The case was all over the media. It was almost funny how organizations who were threatening to sue each other to the ground could come out with a common statement, once each of them got what they wanted. It was also a nice plus that the perpetrator was someone who allowed everyone to save face. H-Sec was pleased they had solved the case to glowing media reception and Ellcron was happy that they’d returned their device—whatever it really was. Even the family got a nice boost: all scandals were swept under the run, they were all publicly proved innocent, and even Rain caught a special exemption contract from the company itself. Of course, with a family like that, there was no telling how long the happiness would last. If one were optimistic, maybe a decade, maybe even more.

Meanwhile, I also got a little something for myself. The lieutenant was pleased enough with the result that he extended the period of my temp pass to a full year. Being issued a permanent one would have been better, but one had to accept the small wins. At least I got the right to stay in the metropolis area.

I sat back, relaxing in the only piece of furniture in my new home, looking at the cityscape. It was often said that nothing could beat a view of the city. In ninety-five percent of the cases, that was a lie, but it was the remaining five percent that people strived for. The place that detective Nixen had found for me was on the roof of a five-story bakery. The monthly cost of a square foot in a neighborhood like this was more than I could make in a couple of years. Fortunately for me, the construction company had forgotten to install pipes, plumbing, and a staircase, making the pair of rather nice rooms completely unlivable for humans. So, after an arrangement between H-Sec and the building’s owner, I was given the place rent free.

As I was sitting calmly, admiring the view, the doorbell chimed. Just because a place was inaccessible, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t have visitors. Standing up with a faint grumble, I went to the door and opened it.

“Hey, Waters,” Clayton said, leaning against the end of a rather large bathtub.

“Clayton.” I looked at him, then at the bathtub. “What’s that?”

“I brought you a bed. Nixen told me the place was bare, so I thought I’d get something to make you feel more at home. Like a housewarming party.”

“You brought a bathtub to a housewarming party.” Sometimes I really didn’t understand what he was thinking.

“It wasn’t cheap getting it here, so help me get it in.”

Humans used to say never look a gift horse in the mouth. I’d no idea if there were any sayings involving bathtubs, though. With a nod, I helped him bring in the monstrosity, carrying it to the designated bedroom.

“So, how does it feel to have an official H-Sec case beneath your belt?” he asked, whipping the sweat off his forehead. He was just about to lean against one of the walls when I quickly stopped him.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“No!” I pointed at the wall. “I haven’t runed them yet.”

“Oh.” He took a step away, looking at the wall, as if he knew what I meant.

“And to answer your question, feels the same as before. Especially since H-Sec did their best to avoid mentioning my involvement in the case.”

“Well, you know how it is. Big organization, new team…”

“Or even mentioning my name.” I added. “You and Nixen got a mention.”

“I know, I know. It’s usually like that at first. There’s always next time.”

That’s what he used to say back when we used to work together for Duty and Customs. For over a year, I thought he was just being polite until one day my name made its way to the employee of the month list. It was the most useless thing imaginable; it didn’t even come with any reward, but I thought of it as the most significant thing I’d achieved. I had become a lot more cynical now, but still cherished that moment.

“Yeah, next time.” I nodded. “I’d offer something to drink, but…” I looked around demonstratively.

“On that note.” Clayton reached into his pocket and gave me a crystal card. “Your official pay. I tried to get the lt. to consider coins, but it’s a complicated process. You’ll have to be virtual for now.”

“Virtual currency in the metropolis area.” I took the card. “It’s what I’ve always wanted. Treat you somewhere?”

“Err, not today. I’ve a lot of reports to write. Someone’s got to do it, and since my name was mentioned…”

“Sucks to be you.” I smirked. “I’ll be sure to do nothing in your honor, from my very own new bathtub.”

“Very funny.” He went towards the door. Reaching it, he stopped. “Waters, when I dragged you into this, I promised that there’ll be more than parcels at H-Sec.”

“Yep, and you were kidding.”

“That’s not all I meant. I didn’t want to say this because I didn’t know how it would turn out, but…” he took a small folded sheet of plastic from his inner pocket and gave it to me. “That’s all the department has about the docks’ massacre,” he said. “It’s not much, but none of it has been made public.”

I stared at the film-like sheet. I was the real deal. The holographic seals proved it.

“How did you get that?”

“It’s not important. I just wanted you to have it. If you don’t want to read it, shold be easy enough to get rid of. Your choice.”

“You can get in a lot of trouble if someone finds out you’ve given this to an uncharted.”

“That’s my problem.” He stepped beyond the threshold. “See you around, Waters. Take care.”

The door closed behind him. For several seconds, I kept standing there like a statue, looking at the document. Everything I’d been searching obsessively for was not in my hand. All I had to do was open it to get an idea what had happened that day.

“You really are a bastard, Clay,” I whispered.

I went to the bedroom, then placed the sheet of plastic under the bathtub, unread. Then I went back to the chair and sat down. Dozens of thoughts passed through my mind, most of them unpleasant. The view, though, remained as beautiful as ever.