Wow I really need to work on my updating skills. I took so long to get this chapter up! *kicks herself hard in the arse for all the people that wanted to do it* Well here it is finally. A big thanks to Thedeathlyknight and Minakatty for fav'ing and alerting, it really means a lot! Also just as big a thanks to all the other awesome readers that stuck around to continue reading after all this time. Love you all! And last but not least, Happy Easter! Or if you don't do that, Happy Sunday!

Silent Murder

One Little Phone Call


8:00 p.m

I pushed my way through the steady late night throng of New York City. Even at this late hour the streets were packed with people. In front of me a young family walked slowly, looking up every now and then and pointing at the large screens on the surrounding buildings. I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.

Even after living in the city for as long as I had its nighttime beauty still took my breath away. Lately though, I hadn't had much time to just wander around like this. Yet now that I did have the time, I didn't have a clue what to do. There wasn't really any good movies out that I hadn't seen and I had seen all the local attractions hundreds of times. Maybe I could call Gilbert and hit the bars. I always enjoyed our nights at the bar, especially once the German had downed a few glasses. He was probably the greatest drinking partner I knew. He would shout insults and ramble nonsense and by the end of the night have us kicked out or banned. I reached into my pocket and dug around for a few seconds before coming up with my shiny new Samsung. Then just as I brought up Gilbert's number, it started to vibrate.

Taking a glance at the id, I was a little surprised to find it was my brothers number. Mattie never called me, at least never this late. Still puzzled I pressed accept and brought the phone to my ear. "Hey Mattie! It's been awhile. Whatcha you been up to? "

For a moment there was no reply and I was starting to think that he had hung up, when suddenly his voice came through sounding breathless and scared. "Al? Oh thank God you picked up! I was afraid you wouldn't…Oh shit!" There was a sudden crash from the other end, followed by a grunt of pain.

"Mattie? What are you doing…"

"No time for that now." he gasped, cutting me off. "Now listen carefully. You know that bear that I have been fostering? Kumajiro? Take him to our first home in Kentucky at three o-clock. When the old grandfather clock chimes for the third time, tell him what mom used to tell us. He'll lead you to a box. The content of that box must never fall into the wrong hands. You mustn't tell anyone about it unless you are willing to trust them with your life."

I heard sharp pinging sounds followed by another crash. "Mattie, what the hell is going on? Why are you telling me all this? What's in that box that's so important?" I could hear more pinging and it sounded closer then before. "Alfred. I know you're confused, but you have to trust me. There are a lot of bad people that want what is in that box." I heard his voice soften. "I never wanted to have to get you involve but things are getting desperate. It's up to you now to keep it safe.

Al, I love you…"

That was as far as he got for there was scream of pain followed by a soft thud. " Matt? Matt! Matthew!" I cried desperately. Then there was a soft whisper. Just two little words. "Good bye…"

Beep

Beep

I stood there a moment, unable to think. Mattie. He couldn't be…No! He wasn't. He couldn't be! I wasted no more time, punching in the three numbers in record time. "911 what's your emergency?" I started to walk as I explained to her what was going on. Once I had finished she asked if I could come down to the station for questioning. I agreed immediately and hung up. Making my way to the curb I started to look for a cab.


In less then fifteen minutes I found myself outside the little building that served as the police headquarters. Paying the driver I quickly got out of the cab and made my way to the entrance. Taking a deep breathe I pushed through the doors. A little bell chimed and the young man behind the desk glanced up. In front of him lay six small guns and I could see a larger rifle laying in pieces in front of him. More then a little intimidated I slowly approached the desk.

"Can I help you? He asked gruffly clicking a piece of the gun back with a snap. "Um yeah, I called earlier and some lady told me to come here." I swallowed nervously shifting my weight from foot to foot. The man's green eyes narrowed in suspicion and I licked my dry lips and eyed the guns again. He grabbed a phone and punching a few numbers. "Hey chief, yeah I've got a kid out here claiming that he called and was told to come here. You know anything about that?" He waited a minute before hanging up the phone and directed his gaze back at me.

"The chief confirmed your story and will be out in a second. Until then, you," He pointed to a chair in the far corner, "can sit there." With those words he went back to cleaning his guns ending the conversation. As I sat down I caught him looking at the guns with, wait was that love in his eyes? Okay I had seen some pretty weird things but that set the bar for sure.

After a few minutes I heard a door slam and looked up just in time to see a pretty brown haired woman burst through the door. "Okay Basch, where's that kid you were talking about." Her bright green eyes flashed around the room, and caught sight of me. "Oh you sent him to the corner." At this she snickered softly.

Walking over to me she stuck out her hand and beamed. "Chief Officer Elizaveta at your service." Slowly taking her hand I smiled back. "Hey, I'm Alfred F. Jones." She nodded knowingly. "Yeah we talked earlier. Well Mr. Jones how bout we head back to my office and talk about your brother." I nodded and she smiled again. Great follow me." And with that she walked back to the door and lead me back into a

hallway lined with door.

Upon reaching her office she immediately offered me a seat and asked if I wanted a drink. I politely refused the drink and sat down on the large chair. Grabbing a coke Elizaveta plopped down opposite of me and her face went serious.

"Okay Mr. Jones." "Alfred" I quickly corrected her. I had always hated being called Mr. Jones, it just didn't fit me. "Okay Alfred" I nodded in approval, though she ignored me and continued talking. "You gave us me a pretty good description of your brother when we talked earlier, but I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. New York City is just too big and there are probably hundreds of people out there that match your description." I nodded understanding the her dilemma. I though a moment then began to list some of the finer details about Matthew that I thought could be useful.

Elizaveta was silent through most of my description, only interrupting once in a while to ask a question. When I mentioned his last name was Williams she was curious to the reason why while we were brothers we bore different last names. So I was forced to explain the divorce of our parents and our separation.

After about a half hour or so I finally ran out of information, and we ended up sitting in a somewhat awkward silence. I wondered if I should have mentioned Kumajiro or the box, but decided that I was right not to say anything. Mattie had made it extremely clear not to tell anyone I couldn't stake my life on, and even though these people were the police I had still only just met them. Plus I had seen enough crime shows to know that not all cops were who they said they were. What ever was in that box, Matt sure didn't want it public.

I shifted uncomfortably and was about to ask to use the men's room when the phone on the desk started to ring. I held my breathe as she quickly answered. She listened carefully for a few minutes and her face turned stony. Slowly she placed the phone back on the receiver and glanced up at me. Her bright green eyes were filled with sorrow and sympathy and I knew immediately that something had happened. Before I could choke out a single word, she was around the desk and holding me in a tight embrace, her face pressed into my shoulder. " I'm sorry." She whispered softly. " They found your brother, but it was too late. He's gone…"


Ohhhhh I'm sorry Mattie! But it had to be. L On the bright side though I finally finished typing this and even got myself to post~ I need some help with the next chapter though. I can't decide whether to make Arthur Kirkland an old time friend or a sexy gun slinging cop in the coming chapters. I have created a poll on my page so please make your opinion know and vote for your choice. I will leave it open for one week starting Monday April 25. Also don't forget to review and give me your opinion on this chapter~ They are very much appreciated! ;)