Morning found Roy awake and downstairs before either of his boys, nursing his first cup of coffee and ambling down the road, wallet in hand.
There was a newspaper vendor at the corner of his street, always had been, and he was one of the early birds that morning, purchasing a paper as he'd promised Ed.
'SUSANS WINS ELECTION' was the headline, and Roy smiled slightly at the news- Ed would be pleased to read about it later.
'CENTRAL SLASHER STILL AT LARGE' was the next headline down, and Roy frowned, carefully tearing the paper in half at the crease so only the article on Susan's victory was visible. He left it on the table for Ed to find when he wandered downstairs, heading up to his study and scanning the article on the killings with fresh eyes, hoping that reading about it would jog his memory, give him some significant detail he'd missed before... No such luck.
Hughes was probably still at the office. Roy morosely wondered if he'd even been home- probably not. He couldn't exactly blame the man. Still, it was disheartening, knowing Hughes was spending so much time on this and Roy couldn't really help.
He found himself picking up the phone and dialing the familiar number anyways.
"Hughes here." his friend picked up on the fourth ring. He sounded exhausted.
"It's Roy. How are things?"
"Not good enough." Hughes said, tone sounding clipped. "I've interviewed everyone at those talks but the politicians themselves at that talk. Susans came in yesterday, but she didn't have anything helpful, and Trevors is coming this morning. I can't reach Xavier though, we've been calling every hour for who knows how long. The election is over, he has no excuse to be unreachable right now-" Hughes sounded thoroughly pissed, which was unusual for him. "Besides, any politician who gives a damn about their voters would want to keep them safe."
"Hughes, how long has it been since you've slept?"
The line was quiet for a moment. "I took a nap a few hours ago." he said simply.
"For how long?"
"Three hours. I've got coffee, Roy, I'll be fine."
"Right." Roy didn't sound convinced. "How are Gracia and Elicia holding up?"
Another pause, this one tinged with pain. "Good, I think. I haven't really been home. Gracia calls every few hours to let me know they're still alright, I told them both they aren't to leave the house with this freak still at large... Gracia seems alright, but I know she's miserable."
"Yeah, and so are you." Roy supplied. "Look, I'm not trying to be an ass here, but you're exhausted and could use the help. And Gracia and Elicia could use some company. So- hear me out here- let us help you."
"What are you proposing?" it was a testimate to how tired Hughes really was that he was even considering the offer.
"Ed and I have to go into the office today. But once we're done with that, I'll take Ed and Al over to your place. The boys can watch Elicia and I can escort Gracia out to do some shopping. We both know she hates being cooped up in the house. And on our way home we'll stop and visit you. You can have some time to talk to Gracia, and I'll look over your case notes. See if a fresh pair of eyes finds anything new. What do you think?"
"That's a good plan. You sure you don't mind?"
"If anything, it'll give me an excuse to duck out a little early this evening. You know I despise paperwork."
"Right. I- thanks, Roy, I really appreciate it. I'll call Gracia and let her know. She doesn't complain, but I know she's getting cabin fever. See you tonight."
"See you then."
Roy hung up the phone, thoroughly satisfied with himself.
That day at the office was uneventful, although Ed had discovered he could sneakily drop pens into the slots in Alphonse's armor when his brother was engrossed in a book, much to his younger brother's annoyance and Ed's merriment.
"So- why are we babysitting again?" Ed asked as they drove down the road towards the Hughes residence, looking bored.
"Because- Hughes has been at the office for days, and Gracia needs as escort to go shopping and she wants to see her husband. We shouldn't be too long- and even if we are, it's a favor for Hughes."
"Oh- alright." Ed didn't complain, probably because he didn't mind it if it was a favor to Hughes.
They arrived at the house without much fanfare- Gracia smiled when she saw them, but the smile didn't exactly reach her eyes. She explained that dinner was in the fridge for all of them, and that Elicia would probably like to listen to her favorite program on the radio and then play board games in the playroom.
She gathered her purse, looking happy to be going but a bit nervous as she scrutinized the boys. "We shouldn't be long. Are you boys sure you don't mind watching her?"
"Psh- piece of cake." Ed waved her off, beaming a reassuring smile. Elicia was already attempting to climb on Al's suit of armor like a jungle gym behind him. "We totally got this."
"You know the office phone numbers- both of them- in case of emergency." Roy said to reassure her, nodding to Gracia.
"Right, of course. Well- have fun! Elicia- be good!"
"I will, mommy! Big brother, why don't you stand still so I can climb better!"
"Because I'm not a jungle gym! And I don't want you to fall and get hurt!" Alphonse protested.
Ed was laughing to himself, watching the scene, amused, as Roy and Gracia left, being sure to lock the door behind them.
"Do you think they're alright?" Gracia asked, as she picked through the produce nervously at the store, Mustang standing beside her in his uniform, hands in his pockets.
"I think they'll be fine. Ed's more than capable, and even if he is a little reckless, Alphonse is always there to be practical. They have the phone numbers if they need anything."
"Of course." Gracia placed some apples into the grocery basket, still looking downcast. "I'm sorry- I didn't mean to question their abilities. I know Ed and Al are fantastic. It's just... this is the first time we've left Gracia alone with someone other than my mother to watch her. And with everything going on lately and Maes being at the office so much... it's been hard."
"I understand. It's a stressful time. But the sooner Hughes gets this case done, the sooner you all can rest easy. Besides- we'll be over to see him shortly. He's looking forward to seeing you- I could tell just by talking to him on the phone."
"That's true." Gracia brightened significantly at the thought of seeing her husband, and even gave Roy a wane smile. "Then I suppose I'd better hurry and finish this shopping so I can see him sooner.".
"Horsey, horsey! Faster horsey!" Elicia chanted from where she sat, perched atop Ed's back. Ed, for his part, was on all fours on the playroom floor, a rather degrading position, if you asked him, but still, it helped keep Elicia amused and from breaking flower vases, so he'd go for it.
"Al-" he groused, walking around as fast as he could muster without knocking his rider off his back. "Isn't it your turn to be the horse?"
"No. He's metal and too big. You need to go faster." Elicia said matter-of-factly, digging her heels into Ed's ribs.
"Yah!" Ed started and jumped, before starting to run around faster.
Alphonse snickered.
Fifteen minutes later, Ed was lying sprawled out on the floor on his stomach. "No more. No more."
"Aw. No more horsey?" Elicia looked saddened.
"No. Horsey has retired." Ed admitted, tired.
"Huh. My Daddy always is a horsey longer than that." Elicia looked disappointed, before pointing at the clock. "Big brother, what time does that say?"
"7:30." Alphonse supplied helpfully.
Elicia gasped, green eyes growing impossibly wide with excitement. "That means my radio program is on!" she grabbed Al's leather hand in her own, tugging him towards the stairs. "C'mon! You have to listen to it with me! You too, little brother!"
"'M not little." Ed mumbled halfheartedly from where his face was smushed into the carpet. "An' I'll catch up-"
He could already hear the metal clanking as Elicia pulled Alphonse downstairs.
Ed sighed, gathering himself and walking down slowly after them. Elicia was already laying on her stomach in front of the radio, feet in the air and chin perched on her hands, elbows on the ground as she stared excitedly at the radio.
Al had carefully selected the channel she asked for, and now the crackling radio-operator's voice announced the start of 'The Littlest Pony" radio show.
It was hard for Gracia to hide her excitement at seeing her husband- even if it was only in the office. Maes, too, looked excited, wrapping his wife in a bear-hug and not letting go for nearly a full minute.
Roy let them talk and settled himself behind Maes desk, eyes scanning the gore-filled pictures and casefiles with intense scrutiny.
While the couple talked at length about each other- how they'd missed one another, how Elicia was doing, how Gracia was holding up- the conversation eventually circled back to the case.
"Do you think it'll be over soon, Maes?" Gracia asked, looking hopeful.
"I'm doing my best, sweetheart. Roy was kind enough to come help me look over these case files..."
"Any leads?"
"No. Well, yes." Hughes ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "We've interviewed everyone except the politicians. Susans came yesterday, she didn't have any useful information, and Trevors today, nothing new, but Xavier we still haven't been able to get ahold of anyone but his secretary. I'm afraid he may be a dead-end too- and then- I don't know what we're going to do." Hughes admitted, looking defeated.
"You're brilliant, honey, I'm sure you'll think of something."
A knocked sounded at the door, and they all looked up from their respective places.
"Come in." Hughes said, sounding weary.
The door opened to reveal a rather slight woman with honey-blond hair, carrying a small gift basket. Roy recognized her from her picture in the paper today- it was Susans, the woman who'd won the election for representative today.
"Hello Lieutenant Hughes." she offered him a warm smile.
"Miss Susans. Hello. Nice to see you again. Did you remember anything since our interview yesterday? Any new details?" he looked hopeful.
Susans shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I didn't. I just won the election, though- and I know how invested you are in this case. As my first move as our official representative, I brought you a small token of thanks for all your hard work." she nodded to Gracia, offering the basket to Hughes. "I hope I didn't intrude."
"Not at all. We were just discussing the cooperation of the candidates. Or lack thereof. You were the easiest to get ahold of." Hughes admitted.
"Oh, you've been having trouble reaching them? That's a surprise. I talked to Trevors today- he was disappointed to have lost, but agreed to work as one of my assistants. Good man. And Xavier said he'd be visiting you today. I'm surprised you haven't heard from him."
"You've heard from Xavier?" Hughes looked excited. "He's the only witness we haven't been able to reach for an interview. His testimony might crack this case!"
"He's been meaning to stop by for awhile, it sounds like. He's a rather... odd fellow, though. He seemed to nervous on the night of the last debate. He even went missing for awhile- I suspect he was in the bathroom. And then- when he was leaving for the night- well, I don't want to embarrass him..."
"Miss Susans. Any detail you remember could make or break this case. Please, I need to know." Hughes had already snatched up a nearby notepad and pen, staring at her intensely. Roy had now abandoned his casefiles and was watching the exchange as well, as was Gracia.
"Well- he- when he left after the debates, he was carrying a pink handbag. He has a wife, but she wasn't there that night, so... I suppose it could've been from a lover..."
The notepad and pen fell from Hughes slack hands and hit the floor.
"I'm sorry, can you repeat that please?" Roy was on his feet, shocked and disbelieving.
"He was carrying a pink purse that evening that he didn't have when he came in." Susans admitted, looking surprised by the intensity of their reaction. "I didn't think it was a big deal, in fact, I'd completely forgotten about it until you asked. Why? Is something the matter?"
"That's our man, Roy! Xavier is our man!" Hughes boomed, looking excited. "The purse! Ed mentioned the purse! It all makes sense!"
"No wonder your office has been having trouble reaching him, he's the one!" Roy thundered, looking equally excited.
"Is this significant to the investigation some how?" Susans asked, looking surprised.
Hughes was animated enough he might have sprung across the room and hugged her.
"Yes! Yes, Miss Susans, I think you've cracked our case!"
Susans smiled, looking pleased with herself. "Well, I'm afraid I don't understand how, but I'm glad I could help. Still, I'm surprised Xavier hasn't gotten in contact with you. I just spoke to him today on the phone. I gave him the same offer as I did Trevors- to work as one of my assistants."
"And what did he say?" Roy asked, still interested.
"He turned me down. Said he was disappointing by the results of the election, but he wasn't going to let it bother him any longer. He said he had to pay a visit to one of his greatest supporters and thank him in person today..."
"And who was that?"
Susans looked surprised. "You mean you don't know? He said his biggest supporter was YOU, Lieutenant..."
"Of course. Because I've been investigating the case this whole time... But why hasn't he been here yet, then?" Hughes asked himself softly.
"Oh- he said he didn't want to bother you at work. Said he'd rather visit your wife and daughter as well. I think he was planning on going to your home."
