A flickering neon sign <China Dollies> invites you towards the KTV disco pub across the narrow road that separates the sleaze. The pub occupies an entire brick building, stretching across the length of two shophouses. It looked both inviting and foreboding, with its grand entrance — gilded double doors with brass trimmings cutting a huge swathe out of the façade of the red brick, and a red carpet laid out just right outside the front entrance. Two burly bouncers flank the entrance, looking warily at anyone who might be going in for a bit of mischief.

 

You step onto the pavement on the other side of the road, looking up at this monument of nightlife, wondering what could be inside that might solve the case for you. You cut through the crowd that are waiting to go inside.

 

“Evening gentlemen, I’m looking for the owner of the pub. Is he inside?” You look steadily into the bouncer even as he dwarfs you in size.

 

<emotion detected… contempt>

 

The guards look at each other and snigger at you. “Young lady, you can come back during Halloween night dressed like this, but I don’t think Boss likes his women dressed as cops.”

 

“Well, I don’t think your Boss would like it if I called some of my colleagues here for a raid would he?” You counter, causing them to bristle uncomfortably. They straighten their backs. You add, “I’ll also tell him that it was because you boys denied me entry.”

 

The guards lean towards each other and mutter unhappily. They turn towards you, nodding curtly, then opening the big brass doors for you. “Enjoy… officer.”

 

You stride into the cavernous interior, feasting your eyes on the atrium of the nightclub. A glass chandelier hangs from the ceiling, glowing in multiple hues at different angles, bathing you and everyone within it with colored light. There is a counter at the side of the atrium, with a pretty looking hostess with a bit too much make up serving lusty customers. You smell cigarettes and peanuts.

 

You walk towards the counter, demanding, “Police. Looking for the pub owner for an investigation.”

 

The hostess looked taken aback, then urged you in hushed tones, “Second floor, third room on the right from the stairwell. Please hurry, he’s gonna do it again.”

 

<Saving Memory in iCloud…>

 

You walk briskly up the stairwell behind the atrium, careful not to draw unnecessary attention. Third door to the right… Please be alive…

 

The corridor is empty, but you can hear muffled music and laughter all around. Each room has a different stereo track, and even some acoustic music playing. The entire corridor is bathed in a red neon glow.

 

Third door to the right…

 

You reach the third door, knocking hard. “Police! Open up!”

 

You put your hand to the holster, gripping the cold handle of your pistol. You feel your body tense up with anticipation, every muscle in your body pulsating with adrenaline, ready for almost anything that could happen.

 

Almost.

 

Silence.

 

You grip the doorknob, charging into the ledge of the door with your shoulder. The door opens with a crackle and you stand before a lavish king sized bed, on which lie an unconscious, naked woman and an obese, greasy man on top of her. He slowly eases up.

 

“Put your hands behind your head, slowly.”

 

“Listen, I can explain—“

 

“Don’t even try.”

 

He cooperates, and you walk over to handcuff him. You sit him on the couch beside the bed.

 

“She’s not dead, you can check!”

 

You walk over to the woman and check for a pulse. Still alive, but intoxicated or drugged. You turn back to the “boss”, activating your VR to scan for ID.

 

<Scanning… cross referencing with Police database…>

 

Name: Lee Hyun Seung

Age: 42

Occupation: Business owner

Criminal record: 1 count of extortion, 2 counts of bribery, 3 counts of illegal pimping, 4 counts of sexual assault

 

“So Mr Lee, it seems you have quite a history of sexual assault. You like abusing women, Mr Lee?”

 

He shakes his head ardently, “No, no, she drank too much and passed out while we were having sex… I swear!”

 

“That may still count under statutory rape, are you sure you want to speak to the prosecutor about this or would you like to come clean and tell me what happened to Neo Wen Jing?”

 

“You can’t… you can’t use the law to coerce me like this!” He stutters, sweat oozing out of his pores profusely.

 

“Yes… I can. And if you don’t tell me about what you did to her, I will make sure you will tell the judge from the stands. You understand?”