Happy new year, everyone!
I hope all of you had wonderful holidays :) Hope no one got whipped by Santa or had fireworks flying up their derriere~
New recap!
the-striped-one(DOT)livejournal(DOT)com
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Chapter 14:
Clue or Evidence
"Done, finally!" Breda exclaimed happily and threw the last badge of interrogation protocols onto the pile of already respectable size.
"Looks like we'll manage to catch the next train after all." Armstrong flexed his muscles to show his enthusiasm.
Ross went over the copies of the documents one last time. "Still, I feel sorry for Edward and Winry. I don't think they pictured their wedding like this."
"Right?" Brosch stretched his arms. His hands were hurting from the whole typing process. "Their singer gets knocked out and the officers that happen to be there can't stick around for too long because someone got murdered the same night."
"Bad things always happen at the same time. Let's simply hope this was it." Breda groaned.
The door opened despite that no knock was heard. An older man in a doctor's overall who was arm in arm with Mary peeked in:
"Recognize any of those?"
Mary stared all of them down, slowly shifting her gaze to one to the other. The officers stayed silent and just watched her back with wide eyes; giving her the freedom to inspect all of them until she was satisfied. Her eyes didn't stay any longer on Havoc than on any of the others.
"No." Mary merely stated and turned around.
The doctor gave on apologetic shrug and pulled the door shut without another word.
"So, she really has amnesia?"
"It's supposed to be partial amnesia or something." Havoc fidgeted in his jacket to get his cigarette pack out, but dropped the task once he noticed Rebecca's deadly glare. "Edward said that the doc said- well, she's supposed to be fine soon."
"Amnesia … it's so … unreal, you know?" Lieutenant Catalina cut in and gave Havoc a gentle jab on his shoulder. " Like something out of a movie or a book. It just conveniently pops up so the criminal can't be identified until the climatic end – just like that. Kinda surprising it exists after all. I really hope she remembers soon."
"Sure she will. It wasn't that bad of a wound. And we'll be there to write down her description of the culprit once she remembers!" Brosch grinned broadly and posed so enthusiastically Armstrong felt the urge to join in. And did.
"Yes, that's the spirit!" There the jacket and shirt flew. In a very graceful manner of course! "Don't be discouraged because we go ahead! Let your heart and will lead you to our suspect! I know you can do it!"
"Guar!" Brosch fled from the muscle man and tried to find shelter behind Lieutenant Ross to escape Armstrong's manly way of encouraging people. Others might call it half-naked, sweaty muscle man bear hugging people. Philistines only of course.
"IT'S OK, SIR! I'M SO MOTIVATED NOW, THANK YOU! … please let go?"
"Jee, are you that happy to stay a little longer, Denny?" Lieutenant Ross raised on eyebrow at him (and ignored her superior Armstrong who was just letting go of her boyfriend). "Or is it just that you suddenly feel useful?"
"That was mean." Brosch sulked and forced a smile in the direction of Armstrong to reassure him he had gotten all the sparkly encouragement he needed.
"Excuse me then." Armstrong took the copies from Ross and bowed politely despite being the highest in rank. "I'll prepare for our departure now. I'm sure you will handle everything splendidly.
"Yes, Sir." Ross said and saluted like everyone else. Armstrong exited with a wide smile (and fully dressed).
Brosch turned to his girlfriend, wearing a frown: "Seriously, I'm just glad we'll be able to help. Doesn't look like we have a lot to do other than waiting for Mary's two cents."
"We'll thoroughly search everything again and again; not fun enough for you?" Havoc laughed.
"Indeed. We still have no idea where Richard Kean went. He can't go unnoticed in the trains, so he must hide somewhere or must have stolen a vehicle of some sort. We won't come back to East City empty handed. And I expect you two to be on your best behavior at all times." Ross stated sternly and gave Havoc and Brosch an intimidating look.
"Total Hawkeye mode right there." Breda stated without betting an eye; but dared to point a finger at the Lieutenant.
Ross rolled her eyes and retorted unfazed: "I'll take that as a compliment."
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The East City train station was busy as usual. The masses of people filled the huge hall with noise and odor. People pushed each other in all directions and desperately looked either for the exit or their train.
Two military officers had just arrived to join the crowd. But they weren't wearing their uniforms of course; that would give them away.
Mustang pulled his gray fedora hat down over bis face.
"There they are."
"Yes." Hawkeye nodded and searched the area with her eyes. She spotted some reporters, unfortunately scattered in all directions. The Captain mimicked her superior and pulled the oversized white summer hat she was wearing down over her face.
Black Hayate, who sat next to his mistress, wagged his tail at her new look and anticipation of finally moving on. Hopefully to his home, he was hungry.
"Wasn't a bad idea to buy the hats off that couple after all, huh?" The Brigadier General grinned proudly.
Hawkeye ignored Mustang and took his hand. Hayate paced after them silently after recognizing his master's follow-me nod.
"This way." She said before pulling Mustang gently but hastily into the direction of the East exit.
"Ah not so fast, Captain!" He smiled apologetic at an old lady he had almost crashed into. He continued in a whisper: "Also we'll look suspicious if you drag me so unloving through the crowd. We're going for the usual traveling couple look, aren't we?"
"They'll just assume we're the usual been-together-for-too-long couple." She shot without even looking at him. Hawkeye was busy observing a man she found suspicious without him noticing.
"... you don't have to say 'couple' so mockingly, Captain."
"I'll consider that, Sir."
"You better drop the 'Sir' until we get back to headquarters."
She stopped in front of a little shop and turned to him.
"We snuck past most of them now, but there is one who interviewed you personally right at the East exit. We'll take a little detour and go to he North exit instead."
"Sure." Mustang acted as if he was inspecting the flowers in front of the shop, but let his eyes fly to the East Exit. Indeed, he recognized the man. He had questioned him about the progress in Ishval a while ago. And about Daisy, one of his sisters.
The press loves gossip.
Hawkeye came a little closer to whisper into his ear; while wearing an angelic smile: "Your escort should come any minute. We'll move then. And you should drop the 'Captain', too."
Mustang returned her wonderful albeit fake smile with pleasure. "Sure, sweetie!"
He could see how his Captain forced her eyebrow not to raise.
"May I help you?" The old man behind the counter asked friendly.
Mustang nodded: "The newspapers please."
He thought about saying 'a few of your pink carnations also' for a second but decided against it just as quickly.
"Something for the Misses?"
Hawkeye and Mustang looked at each other before Mustang exclaimed, smiling goofily: "Oh no we're not married yet!"
The 'couple' put their arms around each other and chuckled as if embarrassed.
Hayate titled his head at the odd behavior of the humans. He nudged Mustang's leg with his snout from behind to express his confusion.
"Oh I see. You make a good couple, though." The older man smiled kindly at them and handed the Brigadier General the newspaper. He watched Mustang a little longer than he should have: "Have I met you before?"
"Oh I often hear that, I just have a an everyman face." Mustang kept on smiling, but fidgeted with his head without thinking about it.
He didn't want to be recognized. Mustang needed to show he was in control of the situation and competent. He couldn't risk to loose face. And he would if he get asked questions before acquiring all information he needed from Lieutenant Maverick.
"Do you have aspirin?" Hawkeye asked, suddenly looking weak. "I feel a little shaky. Train trips aren't my thing."
"I do! Just need to get it from the back. A moment, young lady." The old man smiled and vanished behind a shelf. The former topic was wiped from his mind.
Hayate yawned loudly, sitting bored behind his master. The humans stayed silent. Yet Mustang's grip on his Captain's waist had tightened a little.
Better than mouthing 'Thanks' in his opinion.
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Winry knocked softly on the door.
"Come in."
The newly wed was met by a few flying objects that might have been clothes.
"Still in the packing process, huh?" Winry smiled as she handed Mei the tea she had prepared for her Xingese friend.
"Yeah." Mei Chang answered snippy. "Thank you for the tea."
"Still upset about Alphonse?"
"How could I not be?" Mei exclaimed enraged, almost spilling some of the contents of her cup. "Can you believe his nerve? 'I'll go investigate, you go sit around here while I do that!' That's what he said basically. What was he thinking?"
"I don't get it either, he's not like that normally." Winry slowly sat down on the bed and inspected a shiny object she was sure of being either decoration for Mei's hair or weaponry. "Well, I always get to wait, but there's nothing I can do besides standing in the way or maintaining automail."
"I wouldn't have the patience for that." The younger girl laughed. "But I think you're giving yourself not enough credit. You might have never been up there at the front fighting, but you've been with Alphonse and Edward all this time – giving them strength to continue no matter what."
Winry felt her cheeks heating up a little and looked embarrassed to the ceiling: "Bwah, so corny! Al must be the one who said that, huh?"
"Something along those lines." Mei grinned. "Edward never said anything like that?"
"Something along those lines, yeah." Winry stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sweet-talk isn't his strong point."
"What is then?" Mei sat down next to Winry, still grinning broadly.
"Should I be offended that you suggest it's not blatantly obvious how come I took Ed as my husband?"
Mei shook her head. "Be happy I don't see whatever you see … I might have snatched him away then!"
Winry nudged her with her shoulder while she laughed: "Now I'm offended!"
"Did Alphonse say anything to you?" Mei suddenly asked, the concern showing itself in her voice.
"... I asked but he didn't really give me an answer."
The Xingese girl looked at her feet and returned to her never ending train of thoughts about her worth.
"He might just be a little cranky you know? He didn't sleep much- if at all. I hope he gets some rest now."
"Yeah ..." Mei whispered, her mind still absent. "You don't think he secretly has another girl in East City?"
Winry tried hard not to burst into laughter by Mei's suggestion.
"Mei … seriously! That's just impossible! I'm sure he has some stupid or maybe even good reason, just wait a little, I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. It's Alphonse we're talking about!"
"Well, maybe he really wanted me to look out for his useless brother."
The girls silently watched the ceiling for a moment.
"... Ed told me you got a pretty neat kiss from him, though?"
Mei suddenly started to emit a glow, that might have been pink and full of flowers if it were visible. "Oh yeah. Neat indeed."
The girls fell silent again, grinning broadly.
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Lieutenant Maverick had been up for way too long, he was running low on patience. Yet it wasn't Emma Johnson's fault. Or it was if she said the truth and she was the one who killed her fiancee.
He tried to look her in the eyes again, swallowing all signs of his fatigue.
"So let me ask again-" Maverick began but was cut short by Emma.
"He really is dead, isn't he?" She quietly whispered. "You're not going to tell me I just had a nervous breakdown or it was just a dream, aren't you?"
"Ms. Johnson, I know this must be hard for you-"
"Emerson ..." She spoke under her breath, her whole body shaking.
Emma sat opposite from Maverick at the interrogation table. They had dimmed the light by her request. They had cleaned her wounds and treated them. Her hands were bandaged, her face wasn't. Only a few big band aids covered the deepest wounds; the uncovered parts stared at Maverick, flaming red from the iodine.
"Miss, I know this isn't easy but I'm pushing you for your own well-being. You're our prime subject in this case as of now."
"So what?" She looked up, her eyes sharp under the tears that didn't stop flooding out of them. "I'm the murderer. I killed Emerson. You washed his blood from my hands. What is there left to say?"
She stretched them out in front of her and choked, letting out a bitter cry.
"I think you don't understand-"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!" Emma suddenly jumped up and hit the table.
Maverick gave the officers watching from behind the mirror a sign to not rush in.
"I KILLED HIM!" Emma sunk to her knees, knocking over her chair. "I killed the man I love."
The Lieutenant slowly stood up and came to her side. He knelled down to be on her eye level:
"That's why you have to tell me about this. Why did you kill him?"
"... I don't know."
"Please, tell me what happened. Your case might be connected to a whole series of cases, we need your help."
She grabbed Mavericks shoulder for support. Emma would have fallen over otherwise.
"It's all blurry."
"Do you have problems remembering everything?"
"No, it's not that. I do remember. Clearly at that. But- but I- it's not blurry, but how should I say it?"
Maverick waited for the words he had dreaded.
"It's like I wasn't myself, like I was controlled by something else."
Emma was shaking hard again. She grabbed her head as she tried to remember the things she wanted to forget the most.
"I only remember how scared I was- how angry. The emotions they overwhelmed me. It was like they spoke to me. I- I wanted to stop it. I didn't want to kill him- I didn't want to hurt him! But- I couldn't stop it."
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Gary Linwood didn't know how he should greet Mary. He knew her for years now. Mary had been the one who had hired him as the pianist of their band. He admired her as an artist, but really hated her attitude towards a few people or things. She could be a true diva sometimes. But then again, she was a lot of fun to be around.
Gary took a deep breath before he stepped forward; finally drawing the attention of Mary and the military officer that bore her company.
"Hey, pretty one." Gary smiled at the chanteuse, dearly hoping to be recognized.
He was.
"Gary! You old scamp! Where have you been? I was left with the crazy folk here." She glanced over to the still seated Havoc. "No offense, I didn't mind you handsome fellow keeping me company of course!"
She winked at the blonde. Havoc smiled back awkwardly.
Gary skipped over and hugged the slightly older singer.
"I'm glad! You seem to be better than what I've heard."
"Finally someone who doesn't talks to me like I'm crazy!" Mary flailed her arms in relief.
"Is it true you don't remember the attack?"
Mary crossed her arms: "God, I'm so sick of people asking! No, I don't remember. I can't even remember agreeing to this gig."
The pianist titled his head: "Really? You're the one who suggested it in the first place."
"Yeah, Edward told me that already. That he and his wife asked me and I accepted. I don't even remember him, though."
"Hm ... that's weird. But you remember all of us, right? The band, I mean."
"Sure, I do! Where are they anyway? Not worried about old me?"
Gary chuckled into his fist. "Course they are! But they sent me first to check on you. We weren't allowed to see you before the doctor was through with you."
"Would have thought Ricky that stupid maggot would have come with you as the first wave." Mary grinned. Gary went pale.
"What?" The singer asked confused by her colleague's reaction.
The pianist was struggling to find the right words as it dawned on him that no one had told her yet. He sighed in relief as Lieutenant Havoc stood up and spoke for the first time since the musician had entered:
"Richard Kean is missing."
Mary turned around, her expression unreadable.
Havoc continued: "Chances are high he was the one who attacked you. I'm sorry."
The singer looked bewildered from Havoc to Gary. The pianist could only avoid her glance.
"So- you're saying; Ricky- that mess of a man hit me? With a metal pipe? AND robbed me?"
"Yes. I'm sorry we haven't told you yet, but with your concussion and all … we wanted to make sure you feel good before starting to ask too many questions."
"You mean you think Ricky knocked me out and then ran away without you guys catching him right away?"
"Uh yes. We are doing everything we can to catch him, though! I assure you."
Mary stared at Havoc blankly.
Silence.
Just after Gary wondered if his friend was frozen and simply too shocked to react in any way; Mary started laughing – loud and hysterical.
She was laughing her ass off.
"Oh god! Oh god!" Mary held her belly, tears glistened in her eyes. "Oh god! You're serious aren't you? Oh that's the most hilarious thing I've ever heard."
The two men looked at each other unsure if SHE was serious or just had turned lunatic.
"Oh god, you can't seriously believe Ricky would be capable of doing something like that. Oh jeez, I need to sit down!" Mary still chuckled and walked over to the suite in front of the window.
"Mary, please this is a serious matter-"
"Yes it is! You guys are totally pursuing the wrong fellow!" She leaned back into the green easy chair. "Totally on the wrong track."
"You're still confused-"
"Oh stop that already. I'm sick of hearing that. Yeah, I might not remember everything that happened lately or how the hell I landed here, but believe me Ricky doesn't have the balls to take me down. He also doesn't have a reason to. Aaaand I'd totally kick his ass before he even lifts a finger."
"Mary ..." The Pianist whispered. "I know … that's what I said, too! That's … what I want to believe, but it seems like he really ..."
Gary looked at his feet, unable to look Mary in the eyes.
She only raised an eyebrow.
"You, too? Oh come on-"
"He has debts! Many of them! I … I told the officers about them, too! Mary, you know I like you, but the way you always treat Ricky … he must have snapped or something."
The singer smiled smugly. "I treat everyone the way they deserve. If he's too stupid to do the easiest things I scold him for it. None of you do. He's still like a child because no one ever straightens him up. And it would be seriously stupid of him to rob me because of his little gambling problem." She sighed deeply. "Do you think I don't know? I knew before any of you. He asked for my help and he got it. I pay his debts all the time. All I ask for in return is him to not miss a single show and do me some favors. Like buying me my cigarettes which is already a way too complicated task for that idiot."
"... you pay for them?"
"Why shouldn't I? It's not a secret that I have enough money. And I still receive so much, can do a little charity in return, can't I?"
"But- but why would Ricky strike you down then?" A cigarette would have fallen out of Havoc's agape mouth if they hadn't been detained by Rebecca a while ago.
"But he must still have a grudge against you!" Gary insisted
"Ah stop the silliness already! Ricky might be scared of me, but he doesn't hate me or anything. I'm like his mother in a way. Slap him sometimes, but he doesn't learn otherwise."
Havoc sighed miserably: "Just what am I supposed to do with that? He was the only one with a motive or could probably be in possession of the jewelry."
"Too much theory, too less evidence if you ask me." Mary gave Havoc a sharp glare that strangely reminded him of Captain Hawkeye the time she had found him examining that sexy lingerie magazine instead of the work she had given him. "Did anyone even see the poor boy banging my head with that pipe?"
"Not directly-" Havoc flinched as her glare became more intense. Like when Hawkeye found that bra that belonged to her best friend in his desk. "But we have an eye witness who saw the culprit and he said it could have been Mr. Kean."
Havoc wanted to slap himself as he heard himself say 'could have'.
"So- is that eye witness of yours trustworthy? What if he hit poor me and now blames everything on Ricky?"
"That's out of the question! The person is absolutely trustworthy!" Havoc stomped onto the floor with his crutch to emphasize his point.
"I say the same about Ricky. He's inept and a gambling idiot, but he would never do such a thing." Mary crossed her legs and traded her intimidating look for her nonchalant one.
Havoc wasn't ready to trust her theory: "Then why did he flee? He's gone, including the most of his belongings!"
"Why do you assume he fled? He could have been knocked out like me."
"Because we already searched everything! He must be gone. Gone at his own accord."
"It's your job to find out what happened, isn't it?" The chanteuse smiled at the man who she had kissed the night before. Not that she remembered, though. "I'm just giving you this advise: Ricky isn't the guy you should search for. And if your dear eye witness can be trusted – there must be something you must be missing. Or specifically someone."
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"That went pretty well!" Mustang grinned pleased with himself.
"Wasn't that hard of a maneuver." Hawkeye said quietly so the cab driver didn't hear. "I just hope we'll get into the building without causing a scene."
"Ah well, worst case they take pictures of me driving in. The gossip is already on anyway." Mustang threw the newspaper he had bought at the station onto the seat between him and Hawkeye.
The headline was 'Man killed directly after interrogation on missing cases'
A smaller headline said: 'Was B.G. Mustang's involvement the trigger for the murder?'
"Here it is." The driver said and pulled over.
Mustang paid the man and got off, declining the driver's offer to help with their luggage.
Black Hayate followed right after his mistress – he had been lying at their feet peacefully.
They were in a calm part of East City. Only a few people were on the street. Mustang and Hawkeye had been here before, merely passing through.
After turning left and right they reached their destination. Lieutenant Smith stood right before a car and greeted them with a salute:
"Welcome back Brigadier General Mustang! Glad to see you're well Captain Hawkeye!"
"No one followed you?" Mustang asked as he opened the luggage compartment of his car. Smith had brought it.
"No, Sir." The young officer was still standing stiffly. He was really nervous. And tired. He hadn't been able to get any sleep after all. "The house is isolated by the military police, we'll be able to get through without a problem."
Smith handed Mustang the folder Maverick had prepared.
"Good. Tell me the basics while we drive." His Captain and him seated themselves at the back seat. Hawkeye leaned over so she could peek into the folder, too. Hayate laid down at their feet again. He sighed heavily; the dog realized it would take a little longer before he would get home.
Smith sat down in the front seat, behind the steering wheel.
"Sir," he began. "There's something that happened while you were on the train. It's not in the folder yet. I- We found Emma Johnson."
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"I can't do this!"
I just watch as they go in circles once again.
„Look, maybe- when we go through it once more – we could only activate it-"
„And have someone else pay the toll? Are you crazy?"
„We don't have a choice!"
„Yes, exactly. We can't become murderers." The bitterness in his voice is almost louder than the fear.
I already accepted it.
"So, you wanna sacrifice instead?" My voice is calm. Too calm. It freaks them out. I can see it in their eyes. I don't care. "You joined this program. You swore an oath."
"To do good! For the people! Not to-" He's choking, only able to look at the blue tiles under his feet. "Even if I pay the toll- this goes beyond killing! We can't go through with this!"
"So, you're quitting?"
"I- I ..."
I laugh. At least be honest about your priorities, you fool.
"How can you be so cold-hearted?" He croaks.
"Cold-hearted? I'm just not trying to weasel out of this."
I don't want to die. Simple as that. But I don't say it.
"So we're clear now?" Our colleague finally speaks again.
At least he doesn't waver. It gives me confidence.
"Yeah ..." The coward wants to live. Surprise.
"Let's get started then." I say. "We want to report a success to the Führer as soon as possible, right?"
I blink. I look around and realize that I just woke from a dream.
Waking before I see the agony of someone I ripped apart? That's new. Always dreams of the past. I'm so sick of it. But it's all I am – past.
I'm alone. The watch on my arm tells me I still have time.
Enough rest. Gonna use the time.
I close my eyes again. To visit the past. A past unknown to me.
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Author's nonsense:
Ohhhuu! Was there first person narrative again? Ohhh!
… Yes, I made a joke about amnesia in fiction. It's always so awfully constructed, lazy written and ... err … let's see how it'll turn out with Mary, shall we? *coughs*
However!
You people are very generous with the reviews lately! So many long and time consuming posts ... I'm so damn flattered D': I'm also very flattered by the alerts and favs I receive! Thank you all so much!
I also thank you, silent majority who reads this and must apparently exist! Just for reading and sticking around and all.
But if you feel like not being silent, you're free to comment like always. All reviews – short or long; bad or good – are thoroughly welcomed! :) I stopped the biting, too.
Wish you all a great 2011!
the striped one