"There's been another attempted murder."

L flashed his gaze over to the man who addressed him, dark eyes wide with interest.

"North-east of the city this time, correct?"

The police officer nodded, before placing down a map on the table and L bit his thumb in thought. He was being baited. He knew the general area the next killings would have taken place, but this... this was too much of a coincidence...

"What time was it?"

"Two o'clock last night, sir."

"And the victim? You said attempted murder, where are they now?"

"In the emergency ward at Sanno Hospital. He won't be able to talk until at least tomorrow, there was a significant loss of blood."

L gave the man an annoyed glance before turning his head and pacing to the other side of the room, he ran his fingers through his hair before walking out quickly, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighting one even though he was still inside the station. He ignored the looks he was getting from the other police officers and made his way to the street outside where he unlocked his car and sat in it, immediately pulling out his phone.

It rang several times before someone picked up.

"Light-" He started.

"L?"

"Are you okay?"

There was silence for a moment and the crackling of interference played in the background.

"Uh... yeah... your referring to what happened near my apartment last night, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, everything's fine. I was going to call you, but I thought you'd be busy-"

"Don't be stupid." L quickly replied. His heart was still beating from the revelation of that near murder. The killer was trying to get to him, was taunting him, letting him know that he could hurt him if he wanted to. He could kill Light and it would be his fault, he couldn't solve this case, he was failing...

"I'll stay at yours for a bit then?"

L nodded hurriedly even though the other man couldn't see him and he coughed realizing that he needed to let the smokey air out of the window. He put the key into the ignition and pressed the button to wind it down.

"I'll be home early, make sure you lock the place..."

"Alright... L?"

"Yeah?"

"I lo-"

"See you soon, alright?"

He heard a huff on the other end and then, "Fine" before the line went dead. He threw the phone onto the car seat and brought his head to the steering wheel, closing his eyes. He couldn't listen to Light say that he loved him when he was feeling guilty about not being able to avoid what could have easily been his death. He opened the car door, and stormed out determined to look over every detail of the case once again to make sure he hadn't missed anything for what must have already been over the hundredth time.