Chapter 45

We had just concluded our study of the surveillances a few days ago. Shockingly we found a girl that looked like Amane in the videos of the closest airport. So yeah… Lucien won that one. I kept thinking if I had plotted things step by step. What I would have had her do. Stupidly I didn't even fully weigh the possibility of what Amane herself would have chosen. It was clear though. The girl who looked like Amane went to Winchester England around the necessary time frame. What we had needed was proof. I thought it was going to be harder than what it actually was. Misa Amane used her own passport. Not an Alias to match her get up, and even got a hotel room using her real name that wasn't very far from Whammies. It took no time at all to track her route through town.

She really is an idiot. We now held undeniable proof she was at whammies on the day it burnt to the ground. That is on top of the other evidence from earlier in the investigation. We have her. Now all that was left was to detain her so I can penetrate the task force. Lucien used his contacts to help with that.

*Light*

A month has passed since the task force was summoned to the precinct. Only to receive Kira's earthly possessions. I couldn't really decide what to do with Kira's house so I had retrieved her computer and other appliances before putting it back on the market. I could have just used it as Task Force Headquarters but I am comfortable with how things are. Plus, I doubted any of us wanted to walk into Kira's home. Tonight, the apartment was oddly quiet. Even though the others were in the same room as me. Looking at the time I nearly cursed allowed realizing Misa should have been back from her shoot hours ago.

Without a word I stand and walk out of the room. If she is here and for once keeping out of our way and being quiet I could always tell the others that I was using the restroom. Walking up to Misa's room I knock once as usual before opening the door. She wasn't on her bed like normal so I walked further in and went into the bathroom. Which connected both of our rooms together. Slowly opening the door I found she wasn't there either. Moving back into her room I go to her usual hiding place for her death note and pull the drawer open. Moving her undergarments out of the way I find the death note was gone. -Where the hell is she?- I silently ask myself before checking all the other areas of the apartment. Including my own bedroom in case she had decided to settle down and write names elsewhere in the apartment, it would have explained the lack of her death note. Nothing.

-You better have a good excuse Misa for being late and for taking your death note out of the apartment- I tell her in my thoughts as I find myself back outside the room we use as Headquarters. Pulling out my phone I press Misa's speed dial number before bringing it to my ear. As I was listening to the ringing my dad opens the door looking at me. Obviously, I had taken too long and he just wanted to check and make sure I hadn't allowed myself to be distracted by Misa. Unknown to him at the moment. I had become distracted but, for a completely different reason than he was probably thinking. "Hi! You reached Misa Amane! I'm busy with work right now! So you know what to do!"

"Misa… I was calling because it's late. I wanted to make sure you're alright, so call me back." I had decided to leave a voice mail in case her shoot was only taking longer than usual. Which sometimes did happen but, surely she would be here by now. Since it was an afternoon shoot rather than an evening. Looking at my dad he gave me a nod of understanding. He was worried too but since none of us has her manager's number we very well couldn't call them to make sure.

Upon walking inside the others all looked at me from having heard what I said in the voice mail. "Don't worry Light. I am sure she will be here soon." Matsuda tries to reassure me since at one time he had been her manager. It did lessen my worries, however.

"Thank you, Matsuda." I tell him before setting back down at the computer. He should be right. Crime has been on the decline for years. It has become a better and safer worl… My computer suddenly beeps twice before changing to the familiar grey screen with a capital old English font S. "It's S." I tell the others who were surprised by the sound.

"Greetings Japan's Kira investigation Task Force. It has been a while since I last contacted you." He says but unlike before he doesn't just jump to the point. Odd.

"Greetings S." I say to him as I click on my filtered mic. "It has been a while. To what do we owe for your call?" I ask him. Damn him for changing tactics and suddenly start stalling.

"You're on edge L." He stated as if he was only disturbing us for a nice chat.

"Yeah… We haven't gotten any new leads in a while. Guess you can say I'm restless." I respond to him using his casual tone as the others converge around me again. As if they can hear any better crowding me.

"Here I thought it was because of the missing Misa Amane."

"How does he know about her?" my Dad questions as I tense.

"How do you know she is missing S? It is possible her shoot is running late." I question him. Does he have something to do with Misa's absence? Or has he been having all of us tailed?

"I shall answer that after I have explained something to the Task Force." He says but he pauses as if waiting for me to object.

"I understand, what would you like to explain?" I ask him pleasantly to show him he hasn't made me nervous. He probably just wants to implore everyone about me again.

"On the dates around May 22nd through the 30th of 2007 one Misa Amane boarded a particular plane to Winchester England. Where she booked a room in her name and left paper evidence throughout the town. In particular, a trail leading her all the way to an orphanage called Whammies House on the exact day of a tragic fire that had caused the deaths of everyone within. A day later she boarded a plane and returned to Japan. Not to mention hairs and fibers were also extracted from the masking tape used to seal the Second Kira's envelopes." He pauses causing everyone to just stare wide-eyed at the screen. My breath was caught and it felt like my heart came to a shuddering halt. "There is no doubt left that Misa Amane otherwise known as Misa-Misa, is the Second Kira. We have arrested her for being the Second Kira." He stops speaking letting everyone come to terms with the news. Misa... They found evidence on Misa... Enough to convict her... Sorry Rem, there is no way I can get her out of this one we barely got her out when it was just hairs and fibers on envelopes.

"Are... You sure S?" I found myself asking him. How did they even connect the orphanage to the Kira case? Ryuzaki said that the police had investigated and it was deemed an unfortunate accident. In fact, when he personally called them back later they had explained that after investigating the scene they had found a short in the wiring to be the cause of the fire. There was no evidence of it being connected... And now this guy has evidence of Misa being the cause of it. Or was he just pulling our legs and he had wanted to detain Misa like L had and he just so happen to find her death note on her since she had apparently taken it out of the apartment.

"Yes, I have ran through every logical explanation to explain the evidence. Misa Amane was not needed in England for work-related reasons. Just as she does not know anyone from Winchester England. There are no tourist attractions and there was nothing worthy of traveling for happening in Winchester or anywhere near the town. So there was absolutely no reason for her to be at that particular orphanage the very day of the incident. The only event that had occurred while she was there. Was a fire in an orphanage that allowed no survivors."

"I see.." I spoke looking down. Clicking off my voice filter. Misa is doomed. This guy is absolutely sure he has enough evidence to convict her, if he does in fact have this evidence then what he found and the death note would be more than enough to seal the deal, and if I make any move to try and help her then he will know I am Kira.

"Japan's Kira Task Force. I want you to know I will bring Kira to justice just as I have done with the second Kira. I wish to thank you all for your hard work and I look forward to the next time I contact you." With that S ends his call leaving all of us in silence. This guy… is good. He made me think he was focusing on me this whole time when... He was really investigating Misa to take my eyes away from me and leave me vulnerable. Damn it!

Everyone felt like they had their jobs yanked off from under them. They had worked so hard for so many years to bring this case to a close to suddenly have an outsider step in and make far more progress than they had managed. It was a huge blow to the Task Force and none larger than the blow I as Kira had taken. For the next few days, we all converged into the room more out of habit than anything. The Task Force had lost its drive to go on. We set on the couches in silence most of the time thinking back over the case to try and remember every little detail. In the news as well as on the internet there had been no articles or mention of a second Kira being arrested. All I could conclude is this S wanted Kira to just disappear. No press, no fuss, quick and clean. Rem's sudden disappearance only weighed as more proof to everyone that what S had said was the truth. It wasn't until the fifth day like this that we had been jerked out of our thoughts as the computer beeped again.

"Is it S again?" Aizawa questions as we all stand and go to the computer. Just in time to see the screen flick grey. The letter in black old English font had us all gasping in shock.

"Greetings Task Force." L's filtered voice said over the mic. He sounded as if he was finally getting over Kira's death for his tone was more void of emotion as it had been.

"It's good to hear from you Ryuzaki." Dad says allowed after I activate the microphone. This time without the use of the voice filter. There was no reason to hide our voices when Ryuzaki already knows who we are.

"It is good to hear from you as well Mr. Yagami."

"What can we do for you?" Dad questions. Knowing L far too well then to believe he had called for no reason.

"Yes, I wanted to inform you that I am familiar with the situation you find yourselves currently in. As well as I have decided to send someone to Japan to assist you in the investigation."

"What?! Really?" Dad speaks up excitedly.

"Why would you do that Ryuzaki?" I felt like I had to ask. This was making no sense. Has he really retired? Would he really care if we needed help when there is already someone making more progress than we are? Why now?

"Hello, Light." He says before continuing. "I have received information from this person called S. Although they seem quite skilled in this field. I find myself at odds with him. Light, I have entrusted you with my name. The position as L. If this S solves the case then L would lose face. This is why I am sending someone quite capable to assist all of you." So, he is still concerned about his reputation. Sounds like him. He really does hate to lose. "She will be arriving in Japan this evening. Do not worry about picking her up. She already knows where you are. I trust she will move your investigation forward so you may capture Kira before S. Take care everyone." And just like that, he was gone leaving behind a new wave of determination filtering through the room.