CHAPTER 16:
"Out For Revenge"

"Hello, gentleman, and welcome to Tsuku-Yoki Tower," Shinto Izanagi then said more cordially. "Please, forgive my initial rudeness, but I am upset that I was not informed prior of your visit here. I will have a talk with those in the main lobby and have their conduct addressed accordingly."

Aizawa spoke up. "Don't blame your people," he said apologetically. "I was the one that instructed them not to call up when we arrived, as per protocol, no doubt. We are on official business."

"Indeed," was all Izanagi said.

Matsuda then said, "Forgive us, we wish no disrespect, sir. We know how busy you may be."

"None taken," Izanagi replied in a more jovial mood. Light found it amusing that Matsuda and Aizawa were now humble before him because of his power and status. True, one word from the great Shinto Izanagi, and he could send them both back to beat cop or traffic duty. He leaned back in his chair. "So, Detectives, what is the reason for your visit to my humble corporate headquarters?"

Matsuda spoke up, a sudden seriousness in his tone. A far cry from the image seen when he was stuffing his face a moment ago. "As my colleague said, we are here on official business." Matsuda produced a photo of a person and gave it to Tréy Cottré—Demetre, and Demetre looked at it. "We are here to discuss the suspicious death of one of your associates, who tragically, just yesterday, threw himself in the path of a speeding subway train, Leopold Nétè, a Frenchman who worked directly under Mr. Cottré, I believe, as his personal assistant."

Cottré nodded with sympathy. "Yes, a tragic situation," he said. "He suffered from bouts of depression, and had done so since a young age. He once told me he fought against the demons for many years. However, it would appear, they finally won out. He also had a gambling problem that we tried to rectify on a number of occasions. At once point, he owed over a quarter of a million dollars to some unscrupulous men and they were hounding him for the money. I felt sorry for him, and paid it off, then we enrolled him in a self-help program to combat his addiction."

Aizawa was writing down information as it was spoken in a notebook.

Then Aizawa said: "According to the CCTV footage collected, Mr. Nétè had a blank look on his face when he jumped in front of the train. The main reason we are here is two fold: One: His death, and Two: He caused a lot of chaos with his suicide. The inner and outer routes" —he named the station— "were stopped for a couple of hours for clean-up. I know this may sound cold, but we need to see his personal records and any other information, depression aside. Anything you can provide us would be helpful about his private life. It will help us in closing the case."

Light remembered Leopold Nétè's death. It was gruesome, and internet chatter, witnesses to the accident, had seen his head explode on impact. They would most likely have to identity him by his finger prints.

Aizawa then reached into his trench coat and brought out a small bag with pieces of something that was partially bloody. "We also found this in what was left of his jaw. It appears to be some sort of mouthguard. Did Leopold Nétè have dental work done recently?"

"Not yet, and clearly there is no longer any need," Cottré said; Demetre responding smartly. "Leo did tell me he was wearing that. He told me he wanted to fix an imperfection in his jaw bite and said he needed to wear a mouthguard."

Aizawa nodded, apparently satisfied. He put the bag back into an inner pocket of his trench coat. "We just need a little more information, other than his personal records, to close the case…"

Matsuda nodded. "Did Mr. Nétè exhibit any signs of depression leading up to his suicide in the last couple of days?" he asked. "There are always signs, even if not apparent at the time."

"No," Cottré replied. "And I would know. He seemed quite happy the last time I saw him. Nothing that would lead me to believe he had the desire to take his own life and in such a horrific way. We mourn for his loss. He was a great asset to the company. He helped me in ways that made my work a lot easier. Having a personal assistant takes some of the burden off my shoulders in aiding Mr. Izanagi, much like a partner when conducting an investigation."

Matsuda nodded, giving a sideways glance to Aizawa.

Matsuda then reached into a side pocket of his trench coat and pulled out a bag of what looked like identification cards. "We also have concerns why he was carrying false ID on him," he said. "These ID cards were in his wallet when we examined it, and since we have established his real name is Leopold Nétè… Why do you suppose he was carrying ID with a completely different name—Peter Faulker. It sounds American."

Cottré smirked. "Isn't it obvious, Detective? Kiraophobia. Not knowing if you are going to be targeted by Kira. So naturally, people have fake ID's made up to show others. As we all know, Kira targets criminals—or rather targeted—but he sometimes killed innocent people to serve a personal agenda. Leo was a gambler and often fell in the wrong crowd. I don't know how Kira killed, but having a false ID on you would make prudent sense. Don't you think?"

Aizawa cocked his head curiously, he then looked directly at Light/Izanagi. "And how would he know to do that?"

"Because the criminal underworld is doing the same thing, Detective," Izanagi revealed. "Even after the so called end of Kira, as you hinted at. People are still afraid. Afraid that Kira may someday return. Some still believe that Kira's way is the ideal way to cleanse the world of evil. Cults arose on Kira's principles and the TV program: Kira's Kingdom still exists in some form or another. But I don't care what these religious types think. People must have faith in more tangible heroes, for example, like the police. Fear is no way to run a society. Have either of you read George Orwell's '1984'? It's a riveting read, filled with political intrigue and sociological encapsulation, and it's not difficult to see the correlations between the book and society now."

Neither said they had read the book.

Matsuda then said, "I am glad you have faith in the police, Mr. Izanagi. And thank you again for your large donation to the Policeman's Ball a few weeks back. Very generous!"

"Anything I can do to help and to restore faith back to the people for which are in most deserving."

"Well, that should be all," Aizawa said. "Thank you for speaking with us, Mr. Izanagi."

Shinto Izanagi stood up from his desk. He wanted to escort them out of the office properly and gentlemanly.

As the detectives ventured to the door, Aizawa then suddenly stopped.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Izanagi," he said, "about this mouthguard found in Leopold Nétè's jaw. There was something curious about it when our forensics team examined it. They found electronic fibres imbedded within the plastic with wiring that connected to the ends that latch onto the back molars like some sort of shock device."

Demetre's brow cocked, as he looked at Light through the mask.

"Our forensics department will be looking further into it, but we suspect it may be some sort of 'dog collar', for lack of a better description. A control device, and no mere mouthguard to fix a jaw problem. Just so you know."

"Something sinister, perhaps," Matsuda then remarked. "Whether this was outside your sights, or your man was a test subject for something, we'll be conducting an investigation into this."

Light's eyes narrowed. That was the last thing that he needed. Although, they would not be able to directly connect the mouthguard to the Tsuku-Yoki Corporation, as Light's company didn't make any products—they were merely a distributor of high-tech goods to other companies—it could begin an investigation that Near of the SPK many get involved with, because it dealt with a very suspicious case. He had to retrieve the mouthguard and destroy it.

"What are you implying, Detective?…Matsuda, is it?…But yes, this is a curious situation, and one that warrants an investigation. You're a good man, Detective. Top notch. You appear to have a sturdy head on your shoulders."

Matsuda smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. But I'm still new at being a full detective, and I'm still getting used to the long hours. It's not all rainbows and sunshine, as some say."

"Don't sell yourself short. Taking down hardened criminals is a tough career choice for anyone. But remember, you also need to make time to relax, with a partner, or are you married?"

Matsuda looked slightly embarrassed, his eyes looking down. "Not much room for a social life, I'm afraid. No time for a family, or even a nightlife in our business, eh, Aizawa?"

"I'm married," Aizawa replied. "You're still a young pup with oats to sow."

Light was pleased with himself. He had managed to lull them into a false sense of security despite the mouthguard issue springing up. Now he had to press on. "Indeed," he said. "How would you like to join me, become a member of my security team? I can use smart people in my employ. I can offer benefits and a healthy salary. You too, Mr. Aizawa, and you won't have to deal with all that nasty paperwork anymore." He smiled under the mask.

Aizawa immediately declined pleasantly, but thanked Izanagi for the offer.

Matsuda said, "Oh, I couldn't do that. I love my job! The stress is a part of the it. Catching crooks gives me a thrill."

"But it's also hard work," Aizawa said, partly scolding his partner.

Izanagi sighed. "Pity, you two could've done me a great service. I suppose I'll just have to go an alternative route…"

Aizawa's expression looked like it had latched onto something odd, when Light/Izanagi suddenly grabbed Matsuda in a chock hold.
At the same time, both Demetre and Hiro brandished handguns, they quickly grabbed from hidden places on their person. Aizawa put up his hands, as Light continued to chock Matsuda. Matsuda grabbed onto Izanagi's arm, a strong grip on his throat, a strong bicep pressed hard across his throat, and tried to pull it off, but couldn't.

Izanagi said: "You took everything away from me, Matsuda! The world was mine to rule, but you had to get all noble. If only you shot the others instead, everything would've turned out fine and you would have been greatly rewarded!"

"What…are you…talking about?" Matsuda croaked out.

Matsuda then reached down and went for his gun that was in its holster on his belt, but the moment he tried to bring it to bare, Light knocked it away, the weapon dropping to the floor. It was then kicked away, and Hiro picked it up.

Hiro now held a gun on Aizawa with his right hand and the other at Matsuda with his left. Demetre also held Aizawa at bay. He then relieved Aizawa of his main weapon that was in a shoulder holster in his trench coat.

"I should have you shot, Matsuda," Light said. "And told everyone you went crazy like you did about me in a fit of fury and anguish," choking Matsuda harder.

Matsuda tried to escape the hold, but to no avail. Thanks to Demetre's personal training and even his own from police foundations, he was able to counter anything Matsuda attempted to break free.

"Keep him in your sights, Hiro," Demetre said, as he made his way to Light's desk. Hiro obeyed without question. Demetre returned with two cases, one white, the other black. He slipped the black case in his suit jacket pocket for the moment. He went straight to Matsuda.

Light nodded, giving him a signal. Then Demetre delivered a punch to Matsuda's gut. Aizawa shouted in protest, but Hiro stepped in close, now pointing both guns on him which forced Aizawa to take a few steps away. The punch forced Matsuda to momentarily gasp. Demetre opened the white case which contained a white mouthguard, and used the next moment to force Matsuda's open jaw with one hand, applying pressure on his cheeks.

Then he inserted the mouthguard into the upper portion of Matsuda's mouth.

Once it was done, Light released his chock hold, and then pushed Matsuda away, then delivered a kick to Matsuda backside for good measure, as if to kick away a piece of garbage, which caused Matsuda to topple over to his hands and knees. Matsuda then felt his stomach, and his jaw.

"Remove it and you die!" Izanagi stated. "Call it a bomb, if you'd like. But it's much more sophisticated than that." That seemed to stop Matsuda from attempting to remove it.

Demetre then gave Light the black case that he put in his suit jacket.

"What is the meaning of this?" Aizawa demanded. "And what did you just put in Matsuda mouth? It looks like what we found inside Leopold Nétè's mouth. It's some sort of high-tech control device, isn't it?"

"Oh, it's much more than that, Detective Aizawa. Its visionary genius!" Light said.

Light lifted his mask slightly after he took the black mouthguard out of the case and clapped down on it after inserting it into his mouth. He then slid his mask back on. "Detective Matsuda, let us play a game. A game of chance, of life and death." He reached into his right suit jacket pocket and brought out a 500 Yen gold coin. Half of what a Japanese Bento would cost if bought on the cheap. "Heads I win, tails you lose."

"Wait, that doesn't mean sense," Aizawa stated. "It's heads I win, tails you lose!"

"In the game I play, Detective, nothing is ever 50-50. But Matsuda does have a chance. Play my game or forfeit. If by chance, the flip of the coin lands on its side, the game is a draw. The chances are astronomical of that occurring, but not impossible."

"By forfeit, do you mean my head will explode with this bomb if I don't agree to play your game?" Matsuda asked. He sat on his butt still now, as if afraid the slightest movement will cause the bomb to blow. He looked at Aizawa. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Scowling, he said: "Fine, I'll play your sadistic game!"

Shinto Izanagi laughed. "Excellent, Matsuda! That's the very same look you had on your face that day. It is day that I will remember in forever, the day that everything I had accomplished was taken away for me!"

"You've said that twice," Aizawa said curiously. "Have we met before?"

"Oh yes, Aizawa, we have. And the hatred I have for you both fills my heart with an eternal flame!"

To be continued...