Case 3: Aftermath

Base was silent. The partners were informed of what SPR learned. They were disgusted with what Yoshiogo / Higashi did. Naru promised he would provide the proof they acquired during the investigation when it would be cleaned up in a few days. The partners were satisfied and called the police to have him arrested. The project was on hold until they could determine if they wanted to continue on their present site or move to a more convenient location. It took hours for the police to arrive and get everything back in order.

When Yasu let them know Mai hitched a ride back to town, Naru was furious. He turned away so the others wouldn't realize it. He sat down in his seat to start cleaning up his notes. Lin woke his computer and frowned. Something was wrong. He swore softly, but it was enough to grab everyone's attention.

"What is it, Lin?" Naru kept his eyes on his notes. He wasn't fully in control yet.

"Someone has been on my lap top . . ."

"Was anything erased?" Naru didn't want the evidence they found lost. He wouldn't put anything past Yoshiogo.

"No. It looks like something was added," Lin said as he clicked on the audio file. Mai's voice filled the room.

"This is Taniyama Mai. I am with SPR investigating the Tohruki Orphanage . . ."

The room became quiet. They experienced her spiritual walk through in the house. As her voice continued to speak, the children who lived here became real in all their minds. Lin typed furiously to document everything. The more evidence they could give the police, the better the chance of Yoshiogo being punished for his crimes. Mai's voice became frightened as she forced herself to encounter Higashi. When Mai signed off, Monk jumped from his chair.

"We wanted to know exactly how powerful Mai is. I guess this answers our question."

"I doubt the symbol is there," Masako said. "I'm sure it's just part of her plan to become the center of attention."

"Which is why she left," Yasu said sarcastically. "I think someone is jealous because they didn't think to improve themselves and has now become second best. How does it feel to be knocked from your throne, Hara-san?" Masako glared at Yasu.

"Well, while you all sit here and fight, I'm going to find the symbol," Ayako stood up and moved out of the room with Monk on her heels.

"If you think I will let you out of my sight on this case again, woman, you are mistaken."

"Who said I needed someone to protect me? I'm capable of doing that myself."

"Which is why I had to rescue you," Monk argued. Their voices became softer as they moved away.

"Mai left a picture of the symbol as well. It looks familiar," Lin looked up at Noll who nodded.

"Lin will investigate the symbol. The rest of us will join Takigawa and Matsuzaki before they end up hurting themselves or each other," Naru said. The others followed him from the room.

John was the first to discover the large flat rock toward the back of the basement. Ayako handed a broom to Monk, telling him to make himself useful. Cleaning the rock, Naru saw the symbol Mai left on Lin's lap top. Naru reached his hand to touch the symbol and what looked like the stain of blood.

"Stop," Lin's voice caused Naru to pull back.

"Lin-san, are you trying to give us heart attacks?" Monk asked, glaring at the Chinese man.

"If you touch the symbol, your soul will be claimed. The symbol must be properly destroyed so it cannot harm anyone," Lin said. Naru got up and moved away. The rest of SPR took a step away from the symbol.

"Surely there's something we can do," John said. Lin nodded.

"I need a few things. I just wanted to make sure everyone was safe." Lin looked directly at Naru who shrugged slightly.

"Lin, who do you want to help?"

"John and Takigawa will be useful." Naru nodded.

"The rest of you, get some sleep. We leave early in the morning. Yasuhara, meet me in the base in five minutes."

- x X x -

Lin followed Monk as they drove away from the building. Yasu waited until Naru was situated before following the other vehicles. Naru must really need to talk to him privately to rent an extra vehicle for the trip home. Advice was not something Naru asked for lightly, so after a brief discussion, Lin agreed to the change in seating for the trip back to the office.

"Big boss, don't you think Lin will be lonely without you?" Naru looked coldly at Yasu.

"He is more capable than any adult I know."

"So, what do you want to talk about? I'm assuming it's about Mai. Our last discussion was interrupted when she came home." Naru wondered if he was that easy to read. At least it saved him from trying to start the awkward conversation.

"Why do you think Mai isn't returning to SPR?"

"I'd say the biggest reason is everyone still treats her like she's a teenager. You know, incapable and defenseless. It took a long time for her to believe in her powers and herself. On this case, when she brought up her intuition, she was treated like she didn't know what she was doing."

"She did manage to get herself possessed and almost died."

"If we were paying better attention, we should have known from her behavior she was possessed and taken care of it before there were . . . complications."

"She needs to work on sharing not only her intuitive leaps, but the reasoning behind them."

"Like you do? Don't get me wrong, it's cool how you put everything together. It's also maddening to those of us you don't share any information with. I'd say she learned that particular trick from you." Naru glared at Yasu but didn't say anything. She never shared information unless he forced it out of her and often it was incomplete. Was that how the others saw him as well? Yasu tired of watching Naru thinking through his issues.

"I'd say coming back to SPR isn't the real question you want to ask."

"When did you get good at reading people?"

"Benefits of being a lawyer and living with a psychologist. When we were both at university, we'd choose a cafe and practice reading people. Mai can be scary sometimes. I think she knows more about some of them than they do themselves. Sad thing is she can't read those around her that she cares about. I think it has something to do with her feelings messing with her intuition and throwing off her perception. Something else you have in common."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You love Mai. You're uncertain about her feelings toward you and have no clue how to tell her. Mai loves you but for some reason refuses to tell you. She feels that you only see her as a responsibility, someone you are forced to protect."

"I'm not the one she loves." And he just proved my point, Yasu thought.

"Where did you get that idea? No wonder she calls you an idiot scientist." Naru thought about telling Yasu about Mai's original spirit guide, but decided not to. If Mai had to choose between Gene and himself, why would she fall in love with him instead of his more outgoing and caring brother?

"I can't believe Mai didn't confess her feelings to you." Naru's head jerked toward Yasu. "When she has a nightmare or bad vision, it's always your name that she calls. I even made a pass at her . . ."

"What did you do?" Naru interrupted. Yasu glanced over to see Naru's stoic facade gone. He actually looked jealous. Yasu shrugged.

"I took her on a date. When I tried to kiss her, she turned so I only got her cheek. When I asked why . . ." Yasu glanced to make sure he was paying attention. "She said she already loved someone. I pestered her until she told me it was you. For years, she refused to date anyone. Until she told me, I couldn't figure out why."

"That's why Hatomi looks like Mai," Naru said.

"I knew you'd notice. I'm glad Mai hasn't . . . or if she has, she hasn't said anything."

"What do I do?" Naru asked himself quietly.

"You need to tell her how you feel. Actually *talk* to her instead of insulting her. Most relationships fail because of a lack of communication. If you can't tell her or show her, you don't deserve her." Naru nodded. He wasn't used to not knowing what to do or how to do it.

"If you open the glove box, you'll see a set of keys. The silver one is the one to our apartment. I'll drop you off before going to Hatomi's. I don't think I need to tell you this is your last chance," Yasu said.

"If you love Mai, why are you helping me?" Naru asked.

"Because I love Mai, I want the best for her . . . even if it's not me."