Chapter One ~ Unexpected Request
The shrill ring of my mobile pierced through the darkness of my dreamless sleep. The constant beeping ripping me away from the comfortable warmth, to the cold harsh reality of this world. I groaned, throwing my pillow over my head as I tried to block out the sharp noise. Seriously, can't a detective get some peace and quiet to sleep. Obviously not as the phone continued to ring until the voicemail kicked in. I sighed in relief as I laid my head back on the pillow and settled back under the covers. Sleep was about to take me when the phone rung again. I growled at the noise, pulling my hair, who the hell would be calling me at... I quickly glanced up at the clock, the red numbers shining through the darkness of my bed room, three forty seven in the morning?
I closed my weary eyes as the phone rung off for the second time. Hopefully who ever it was would get the message that I wasn't going to come to the phone. Jeez, this person would have to be a damn insomniac to not realise that 'normal' people sleep during the night. I sighed and relaxed into my warm nest of bedsheets, snuggling down and nuzzling my pillow. Again before I could get comfortable the phone rang again.
"Oh for heavens sake!" I grunted, throwing the bed sheets of me, pooling onto the floor as I trudged over to the other side of the room. My phone vibrating on the cool glass of my desk. I glanced at the caller ID, Unknown number, oh if this is a prank caller I am going to be so pissed! I declined the call. Wincing as the phone rang again. This was starting to piss me off so I took the phone in my hand and answered the call, placing the cool phone up by my ear.
"Hello, this is Special Agent (F/N) (L/N)," I announced, my voice thick and croaky as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I glanced at myself in the mirror, my (H/C) hair fell loosely out of my pony tail, slight bags had appeared under my dull, (E/C) eyes. I looked like shit.
There was a short pause before the other line sprang to life, a crackle came over the phone, as if someone were breathing into the receiver, "(F/N), this is L."
My eyes widened, immediately I was awake. The person at the end of the phone... was L. The world's greatest detective, a man who I had only worked with once in my whole career, even if I hadn't met with him directly. This man was the epitome of great detective skill and it was a pleasure to learn from him as the investigation wore on. The case was quickly solved with L's consultation and my life was then forever changed. I had adopted his way of thinking, making sure to second guess everything deemed suspicious, which in turn allowed me to rise up through the ranks. In ways I owed this man, and would do whatever he would ask of me.
I cleared my throat, rubbing my neck nervously as the man continued, "I require your assistance on a case. I am sure you will be a valuable asset to me."
He needs my help, well this must be bad if he was requiring my assistance, "What case would that be, sir?" I asked, a shiver descending along my spinal cord, my veins feeling like ice. I already knew the answer, after all it was all over the news. The mysterious deaths of criminals in every country around the world. Of course L would be investigating this, how could he not? He was single-handedly the world's best detective, it would be strange if this didn't peak his interest. A crime that seems unsolvable will become solved by one man, and that man happened to be on the end of the line.
"The Kira case. I have booked you a flight to Japan, once there you will meet with my associate who will bring you to a hotel where I am currently staying. There I will give you all the intel I have already gathered," He informed, his tone stern as he gave out his orders.
"Would I be meeting you in person?" I asked, this never happens. L always remains anonymous, the only way he ever communicates with other detectives would be via a conference screen and voice changer, in order to conceal his identity. The fact that he was willing to show his face meant that this investigation was serious.
"Yes, I hope none of this is a problem?"
"No not at all," I murmured, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder before running to my closet to gather my suitcase, "If you don't mind me asking, why would you pick me sir, surely there are more competent detectives?"
"Yes you would be correct, but none of the others that have presented to me acquired such skill. Also I am not willing at this point to work with complete strangers until I have all the facts," L continued, his tone matter-of-fact.
I sighed gently, dropping my suitcase on the bed and started throwing clothes at it, "What time is the flight?"
"In three hours, Terminal 6, they will be expecting you. Until your arrival, I will bid you goodbye." He didn't wait for my reply as the phone disconnected. I sighed and continued to place my clothes into the suitcase. Once the thing was full, I quickly grabbed my notebook, tucking it into the side pocket before I ran to the bathroom and grabbed any toiletries I would need and scrubbed my teeth and brushed my hair. I quickly threw on a pair of comfortable jeans and a beige shirt, grabbed my keys, passport and badge before running out of the door.
The flight was long and tiring, but it passed quickly in the comfort of first class on a private jet. The clouds were light up this high in the air, and it seemed that we were chasing the night away as the opal sky changed to a bright blue. I was so relaxed up in the air that I didn't realise I had fallen asleep until I was jolted awake as the wheels of the jet touched down in Japan.
I was whisked through the terminal and taken down to the customs before I spotted a man with my name written on a card. He seemed to be an elder man, with a squared off white moustache that hid his lips. His eyes hidden behind a pair of black sunglasses, a hat perched on his head. He was dressed all in black, including a black trench coat even though it was quite warm out.
I walked up to the man, wheeling my case up to him and smiled. He glanced down at me and returned my smile with a nod, "Miss (L/N), come with me." I nodded and followed the man out to a black limousine. Hm... L sure likes to travel in style, private jets and now a limo. He must have a lot of resources at his disposal. I slid into the cool leather, the elder gentleman taking my suitcase and loading it into the trunk of the car before he climbed into the driver seat and eased into the mid morning traffic.
"I am Watari, L's associate," The elder man introduced, glancing at me through the rear view. I gave the man a tight smile as I nodded, "Nice to meet you Watari."
Watari didn't speak for the rest of the journey as I took in the sights of Japan, my face near enough pressed up to the black-tinted windows. The throngs of people going about their busy lives, bustling through the city. The beautiful bright lights, the jumbotrons mounted up on the buildings, advertising products and even displaying the news. It was beautiful, but it brought a pang of homesickness to my gut. Japan definitely wasn't like London. I turned back and stared in front of me as we pulled up next to a lavish hotel. My nerves were jumbling everywhere, for all I knew, I may be the first person to meet L.
Watari switched off the ignition, getting out of the car and opened my door, "Go straight up to the sixth floor, room 308. I will get your bags," he said in a kind tone. I smiled at the man and proceeded through the revolving doors. The desk clerk smiled at me, waving briefly as I summoned the lift, getting into the car and riding it up to the sixth floor. The doors squeaked open and strolled out into the long corridor. I rolled my eyes and tried to find room 308, walking past several doors, my heels clacking on the laminate flooring. I came to stand in front of the walnut coloured door marked room 308. I took a deep breath and knocked once.
"The door is open," A disembodied male voice called out, his tone monotone. He sounded different, slightly lower than what it was over the phone. I gripped the door handle, my hand trembling slightly as I opened the door and stepped in the room. I didn't lift my eyes as I turned back and shut the door behind me. In a way, I didn't know what to expect, what can you expect from a man who has never revealed his appearance before. I didn't want make any assumptions or have any expectations in case I was sorely disappointed.
I slowly turned and came face to face with L.