Chapter 14
Matsuda pulled up to the parking lot at the National Museum and reached for his notebook before turning to Light.
"Are we letting him know we're police? We could just say we're following up on the theft." Light nodded.
"I agree that's the best approach. We don't want to let him think he's being investigated; he'll just stay quiet. Somehow we've got to figure a way to get him to give us a window into what he's really up to. And we better find something good or we're all going to need to buy new pants."
"Oh yea, I don't want L taking me down like he did to Isamu; at least he loves you!" Matsuda added. Light laughed and shook his head.
"Oh don't think that'll change anything. L has handed me my ass many times!" they both laughed while walking into the building, going over their strategy and what they were hoping to find.
They were shown into a handsome large office on the fourth floor of the building by a secretary and told to have a seat. Light had to smile watching Matsuda look over some of the beautiful things that were in this office, it was almost like a small museum of it's own. He took notes of everything he saw. There were pictures on the desk and Matsuda made note of them as well, they didn't appear to be of family, and he recognized some of
the other people in the pictures as political figures and business types.
"You realize you're the lead detective in this, Matsuda. I'm the newbie." Light said smiling and for a moment Matsuda looked nervous.
"I've never been lead detective on anything, Light. I'm not sure I…" the door opened and Akihyama walked in, smiling broadly.
"Good morning, gentleman I hope I didn't have you waiting too long." Both detectives stood and bowed as he came in returning the bow. He gestured for them to sit and they did, introducing themselves as they did
"No we were only here for a few minutes," Matsuda answered, "We wanted to go over the details of the theft Mr. Akihyama." Light nodded.
"We know you've probably gone over this several times, and we apologize for having to do it again, but we have found that sometimes new things come to light that may have been forgotten in the heat of the moment." He added.
"Well I can certainly understand that. I am glad they've sent detectives this time instead of just patrolmen. At least I feel they're taking it seriously this time. I don't think anyone understands the threat to national security this represents."
"Threat, Mr. Akihyama? Has someone threatened you?" Matsuda asked. Akihyama leaned forward on his desk, a serious expression on his face.
"Every day I hear from that security chief from the Egyptian museum, and every day he offers another threat of what may happen if these artifacts aren't returned. Every day, Detective….?"
"Matsuda. Have you kept a record of these threats?" Akihyama shook his head.
"No, I didn't feel it was necessary, I remember everything that was said. Diplomatically, I fear this could be a very real problem if we don't find these artifacts within the next few weeks." Matsuda was furiously taking notes and then looked back up at Akihyama.
"Why don't you tell us first exactly how you discovered the artifacts were missing?"
"Well, it was the second day that they had been on display, and Mr. Awar had arrived to see how we were presenting them. He met me here in my office, and we went down to the 2nd floor where they were being displayed before the museum opened. We arrived at the area, only to find the pieces were missing."
"What kind of security did you have?" Light asked him.
"The typical museum type, infrared beams around the area and around each item, pressure sensitive flooring, special lighting, all of those things. That is why I'm so confused as to how they were taken. None of the alarms went off.."
"That points to it being an inside job. Someone turned the security off." Matsuda suggested. Akihyama sighed and clasped his hands together.
"I understand that's the thinking. But I simply cannot imagine anyone who would want to do something like this, who had the ability and opportunity to do so."
"Can you give us a list of exactly who these people with the opportunity and knowledge for this are?" Light asked pulling out his own notebook.
"I can do better than that," Akihyama reached into his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper, "I had prepared this for the other officers that were here and I kept copies. Listed here is everyone who knows the codes and locations of all of security here. There work hours are also listed, address and contact numbers." Light took the information and quickly skimmed it.
"This is excellent, thank you Mr. Akihyama." He said folding it up and putting it into his suit pocket.
"Please understand that we have to ask this because of the investigation Mr. Akihyama, but what were your whereabouts the evening before the robbery?" Matsuda asked him.
"Yes, I do understand, Detective. I was at the welcoming cocktail party for Mr. Awar. I have a list of all attendees as well. The party began at about 8:00 and went well into the early morning, after which we all went home. Before that Mr. Awar and I had dinner together at Tenkuni in Shinjuko. I believe we arrived there about 5:30, leaving about 7:30." Matsuda nodded, taking more notes.
"I'd like to ask you a question about Mr. Amar. You've been working together over some months to set up this display, what you say about the possibility of his being in on this theft?" Akihyama sat back in his chair and seemed to genuinely think about the question.
"To tell you the truth, I've been wondering the same thing. Although he seemed like a perfectly normal individual while we set this up, even a bit scary at times he was so serious about the safety of his items. I find it difficult to believe that he would sabotage his own display but stranger things have happened."
"Has he made any demands to you, other than the threats?" Matsuda asked.
"No, no demands. Just threats about diplomatic disasters, unknown reprisals, etc. etc."
"You don't seem to think his threats are serious." Light commented.
"On the contrary I think he's very serious. But I seem to be alone in this so I refuse to fight alone." Matsuda removed his card from his wallet.
"Please call that number the next time you hear from Mr. Amar right away and we can follow up on that. In the meantime, we would like to see the area the artifacts were in, if that's okay." He said.
"Ofcourse, my secretary will be glad to take you there. If you excuse me, I have to get back to the discussions with our lawyers on what our next course of action will be if we cannot find the items. I cannot impress upon you enough how important it is we find these items and quickly. We've already wasted two weeks with no results. I trust we won't waste anymore. Come with me, my secretary will take you where you want to go." Both detectives stood up and followed him out of the door of his office.
Light felt his phone vibrate so he grabbed it as they followed the secretary down the hall. There was one text message, it read "I hope you're working diligently. I am expecting great things from the NPA's top graduate. Meeting is at 4:00." He nudged Matsuda and showed him the message.
"Wow.. no pressure eh Light?" Matsuda laughed as they walked along the corridors. Light shook his head and couldn't decide if he wanted to be professional or silly when he answered. He decided on professional during business hours. He texted back "Interesting meeting with Akihyama. Will try not to disappoint. Speak to you at 4:00." L would appreciate the professionalism more, and he had to get used to dealing with him on a professional basis instead of just partners. That was going to be a challenge all on its own.
They arrived at the area where the Egyptian artifacts had once been. Matsuda and Light went beyond the yellow caution tape and examined the area. There was still powder left on the stands from the fingerprinting squad and pictures showing exactly what was where. Light asked security exactly what the precautions were, where were the infrared lasers, the pressure points, etc. As they were pointed out, Matsuda sketched a rough draft of where they were in relation to each artifact. He marked where the nearest exits and entrances were. Light looked up and around to see if there were any airshafts in the area, any other way of accessing this floor. He asked the secretary if she could provide him with schematics of the building and she told him she probably could if he gave her a few moments. While waiting by her desk he had another idea. He looked at her phone and wrote down all the numbers. He'd check on all of them and see if he could find a number traceable back to Amar.
When the secretary returned with the schematics he took them and promised to get them back to her within 24 hours. He then turned to Matsuda and nodded, and Matsuda nodded back. They both thanked the secretary and left the building.
"Is it me or was that just a little odd?" Light asked Matsuda once they were back in the car.
"That was definitely a little odd. He's saying he's very concerned about the consequences of the theft, but he's acting like he doesn't really care about it at all." Matsuda said and started the car.
"Let's grab some lunch and take it back to the office, I want to work on a couple of things." Light said and Matsuda nodded his agreement.
L smiled at his return text from Light. He knew his answer could have gone either way and he was pleased that he took the professional route. It had been a bit of a test, just to see which way he'd go. He wouldn't have been upset if he'd received a flippant answer, that was Light as well, but he wanted to know if he could separate their relationship from the work relationship, and Light had proven that he could. Now he would have no problem dealing with him as L the Detective to Light Yagami Detective during business hours, and then lovers when they were home. It was important that they keep it separate, not ridiculously so as that smile he got from Light earlier through his computer proved, but enough so that they didn't compromise their cases. He turned as Watari came in with fresh coffee and a huge dish of ice cream with all the possible toppings L could want.
"Everything going well, then?" Watari asked as took L's used cup and provided him with a fresh, clean one.
"Indeed, and Light has proven he can separate the work relationship from our personal one and that will make things easier." L answered covering the ice cream in strawberries and chocolate. Watari nodded.
"Excellent. I shall be out getting some errands done for a few hours, if anything should come up."
"I'll call your cell, but I don't think it will be necessary. I would like to go to the NPA around the time I'm calling the meeting."
"Really?" Watari asked confused.
"Yes, I'd like to conduct the meeting from the car, and when it's done, I'd like to meet Light and go to dinner. If I show up directly after the meeting it should help keep suspicions away from me. Afterwards you can just go home, I think Light and I would like to do some walking this evening."
" I will make sure I've finished my errands by 3:00." Watari said and left the office. L nodded and concentrated solely on his ice cream, everything else forgotten in the bliss of frozen gooeyness.