Chapter 9 - Out of Place

As Jason gazed out the window at the vast city above the clouds, he was taken aback by the opulence and grandeur of the structures and surroundings that unfolded before him. The buildings were cloaked in a facade of glistening gold and pristine marble, each boasting its own soaring rooftop car park. These celestial skyscrapers were graced by flying limousines chauffeured by impeccably attired men and women in sharp suits and ties. Above, elegant residences floated serenely on individual levitating platforms, seemingly detached from the bustling world below. Each of the residences had its own unique look and elegance, as if they were all competing to outdo each other in extravagance and style.

Between the towering skyscrapers, there were chic boutiques and charming cafes connected by suspended walkways. These establishments offered exclusive brands and dining experiences that transcended the affordability of ordinary mortals. Each cafe and restaurant bore at least one prestigious star, signifying their unparalleled quality. It was abundantly clear that to gain access to this realm above the clouds, one needed to be in possession of boundless wealth.

Their impeccably dressed host guided them to the side and led them to a waiting limousine, gesturing for them to enter the luxurious vehicle's backseat. The limousine smoothly glided away, heading toward a sheer drop where it seamlessly transitioned from rolling to hovering. This was undeniably a nerve-racking experience for the uninitiated. The chauffeur expertly manoeuvred the craft to a nearby residence, gracefully docking it at a designated port below the house. As the car's rear door opened, their host ushered them out and escorted them through the port to a sentinel stationed at the port's rear entrance. This guard, in turn, ushered them into the dwelling and led them to a meeting room adorned with the numerous achievements of its owner, Mr. Bass, who evidently presided over a vast record company conglomerate. Amidst the grandeur, they were instructed to wait patiently for Mr. Bass's arrival.

"Have you been above the clouds often?" Jason asked Amber as they waited alone.

"Yes, many times," Amber responded casually.

"It's absolutely breathtaking up here," Jason marvelled.

"Indeed, isn't the upper city great," a voice replied. A man entered from an adjoining corridor, trailed by a retinue of individuals dressed in sleek black attire, sporting earpieces. This man, seemingly in his fifties, possessed ebony skin and was dressed as if he had just returned from a round of golf—a luxury reserved for the exceedingly affluent in Cloud City.

"Good day, Mr. Bass. Thank you for welcoming us into your home," Amber said, rising to greet him and extending her hand. One of the black-clad attendants moved to intercept her but was waved off.

"Good day, Miss White. Thank you for accepting my invitation," Mr. Bass replied, firmly shaking her hand. "And who is your associate?"

"This is Mr. Kane, a promising young addition to my team," she responded, bestowing upon Jason high praise, considering his zero accomplishments. Mr. Bass extended his hand and shook Jason's hand too.

"Excellent. Please, have a seat," Mr. Bass instructed, indicating a pair of opulent matching couches. Jason and Amber complied, while Mr. Bass settled into the seat opposite them. As he did, his couch miraculously transformed from plain white leather to resplendent gold leather, almost as if it had sensed his presence and changed accordingly.

"What can we do for you Mr. Bass?" Asked Amber.

Mr. Bass reached for a glass on the table and poured himself a drink, swirling it thoughtfully before answering. "I have a case that has confounded the police, the government, and three other consulting firms. When I heard about your success in solving the renowned Ratchet case, I thought your firm might be the key to solving this one as well."

Jason figured the Ratchet case was the famous case Amber had told him about. The case that had brought her the wealth to afford her current residence. Next to Jason Malcolm appeared in his ethereal form, he was obviously interested in the mystery and wanted to hear it for himself. Jason subtly nodded at him, doing his best to not draw attention from anyone.

"Possibly. What precisely would you like us to investigate?" Amber asked.

"Six months ago, my daughter, Laquita, was abducted. The kidnappers demanded a ransom, which I begrudgingly paid, but not in a timely enough fashion. They eventually returned her, but she was brutally beaten and remains in a coma to this day. The only clue they left behind was this note," Mr. Bass explained, displaying a holographic image. "The kidnappers left no trace, communicated through proxy channels, and received the ransom into a Cayman Islands account. There's no surveillance footage, no evidence of the kidnapping—just her sudden disappearance and subsequent return in this condition," he continued, showing them another holographic image of his daughter, who looked to be about twelve, lying unconscious on a bed. Mr. Bass looked quite upset at the story he had just told, he was definitely genuinely concerned for his daughter.

"That is indeed a perplexing situation. Have any of my predecessors made any headway?" Amber inquired, her face void of emotion.

"Well, that's the peculiar part. Anyone who has worked on this case has either vanished or quit, refusing to discuss it further," Mr. Bass sighed, his face not able to hide the emotional toll. "Effectively, you'd be starting from scratch."

"Fascinating. Are there any leads as to why they left the case?" Amber asked, her long red fingernails tapping on her leg in anticipation.

"None," Mr. Bass confirmed.

"As this sounds like a challenging and perilous endeavour, may I inquire about the compensation for this assignment?" Amber questioned.

Mr. Bass stated an astronomical sum, catching Amber's attention. Jason attempted to not react, but couldn't help but smile.

"That will definitely suffice, you are very generous," Amber replied. "May we see the note, meet the young lady, and examine the site of her abduction?"

"If you can uncover the truth, it will be worth it. And yes, Danika here is my head of security and will be your liaison for this case," Mr. Bass said, indicating a young, attractive woman dressed in a suit. "She will handle the finer details and accompany you to the locations. I have another engagement to attend to now, so excuse me."

As Mr. Bass rose from his seat, the couch reverted to its original white leather form.

"Very well. Have a pleasant day," Amber said, shaking his hand once more.

"You too, Miss White," Mr. Bass replied, departing the room with his entourage, leaving Danika behind.

Once Mr. Bass had left, Danika took a seat, placing a file on the table and sliding it toward Amber. "Mr. Bass was not entirely accurate when he said there was no evidence. Here is what I have uncovered internally," she stated. Danika's brown hair was expertly tied in a sleek ponytail, her glasses had thin rims, and her chestnut eyes sparkled with professionalism. She was an imposing figure.

Amber opened the folder, revealing the first piece of evidence: the note. She took it in her hands and began reading, with Jason and Malcolm peering over her shoulder. The note read:

[Mr Bass, For your discretions and for your tardiness, your daughter is cursed to wake only on your death. Have a nice life.

Signed,

The Ghost]

This brief letter sparked countless questions in Jason's mind. What were Mr. Bass's discretions? Was The Ghost a known figure? How had the curse not been lifted? It appeared Malcolm did also, asking similar questions out aloud to Jason.

"Before we proceed further, do you have a contract and a mutual non-disclosure agreement?" Amber inquired, getting down to business.

Danika handed over pre-signed documents provided by Mr. Bass. After scrutinising the contents, Amber signed them herself. Jason had perused parts of both documents, which included provisions about not disclosing their unique abilities, which Jason was sure was what she was looking for. She returned the signed contracts to Danika and accepted the file of evidence.

"We'll analyse this back at our office. We'll be in touch," Amber said with a polite smile.

"No, wherever that evidence goes, I go. If it disappears, there is no case. So, you can either leave it here or take me with you," Danika insisted.

"I suppose you're joining us, then," Amber conceded.