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. That was all he could do until he had the chance to confront Kamski in person for what he hoped to be the very last time.
The news regarding the recently discovered and disarmed explosive at the drive had been relatively quiet as Lucas informed the other four leaders of the serious situation that had just taken place practically at their own doorstep. Even though the explosive device had been located and disarmed before it had the chance to detonate and harm a single person, the news of its very existence was enough to shake the group to their absolute cores. None of the deviants residing at the tower on the relatively isolated Belle Isle were completely unaware of anyone staking out the only drive leading to the isle, let alone plating an explosive beneath the drive for an unknown reason.
Markus attentively studied the appearance of the bomb's shell after Lucas placed it down on the center of the desk within the private office. It was important to be able to recognize any such explosives to prevent future and further threats. Unwilling to spread mass panic within the tower the five leaders all agreed to take full responsibility for seeking out such explosives to avoid putting any stress on the rest of the deviant community.
"How many of these bombs have been discovered on an official capacity?" Markus carefully turned the shell over in his hands as he studied the bomb's design and overall appearance. "I know that the police have been handling these things alongside you and Connor."
"Officially there have been eighteen identical explosives found throughout the city's abandoned buildings and in sparsely populated locations." Lucas confirmed with a heavy voice and equally heavy heart. "However, if you include the explosives that Connor had been alerted to by other deviants who stumbled upon them, we're up to twenty-seven."
"Shit. Then it's safe to assume that there are more explosives that have yet to be found."
Lucas nodded subtly as he continued with his explanation. "There haven't been any direct threats made against any one location or any specific individual. The current theory is that this person or persons who seems to be responsible for such explosives is someone who is going to make a move against the tower on the one year anniversary of the Revolution, or they'll make a move during the mayoral election."
Carefully North took the bomb's shell from Markus's hands to examine the device for herself. "And they've been planting these things around the city to practice setting things up without being detected, right?"
"Correct. We also suspect that they've been studying the way the responding police officers and bomb squad handle the situation to ensure that nothing can be traced back to them as the creator of the explosives."
"Clever fuckers." Loathing the very item in her grip North put the bomb shell back down on the desk with disgust. "People like that are the most dangerous. They're bold, fearless and believe that they're untouchable."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience." Lucas keenly noted as he listened to the certainty behind North's fiery words. "Do you have any insight into people who behave like this?"
"A little. Back at the 'Eden Club' I had to listen to countless stories from arrogant, sexually inept businessmen and angry, sexually oppressed people in general who wanted to make the whole world pay for somehow 'disrespecting' them." North's bright eyes dulled with sorrow as she spoke up again and finished her story. "These were the same people who'd break 'Tracis' and then show up on the news for threatening their exes or showing up at their workplace with a gun. It's sadly not as uncommon as some people seem to think."
"You wouldn't happen to have anyone in mind, would you?"
"No, and thank RA9 that none of those abhorrent perverts fit this criterion."
Considering North's words Lucas set up a cybernetic link with the Central Precinct and began searching through the criminal database to try to find anyone who fit the criteria regarding violent tendencies, threats or arrests linked to explosive devices. Such a search ended with a disappointingly empty answer and let Lucas working on square one for a while longer.
Disliking the lack of action taking place Markus put his hands to his hips and eyed his four allies as they gathered together to study the evidence that Lucas had brought to their attention. He knew he needed to take the initiative, but exactly how and when was still up for debate.
"Since Connor is handling this case in private and is currently checking a potential lead, we'll remain here and go about our normal routines as if it's business as usual." Needing to maintain control and peace was Markus's current priority. Letting fear sway his peoples' hearts would only lead the deviant community to chaos and ruin. "If anyone starts discussing explosives or bombs, then we'll take them aside and talk to them in private. No interrogation and no manipulation, just an honest one-on-one talk. Does everyone understand?"
"Understood." Lucas confirmed with a confident tone as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm also going to be tightening security at the end of the drive today. I do hope my enhancements will be purely aesthetic and not crucial."
Simon, who had been silent the entire time just as Josh had been, rose to his feet and agreed with Markus entirely. "Good plan. I'll go through the emergency repair bay and check on any patients who could have damage that could be connected to explosives or by caustic chemicals. North?" Looking toward the deviant with a complete mask of indifference, Simon requested her assistance in the matter. "Considering Lucas will be busy with the security program, could you help me up in the repair bay?"
"Sure." North knew what Simon really wanted and was quick to agree. "Some of the 'Tracis' were still hiding in abandoned buildings before they came here, so maybe they saw something without knowing what it really was."
"Good." Markus approved of the plans and looked to Josh to try to encourage the still emotionally and mentally healing deviant to participate in their current plan of action as a means of keeping the tower secured and peaceful. "Josh, we need you to continue with the group therapy sessions to ensure that none of the deviants seeking shelter are planning anything we need to worry about."
"...Yeah, sure." Looking up at his allies with a truly somber and broken gaze Josh scoffed a little as he contemplated what he had been asked to do. "Who better to weed out plots against innocent people than me, right?"
"That's not what- Josh," The last thing Markus wanted to do was insult his ally after Josh had been trying his hardest to atone for his past mistakes. "I want you to do what you do best, and that's getting other deviants to open up to you. We need to know what's happening in the city without actually leaving the tower and without causing a mass panic."
Doubtful of the promising words Josh merely took his leave of the office to go do his task as he had been requested. He knew he didn't have the right to even try to argue that his past actions were justifiable in any way, and he didn't have the right to request that anyone not mention those very mistakes. He deserved every word of vitriol that was thrown his way.
In Josh's mind he still deserved to be punished.
"Damn it..."
North turned to look at Markus and gave him a truly perplexed look. "What? He's finally admitting that he fucked up."
"He admitted that a long time ago." Defending his melancholy colleague Markus gave North a rather stern glance to warn her to back off and give Josh some space. "I admit that he'll never be able to undo his past or live down his mistakes, but he doesn't deserve to be tortured by those mistakes for the rest of his life. No one who's remorseful deserves to be reminded of their mistakes."
"That's just a matter of opinion. Simon?" Facing the blond technician North began coldly marching toward the office door with the expectation that he'd follow after her. "Let's get started in the repair bay."
Simon only gave Markus a silent shrug of his shoulders before leaning in to give him a reassuring kiss. He knew that it'd be best to wait to express his own opinion on the matter at a later time and in private.
The way North was behaving didn't elude Lucas's attention as he picked up on her unusually aggressive manner toward everyone except for Simon. By all account, one would expect her to be aggressive toward everyone except for Markus considering everything that had happened in the past, and yet she was being openly civil and cooperative with the blond technician while being neutral toward Markus himself.
"I fear that is there is a problem taking place within the tower just as there is a problem taking place outside the tower." Lucas lamented in a morose manner. "With any luck we'll be able to take care of one problem without exasperating the other."
The swift drive to the isolated mansion came to an uneventful end as Connor pulled the modified motorcycle along the hidden driveway and stared up at the unassuming structure sitting alone along the harbor. Seeing the mansion and knowing who was lurking behind the walls left Connor feeling as if he had just willingly approached the fiery gates of Hell to confront the Devil himself. Every past encounter with the eccentric and reclusive billionaire seemed to end with far more questions than answers. The infamous man was undoubtedly brilliant, but his overall intellectual and creative brilliance was vastly overshadowed by his arrogant demeanor and emotional indifference to the world around him.
Placing the helmet down inside the storage compartment of the motorcycle, Connor replaced his fedora over his hair and smoothed out the front of his clothing to look as presentable as possible before speaking to the odd man. As he approached the front door of the mansion Connor sensed that he was being watched and soon had his suspicions confirmed when Chloe opened the door before he even had the chance to announce his presence through a simple doorbell ring.
"Hello, Chloe." Greeting the blonde haired android politely, Connor gauged her reaction to his presence very closely. "I need to speak with Kamski."
"Elijah is currently preparing for an interview with the news, and he has requested to not be disturbed."
"I'm sorry, but this cannot wait." Unwilling to be patient or hope for Chloe to listen to reason Connor decided to push his luck in a rather aggressive manner. "He can either take the time to speak with me now or he can explain to his interviewers why I'm asking him about a bomb threat potentially being linked to the mayoral election."
Chloe's L.E.D. betrayed her repressed emotions as the light flashed from ice blue to ruby red in an instant. "...Please, come inside."
"Thank you."
Keeping his head high Connor entered the mansion's foyer and followed after Chloe as she led him away from Kamski's usual study that overlooked the outside harbor and housed his personal pool, and swiftly led him to another door that connected to a large sitting room furnished with snow white sofas, chairs, a glass coffee table in the center of the room over a large white fur rug that rested over the black marble floors, additional paintings of the late Carl Manfred along the walls, marble sculptures in all four corners and a massive fireplace against the far wall. Entering the stark white room reminded Connor of his escape from the blizzard within his own Mind Palace the night Amanda tried to force him to assassinate Connor in front of the entire world.
"Elijah will be here in a minute." Chloe stated in a surprisingly nervous voice. Showing Connor to the nearest couch Chloe urged him to sit and wait as she crossed the room to exit through the door on the opposite wall. "I'll go and get him for you."
Refusing to take a seat Connor stood in the middle of the sitting room and studied the room curiously. The paintings were some of the most exquisite and rarest paintings that Carl had created during his illustrious career, and yet the blank white furniture contrasted in a very boring manner against the colorful pieces of art. It was as if the eccentric owner couldn't find a way to blend simple pleasures with creative thoughts, and in the end, he had to keep everything strictly blank or completely full of intangible creative expressions.
Cybernetically Connor tapped into the current news reports and noted that the media hadn't mentioned anything about a discovered bomb at New Jericho's drive, and that gave the deviant detective a sense of control. There was no one adding fuel to the fire and potentially making an already intense situation worse by mistake. The only story of interest was the impending interview with Kamski himself scheduled to begin within fifteen miutes.
The door on the far side of the room slid open as Kamski himself graced Connor with his arrogant presence. Despite having a scheduled interview just a few minutes away Kamski was dressed rather casually as if he didn't care about appearances beyond the products he had been creating and selling. Wearing dark gray slacks and a maroon button down shirt that was left completely open and revealing a black t-shirt with 'Metallica' printed over the front, Kamski crossed the room with his bare feet and stood before Connor as if studying a new work of art.
"I was certain that the last time you visited me that it'd be the final time. After all, where else can you go after discovering the truth behind your very design overall existence?" Kamski asked with a near sense of indignation behind his words. Casually he ran his hand over his hair to ensure his long locks were still pulled back and out of his face with his simple hair tie. "Maybe it'd be best to request appointments to avoid conflicts with my personal schedule in the future."
"The day that I can preconstruct the behavior, decisions and outcomes of every single person roaming the streets of Detroit, is the day that I humor you with such a request." Not in the mood to be jerked around Connor practically snarled at the rude man. "For now, answer my questions and I'll leave you to pamper your face for your adoring public without any interruptions."
Such a comment made Kamski smirk. It wasn't often anyone gave him any sass and it was a rare treat to have deviants talking back to him in general.
"What do you know of the explosive devices being located throughout the city's abandoned buildings?"
Kamski's hazel-gray eyes narrowed with a failed attempt to mask his knowledge of such matters. "From what I've learned through Chloe and her sisters when they've gone into the city to run errands, such explosives are being found at a rather consistent clip but only the deviant community seems to know about them. Interesting how such big news hasn't made the news just yet, isn't it?"
"That's to prevent mass hysterics and panic. What do you know of the devices according to their design?"
"Why would I-"
"If Chloe and her sisters know of the devices then they would unfailingly bring them to your attention, and you would do everything in your power and skill to dissect and analyze such a device to placate your own curiosity. Tell me what you know of the devices before I return with a search warrant and the entire Detroit police force behind me."
Holding his ground Kamski challenged the stubborn deviant's resolve. "What could I possibly tell you that you haven't figured out for yourself?"
"A motivation." Getting right to the point Connor made it clear that he was willing to connect the discovered bombs to Kamski's mayoral campaign first and foremost before considering any secondary theory. "I don't think it's a coincidence that these explosives are being found in fairly large quantities within the destitute areas of the city just prior to the upcoming mayoral election, especially since you're running unopposed and are a self made billionaire. You'd be a prime target to harm and then blame in the event that people who are already living in squalor have their meager housing destroyed before you even take power."
"You suspect that someone is going to try to turn me into a pariah by making it seem as if the rich and corrupt are taking the poor and defenseless."
"I'm impressed you acknowledge your own sense of corruptness."
Another amused grin appeared on Kamski's face as he greatly approved of Connor's raw wit. "Regardless of my stature as corrupt or pure, I can confirm only this. I have no intentions of letting anyone be harmed over political gain. I'm only running for mayor because no one else wants to, I don't care if I win or if I lose."
"And yet you're still running unopposed." Connor countered with flawless resolve. "I find it strange that no one has even made a comment about trying to enter the mayoral candidacy to run against you."
"If you're insinuating that I've threatened people or have used connections to keep people at bay, you're mistaken."
"I certainly hope so. If anyone becomes injured because of something you say or do, I will come back here and I will do everything in my power to ensure that you're locked away for your complicity in the crimes."
"I respect your passion, but I fear it's currently misplaced if you're going to direct it at me."
"Then where should I direct my focus?"
"Elsewhere." Kamski answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I assure you that I have no reason to actively dissuade anyone from trying to run against me as mayor, and I have nothing to gain by these bombs being planted around the city. If you don't believe me," turning his head Kamski watched as Chloe rejoined them in the sitting room by exiting the far room, and then extended her exposed hand toward Connor to hold. "then see for yourself. Chloe will give all the information regarding my influences, my contacts and my plans as mayor."
Connor didn't budge as he gave Kamski a righteously suspicious glance. "And I am to just blindly accept that everything she can provide me with is the unaltered truth? How can I prove that these documents aren't forged or complete red herrings to cover your tracks?"
"I guess the only way to find out for certain is to see for yourself. It's your choice detective." Casually taking a seat on the couch Kamski crossed one leg over the other and draped his arms over the back of the furniture as if wanting to recline. "You can take the documents I'm willing to provide or you can leave them and then leave with absolutely nothing gained."
Unwilling to risk losing a lead Connor reluctantly took Chloe's extended hand in his own and uploaded the information that she was permitted to share. The detailed documentation gave Connor names and connections to other eccentric creators, engineers, artists, celebrities, musicians and business moguls from around the world who would associate with Kamski, and yet not one of those names stood out as a potential suspect or motivation that'd connect Kamski to the planted explosives.
"Anything else I can help you with, Detective?" Knowing that Connor found nothing to use against him Kamski remained as smug as ever. "If not, I'd prefer that you leave before my scheduled guests arrive."
"...No, there's nothing further for us to discuss." Lowering his hand to his side Connor locked eyes with Chloe for a moment before giving Kamski a disgusted glare that came from pure frustration. "I'm done here."
"Good. You know the way to the door, but I'll ask for Chloe to show you the way to ensure you don't get lost or decide to snoop around my home."
Without a word Connor made his way toward the door from whence he had entered and didn't even acknowledge Chloe needing to hasten her pace to keep up with him as he marched toward the exit. As the deviant detective passed through the large front door to leave the hollow mansion Connor felt Chloe's hand wrap around his wrist to hold him back as she joined him outside the door and away from where Kamski could hear them.
"I know you don't trust Elijah, and I can't say or do anything to convince you otherwise, but please believe him." The sincere worry in Chloe's voice was enough to make Connor's guarded demeanor soften for a beat. The way she was speaking, the way her L.E.D. was flickering in a distressed yellow, and the way her blue eyes were glistening with raw emotion was enough to make Connor see her as the newly awoken deviant that she was still trying to deny. "Elijah doesn't want to be the mayor and he isn't looking to sabotage anyone or anything. He has no reason to hurt anyone for any reason."
"How can you be so certain of this?"
"Because he wants to be left alone." Letting go of Connor's wrist Chloe gave him a sad look as she nervously wrapped her arms around herself. She was feeling the chill in the air and having only her blue dress to keep her covered wasn't going to be enough to keep her warm as autumn hung over the city. "Elijah is living out here so far away from everyone else because he wants to be left alone to think and to create without any trying to make a profit off of him. He spoke up earlier this year because of the serial killer targeting former CyberLife employees only because he wanted to help get a dangerous person off the streets. Nothing more, nothing less."
"So, his bid for mayor was all a stunt to lure out the killer, but now he's unable to escape the very notable position that he's put himself in."
"That's right. And no, Elijah wouldn't orchestrate such an elaborate and dangerous stunt to try to escape the election." Chloe was quick to defend her oldest friend and vouch for his rather questionable character. "He doesn't want to be in the spotlight and being watched every second of the day anymore. If anything, he'd claim that someone threatened him and use the false threat as an excuse to back out. He'd never do anything like this."
"Forgive me for doubting your claims. But I have no reason to believe him or you."
"Then believe your own eyes instead." Extending her exposed hand once more Chloe encouraged Connor to see what she wanted to show him. "Two months ago, I had tried to leave the mansion and live my own life by becoming a nurse so I could help other people. I was invited to stay with another associate of Elijah's, a former college roommate, so I could live in the city."
Tentatively Connor accepted Chloe's hand to upload the images she wanted to share with him and immediately regretted it. What he saw was the absolute worst of humanity packaged into a single person who had targeted Chloe herself.
"He wanted me to be a subservient, submissive wife who'd obey his every command. He beat me, sexually assaulted me and threatened to kill me if I ever spoke up or mentioned anything to anyone. I... had no choice but to fight back and run away. And Elijah's the one who sent the autonomous taxi to pick me up and bring me back here the night I had escaped from his house."
Guiltily Connor let go of Chloe's hand and had to admit that Kamski was capable of good deeds that were self serving after all.
"After that, Elijah took care of my damage and informed the hospital where I had been working that I'd be taking some time away because... Well..."
"You were traumatized." Connor understood Chloe's hesitation to go back to a normal life after suffering from abnormal circumstances. "You need time to heal before you can help others do the same."
"That's right." Glancing about the opened area worriedly Chloe told Connor of the horrible night that she survived all thanks to Kamski. "I was so angry and desperate to escape fromt hat man that I was willing to kill him because he had tortured me and tried to keep me captive, but Elijah talked me out of it after I escaped. He also informed his now former friend that he knew what had happened to me, and he had told him to leave Detroit or he'd expose his true nature to his clients and destroy his business."
"Are you telling me this to defend Kamski's character, or to make me look at the demented human who abused you?"
"Neither. I'm merely giving you facts. That horrible man is gone, and no other deviant will suffer at his hands." Chloe's confidence didn't match her outward appearance, but Connor couldn't blame her for failing to put up a brave front after exposing her own personal pain. "As for Elijah, he's just trying to go about his own life for his own reasons without anyone constantly prying into his business or trying to make a profit off of his creations and designs."
"So I've recently noticed."
A large white news van rolled down the road and began approaching the mansion at a steady clip. Recognizing that his time was officially up Connor decided to take his leave of the mansion property and look for new leads and concrete clues elsewhere back in Detroit.
"While I'm willing to accept that Kamski isn't directly connected to the bombs," Connor admitted in a grim manner. "I am not willing to accept that he's entirely innocent of any other potential issues taking place within the city. Take care of yourself, Chloe. And let Kamski know that if I suspect him of anything criminal, that I will be back to arrest him myself."
Ignoring the news crew parking their van and exiting the vehicle to eagerly begin their interview with the seldom seen mayoral candidate, Connor returned to his motorcycle and swapped out his fedora for the protective helmet as he gave Lucas a cybernetic update on the case at handle. Neither deviant were going to just take Kamski's words or the word of anyone associated with Kamski at face value, no matter how pretty or innocent the face may be.
Looking back at the mansion over his shoulder as he slipped on his helmet and flipped down his tinted visor, Connor couldn't help but shudder at the chill creeping down his spine - a chill that had nothing to do with the brisk October weather. There was something ominous hanging in the air, and he was bound and determined to find out what it was before anything chaotic befell Detroit.
"I know that danger is actively lurking around the corner."
Connor told himself as he revved up his motorcycle and pulled out onto the road to head back to his brownstone for the rest of the day. He didn't want to obsess over the case, but he couldn't just ignore it either. There was still a lot that needed to be taken care of out in the city, and too much of it relied on keeping the delicate peace between the humans and the deviants intact.
"I just wish I knew which corner it is that I need to avoid."
-next chapter-