World's Finest in Ghost City

CHP38: More Victims

It didn't seem to matter which direction Lualay looked, Clark was nowhere around. Somehow he must have gotten lost in the crowd, but that didn't seem right, he was virtually inches behind her just moments ago. It was possible he found someone to interview and took off without informing her, it was something she would have done so wouldn't put it passed him. As reporters they were always on the move aiming to capture the top story before the next. Still it was unlike him to disappear like that without a word. The flames around the building strengthened whilst the police and fire fighters did what they could, pushing people back from the scene.

Most tried to break through in search for loved ones but was much too dangerous so were held back. Judging by the chaotic scene Lualay doubted she would get an interview in that moment, not until things at least calmed to a degree. The only thing on her mind in the particular moment was finding Clark; in a sense they were partners and a lot of what they did was done together. Additional flames erupted from the building following a small explosion from the east side. Citizens shouted more as law enforcement shoved them back further for their own safety. The flames reached a point that if anyone was still inside their chances of getting out would be nearly impossible.

Lualay forced herself through the crowds of people keeping her eyes open for her appointed partner. Even as she went through exiting out the other side she still didn't see him, "Where the hell are you…" She murmured.

There's no way he would leave without saying something. The idea Clark went back to car seemed like a possibility, perhaps he forgot something. The flames grew in size prompting Lualay to step back and could hear the ambulances and sirens closing in on the area. Not a moment later four children followed by two women and a man appeared from a far corner of the building. The man limped somewhat but was able to get by with a little assistance.

"Look over there, more survivors!"

"How in the world did they do it, and without even a scratch it appears!"

Police officials immediately came to their aid checking on each separate individual. The crowds of people were forced back further as ambulances and fire trucks pulled in a couple ft from the building. Much like the others around she couldn't believe her eyes, "You alright Lualay sorry for running off a few moments."

A hand fell upon her left shoulder and when turning wasn't surprised at who stood there, "For a moment you had me worried, good to see you're ok Clark. This whole thing is insane isn't it? I've been unable to get a single question answered, what about you any luck? By the way what happened there?" She pointed to the crack in his left lens.

"Oh this," Clark re adjusted the glasses over his nose, "Can't say I'm sure. On topic in a couple minutes or so we should be good to go. There is far too much confusion at the moment which is understandable and no one wants to talk during the process of something like this."

She didn't think much of it shrugging it off all together. The latest escapees were moved to a safe distance away from the building just as everyone else, "If you don't mind me asking how were you all able to get out and un touched it almost seems."

One person stepped in front of the remainder of the group, "I can't speak for the rest but my situation was nothing short of spectacular! I was on the fourth floor you see and as I made my way for the stairwell the ceiling above gave away blocking my path. Turning back was not an option and by that time fumes filled the air making it almost impossible to see or breath, and at that instant I do believe I was staring death in the face. There was nowhere to run or hide so that's when I leaned against a wall and closed my eyes, swussssshhhhhh!"

The couple police officers that stood around couldn't help but look at one another, just as quickly looking back to the speaker.

"And what happened next?" One officer asked.

"Call me insane or crazy but the second I opened my eyes I was outside the building with all these folks. It's a miracle…I really don't know how else to explain it!"

Not a single officer believed the story and was clear through the expressions they gave off prompting another survivor to say something.

"He speaks the truth; I was in a similar situation down on the second floor. I'd lost sight of my nephew because of all the smoke and just as this gentleman the escape routes were limited. Before I really had time to make a decision or search for my nephew the unexpected happened. I ended up outside with the rest of these people, my nephew included. It was like something swept me off my feet and was relocated in the blink of an eye." She pointed to the younger boy.

The officers were intrigued to say the least, anything was possible but the stories presented were heavily farfetched putting it simply. Lualay overheard the exchange and couldn't stop herself from getting involved, "Hey wait you can't just barge in like that, I don't think now is the best time for interviews. Those people barely got away with their lives; I doubt they want to talk to any reporter at this time." Clark emphasized attempting to stop her from progressing further.

"That's where you're wrong Kent the event is fresh on their minds." She forced his hand off her shoulder.

"Hello everyone I hope you don't mind me jumping in. I am Kuzaichi Lualay of Sky Times if you're open to answering a few questions I'd greatly appreciate it."

The police officials had no problem with her request only asking that she and the civilians move back another fifteen feet for safety reasons. After doing so much of the group was opened to answering questions and sharing stories of what happened inside the building. Clark went with the flow joining Lualay seeing as it was part of their job. Lualay was especially fascinated by what they had to say, and wondered just how much of the public would react when reading her story. Then again with the Specters of Shadows claiming all headlines it was more than likely other stories would drown in the outer back pages.

Additional civilians on the block were questioned by other Sky Times workers and reporters from separate firms. What remained of the flames was put out in mere minutes, ambulances taking in some of the injured and only a total of two casualties. Family and friends that had been separated during the whole ordeal were relieved reuniting with joy and tears. After wrapping things up Clark and Lualay returned to her vehicle parked just down the street with a good feeling of accomplishment.

"Wait hold on!" She called out just as Clark opened the door to the passenger side.

"Are you ok, is something wrong?" He questioned with worry in his tone.

She positioned closer to his side running a finger over a specific area on his jacket, "Ok when did this happen?! Were you somewhere near the fire, I told you before we arrived not to do anything that might put you in harm's way."

He didn't say anything for seconds looking over the area of clothing in question.

"I'll try and be more careful in the future. Sometimes you lose sight of your full surrounding when there's so much happening around." Clark smiled.

With that they got into the vehicle buckling up and taking off in route to the Sky Times building. They gathered more than enough information to put together an early article; the only thing missing was what caused the fire. Not only that, but were questions surrounding some of the explanations of how a handful of residents escaped the fiery inferno. Focus and eyes on the road Lualay perceived more damage to Clark's jacket but less major to the last and near the collar. It was on the opposite side to the other burn. She shook it off, the matter unimportant in her book.

Elsewhere Section Nine's headquarters was contacted, their assistance requested by the police force. Batou, Saito and Togusa took up the assignment arriving in front of a home just four miles east of the Section Nine building. The home was cut off by yellow tape cautioning residents and civilians of the ongoing crime scene. Neither of the three was briefed on what the disturbance was about so mentally prepared themselves for anything. Batou lifted the tape as they all passed under and through the already open front entrance.

They were greeted by two officers standing guard revealing their credentials straightaway, "About time your unit showed, we could use more sets of hands with so many of us working the Specters of Shadows case. Nothing is confirmed yet but I think it's safe to say our man struck again. This certainly falls under his line of work."

"What do you mean our guy?" Saito asked.

"Aoi Sanhall, follow me."

One officer led them up the stairs while the other remained in the front room. It wasn't long before they stood within a bedroom and the scene was gruesome and tough to swallow. A man hung from a ceiling fan; rope around the neck completely naked, cuts all over his body. A piece of cloth was firmly tied over his mouth. In the bed was a woman also stripped of all her clothing, her wrists bounded to the bed; her neck cut open. Besides the throat she suffered various other bruises and cuts on different areas of her body. Togusa closed his eyes running a hand over his face followed by a deep sigh.

"Valentina and Reed Horheh. They were newlyweds just got back from their honeymoon in fact."

"Lieutenant Sho," Batou turned to the familiar individual shaking hands with him, "When we were called in to help I had no idea you'd be here."

"Sanhall was assigned to my team, so of course I'd be a first responder when the details of this incident surfaced to base. I really don't know what to think at this point, this man has given me just about as much heartache as the Daunting Phantom and company."

Forensics dusted for possible finger prints, taking photos of the entire space including the bodies. Any small thing lying around was documented and bagged as potential evidence. The bodies would later be transported to the crime lab where the cause of death could more accurately be determined.

"I read somewhere that Aoi Sanhall was considered by most his passed associates to be extremely anti social. With that in mind you just have to wonder how he pulls these crimes off. Unless he broke into the homes of his victims torturing them to death, but no evidence from past cases suggested forced entry on any level. Now I can't speak for this one seeing as we just arrived, but still." Saito inquired.

"You do make a good point, I thought about some of the same things myself. All that did was give me a headache sometimes things just don't make sense or add up. There's also the possibility we're examining things from the wrong angle." Ryan Sho said.

The remark drew in the three Section Nine members.

"What do you mean wrong angle? How else should we go about progressing with this?" Togusa asked.

"Even I don't have the answer to that, it's just we've made no progress in forever. Something is missing; perhaps he's using something to lure them in. False advertisement, something! There's just no way he should still be out on the street and is an embarrassment to my unit and I that he is!" Ryan clinched his fists.

Flashes went off as more photos were taken. Ryan so badly wanted something to fall in place that he and everyone else missed, something that would solve the puzzle and maze. Not only was his whereabouts a mystery but also how he was able to get so close to the victims in their own homes.

"This man may not be on as large a scale as our Phantom criminal but is just as gruesome and sick; anyway enough of my rambling, in a short while the rest of my team should be here." Ryan said.

"You've been working this case closely correct? Are you certain other than the murdered couples being newlyweds there isn't something else that links them? Maybe they attended a specific school or university at different times, or were constants at a certain store, restaurant or other public property. If there is we could possibly deduce who his next target might be and set a trap." Batou claimed.

"We're talking about a psychopath our logic doesn't apply to these crazies. Maybe what you're saying is true, maybe there's a template he follows but as of now I've yet to crack it. Believe me, I've spent countless hours looking at things from different perspectives and has gotten me nowhere. I'm not giving up by a long shot! Oh no, not until that bastard is behind bars will the word or thought ever cross my mind!" Ryan replied.

"Lieutenant we've got something over here, a heart shaped pendant. Some sort of substance is covering it." One examiner notified.

"Bag and tag it with the rest of the other items. We will take a closer look at it in the lab."

XXX

"You didn't have to set something up so quickly, it could have waited a couple days."

"Don't be silly Kei-san I'm sure Nuer won't mind meeting with you on such short notice. He sounded avid over the phone, stop worrying." Meila replied leading them up a set of steps.

It was already after seven in the evening and the sun was already beginning to set over the mountains. The letters over the building read GCC in large blue lettering. As they came within three feet of the main entrance they were approached by two armed guards, "I'm gonna need to see some ID and before we let you go any further do you have an appointment? If not you will have to leave and come back when you do."

Both produced identification, Meila explaining their stance and from there were allowed in. The first thing that stood out to Bruce was the dark green marble tiled surface and paintings of different sorts on the walls. More armed guards were stationed throughout the lobby, Bruce taking notice of them as well.

"Security has tightened since the last time I was here, but it's understandable after what happened with the hostage situation." Meila murmured.

She and Bruce met with a gentleman at the front desk pointing them in the direction of the elevators and the correct floor. The layout was somewhat similar to Gegato Tech but at the same time so much different. Props and or figures of items in production were displayed within the area unlike GT. They were on the elevator and to the fifth floor in no time, "His facility is down this way."

She led them into the room just around the corner. It was a beautiful sight and looked to be his kind of place and for a second might even have stopped breathing. A slender individual approached them at 5'10, light brown hair that fell two inches just above his neck and black eyes. His clothing consisted of brown shoes, glasses, black pants, a white lab jacket and blue under shirt.

"Good to see you again Meila-chan, how has your father been?"

"Daddy's been fine, thanks for seeing us on such short notice. Kei is a coworker and friend of mine and is interested in knowing more about what you do here."

Nuer faced Bruce shaking hands with him, "And you must be Madoka Kei, Meila's told me good things about you. Without further ado let's get right into it, what do you want to know?"

"There is nothing in particular, we can start wherever is most convenient."

"My kind of guy, good follow me right this way."

Meila and Bruce followed him up another set of stairs passing by groups of workers, "There really is no better place than to start here."

"What are they, motorcycles?" Bruce asked.

"On the contrary, the Hwell CW's are powered by a special laser energy we've produced here at Gec Corporation Center and run three times the speed of the vehicle you insisted. Not only that, but produce a lot less noise, built in communications through hologram or two other options. As an extra addition it also contains another set of built in wheels which can be exchanged with the current in a single click. These babies are set to hit the streets in just two short weeks. Let's continue on shall we."

Immediately as they went along something inside Nuer's pocket rang. He pulled the phone from his pocket asking Meila and Bruce to excuse him. They had no idea what the conversation was about but did sound important and lasted for a good five minutes. When finished Nuer placed the phone back into his pocket looking at the two, "Unfortunately I have somewhere to be, a last minute meeting is what they're calling it. How does tomorrow morning sound? I don't know maybe around nine O'clock?"

"I have a luncheon that's been planned for weeks that starts around that time. That isn't a great time for me, but it is Kei-san that is interested in your department." Meila spoke.

"Well Madoka?" Nuer asked looking to Bruce.

"Nine O'clock sounds good to me, I'll be here."

"Great," Nuer again shook hands with Bruce, hugging Meila after, "Tell your father I said hello next time you speak."

"I will thanks." She smiled.

Nuer escorted them to the main exit from where they entered. Together she and Bruce re entered the elevator out of the building through the main lobby. He had no idea what all might help in his battle against the city's criminals but looked forward to examining the toys/utilities of GCC.

To Be Continued