Poison City

 

“This is a - the coffee shop? ” Elvin asked as they approached Zishan Cafe’.

 

“Yes. This is the coffee shop. I know. Keep looking around the doormat or the rocks, there should be a key somewhere.” Marcus looked around the back entrance and told everyone around him.

 

“Here.” Kevin found it first - it was hidden under a coffee-colored rock near the doorstep.

 

The coffee shop was empty. The window blinds were on, and the “Sorry We’re closed” sign was dangling on the front glass door. The door made of metal bars and the inner windows were pulled down, providing barriers against theft or vandalism. Along the corners and beams of the coffee shop interior were lines drawn with dark red paint and various metal linings.

 

In the back of the coffee shop was a small bathroom, on a shelf near the entrance were the clothes the owner prepared for them. Near the cashier stand stood the multi-door safe bolted into the ground. In the drawer was one shiny metal key.

 

“I actually - I actually came to this place before.” Elvin looked around while waiting for his turn to take a shower: “Yeah, yeah - I think I remember this place.”

 

“That’s really - kinda coincidental, when did you come here?” Marcus asked with a smile with a cup of warm milk in his hand. It was from the fridge and warmed using the microwave, he wanted to leave a hefty tip for this.

 

“Yeah, yeah, actually not long after the cruise ship, and we’re freshly moved to this district.” Elvin pointed at the cashier’s desk: “I remember this desk, god it’s almost 15 years already. I bought a coffee here and some cake for you, because you were sick one day and I wanted to buy you something nice so you’d feel better. Turns out the cupcakes here are the only thing I could afford. The owner gave me a small donut on the house. Yeah - I remember this place.”

 

“Oh really? Do you know the owner?”

 

“No - not really. I just remember she’s a kind old woman.” Elvin shook his head: “I haven’t been here for a while.”

 

“Yeah, that’s not the current owner.” Marcus shook his head with a smile: “At least I hope.”

 

“Alright I’m done. You guys’ turn now.” Keryn came out with baggy clothes on, while actively trying to dry her hair with a towel: “Be quick. I don’t wanna bring trouble to a civilian’s place.”

 

“Go, Mick.” Kevin waved his hand: “And be quick.”

 

“Is this the place you come to get in touch with Gloria Lee?” Elvin asked.

 

“Not really. We maintain contact through phone, we don’t meet in person outside of work very often, mostly just to share the intelligence we have.” Marcus chuckled and shook his head once again: “I guess this is her place of hang-outs, or she knows the owner very well. ”

 

“How much do you know about her?”

 

“Not much - but way more than before - ” Marcus shrugged, before pausing for a short moment and throwing the question back at his father: “What? Why the questions?”

 

“I’m just - ” Elvin waved his hands around for a moment: “I’m just trying to make sure that you know - you know this person you’re entrusting a lot of things with.”

 

“She saved my life, so I guess that’s plenty - ”

 

“I’m not talking about that! Not JUST that!” Elvin shook his head and hands: “Nonono, I’m talking about - what she’s like, what she does, if she’s okay with your being a cop - ”

 

“Dad, she’s not - ” Marcus shook his head even harder: “ - just don’t overthink this, okay?”

 

“I can’t, son. You know I can’t.” Elvin laughed out loud: “Hey, I know - I know. I’m not in any position to talk this out with you, but - when I was your age, I already had you.”

 

“Yeah - I know your love story - or friendly setup story. Things are different now, you know?” Marcus stretched and looked up at the ceiling: “Also - I don’t really have the time, or luck, okay? Maybe when things are over I'll give it a try.”

 

“Hey, there’s always the next big business or the big thing, huh? ” Elvin patted Marcus on his wrists: “When this is done, what are you going to have - you’re up for promotion, you’re needed to testify, you’re gonna go track some of the bad guys down, and you’re gonna finish all the wrap ups, visiting victims, continue investigating cases previously unsolved, protecting witnesses - there’s always another thing! At some point, you just need to take a moment to breathe, and take some time out of your busy life to enjoy the things that make your life worth living. Believe me, I’ve wallowed in sadness for decades, and only recently did I know how much time I’ve wasted - ”

 

“NEXT!” Elvin’s voice grew lower and lower, and was easily interrupted by Mick’s call after his shower.

 

“It’s okay Dad, I understand.” Marcus patted his father on the wrists as well: “I will definitely think about it. But you shouldn’t - ”

 

“Got it - got it.” Elvin chuckled and backed his arms off: “I’ll start asking for grandkids when you’re half ready.”

 

“Yo, I got the address.” Kevin raised his hand up from behind the counter: “It’s - what? A garden?”

 

“Let me take a look.” Keryn went over and took the piece of paper with a handwritten address on it: “Oh, I think I know this place - it’s a - a gated community! And it’s new as well.”

 

“They have gated communities here?” Elvin asked.

 

“Yes, and apparently quite new.” Keryn shrugged: “Because some people who left and got good lives in the other districts decided to give back.”

 

“Dude, seriously, whose turn is it?” Mick came out with a head full of wet hair.

 

“I’ll go.” Elvin stood up: “Could use a shower anyway. My shop’s a fucking hot dump.”

 

When his father was in the shower, Marcus took out the wooden plaque from Luo Zhuge and put it inside the safe.

 

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Shout outs to my patrons:

mant06

Jonathan

Thank you very much for your support!