"Inspector Jaquan," Mr. Kagiso's voice cut through the air as he addressed the owner of the sprawling mansion, settling into the plush leather sofa opposite him.
Without a word, Mr. Kagiso poured a glass of whiskey, his demeanor as cold as the liquid. "I want to know what happened."
Choking on the fiery burn of the whiskey, Inspector Jaquan struggled to maintain composure. Confusion etched across his face, he queried, "What happened?" Wondering which part of the searching process Mr. Kagiso had missed, Jaquan thought he had been fully briefed.
Mr. Kagiso's penetrating black eyes bore into him. "Yes, I want to know what happened. How did Batho go missing? What did Mrs. Kagiso tell you about the incident?"
Under the intensity of Mr. Kagiso's stare, Inspector Jaquan shifted uncomfortably, setting down his whiskey. He had assumed Mr. Kagiso was aware of the details. Hadn't Mrs. Kagiso informed him about the incident? The mere thought of a distraught Mrs. Kagiso sent shivers down Jaquan's spine.
Turning his gemstone ring on his ring finger, Mr. Kagiso squinted, waiting for the inspector to respond.
Clearing his throat, Inspector Jaquan began, "Well, at about two in the afternoon today, we received a call from a SynthWatch. Mrs. Kagiso had made a police report about her missing son... your missing son," he blinked, recalling the unsettling events that had drawn him into this unwanted business.
Jaquan received notification almost immediately after the report was made.
Following this, Inspector Jaquan retrieved his AD from his pouch. Activating it, he projected a holographic image of the riverside onto the coffee table between him and Mr. Kagiso. The scene unfolded, capturing the attention of both men. Mr. Kagiso studied the holographic riverside for a moment, prompting him to carefully move two glasses of whiskey away from the holographic projection.
The image of the riverside appeared surreal, frozen in a moment when the sky still held remnants of daylight, yet the night loomed outside the windows like a silent observer. The juxtaposition of the bright sky and the impending darkness created an eerie atmosphere.
Without the need for Inspector Jaquan to provide detailed explanations, Mr. Kagiso discerned the significance of the location. Every Wednesday and Thursday, Mrs. Kagiso would take Batho to the riverside. It was their routine, a time for Batho, a five-year-old with a profound interest in aquatic life, to study his favorite fish by the river. The Kamtona River, unique for being the sole watercourse in this part of Slateville that harbored various river creatures, served as their chosen spot.
Batho's fascination with creatures from both historical and contemporary times led them to this riverside haven. The image on the holographic display painted a vivid picture of the serene location where Mrs. Kagiso and Batho were last seen.
Opposite the riverside lay a quaint school, nestled amidst lush greenery and shaded by tall trees. The crystal-clear water mirrored the azure sky above, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
On the side of the riverbank frequented by Mr. Kagiso's wife and son, a stone bench sat beneath the comforting branches of an oak tree. Mr. Kagiso, having visited the riverside on several occasions, recalled the routine: his wife engrossed in a book while Batho, their son, squatted by the water's edge, fascinated by the creatures within.
Breaking the contemplative silence, Mr. Kagiso pointed at the school and the river, remarking, "It's an open area."
Inspector Jaquan was taken aback by the sudden comment, but only for a moment. He quickly understood Mr. Kagiso's intentions.
Inspector Jaquan, hesitating for a moment, nodded reluctantly, understanding the implication of Mr. Kagiso's observation. "Yes, it's an open area."
Tapping his fingers on the table with an impassive expression, Mr. Kagiso inquired, "What did Mrs. Kagiso say about the incident?"
Drawing a sharp breath, Inspector Jaquan felt the weight of the question settle heavily on his shoulders. Swallowing the hard lump in his throat, he recognized that this was the very inquiry Mr. Kagiso had likely been harboring in his mind but had been hesitant to confront his wife about.
"Mrs. Kagiso said Batho and her visited the riverside as usual at one in the afternoon. She set down her bag and book on the bench while Batho couldn't wait and sprang to the riverside. Batho was holding his AD to note down all the creatures and characteristics, while Mrs. Kagiso read her book," explained Inspector Jaquan.
Mr. Kagiso closed his eyes, absorbing the details provided by the inspector. The scene painted in his mind was not hard to imagine, as he had witnessed it numerous times before. Despite living in the contemporary era, Mrs. Kagiso had a peculiar affinity for something seemingly archaic — books.
Inspector Jaquan took a deep breath, sensing the weight of the information he was about to share. "Mrs. Kagiso mentioned that she momentarily looked away from Batho to read her book. It was only a few seconds, but when she looked back, he was gone."
Mr. Kagiso's eyes narrowed, and a flicker of condescension passed over his face. "A few seconds? Inspector, you mean to tell me that in the span of a few seconds, my wife managed to lose our son in an open area?"
Jaquan, aware of the incredulity of the situation, sighed. "I understand it seems improbable, Mr. Kagiso, but that's what she reported. We've used our advanced technology to calculate the river current, Batho's weight, and various other factors. We've covered all possible locations, but there's no trace of him."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Mr. Kagiso's gaze bore into Inspector Jaquan, and a subtle air of superiority lingered. In the world of Slateville, where hybrids like Jaquan were considered superior to regular humans, this dynamic often played out in subtle nuances of conversation.
Mr. Kagiso leaned back in his chair, his gemstone ring catching the ambient light. "Inspector, this is unacceptable. You have all this advanced technology, yet you can't find a five-year-old in an open area? Perhaps you're not as capable as you believe."
Inspector Jaquan clenched his jaw, battling the urge to defend himself. The hierarchy between hybrids and humans was ingrained, and he, being a hybrid, had a certain standing. However, Mr. Kagiso's condescension stung. "We're doing everything we can, Mr. Kagiso. The situation is complex, and we're exploring every possibility."
"Complex or not, Inspector, finding a missing child should not be beyond your capabilities. I expect results, and I expect them soon," Mr. Kagiso asserted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jaquan nodded, swallowing his pride. "We're doing our best, sir. We'll update you as soon as we have any leads."
"Do not attempt your AI tricks on me," Mr. Kagiso narrowed his eyes, "with rehearsed answers to my questions."
The warning hung heavy in the air, ushering in a tense silence between the two men.
Inspector Jaquan's neck veins distended, a visible sign of the internal struggle he faced. Never before had he experienced such humiliation, not from any hybrids, certainly not from a human. Caught between following the order from his superior and leaving the mansion with the little dignity he had left, Inspector Jaquan locked eyes with Mr. Kagiso.
Inspector Jaquan's voice trembled as he spoke to Mr. Kagiso, his forced calm barely concealing the fear and unease that gnawed at him. Memories of studying in a small inn on the outskirts of Slateville flooded his mind, reminding him of a time when he was still full of hope and curiosity instead of dread.
"I promise you, Mr. Kagiso," Jaquan continued, swallowing hard, "we will begin our search as soon as this damn rain clears up."
But even as he spoke, his eyes were drawn to the sight of Mr. Kagiso stretching out his hand to reach for his glass of whiskey, causing a jolt of fear to shoot through Jaquan's body.
"Tell me," Mr. Kagiso's tone softened slightly, but the sharpness in his piercing gaze remained, "what are the chances that a child could disappear without a trace in broad daylight like this? In an open area under the blazing sun?" His words felt like razor blades slicing through Jaquan's skin.
Jaquan's mind raced as he struggled to come up with an answer that would satisfy Mr. Kagiso's years of experience as an inspector. But deep down, he knew there was no logical explanation for such an inexplicable disappearance. And the chill that ran through his heart only confirmed it.
The silence was heavy between them, like a thick fog that refused to dissipate. Inspector Jaquan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying not to meet Mr. Kagiso's intense gaze.
"Abduction?"
The word hung in the air, sending shivers down Jaquan's spine. He didn't know what was worse - the glint on Mr. Kagiso's whiskey glass or the chilling tone of his voice.
Jaquan had already suspected this when he received the call from his superior, but it was not something he could easily admit. If a child of a prominent figure drowned in the river while under someone else's care, there would be no one to blame except for the person responsible for watching over them. The case would be closed as soon as the body was found - an unfortunate accident, they would say.
But if Mr. Kagiso's fears were true, then Jaquan would face endless stress and scrutiny. Finding the missing child would only be the beginning - he would also have to find the abductors and face Mr. Kagiso. And worst of all, he would have to answer to his own superior.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Jaquan couldn't help but feel a flicker of disdain at the idea. This case was already becoming more complicated and dangerous by the minute. He knew he needed to tread carefully, or risk losing everything - including his job and possibly his own life.
Mr. Kagiso sat in his leather armchair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he contemplated the situation. Across from him, Inspector Jaquan fidgeted uncomfortably, his rumpled suit a stark contrast to the opulence of the mansion. Despite his initial eagerness for the detective's help, Mr. Kagiso now found his presence more hindering than helpful.
With a barely noticeable nod from Mr. Kagiso, Inspector Jaquan reluctantly left the opulent mansion, leaving behind the plush carpets and sparkling chandeliers for the harsh rain outside.
Mr. Kagiso took one last sip of his whiskey before placing the glass down on the polished mahogany table. His gaze drifted towards the large windows, where raindrops were pelting against the glass in a rhythmic beat. His eyes held a hint of contemplation as he considered what lay beyond those windows.
After a moment, he rose from his comfortable armchair and left his luxurious living room. Standing at the top of the ornate staircase, he paused to consider his options. He could go upstairs to check on his wife, who was surely distressed by the events of the evening, or he could descend to his secret lab in the basement.
With a heavy sigh, Mr. Kagiso chose the latter. As he descended the stairs, muffled screams and cries of agony from his basement reached his ears. Strangely enough, these familiar sounds brought him a sense of comfort.
The basement was his refuge, where he could escape from the pressures and expectations of his wealthy life above ground. It may not be an ideal place to seek solace, but for today at least, it was all he had as a reminder of his fate - bound to this mansion and its dark secrets in the basement below.
Mr. Kagiso stood in front of the imposing metal door that guarded his secret lab, a place he had spent countless years working on his twisted experiments.
Taking a deep breath, he felt a chilling numbness spread through him as he unlocked layer after layer of security measures to finally gain access.
He was greeted by the familiar smell of chemical solutions and the distant screams of tormented subjects, yet instead of feeling remorse or hesitation, Mr. Kagiso's icy demeanor remained unchanged.
After all this time, he had become a master at suppressing any shred of humanity that may have once existed within him. And as he stepped into the lab, surrounded by his life's work, he couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction and control over those who suffered under his hand...