A/N: still suffering cabin fever but at least Im not sick anymore. (phew) this chapter was a little bit difficult to write(I wont have writers block this story, its just getting the introduction going).
February 24, 1996
Surprisingly the three of them received the phone call from the detective at the dinner hour, but throughout the day Nair and Camny held some suspicions. How would they trust him? it wasn't like there was any proof he was a detective? They also did have a slight argument with Juvella afterwards seeing he made himself a suspect.
"The other detective I'm working with has agreed to meet with the three you, but in regards to the circumstances. We cant all show up at the same time. Two of you with the LAPD its best you leave separately. In the case of possibly Nair and Juvella. We made an arrangement that the two would be staying at the hotel as a couple. After getting the keys at the front desk, proceed to the 8th floor, room 817. Camny I will pick you up tonight say in an hour. Nair has a car, and the two leave 30 minutes after."
Both Juvella and Nair were listening silently to the instructions in the background. "We bring the evidence we collected as well?" Camny glanced at the folder on the table.
"Yes."
"And how do we know we can trust you?"
"I can give you my name, Eraldo Coil." Everyones eyes widened in the room. "So Ill see you in around an hour."
The phone was placed back on the receiver. "That was Coil? The detective Coil?" Nair couldn't hide the surprise, and immediately turned to Juvella. "You have been getting investigated by Coil?"
"Geez Juvella, have you been outsmarting one of the worlds best detectives?" Camny had to admit he was impressed.
...But Juvella on the other hand expressed no surprise whatsoever. "Im not that hard to find, but the way I operate makes things very difficult to work out."
"Still, that's crazy." He muttered, "what do you suppose we do with the evidence?"
Nair picked up the thick folder, "You're leaving first, it's best me and Juvella bring it." The two agreed on the idea before glancing at the clock, they had a full hour or more to kill. It was probably going to be a long hour because they felt anxious, nervous, excited. Just a lot of different emotions. When Camny finally took off, Nair and Juvella had thirty more minutes to go.
"So when do I get to meet the lucky guy?" He suddenly asked, during a five minute silent period.
"What? You mean the dating thing?"
"Well I don't what else I'd be asking"
"Well uh... I dont even really know you that well."
He frowned briefly, "Maybe we should work on that. I'm not sure what happens from here on out. But I'm pretty sure we will be working a lot more often together."
That was true, neither had any idea what was going to happen at this meeting, they didn't want to risk the evidence being stolen. Which was why they both kept it and not Camny. "As long as you don't discuss your criminal mischief, I'll think about it."
When the 30 minute mark hit they were already driving, it seemed the arranged meet up would be around 8pm. When they reached the hotel, they were there five minutes early as they had intended.
"So you do know were supposed to act like a lovey dovey couple arriving for a pre-honeymoon visit." He gave a smirk, the whole premise made him a lot creepier— as intended.
"What?!" She glared at him, giving a playful punch to the shoulder, "In your dreams only Juvella. Dont forget to lock the door." She got out of the drivers seat of the car. The two entered the lobby, neither Coil or Camny were there.
"Its either under Juvella or Nair. I forgot what name I put when I made the reservation earlier." Juvella was given the key after a moment of checking in. "Probably should have brought in some sort of baggage." He muttered under his breath as they made their way to the elevator.
"Probably looks like a one-night stand." She chuckled lightly, as they hit the 8th floor button. The rest of the walk to the door to the hotel room was in silence. Neither knew what they were to be prepared for.
Juvella cleared his throat when they reached the door. "What?" Nair glanced at him, then to his hand as he held out the folder.
"You're the detective here, its only right." he urged the folder forward and she took it.
"Oh? Um... Thank you." she turned to the door, knocking on it this time. It opened nearly immediately, wide enough for them to enter the well lit hotel room.
"Juvella, Nair, hey." Camny made a swift wave to them from one of the couches, both though glanced to the man hunched over on the couch, holding his knees against his chest; then to the older man by the bedroom door.
"So, what exactly is this?" Nair glanced back at the black haired individual, instantly looking at the black circles under his eyes. 'Geez... He looks terrible.'
"Please, sit." he motioned towards the couch Camny sat at. "We have much to discuss." No other words were spoken until they sat down. Coil took a seat in another chair and looked to the file Nair held.
"So you brought them." he confirmed with a nod, and she nodded back.
"So I see... I suppose introductions are in order before I proceed. I am L."
Camny was the only one whos eyes popped, he had heard a lot more about L than Nair and Juvella. But L was so young, much younger than him and Juvella, probably closer to Nairs age. "What? So two of the most famous detectives are in this room then?"
"I see." Juvella interrupted, sending a glare L's way, "Now I understand why you needed this meeting to be a bit discreet."
"Yes, I normally wouldn't make any appearances." L made a glance to the old man, who seemed to get the hidden message and left the room. "But Coil insisted it might be a good idea to discuss the case with the three of you." L glanced at the file Nair held, "May I?" She handed it to him wordlessly, just as the old man brought in a tray of sweets. "Thank you Watari, and go ahead help yourselves." He offered, opening up the file. He lifted each page by his fingertips, skimming through the documents.
What took Coil a lot longer to do, L finished a lot faster. Just to get an idea on it, "So you came to the same conclusion as me." L placed the document down and picked up a plate of cake. "The fact the killer has a source of carrion, this clearly was not the first two victims. Mmm, and we don't know if it's human. This is a whole other matter we need to look into. It could be an animal he or she has killed and that could be the source of this poison."
"We also suspect that this might be related to the decline in the homeless population. The last victim had cocaine mixed in with the poison." Nair pointed out.
L nodded, "there's no doubt in my mind we're dealing with a serial killer, and yes. I do feel his target are the homeless people. Unfortunately all the deaths have been ruled as an overdose, so Camny I doubt you could perform an autopsy."
"the homeless who aren't claimed are cremated within 24 hours of their death, and they are also examined by the doctors there. If there was anything unusual I'd be sure to see them in. Also the fast results were Juvellas doing."
"Oh yes, I know." L's eyes drifted to Juvella who stiffened slightly. "I'm sure you figured out I had been watching from the cameras."
"Impressed?" He smirked.
L put his thumb to his lip biting it as he too smiled slightly, "I feel your skills might be invaluable to this investigation, however I do feel you're a suspect. Probably a 1% chance. We did search all your homes. But we found no traces of carrion however given your history."
"without a search warrant?"
"I had a warrant, the FBI searched your homes. Nothing out of the ordinary was found." L turned to Camny, "the fact your giving samples from a forensics lab to a criminal is unacceptable. However in this case, I did see that the samples were not tampered with so I'll let it pass. Also it appears the results were very accurate."
"I should mention the first look I gave, I needed a second opinion." Camny defended.
L Finally turned to Nair, "You don't have a badge yet and you're working as a cold case detective as part of a school program. The fact you have started working this case going against the LAPD rules, you don't care for your current position."
Nair's whole body went cold, he was attacking each of them, and she was doing all this because she did care. The LAPD had been doing nothing about this. She already received the file in the cold case unit weeks ago after there had been no leads. "Im risking my future to get a serial killer off the streets." she spoke with venom, it didn't faze L.
He remained silently staring at her, it seems she had passed the test she had received from him. He expected her to question the very idea of pursuing the investigation. "Very well..." He spoke slowly, and bit his thumb again. "I can see your passionate in this case. In fact I feel I must ask you to leave the LAPD."
Her eyes widened, 'Is he seriously going to destroy my career?' "I've been working more than one case. I'm working two at LAPD, I can't just leave it—"
"Mmmm... That may be the case, however if your going to work this case, I'll need your full cooperation here. You've provided enough evidence that there is in fact an individual who is killing people. If the theory of this individual is true and that he is killing the homeless population by making it seem like an overdose. I must ask you to drop out of the LAPD, I know you're also getting a small income from it as well and I will pay you for the efforts. When we solve this case you can return, I will also let the LAPD know then that you had been working with me, and Coil on this case. I assure you this would be in your best interest." L proposed.
A recommendation and a chance to work on a case with two of the best detectives in the world. It would be hard not to say no. "Alright, Ill let them know I'm leaving on monday."
"A fair warning to you, you must not mention your investigating the matter to them. If they knew you had evidence in your hands I can guarantee they won't be tolerant. Also Camny, I would like you to continue with your job, let us know if theres any more bodies with similar similar circumstances as we've discussed. Any samples Id like to ask you to give them to Juvella, since he's quite quick with his results as well as accurate. I will pay all three of you for the efforts."
"The pay doesn't matter to me." Juvella spoke up, his arms had been folded the entire time.
L bit his thumb, "Mmm, very well Ill make sure you will no longer be investigated in your criminal activities if justice prevails." he could already tell Coil would not be happy with that decision.
"Fine."
"Alright Finally I will ask you not to discuss this meeting or the case with anyone. Watari will provide you with cellphones so we can contact each other. Also since I do move hotels every few days, this would be essential. I will be here tomorrow. I do expect to see the three of you here at noon so we can discuss this further. I do look forward to working with you all." L dismissed everyone. Now things would probably start progressing at a faster rate.
Anyways, chapters will probably begin to get a bit longer not sure if they'll be as frequent since some will take more time to complete over others. Other than that, very pleased I can finally start writing about L :D