Chapter 2
L wasn't sure who made a bigger impression: the dazzling vision of Gothic Lolita charm who shimmied in, or the 7-foot-tall mass of muscle and intimidation who loomed behind her.
"L, meet Misa Amane and her bodyguard Rem. Misa, Rem, this is Detective L. He already knows a bit about the case, and said he'd be delighted to help," Matsuda cooed. He winked, and it was all L could do not to round kick his face to oblivion.
"Kya! Thank you so much, L-san!" Misa squealed as she seized his hand in an iron grip. "Matsuda was right when he said I could count on you!"
Fixing bleary eyes ahead, L muttered, "Ms. Amane, with all due respect, I will have to turn you down. You see, my firm handles cases of a more grievous nature. However, if you happen to have an aunt who was, say, mysteriously murdered over the weekend, then we'd be in bus—"
"This is not child's play, detective," the bodyguard interrupted icily. Her glare was impressive with just one eye, making L shudder to think what she'd look like without the eye patch. "That diary is an Amane heirloom. It's likely worth more than you'll ever be."
"Relax, Remmy," Misa soothed. Undeterred, she fished out an envelope from her purse and offered it to L. "You will be paid in advance, and then more when you get the diary back."
L fought to keep a straight face when he saw the amount on the check. So many zeroes! Then, there were other numbers to consider. If I decline, there is a 15% chance I will legitimately break this girl's heart. More troubling is the 25% chance her bodyguard will break my neck.
He had no choice. Screw it. "Alright, I'll do it."