Edited by: Waning_Crescents

After an hour of investigating and questioning the people available, the results left them quite unsatisfied.

“This seems like a dead-end at this time of the day, there are barely people in these pubs, not to mention that some didn’t even open yet,” Sigal remarked with a hint of annoyance in the tone of his voice, “If this continues like that then we have no other choice but to come back later.”

Most Public houses opened their doors in the afternoon or evening, even though some opened in the morning because of special traits they offered, not many customers visited these places that early.

Nero nodded. “Let’s hope the others have more luck...”

“Still nothing...” Claire let out a puff of air. “This is not going well at all.”

Cal nodded. “Yeah, mornings aren’t the busy hours which was to be expected.” Then he glanced at the map. “But there are still some we haven’t checked out yet. There are usually more people around K-Lane as this is the busier district around here.”

“Yes, you are right, let’s stay positive and continue.”

K-Lane was popular for their trades and their many establishments. Almost the whole street consisted of all kinds of varieties of open markets. Alongside them existed public houses and bars, more than you would find at any other streets in West-Colst. People who wanted to go out and have fun or just sit together at ease preferred places like this.

As the two of them entered K-Lane, it was exactly what they had expected. People hustled and bustled around the markets, each of them trying to be the first to rake in the best deal. Not only the markets had an increase of population, but also the public houses.

“Looks definitely more promising!” Claire stated as she glanced around. “Let’s get this started then, right?” She whipped her head around with a smile, but it quickly vanished from her lips at the sight of Cal propping his left hand against a wall by supporting himself.

“Cal! What’s wrong?” she asked and walked over to him.

“N-nothing…I just needed a short break after we ran around for so long.” He forced a smile while beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Why does my head suddenly hurt? This headache came out of nowhere…

Claire, however, detected this slight change in the tone of his voice and narrowed her eyes.

“Everything is fine, let’s continue.” He let go of the wall and straighten himself. 

“You are lying!” she exclaimed and glanced at him with a stern expression. Then she took a closer look at his face. “You are even sweating.”

“We did run around a lot; it is not so unusual to sweat a little.” Cal remarked.

“Are you mocking me?” Claire raised an eyebrow. “I know about your arrangement with the chief, do you want him to take you off the case completely? Keep lying and I will inform him.”

“No…no...I…I am sorry Claire. It’s just a headache I swear.” Cal explained in a hurry.

“Even if it’s just a headache, it could be a side effect of the drug. You need to get it checked out.” Claire declared. “I’ll bring you to the hospital.”

Cal wanted to protest, but he knew if he pushed this even further, she might inform Vince that he refused to comply and then this could take a bad turn for him. After all, he promised him that he would stop the moment he felt any kind of discomfort, therefore, he had no other choice but to go along with Claire’s request. “Fine…”

Satisfied, she took out her phone and called her partner to inform him of the situation. “Nero! It’s me Claire, we had to call off the investigation. Please take over for us and check the public houses at K-Lane. I must bring Cal to the hospital. There is a chance that the drug had some side effects after all.” 

“Understood.” Nero uttered and hung up afterwards.

“Was that Claire?” Sigal, who walked beside Nero, asked while scanning their surroundings.

“Yeah.” Nero nodded.

“Did they find something?”

“We have to take over for them. K-Lane is left,” Nero answered, “Might be a side effect of the drug.”

Sigal furrowed his brows. Even through Nero’s way of cryptic talking, Sigal understood the implication: Cal felt not well.

He clicked his tongue. “I see...then let’s go!”

It took them another few hours until they finished checking the remaining public houses, but the outcome left them frustrated. Exhausted and empty-handed they returned to Headquarters to report to the chief.

“That’s troublesome, but I guess we have no other choice but to resume this in the evening. For now, rest up. Asher and Nowe should return this afternoon too, then we can send them out as well,” Vince stated.

Nero nodded and left the office right after. Sigal on the other hand stayed a little while longer. He just stood there in silence with his arms crossed in front of his chest and with a frown on his face.

“Anything else?” Vince asked in confusion.

“How bad is it?” Sigal squeezed out the words in a low tone.

The chief, who understood the meaning behind those words, blinked at Sigal in surprise.

“It’s not too serious, they ran some tests and sent him home to rest.” Vince reassured him. “You should get some rest yourself. I will call you when we move out again.”

Sigal nodded and left the office. It didn’t take him long until he reached the Conciliator’s apartment complex. However, before he made his way to his own home, he stopped at his partner's and knocked at the door.