- Chapter II -

Near didn't sleep that night. He had Rodger acquire CCTV footage from the area around the last murder scene and around Wammy's. Once the others had turned in for the night, tracking a dead man had taken priority.

That, however, was no easy task.

Despite watching hours of video, he only found his memory replayed from different angles.

The man could easily be mistaken for a ghost.

Near sat curled up in his chair scarcely illuminated by the monitor. He was completely transfixed by the images of Matt; watching them over and over for any clues.

A light knocking on his door quickly brought him back to the present. With the agility of a child about to be caught watching porn, he replaced the footage with something that wouldn't raise questions.

"Yes?" He called out.

The door parted slightly from the wall and David's head glanced around it.

"You're still working?"
"Of course…"

Whether Near was poor at conversing or wanted to be left alone, David could never tell but pressed on regardless.

"Have you found anything on our murderer?"
"No. The search remains unsuccessful for now, but I will review the videos until I find anything suspicious."

It wasn't quite a lie as he hadn't found anything, but he'd rather not tell anyone, even David of whom he'd grown fond of, about the apparition.

"This guy's real hard to find… Anyway, do you want anything? I was just about to get myself something."
"No, thank you."
"All right then. Don't stay up to late now, ya hear?" He mocked as he gently closed the door.

***

This was a long shot and every fiber of his being willed against it, but perhaps luck would be on his side.

Near was sat outside Wammy's again, but now he had a reason. It was around this time yesterday when Matt had walked past the gates.

It was a really long shot.

Near had told his team what he guessed the message was but never told them he had a suspect. Instead, he had told them to gather as much information on those who attended the orphanage and could have known he is L.

It was an intentionally vague request because it was to serve as little more than a distraction. It should prove to be somewhat difficult and time consuming.

Cruel but perfect.

His eyes were fixed on the gates waiting for his tormentor to appear. He did.

"Welcome back."

The auburn haired man flung his head suddenly towards the words; light glinted briefly of yellow tinted goggles. A sly smirk forced it's way onto his lips.

"You're a bitch to find."

He made his way over to Near; constantly glancing around as if Kira hadn't finished with him yet.

"How did you survive?"
"What? You haven't figured it out yet?" he laughed slightly.

Near kept his vision focused straight ahead.

"I'll answer anything you want but it'll have to wait." He was shifting nervously and fell silent for a thoughtful moment.
"Meet me here, tonight, preferably when you won't be seen."

Near turned his head to look at him but said nothing.

Matt, looking somewhat awkward, stutteringly nodded his head and turned to vanish once more.

That man is undoubtedly Mail Jeevas. Whether he is involved with the killings or not is impossible to tell right now but he should be considered the prime suspect.
Should he be the killer, I would think he'll use tonight to execute either myself or whatever plan he has devised. I can't fully trust him but I have to find substantial evidence to uncover what role if any he's playing here.

This is a dangerous game and perhaps a completely idiotic move but I can't imagine why Matt would try to harm me. Unfortunately I'll have to follow his lead, at least for now, and find the answers.

*******

Near sat on the common room floor just finishing the assembly of yet another puzzle. Wammy's was always quiet at this time of year; summer was ending and the majority of the children liked to make the most of it. Which Near was grateful for.

Since it was getting dark and cold he decided it was best to retreat to his room, where his self-inflicted solitary confinement could continue.

There was an uncomfortable chill in the air due to all of the windows lying open. As he was pulling them shut, he saw Matt sitting on the wall staring of into the distance and uncharacteristically alone. Near was perplexed and watched him until the stripy figure got up and, as if he knew he was being watched, looked up at Near as he made his way inside.

"Oh thank God you're decent." A voice behind him chuckled. "I didn't know what to expect."

Near was slightly shocked although his face was hidden. He wondered just how long he'd been standing there absent minded.

"Matt? I ah…" He trailed of and began to move again.

Matt couldn't help but smile inwardly as Near tried to compose himself and complete his task.

"I was wondering why you were sitting alone."

Quick recovery.

"Actually I was watching the sunset. The view's really nice from there." Near looked at him through slightly narrowed eyes.
"Don't let this bad ass exterior fool you," he grinned "I'm really a sentimental bastard."

Near entwined his hand and hair and gazed downward thoughtfully for a moment.

"Can't say I've ever found dwelling on such thing beneficial." He stated bluntly.
"That's hardly surprising considering how you spend all of your time indoors and alone." Matt retorted before taking a keen interest in his feet which kicked restlessly at the floor.
"…You should make some good memories…" his voice was soft as he spoke just above a mumble.

He couldn't bring himself to look up at Near and seemed to immediately regret that last sentence. By doing so he missed the delicate half smile that Near barely managed to hide.

"Maybe I will."

*******

Near was on his bed wrapped up in himself and played aimlessly with his hair. His eyes were fixed on the clock which hung across the room engaged in the staring contest.

It rolled over to one.

The investigating had ended some hours ago, however Near took this time to prepare and run through various scenarios and possible solutions for his meeting. He also wanted to be sure that the current inhabitants of Wammy's had succumbed to sleep.

How long Matt would wait was a though frequently forcing it's way into his mind; he could be pushing it as it is so it was now or never.

He removed himself from intense thought and grabbed a pair of almost pristine shoes and a heavy jacket. The journey through the foreboding hallways was thankfully short and uneventful. He put on the shoes he'd carried and unlocked the doors.

The night was still and clear and the cold tore almost unbearably at his pale skin. It must be freezing point he thought with defeat as he gently pulled and locked the doors behind him.

The detective glanced around the grounds searching carefully for his suspect who was nowhere to be seen. Although Matt hadn't given a specific time or location, Near couldn't help be feel slightly disheartened.

With some trepidation he ventured towards the gates, which curiously lay open. Stood up against the pillar with a cigarette hanging precariously from his mouth was the very man he sought.

"You came. Nice to see you still trust me." He peeled himself off the wall.
"It would be a lie if I said I didn't. However you'll have to forgive me if I seem less than trustworthy of a man who has been presumed dead for three years."
"Can't say I blame you." Replied Matt as he flicked the cigarette butt under the glow of a street light. "Want to go to the park?"

Near knew there was only one option as he watched Matt walk ahead a few paces before moving to catch up.

They walked in absolute silence which was only broken by the occasional car passing by. Not that Near was complaining.

The deserted park was only a short walk from the orphanage; Near had been here a few times with Matt when Mello was occupied else where. Eventually Matt stopped and sat on a bench and beckoned Near to join him. He eyed Matt suspiciously before curling up away from him as safe a distance as the small bench would allow. It made little difference but Near felt slightly better.

"So," Matt began; breaking the thick silence at last. "Where should we begin?"
"How did you survive?" Persisted Near.

He had been pondering this since he first saw Matt and finally the answer would show itself.

As Matt's mind pulled up images from the tragic day his eyes fell and became cold.

"…We staged it…" he forced out followed by a breathy laugh "The stupidest plan we'd ever devised."

This was one of the events Near had envisioned and one which he thought the least plausible.

"We managed to… compromise the integrity of Takada's security. The only thing that spoke louder than their god was the size of our wallets."

Near concluded that the money was more than likely stolen. Two orphans wouldn't have enough money to buy out an entire team of bodyguards. Given Matt's ability with technology, it wouldn't have proven difficult to acquire such funds.

"Quarter of a million pounds a piece. They were paid half up front and the rest once I was safe."
"I presume you were wearing a flak jacket."
"Yeah, we didn't have a choice other than to use live ammunition." Matt's vision remained unfocused on an invisible object. He was now leaning forward with his head propped up by both hands.

"…It was fucking terrifying."

Near relentlessly analyzed the wiry man in front of him; searching for any crack that could betray his true intentions.

"I saw the scene." He paused slightly "Where you were shot, that is. Judging from the damage to your car it seems unlikely that you were unscathed."
"I took a couple of hits to the arms which was fun. Thankfully they kept their aim low enough… and high enough." He grinned weakly.

Near doubted the need to ask his next question as he was almost certain of the answer. But due to recent events, who could tell what was reality anymore?

"What about Mello?"
"…Dead."

Due to the bluntness of his reply Near could tell this was a subject best left alone for now. Even after all this time Mello's death was still very much an open wound. Apparently three years isn't enough to get over somebody.

"Why'd you come back?" Matt seemed to appreciate Near pushing forward; he sat back and turned to face him. There was an almost worried look in his eye.
"I'm here to help. I think you're in danger."

This took a lot longer to write than I expected. I've been saying for the last 3 weeks 'Gotta finish that damn chapter…' and never did. So much shit happened last month writing was the last thing on my mind.

Hopefully future installments won't take this long, but due to a lack of planning I find myself somewhat lost and unsure of where to go and what to focus on.

Anyway I'd like to thank you guys for the comments/pm's and those of you who have got a story alert/fav on this (Actually, I'm quite shocked at the amount of them, even if it's only a handful :p ).

-- EΩG