Chapter 21

"Care to explain yourself Miss…"

"Taniyama."

"Yes, Miss Taniyama. Do you care to explain yourself?" Said the man standing across from her on the other side of the room. He was dressed like the other officers but was wearing a far more official armband and hat.

"I'm sorry, but this entire thing was blown out of proportions Sir, I promise you. It's just I was looking for a quiet place to meditate. I-

"She attempted to explain advancing toward the man only to be stopped.

"Restrain her!" The man spoke loudly startling Mai. The two officers grabbed her from behind and dragged her backward to the lone chair that stood in the center of the room.

"H-hey! HEY! Don't ask me a question and then not listen to my response." She responded confused.

She didn't like this man.

"I know who you are. You are Mai Taniyama, member of the group Shibuya Psychic Research. A high school girl and assistant to a Mr. Shibuya. "

She studied the head of security closer now.

"How do you know these things?" Mai asked still not following the man completely.

"I am the one the board of advisors appointed to research your little ragtag gang of swindlers. I still cannot believe they entertained his desperateness to waste our company's money to hire you people. Nothing but a bunch of school girls and dimwits." The man spat.

'Clearly this is about more than hiding behind a curtain and running in the halls.' Mai deduced simply.

"If you have a grievance with the work, we've done here then perhaps it's your boss you should question. Not an innocent, as you put, school girl." She returned hotly she attempted to get up but was forced back down by the guards.

"I've already brought it to the board and my case was denied. Just because some old fart has been in his position for so long it's like he's untouchable or something. That is why I took it into my own hands to petition against it and did all the research I could on you clowns. Lucky for you, all your clients are more than pleased with your services and none of you have a criminal record. Well, that is except for you. The little orphan girl who works to make an honest living, but killed her father." He continued his lecture haughtily.

As he spoke, he walked around her; a lion stalking a gazelle. Mai fought to keep her face neutral, but she wanted to vomit. Her secrets were seeping out everywhere.

"If you have nothing to say to me pertaining to the events that transpired today then I'll be le-" Mai tried to rise only to be forced down for the third time.

"I swear that I will scream if you don't let me go." Mai threatened. He approached her and stood over her, his body blocked the sun, and his face was dark. It was difficult to see his eyes, at the angle her own angry gaze was looking. Though there was enough light in the room for her to spy his crooked smile.

"You are here for an event that transpired today. You, a poor orphan girl, came here with an agenda. To steal some priceless artifacts so that you could afford more than your minimum wage job." He said slipping a jade necklace into her lap.

'He intends to frame me? For some stupid vendetta he has with his boss .' Mai gasped and summoned her best look of distaste.

"You would frame me and charge me with a federal crime for some stupid disagreement you had with an associate?" Mai yelled furiously.

"Well yes and no. I am framing you, but there is also something else I stand to lose in this encounter. You see after your people spoke with Tachibana yesterday, he brought it to our attention that we should rehire the old man who used to work here named Miro. That has put my relatively new position in some turmoil. I'm sorry that it had to come to this my dear, but you are merely a pawn in a larger scheme." He admitted fearlessly.

"My boss, the others, SPR will find you out, and you won't get away with this." Mai said calmly, believing in the words she spoke.

"How will they? They won't even get to speak with you. Take her to holding." The mysterious unnamed villain spoke, dismissing the guards and Mai. Just then there were three loud bangs on the door. The man raised his hands and signaled the men to stop. He stalked over to Mai and grabbed her by the chin.

"You may be tempted to speak against me, but let me assure you. I am head of security here, any film evidence false or true I am in control of, and am able to make a large case against you." He threatened and paced away from her.

"Come in." He announced loudly and the team came in, save John and Ayako, followed by the three old men she encountered in the cafeteria.

"Mai!" Monk called and Mai tried to run to them, but the guards were quick to yank her backward.

"What is the meaning of this? Why have you detained my assistant?" Naru spoke in a tone that Mai had the pleasure of hearing on very rare occasions.

His fury.

"Well, your assistant was caught stealing for the exhibits, and when confronted by one of our officers she fled. I'll have you know that stealing national treasure is a federal crime." The head of security landed egregiously.

"HE'S LYING! I DIDN'T STEAL ANYTHING! THAT DI-" Mai started but was silenced by her bosses' raised hand.

"Enough Mai!" He raised his voice and she was taken aback. She didn't say anything and instead lowered her head.

"I know exactly who this man is Nihiro Oni. Head of security of Japan's National History Museum. The man who usurped the position on the council from one Miro Kazahana. A man who was given the duty of checking the background of my company, SPR. A team hired by the museum to aid in removing spirits. I know exactly who you are. More importantly, I know everything you know about my company and employees. I've also been made aware of your suspicious movements as soon as my group arrived." Naru spoke precisely and calmly.

"I'm sorry Mr. Shibuya, but whether or not you know of my movements; does not change the fact that your assistant is guilty of thievery." Nihiro countered shamelessly.

"What are you alleging she stole?" Naru asked.

"A jade necklace from the Ancient Jewelry exhibit." Nihiro fired back.

"Lin." Noll called and he handed Noll a folder from within his briefcase.

"It says here that you were the one who ordered the jade necklace from the Museum of Fine Arts in New York City in the United States. It has yet to be put on display even though the recent jewelry exhibit has been up for two weeks now. Hmmm… that's peculiar indeed. How did you say you saw my assistant take this piece that had yet to be displayed?" He inquired again his voice filled with false curiosity.

"The guards didn't see her in the act. They merely saw her acting suspiciously in the Eastern Wing. When they tried to stop her, she fled as I said before. It was only upon searching her that the necklace was found." Nihiro described spinning his tale.

"Yes, the Eastern Wing. As I recalled the ancient jewelry exhibit is located in the basement of the establishment. The museum has only been open for two hours now. An hour and half ago when you apprehended my assistant, and fifteen minutes before our team arrived here. That would leave her fifteen minutes to cross the entire complex, obtain this Jade necklace that wasn't even on display, return to the Eastern side of the establishment, and then be caught by your guards. Pardon me if I believe this to be highly unlikely."

Noll voiced sarcastically seemingly enjoying intertwining this man in his web.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but it's my words against yours. I'm afraid you've lost." Nihiro replied unfazed about the entire encounter. Naru nodded and motion for Lin to retrieve something. The firmly built Chinese man walked over to the bookshelves in the corner of the office and handed a single textbook to his employer.

He then did something that surprised everyone, well everyone except for Lin. He pushed the side of the book, and a small tape came out of the side.

"I'm sorry Mr. Oni, but the only thing that is about to be lost is your job. This disguised camera has been watching and recording all activities that have transpired here in the past three days. Even your rough treatment of my assistant, so I do believe that is checkmate." Oliver finished just as the rest of the museum security team filled in and handcuffed him, and his two turncoat guards.

"Well done Mr. Shibuya." said Mr. Tachibana who was the last to enter the already crowded office.

"No praise is necessary. Once you explained the pressures you were feeling from a certain council member, I merely explored the possibility of foul play. Once I saw that the Jade necklace had yet to be played on display, that was already a red flag, so I had his office monitored as soon as we arrived here." The boy genius announced. Mai stood back from the entire ordeal once she was released from the two guards.

'So did Naru plan this whole thing or was it just a coincidence that Gene sensed Miro arriving here. Was Eugene in on it too? Was Naru the one who called Miro here? Was I supposed to eat with those two old men this morning? Ugh… this whole thing is making my head hurt.' Mai pondered her gaze never left the narcissist who was now speaking with some of the other officers who seemed to be apologizing to him.

"Young lady, are you alright?" Ryou inquired and Mai was approached by the three older gentlemen.

"Yes, I'll be fine." Mai responded offering her best smile.

"No wonder your friends won't leave you alone. You're a damn trouble magnet. Didn't I tell you to make them stop worrying?!" Dachi yelled roughly and Mai only laughed guiltily.

"What can I say? I'm just unlucky." Mai smiled and rubbed the back of her neck.

"Pardon, but you are Ms. Taniyama correct? What was so urgent that you called out to me so frantically?" The old Monk name Miro queried.

'Oh yeah, Gene never told me why I needed to speak with him.' She recalled.

"Well, you are a spiritual man correct, Mr. Kazahana?" Mai supplemented her own response with another question and he nodded simply.

"My spirit guide told me to seek you out, and that I'd understand when I met you, but I'm honestly still confused. You used to work here before you were fired by Mr. Tachibana, right? Apparently, he meant to bring you back to the job, but I'm not sure what role I played in this quite yet." He nodded slowly as if listening, but not really comprehending.

"Mai!" Monk, her Monk, called for her then and hugged her fiercely as if she were a puzzle that would fall to pieces otherwise.

"You really can't keep out of trouble now, can you? Don't think that you're going to walk out of here without a stern talking to!" Monk scolded his arms crossed and was still dressed in his traditional exorcism garb.

"I'm sorry it won't happen again, but for the record, this wasn't my fault." Mai assured, but she knew deep down neither of them believed that crock of baloney.

"Hey aren't these the old men you were having breakfast with this morning? Small world huh?" Monk also noted them for the first time.

"Hey, who you calling old!" Dachi roared.

"Monk, this is Miro Kazahana. You know the one who was fired by our client Mr. Tachibana." She explained.

"I see. Well, a pleasure to meet someone else so skilled in the business. Looks like there will be a job opening here again pretty soon. You should speak with your old boss and patch things up. I think now that he understands what you really did for this place, he'll be eager to take you back." Monk shared as the five onlookers: Monk, Mai, Miro, Dachi and Ryou watched Nihiro being carried out in handcuffs.

The exorcism went off without a hitch, as did the disposal of the box, which Lin took care of himself. The base was packed up in no time, and the gang was ready to go all before lunch. What had only been a few days seemed like years to one psychic in particular who'd left the establishment a changed person.

'Maybe I can leave it all here. Let all the bad memories die with this place's bad spirit' Mai played with the idea in her head, but it didn't feel right to her.

'I think I have to learn to be proud of my scars. This will follow me as long as I live. But I won't let it make me feel like a victim because I'm not. I'm a survivor.' Mai looked at the daunting front steps of the building as spring air chilled and relaxed her all in the same movement.

"Mai if you're going to miss this place so much then stay. Otherwise, hurry up, some of us want to go home before the sunsets." Ayako called from her seat in the van. She'd been so distracted she didn't even notice Lin come around with it.

"Coming!" Mai answered making her way down the steps carefully. Her now reinstated spirit ward and good luck charm bouncing up and down against her chest as she descended the steps.

"Keiko, these past couple weeks have been the best of my entire life." Kasai spoke as they both huddled together on a blanket.

"R-really?" She stuttered a blush heating her face, she prayed that he would write it off as the chilly wind.

"Truly. I can't imagine how I was living before I met you." He leaned his head back and peered at the stars.

"I-I feel the same way, Kasai." Keiko admitted as she watched him, his gaze never leaving the sky above.

"I wish this could last forever." Keiko spoke again cuddling closer to her boyfriend.

'No, it certainly won't last forever.' Kasai thought to himself as even in this peaceful atmosphere the pit of his stomach burned with raged for the person who changed his world forever.

'Mai.' He thought as he pulled himself back into the moment with his little pawn.

Though the drive was long, for once Mai didn't fall asleep, she had too much on her mind. She merely let her eyes gaze at the endless scenery passing by. Every now and then she'd check up on the boys since it was just them in the car. Once they arrived back at the hotel Ayako drove Monk and John back, and she was left with her usual company.

'Hmm… she's fighting sleep again.' Oliver noted the hollow expression of his female assistant. Lin took notice of both parties, but chose merely to oversee, as usual.

The sun had set when Lin dropped the duo off at their apartment, and their walk to the door was a silent one. Mai seemed to barely notice her boss, and her mind was far far away. He opened the door and straight went to his room.

Dropping off the files that he intended to look over once more including documentation for the case. He despised mixing his work up with petty legal battles, but it couldn't be helped. He had to protect his business and staff.

Once he came back out, he saw that Mai was standing by the window still looking very distant. He went into the kitchen and prepared two cups of tea, and placed them both on the bar stool counter. The girl still had yet to make any more movements other than vacantly gazing.

"Mai."

"…."

"Mai."

"…." Noll sighed and walked around his place in the kitchen to the den where the girl was looking out at the vast scenery outside the

windows. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and she jumped and gave him a surprised expression.

"Naru, jeez haven't I told you to make more noise when you walk." Mai replied placing a hand on her beating heart to emphasize her point.

"It isn't my fault you've suddenly become deaf. I've been calling you and you haven't responded. Care to explain why you've become so unsociable?" Noll asked trying not to let on just how curious he was. Mai seemed to analyze him for a moment before responding.

"I'm just tired." She said which wasn't a complete lie.

"For someone so tired, you didn't sleep the entire ride back. We've been home for twenty minutes, yet you've made no attempt at going to sleep. Now please, try again at fooling me, but this time try something more convincing?" Naru said sarcastically taking a step closer to Mai.

'I'm not in the mood to play verbal chess with him.' Mai sighed heavily and folded her arms across her chest.

"I don't know what to tell you Naru." Mai said and walked a few paces only to be stopped by a hand on her elbow.

"Listen, I know I may not be as easy to speak with as Eugene, but if you do feel the need to vent your emotions to me, I will not turn you away." He spoke honestly.

Mai had to turn and face him now.

He looked beautiful. The moonlight hit his face in the perfect way creating mysterious shadows and highlighting his eyes. Oh and his eyes. They weren't guarded as they usually were, she could see and feel the confusion, hurt, and worry in them.

All emotions that she'd brought out in him.

Mai almost wished she'd kept walking because now she could feel the walls, she'd put up fall so easily. A lump grew in her throat and her eyes began to water. She tried to force it all back down, but the more she tried the more she could feel herself losing composure.

"I-I feel angry that that man tried to use my past against me. I feel exposed now that everyone knows about my father. I feel frustrated that others pity me so much. I feel confused about how you're always ten steps ahead of everyone else. I'm overwhelmed by everything that has just happened. I'm also upset at you for making me tell you everything, you jerk! I feel sorry for making everyone worry about me, and worst of all I feel embarrassed that I've told you all of this. " Mai cried as tears continued to leave her as she sniffed and struggle to breathe and speak.

"Hug her dumbass!" Gene yelled into his brother's head who was a bit stunned and unsure of what to do in this present situation. He stepped forward awkwardly and placed his arms around her. She responded immediately and clung to his shirt. Her hands clawed onto his back lightly, and he rested his head on top of hers.

'She's so small and fragile.' He noted as he towered over her.

Her sobbing subsided and she broke their embrace and smile at him warmly. Then Mai punched him in the arm.

'Clearly, I spoke too soon.' He realized after her fist connected with his arm.

"I-I'm not sure why that was necessary." Noll replied surprising himself by stuttering.

"That's for making me cry and tell you everything. I was doing so well too." She shared and pouted in false anger. He smirked in response and rubbed his now sore arm.

"Well if you can refrain from any more random acts of violence perhaps we can enjoy some tea before bed." He said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I think I can manage." Mai teased and two resumed their night with the moon and each other for company.

WOOHOO! 200 reviews thank you to all the fans of this story that helped me reach this mile stone. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and thankfully this case is finally over. See you guys next time!