Eight hours. It had been eight hours since Tenzin had stood in Lin's office in front of her body. Tenzin had returned to Republic City with Korra, who at present was shouting at President Raiko, after receiving a call from the Fire Nation. Izumi had spoken to him directly, telling him of her plans to make the trip for Lin's funeral. Then she revealed that she had been unable to contact her father. The former Fire Lord had been traveling in the northern province of the Fire Nation, but was still unreachable. Tenzin had heard the uneasiness in Izumi's voice when she tried to pretend she wasn't worried. But Tenzin would have to let Izumi worry about her father; he had enough on his plate as it was.
Tenzin felt like crawling into bed and sleeping for days, but he knew that wasn't an option. After meditating, he knew that he would never be able to sit to the side while others searched for Lin's killers. He knew Korra wanted to get back into town to help with the investigation and when Pema came to him with a bag of food, he knew she didn't expect him to stay on the island. His wife had kissed him on the cheek, assured him that she would look after his sister, and told him to go get justice.
He had been hesitant to leave Kya, but he knew that Pema, Bumi, and Opal would take care of her. After her breakdown when they had broken the news to her, Tenzin had carried her to her room and let her cry herself to sleep. For all the grief he was carrying; for the emptiness he felt in a world without Lin, he knew it was nothing compared to what Kya was going through. His love for Lin had aged and changed; they had grown apart and found new loves in their life. But Kya…His minded drifted suddenly to when he had found out that his sister had fallen in love with his ex-girlfriend.
With all the new airbenders around, it was unusually hard to find a good place to meditate. Even though it warmed his heart to see his father's nation growing, sometimes he just wanted time to himself. This is why the airbending master was sitting cross-legged on a semi flat rock that rested just above the water in a secluded corner of Air Temple Island. It was easier for him to ignore the splash of the water than the constant flutter of people wanting to be in his presence.
He felt the air stirring his red and yellow robes. His breathing had slowed and he felt a peace settling over him. He felt so connect to the spirits nowadays and it brought him comfort to think that it was because of the new airbenders. They were helping him achieve his father's dream. There was so much to look forward-
"Are you hiding?"
He let out a long sigh and grumbled, "Apparently not very successfully."
Kya hopped down a few rocks to join him. She was barefoot as usual. It was one of the things she liked about being in Republic City versus the South Pole. Begrudgingly, he moved over so she could sit next to him. She had been away from the South Pole for a few days now, but would be going back to help their mother care for Korra.
"Is there is a reason you are interrupting my meditation?" he quipped, not sure why Kya was here. Not just on his rock, but on Air Temple Island at all. Her report of Korra's health wasn't promising. She had tried to reassure him and Korra's friends that it had only been two months since the battle with the Red Lotus.
"Yup," she replied as she inched closer to the water in order to dangle her legs in the water. "Need to tell you something, but you can't say anything. I'm only here because you're my brother."
He stiffened, ready for bad news about Korra. Maybe she hadn't been completely honest with them. He intertwined his fingers and tried to remain calm. Glancing over her shoulder, Kya let out a giggle, causing him to ask defensively, "What?"
"You look like I'm about to tell you that someone is dying."
"Well, you usually don't corner me on a rock to have a conversation," he protested and unclasped his fingers to cross his arms defiantly over his chest.
Kya smiled. "I didn't want anyone else to overhear. I'm really not supposed to be telling you. She'd be pissed if she knew I was here."
"What's going on, Kya?" He watched her play with the water as she kicked out her feet. She almost looked nervous; perhaps abashed was the better word? In all of his memories, he could count on one hand times that Kya was embarrassed.
"I just thought you should hear it from me," she started, not looking directly at him. "Lin and I are seeing each other."
Of all the things he had expected, that was not one of them. He blinked at the back of her head, watching her grey hair sway in the wind. Kya had never made him privy to any of her previous relationships; he wasn't sure if he had met more than two of her previous girlfriends.
"You and Lin…" he stuttered. Kya had always moved from woman to woman, but he hadn't even known that Lin was interested in women. He had done his best to stay out of Lin's personal life after he married Pema. "Lin and you…"
"I'm in love with her, Tenny."
The nickname from his childhood brought him back to reality. "This is so…unexpected."
"That's because you wouldn't have known even if I was having my way with her right in front of you." This time she turned around to see his reaction, her feet pulling out of the water to tuck underneath her.
"Kya!"
"And I think you should know that we've been involved for quite a number of years. Nothing serious at first," she admitted, a giggle rising in her throat as she added, "I think she just wanted me for the sex."
The brief image that flashed across his mind caused him to groan in annoyance. She was playing with him now. But he knew she was trying to make him comfortable with the idea. But if she was here, telling him, that meant that it was no longer about the physical. "What changed?"
"I love her." It was the second time she had declared her love for Lin in the conversation, but the first time he had really registered it. Gone was the teasing in her eyes. It had been replaced with a woman who had seen far too much in her long life.
"I don't really know why you're telling me this," he admitted.
Kya raised an eyebrow. "You don't think it's important to tell your brother that you're dating his ex-girlfriend? But I'm not asking for permission…I just wanted you to know. I wanted you to hear it from me and not from the rumor mill."
"Thank you, I guess."
Rising to her feet, Kya brushed her hands over her blue dress. He realized that the conversation was over. She had told him what she wanted to and didn't want to hang around to watch him come to terms with the idea of her and Lin.
"Kya," he said, stopping her before she climbed off the rock. "Does she love you, too?"
A smile crossed Kya's face and he was reminded of his mother when she spoke about Aang. "She does."
They had never spoken directly about Kya's relationship with Lin again. Bumi had a habit of making little jokes whenever both women were around. Tenzin wasn't even sure how Bumi found out, but slowly, Kya and Lin became the worst kept secret on the Island.
Korra's raised voice brought him back to the moment. Korra was dealing with her grief much differently than Tenzin. She always had. The shock had nearly pushed Tenzin into hibernation while Korra was ready for a fight. But right now, there was no one to fight. The President was waiting for an update from the police and had told Korra to go back home. Which of course, wasn't the best thing to say to the grieving Avatar. And Tenzin had retreated to the back of President Raiko's office while Korra told him every reason she could come up with as to why her going home was a bad idea.
Korra's rant was interrupted when Captain Roan quietly entered the President's office. The Avatar and the President spoke at the same time: "Do you know who did this?" Both glared at the other in response.
Captain Roan took a deep breath and calmly reported, "I have some new information. But there are still some pieces that aren't fitting together. First, we have no idea how the suspects got into the station. If this was any other building in the city, I would say that they were ambushed. But the Police Station is one of the most secure buildings. Second, Lu is awake and speaking, but all he remembers is some bright lights before he was knocked unconscious. He was not able to identify anyone."
"So you have nothing!" Korra threw her hands in the air in frustration.
Tenzin stepped up to say, "Korra, we are all trying to find answers. Please let the captain do his job."
"Thank you, Master Tenzin. Chief Beifong's autopsy was the first performed-"
"Wasn't her cause of death rather obvious?" Interrupted Tenzin, ignoring his advice to Korra. The image of her torn uniform and the dagger were still fresh in his mind.
"No. In fact, it was quite confusing to us. There was very little blood around the knife wound. If her heart had been pumping when she was stabbed, there would have been a lot more blood. And it's nearly impossible to tear or remove a metalbender's uniform if they are conscious. We believe she was already dead when she was stabbed. But the doctor isn't sure of an exact cause of death. The best he was able to report was swelling in the brain due to a head injury."
Tenzin's eyebrows furrowed at the Captain's report. If she was already dead, that would explain how someone managed to open her uniform. It still didn't answer how she was subdued and killed. Lin had learned from her mother to listen to the earth. It was impossible to sneak up on the woman. Well, he thought, that's not completely true. You could sneak up on her from the air. But Lin would have heard them coming through the roof. The marks around her wrists implied that she had been alive when they tied her to the chair.
"We do have one lead. An officer fresh out of the Metalbending Police Academy has been confirmed missing. Her name is Pari. Lu recalls her being on duty last night, but doesn't remember seeing her after the fighting started. This means that whoever did this didn't want to leave any evidence behind." Captain Roan pulled a picture of a young woman who wasn't much older than Korra in her metalbending uniform. Tenzin looked away from the picture, because all he could see was a much younger Lin graduating from the MetalBending Academy.
"You think this Pari person had something to do with it? That it was an inside job?" asked Korra.
"That's the current theory."
President Raiko stepped out from behind his desk to ask, "Captain, do you believe this city is still in danger?"
Captain Roan let out a sigh and gave a brief incline of his head. "I won't lie to you, Mr. President. Because no one has claimed responsibility for this attack and the suspects worked very hard not to leave evidence behind, that says to me that they aren't done yet. But nothing was taken from the station and it almost seemed personal against the police. But every officer in this city is on duty. This was personal, Mr. President. And the police of this city will not rest until we get answers."
"I can help!" said Korra eagerly. "Let me and my friends help with patrol. I'm sure some of the airbenders would be happy to help as well. Lin helped protect the Air Nation when they were in trouble."
"Although we are a Nation of peace, Captain, I would be happy to let any volunteers help to keep this city safe while you investigate this horrific attack," agreed Tenzin. He wouldn't mind helping himself, but he knew his services would be needed elsewhere. Bumi, Pema, and his children were with Opal and Kya, and Su was on her way. And he had a feeling that Toph would be showing up any minute now. His family needed him with them.
Then there was the matter of the Fire Nation. In Izumi's short call, she had expressed concern for her father. Izumi had tried to reach him to tell him about the attack and Lin's death, but had been unable to reach him. Izumi had tried not to let her voice reflect that she was worried, but Tenzin had sensed her nervousness. He knew the feeling. Korra's parents had been with Katara when he had called to give her the news about Lin, but he still wished he could be there. Zuko and Katara were not as young as they used to be.
"Thank you both," said Captain Roan with a small bow. "All I ask is that you let the police handle the investigation. I have asked Detective Mako to keep the Avatar updated. If you would like to help, please report to the Eastern Station. We need to keep as organized as possible."
"There is one other matter. I'm sure that Avatar Korra and Tenzin would agree that we need leadership in these troubled times. I would like to promote you to Interim Chief of Police." Silence fell upon the room at President Raiko's words. Tenzin had expected Korra to protest replacing Lin, but the young woman had matured over the years. Republic City Police needed a leader. Lin would have never wanted her officers to be without a Chief. Both Tenzin and Korra knew that.
Captain Roan, on the other hand, looked to be surprised. His long ponytail swayed back in forth as he shook his head. "I don't think…"
"We are going through the records to see who would have been promoted in the event of her death, but right now, we need to show a strong united front. Chief Beifong was never very vocal in her praises, but I believe she would have approved this. Your fellow officers looked to you to lead this investigation. And I'm asking you to step up and lead this city until the matter can be resolved."
President Raiko respectively bowed at the waist and Tenzin followed suit, his fist touching the palm of his other hand. Captain Roan returned the bows and gently replied, "Thank you. All of you. I will not let the Chief down."
There was a knock on the door and the President's secretary poked her head into the office. "President Raiko, there is official from the White Lotus here to see you. She says her name is Soraya."
A frown appeared on President Raiko's face, but he motioned for the secretary to let the White Lotus member in. A young woman about thirty with the dark blue and white robes of the White Lotus entered. Her dark hair was styled similarly to how Tenzin remembered his mother wearing hers when he was younger. Although the members of the White Lotus denounced their allegiance for any particular nation, it was often easy to identify their heritage. With her blue eyes, Soraya was obviously of one of the Water Tribes.
Soraya bowed to the president and Korra before introducing herself. "My name is Soraya and I have been sent by the White Lotus to assist Republic City's investigation."
"Why is the White Lotus interested in the death of Republic City Police officers?" asked President Raiko suspiciously. Tenzin felt his eyes narrowing. The White Lotus had only ever concerned themselves with the Avatar. And even then, they hadn't been much use when Zaheer and his people tried to kill Korra.
"I believe that is above my clearance, Mr. President. But I have been sent here to help and I just wish to do my duty," replied Soraya sincerely, but no one in the room was over impressed. Captain Roan was beginning to look particularly offended and it briefly reminded Tenzin of Lin when someone overstepped her authority.
"Republic City doesn't need outside help solving our own cases," retorted President Raiko. "I have complete confidence in Chief Roan."
"This isn't a matter of confidence. I am merely here as an extension of the White Lotus in order to assist you any way possible."
Hands clasped firmly in front of him, Tenzin stepped forward and tried to mediate the situation. "I believe the President is just surprised that the White Lotus would be willing to assist in this situation. Perhaps, it would be better if you settled in the city and Captain, I mean, Chief Roan will keep you updated if they need the White Lotus' help."
"I do not wish to be misunderstood. The White Lotus has instructed me to be a part of this investigation," stated Soraya firmly.
For some reason, Tenzin could hear Lin's voice venomously opposing any intrusion from the White Lotus. It almost made him smile to think of her defending her police officers. But the newly instated Chief didn't seem to have the same abrasive qualities that Lin was known for.
Instead, Chief Roan spoke slowly, "Since the White Lotus' initiative has been to protect the Avatar, perhaps you could work with Avatar Korra, as she has volunteered her services."
"What?!" cried Korra in surprise and placed her closed fists on her hips. "I'm not going to baby sit her!"
Soraya sensed the animosity in the room and smartly nodded her head and replied to the new Chief, "If that is how you think I will best serve this investigation, I would be happy to work with the Avatar."
"Very well. It's settled then," spoke President Raiko as he ignored Korra's sound of protest. "Chief Roan, I will be waiting for a new report first thing in the morning. Tenzin, you are welcome to join us. Ms. Soraya, you will be provided any relevant news by the Avatar's liaison, Detective Mako. Everyone is dismissed."
Korra stormed past Soraya muttering something about keeping up. Tenzin fell into step with Chief Roan as they walked toward the front of City Hall. When they reached the door, they watched as Korra got into a waiting Satomobile, Asami at the wheel. Soraya jumped gracefully into the back seat and the three sped off.
Tenzin turned his attention to the pensive new Chief of Police. Laying a hand on his metal shoulder, Tenzin offered some advice, "Keep your head up, Chief. We are asking a lot from you, but I know if Lin were here she would say-"
"To get off my ass and find a lead?" Both men chuckled at the thought. It did sound like something Lin would say. Chief Roan let out a sigh and continued, "Thank you for your support, Master Tenzin. I am concerned about the White Lotus' involvement. Don't you find it strange?"
"I do," admitted Tenzin as he stared at the Satomobile driving quickly away. "I have found the White Lotus to be more mysterious than helpful in most times. But I believe you did the right thing. Korra will be able to handle her."
Tenzin and Chief Roan parted ways with a stiff handshake. Oogi was waiting patiently for his master and nuzzled the airbender with a low bellow. Tenzin tried not to think of all the times Lin had been with him on the back of the sky bison as he propelled himself onto Oogi's head. Everything reminded him of Lin. She was in every part of this city. With a sad voice, Tenzin urged the sky bison back towards Air Temple Island.