CHAPTER 31:
"Infiltrators"

Asumi Satou left the sanctity of Light's private penthouse suite and entered his con-joining office in Tsuku-Yoki Tower. She wore a flowery Kimono robe that dropped down to her ankles, on her feet were a pair of thin slippers.

Sitting, or rather sleeping at Light's desk, with his feet up, was Tréy Cottré, with his arms folded across his chest, leaning back in Light's leather chair. She watched him sleep for a moment, then went over. Obviously with Light out, he was catching up on some needed rest, and he chose to do it here in private.

She knew all about Tréy Cottré, or rather Light's best and closest friend Demetre Draycott. Whom, when becoming Light's consolateur, or manager—for which Asumi saw him as, doing most of the company's administrative duties, for Shinto Izanagi, CEO of The Tsuku-Yoki Corporation—became an intricate part of the business, smart and savvy in the ways of the world. He was responsible for many of the contracts and controlled client relations.

He was also something else…to her.

"Wake up, lover," she whispered in his ear, making sure her hot breath reached him.

Demetre started awake and almost fell out of the chair when he straightened himself, and she laughed.

He gave her a glance and then a sigh. "Don't do that, or you'll give me a heart attack," he said. He smiled, grabbed her hand, and then brought over her to sit on his lap. Then they kissed.

"I wonder what Light would think if he knew about us?"

"He has more important things to occupy his mind at the moment," Demetre said. "And he thinks I like his secretary. He has no idea about the two of us."

"Do you like her? Light's secretary?"

"What a silly question," he retorted honestly. "The moment I laid my eyes on you, my heart skipped a beat. I fell in love with you at first sight, if such a thing is even logical, and I knew that one day we would be lovers."

"How very presumptuous of you," she chuckled, "but I felt the same about you. I cared about Light for a time, and I knew he cared about me after he rescued me after the Yukaza Dragon Sect, and I played the part of his companion, but I've known for some time that he is no longer interested in me. Like he got bored of me. I tortured him, and he enjoyed it. But I think he swings mostly to the left."

"Light swinging both ways is nothing new, actually. In fact, I figured as much. But he would never admit it. He's too proud. He's not that kind of guy. But he cannot know about us. If he knew that we were fooling around behind his back, he may, in fact, kill you. He's a sensitive guy, he takes things personally, and when he sets his mind to something, it's often hard to tear him away from it."

Asumi smirked. Then said, "You told me you two fought over a woman once, her name was Dana Chika?"

"Yes, but after all that we said to each other, and how we collaborated to defeat the Savant Society and The League of Darkness…" He paused thoughtfully. "Best not to open an old wound. She's dead now. And let's just say, I was not her choice in the end. She loved Light. She always did. And I had to accept that even before her death."

"So, what am I to you?"

"You are my choice," he said with a smile, and then kissed her on the lips.

Suddenly, Geist walked in, or rather manifested through the wall like a spectre. They were on the top floor of the Tsuku-Yoki Tower, so Geist had to use his wings. When he crossed the floor, his wings folded behind him and inserted themselves into his back, disappearing as if they would never existed.

Only those people who touched his Death Note could see the god of death. Asumi knew everything about Demetre's Shinigami. At first, she was shocked that such a creature existed. But once things were explained to her, Kira's existence and influence made more sense, and that Light Yagami was Kira.

How she survived when Light infiltrated the Dragon Sect of the Yukaza, almost dying at the hands of Terrance Claw's enforcer Nazareth, gave her pause, and it brought her to grips that it was a Death Note that saved her life, and her Prime Assistant at the time, Hiro Yokohama, known as Riki.

Light hadn't told her about what truly happened that day, but Demetre did when he introduced her to Geist. But Hiro was still blind to the truth, still pledging his loyalty to Light for saving him that day, acting like a father figure to him.

Geist cocked his head slightly, the sound of his bones crackled with the movement. "Shall I come back later at a more decent time?" He followed it up with a chuckle.

Asumi got off Demetre's lap and straightened her kimono. Both their faces were red, as if they were two teenagers who had just been caught by a parental figure doing something forbidden.

Demetre straightened in the chair and cleared his throat, embarrassed.

Geist continued to chuckle. "You're adults, but you're acting like nervous children fearful of their parents being found out. Your secret is safe with me, for a price." He chuckled again.

Demetre looked at the bowl of apples on the corner of Light's desk, apples to Shinigami were like addictive drugs to humans. He rolled his eyes, the said, with a sigh, "Help yourself. I'll just replace them before Light gets back."

Geist gobbled down every last one quickly, enjoying them like they were bits of candy. "So, juicy!"

"How could you tell? You ate them like a starving child."

"That could be true. We Shinigami don't eat in our realm. But apples are a luxury. And they are the most tastiest food in the universe!"

Demetre nodded. "They are pretty tasty when I want fruit," he agreed. "Where have you been?"

"Morph asked me to do a few things for him, and he's finishing on the final touches of whatever he was doing…"

"What things?"

Just then, the landline phone on Light's desk buzzed. Demetre answered it as Tréy Cottré. "Oui?"

It was Light's secretary from the outer office. "Forgive the intrusion, Mr. Cottré, but Security in the Lobby just informed me there are two people that have arrived to see Mr. Izanagi," she said. "They say they are from Lucky Dragon Industries, and that they have an appointment. They say that it has been arranged and you will know about it? But they regret to inform Mr. Izanagi that Mr. Kounna Aiueo could not attend due to a personal matter."

Demetre muted the call.

"Wait," Asumi spoke up. "I thought you said that the call from Lucky Dragon Industries was a fake? You called their head office yourself."

Demetre nodded. "I did," he said confused. "Today was the original day scheduled for that meeting according to the voice synthesized caller, however. When I spoke to Mr. Aiueo's representative, he said a meeting was still operable, but it cannot happen until next month. They were eager to do business with us." He paused a moment, thinking. Something was suspicious. "Let's see who these people are."

He brought up the surveillance of the lobby on Light's computer. Light's computer was fingerprinted, so only he thought he could access it, but Demetre had built a back door and accessed it through a password.

There were two well-dressed men standing in the lobby next to the security desk. One of which wore a long coat, like that worn by a police detective. The other was moderately dressed in dark clothing. The man who looked like a police detective was a few years older than his male accompaniment.

Geist looked at the screen. "They are not who they appear to be," the Shinigami said. "They are also wearing disguises, electronically generated by a foreign device. There is no such technology that I am aware that can mask the entire appearance of a human being. However, I can give you their names."

Demetre stood up straight, and looked surprised when he heard the names. He told Asumi they were names of two people whom he had been acquainted with through mutual means connected with Light's past. One of whom had had already been a nuisance to them, and most recently.

"What do we do?" Asumi wondered.

Demetre thought quickly. He returned to the call with the secretary. He addressed her by name, then said, "I will greet them personally, thank you."
He left, leaving Asumi to watch the surveillance systems just in case something happened.

x x x

Three minutes later, the elevator dinged in the Lobby.

Demetre walked out with a large gentleman that looked like he was a former Sumo Wrestler, dressed in a suit and tie. In fact, it was Geist in disguise. It was a new technique he learned from Ryuk, given to him by Morph, the same shape-changing ability Ryuk used in Quindecim when he interacted with Light, as Ryu.

Demetre had just used his cell phone in the elevator, texting, and slipped it into a pants pocket.

Now Geist possessed that same ability, but he looked uncomfortable, and continuously growled underneath his breath in displeasure. Demetre told him to calm down just before they left the elevator. He was Demetre's personal bodyguard, along with being his Shinigami. Over the years, Geist prevented harm from coming to Demetre, and secretly, even though it was frowned upon, Demetre believed Geist liked him. Therefore, if he killed anyone for Demetre, then Geist what turn to dust, like any Shinigami who did the same.

The Lobby was designed with a mini Arboretum, filled with foliage, and furniture, along with the half-moon security desk with two guards. Although, the guards that had allowed Matsuda and Aizawa in had been replaced.

Geist grumbled under his breath has he and Demetre approached the disguised strangers. Geist could not see their real faces which irked him. A god of death needed to see a person's face and their name to write them down in the Death Note. But if a person wore a disguise, knowing their real name was moot.

Demetre looked them both over. There had already been two detectives to Tsuku-Yoki Tower recently, and two more was suspicious, especially if they were disguising themselves with some unfamiliar futuristic technology.

But he took their appearance in stride.

"Good evening," he spoke to them with a French accent, according to his adopted identity of Tréy Cottré. He was the kind of person who would be cordial to strangers, even if they were trying to deceive him. In this case, he would play them, thinking that they were playing him. "What do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from two representatives from Lucky Dragon Industries?"

The pair looked at each other confused. "We have a scheduled meeting," the older gentleman addressed.

Obviously, they did not know Demetre had called Lucky Dragon Industries. Hence, they were fakes.

"Ah, yes," Demetre played to their deception. "I would like to introduce myself. My name is Tréy Cottré, and I am Mr. Shinto Izanagi's most trusted advisor and manager to the Tsuku-Yoki Corporation. I handle most of the financial issues, so I am the perfect man to speak with when it comes to business matters."

The older gentleman spoke first. "My name is Ber Penraye and my assistant is Yoma Jas. He is very good at finalizing business portfolios. We were asked to come and see what kind of arrangement we can form for a business partnership. I have Mr. Kounna Aiueo's ear on all financial affairs."

"Pleasure to meet you both," Demetre said with a fake smile. He pivot his stance and extended a hand back to the elevator similar to what a butler would do in respect to a master of the house. But it was only a courtesy. Much like Light, he was no man's servant. "Please, follow me. We can speak privately in the Board Room."

"Where is Mr. Izanagi?" Penraye asked, walking.

Demetre didn't answer until they got into the elevator and the doors had closed. "I'm afraid he is unavailable to see you. He was called away on an urgent matter. But I am here in his stead. Besides, I deal with all business matters and report to Mr. Izanagi for approval."

"When do you think he will be back?" Yoma Jas inquired.

Honda grumbled, and had continued to do so even after Demetre had told Geist to cease. Jas looked at him curious. The sound he was making resounded in the elevator.

"Is there a problem?" Jas directly asked Honda. "I don't like it when people make noises at me, or do you have some sort of glandular problem?"

Honda's eyes widened with surprise. "My throat is fine, sir."

"Then please stop making those rude noises. I find them offensive."

Honda looked at Demetre and was given a sharp nod to cease and control his aggressive, intimidating behaviour.

The elevator was quick and stopped on the floor below Light's office.

Here, they were escorted out of the elevator, down a short hallway, and through a set of double doors, that led to the Board Room. The room was decorated richly, with carpet, furnishings, and finished with a round table in the centre with chairs. Two large elongated murals decorated the walls on either side of the rectangular room. Each mural depicted an important milestone in Japanese culture and periodic history.

Demetre invited them to sit. Then said, "I am unsure when Mr. Shinto Izanagi will return," adding to Jas's question. He then directed Honda to stand next to a wall, but still within close proximity of himself.

Penraye eyed the big brute. To Demetre, it seemed the man, whom he knew to be Raye Penber, could see a pincers movement when he saw one. It was a military term used to pin someone or a group in very tight quarters, from escaping, basically blocking the way. The other, Jasper Yuta, stood near the doorway.

Just then, a young man came spontaneously from nowhere, in the hallway. As if he was waiting, hidden, to spring out upon them. In his hands were two handguns.

Jasper Yuta turned sharply, then took a couple of steps back.

"Excellent, Hiro," Demetre said. "Perfect timing! I trust Mail Jeezus has been put to pasture?"

Hiro nodded with a smile. "Yes, and I just finished transferring him to the cells on the fifth floor when I got your text message to come here with my arsenal, and to pop out at the appropriate time."

"What's the meaning of this?" Penber demanded.

Demetre noticed Penber didn't look scared, but he was tense, even guarded, like a police officer. However, he did look slightly embarrassed that he had been caught in a situation he thought he could avoid.

"You tell me, Mr. Raye Penber, and Jasper Yuta," Demetre revealed.

Both Penber and Yuta looked dumbfounded.

Then Jasper, grumbling under his own breath similar to Honda, said, "I knew this wouldn't work. It was too weak a plan to start with. I bet we were found out from the moment we stepped through the front doors, eh?"

He pressed something in his ear, and Yoma Jas's appearance quickly changed into a taller, but even more handsome, young man with brown hair, in his early twenties. Ber Penraye followed suit. And his appearance changed into a similarly tall man with dark hair, in his late thirties.

"I knew they were frauds," Honda snarled.

Geist reverted into his Shinigami form, but only Demetre could see it. Neither Raye Penber nor Jasper Yuta could, because they had not touched his Death Note. Neither had Hiro.

"How did you see through our disguises?" Penber demanded.

"Simple," Demetre said, losing his French accent. "I am the owner of a Death Note. And please don't play me for the fool, I know that both of you know exactly what I am referring to."

The moment Demetre mentioned the Death Note, he knew Hiro had heard. But he had used his Death Ring earlier to manipulate the young man's mind to instantly forget it. It was safer that way, less questions.

Geist touched both of them with his Death Note. Suddenly, Penber gasped, and Jasper's eyes grew wide, as they both looked upon a god of death, who had all the appearance have a rejected Rockstar groupie. Behind his back looked to be some sort of club, a weapon.

"Does my appearance frighten you, human?" Geist addressed Penber.

Jasper suddenly chuckled. "Oh boy, look at what the cat dragged in. I've seen better hair on a matted cat."

Geist's eyes glowered red.

Jasper took a step forward as if to challenge Geist, then pointed at himself. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?" He laughed short. "Frankly, I've seen worse monsters than you, Shinigami. Your appearance may be grotesque and scary to a child, but I am the son of a monster myself. And you don't frighten me in at least. My father scared me more than you do."

Geist growled, but then laughed suddenly. "Ah, yes! You are the son of a serial killer. The man who was dubbed 'The Child Butcher of Japan'. The name Yuta forever spoiled in the annals of history."

Jasper clenched his teeth and fists in anger. Obviously, his association with his father was a sore spot.

Geist then said, "You humans do things that we Shinigami would never do. We have a strict rule never to harm children. You are the only species on this planet that prey on one another and do despicable things to your offspring. For that, we Shinigami are better than you humans. We are even more humane that your own species."

"Watch your mouth!" Jasper retorted angrily with clenched teeth. "My father was—"

Penber put an arm across Jasper's chest to quiet him, coming to stand next to him. Strength in numbers.

He then shook his head. "This isn't the time for this, and don't let this Shinigami intimidate you. We were warned about Shinigami and they're manipulative nature. I am surprised to see one up close, however."

Demetre cocked his head curiously. "Who told you about Shinigami?"

But Penber didn't answer his question.

He took a glance back at the boy holding the handguns. He remained calm. He did not know about the boy's abilities, but the one thing Penber did observe was that he knew how to hold a weapon.

Most children that held guns we're nervous and their hands shook. This boy being in his early twenties, but looking much younger, was comfortable with them. That meant he had training, and that was an x-factor. So it was best not to exasperate the situation and have him accidentally shoot one of them.

Demetre observed Penber. "I can see you analyzing the situation, Raye Penber, I'm quite observant myself. Trust me, Hiro knows how to fire a gun. Obviously, you are falling back on your FBI training. I'm sure you know how to keep a secret, but you are going to tell me everything that I want to know."

Demetre then brought up his left hand and cracked his knuckles, the Death Ring prominently featured on the third finger of his hand, and ready to use.

"No one will ruin the Grand Agenda—not even you!"

To be continued...