Investigation: Day 200 

Maya is now motivated... or desperate... to uncover the face of evil. Someone who has been close to her, but clearly holding a grudge and has a clear motivation to… kill her. Because if she wasn’t quick on her feet and didn’t investigate out of her way, then the medication she was subjected to would have killed her, eventually.

Rebecca was nice enough to provide her with the permit to investigate this case with the other team. She refers her to the Team 2 investigating supervisor, Henry, who will help her further navigate the investigation. She didn’t wish to inform anyone before digging into their background since she had a suspicion that anyone could have been involved. And that makes it impossible to get their approval for such spoofing. So, her investigation is in no way meeting the legal interests and standards of the team. And that is why Henry will be helping her unofficially, with the official resources.

It is a serious misconduct of a kind... but she is desperate enough to put her entire life on the line. From their bureau, Rebecca personally takes Maya to the nearby café, carefully, secretly, almost like they are doing something wrong. Well, in theory, they were.

Rebecca and Maya arrive, and Henry is waiting for them. But considering the nature of their conversation, they are thinking that they’ll be selecting the corner table. But Henry is sitting proudly on the middle table, surrounded by the tables and people. 

Maya looks at him and then stops in her tracks. Her mind questions his reasoning and then she whispers in Rebecca’s ear, “Is he the one we are meeting? He doesn’t seem that…”

Rebecca is also feeling the same, so she completes her sentence, “Smart.”

They both look at each other and then decide to go with the flow.

They reach the table and then greet each other. Even though Maya is in much better physical condition than before, but still, from her pale face and lean figure, it is clear that she isn’t well at all. But it almost gives an impression of rudeness that Henry doesn’t seem to be fazed or concerned at all. Everyone says that they prefer to be treated like they are not ill, especially when they are, but when someone blatantly ignores the fact and nonchalantly carries out the conversation, it bothers our psyche. But for Maya, this meeting is more than just a casual meet-up. So, she quickly wraps up that thought and moves on with professionalism.

Rebecca, Maya, and Henry

Rebecca: Henry?

Henry: Yes. Nice to meet you. 

Rebecca: Nice indeed. Thanks for agreeing to this meet-up. I know this is asking a lot.

Henry: I understand, no problem. We are the last line of justice. Have to put something on the line to get something. 

Rebecca: I am glad that you think like that. And here, meet Maya. She is the one I was talking about. 

Maya: Hi. Nice meeting you.

Henry: Nice meeting you. Heard a lot about you. Glad to finally meet you!

Maya: I hope you heard all the good things. 

Henry: Of course. Please take a seat.

And then they sit at the middle table of the restaurant. Both girls are a little uneasy and uncomfortable about being the center of attention. Then Maya couldn’t resist and finally asked the reason.

Maya: So, before we actually get into the details, I am curious if there was any particular reason why you chose the center table, leaving the secret ones…

Henry: Hmm.

Rebecca: Yes. I am curious too. I have known you for quite some time, not personally, but since our agreement ahead won’t be anything simple, this makes me question... a lot of things. 

Maya: Well… I agree.

Henry: Oh, well. That’s exactly the reason. No one suggests sitting in the middle when they share the secret.

Rebecca: Yes.

Maya: My point indeed.

Henry: Let me explain it to you. Psychologically speaking, we are sitting in no way on the radar of any general crowd. People don’t pay attention to the middle seat, because they are too busy figuring out what is happening in the corners. Even in a normal setting, those seats practically scream, ‘Something fishy is going on here.’ So picking the middle table reduces the possibility of unnecessary witnesses. 

Rebecca: That’s fair.

Maya: Wow. Impressive.

Henry: Thanks. And considering the architecture of this place, there’s another reason as well. It has a tactical advantage. I can get an uninterrupted view of all corners and sides. The main door is in front of me, with straight access, so in case of a shooting, ambush, or anything in between, I can quickly make plans and get enough time to think about the next phase.

Rebecca: That’s a far thought.

Maya: Yes. Indeed. But why is that needed in this conversation? We’re not exactly…

Henry: Yeah. I know. We’re not doing something that is considered… okay thing to do. But we need to understand that we are doing it for a case. It makes sense. So, don’t be too conscious about it. 

Rebecca: Yes, but wouldn’t it be good for us to sit somewhere else?

Maya: Yes. Since we are discussing some private matters.

Henry: Believe me, I have been sitting here, observing. It is a busy café,

Rebecca: An hour?

Maya: Really?

Henry: Yes. I do my work ahead of time. This is a busy place, hence better than a private one. Busy people stop by here for their coffee, and they’re already in a rush to the bureau. People don’t stay here for more than 5 minutes. They’re all busy since this location is filled with offices and corporate buildings. No one is interested in what others say unless they stand out. Which would have been the case if we took the corner seat. So, don’t worry about anything. We’re good. 

Maya: Great.

Rebecca: Remarkable. Then let’s get to the point of discussion.

Henry: I am ready.

Maya: So…

Maya fills the gap in details, tells him about everything that has happened in the past, and shares her suspicion. She also shows him electronic documents of her health reports. Everything is clear. She does have a very outrageous situation on hand, where her otherwise unreasonable suspicion was a reasonable one.

Rebecca: So, what do you suggest now?

Henry: Things are way worse than what I believed. You are braver than I thought, Maya.

Maya: I will take it as a compliment.

Henry: It is. Of course. And as you suggested, I will personally look into this matter. Clear the background of everyone and then we can move forward with the possible ones.

Maya: Which ones?

Rebecca: Possible ones? 

Henry: That Caius and Stygias guy. They both seem way too quick-witted. I don’t like them.

Maya: Right? I just can’t seem to trust them. Even though they don’t leave a reason for suspicion. 

Rebecca: Yes. Caius helped her in the process, too. And Stygias seems like a cuckoo head. 

Henry: Well, more than that. Surely. Why don’t you give me 2 days and I will get back to you with something positive. How’s that?

Maya: Works for me.

Rebecca: Great! Thanks for your help, Henry. Now, as you know, I’ll be stepping aside from this authority from this point. You, too, handle the conversation and investigation. And let me know if you need my involvement.

Henry: That won’t be necessary. 

Maya: Really?

Rebecca: Really?

Henry: Yes. Believe me.

Maya: Okay then, see you later.

Rebecca: Great. Bye for now.

Henry: Bye, girls. And take care of yourself, Maya. 

Maya is a bit taken aback but pleased at the same time when Henry finally brings out the topic of her well-being. Such remarks are almost like medicine for her at this point, when she is all by herself in the worst state of her life. But she doesn’t let her face display any sign of comfort after hearing it. She simply replies in a composed and professional manner, “I will. Thanks.”

And they leave the Café with some peace in their mind. Even if it was just a quick conversation, it helped them both. Especially, Maya feels like she received a boost of motivation. Henry’s agreement to help takes away a lot of burden from her shoulders. However, she is still unsure of how much he would help. She doesn’t know him at all. But at least, it is the start of something. She is looking forward to a better tomorrow. She hopes that things will turn around… for better or for worse… that she doesn’t know.

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