Near studied the multiple black cards surrounding him aware of the cameras that still stood within the room. Givanni had asked if Near wanted them to be taken down but he refused. Near felt that K was now a crucial part of this little game and much to his chagrin, decided it might be beneficial for K to know and see it all. If K was able to deduce the same conclusion as Near then he might be a good help when the time came. 'I wonder what K thinks about the fake rules? It is safe to assume that he already knows about the rules of the notebook. Which does he believe is fake?' Near pondered this while staring at the perfectly circled cards surrounding him. 'Fake rules.' Near thought as he twirled a lock of hair. 'There's no doubt that the notebook can cause heart attacks and can control it's victims to a degree. As for burning it or tearing it up, the notebook still exists, and there is no way to confirm the rule one way or the other. That means' Near paused in thought and flicked a card forward, watching it float through the air and turn to its backside. It landed on the grim reaper, death it read. 'The false rule must be the one that states a person will die if he doesn't write a name within thirteen days.'
"Givanni." Near said, aware of who will be listening on and maybe even interrupt. The dark haired man turned around to face Near.
"Please set up a connection to L." He asked already planning exactly what he wanted to say in order to trap the taskforce and it's supposed leader.
"Yes sir." Givanni said and quickly set it up.
They answered immediately. "Yes." L number two's voice came through.
"L, I thought you should know that we caught Mello." Near heard the taskforce surprised gasps and somewhere in the darkness K snickered, listening to both sides, wanting so much to intervene. "But he escaped soon afterwards." 'Bullshit' K thought but didn't say anything. "We were able to interrogate him for a while."
"He really didn't escape did he?" Light's voice was condescending and K wanted to bitch slap him for being such a smartass. " You let him get away, am I right?"
"No. We tried to restrain him but he was too quick." K snorted quietly at that little white lie. " Anyway Mello mentioned that there was some sort of shinigami attached to the notebook." Ha! He's got you by the balls, K thought. " Have you been able to confirm the existence of such a creature?" Near asked.
"Yes, I can tell you for a fact that shinigami do exist. I didn't share that information to you in the beginning because I was certain you'd never believe me."
"I would like to ask the shinigami a few questions." Near said, not missing a beat. "The thing that's bothering me the most about this is the issue of those rules written in the notebook. I have reason to believe that one of them is fake." K listened with sick satisfaction as the taskforce audibly gasped.
"A fake rule?" Light asked stupidly.
"Yes. L I had been interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Out of all the rules which do you think is the fake?" Near asked. The thirteen-day rule, K thought. "I'd like to know."
"By process of elimination the obvious choice would be the one stating that the owner of the notebook will die if they don't write a new name in it every thirteen days. I don't believe that."
"I thought you might say so. I've reached the same conclusion. What about you K? Have you thought the same?" Near surprised K, who's jaw dropped. Very good Near.
"K? Who's K?" Light asked.
"I am." K said into the microphone, entering the conversation. "And yes Near, I also reached the same conclusion. If none of you had noticed, Kira doesn't always kill daily. At some points he didn't kill for two weeks time yet he is still alive. This rule makes no sense to me and the evidence against it." K watched Near's eyes widen.
"I had not thought of that." He admitted and K smiled.
"Nor had I for that matter but it still does not answer the question of who are you and how are you speaking on a private line?" L asked.
"Oh my apologies I do believe introductions are meant to be made. I am of course K. No need to tell me who you are L number two. I already know it all." Near wanted to smile. He was good; Near could not deny that. "And for the intervening, I am able to listen and reply to al of your conversations by taps and wires throughout the computers. I deposited them when I had stolen several files from you. Yes that was I. Anyhow do you mind if I call you Light? I despise the thought of calling you L."
"Why is that?"
"Because you are a disgrace to the L name, you do not deserve to be called L. I refuse to call you as such. Light it is." K said.
"Very well, if you like. So back to the matter at hand." Light said. "Shinigami, you know the rules of the notebook well. Tell us, are any of them false?" K frowned. Was this shinigami was lying for Kira? The answer, K believed, was hell yes.
"Nope, they are all real." K watched as Near smiled at the revelation. He must think the same thing.
"I see, you have your shinigami there with you?"
"Yes."
"Is that so?" Near asked. K already knew Kira was among them, now it was time for Near to realize it too. "I think I am beginning to get the picture. In other words Kira is in the room and is making the shinigami lie on his behalf." K listened to the taskforce arguing amongst themselves about Lights innocence.
"If there is a problem I suggest we verify the rule this way: I will volunteer to write Mello's real name in the notebook." K's jaw clenched in anger. " Of course that mean's he'll die, if I also die thirteen days later well then I guess Kira wins." Bastard, K thought. "Either way it's a gamble I'm quite willing to make. Testing and confirming the thirteen-day rule can only benefit the Kira investigation and other than my possible death, there will be no drawbacks. I'm willing to put my life on the line if it will help us solve the case." K frowned, noticing something rather odd.
"Can you please wait for a moment? We need to discuss your suggestion." Light said and there was silence.
"Near what exactly are you playing at?" K asked in the silence.
" What do you mean?"
"Risking your life? Seriously? You and Mello are important to the world. They need you to catch Kira. If you die, this world will crumble." K said.
"Not exactly. I have deducted that you, K, are much smarted than Mello and I combined so even if we die I am positive that you could catch Kira." Near said, twirling a lock of hair. K felt a small sense of pride but also felt sorrow at the loss of a new game ally. Not many could stay on the same page as K.
"Near, we've talked it over and decided that we can't allow you to use the notebook like that." K's shoulders sagged with relief.
"I had a feeling you might say so. No matter. Just one last question before I go: To the member's of the Japanese Taskforce. Was there ever a point in the investigation where the second L was suspected to be Kira even if the suspicions were later dropped? If you have been listening to our conversation so far and have any intention on helping my investigation and taking down Kira then call the number I'm about to give you. Day or night I will answer. The choice is up to you." Near said almost about to end the conversation when a voice came up again.
"Day or night huh?" Everyone looked to the computers, forgetting K was even there, listening. K chuckled. "I couldn't help but over hear the taskforce talking about Light's innocence and guilt earlier and I can't help but put this idea forth for all of you to ponder." K paused. "We all have something we own. Whether it's a book, a toy, a knife, candy, a game, a picture, we have all of something to possess correct?"
"Yes, what is your point K?" Near asked.
"Well, like our own normal possessions we can obtain them…and give them away." K said, watching Near's eyes widen, getting the picture. "What I am saying for those of you who do not understand, is that what if Kira is able to give away his notebook and reobtain it just like we can obtain an object, give it away to lend, and then get it back. It's still ours but no longer in our possession. Maybe, if my theory is correct, Kira can do the same thing? Something to ponder." K paused again. "Well it had been a pleasure listening to you all ask questions when the answer lie before you all but I must take leave. Near I may contact you again some time soon but I do have a life and would like to get back to it. Good day and good night." The line clicked, leaving Near to ponder all of this new information. It also left Light pondering who he wanted to kill more K or Near?
