Pedaling back into town, Diana made her way to the wealthiest part of the city, the financial district. A swath of the city made up by towering skyscrapers, each belonging to some famous billionaire or rich company. It was here that her next suspect would be found, the famous and powerful Darius Cash.

     She pulled up outside a towering skyscraper, marked by the logo of Hesperides Financials, a snake winding through a harp. Chaining her bike to the rack, she showed her ID to the security guard and made her way through the revolving door, bumping into the pink-haired girl from the bar.

     “Oh! Excuse me, ma’am.” Diana tapped her forehead, stepping out of the lady’s way. She was a few inches shorter than Diana, with a beautiful olive complexion and bright pink hair. She wore a white t-shirt and ripped jeans, with a pink hoodie tied around her waist.

     “It’s alright, my fault.” The woman nods, a glimmer of recognition flashing in her eyes, “Diana? From the Dreaming Nook? Who’d have thought I’d bump into you here?”

     “One of life’s little coincidences. Trixie, right?”

     “That’s right, are you here on business?”

     “Can’t say much, but yes, I am.”

     “Oh, I get it, some private case.”

     “Bingo.”

     “Well, I’ll get out of your hair. Best of luck with your case!”

     “Thank you, stay safe now.” Diana nodded, making her way further into the lobby. It was a big room, with the left and right walls lined by luscious, exotic plants. Six huge pillars held up the ceiling, which Diana estimated must have reached three stories high, and a hanging chandelier lit up the room from the center. A thick red carpet led from the entrance to the reception desk on the other side, where two small lines of people had formed.

     As she approached, the clerk in the middle, who was very much free, waved her over.

     “Are you a Miss Diana, DN-144?” The clerk asked, bored out of his mind.

     “The very same. You’re expecting me?” Diana asked.

     “Oh, Mr. Cash was sure you’d be by sooner or later.” The clerk rang a bell, and a security guard appeared, “The private elevator is ready for you.”

     “Thank you, mister…?”

     “Dave.”

     “Thank you.” Diana nodded politely and followed the security guard to the right corner of the room, where an elevator concealed flush with the wall opened to admit them. Stepping inside, the guard pressed the button for the top floor and the door shut, beginning the long climb up the building.

     “Well, I never expected an escort this fancy.” Diana looked around at the sleek, futuristic interior of the elevator, “And here I thought I could get my cardio in on the stairs, eh?”

     “Mr. Cash rarely lets anyone but himself use this elevator, I’ve never been inside myself.” The guard cracked a smile, “You must be very special.”

     “I hope you wouldn’t mind answering a question or two for me?”

     “Of course not.”

     “Excellent. Now, what type of man is Mr. Cash?”

     “Well, he’s a very kind man, but he gets quite angry when he’s upset. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep him happy.”

     “Has he treated you well?”

     “Oh, he’s never given me any reason for complaint.” The elevator slowed to a stop, “Ah, this will be your floor, Miss Diana. Best of luck.”

     “Thank you, miss…?”

     “Cynthia.”

     “Cynthia, I’ll remember that.” Diana tapped her head and stepped out of the elevator, into the office of Darius Cash.

     It was a surprisingly small room, with a window behind the desk looking out over the city. In each corner of the room was a simple potted plant, and a grandfather clock stood on the wall across from the window, chiming out the hour.

     “Miss Diana, a pleasure to have you.” To her surprise, Diana saw Cash was the same man she had seen outside Lumin Heights, “I believe I’ve met you before?”

     “Oh, yes, I saw you at the resort, sir.”

     “Right, I distinctly remembered a young lady much like you struggling with her bike lock. I hope you’ve had it oiled?”

     “I’ve looked after it, sir.”

     “I’m glad to hear it. I must say, Diana, you are a very striking woman to have stood out in my memory.”

     “Uh… well, thank you, sir.”

     “I believe you have some questions for me?”

     “Yes, I do, sir.”

     “Well, fire away.”

     “Where were you at nine PM on the fourth?”

     “I was in this very office; I was on a business call until ten that night. Could I interest you in a drink? Coffee?”

     “I’m good. Now, how did you know Mr. Chambers?”

     “Well, perhaps in an offhand fashion. I wouldn't say we were terribly close. ”

     “But close enough he might offer you a drink?”

     “Yes, I'd say so, he always seemed very hospitable.”

     “How did you know Mr. Chambers?”

     “He had been funding one of your smaller projects, it was of personal interest to him you see, but he cut it just recently.”

     “Just a small project? That didn’t upset you?”

     “Oh, the loss of his funding was quite surprising, but it was not so awful that we couldn’t do without.” Cash shook his head, “I can’t say I blame him; his ex-wife took a sudden interest in the project.”

     “He had a bad relationship with his ex-wife?”

     “Did she tell you otherwise? If I’m not mistaken, it was her you were interviewing when I met you the other day.”

     “Yes, but she had assured me that it was water under the bridge.”

     “Well, then I’m sure she must be right, perhaps Mr. Chambers just had some lingering feelings about it all.”

     “Yes, that must be it.”

     The conversation continued for some time, until finally Diana was happy she had gotten the answers she needed.

     “Well, I’m glad to have been of some use to you, detective.”

     “Oh, yes, very useful. I do mean to ask one more thing.”

     “And what would that be?”

     “Were you injured recently?”

     “Hm?”

     “Well, you see, I noticed you limping the other day, and I was just a little worrie-”

     “I’ll have to stop you right there, I’m afraid. You see, I had intended to serve in the military before becoming a businessman, but an injury to my leg during training dashed my hopes of that.”

     “I see, thank you very much.” Diana stood to leave, straightening her jacket, “And, uh, you’ve got a little smudge on your collar.”

     “Oh, thank you.” Cash wiped the red mark off his collar, “And before you go, I do have a question for you, detective.”

     “And that would be?” Diana asked, saving her notes.

     “Would you care to join me for dinner tomorrow night, detective?” Cash offered, lighting himself a cigarette.

     “I’m afraid I’m busy that night, sir.” Diana apologized, “It’s been hard to find time for personal business with the case and everything.”

     “Oh, well, another time then.” Cash shrugged, “Good luck, detective.”

     “Thank you, Mr. Cash.” Diana tapped her forehead in a little salute and stepped into the elevator, breathing a sigh of relief once the doors had shut.

     “I do hope you’ll forgive Mr. Cash’s advances.” Cynthia’s smile was a little strained, but she maintained her composure, “He’s a little… coquettish.”

     “Mr. Cash is not the first man to think he had a chance with me, ma’am.”