Tseng covered his nose with a handkerchief and looked down at the body. This was the sixth one this week. It wasn't even Wednesday yet.
"Wrap him up and send him to Hojo. I want another analysis." He turned away. The president needed to know of this. Even if Cadets were not Turk business.
"Who do you think is doing this, boss?" Reno followed his superior out of the barracks.
"I don't know." Tseng led the way to ShinRa's main building.
"Boss? If I may say so, I don't think the president will care much, yo." Reno stepped in the elevator after Tseng.
Tseng shushed him for saying such things about their employer. But, alas, the redhead was right. Tseng sighed, and instead pressed the button to another floor, leading to the Vice President's office. The next twelve minutes it took to get there were silent, each Turk pondering on the possibilities of the recent crimes.
"Come in." Rufus's voice said from inside when Tseng knocked. "Any news?"
"None, sir."
Rufus sighed. He shuffled some papers around in thought for a while.
"Sir?" Reno was standing respectfully one step behind Tseng.
"Yes, Reno?" Rufus looked up at him.
"If I may suggest, I think we need some outside help with this."
"You want to bring an outsider into Turk business?" Rufus raised an eyebrow at the redhead.
Tseng looked at Reno and after a moment his eyes lit up as if in understanding.
"Sir, I think it would be a good idea."
"Tseng?"
"Reno's outside sources are very reliable, sir."
"Care to explain?" Rufus looked at Reno.
"I have a little sister." Reno grinned. "She's the best, yo."
"I see." Rufus leaned back on his chair and touched his lips in thought. "What do you propose?"
"She won't join the Turks." Reno warned. "But she can be hired."
"I'm not sure…" Rufus wagged his foot up and down in annoyance.
"Sir, do we have any other options?" Tseng reasoned.
Rufus studied the two men before him. He sighed again.
"I guess not."
Reno followed Tseng into his office. They sat by the desk and Tseng took a recording device they used to tap phone calls out of one of his drawers. Reno connected it to the phone and dialed the memorized number. A few monotone chimes later, an annoyed voice picked up.
"It is two in the morning, Reno, I hope someone has died for this phone call, or else you will."
"Actually, sis, six people have. And it's two in the afternoon, what were you doing yesterday, yo?" Reno grinned.
There was shuffling on the other side of the line and a grunt.
"Turn the recording off, Reno."
Reno grinned at Tseng's surprised face.
"And get me off the speaker, the dude next to you is annoying."
"Sorry, sis, no can do." Reno laughed. "Turk procedures."
"Since when do you call me from your office?" there was the distinct noise of tinkling glass, then gulping.
"I thought you stopped drinking?" Reno tapped the plastic speaker.
"When you stop smoking, I will."
Tseng cleared his throat.
"Right, boss." Reno straightened up in his chair.
"Ohh, is that the good looking one from Wutai? Or the blond brat?"
Reno cleared his throat in embarrassment and avoided his boss' eyes. Tseng raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Anyway, I was hoping you could help us with this new case…"
"Don't you always…" They heard more shuffling and a shower being started.
"C'mon, sis, don't be like that. We pay you well."
"I know you do. It's just that everything you turkeys do seems so boring…"
"Excuse me, miss," Tseng interrupted. "but it would be wise if you did not speak badly of the Turks."
The laughter they heard made both of them frown.
"You know, sis, if you listened to me you would like this new assignment." Reno's voice sounded hurt.
"Aww, I'm sorry, Reno, I'll be good now."
"Meet us at the usual spot." Reno sighed.
"No, I want breakfast first, I'll be two blocks away at that new café."
"Fine."
"Gimme half an hour, I need to shower first."
"Where were you, yo?"
"Bye, Reno." She hung up.
Tseng pressed the 'off' button and looked at Reno.
"The good looking one from Wutai?" he raised an eyebrow.
Reno shrugged and smiled weakly.
