The HoloSphere Paradox - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Coroner's Revelations

The entrance to the morgue was stark, all monochromatic tiles and sterile fluorescence, a counterpoint to the vibrant chaos of Novos outside. The antiseptic scent cut through the humid air as Dalton made his way through the double doors.

Dr. Gerald Redwood was a man of late middle age, his face creased from years of peering at the dead and the puzzles they left behind. Tonight, his pale blue eyes had an extra spark, a mix of genuine surprise and scientific curiosity.

"Dalton," he greeted, his tone warmer than the chilled room they stood in. "Thank you for coming so promptly and at this time of the night. I wouldn’t normally impose but Captain Reyes…"

Dalton waved his hand, “Yes, I’ve heard the same sermon. What did you find?"

Redwood gestured to an examination table, on which the sheet-covered form of Dr. Voss lay. He slowly pulled back the white cloth, revealing her face, still and serene. It was a chilling contrast to the animated holographic versions Dalton had witnessed earlier in her apartment.

”I was examining the body for any signs of foul play but was not able to find anything that might suggest that. However, her pupils were dilated to an extreme, which isn't typical post-mortem. Her fingers were curled in a manner suggesting they'd grasped at something intangible, perhaps gasping for breath. This led me to believe a rapid-acting poison might have been involved. Usually, these manifestations are consistent with certain toxins that restrict oxygen or rapidly affect the central nervous system. I was examining the body for any possible entry point – a puncture, an injection site, perhaps an abrasion. I couldn’t find any but I did notice something odd.”

Redwood pointed to her wrist, “Have a look”.

Dalton stepped forward, his shoes echoing softly in the hushed room. The cold metallic table beneath Dr. Voss gave a sterile shine under the clinical overhead lights. With a deep breath, bracing himself for what he might discover, he reached out. The touch was immediate and disconcerting; the coldness of her skin was a grim reminder of the finality of death.

He inspected her wrist carefully, turning it gently to examine every inch. There was nothing. No mark, no odd coloration, no sign of injury. The skin was unblemished, save for the faint blue veins visible beneath her pale skin. His brow furrowed, a mixture of confusion and rising irritation.

"Well?" Dalton finally uttered, his voice edged with impatience, his eyes locking onto Redwood's. "Why did you call me here? There's nothing."

Redwood cleared his throat, a hint of hesitancy in his demeanor. “I know it seems odd, Dalton. But I've been doing this for decades, and I sensed something was off when I first examined her. It's not just about what you can see, it's about what you feel."

Dalton's annoyance was palpable. He had already dealt with enough cryptic clues and enigmatic figures for one day. "With all due respect, Doctor, my time is critical. I can't chase feelings."

"Just humor me," Redwood responded, his tone soft yet insistent. "Close your eyes and touch her wrist again. But this time, feel."

Though skeptical, Dalton humored the seasoned coroner. Shutting out the clinical brightness of the morgue, he placed his fingers on Dr. Voss's wrist once more. At first, there was just the unsettling coldness. But as seconds ticked by, he felt it— an almost imperceptible vibration, like the distant echo of a frequency.

His eyes snapped open, meeting Redwood's knowing gaze. "What in the world...?"

"Weird huh? It's not something I've ever encountered," Redwood admitted. "But it's there. A remnant of something, perhaps related to whatever tech she was involved with."

Dalton slowly withdrew his hand, the reality of the situation sinking in. The case was taking him down paths he had never tread, pushing the boundaries of both science and his understanding.

At first glance, it looked unblemished, but as Redwood shone a specialized UV light on it, a series of intricate, almost circuit-like patterns emerged, glowing faintly against her pale skin.

"I've analyzed them," Redwood began, his voice tinged with astonishment. "These aren't tattoos or external markings. They seem to be subdermal, almost as if her very cells were altered or imprinted with these patterns."

Dalton leaned in, the patterns eerily reminiscent of some of the experimental tech he'd come across in previous cases. "Kinda gives a whole new meaning to 'wearing your heart on your sleeve', doesn't it?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow.

Redwood chuckled, the tension in the room momentarily broken. "Or in this case, 'wearing your tech under your skin'. But in all seriousness, nothing like this has ever been made public or approved for use."

Dalton's eyes darkened, memories of his earlier encounter with the holographic memory resurfacing. "Could this be related to the HoloSphere tech or perhaps something even more advanced?"

Redwood shrugged, his usual confidence replaced by uncertainty. "It's possible. But this is way beyond any commercial tech I've seen. This is... frontier science, Detective. The murder of Dr. Voss was shaping up to be more than just a personal vendetta; it was a nexus of cutting-edge science, corporate intrigue, and a race for power.

Redwood continued to study the intricate patterns as Dalton's brow furrowed in thought. After a brief silence, the detective voiced the burning question on his mind. "Derek," Dalton began, choosing his words carefully, "Do you think... Is it possible that this tech, whatever it is, could be the murder weapon?" Redwood looked up, meeting Dalton's gaze. "You mean, did this embedded tech cause her death?" He paused, letting out a contemplative sigh. "It's a theory. The tech certainly seems able to interact with her neural pathways. This is beyond me of course but If someone knew how to manipulate it, they might be able to send a lethal command." Dalton leaned against the examination table, trying to wrap his head around the concept. "So you're saying someone might've hacked into this... internal tech and used it to kill her?" Redwood nodded, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Exactly. But that would mean this isn't just a case of advanced tech; it's a case of someone having the knowledge to use it lethally." Dalton's expression hardened, realizing the gravity of the situation. "So we're not just looking for a murderer. We're looking for a tech genius with a motive." Redwood put his glasses back on and gave Dalton a grave look. "Yes, and if they've been able to interfere with such an advanced piece of technology, who knows what they might be capable of? We're dealing with someone incredibly dangerous, Dalton."

Gathering his thoughts, Dalton looked to Redwood. "Keep this under wraps for now. Last thing both of us need is Capt Reyes and her merry crew calling us in when we don’t have any answers”.