Chapter 24
The Decision
We came to the conclusion that Kira was either an employee of Yotsuba or that the company had hired Kira to kill for them. I brought my laptop out to L when all the files arrived.
"My friend sent me everything he could find."
L transferred all the files to his computer and put them up on screen.
"This will help a great deal."
"Let's hope so." I said softly.
I felt a little lightheaded so I sat down.
"Agent?"
I looked at L and smiled.
"I'm alright. Just a little dizzy."
I jumped up, dragging Light-kun with me. I pressed a button and called for Watari.
"Yes?"
"Watari, could you please bring down some food for agent Salazar?"
"Of course. Not your usual selection I presume?"
"No. Something healthy."
I hung up and then went back to sit down.
"Thank you."
I smiled a bit and nodded. Aizawa looked through another stack of papers.
"You're right, this is suspicious. For this many people who are against Yotsuba to die…"
"Well, I've heard of bog business sabotaging each other. Anything to get ahead."
Aizawa looked at him.
"What era are you talking about? Nobody would do things like that these days."
"These days have Kira. Things have changed." Said Elena.
"True."
"And Yotsuba is doing it. The question is whether Kira is behind this or not…"
"So then Yotsuba has hired Kira to help them? But why?"
"Kira being hired is a nightmare. What if some terrorists used him next?" Elena asked.
"I doubt Kira would do that. But what I meant is that it would mean they found Kira before I did, that's not possible."
Aizawa looked confused.
"Hold it, you just told us not to put faith in your reasoning. Now you're super confident?"
"He was simply sulking earlier."
I looked at Elena.
"Am I wrong?"
"No. Even if it's a big business, I can't imagine Kira helping them after being found out. I'd expect Kira to immediately kill anyone who discovered him. A better theory would be that someone in Yotsuba is Kira, or that someone there has the same power as Kira."
"And if Kira went to them? Maybe he figured he'd need money for something in the future?"
"Kira can't be that cheap. That would be so uncool."
Elena's eyes widened and I slowly looked at Marsuda. Aizawa rounded on him.
"You think Kira is cool, Matsuda?!"
"N-No that's not-"
"I don't think that's what he meant." Elena said quickly.
Matsuda nodded furiously.
"Well, either way we better look into this. However, infiltrating a big business like Yotsuba could be tough." Aizawa said.
"Watari is pretty well respected in the business world… but if Kira really is involved then it would be too dangerous to send him in alone."
"Who's Watari?"
Elena's eyes slowly went to Light-kun. They narrowed slightly.
"The one who appears on the computer from time to time."
"Oh, that guy."
Elena got up slowly and I looked at her. She smiled.
"I'll hack into Yotsuba's computer."
"Maybe I should do that. I'm really good with computers."
She looked at Light-kun with an arched brow.
"Are you suggesting I can't?"
"No, no!"
"Good. Then let me do my work."
She sat down at a computer.
"She's never gonna like me, is she?"
"No."
He seemed disappointed but he recovered quite quickly.
Elena's POV
A few hours later, Mogi and Chief came back. I could tell something was wrong by the looks in their eyes. This wasn't going to end well. Matsuda was very excited when he told them about Yotsuba.
"That must be it, well done!"
"What are you hesitating to tell us?" I asked.
I heard the chief sigh.
"I just heard from the director that Kira has been bribing politicians."
"You mean by using Yotsuba's money?"
"Wow! This must all be connected. No wonder you had such a serious look on your face, chief."
"That should aid our request to seek applicants to join the investigation. Did the director get approval?"
"It's the opposite… the police have officially given up now."
"Huh!?"
I looked at L. He didn't seem too surprised.
"I've talked it over with Mogi, he's determined to stay here. Aizawa, Matsuda if you want to continue going after Kira you need to join Mogi and myself... and resign from the NPA."
If it were a different situation I'd laugh at look on Matsuda's face.
"We're no longer able to seriously work on this case as police officers." Said the chief.
"I wouldn't feel too bad about it all. I'm sure America's police force surrendered even faster."
L smirked and I winked.
"But what do you mean?" Aizawa asked.
"Yeah, aren't we working this case because we're the police?" Matsuda inquired.
"It's plain and simple. I was told we would be fired if we continued to work with L. Most likely they were threatened by Kira, but that's the decision from the top." The chief explained.
"And you really plan to quite, chief?"
"Yes. In a few hours I will no longer be the chief. Each of you has your own life. Take your time to decide. We aren't just risking our lives now."
I was watching Aizawa. He had a bad temper, and he was a very dedicated police officer. I also knew he couldn't just leave his job.
"Yeah… especially if you have a wife and kids."
"I think you should all go back to the police."
I immediately looked at L.
"I was all alone in the beginning. Almost every police officer turned their back on me when the threat of losing their lives became reality. Even the FBI… well, except one brave agent." I smiled softly. "With the support you've all given me until now, I'll be able to continue this case on my own. And I swear to return to you one day with Kira's head."
I wouldn't be going anywhere and he knew it.
"Ryuzaki, as long as I'm around you won't be alone. Don't forget about this,"
Light held up his wrist where the cuff still rested. I rolled my eyes.
Give me the strength not to cut his hand off.
"Right, you will be with me until we catch Kira, Light-kun. But the rest of you should return to the police. As for you, agent Salazar I think you-"
"You don't want to finish that sentence!" I hissed.
He chuckled.
"I had to try."
"Ryuzaki, you're the one who said you needed the help of the police on this case." Said the chief.
"I did. However, that was because you could maintain a connection to the police. I also figured pursuing Kira as an organization would be more beneficial, for example the incident with Sakura TV. But two or three civilians who have quit the police force do not count as the police." He explained.
"But have you considered their feelings?"
L looked over at me.
"They've shown incredible dedication since this whole thing started. I think they should have the choice on whether or not they stay, Ryuzaki. They've risked their lives to help you. You cannot make such an important decision for them." I said.
He smiled a bit.
"She's right. Please make your own choice."
I looked over at Matsuda, Aizawa, Mogi and the chief. I already knew where Mogi and the chief stood on this, and it was easy to guess what Matsuda would do.
"But chief… as Matsuda said you and I both have families. If we quit the force then we'll be unemployed. Even if we catch Kira what about the future?" he asked.
He had a valid point. I knew that once my child was born I would most likely retire from the FBI.
"I haven't really thought about the future. After I catch Kira… I'll find another job."
The surprise on their faces made me laugh a little. And just as I predicted, Matsuda said,
"Alright! I'm in! I'm gonna quit the police force and go after Kira!"
I saw Aizawa look at his shoes.
"Besides, it would be pretty pathetic to quit before catching Kira-"
"Matsuda! Watch what you say!" said the chief.
He now seemed to notice the look on Aizawa's face. One of defeat.
"Ryuzaki, what if I return to the police force, but help out in my free time?" Aizawa said.
"No. If you're going back to the police then never return here. Given the current situation, I will have to consider anyone with the police an enemy."
"Come one! Whether I'm here or with the police you know I'd never reveal our secrets. How about the benefit of having one of us at the police to monitor their movements?"
"No one is stopping you from going back to the police force and going after Kira on your own time. If you have something you want to tell us then you can call Yagami-san. But we will never share our information with you." L said firmly.
Aizawa looked down again.
"Yeah… you're right, Ryuzaki. The information here must never get outside. Sorry for the lame excuses."
"I have nothing against a detective risking his life to chase after Kira. But I cannot see it as a correct decision to lose your job and cause suffering to your family for the sake of it. Dying in the line of duty is heroic, but dying while unemployed is just stupid."
I saw Elena narrow her eyes.
"No one will blame you for quitting now, Aizawa." Said the chief.
"Yeah, we wouldn't think of you as a traitor." Matsuda told him.
He looked at the chief.
"But you have a family too…"
"Our situations are completely different. My own son was suspected of being Kira and placed in confinement because of what Kira did. You were there, you saw what happened. I can't turn back now. Not after what Kira has put my family through."
"I haven't given up on the theory that Light-kun is the first Kira."
I threw one of my carrots at him.
"My children are grown up. Yours still need you as their father." The chief told him.
Aizawa now turned to me.
"But what about you? In a few months you'll have a baby."
"At which time I will of course leave the investigation. But until then, I stand by my promise to help Ryuzaki."
"It's not fair, damnit… I've come this far, prepared to die at any time. And if I quite now… how will I ever be able to face Ukita?"
I slowly closed my eyes.
"Damn it! Why can't a detective on the police force go after Kira?!"
"Ryuzaki…"
"What is it Watari?"
"In the beginning you had me make preparations so that everybody on the task force and their families would be financially secure no matter what happened. Including if they were fired from the police force. Why have you not mentioned that?"
I looked at L.
"Who asked you Watari?" L grumbled.
I narrowed my eyes before standing up.
"You should've told them!" I snapped.
"So we've already been taken care of financially!? This is great! Aizawa! As long as you're okay with giving up the title of detective, you can't still work on the case!"
Matsuda's excitement dropped dead when he saw the look on Aizawa's face.
"Ryuzaki… you were watching to see whether or not I'd quite the force weren't you?"
"I'm sure that's not what he was doing. He wouldn't be that cold." I said.
"Exactly, you know he can be odd like this." Said the chief.
"No. I was testing him. I wanted to see which side he'd choose."
I'm gonna smack the hell out of you!
Aizawa glared at him.
"Alright! I'm quitting here to return to the NPA!"
"But Aizawa-"
"I couldn't decide immediately like you guys. And I was leaning towards going back to the force…"
"D-Don't take it personally…"
Matsuda's attempts to calm him were in vain.
"No, I'm quitting. This just made things crystal clear! I hate Ryuzaki, I don't like the way he works."
Aizawa started to walk away, but L just couldn't resist having the last word.
"That's a normal reaction, Aizawa-san. Though I like people like you."
"I also hate how you always have to have the last word! I'm out of here!"
"Take care." L said quietly.
I took a deep breath and then left the room without a word.
"Agent Salazar? Are you feeling alright?"
I ignored him.
