Check 27 - Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.

After what had to be one of the least comfortable nights ever, Suzue made her way downstairs. On autopilot, she almost tripped over a body in the middle of the hallway, not realizing the lump there wasn't some kind of hangover-induced apparition. The jolt didn't do her head any favors, but neither did her foot catching on whoever it was laying there.

The soft grunt that came as a result should have woken whoever it was, but didn't. It took Suzue a moment to realize who it was she'd run into. What she couldn't fathom was how on earth, or why, for that matter, Cass Hamada was dozing in the middle of the corridor.

Not sure how to handle the situation, Suzue tried to edge around the sleeping woman, coming around to check for a breath. As she bent to ascertain the proprietress' state, the door next to her position opened and Katou emerged, yawning hugely. He paused, staring down at her in surprise as she looked up with equal confusion.

"What in the world?" Katou asked, not sure if he was really awake or not. Out of anyone, he'd expect Hiro to be the one asleep in the middle of the hallway, not Cass.

Suzue gave him a helpless shrug. "I have no idea. But at least I know she's breathing." She pulled her hand back from checking for a pulse. There didn't appear to be any visible injuries. Cass did look a bit red in the face, but that could be explained away by any number of things. "Maybe she was sleep walking and just curled up on the floor?"

Not willing to leave the café owner where she was, Katou also knelt, pulling Cass up into a sitting position. The activity didn't seem to disturb the sleeping woman, though, so he decided it best to pick her up, rather awkwardly, and head towards her assigned room. The motion reminded him of his injured mid-section. Thankfully, he'd only bruised things a bit, not broken anything. He'd asked Baymax to check. "Mind opening the door for me?" he asked, glancing back at Suzue.

Following him, Suzue did as asked, opening the door and standing back so he could carry Cass inside the sunlit room. "What I don't understand is why HEUSC, or even Baymax didn't say anything."

"Speaking of Baymax, maybe he's still in with Hiro," Katou replied. "But it's probably a good idea to have him come check her out. Wouldn't do to assume she's fine until we know for sure."

After setting Cass down near the edge of the bed, Katou made his way to the door leading into Hiro's room. He knocked softly, since it was closed. Hoping he wouldn't walk into another uncomfortable situation, he decided to enter when no one answered.

Only Baymax was visible from the doorway, standing near the far side of the room. The bed was devoid of the expected Hiro and the cop couldn't help but feel a sense of panic start to swell inside. His steps quickened as he went to the far side of the room. A sigh followed when he saw the teen was just asleep on the floor, hugging a pillow. "Why is he on the floor?" he asked, then shook his head. Maybe it was better that he didn't know.

"I did not wish to disturb Hiro," Baymax stated. "Is something the matter?"

Katou rubbed at the back of his neck, and then glanced towards the open doorway. "Yeah, I wondered if you could come and scan Cass. Suzue and I found her asleep in the hall and thought it'd be better to make sure she's okay. Think the kid'll be fine without you for a minute?" Part of him felt like it might be wise to put Hiro back on the bed but decided to ignore it.

The robot waddled around his young charge. "Of course." He followed the cop into the adjoining room, where Suzue was standing guard. He stopped several paces away and scanned both women. "Aunt Cass appears to be suffering the effects of a severe hangover. I recommend letting her sleep until the effects wear off."

Now looking at Suzue, Baymax tilted his head. "You also appear to be experiencing the effects of a hangover, as well as indigestion. Suggested treatments include an over-the-counter pain medication and an antacid."

Suzue scrunched up her face at that, having already taken more antacids than was perhaps wise. Her stomach still felt more than a little upset.

"Other treatments include bland foods such as rice, or similar foods to help absorb any remaining alcohol," Baymax continued.

Seeing her look, Katou nodded. "Best hangover food is either a good miso soup or something similar. You'd be surprised how much it helps with other things too." For his part, he seemed to have already recovered from the previous night's meal.

Allowing her shoulders to sag, Suzue nodded. "I still don't understand how she got in the hallway in her state. Does she have a history of sleep walking?"

Baymax seemed to consider this. "This is not a typical behavior for Aunt Cass," he admitted. "It is possible she was acting in an inebriated state. Her blood alcohol level indicates her state as slightly above typical levels."

More than a little surprised by that, Katou gave the robot a look. "Wait. I know for a fact, she only drank part of one beer with dinner. Even the most intolerant of drinkers would be over that by now. Are you saying she somehow got her hands on more alcohol during the night? How's that even possible?"

"I do not know," Baymax admitted. "My attention was focused on Hiro."

A sudden thought struck Katou and he ran his hands through his hair, tempted to pull it out. "Crap. I forgot the kitchen staff is currently off. And with Cass out for the count, that means the cooking is all on me." He let out a groan at the realization.

Looking far more out of her element than was perhaps typical, Suzue watched Katou as he appeared to have a mini fit. "Are you all right?"

Katou looked up from a half crouching position. He sheepishly straightened. "Suzue, I'm going to have to ask you to keep an eye on Cass for me while I make something for breakfast.

"But!" Suzue offered a mild protest as Katou headed back into the hallway. She glanced over at Baymax, who was still standing where he'd stopped, contemplating events. She let out a heavy sigh. "I guess I don't have a choice in the matter."

Sure things were more or less in order, Baymax turned, pausing only briefly as Suzue called out, asking him where he was going. "I need to get back to Hiro," he stated. "I will be next door if you need my assistance."

Not without some misgivings, Suzue watched Baymax as he waddled back through the doorway leading to Hiro's room. She briefly wondered if it might not be a bad idea to see if Daisuke was up yet, but decided maybe it would be better to wait. If his stomach had been as upset as hers, he was likely still in bed, much like she wished she were.

…

Still not ready to be awake, Katou made his way into the kitchen, where he stopped abruptly. He blinked a few times, not sure he believed what he saw. What in the world?

Several bottles of alcohol sat open on the prep table, along with two cups, one which had lipstick on it. The other had some alcohol inside, but looked to be otherwise untouched. The other was basically empty, but he was certain none of that had been there after he and Cass had washed up the night before.

"Just what happened in here?" he wondered aloud. Not wanting to disturb the evidence, he bypassed the table, looking around the pantry and general vicinity for any other irregularities. Not seeing anything obviously out of the ordinary, he released a sigh. Perhaps this explained Cass's state of apparent inebriation, though how she'd gotten down there and then back upstairs with none the wiser was beyond him. Why hadn't HEUSC tried to contact Daisuke or Suzue?

The answer to that was obvious. They were probably both occupied at the time, each either dead to the world or giving the plumbing a good workout. He rubbed at his face, deciding to just let things be for the time being. Instead, he went to the massive refrigerator, trying to decide what might be best to make for breakfast.

Cass had left a stock pot of fish broth for Hiro in the fridge, but there was more than enough to make a miso soup with, while leaving plenty for the teen. And, worse to worse, they could always make more. Finding an apron, Katou got to work. Rice would be a good addition, though he hesitated to add natto. It helped that it appeared they'd used it up on the previous day's breakfast, though he'd have been tempted if there had been any available.

In no time at all, he had a decent meal prepared. Aside from the soup and rice, he'd also grilled some salmon, knowing the fish would be good for the hangovers he felt sure more than one of them felt. As an added bonus, he made one of the Katou family specials he'd prepared before, tuna bean sprouts. He'd had to improvise a bit on the tuna, not finding any cans in the pantry, but there was a fresh tuna in the fridge. He just had to cook it beforehand.

…..

By the time Katou finished preparing the morning meal, and had set it out on the same table they'd used the night before, Daisuke woke. It was later than his usual wake up time, and it took him a moment to recall where he was and why.

After a rather uncomfortable first half of the night, he'd managed to pass out on top of his bed, not even bothering to slide under the covers. As a result, he felt slightly chilled due to the air conditioning. Still a bit sore from having the snot knocked out of him by Hiro pre-poisoning, he made his way to the bathroom. His reflection showed slightly hollow eyes and tousled hair. He spent a few minutes correcting that.

Now more or less ready for the day, he made sure his earring was in place, having decided to go the less formal route of slacks, button-up shirt, and waistcoat, no tie or cuff links. There was no need to impress anyone today. "HEUSC, give me an update," he requested, not sure what the others were up to.

"Mr. Katou has just finished preparing the morning meal," HEUSC reported. "Lady Suzue appears to still be Miss Cass's room. Hiro Hamada is also still in his room."

That was an interesting turn of events, the head of house decided as he exited his room. Why was Suzue with Cass? Had something else happened in the middle of the night? If so, it had to have occurred after he'd passed out. Hiro still being out wasn't surprising, all things considered.

"Where can I find Katou?" Daisuke inquired, sounding a bit more demanding than usual. Upon hearing that his partner was still in the kitchen, he made his way down to the room in question. Thankfully, his digestive tract had sufficiently recovered from the night before he need not fear any immediate reprisals.

Upon entering the kitchen, Daisuke paused, not sure why Katou had taken out several bottles of alcohol, leaving them on the prep table. "What's this?" he inquired, seeing the man in question putting the finishing touches on the morning meal.

Hearing him enter, Katou paused what he was doing and looked over. It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand what Daisuke was talking about. "Oh? That? Honestly, I'm not sure. I found them that way when I came down, though it's possible your aunt might have something to do with it."

More than a little confused by that statement, Daisuke continued into the kitchen, hoping for a better explanation. "What does Cass have to do with it?"

Katou shrugged. "It's just a hunch, but Suzue tripped over her in the hall earlier. According to Baymax, she's still more than a little inebriated."

Eyes narrowed, Daisuke removed his watch and placed it so it could project against the wall. "Show me the footage in question," he said, frowning as HEUSC complied. But why on earth was Cass asleep in the hallway in the first place. "Rewind and show me Cass's actions prior to this."

Again, HEUSC complied, showing Cass stumbling out of her room, down the hall, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. There, she apparently had decided to have a one-person drinking party, though she'd poured a second glass for some unknown reason. However, despite the initial impression that Cass was awake, Daisuke realized this might not be the actual case, as she didn't look entirely with it in the footage.

"When was this?" He didn't immediately see a time stamp on the footage shown and was a bit surprised to learn this had occurred around five in the morning. Surely someone should have heard it. He glanced over at Katou, who was taking off his apron.

Hanging up the fabric, Katou gave him a helpless shrug. "I didn't hear a thing," he stated in response to the silent question.

On the projection, it appeared as though Cass were talking to someone, though no one else appeared on the footage. "Isolate audio and play," Daisuke ordered.

Her voice was slightly slurred, though whether from drink or due to some other reason was anyone's guess. "I wish you were here," she said, clinking glasses. "You could fix everything."

The only other audio came from the occasional refilling of her cup, the resulting sipping of the liquor in said cup, and the occasional clinking to the other glass. After this went on for a good ten or more minutes, the woman apparently decided she'd had enough and, not bothering to put the booze away, simply exited the kitchen and headed back up the stairs. Not too far from her door, she stumbled, possibly tripping over her own feet, and went down, where she simply dozed off.

Not satisfied with what he'd seen, Daisuke had the video rewound again, pausing at a frame where Cass's face was more visible before she'd left the kitchen. "Enlarge," he instructed, HEUSC complying. Were those tears? It was hard to tell. Her face had the decided red of someone who'd had too much alcohol. "Play in slow motion."

Complying, the footage crawled forward, a single tear sliding down Cass's cheek before she turned away from the security camera before leaving the room. Something had obviously upset her, though neither male had any idea what.

Realizing there were no further answers to be had by watching the footage, Daisuke returned his watch to his wrist. He looked thoughtful as he contemplated the table. At least it wasn't something like an intruder. He'd doubted Katou had had a party while they were all mostly asleep, but it was nice to have that confirmed. That, however, didn't really tell him why Cass had taken that liberty. Who did she wish was there? A departed loved one? Her brother or sister? Or maybe even her parents. It could even be Tadashi, the more responsible of the two Hamada boys, if records were correct. And if not any of those, then who?

"Should we call Suzue down?" Katou inquired, breaking into Daisuke's thoughts. "I left her upstairs in case Cass needed anything. Baymax is still in the other room with Hiro, last I checked."

Activating his earring, Daisuke requested Suzue join them. He'd get an update from her once she came down. In the meantime, he could wait a little bit longer. At least the mystery of the bottles on the table had been solved. For the most part. The why would have to wait.

…..

Suzue made sure Cass was well-situated before heading down to the kitchen. Judging from the woman's snoring, she likely wouldn't wake for a while. And, with no one else in the building besides their party, plus one medic, she doubted there would be any issues. But, to be on the safe side, she popped over into Hiro's room to ask Baymax to keep an eye on things while she went and had breakfast.

In no time at all, Suzue joined the two men in the kitchen, glancing at the bottles still on the prep station. Daisuke gave a brief explanation that made some semblance of sense while she took her place at the staff table.

"I don't get it," she confessed. "Why would she do something like that?"

Daisuke helped himself to the rice and tuna bean sprouts. Unlike the miso soup, Katou had left those to self-serve. "If I had to guess, it's because of the trauma." Alcohol didn't solve the problem, but it acted as a temporary numbing agent. But if she'd felt the need to numb her pain, there were better ways. He'd had to learn the hard way. That and she really didn't seem like the type to self-medicate. Whatever it was they'd touched the day before must have been truly awful.

Suzue exchanged glances with Katou, but didn't let that stop her from eating. Not having Haru's cooking before, she found it more to her liking than the hot wings from the night before. It also helped sooth her soul in a more familiar way. "I suppose," she said, looking thoughtful. A lot had happened recently, stirring up all kinds of things. Who knew what all was going on under the surface?

Sipping his soup, Katou glanced over at the bottles. He occasionally imbibed after really a bad day. But Cass definitely didn't strike him as the drinking type. He recalled her request from the night before, to not let Hiro know she'd had just the beer with dinner. Something said she didn't normally indulge in such behavior. But speculation wasn't going to get them anywhere. "How was Hiro when you came down?"

This change of topic brought Daisuke's head up from looking down at his food. "Something wrong with Hiro?"

Suzue shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure. I didn't go into his room before heading down. I just popped in long enough to ask Baymax keep an eye on Cass. I didn't see Hiro."

"That's probably because he was on the far side of the bed on the floor," Katou mused. "He must have woken up some time during the night and didn't quite make it back to the bed."

"Interesting." Daisuke ate a spoonful of soup. What on earth was with those two? And why had Baymax allowed that to happen?" He released a sigh. He'd have to go up and check on the teen later, sure Cass would be out for a while if she were anywhere near as drunk as the video suggested she might be.

Between everything that had happened, Daisuke still wasn't sure what to make of his relations. And he really was no closer to figuring out what was going on than he had been the night before. On a hunch, he'd decided to look into the man behind the wheel of the Hamada crash. The man had to have been handpicked because he was a known drunkard. It wasn't a far stretch for anyone looking only at the surface to accept that he'd been the culprit. However, after Suzue's report on the man's state prior to being seen in the car, he knew better.

Perhaps that was why Cass had asked them not to tell Hiro she'd been drinking. Well, if Hiro woke before she did, there was really no way of hiding the fact. Baymax didn't seem the type to lie. It was definitely not in his programming, as far as he could tell. But it didn't mean he wouldn't omit certain truths when it came to other means.

Daisuke had confirmed that the car used in the vehicular murder had been stolen the night before. There were police reports to substantiate that. Perhaps whoever had masterminded the whole had rigged the car with whatever remote then. It was even possible that the person who'd pulled the dead man from the driver's seat had removed said device at the same time.

And while all of that was something he could share with the Hamadas, giving them something they hadn't before, he didn't yet know how it solved their current problem. He couldn't dismiss Cass relating that she'd felt the intense cold stare of someone sinister. It was shame they had no idea who. It would be different if they had video footage of the incident and were able to pull identifying images from that. If they could do that, it might change things.

"Something wrong?"

Daisuke resurfaced from his pool of mental inquiry. "No. I was just lost in thought." He looked back at his various bowls, realizing he'd finished without thinking. And, unlike the night before, none of it had teased his stomach into a tizzy of torment. He'd have to remember to give Katou some praise later.

The others were still eating, he noticed. Well, after everything he didn't exactly feel inclined to go for seconds, despite how tasty everything was. Part of him did feel a hint bad about being glad Katou had been the one to do the cooking. "I'm going to go check on Hiro," he decided, excusing himself from the table.

Exchanging a confused look with Suzue, Katou decided it best not to question it as he went for another helping of rice.