Springtime was the perfect time to pay a visit to K Lake, an oasis of greenery and blue sky, reflected in the freshly melted lake, around which a number of lucky cottage homes were set. When Sao awoke from a traveler’s nap, he saw a small white boat streaking across the surface, cutting through voluminous mirrored clouds. Carme North’s house was located slightly further inland, part of a collection of houses with quaint stone facades guarded by ash trees and thin fences. Except for one dark structure, wrapped by a tall stone wall topped with spikes, the wall in turn covered in a thick cloak of ivy.

Nestled in the ivy and hanging off the eaves were multiple security cameras.

Rai parked directly under one of the cameras and got out to meet a patrol car. There appeared to be a scuffle going on at one of the houses. A uniformed patrolman seemed to be chasing a resident through her garden.

“The neighbor’s eccentric,” Sao heard an officer  say, “but she’s the one who saw the car come in.” He pointed them instead toward the leafy fortress. There was a single gated door at the front through which they could see some front steps, a driveway, and a charcoal grey sports car.

“Well, it matches Trae's description.” Rai said, tramping back after some further debriefing. “Apparently, she’s inside. Police rang the bell and Miss North answered, looked out the window as she spoke to them, but she wasn’t too happy to see anyone at her door. ‘We don’t need the police.’ The guys didn’t get past the gate. Didn’t get to look in the house, no idea how Cadoc’s doing. When asked about him, she just said ‘he’s not feeling well.”

“Did she seem distressed?”

“She told the police over intercom that she didn’t need any help, but she seemed to be in a rush. You can’t see much from out here. When Miss North drove in, the neighbor said she got out of the car to open the gate, but again, couldn’t see what happened once the car went inside.”

They stepped up to the gate in question. Sao heard a rumbling in the backyard, of an industrial air conditioner or lawnmower, but all he saw was a thicket of untamed growth. Rai tugged at the vines winding through the bars, revealing camera directly overhead. “Chimera security system, on a private property... If things get bad enough we can request footage from the provider, but I doubt they’ll make that allowance unless someone turns up mauled or dead. And then it will be too late. At the same time, if everything’s fine, we can’t just call a raid on the house.”

He laid the vine back in place and led Sao back to the other side of the street. “I’m tempted to let Miss North be. It’s a pretty long drive between here and Village Center. Maybe the Norths just stopped off somewhere overnight. But...”

“It would be better to make sure.”

“Right.” Rai thought a moment. “She doesn’t want cops. Someone might be in there with her. Cadoc’s status isn’t known… I think I know what to do.” Rust red eyes slid Sao’s way. “I’m going to need your help.”

“Sure. Do you need me to get in touch with HQ…?”

“No. I just need you to walk up to that buzzer and not be a police officer.”

Sao’s smile was hanging like a slab of dead meat.

“C’mon. There isn’t even any skin contact involved - you’re outside, she’s in there. Pretend to be an old friend, a partner or something. Give her an opportunity to sneak out an SOS. Try to throw in something about the contest - or the South - maybe that will give her the chance to hint at where Cadoc is...”

Sao stepped back from his looming task. “You’re presupposing that she’s being trapped in there by someone. If there’s nobody there, she’s going to just think I’m a lunatic. Why am I the one doing this?”

“Because you really aren’t a policeman. You’re better at turning around a bad impression. And… you said you already felt bad for her after reading a couple of internet comments. You’ll be a better hero. And stop scratching your face, it’s coming off.”

Sao dropped his hand to his side. “I thought there would be no skin needed in this operation.”

“There won’t be any skin contact.” Rai pointed at the gate, slid his pointed finger upward, at the camera. “Leave some of your face intact for appearances. Of course, if things look bad at any time, just excuse yourself and step away. We’re not trying to storm the house. Unless there’s a serious problem.”

“Right,” Sao said.

For whatever reason, the sudden lack of argument had Rai wary. “Remember, you’re not with the police, you’re just a concerned citizen. Or an admirer.”

“Got it.”

---

Sao pressed the bell on the panel nailed to the gatepost. It let him wait a while, to the threshing coming from the back of the house. He counted the stormy beats, when suddenly, they stopped.

There was a soft crackle then a woman’s voice answered. “Yes, who is this?” It might have been the fuzz of the intercom, but she sounded drained.

“Ma’am, sorry for the disturbance I know you’ve had a rough morning. I’m with the police.”

Rai was close to tearing his own face off after hearing this opening line. Sao suppressed a smile at his little joke, and after some consideration, settled on a quiet look of concern. “I’d just like to confirm, this is Miss Carme North?”

“Yes, that’s what I told the officers earlier.”

“Oh - sorry for the double intrusion. I’ll admit, I’m here a little out of self-interest. You see, my colleague and I were at the convention yesterday, and the word got out that you had disappeared from the dressing rooms. I didn’t see what happened, but people were quite worried, and I suppose I got caught up in it too... I’m sure you had your reasons, no need to get into that - I just had to know if you were really okay.”

Dead silence. Sao was about to shrug it off and head back to the car when the speaker crackled again.

“I’m fine.”

“That’s a great relief, Miss North. I hope you’ve managed to get some rest.”

“Excuse me?”

“After the event yesterday, you must be tired.”

“I wasn’t the one competing.”

“If there’s one thing I learnt up while researching the contest for the case, it’s that management definitely aren’t sitting on their hands all day.” He knew this was true, at least for Carme. “We’ve arrested Kep, by the way.”

Another long pause. “Sorry?” Miss North was as economic in speech as her brother.

“Some bad business during the match. Charges may be filed. And Nero… I shouldn’t talk about it out in the open. ” He shied away from the cameras. “Word has it that you spoke to Kep briefly; might have caught him in the midst of some plot. If possible, we’d like to speak to you. Of course, there’s also the issue of your brother, who’s still missing. No rush, we’re just glad you’re okay. I understand if you need some time to process, so I’ll leave you a card with a number and a few locations you may be able to-”

“Cadoc isn’t missing. I told the officers earlier. He’s in here.”

“Really? Oh no - please excuse - they didn’t tell me. Though I guess I didn’t ask...”

Silence.

“May we speak to him?”

“He isn’t well.”

“Isn’t well? Wait, of course...” Sao raked his hair and treated the camera and panel to the deepest of frowns. “There wouldn’t happen to have been an issue with the burgers yesterday, would there? Oh, no… it’s the same as the others.”

“What others?”

Sao gave silent blessing to the detectives in charge for not spilling on Kep's crime yet. “The issue with Kep. We had to wonder if Cadoc would be affected too… how is he doing? Was it bad? Did you find anything strange, was he feeling particularly off…?”

Silence. Then, “the glass.”

“Oh no. Then he took the hit. There was more than that - but - look, as his manager I think you should know the full story, but as I said, I’d rather not publicize it all in the middle of the street. We could talk about it indoors if you like, just us, if Cadoc’s situation is… delicate. But if you’re busy, or you’d prefer a professional, there will be some officers by later. They’ll want a statement, I expect, and to ensure Cadoc’s alright so they can close the file that was started because of his so-called ‘disappearance’.  Oh, and to share any information as the case with Kep progresses. Or some orders will be sent for you to visit a station...”

“So you’re coming back later?”

“I’d love to meet you in person! But unfortunately, I won’t be available. We’ve got to get back to the office. Still, it’s been nice speaking with you - at least for peace of mind.” He laughed. “Really, I’m glad you’re alright. I was worried for Cadoc too, but he’s been all over the news and I can’t help but feel like they forgot someone.”

“I… Thanks.”

“Well, Miss North, please take care of yourself.” He beamed in all directions, just in case there were cameras he wasn’t seeing, and swiveled off.

“Wait.” A long breath. “What’s your name?”

An unmistakable tug on the line he had cast. “You can call me Sao.” He dug around his his identification. “My colleague is an investigator, his name is Rai. He’ll be the one to request to close the case of your disappearing brother. Oh - he’s not as unfriendly as he looks.”

He could feel Rai’s flames flickering at his back.

“Okay. Just a moment.” Her voice faded on the final word.

Sao gave her the requested moment. It felt slightly longer. Beyond the ivy and iron bars, across the patch of lawn, he saw a curtain twitch in a window. For a second he was transfixed, as if he’d seen a ghost, and nearly jumped onto the road when the gate made a noise like a whipcrack.

“It’s open.”

Sao gave the bars a push. For such heavy frame and a thunderous locking mechanism, the hinges slid without a sound. “Thank you, Miss North. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”

The little enclave was a shade darker than it had been on the street, sunlight blocked out by the towering walls. The porch was a square of darkness. 

“He can come too.” The voice came from the door, and not the buzzer.

Sao turned to see Rai sandwiched between the gate and wall, one hand in with his ID. His glare was screaming a hundred possible messages at Sao at once; it seemed wisest not to start unpacking them. “There you go, Rai,” he said.

“Thanks. Let’s get this cleared up ASAP,” Rai with a vicious smile, perhaps his attempt to match the mood.

They came to the door, and opened it. Sao began to speak but the sight that came to greet them stopped him in his tracks. The strange blankness that had enveloped him since the day before, starting when he closed his eyes at the bus stop, lifted with such force that he wondered if he’d been dreaming the whole time.

---

“Well! This is a surprise,” Sao blabbed.

They found themselves in a near-vacant room, monotone and unlit, with wood blackened by shadow stark against windows that seemed pure neon white. Cadoc North stood before them, in a large grey sweater and track pants, drab green eyes blinking as if blinded. He hunched beside the doorway to inspect his visitors, nut-brown flyaways rolling down his neck and shoulders. Conventional in every way, as was his brand, but somehow, Cadoc at rest had a more endearing form of plainness. There was a bit of disorder, and a mist of vulnerability about him, qualities Sao appreciated all the more when he could see it from the comfort of the person’s own home, knowing they hadn’t been concussed and kidnapped.

“It’s a - I can’t say it’s any less than an honor to meet you.”

“Thanks,” said Cadoc in a woman's voice.

Words froze in Sao’s throat. Rai did not move any closer, but leaned his neck as far as he could, eyes wide like he was scoping out a poisonous spider.

“Sorry there aren’t any seats out here. We don’t usually have guests.”

Looking closely -- no, Sao concluded, looking closely did not help. There was no way he could have known. On the grainy camera footage, in her raised heels, with her hair pulled back and eyes rimmed in black liner, she had looked like a completely different person. Plain in her own way, the quintessential workingwoman manager. But here, in what he assumed was her natural state, Carme North was in every way a dead ringer for her brother. 

“And please keep it down. Cadoc’s in the back room. Still recovering from...” A frown crossed her face, but released when she turned to face Sao.

“Of course we will. Just let us know at any time if we’re being too loud.”

“Do you think we’ll be able to talk to him?” Rai asked, drawing back.

Carme’s stiff mouth did nothing but confirm an absolute no. But she only said, “maybe later. If he feels better.”

Sao nodded. “Understood, Miss North. Carme, if I may call you that?” She wrung her sleeves, but did not object. Her resemblance to Cadoc was only made more eerie by a rising blush. “What we’re about to discuss may shed some light on his health, but if he’s doing okay, all the better.” Sao took position beside a cold stone fireplace, behind Rai. “It came to police attention that Kep Albert sabotaged the food at the semifinal match. Both Nero and Basil’s stomach contents revealed bits of glass as well as a chemical compound used in rat poison.”

“Kep admitted to it this morning. Basil is in hospital,” Rai said, studying the uncarpeted floorboards. “Nero is under observation.”

“The scandal isn’t public yet, but understandably, the police are worried about Cadoc.”

“Oh.” Carme wrapped her arms around herself. “That explains the glass.”

“There was also the fact that he seemed to disappear before the closing ceremony, and wasn’t answering any calls.” Rai and Carme seemed to be focusing on the same patch of floor now.

Carme was silent, and it was the sort of engorged silence that was just waiting to break, compelling you to hold your breath too, until it did. Cadoc had this quality too, Sao thought. It was why his ironic delivery worked, no matter how dry the actual words.

“About that,” Carme said. “We did leave early. He felt sick. That was unusual, for him. I guess that’s why. The glass in the food - and I didn’t know about the poison but -- that’s terrible. I was tending to him all the way, he was vomiting blood before he got out. I took him through the front hall. With all the reporters in the back - it wouldn’t have looked good.” She was still as stone. “So Mr. Albert would go to such lows. I knew something was wrong with that man.”

“You had a disagreement with him?” Sao said as gently as he could.

“I didn’t want to talk to him. I just found him in the room, trying to - I don’t know, heckling Cadoc. Cadoc didn’t give me the specifics. I told Kep to get out.” A steel sheen came over her eyes. “Why, did he claim there was an argument?”

“He claimed to have discussed a bribe of sorts. Said also that Cadoc didn’t take it.”

“Of course Cadoc wouldn’t bother with anything like that. He doesn’t need help.”

“Not when he has yours,” Sao said. “The staff and contestants were all in agreement that the real reason Cadoc walks the streets unscathed is you.”

Her face went red again. Rai gave her a bit of a breather with his coarse diversion. “So, did you take him to a hospital at all?”

Another pause, which Sao now believed was more for aesthetic than thought. “No,” Carme said. “He wanted to go home. He doesn’t like hospitals… but he got worse along the way. We weren’t home because we stopped at a motel. Maybe thirty minutes away from here, and stayed the night. No reception, I found out in the morning - I suppose it looked like we disappeared.” She gathered her wits, and looked at Sao again. “I have the receipts, if you need them.”

“I’m sure the police would like that. But I believe you.” He smiled. “It may be useful for Cadoc to get checked out by a doctor. I know he doesn’t want to go to a hospital...”

“In case he wants to press charges.” Rai was looking for anything else to inspect in the bare room. “Or if you do. The proof’s gotta be on paper. And, you know, might be good to have his stomach pumped.”

“Maybe, if he isn’t better tomorrow.” Another lull. “Stomach pump - I already took care of that. I have… some experience. Some equipment, and practice.”

Sao could tell Rai was surprised too. “A nurse?”

“Sort of. I worked in hospice care technology.” A faint frown lined her brow. “The company went under... five or six years ago - probably better off. We were supposed to be improving the elderly homes, modernizing the hospitals, that sort of work, but all we really did was get bludgeoned by suits. As a managing partner, in the end, a lot of the disused machines fell to me. They were in perfectly good condition, up to standard, functional, just… unwanted. Like the people, the company itself. No matter how well you’re doing, there’s always someone above you, to knock you over....” Carme cleared her throat. “I couldn’t just throw them away. It would have been a waste. I knew they’d work in emergencies...”

“And then, you started working with your brother.”

Carme frowned deeper, and for the first time, glanced toward the back of the house. “Yes. It was actually surprising how useful those machines are for such a… skewed purpose. But it’s not like they were being used by anybody else.”

“Were you two always close?” Sao prodded.

“No. It’s a long story.” A warning - Carme seemed disappointed that her visitors did not pick up on it. “It’s awkward. We’re twins, you see…”

“Oh,” Sao and Rai said at once.

“Yes. But we’ve always been different. Our parents were strict - the differences stood out. I was always… well, plain. I did okay. In school, in their eyes. Cadoc could be a bit more wild. Not outrageous, he was just a kid - but he had it bad sometimes. And in a small town, where everyone knows each other but doesn’t want to help each other, and nobody’s telling the truth, and--” She stopped; a machine resetting. “I can’t blame him. He ran away as a kid.”

“When was this?” Rai asked.

“I don’t remember. We were pretty young. It was maybe around this time of year - I remember the snow had just melted - he just snuck off and disappeared one night. I… I was in bed, and I heard the door slam, late at night. But I had school in the morning, I knew I had to be in bed and I didn’t want to bother our parents, so...” She clasped her hands, fingers hidden in the large grey sleeves. “They acted as if nothing had happened. People just said he ran away and never questioned it.”

“That’s awful,” Sao said. “It couldn’t have been easy for anyone, but to cover tracks like that - I can’t imagine the strain you must have felt.”

Rai lobbed in his own attempt at comfort. “Well, you found him.”

“Yes, I did. Actually, it was around the time I lost my job with the company...”

“Good timing,” Sao said.

Rai had more practical matters on the mind. “How did it happen? Social media?”

Carme’s brow wrinkled as if the words were a bad smell. “No. Never liked that kind of thing. Even now. People can be so...”

Several scathing video comments sprang immediately to mind. “People can get carried away when they think they’re safely behind a screen,” Sao said. “Presumably Cadoc had a more pleasant approach. So, how did he turn up? ”

“He just did.” She shrugged. “I saw ran into him at a restaurant. One of the pizza places in Central. It was a shock, but there was no mistaking him. We talked and talked. He was out of a job too, I don’t know what he did - but he said he didn't want to go back to his old work, whatever it was. He never returned to school after he ran away, but he was surviving, he was doing alright. He hadn’t started competitive eating yet, but was thinking of entering a local contest. He said the trouble was handling the paperwork, and getting the entry fee together - I said I’d help him out, just for laughs. It wasn’t much money. And...” 

They waited.

“He did well.” She shrugged and dropped her gaze to the floor, as if she needed relief from the weight.

“You both have.” Sao smiled. “And we’re glad to see you alright after yesterday’s scare.”

Even though she wasn’t looking at him, pink flushed her cheeks yet again. “I should check on Cadoc.” She then turned on a heel and dashed into the depths of the house. “Just a minute.”

Rai glanced at Sao. “Nice girl.” And he proceeded to check the time on his phone, nudging his thumb free of his glove. 

“Yes. You’ve got somewhere to be?”

“Not unless you’d rather be alone.”

Sao only smiled and dusted the chipped fireplace mantel. “I’m not that comfortable.”

“This place is kinda spooky, huh? And the twi-”

A voice from the back room. “Sao… Investigator… If you’d come over to the dining room, so Cadoc can see you?”

Startled, Rai nearly dropped his phone. “Said the spider to the flies.” Sao laughed. “Spooky indeed.”

They turned the corner to wide dining room, also unlit, making do with cold sunlight filtered through the windows of other rooms. There was a long table, devoid of any settings or decoration, and only three chairs. Beyond the table was a door fitted with glass panels. The sole source of light in the house, and a rich, creamy glow at that, it was like a portal to another dimension.

“Cadoc, the detectives…”

In the lighted room, which seemed to be something between a lab and a lounge, most of the space was occupied by large shapes covered in plastic, some tall as the ceiling. The covers were printed with a logo that resembled two overlaid hands, suggesting one person resting their hand over another’s in comfort, Sao thought, but the alignment and angular art of the hands were a bit too rigid for such a story to stick. There was a bookshelf, also made of plastic, and a desk. Like an inverse of the entranceway, the room was bright but its windows were dark - Sao realized they were gazing directly out at the sheer walls that surrounded the house. Not much of a view, but perhaps the resident didn’t want to be seen in here. 

At the center of the room was a reclining armchair, facing away from the door, attached to a machine that resembled a glass bottle on a metal scaffold. Carme stood over it, hair pulled back, with plastic gloves on. She moved to adjust something, some thin piping, and as she did a dusting of brown hair fidgeted over the back of the velvet backrest.

“He’s, um, on a catheter - you don’t have to come in if you don’t want… but he’s alright. You can come closer...”

Sao stopped at the doorway, behind the glass. He was not sure if he even wanted to see, even if he was allowed. The smell of blood and half-digested food under the haze of antiseptic was telling him enough. It wasn’t much fun seeing misery in action. He had trouble enjoying even the fictional mishaps that comprised Rai’s favorite slasher flicks. Any other view was preferable, real or fake. It would have been preferable to think of Cadoc as the distant figure on the stage, or even the plain, self-contained figure in magazines, and not creature here who could not even stand to meet them.

“Cadoc, the police are here to see you.”

At this, Cadoc moved, setting a frail hand against the stiff armrest. He turned. Sao met the green eyes of a face just like Carme’s, tilted up, like a child peering over a fence. Then Cadoc turned back, and mumbled, “No.”

Carme shuffled forward, arms outstretched.

“No,” Cadoc said again, louder.

Rai had already backed away as Sao retreated back into the shadows of the dining room. There was a short muttering between the twins, so sparse the exchange might have been telepathic, and then Cadoc settled back in his seat and Carme moved to the door, removing her gloves.

“Is he really okay?” Rai asked.

“Kind of hoarse. I know, I should get him to a hospital. If he isn’t better by tomorrow morning, I’ll make him go.” She looked at her hands, blue in the windowless dining room. “I’m sorry, he’s not up for an interview right now. But he’s doing okay. He wants to put out a video tonight so people don’t worry. Apparently, the fans are panicking, they’ve organized some kind of riot...”

“A rally.”

“Yes, that was it.” She shook her head. “I don’t read the forums, I can’t keep up with them. I’m grateful, because fans mean we’re doing well - and Cadoc appreciates them - but it’s difficult, being watched. We’ve always been private. Hard to say it, but I might have gotten it from our parents... Cadoc’s better, because he was away on his own so long, but he still prefers to stay in. Out of trouble. Sometimes I wonder about the things he’s seen...”

“Nothing wrong with enjoying your privacy,” Rai said. Sao stared. Rai could be awfully understanding once in a while.

Carme lowered her voice, closing the door. “And about Kep… I hope he pays for his ridiculous prank, I’m not sure what he was hoping to achieve, he could have killed someone... but it’s likely Cadoc won’t press charges. He’s not that kind of person. To be honest, I don’t like the idea of being tied up in court either, since the finals are coming...”

“It’s your choice”, Sao said. “And how could I forget? Congratulations for making it so far - to the both of you. If anything, meeting you today has proven your achievement.”

Carme might have gone red again, he was hard to tell in the darkness.

They headed back to the foyer, when Sao spotted a glinting object, tucked into a corner, blended with shadows. The square shine was reflecting the waning cream-colored light from the opposite end of the room. Sao shuffled close and saw it was a picture frame. It was settled beside several other mismatched frames on a shallow shelf, which was made of a wood only slightly off in color from the wall.

Rai had spotted it too. Aside from the lab-lounge, this was apparently the only custom furnishing that had any sort of personal pretense. He lifted the cuff of his glove, shedding a thin blue light over the frames. “Kids’ photos. Are these you and Cadoc?”

“Interesting bracelet,” Carme said. “And yes. I asked my parents for some of them a while ago. When Cadoc… came back.” Hands were withdrawn in sleeves again. “They don’t know about Cadoc, by the way. They aren’t into competitive eating. And I’m...” The sleeves twisted, strained like a straitjacket. “I’m glad they don’t know.”

Sao glanced over the photos. 

Two children, with identical faces. Preschoolers in uniform. Children of seven or eight, holding bikes. Eating fruits from a bag, in the grass, by a cascade of flowers over a garden wall. 

They were smiling in most of the pictures, or at least one of them was. It was hard to tell who that one might be in any given photo - in hair, behavior and clothing they were very much the same - but he wanted to believe at least some of the time it was Carme. The two children might have been as plain as their grown counterparts, but a genuine smile could make anyone seem remarkable. In one of the photos - still radiant with children’s smiles - they were seated on some front steps, pent in by two vibrant hedges, and within those walls, pent in again by two stone-faced adults.

“Sao. Investigator,” Carme said softly. “I really will make him go to hospital if he isn’t better. I know by then it might be bad news. But please, even if I mess this up - can you keep this from our parents? I don’t want them coming down here. Especially if Cadoc...” She stopped. Another period to reset herself. “He will be fine. But he’ll be fine a lot faster if he isn’t worrying about them. You know, he hasn’t talked about them since our reunion… but I can tell. He’s my brother...” 

Sao watched the edges of her silhouette. In the safety of the dark, she was entirely her own, there was nothing to see or compare. Rolling her words over in his head, absorbing all she’d said of home and work and troubles and care, Sao had to consider if it was Carme who should have been the benchmark comparison all along.

“As long as Cadoc’s okay, there won’t be any reason for any kind of panic,” Rai said, as much as a hero as he could manage.

Carme’s silhouette bobbed, maybe shuddering, maybe nodding. 

Sao fired one last smile in her direction. “You’re a good manager, Carme. And an excellent sister. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.”

The shadow bobbed again, and again, it could have meant anything. “Thank you.”

---

“Another day, another lady’s number, huh?”

“Please, that’s insensitive.” Sao slouched into the car seat, which seemed to slouch with him. “I’m not some sort of collector. I ask to get out of shaking hands.”

“Yeah?” Rai shifted lanes and overtook as many cars as he could. They were nearing the bridge to the artsy Southern district where the office was, streets that Rai could navigate in his sleep, if sleep were ever in his schedule. Sao had to wonder if he’d drive with more patience if he did get some shuteye. “And it’s a good thing, for you to have gotten her contact information willingly. In case she has a change of heart...”

“Hm?”

“And decides to talk some more. The parents sounded mildly abusive...”

“People separate for all kinds of reasons.”

“And on a business level, if she or her brother know a little more about the scandals going on in the food world.”

“That. Don’t remind me. The poisoning and the Life Fountain issues coming to light at the same time are a major blow to the whole community.” Sao slid lower, thought he heard the metal seat rack snap, and shot up. “She said Cadoc was unlikely to press charges.”

“But she might, if his condition worsens. She seems, let’s say, a little more edgy than he is.” Rai made a sharp turn. “That’s not a bad thing. Probably what keeps her brother afloat in his choice of work. Sounds like she used to work corporate, so maybe this job’s easy for her. Aside from the poison...”

“I’m sure he’ll be alright. If she can’t handle it, the hospital will.”

“He might have the give the finals a pass if things get bad. Basil is still in the ICU.”

“Sure. But he’s alive.” Sao was practically a puddle in his chair. “Thanks to Trae’s hard work.”

Rai rolled out a weary sigh.

It was getting dark by the time Rai pulled up to the office. He left the car on the curb under the imitation gas streetlamps, and they started for the stairs, and the office. When Sao slumped into his (much more secure) swivel chair, it occurred to him that he had not started any of his official assignments.

Rai got right back to work, slotting into his desk the minute his coat was off, and proceed to wreak havoc on the keyboard and noise level. There were a mere two hours left of the work day and Sao tried also to pick up his job of transcribing the paper scans of a 50-year old drug case. The looping cursive of the detective who had written the notes stilled his nerves, and made his eyelids heavy.

Scrolling over those letters was like a trip over sloping hills. Sao’s choice of Cadoc’s videos for background noise was also quite soothing, yet just galling enough to keep a listener awake.

“So...” Cadoc said, at his usual self-made pace, “that’s how you get the most in your mouth at once, if you keep chewing... This is for bread-based food. If you’re interested in any others, please let me know. There are lots of other methods. And the amount will be different per person.”

Paper shuffled. Cadoc folded his hands, professorial.

“Remember to practice safely. Before the next question, this video was supported by...”

“You’re still watching those?” Rai asked from behind his wall of monitors.

“Yes. I’ve just been letting them run. I’ll admit it feels strangely morbid to be watching these videos after seeing him, though.”

“It’s not like he’s dead.”

“I mean, it’s jarring to watch after seeing him in person, in both a good and bad state  - I suppose we didn’t see too much of him either way.” Sao stretched. “It’d probably the same if I were to watch to go and watch Nero and Kep’s old interviews. They’ve all changed so much in just one day, the whole eating world’s been flipped. Watching their past selves in action is like seeing a walking ghost. A doppelganger. Same face, different person.” He thought of the twins. “At least Cadoc’s the one who made finals. At least he qualified legitimately.”

“So it seems. If he’s not in his best condition, he probably shouldn’t go. They’re big eaters down South, I knew that before looking into any of this eating stuff.” Rai sniffed. “Must be all the dinosaurs they have. Southerners say they don’t eat ‘em but...”

“I think Cadoc will be fine, even if he misses the finals.” Sao paused, started at the face on the screen, with it’s carefully smoothed placidity. “Just a feeling. Even after seeing him in that… treatment room, I can’t imagine him throwing a fit for anything. And he has Carme looking out for him, she’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

“Just having a head doesn’t get you sponsors. It’s his skill in the sport that’s top priority, and compared to the others he has this way of-” Rai stopped himself as Sao smiled, reminded of the expo fanatic talk, and Rai’s initial distaste. Evidently Rai remembered too, and veered away. “Whatever. You’re probably right. They’ll work it out. At least they aren’t missing persons anymore.”

“Right,” Sao laughed. “Perhaps it’s time to break that news to the world, though. There are conspiracy videos cropping up all over the Cadoc fansites.” Some of them had an unnerving number of views and some gory thumbnail images that kept Sao at bay.

“Morning news will probably cover it.” Rai looked out the window. “It’s getting late. You have a lot to do?”

Sao stared guiltily at his half-finished (if he was being generous) assignment. “Not much.”

“You look kind of tired.” Rai frowned, as if he were expected to explain himself. But Sao’s phone began to ring, and Rai waved him off. It was a private number. Sao picked up.

“Hello, Sao speaking.”

“Hi,” was the reply. Then a long pause. 

Sao sighed, a finger over the End Call button. Announcing his name tended to sort out wrong numbers very quickly. And he expected a bit more urgency from telemarketers. He had to feel bad for them, it was backbreaking work, but sometimes one just didn’t have the energy or time for a round of verbal tennis. He rubbed his eyes. Maybe he was getting a bit tired.

“Is...” Another pause. “Is this the detective from before?”

“This is a police affiliate office. Who’s calling?”

“Uh.” A pause, but not too long this time. “This is Cadoc North.”

“Mr. North?” Sao nearly fell out of his chair. “Is there something we can do for you? Good to hear you’re feeling better, er, hope that’s one of the reasons you’re calling.”

“Yes. I’m okay, thank you. I was okay when you visited earlier but I… I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re no longer a subject of investigation and to be frank, I can’t say you did anything wrong during our little visit.”

“I didn’t look very good. All the tubes and the smell...”

The mountains of dead air Cadoc dropped into a conversation begged to be filled in. “Think nothing of it. You do what you need to get better. After the tainting of the food yesterday, we’re just glad you’re alright. Both you and your sister are home and fine and that’s what matters.”

“My sister,” Cadoc said. “She…” Sao was on the edge of his seat. There was some rattling, and murmuring, and he thought he heard a cough. “Um. She said you were very sweet.”

Cadoc was a wonder. His tone was entirely level except for that split second of coughing, every word practiced to death. It was impossible to tell if he was joking.

“I’ve heard worse.” Sao settled back in his chair. “I joke. Tell her the same. And give her my regards.”

“Oh. I will.” 

His voice implied nothing, but Sao imagined a brotherly sneer, teasing at his sister across the room. None of the rooms in the North house were particularly sitcom-ready but that didn’t stop the imagination. He was smiling at the phone, and Rai was staring at him as if he were insane.

“It’s getting late. You must be busy, with the… police work.” 

“Just wrapping things up, it’s no bother.”

“I only wanted to thank you and the investigator who came.” Cadoc paused, and Sao took the moment to smile at Rai who was bug-eyed with curiosity. “We got some more news from the expo staff - I don’t check the mail enough.” A pause of penitence. “It’s too bad about Nero. And Kep... I don’t want to go after him. It’s better if I don’t get involved. I have to prepare for the finals. And there’s that other trouble with the fans and the disappearance.” Another pause. He was remarkably silent, as if holding his breath. “I’ll put out a video tomorrow. It should calm everyone down.”

“If you feel up to it. I’m sure seeing your face will put them at ease.”

“Yes.”

“And if you still feel unwell, please do go to the hospital. I know it’s not a pleasant place, but I and many others would be grateful. We can’t wait to see you in the finals. I know you’ll do us proud.”

“Yes. I hope so. It’s been a journey.”

“I’ll bet it has. Central is glad to have you. Both of you.”

The line was empty once again, though Cadoc hadn’t hung up yet. Sao thought he heard more of the background shuffling and murmuring.

“Cadoc,” Sao said, “I know you’re a private person, as is your sister. And after today, I won’t have much more authority than your typical fan. But if you ever need anything, even if it’s just someone to listen, my door - or rather my number - is always open.”

Another long pause. A that background murmur rising in Cadoc’s silence. Perhaps it was one of the machines. No, it wasn’t quite so monotone - no more than Cadoc’s voice, anyhow.

“She was right,” Cadoc said. “You are pretty sweet. Good night, Sao.”

Totally toneless. Then the line really did go dead.

Sao put down the phone. “I am ever more convinced that Cadoc is secretly a master of dry wit.”

“What did he say?” Rai vaulted his desk with anticipation.

“Some flattering things. Read like out like an obituary. He and his sister, you have to wonder...”

“Did he have anything a little more substantial?”

“He called to say he’s fine. He actually sounded quite clear, I assume there was no damage done to his throat, he didn’t seem to be straining. He also told me he’s ready to put a video out tomorrow to let everyone know he’s alright, hopefully alongside the official police news it’ll put a stop to the nervous fans and these terrible killer conspiracy videos.”

“Wait up - killer conspiracies? You have any of them on hand?”

“I’m sure you’ll find them with a quick search.” Sao shook his head and closed all his open videos and recommendations. BLOOD SOAKED CORPSE SMUGGLED OUT OF EXPO? had reached half a million views within its first hours of life and he wanted no part of it. “But the important thing is, both Carme and Cadoc are safe.”

“I heard you trying to convince him that.” Rai looked out the window. The street had become dark and the lamps were lit, the electric brilliance from their little glass boxes casting the street in gold. The air was still. A warm glow and early sunset made it feel like winter was making a reprisal. Rai secured the window locks. “I guess for now, it’s case closed.”

A rare phrase to come out of their days. Sao felt his shoulders ease, his mind unwind, and his appetite slowly return.

“Yes,” Sao said, “case closed.”