Puzzles
By John Juliano
Disclaimer: I do now own Death Note, L, or any associated characters.
Author's notes:As promised, one Death Note fic. So you are all aware, this idea is still developing, so this chapter will be very short. It is more of a prologue, and will be the shortest chapter in the story. Still, I hope you enjoy this. Read and review if you like it.
Chapter 1: The Video Clip
It was late, and the world outside seemed darker that night than ever and L sat in his Favorite office chair, his eyes glued to the TV set. He was watching this clip for the eighteenth time, not having moved much since he started. In his mind the problems it presented were working themselves out at tremendous speed. The exertion of his intense concentration as this was his usual form of activity, and as such, he knew that others thought of him as lazy. Most people could never think the way he did. It was not easy at all. He inclined his body slightly forward toward the television. Instantly, he relaxed, and his eyes lost their intensity for a moment. He lifted the now cold tea that he'd set down on the table to his lips.
"Matsuda-san, fetch the others would you," he said between sips. "I have something to say to everyone." His subordinate eyed him, but he was unreadable to the inexperienced Matsuda. "Oh, and don't forget to bring Yagami-kun. I have something to say to him in particular." With a hurried word of affirmation, Matsuda went to fetch the others. L set down his tea and turned the video clip back on. His eyes widened and leaned forward in his chair, trying to make out the face hidden in that shadowy corner.
Matsuda Ran down the hallway and rushed into the room where the police officers were sitting. He always was easily excited by anything Ryuzaki said. It went a long way in annotingthe older officers. " Guys, come quick! Ryuzaki's found something!" The others were not as frantic as the youngest officer, but all rose to their feet. The one who rose first was an older man with an air of authority.
"What is it, Matsuda-san?" asked Soichiro Yagami, chief of police and most senior officer present. With his grim, aged features, it was easy to see he was not the Yagami-kun L reffered to. "Is there trouble?"
"No sir," Matsuda answered quickly. "But Ryuzaki would like to speak with us. And yagami-kun, you come too. Ryuzaki wanted to speak with you in particular." At the back of the room, a high school aged man with a handsome face rose, looking confused.
"Is everything alright," Light Yagami asked curiously. He didn't wait for an answer as they all hurried to see the detective. He was sitting alone, still watching the video clip in silence when they entered. He spoke without looking away from the screen as they entered.
"Hello everyone. I am please to say the case is nearly solved." A shocked look spread through the room. He continued immediately. "I'm afraid this meeting will be a short one for most of you, but my point is simple. There is no doubt in my mind that the man standing in that dark corner is Kira." The prossession fell into a deep silence. No one could bring themselves to speak. "That is all for now. I will give you more information soon. You may go. Well, except for Yagami-kun. I have to speak with him." A few tried to argue, but L turned from the screen with a look so harsh they all left at once.
Light Yagami stood in silence, looking at L. He was shocked, amazed, and impressed beyond words, yet frightened. L was silent for some time. When he spoke, it was a simple phrase.
"I know him."