The tiny office had no port-hole, and with its metallic wands being lit by cold light from above it looked cold and indifferent. Just like the man it belonged to.
Chief Security Tseng checked the documents, then turned back to the barwaiter sitting on the other side of the desk, in front of him. Officer Rude's still shape was like a shadow behind the boy, taking precise notes of what had been said in the last ten minutes.
„How much time you spent in the medical centre?"
Yazoo seemed to feel a bit uneasy about this question.
„Not sure, Sir. We got the doctor's call after teatime. I can't recall how long I stayed… it took a while."
„How come you don't remember?"
Long silence, the young crewmember casted down his eyes.
„Sorry about that. He insisted I would drink a bit of wine."
No doubt they have checked the security camera's recordings, they had to know the time he left. Probably they watched the recording about the open deck too. He let his gloves fall into the water, from the very place once a crewmember disappeared from, without anyone seeing him. It means that spot must be outside of the cameras' focus.
They had to know about Cloud too, and Yazoo couldn't warn him. That would have just been a confession about knowing something he shouldn't. Or having commited something he shouldn't have. Cloud might be silly, but not THAT silly. Until now, the news about the old man's death hadn't leaked out, but things can't be kept secret on a ship. If he had said anything, Cloud would have blamed him later on.
Still he would, but Yazoo decided to shift off any suspicion with some discouraging, dry laughter. Would anyone kill the goose that laid the golden eggs?
Only if the goose was in fact a vermin.
Sitting on the plastic chair, Yazoo was wondering whether the Security Officer had interrogated Cloud yet and what he could have aired. His mind was listing the options, without his face giving him away. Shyly, he shortly scanned Chief Security Tseng. Despite the stripes on the shoulders, the grim look and low voice, Cloud couldn't be more scared of him than of Tifa.
His ass felt sore.
„Do you often drink with guests, Mr Yazoo? Are you some escort perhaps?"
The green eyes were casted down again. There was a short, hurt grimace around the mouth.
„No."
Shame could be heard in the quiet answer. Like a spinning wheel, his mind went over and over the previous day's happenings, analysing everything he could recall that could put the blame on him.
„I'm sorry." He lied.
„For what?"
The young man hesitated to spit it out, guilt dripping from him.
„The crepes." Yazoo sighed and fumbled with his vest.
„The crepes?" Tseng looked at Rude and wished the security guard wouldn't wear the damned sunglasses indoor.
„I know I shouldn't have eaten them. But I was just hungry, and afraid that the wine would hit my head… had no time for a proper lunch. The doctor didn't seem to mind though… but I know I shouldn't have, because it was his and all… I'm sorry. Did he… did he complain?"
The last word sounded as if summoning some evil spirit. Complains were the biggest fear of a crew member, the ultimate horror of the catering industry that must be avoided at any price, no matter what. Yazoo looked really scared now. Tseng kept studying him without answering. Then pushed last day's bill under his nose.
„Tell me, is that frequent that you get a tip like that?"
It took him just a brief second to see what he was talking about. The young man's face turned hurt and sulky.
„He is one of my best customers, very generous. I didn't break any rules or policy to get this!"
„How about drinking on duty?"
„I wasn't on duty anymore. This cruise is very flat, every gil counts. Does he want to decline it now?"
His pout showed how offended he felt. Tseng kept studying him.
„So unfair." The young man mumbled frowning. „I make an extra round for him off-duty, trying to help him and now he complains. So unfair!"
„What did you help him with?"
The barwaiter really looked indignant now.
„He passed out, so drunk he was! We carried him onto the sofa, tried to wake him up too, but he was wasted. Yes, so I ate some crepes, yes, I did! And now he's complaining, how classy."
„Watch your mouth."
„I'm sorry, Sir." Still sulking, he turned his face away. In the following silence, some more papers were rustling between Tseng's fingers.
„Cloud Strife served the crepes."
„He did. Also helped me to carry the doctor onto the sofa. But he didn't eat any!"
„Could you guys wake him up?"
„I could. Only after Cloud had left. Hmph. It took me long."
„Why didn't you leave him there, sleeping?"
„I needed him to sign the check."
Tseng re-read Cloud's printed confession from earlier. They fitted together. He couldn't stop wondering why the blond waiter acted so nervous than.
„How did Professor Hojo felt when you left?"
Yazoo shrugged with a scorn.
„Drunk."
Before Tseng could have uttered his next question, the door flung open and Captain Highwind rushed in, dressed in all white and golden stripes, with a bunch of papers in his hand. His strong voice filled the small office.
„Cut that crap, Tseng! Ah told ya not to make a fuss!"
„Sir, we are just doing our job. This must go by the rules, the papers…"
„Ah'll wipe mah ass with yer papers!" Suddenly his words were cut off as he noticed Yazoo, who was already on his feet, trying to look as irrelevant as possible.
„Fer fuck's sake, wha'z the boy doin' still here?! Yaa, Yazoo, beat it!"
„Yes, Sir. See you, Sir." As fast as he could, Yazoo sneaked out of the room, as if running from an approaching thunderstorm. The situation was indeed similar. The door slammed loudly behind him, but it couldn't make him look back.
„Ye'r causing unneccessary unrest with yer sniffin' around. D'ya miss yer previous carrier perhaps?"
„Sir, a staff member died onboard yesterday, and this boy saw him last."
„An' now y'wanna clarify whether he watched him jerkin' off?!"
„You left me no time for that, Sir."
The malice in that reply turned Cid's face purple.
„Aftah ya interrogated him, ah saw the poor waita Cloud droppin' a f'ckin' tray full o'plates durin' lunch! Ah'm sure the chap's still tremblin'! Now ye'r pesterin' one of mah best barwaitas, leave these fellas alone!"
Tseng looked back at him sternly. It was definitely not the time to quote the security rules and guidelines.
„We must keep it secret that the old prick died! Can't lose customas! Ain't it obvious enough wha'happened? We watched the recordin' togetha. There were all those bottles in the medical centre, damn that bastard! Fag should've cared for the payin' guests, not boozin' an pervin'!"
He was searching his uniform for a cigarette, then realized smoking wasn't allowed in there. That was just oil to the fire.
„Jerkin' his cock while stranglin' himself, holy fuck…!"
The captain threw the papers he was holding onto the desk, unbothered by Tseng's frown.
„Hav'ya read Doctor Crescent's report of the dude? Why nobody showed me that before? The company shouldn't have let him go near any guests here! An the vials found in his office, damn! He drugged the Hewleys, to squeeze more money out o'them! The guy was a pest! Make sure nobody notices he went pop! Especially that disgustin' way. We'd lose payin' customas, damn that shit!"
With loud, bull-like breathing, he tried to calm himself. The cigarette was already hanging from his mouth, but he didn't light it. Tseng slowly arranged the papers on the desk.
„So you want me to close the case without further notice, Sir?"
„What on Gaia holds ya back from this, Officah Tseng?"
Calling a Chief Security 'officer' was almost a warning of imminent demotion.
„Nothing, Sir. I just wanted to clarify all the details with the involved crewmembers."
Captain Highwind snorted and tore the notes out of Rude's hands to dip a quick look into them.
„Crepes!" He yelled incredulously. „Seriously, Tseng, ye'r ridiculin y'self!"
The ex-detective fist tightened. That settled it. Those crepes meant his ultimate defeat, he couldn't say anything that could have saved the situation. He didn't even dare to protest when Cid threw the crumpled notes onto the desk and left the room in the same frantic way like he entered before.
Rude was patiently waiting for his boss' orders. After a minute spent in complete silence Tseng nodded. Rude took place in front of the computer to finish the work.
The Chief Security was still sitting there for long minutes, with his pen rolling between his fingers. He was staring at the wall next to the door, face grey and tense. When Rude printed the documents and placed in front of him in a chip-board folder, Tseng just signed without having them read. The folder was shut with a loud clap.
Meanwhile, Genesis walked back behind the counter. In the absence of his barwaiter, he had to serve the guests at the table, and the Lead Bartender really despised that duty. It was a relief for him seeing Yazoo returning to the bar, wearing his tea-time uniform.
„Everything's fine? What did they want?"
The question was somehow out of character, usually Genesis was more discreet. His worry didn't stay unnoticed by Yazoo.
„They asked me about the tip from yesterday." And he smiled as a proud cat.
„No wonder." The gingerhead sighed. „Check table five. She might need a new Marguarita."
„She might need a Screaming Orgasm if you asked me."
„I didn't. Go."
After having the next order served, Genesis mentioned the news.
„That blond waiter was looking for you."
„Which one?" Acting innocent and indifferent, Yazoo scanned the guest tables from a distance whether everything's fine.
„The juggler. Who dropped his tray today."
Yazoo chuckled.
„What did he want?"
„No idea. He was nervous. This cruise is a serious pain, no business. I assume that tip was also the last one from the doc."
„How come?" Now Yazoo tilted his head with real interest.
„Don't you know?"
„Tell me."
„Rumors say he became seriously sick… I hope it was not the wine. Gotta disembark in the next port. Now he can't leave the medical centre."
Sure, Yazoo tought, he better stays in the 'fridge' his body was probably tossed into. He pouted.
„Game over, huh? What a pity."
Speculating or just bored, they kept silent for a minute. Yazoo took another walk around, changing some teapots and collecting empty plates. Returning to the counter, he saw Genesis heading out of the bar.
„I need some fresh air." The tall man's voice sounded tense. He tapped the inner counter's marble surface. „You might need these. You seem to have lost your worn ones."
There were a pair of brand new gloves lying flat on the marble. Yazoo glanced at them, then turned his head after the leaving bartender. Still not blinking, he kept watching his back until Genesis disappeared behind the service door, without looking back.