Convergence Zone

Disclaimer: This series doesn't belong to me.

Teaser: Two of the main characters, Lory Takarada and Fuuwa Sho, are acting unusual. What are the reasons, and what will be the outcome.

Chapter 10 – The bloodhound

Detective DeGarmo stepped out of the boarding tunnel and immediately keyed the power button for her cell phone. Sergio Fabriani was close on her heals, keying his own phone and searching his suit coat for his passport.

"Analise!" A handsome older man in a tailored, perfectly creased suit made his presence known.

"John, you're looking as handsome as ever," man and woman hugged, and then she stepped back. "I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow morning?" The statement was delivered as a question.

"Analise, you are still as beautiful as when we worked together," John Murphy stated with perfect sincerity. "I'm picking you up because things are moving faster than we thought. Once you let us know that the Siren was in the area, we were able to put together the pieces of a puzzle that my agents have been working on. I know that you're tired, but I would like you to go over some information with me while Sergio collects your bags and my driver takes you to your hotel."

Just then Detective DeGarmo's phone finished powering up and it buzzed to tell her that she had a message. As she stopped to listen to it her eyes communicated surprise, and then calculation. Both men watched her curiously as she finished listening and snapped the cell phone shut. "John, I think that we have a lead on exactly where the Siren will be at 10 am tomorrow."

* * *

Many fatherless children daydream about finding their father someday. In their dreams he is often a hero, a general, the president of a country, a millionaire, etc. After all, why settle for anything less than the best for your imaginary father? Kyoko, as the queen of imagination, had spent many hours dreaming up the possibilities. In recent months her imaginary father had begun to look much like Hizuri Kuu. But not even her most exotic imaginary fathers had looked like Lori Takarada. It wasn't that he was unacceptable to Kyoko; it was more like he was unimaginable.

Kyoko had thought of him in the capacity of a father, of course. She had seen him with his son and as the loving and devoted grandfather of Maria. But she had never thought of him as a possible father for herself. So she must be forgiven if she just sat there with her best deer-in-the-headlights look for what seemed like an interminable period. It should also be noted that Ren had a similar bewildered look on his face, if not for as long

Lori Takarada normally looked regal and in control, the master of all that he surveyed. But during this long wait he fidgeted and fretted, torn between a multitude of conflicting emotions.

Finally, her distant, confused gaze began to clear up and she asked, in a surprisingly calm voice, "Can I hug you?"

After that the two were completely absorbed into a world of their own. Ren and his parents silently made their exits.

* * *

"How long have you known?" Ren asked. He was still numb from the announcement.

"The Boss told us after he left you guys at the amusement park. He just found out this morning. All of this time and he never knew. But there's more, Kuon."

The way that his father had slipped and used his real name, and his tone of voice, raised immediate alarms in Ren's mind. "What else?"

His mother answered, "That… that 'mother' didn't tell Lory so that he could finally meet his daughter. She told him so that she can blackmail both of them."

"How can she possibly…" and then he stopped himself mid-sentence. Of course! It was obvious. If the press found out about their relationship and published the information, then everyone would assume that Mogami Kyoko's rapid rise to fame was all orchestrated by her father. Nobody would believe that they had just discovered their kinship. Kyoko would receive the same treatment as he himself had received as the son of Hizuri Kuu.

All of the rage that was a part of Hizuri Kuon exploded through the thin veneer of his self control and showed on his face and in his voice, "But she's her mother! How could she do that?! Doesn't she understand what she would be doing to her daughter?!"

Julie, as the only one of the three who was still in full control, answered, "Yes, Kuon, she understands. And no, she doesn't care in the slightest."

* * *

Lori Takarada had just finished having the same conversation with his daughter.

Even though Kyoko knew her mother had never loved her, it still hurt that she could use her so callously. But, typical of the girl, it was her newly discovered father who she was most concerned about.

"What is she asking for? What if she tries to take all of your money? Your company? I can't let that happen! I'm not worth ruining LME! I'll just make the announcement myself! I'll…"

"Stop." One simple word and Kyoko stopped ranting. "Don't ever say that you are unworthy again. You are my daughter. But more importantly, you are Mogami Kyoko. You are a wonderful, talented, caring young lady who any decent man would be overjoyed to call 'daughter.'" Lory Takarada, at his most commanding, looks like the emperor of the world. That is how he looked at that moment, and Kyoko was too captivated to continue.

"Now, you need to relax. I have contacts who can help, and I have a plan. But while I wait for an important phone call, don't you think that there is somebody else who would like to know that she has an aunt?"

"Maria-chan! I'll go and get her!"

"Not necessary. Kanae has her waiting for us in the rec. room." He rose up on his long legs and politely extended an arm. "Shall we proceed, daughter?"

Kyoko beamed as she laid a dainty hand on his arm and did her best ojou-sama impression. "Yes, father, let's."

* * *

As expected, Maria-san was ecstatic about the news. While the two girls danced around and Kanae looked on in amazed bemusement, Lori answered his phone. "Detective DeGarmo! How nice of you to return my call…"

* * *

Fuuwa Sho's performance on the first night had been so well received that Scott Richards, the most prominent producer of the International Battle of the Bands (and the father of Silvia Richards (see chapter 5)) moved him up two stages. The men who had been bribed to sabotage Sho did nothing further. The lady who had contacted them seemed to have lost interest.

For the second night in a row he played to packed crowds. His star continued to rise.

* * * * * * * *

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