BAD MEMORIES
Chapter 10: "Post Mortem"
A Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Junko paused at the door to her father's study. She found him at his desk, pouring over the stock quotes. It was his favorite hobby. Gert Tenoh fancied himself as skilled an investment analyst as the professionals and nothing got his energy flowing more than the thrill of chasing that investment, waiting for the proper moment and striking when profit was at its maximum. She had to admit that he wasn't bad at it, either. They had a comfortable life and, in economic times like these, that wasn't something to sneer at.
"Dad," she said, waiting for him to lean back in his chair, a sign that the chase was momentarily over. "Can I ask you something?"
"Certainly," Gert said, gesturing her to a chair near the desk. The sight of his daughter always made him feel good. "You need help with your lessons, maybe?"
"No," she smiled, hiding her eyes. It was something he'd always asked. Sometimes she'd let him help her, even when she didn't need it, just to make his evening. Then her smile dimmed. "How to ask this?"
"Is someone giving you trouble?" Gert asked, fatherly concern rising.
"No, not that." Junko sighed. "Haruka told me about the Fiat. Actually, I made her tell me."
"Oh," Gert grunted sullenly.
"Be honest with me, Dad," Junko appealed to him. "Did you turn her down because you didn't think I should drive the Fiat - - or because it was Haruka offering?"
Gert looked away.
"I know that's why Mom didn't want to do it," Junko pressed the issue.
"Junko honey," Gert began. "We'll buy you a car. You just don't need a flashy car like that. I know it looks nice and it would impress everybody. But do you really need flashy things to impress people? Do you need to be different?"
"What's wrong with being different?" Junko shrugged.
"It's dangerous," Gert replied. "It invites trouble. It encourages people to oppose you, to try to impede your success."
"Yeah, but it's also honest," Junko said. "If I'm different in some way, should I hide that difference just to keep people from attacking me?"
"There's a time and a place for everything," Gert told her. "If being different means standing up for what's right, that's one thing. If it's just to draw attention to yourself, that's not so noble a thing. Eh?"
Junko thought about that.
"I just want you to be safe and happy, Junko," Gert offered. "And I don't think that flashy car is necessary to be safe and happy."
"Maybe," Junko said, then flashed him a wicked smile. "But it'd sure be fun to cruise in around school."
"Kids," Gert sighed.
"Just as long as it's not because of Haruka, Dad," Junko added, grasping his arm around the wrist. "I know you two are like oil and water now, but if you'd just give her a chance, I think you both can find common ground." The girl brightened. "Even if it's just deciding on what to give me. Because I'm holding you to what you said about the car."
"Go on," Gert replied, nodding to the door. But he did have a trace of a smirk on his face.
Ami had arrived promptly at 5:38 pm. Usagi was busying herself with setting the table for seven, with the help of Makoto. Actually Makoto had started helping Usagi without being asked, because she just couldn't keep herself from allowing the haphazard way Usagi was setting the table to stand. Minako had arrived a half hour previously and was trying not to laugh as she watched Makoto correct every setting Usagi put out. Rei was watching dinner - - take out, as Usagi didn't dare subject them all to her cooking. While all of that went on, Mamoru and Luna briefed Ami and Minako on what had happened.
"Two attempts?" gasped Ami. "Clearly there's someone threatened by the possibility that you recall more of that night than you have. Have you had any new memories, Mamoru?"
"A few," he said with a heavy heart. "I remember my father was agitated, that he was adamant we needed to escape Tokyo immediately. His demeanor made my mother upset," and then Mamoru paused and thought. "Although now that I think of it, it's possible that she already knew what he was upset about. Perhaps she even knew why he had gone to visit Tezawa-San." He scowled. "And he had a gun, tucked into his belt. And I really don't remember much of anything before that day."
"That's to be expected, Mamoru," Ami cautioned him. "Most early memories fade or are written over by the brain, unless they are associated with a powerful recall stimulus. However, a traumatic event such as the night your parents died would contain such a stimulus."
"Uh, not to be a killjoy," Minako piped up, "but is everybody else adding up these pieces like I am? Like maybe Mamoru's Dad didn't go over to Tezawa-Dono's to discuss the weather?"
"I think we've all entertained that scenario at one time or another," Mamoru replied. "I don't like the idea that my father could have been responsible for Tezawa-Dono's death. And I'd like to at least think it was justified if he was."
"Well, you don't have to be evil to kill," Minako offered. "It's like they say: There's a thin line between love and homicide."
Ami glanced at Minako, askance.
After Makoto pronounced the table fit to eat on, everyone sat down. Several books were put on one chair so Ichiro could participate, while Luna's bowl was placed on the counter so she could see everyone. Usagi dished out the food, the best take-out she could get from The Imperial Garden Chinese restaurant. As they ate, everyone could tell Makoto was struggling not to critique the food, though it was obvious she desperately wanted to.
"You say the private detective you visited was gone?" Luna ventured between bites.
"The office was locked up tight," Rei reported, "and the maintenance staff said they were told it would probably be like that until further notice."
"Looks like our boy Yamanaka decided to take a sudden vacation," Makoto added. "And I'm not sure if he's coming back. We didn't see any car in the garage that fit the description Mamoru gave us, either." She leaned over to Ichiro, struggling with a massive spoon full of chicken. "Small bites, Champ. You can eat like your Auntie Usagi when you get older." Usagi wrinkled her nose at Makoto, her plate nearly empty.
"Artemis is trying to trace Yamanaka-San's phone records to see if he can get a lead on the man's employer," Luna informed them. "He's also cross-checking with banking records."
"That's my Artemis," beamed Minako. "Give him enough time and he'll find out what size shorts Yamanaka wears."
"In the mean time, it doesn't get us any closer to the main questions," Rei summarized. "Namely who is trying to stop Mamoru and what secret they're trying to protect."
"I think we can safely say that at least part of the secret revolves around the death of Tezawa-Dono," Ami proclaimed. "Why he died, for one. Perhaps how he died as well."
"How would be pretty tough to solve thirty years later," suggested Minako. "Maybe I can get Superintendent Sakurada to get the body exhumed. It's a long shot, though."
"And unnecessary," Ami told them. "I can perform an autopsy tonight. In fact, I think that should be our next move."
Minako turned to Rei. "Oh, this ought to be good," she smirked. Rei smirked back.
Sitting in a chair in the library of her mansion, Sukio Tezawa read a book. It was one of the many novels purchased at her behest, novels that filled the room. With the effects of her stroke and her disdain for television limiting her entertainment options, reading was one of the few distractions left to her. As a result, she kept the room filled with a large selection of the latest fiction, as well as a few biographies of people she admired. A pitcher of water sat on a table next to her, a glass beside it. There was no sound in the room, save for the faint whir of an electric clock in the corner.
The sound of the door opening caused Sukio to look up. She found her daughter, Wakaba, peering in. It was almost as if she were sizing up the situation before venturing in. Sukio marked her place in the book and set it on her lap.
"You're home early today, Wakaba," the woman stated.
"Yes," Wakaba began, walking up to her mother. "I visited Dr. Hitsugaya this afternoon. After we finished, I decided to come on home rather than go back to the office."
"Are you not feeling well?" Sukio asked with motherly concern.
"I'm feeling perfectly fine," Wakaba replied. "I was asking him about Dad's death. About whether it was actually a heart attack like everyone thinks."
"He told you it was, didn't he?"Sukio inquired brittlely
Wakaba pulled up a chair. "Yes, he did," she said as she sat down. Then she looked directly at her mother. "But I don't believe him. I get a very concrete impression that he's covering."
"Nonsense," fussed Sukio. "Your father died of heart failure. That's all there is to it. Now you know how I feel about this subject, Wakaba. I'd rather not discuss it any further."
"Well I do," Wakaba insisted. The old feelings of supplication to her parental authority figure were swirling around her, but Wakaba Tezawa held firm against it. "Was there some sort of confrontation between Dad and this Chiba person? Did they get into some sort of fight? Did Chiba threaten him? Did Dad threaten Chiba?"
"Wakaba!" snapped Sukio. "I'm not going to discuss this!"
"Mother, if something happened that brought about Dad's death, I want to know about it!"
"Why?"
Wakaba sat back, surprised by the question. There was a touch of sadness to her mother's iron expression, a touch that whispered of a sea of regrets and heartache below the surface of the woman. The tenacity in which Sukio Tezawa clung to her dignity in the face of whatever secrets were choking her brought out the intimidating nature of the woman all over again. Wakaba struggled not to cave before it.
"Will knowing what happened bring him back to life?" Sukio asked. "He's dead, and nothing will change that. All you can do now by pursuing this is bring public scrutiny into our lives and shame his good name and the name of our family. Is knowing exactly what happened important enough to you to risk that?"
"How will it bring shame onto us?" Wakaba persisted. "What happened? You know, don't you?"
"How many times do I have to say I don't want to discuss this?" fumed Sukio.
"I'm sorry if this subject brings so much pain to you," Wakaba fought back. "It isn't an easy subject for me, either. I loved Dad. I respected him. He was a giant figure in my life, so much so that I followed in his footsteps because I thought that's what you did to be a successful, respected person. I was crushed when he died, just as much as you were. I wondered for years why, why did he have to go? And if it turns out that he didn't have to go, that he may have been taken from me . . .!"
"Wakaba," Sukio said with a firm, low voice. The woman stopped instantly and concentrated on her mother. "If you're searching for answers out of a need for vengeance, stop. Seeking vengeance will only destroy you."
"Is there something I have to avenge?" Wakaba questioned. Sukio fell stubbornly silent. "Do I have to have his body exhumed?"
"DON'T YOU DARE!" hissed the old woman, her eyes flaring with warning. "Your father's spirit is at rest! Don't you dare disturb it!"
"Then tell me what happened!" Wakaba volleyed back.
Sukio settled back into her chair and looked straight ahead. Her steely eyes were fixed on the bookcase on the far side of the room.
"Your father died of heart failure," Sukio said. "Anything else is just scurrilous, hateful speculation that dishonors him, his memory and the accomplishments he built. And I WILL NOT have him slandered or dishonored. Not even by you."
Wakaba let out a deep sigh of frustration. She rose from the chair and headed for the door.
"Wakaba," Sukio said, stopping her at the door. "Let this drop. Remember the good times with your father. Let those memories be his legacy to you. He wasn't a perfect man. But he was a good man."
Without comment, Wakaba exited the library. Sukio was left to wonder what her daughter intended.
Walking down the hall, her high heels clicking on the patterned linoleum floor, Wakaba traveled to the main reception room of the mansion. Digging out a phone directory, she paged through it until she found the home number for Mamoru Chiba. Her cell phone was out in seconds and Wakaba punched in the number.
"Usagi?" answered the voice on the phone. It was female and had a rich, cultured accent that almost sounded British. "Is that you?"
"No," Wakaba replied, startled. "Is this the Chiba residence?"
"Yes," the voice said, recovering after a moment's surprise. "Whom may I ask is calling?"
"I'd like to speak to Chiba-Sensei, please. This is Wakaba Tezawa."
"My apologies, but Chiba-Sensei is not home at the moment," the voice told her. "If you like, you may give me a number where he can reach you when he returns."
"Oh, very well," Wakaba replied impatiently and gave her cell phone number to the voice.
"Very good," she said. "And what, may I ask, was this concerning?"
"His father and my father," Wakaba answered. "He'll know."
The five Sailor Senshi, accompanied by Mamoru, entered the cemetery where Midoki Tezawa was interred. It only took a few computer inquiries for Luna to track down where he was. Once there, it wasn't difficult to find him, as Tezawa had the most ornate marker in the place. Luna was home, watching Ichiro. It was evening, which Mercury had suggested to limit being witnessed there.
"Master!" Venus suddenly exclaimed, imitating Peter Lorre as she mimicked walking with a hunchback. "We must hurry! The villagers will punish us for grave robbing if they find us here!"
"Will you grow up," scowled Mars.
"Obviously Tezawa-Dono wanted to let everyone in the place know that he had money," Jupiter commented as they approached the Tezawa plot.
"Or his family did," Mars added.
"Can we please hurry?" whimpered Sailor Moon. Everyone now noticed that the vaunted Sailor Moon was nervously clinging to Mamoru's arm. Her head skittishly turned left and right, as if she expected something unholy to jump out at her.
"What are you afraid of, Hon'?" Jupiter grinned. "Ghosts?"
"Among other things," Sailor Moon quavered.
"I can set up a barrier if it'll help," Mars said sarcastically.
"Would it take long?" Sailor Moon asked hopefully. Mars rolled her eyes.
"Sailor Moon, if you squeeze his arm any tighter, you'll cut off the circulation," Venus joked. The comment didn't seem to faze her, so Venus leaned in. "You know, he is married. And I hear he has a very jealous wife."
"Hush, Venus!" snapped Sailor Moon, while Mamoru chuckled.
"Remind me again why we're here transformed?" Jupiter asked.
"In case we're seen," Mars replied. "It'll be easier to explain than a bunch of civilians roaming around a cemetery at night. And in case there's more trouble. There still may be a target on Mamoru."
When the six arrived at the grave, Mercury materialized her senshi computer. She opened it and began typing.
"Oh, so THAT'S how you're going to do it!" Venus exclaimed.
"Precisely," Mercury replied, concentrating on the display. "The sophisticated scanning array in my senshi computer can give me a three-dimensional display of the contents of the coffin, along with telemetry, chemical composition and all other necessary data. I can perform a post-mortem on the remains without even touching them."
"No modern ghoul should be without it," chuckled Venus, nudging Jupiter.
Several minutes passed while Mercury completely scanned the grave. Everyone watched with anticipation, except Sailor Moon, who still expected to be set upon by Dracula or some monster at any moment. Mars could be heard softly chanting something, no doubt something to appease any spirit that their intrusion may have upset. A car passed on the road outside of the cemetery. Jupiter and Venus both watched it until it was out of sight.
"Very interesting," Mercury commented at length.
"What? The coffin is empty? It's got a different body in it? He was alive when they buried him?" Venus prodded.
"Will - you - be - quiet!" growled Mars.
"Mamoru, it's highly unlikely that your father shot Tezawa-Dono," Mercury said. "There is no indication on the skeletal remains of any gunshot wound to either the skull, chest cavity or extremities. Unless the bullet miraculously passed between the bones and exited. I calculate the probability of that as . . ."
"Nobody cares about the numbers!" Venus interrupted. "So Tezawa-Dono did die of a heart attack?"
"Maybe my father was going to shoot him, but Tezawa-Dono died from a coronary induced by fright," Mamoru speculated. Sailor Moon looked up at him sympathetically.
"Also unlikely," Mercury proclaimed. "I'm detecting significant amounts of potassium cyanide in the remains - - enough to be lethal." She looked up at everyone else. "It's my considered medical opinion that Tezawa-Dono was poisoned."
Continued in Chapter 11