The door was already open a crack, and fell wide open when Cobalt touched it. 

“I was wondering when I should be expecting you! Gentlemen, come in, don’t be shy.”

Kep had an elbow resting on the vanity table with his fingers playing at an open magazine, as if he were prepared for a photoshoot. He had changed into a loose grass-green tracksuit, his tan suit likely packed into one of the two zipped gym bags sitting on his shelf. Perched on top of the shelf were two boxes of generic antacid, which must have been doing their job. Kep was hale and energetic. His room still smelled irrevocably of meat.

Rai introduced himself, and Kep stood to shake hands. Rai had again adorned his thick gloves. “Detective,” Kep said. “Good to meet you. And this is…?”

Sao held back. Dutifully, Rai explained, “He’s my assistant. No handshakes today, he has a... condition.”

“Well, I hope you get better soon. So, how can I be of help for you today, detectives? Must be serious if the cavalry themselves are here.”

“We happened to be present when an incident occurred at the Expo. And no need to be so formal. I’m only a Level 3 investigator,” Rai admitted. “Not a full detective.”

“That’s more of a detective than I’ll ever be. Just let me know what you need.” Kep began rolling up to sleeve, revealing his pin test bandage. “Shall I?”

“You’ve been listening in.”

“The door was open for some ventilation. Seemed like it would be even more suspicious to slam it all of a sudden, when you were talking to Nero and Zippy out there.” He unrolled the bandage and held his arm out to display the small red mark. “I won’t butt in on poor Nero’s case - I think you have a handle on that. Just thought it would be good to get our talk off on the right foot.”

“Appreciate it.”  Rai took a seat on the bench. “We’re actually looking into the events that have been happening in the staff hall during the last few hours. Have you been here since the end of the match?”

“Pretty much, here or the WC two doors down. Post-match stomach - I was probably in there, oh, 50% of the time. Don’t walk out! I think the worst is over.” Kep laughed, an unexpectedly forced and hollow barking. Perhaps the stomach pains weren’t quite eradicated. “We’re supposed to hang around until the press conferences, and the closing ceremony. Just a big thank-you and reading off sponsor names. I’d rather be at home, but,” he sighed, another harsh wheeze. “It’s the job.”

“Right.” Rai inspected the contents of the shelf. “Do you have any staff with you today?”

“Like assistants or managers? Nope, it’s just me.” He flattened a magazine page. “I’ve been at this game for a long time, and I’m not exactly fielding high-end sponsors. I can handle my own accounts, and save some cash in the process.”

“So nobody was with you at the time.”

“Is that how it is?” Kep’s brow arched magnificently, like an absurdist painting. “I guess not specifically. But the door’s been open with Zip and the suits charging up and down the hallway, they’d notice if I was loitering out there. And even though I’m no star,” that line came out somewhat less saccharine, “if I were to walk out into the main hall, I think someone would notice. And forget about leaving by the back door.”

“The back door?”

“At the other end of the hallway…? Zipper, some host you are!” Kep slapped his forehead. “I’ve known the guy a long time, he’s commented several of my matches, good person, but man, he can be a scatterbrain. Okay, listen, the back door leads out toward the parking lot. That’s where all the reporters are waiting. If I were trying to sneak out, I’d rather risk the main hall.”

Rai made a face.

“Oh? A revelation?”

“Not exactly.” Rai settled into his laser gaze, and locked onto Kep. “While you were sitting here, or on your trips to the bathroom, did you notice anyone unfamiliar enter the staff hall? Or anyone wearing a grey hooded sweater?”

“I can’t be expected to know all the judges and aides and cleaners and such. And grey doesn’t exactly make a memorable outfit.”

“Right, don’t worry about it. Did you happen to see Cadoc or his manager?”

“Did I, did I… not since we came in after the match. Cadoc appreciates his privacy, and to tell you the truth, none of us were feeling too talkative after such a massive meal. It’s always like that...”

“How about before the match?”

“He was at the pin test, for sure. He gave a few words for the reporters. That was just ten minutes before the start...” The magazine slapped shut. “Is Cadoc is some kind of trouble?”

“Is he the kind of guy to get into trouble?”

A blubbery chuckle. “Are you kidding me?”

“And are you kidding me, that you heard Nero talking about his pin test, yet you didn’t hear what happened to Cadoc?”

“I can’t hear that much with the vents out there blowing out veritable hurricanes. Nero, I saw him without his bandage, and I just knew.” Rai’s glare did not relent, and the merest hint of apology crept into Kep’s voice. “Okay, I did hear you two looking through Cadoc’s room. He’s missing, is that it? And you think someone came into this hallway got to him. What did Nero say?”

“To question you.”

“Me?” 

Sao bit his lip. Kep was artful: it was tough to tell if his dread was real or manufactured.

“What were you discussing with Cadoc’s manager before the match started?”

“Discussing? Is that what Nero called it?”

“Evidently you know what I’m talking about.”

“Well, it wasn’t a friendly chat, but nobody in their right mind would think it was a reason for me to kidnap or otherwise interfere with Cadoc North. I mean, the match is over, I’m right here, and I don’t have any staff - just ask the techs, I came in alone, as I always have for the last two years, and-”

“That’s not what I asked.” There was a slight flash at Rai’s exposed wrists. “What did you and Miss North discuss before the match?”

The surprise that graced Kep’s face at this was genuine. “Is that a watch?”

“Mr. Albert!”

Kep leaned back in his seat, turning the words over in his head. Sao felt himself riveted - he was not sure if he liked Kep, but there was something disastrously appealing about him and the way he spoke and carried himself. Unlike Nero, who had given up at the last minute, Kep was determined to control his descent. Though once again, Sao was not sure where Rai hoped he’d land.

“Can you keep this quiet, detective?”

Rai nodded, possibly without thinking. Sao watched him, but did not interrupt.

Settling on a course, Kep nodded once and sighed deeply, arms falling to the sides of the chair. “It started as a chat with Cadoc, not Miss North. You could call it a spot of bribery.”

Without Kep to press it shut, the magazine fluttered with the wind of the vents, a theatrical blur of shining faces and car ads.

Before Rai could retort, Kep continued, “And yes, I was the one attempting to bribe him. But that’s all it was. He didn’t take the offer and I didn’t intend to force him. It was more a litmus test of character than anything, I had never gotten the chance to talk to him before, with that dragon of a manager he has.” Kep shuddered. “She’s his sister. Sisters of laid-back men can be deceptively brutal.”

“What were the specifics of this bribe?” Rai asked.

“Oh.” Kep rolled his eyes toward the door, with a crease of fear on his brow. “This is where it gets difficult. I don’t want to drag anyone into this, and it’s always just me spitballing on deals I couldn’t come through with, even if he had agreed...”

Miraculously, Rai was still seated, nodding along to the meandering thoughts of Kep as he laid out everything but the details of his bribe and argument. Sao felt his own brain growing legs and wandering off, though he was not compelled to nod. Rai mentioned that Kep reminded him of some wrestling archetype - but was incessant rambling a wrestling tactic? Sao wasn’t sure - but he didn’t know much about wrestling.

“Mr. Albert, it sounds like this supposed bribery implicates more than just Cadoc and his sister. Forget the names for a moment.” Sao studied his face. “Have you attempted bribes more than once? And has this anything to do with the supposed ‘curses’ that afflict your fellow competitors when-”

“Stop right there.” Kep’s eyes went wide and he regarded Sao with some intensity that Sao took a while to recognize as disgust. “What in the world? What do you think I am, a magician? I can only wish.”

“Magicians aren’t allowed to compete,” Sao explained for Rai.

Unperturbed, Rai just reset himself against the armrest. “Alright, so if it wasn’t magic…”

“What I did,” Kep said slowly, fixing his tracksuit collar, “was offer to have the scales tweaked in exchange for a small payout from his resulting clean win. You see, having been on the circuit so long, I couldn’t help but get familiar with the regulars. Not the judges, but the techs. The guys who carry the trays, check the weights, clean up, give first aid, and so on. Despite the competitive eating world making a comeback, as the media likes to say, the techs have no particular qualifications and are often underpaid. The scales are old, clumsy things. If I made a decent offer, gave a rousing speech about the underdogs banding together, it wouldn’t be hard for one of them to slap on a magnet or unscrew the tops and give the springs a twist.”

“Really,” Rai said. “That easy?”

“So they say.” Kep’s smile flickered. “But please, if you need to slap the cuffs on anyone, just take me. The technicians and cleaners are worked to the bone for so little. To be honest, I think their heart’s into the game more than mine, at this point.”

The word honest slid across the room like a snake. Sao frowned, his mask creasing further as Rai held his palms out as if he were the one under arrest. “I’m not authorized to take you in. Besides, you said Cadoc wasn’t interested.”

Kep filed through his memory, and broke into a laugh. “Yes, all I got really was a gauge of character. I think Cadoc knew I had no power over him. He just lazed on his bench, staring me down, going ‘hm’ and ‘huh’ as I wove this big yarn about him breaking the world record or some such - but he knew he didn’t need the help.” Kep rolled his eyes. “If only dear sister had that kind of fortitude. But no, back from the bathroom and she was ready to tear my throat out. I worried she’d report it, but I don’t think she caught my words - she was just pissed that I was there at all. Cadoc, bless his heart, I imagine he didn’t bother to tell her.”

“How exactly did the conversation with Miss North go down?”

“You want all the traumatic detail?” Kep stood. “Cadoc was on the bench like you were, practically asleep. When I walked in-” Kep stood to attention in front of Rai. “And I started my pitch. It was about three minute. I could tell he wasn’t taking it seriously, so I was just making  small talk by then end - then Miss North arrived. I didn’t hear her come in, I have a habit of leaving doors ajar. First thing she said was ‘get out,’” Kep swiveled to face Sao, who was at the doorway, substituting Miss North. “‘Get out before I call the judges, I’m sure they’ll be glad to finally be rid of your nonsense’-”

“Did either of you get physical?” Rai asked from the bench.

“Definitely not.” Kep backed away from where Sao stood. “Miss North was very restrained. She could have mauled me, though, before the matches I’m always starved half to death - old training methods.”

“She didn’t ask about your conversation with Cadoc at all,” Sao asked.

“No.” Kep scampered back to his seat. “She was just upset I was there at all. I mean, fair enough. I wasn’t there out of pure intention. I already have a pretty rotten reputation.” He went back to flipping through his magazine. “Eight years of my life, and nothing but runner-up medals and booing to show for it. Some sponsors like my ‘character’, but I can’t believe Nero of all people fell for it. He always looks so deep in thought; another guy who would never fall for cheap tricks. A little intimidating, too. ” Kep laughed. “Now I know why.”

“He heard your argument with Miss North,” Rai said, picking at his gloves. “And regardless of what he concealed about himself, he was concerned about what happened to Cadoc.”

“Guess so. I might be done for, too, eh? But I hope North and his sister are alright.” Kep tilted his head, with a faraway look into the mirror. Somehow, his reflection seemed more honest than his face in direct view. “I mean it. Cadoc’s a good guy. I’d never been rejected harder, but more gracefully than by him. Really made me consider finally giving up the gloves - or should I say, oversized shirts and antacids - once and for all.”

He vented a deep sigh from the pit of his stomach, but abruptly clapped his arms to his stomach halfway through. “God. I’m getting too old for this.”

“Are you alright?” Sao asked. Kep was a sea of flamboyant shows, but the humiliation here had been pure and sudden. Also unmistakably, through grit teeth - Kep did not want his help.

“I’ll be fine. Happens to all of us, we get through it.”

“We’ll let you rest, Mr. Albert,” Rai said.

“Please, if it’s not too late to say so, just call me Kep.” There was a noise between a grunt and a laugh. “Should I prepare my lawyers for your next call? Again, please, try to leave the staff out of this. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

“It’s up to the competition and sponsors to decide what happens.” Rai motioned at Sao to open the door. “At the moment, we’re trying to make sense of what happened to Cadoc.”

“If you can believe the words of an old, backhanded degenerate - I hope you succeed. Let me know if I can be of further use. I suppose you’ll be talking to Basil next.”

“Yes, we will.”

“He’s another... good one. Hope he’s alright too.”

Rai pulled the door shut, leaving it open a crack, as it had been before they entered. So Sao saw, before they departed, Kep’s head lower to the table with a grimace, his skin looking rather green.

Another face starting to look unwell was Zip Cobalt’s. Without a word, he moved them to the second-to-last door of the hallway, Basil’s room. They passed the lounge on the way over. But the eyes that had been peeking at them around the corner had retreated, and the door was now closed.