The HoloSphere Paradox - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Marek

Dalton spent the next hours poring over criminal databases, cross-referencing known associates and locations connected to Marek. The notorious criminal was known for his elusive nature, always managing to stay one step ahead of the authorities. But Dalton had a lead – a rundown bar on the outskirts of Novos where Marek was rumored to conduct his less-than-legitimate business.

Arriving at the establishment, Dalton could sense the underlying tension in the air, with a smoky haze hanging over patrons murmuring in hushed tones. The dim lighting of the bar created pockets of shadows, perfect for concealing whispered secrets. Marek's reputation was a mixture of urban legends and hardened truths. Keeping a low profile, he spotted Marek at the far end, surrounded by a group of his associates.

Choosing to avoid direct confrontation, Dalton discreetly alerted backup. With a nod from a fellow officer positioned by the exit, Dalton approached Marek's table.

"Marek," Dalton began, his voice steady, "Mind if we have a chat about Dr. Cassandra Voss?"

Marek, a man with sharp features and piercing eyes, looked up, sizing up Dalton. The murmur of the bar faded as tension rose. "And who wants to know?"

"Dalton. Detective Eric Dalton."

Marek chuckled and motioned for his associates to leave them be. As he waved his arm, Dalton's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the distinctive mark on Marek's forearm. It was distinctive and undeniably the same one he'd seen in the fragmented HoloSphere.

"The detective with a penchant for Lumina dreams, I've heard. I have been waiting for you." The mocking undertone was evident.

Ignoring the jibe, Dalton pressed on, "You're a hard man to find. You've heard about Dr Voss' passing no doubt. I've seen a hologram of you with Dr. Voss. It appeared rather heated. Care to explain?"

For a brief moment, Marek's confident facade faltered. "She wanted to create something groundbreaking, and I saw its potential, not just for science, but for business. We had our... disagreements but I had nothing to do with her death." Dalton stared at Marek, doubting the truth of Marek's statements.

"And what did you want with it?" Dalton pressed.

Marek smirked, "Let's just say, in the right hands, that tech could have been revolutionary. In the wrong ones, it could have been catastrophic. Cassandra saw it as a way to connect humanity. I saw it as leverage. Influence."

Dalton leaned in, the intensity evident in his eyes. "You're known to resort to force to get what you want. And we both know you never get your hands dirty. Always someone else to do your bidding."

Marek chuckled darkly. "You police and your fairy tales. You paint me as this boogeyman, but you've never managed to prove anything. I run a business, Dalton, not a crime syndicate. I'm a businessman. I negotiate, I don't eliminate. Sure, we quarreled about her prototype, but I had no reason to kill her. Besides, if I wanted that prototype, don't you think I would've taken it?"

Dalton pressed on, "Your business dealings are hardly above board. Dr. Voss had something you wanted, and you'd do anything to get it."

Leaning back, Marek smirked, "If I did, as you so artfully suggest, want to hurt Dr. Voss, don't you think the crime scene would've been a bit more... chaotic? Bloodier? You supposedly know how I operate, Detective. Yet, I understand that the scene of her demise was almost... clinical."

Dalton's eyes narrowed. Details of the crime scene were not yet reported. Marek clearly had members of the police on his payroll and he was keeping an eye on the investigation into Dr Voss’ death. Dalton was not sure if it was out of self-preservation or commercial interest. "Are you suggesting you had nothing to do with it?"

Marek leaned forward, the dangerous glint in his eyes more pronounced. "I suggest nothing. But if I had been involved, believe me, you'd know. You think I'd let someone like Voss die without sending a message? No, detective, her death doesn't have my signature on it."

"So, if you didn't kill her, who did?"

Marek shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "That's for you to figure out. Aren't you the detective? But you might want to look into her competitors. Cassandra wasn't just creating a device; she was disrupting the status quo. You think I was the only one with interests in her work? She had rivals, colleagues turned competitors. One in particular, Dr. Luna. She's been trying to outpace Cassandra for years."

"That's it then?"

"That's it Detective Dalton."

Dalton's expression remained impassive, but inwardly, he was piecing together the puzzle. "Be sure you're not too hard to find" he said as he stood up to leave, subtly signaling to his backup that the confrontation was over.

As he left the bar, Marek called out loudly, enough for most in the den to hear, "Oh, Detective, I cannot offer more information but if you do ever find yourself feeling… blue and you are in need of something else, I am sure something can be worked out".

The neon-lit streets of Novos blurred past Dalton as he drove away from the grimy den where he had interrogated Marek. The weight of the day, with its intense confrontations and layered secrets, pressed heavily on him.

Marek's snide comments targeted at Dalton's Lumina use clawed at his psyche. A habit he had always justified as a necessary vice for his profession now seemed like a glaring weakness. He tried to shake off Marek's words, focusing instead on the dim glow of his car’s dashboard.

Dalton’s communicator buzzed, a piercing chime that yanked him back to focus. The holographic display projected the face of Dr. Gerald Redwood, Novos’ lead coroner. Redwood’s usual composure was replaced with a mix of intrigue and concern.

"Dalton," he began, his voice carrying an urgency that Dalton had come to associate with only the gravest of discoveries, "I think you'll want to see this personally. There’s something... odd about Dr. Voss’ body. I've never seen anything like it before."

Dalton's grip tightened on the steering wheel. He was feeling weary but the promise of a clue was an irresistible pull. "On my way," Dalton responded, redirecting his car towards the city morgue. Whatever awaited him there, he was determined to unearth it and inch closer to the truth.