New York City M.N. Murder Case
Chapter 4: Extraordinary
''Can someone tell me why this insufferable albino kid who keeps repeating me this is the case of his life— the one he ought to solve above all else— every fucking hour is not even willing to move his ass out of that playroom of his?''
Hal Lidner laid her light blue eyes upon the cranky golden-haired woman sitting at the front cabin of the black car driven patiently by a very steady and deadpan Gevanni, whereas the former C.I.A. agent was sitting at the back of the car, after she had generously invited the younger woman to take her place and sit near the driver, considering the rather chilling mood she had found the usual so enticing Elena Cabestan in this morning. She reminded the hateful and menacing glow which had crossed the professor's hazel eyes back when she greeted the SPM agents at her flat door at 7:30.
She certainly is not a morning person. Lidner sneered in her head.
She watched from her spot against the black leather seat, as the dark-haired man held a plastic cup she guessed was filled with coffee at the peeved young woman.
''He never goes out of the headquarters for any case,'' Gevanni stated calmly as he waited for his passenger to take the cup and drink her coffee, hoping it would perhaps ease her anger towards L and towards morning in general. ''He prefers to investigate from indoors. He is not a man of action, but rather a man of ideas. He can easily think and solve cases while staying locked up in a room, as long as he can request some agents' assistance to go and provide him the elements he needs from the outside world. We all have a role to play, Miss Cabestan.''
''Yeah, yeah. Though I still find it unbelievable— thank you,'' Cabestan mumbled as she grabbed the cup almost reluctantly. ''It's unbelievable that the world's greatest detective has solved a hundred cases or more without even bothering to put a feet outdoors. How could one figure out a whole murder case without even looking at the crime scene nor the victim corpse?''
''In fact, he did go outdoors...'' Gevanni said quietly, as if afraid of the memories that simple assertion could bring back to his mind and his co-worker's. ''Once.''
''Once?'' Elena turned to face him. ''He did? The Kira case, right? No! You must be kidding me!'' She scoffed. ''Ah, let me guess!'' She placed her hand on her chin in a mocking gesture. ''He went out to go and buy some toys, didn't he?''
The man sitting next to her merely shook his head in exasperation as he finally seemed to grow impatient of the criminologist's current unpleasant mood.
Hal stayed silent, simply staring at the so unpredictible woman sitting before her, trying to hold back a chuckle.
Elena, I wouldn't say those kind of things if I were you... Didn't you understand L have ears everywhere?
[…]
A low discret crackle escaped from the car radio, as if the station couldn't capture the waves anymore, but Gevanni and Lidner knew better, even though they both didn't seem inclined to warn the provocating young woman.
And Elena Cabesta definitely wasn't willing to stop insulting the world's greatest detective as she was letting all the vicious words she had kept inside her flowing from her mouth without thinking.
''He must have missed his dolls, and robots, and fairies, and princesses, and puppets and avions, and cars and spaceships— and whatever— so much! Poor kid! Not that I am mocking him, of course not! I understand perfectly well! I mean, I would also be utterly mad if my boyfriend stole my Barbie dolls from me just in order to put them on some dead corpses as a decoration!''
The more the young woman let burst out her anger, the more Gevanni's driving became nervous and prompt. Lidner maintained a perfectly still and cold face, but inside she was dying of laughter.
A boyfriend? Oh dear. You just called Mello Near's...boyfriend?!
Elena, you have no idea what you're talking about, but I can assure you something: L's revenge is going to be the worst cataclysm you have ever known and no one could ever warn you enough against it.
An awkward cough echoed electronically in the whole cabin, however the crazy woman didn't seem to notice.
''This is so sad, really! Such beautiful toys drenched in blood... No wonder he would go out of his playroom to buy new ones as soon as—''
[I can hear you, Miss Cabestan.] A cool came voice from the loudspeakers.
Elena gaped as she slowly lowered her gaze on the dashboard.
''Oh God!'' She muttered.
[Not quite. I appreciate your devotion, Miss Cabestan.] Near's plain voice filled the cabin. [But I would rather have you call me L.]
The french professor's jaw dropped in awe. Did that weird insensitive boy just make a joke? Or did he really think she was calling him God? Knowing his inflated ego, this would not be that surprising. Anyway, she should better dot the i's.
''Oh please! Don't flatter yourself,'' she jeered, rolling her eyes. ''So— since you're apparently able to talk to me wherever I am, would you tell me why you exposed your cadaveric white skin to the sun for the Kira case?''
[I had no other choice but to show myself to the mass murderer if I wanted to catch him in the end. I had a plan, of course, and it couldn't work out without me facing Kira directly.]
''I see.'' Elena nodded. ''So you did risk your life, after all... Your dear Mello didn't do all the job.''
[Indeed.] There was a long pause, as if the detective was searching for the right words. [But you must know if it was not for him, I would have been dead one year ago.]
''L...''
[Yes?]
''You said he helped you figure out Kira's plans. You said you could catch the serial killer thanks to him, and he nearly died because of that... But how did Mello really save your life?'' The law professor asked, holding her breath in expectation.
A deep silence overwhelmed the place. Cabestan felt her throat tightening. She knew the answer would bring nothing but chaos in all the SPM agents' mind, in hers, but most of all, in Near's.
[I never trusted him.] The white-haired boy spoke quietly, his voice was low, as if every word, every syllable was digging holes into his soul. [I was wrong. He had all figured it out. He was the best.]
Hal slowly raised her blonde head from her cup and gazed at the black radio from which the sound of the young man's voice came. Elena widened her eyes in shock. Gevanni looked down for a short while before focusing on the road again, pursing his lips. All the occupants of the car remained quiet, but all of them had understood very well what those few sentences really meant.
Professor Cabestan was the first one to regain her senses. She swallowed hardly. ''He didn't nearly died, did he? He wanted you to believe he died. He didn't really escape death. He faked his own death... Why?''
A high-pitched crackle made itself heard.
[…]
''L? Why did he do that?''
A new silence took over the cabin. Deafening, piercing, frightening silence.
[…]
''L?'' Elena repeated, her voice suddenly hoarse with concern. ''Why? Answer me, L! L?!''
A last small crackle and there was no sound to be heard anymore. Near never replied to the young woman. Cabestan leant against the leather seat, sighing.
L is not the best. L can't do anything on his own. He cannot win. He can't win against Mello. He doesn't want to win against him. He wants to let him win. But why?
Why? She frowned slightly.
Why? She reached up to rub her temples, closing her eyes.
Why?! She opened her eyes.
Because...
He needs him.
The three SPM agents finally arrived at the crime scene after a short while spent in a respectful silence. As the criminologist had guessed the day before, it was indeed a small apartment studio located in Harlem, one of the poorest district of New York City. The place was as appealing as a drug house, perhaps even worse. Despite the colorful walls painted in different shades of orange, yellow and blue, a glaucous and sordid atmosphere was emerging from that tiny wretched limbo. In place of the corpse was left a yellow line chalk on the floor— probably made by the N.Y. Police— indicating where the victim had been found. In the middle of the drawn shape stood a little doll. It was facing the entry, as if waiting for potential visitors to see it and take it with them.
Elena Cabestan looked around. There was no blood except from within the yellow lines where used to lay the poor seven year old boy. The room was an indescribable mess. One could say that if any of those various clothes, pens, sheets, shoes spread all around the floor belonged to somewhere, none of them was actually in its original place. And that damned doll, fixing whoever entered the room with these two black holes. Immobile, threatening, hypnotizing.
Okay, this is definitely creepy...
''Elena,'' a soft voice came from behind her. She turned around quickly to face Hal Lidner. ''Yes?''
The blonde woman extended a hand holding a small black device towards her. It was an earpiece attached to what she supposed was a microphone which should be placed before the mouth in order to speak and hear at the same time.
''You have to use this.'' The older woman gestured to Cabestan's ear.
''Me?'' Elena asked, pointing a red fingernail at herself. ''You want me to use this? Why would I do that?''
Lidner shook her head slightly, causing platinium strands to sway gracefully above her forehead. ''I don't want you to use this... L does. It will allow him to communicate with you, hear your comments at anytime and give you instructions directly.''
''No way.'' The french woman folded her arms on her chest. ''I don't like headsets. Besides, I don't want to hear him speaking into my ear.''
Hal stared at the younger woman, a hint of a smirk tugging on her thin lips. She leant forward to remove a golden lock from Elena's cheek. The french professor could do nothing but watch the blonde as she stood before her, her pale face only an inch away from her own, she slid the light strand of hair behind Cabestan's ear in a slow and almost tender gesture. Then Lidner reached up, she clipped the headset at the golden-haired woman's ear and stretched the mike device, placing it right in front of her mouth. The SPM agent bent her head to the side as she rested an icy hand on Elena's neck. She leant in closer...
''Indeed, I'd rather be the one who speaks into your ear, Elena...'' The blonde whispered into her ear, cold breath blowing mercilessly on her cheek.
Before the young woman could figure out an answer, Hal pulled away, offering her a radiant and provocative smile. Elena Cabestan restrained a growl and instead chose to show her most beautiful and convincing grin. Suddenly, a low voice interrupted this awkward exchange.
[Miss Cabestan?]
''Ah, L!'' Elena replied immediately. ''Are the earphones really necessary? Can't you just come here and work with us instead of staying locked up with your toys, commanding us from the other edge of the city?''
[No, I can't. Thus, this makes the earphones unavoidable. I'm afraid you will have to deal with it, Miss Cabestan. But if that can soothe you in any way, my agents managed quite well with this issue.]
Cabestan sighed. ''Fine, there's no way I can argue with you anyway. So tell me, what do you want us to do now?''
[I want you to rummage the studio from top to bottom, leave no stone unturned. Everything might be a clue, a hint leading us straight to him.]
''Very well.'' She turned towards her new co-workers. ''Lidner, Gevanni, search everywhere. Nothing shall be overlooked. Nothing.''
[Oh, and...Miss Cabestan?]
''What else?'' The criminologist asked, slightly annoyed, fighting against herself not to think about that damned stupid coffee advertising and the inevitable answer that should bring with it. Nespresso. She sighed again.
I really need to sleep better that night... My brain is a mess.
[I have a special mission for you.] The void voice stated simply.
''Which is?'' Elena's brows furrowed in curiosity.
[I want you to search for special hints. Not scientific nor legal evidence, for my team is sufficiently skilled on that matter. I need you to do your job, not theirs, which would be rather pointless, but I assume you already understood that when you accepted to work for me. So now is time to show me your abilities in your field of competence. I bet you already got my point, Miss Cabestan, I want you to search for every clue directly or indirectly related to...]
''Emotions.'' Cabestan finished without a second thought and nodded as if for herself as she finally realized the scope of her task.
[Precisely.] L agreed blandly, but the professor was sure she deciphered a tiny ounce of satisfaction in that cool voice. [Good luck, Miss Cabestan. Feel free to speak and share your thoughts, I'll be disposed to listen and answer all your questions if needed.]
Professor Cabestan was standing in the middle of the room, a thin hand resting on her chin as she seemed lost in the contemplation of the great mess in front of her.
Lidner is searching for any information in all the papers, books and belongings the victim ever possessed while Gevanni is looking for any physical evidence of Mello's presence in the murder scene. They don't understand how pointless their work is... It's almost pitiful.
Elena sighed deeply.
No, the clue is not where we think it is. It is much more complicated than that...
Her gaze lowered on the small motionless doll at her feet. She slowly kneeled down and took the toy in her hands gently.
This doll. That is the answer, I know it. If only L could tell me... Eventually, she resigned herself. I guess I have no choice...
''L?'' She cleared her throat, waiting for the young boy to acknowledge her.
Unexpectedly, the answer came promptly, as if the detective had never stopped listening to her during all this time. [Yes, Miss Cabestan?]
''Uh...'' The french woman pondered the suitable words to mouth such a request. ''Look, L, I know this is a very personal matter and I really don't like interfering in someone else's business, but—''
[You want to know how the doll ended up in that crime scene.] L cut her off, already aware of the criminologist's interrogations.
''Yes.'' She released a breath she didn't know she was holding back. ''I know this is none of my business, but if you want my help, then you need to tell me. I can't work without all the tools at my disposition. You know, in the world of emotions— which is still unknown to you— past holds just as much importance as present and future do. I need to know this doll's story, L.''
[Very well.] The emotionless voice gave up. [I suppose this is why I hired you in the first place after all... I'm going to tell you the story of that doll. Now I will ask you to listen very carefully, Miss Cabestan, for I will not repeat myself. Do you understand?]
''Yes.'' Cabestan reached up and pressed two of her polished fingers on the little device stucked in her ear, as if such a move could somehow allow her to focus on L's plain voice and listen more closely. ''You have all my attention, L.''
Finally, the cool and steady voice began as the world's greatest detective decided to share one of the most hidden and precious memory he kept in this secluded and mysterious mind of his.
Thus, Elena Cabestan was about to learn that this case hadn't started a few weeks ago with the children murders like everyone would thought, but fifteen years ago, on a cold and white day of winter, in England, when Mello and Near met for the first time...
Fifteen years ago: Wammy's House
''Who's that boy?'' A blonde eager kid asked loudly as he pointed to a four year old child crouched on the floor in front of a giant white puzzle.
''This is Near,'' an old white-haired man replied softly. ''He just arrived a few hours ago. I hope you two will get along. You are both the most qualified pupils of this school.''
''B-But...'' Mello turned to face the leader of the orphanage, widening his blue eyes. ''But I thought I was the most qualified?!''
''Indeed, you are.'' Roger nodded. ''But so is he. You both are, Mello. Now please go and meet him. I am sure you have a lot of things in common.''
''Things in common?'' The seven year old boy growled. ''With him? Ah! I don't think so! Roger, look at him! He's so...weird.'' Mello winced as he looked down at the kneeled figure who was still turning its back on them.
The old man sighed, shooking his head. ''You won't know that until you talk to him. Besides, you must learn to know each other. After all, it is very likely you will work together one day...''
''W-What?! But I—''
''Mello, that is enough!'' Roger's eyes narrowed. He gestured towards the new comer. ''Now go and talk to him.''
The blonde boy simply folded his arms on his tiny chest, pouting.
''This is L's request, Mello...''
Suddenly, all the concealed rage and frustration slipped from Mello's face. He looked up, blue eyes shining with a new hopeful glow. He gaped, and eventually he stepped towards the younger boy. He patiently circled around all the puzzle pieces spread across the floor and kneeled in front of the weird white-dressed kid.
''Hello, I'm Mello,'' he said, stretching a hand towards Near. The teachers always told them to greet new people politely by shaking hands so he figured it was probably the best thing to do with his possible new co-worker-to-be.
Very slowly, the white head raised and black endless eyes met deep blue ones. Then, the dark gaze lowered on the stretched hand. Even more slowly, a small white hand reached up and took hold of Mello's hand.
God, his hand is so cold... Mello shivered.
Near looked up at the blonde once again. ''It is nice to meet you, Mello. My name is Near,'' an empty voice answered quietly.
Mello's eyes locked into those two black orbs as he became aware of the fact he had completely forgot about the shaking part of the hands ritual. So instead he stayed still, staring back at Near's bottomless eyes, their hands still intertwined.
''Uh,'' Mello cleared his throat. ''Yeah, well...'' He looked away from those hypnotizing pupils, withdrawing his hand from Near's icy touch in the same move. That is when his gaze spotted something rather unusual. In his other hand, the little albino held what looked like a small puppet. He held it right to his chest.
No... Mello thought. Right to his heart.
''Why the hell do you play with dolls?!'' He spat.
''Why shouldn't I?'' Near answered straight away, tilting his head to the side almost innocently.
''Because...dolls are usually for girls!'' Mello scoffed as he let his weight drawn him backwards, so he could sit on the floor in front of the strange kid.
''Well, I am not a girl,'' the younger boy stated emotionlessly as he looked down at his blank puzzle.
''Yeah, I got that, thank you very much!'' The other kid sneered sarcastically.
''Then I don't see the point in saying dolls are for girls, since I am a boy and yet I have one.'' Near added a piece to his almost completed puzzle.
''Yes, but I said it was usually for girls...and you don't look like the usual boy.''
Near looked up as a small hand raised to twirl a white lock of hair. He stared at the older boy in silence for a while.
''What does Mello think I look like?'' He questioned, his dark pools still fixed on Mello's.
''I-I...I don't know!'' The blonde child stuttered, obviously taken aback. ''You look...different. You look young, innocent, pure, naive...''
''Does Mello think reality match with my looks?'' Near asked again, his voice as void as ever.
''No.'' Mello shook his head. ''No, it doesn't.'' He looked down, as if in defeat.
''Mello doesn't look like an ordinary boy either.''
The seven year old boy raised his head to meet Near's dark gaze still set upon him. ''What do I look like?''
''You look sweet, smooth, caring, feminine...'' The crouched silhouette then shrugged, looking down at the ground.
''And...'' Mello frowned, clenching his fists, trying his best to hide his anger. ''Does reality match my looks?''
Once again, the older boy managed to catch Near's dark gaze as he returned the same question he has been asked a few seconds ago.
''No, it doesn't.''
As if satisfied, Mello nodded, looking down at the puzzle, lost in thought. Though he was quickly jerked out of his thoughts as a little blonde head showed itself before his eyes. The doll. Mello looked up to see the hand holding the small doll firmly reaching out towards him. He shot a inquiring glance at the white-haired boy.
''Take it.'' Near said plainly.
''W-Why?'' Mello pulled back a bit, as if feeling unexpectedly attacked by the strange toy.
''To remember.''
The older kid stared at the kneeled figure in front of him hesitantly.
What does he expect from me?
''Remember what?''
Eventually, Near raised his white head to look at the blonde. Mello swore he saw a discrete invisible smirk on the other child's pale lips.
''Remember that we are no usual boys.''
Mello opened his mouth to speak but shut it almost instantly. Instead, he reached out and took the little doll in his hands.
''Why are you doing this, Near?'' He asked quietly, glaring at the doll. ''You barely know me, you don't even know what I would do with your toy. So why?'' He let himself be lost in Near's black orbs once again.
''I gave you my doll so you can see the gender is not important.'' Near raised a thin finger to whril a strand of hair around it. ''You can play with it, it doesn't matter whether you are a boy or a girl. All that matters is that...you're you. You can look feminine, but you're not. I can look innocent, but I am not. You're not a usual boy. I am not. You're Mello. I am Near. And we are not like the others.'' Piercing black eyes locked in blue ones.
''We are different.''
Mello simply stared at the new comer in awe.
This child is definitely not like the others. He truly is different. He is... Yes, that's the word.
Extraordinary.
Then he stood up and held the doll to his heart as he lowered his gaze on the white-dressed kid before him.
''You are right, Near.'' He smiled almost imperceptibly. ''Gender doesn't matter. Looks don't matter. Visions are seldom all they seem, don't they?'' Near bent his head to one side in what seemed like genuine curiosity. Mello chuckled in response. ''We look like quite the opposite, you and I, and yet we are very much alike,'' he continued softly. ''We are different, and that's what makes us alike.''
This time, it was Near's turn to be speechless. So he remained quiet as Mello turned his back on him and exited the room.
Yes, Mello. You are right. Visions are seldom all they seem. We look like the opposite sides of the coin, yet we are on the same coin. Because we are both different. We are the same in our difference.
After that fateful day, he knew his life had now a new goal. He also knew Mello was a part of it. He never bothered to ask if the other boy had kept the gift he had given him on that cold, white day of winter, for he already knew. And during all the following years, before he went to sleep, Mello had held the doll to his heart.
To remember. Remember that gender and look didn't matter, because even if they were both men, even if one looked sweet and the other looked pure, all that mattered was that on the inside, they were indeed different. And they didn't care. Because in their difference, they were not alone anymore.
In their difference, they were together.
Remember. Gender doesn't matter. Looks don't matter. Visions are seldom all they seem. The opposite sides of the coin. We are different. That's what makes us alike.
They are not alone... They are together.
[...Miss Cabestan? Are you listening to me?]
Elena Cabestan was cut off in her thoughts by a neutral voice echoing in her earphone as she was violently brought back to reality.
''Oh, yes, yes.'' She shook her head. ''I'm sorry, I was lost in thought.''
[I supposed as much. Did that story help you in any sort?]
The law professor smiled widely. ''Oh, yes it did.''
In one same movement, Lidner and Gevanni turned towards their co-worker, curiosity and anticipation inhabiting their usually blank faces. A short silence followed her revelation on the other side of the microphone.
[What is your conclusion, Miss Cabestan?] L asked eventually.
''L...'' She said smoothly, her red scarlet lips curved even more as a grin of satisfaction painted itself on her face.
''I know what Mello wants from you.''
AN: Hello everyone!
I must warn you that chapter 5 will probably have to wait a little cause I'll be quite busy with work those following days. Hope you won't be mad at me... I'll try to update as soon as possible though.
Anyway, here is chapter 4! So enjoy reading (I hope). And feel free to review or pm me to share your thoughts!
C.