C H A P T E R E L E V E N
Suspicion
The last time Watari has ever seen L lying so lifelessly on a hospital bed was over a year ago.
It was a case that took place in Brazil, one that particularly baffles the police. There had been over 13 victims involving random pedestrians, and 5 causalities involving the police reinforcements; making it 17 victims in total. It was a case that meets the category of needing international attention, and therefore, is to be put at utmost priority.
Surely, with how the murders has escalate in numbers, there would bound to be at least a few clues.
But this time, that was not the case.
There was absolutely no evidence. None.
It was as if the perpetrator had vanished into thin air the moment the crime was committed. There haven't been any foot tracks, fingerprints, footprints— anything that indicates any particular behaviour.
Not to mention, the murderer themselves does not have any trademarks, as the killings is very spontaneous on itself, making it harder to narrow down the list of suspects (not like they had any in the beginning anyway).
The prime minister has called many detectives worldwide, ranging from a mere rookie, to those who are at a higher level (even grand). Some even rumoured that the prime minister has called the fourth greatest detective in the world, Izzy Armes, but to no avail— it was concluded to be frozen for a good month, before L decided to step in.
L. The L. The world's greatest detectives, decided to interfere.
She resorted in identifying each victim to see what factor were shared amongst them that made the culprit possessed killing impulse— and that being each victim has some sort of disadvantages whilst defending themselves, being underweight being the most primal factor. L also noted that each killing just so happens to be near a certain club, or even near the victim's own homes.
Never an actual isolated place. The time of killing was narrowed down to the least busy hour, which happens to be midnight.
However, it wasn't enough.
The killer seems to strike whenever they're on the other side. While they were busy analysing a crime scene, they were oblivious of another victim getting brutalised to death; it was as if the killer intended to make the team of investigators runs back and forth, retracing his track only to be brought back to square one.
It was maddening, all and all frustrating that some even resigned from the case. L knew that if the situation were to keep up for, say 3 months, there will be no one left investigating other than herself— as the case was inches away from being frozen.
That's when L made a proposal.
A very dangerous proposal.
She proposed that she'll go under a disguise as a random tourist who were lost on their way to the hotel, for the sake of fishing the killer out. After all, L has also concluded that each killing has caused the murderer's ego to increase, so they are more likely to slip and make a mistake now than ever.
She concluded that the killer was convinced that they are invincible, though are very much aware of their weaknesses or when they are truly at the disadvantage.
L said specifically that the person who are responsible behind all these is most likely going to strike once they are away that their opponents are either isolated or separated, and not a single force altogether.
It was a dire situation, L reasoned, and desperate time calls for desperate measure.
L went undercover on one night on 1st of July, and disappeared afterwards without a single trace.
It was a news that shook the whole investigation team, leaving them flabbergasted and overall speechless. They became even more frustrated, some even tempted to leave the case; however, it was one message from L herself that led them to keep on going;
"If I disappear, investigate".
It was a hope for them, a single piece of salvation for them to keep on going, saving someone whom they had never even met before. All of them found solace and, betting their last cents into this, that maybe, everything that happened was all within the detective's wicked plan.
Although they are very much aware that they're essentially clinging to a losing hope, they couldn't help it.
It was their last bet.
It wasn't until approximately 5 months later, Watari was called by a hospital all the way in Orleans, claiming that they had a woman limping her way into their ER, and now residing in their custody.
The woman doesn't have any identification card on her, and only told them to call this number informing whoever on the other side of the line telling her whereabouts— she was muddy, drenched, and had blood all over. Her hair was like a bird's mess, her clothe is torn, and she has a few broken ribs and plausible head injury.
In fact, she has actually died while in the operating room, but managed to be revived back to life with a help of defibrillator.
The doctors informed Watari that the woman was quiet, reserved, but overall polite. She'd give the doctors the most detailed answers during her check-up routine, but never explain how she sustained such injuries in the first place.
Nevertheless, the hospital is well aware that they couldn't house her any longer the necessary, and asked Watari to pick her up.
5 days later, the perpetrator was captured while he was trying to cross the boarder in China.
And up to this day, L has never confided in him of what happened to her all those months she went missing.
The beeping noise with perfect linearity made itself known as soon as L regains her consciousness, trying her best as she flutters her eyes open. Everything around her was foggy, absolutely blurry and unclear— or her sight that is. She's not quite sure honestly, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is the fact that the world seems to be spinning around, with her at the centre of it, like some kind of sick carousel at an abandoned funfair.
She felt like throwing up.
At once, a sensation of throbbing pain simultaneously assaulted her every sense, making her grunts and moan in sheer discomfort. Her back arced (or that's what she's assuming) as she tries to find the most comfortable position to lay in.
It seems like she alerted her consciousness to someone, because as soon as she made a noise, a man wearing a tuxedo immediately walked in up on her.
A man in a tuxedo...
A man in...
Oh.
"Watari", L cooed, trying to keep her eyes open, only to see at the last second of Watari injecting something into her IV. She wanted to ask, damn, she really wanted to protest that the drug in her system is already enough, that she doesn't need anymore because it makes her wants to throw up— but her tounge was as good as dead. She was only met with a hoarse voice and silence, unable to communicate verbally with her caretaker. She heaves and sigh, unable to speak, but wanting Watari to know she had enough.
"Hush now, my dear", whispered Watari, as he softly runs his fingers through her hair, effectively soothing her, "It's all going to be okay. No need for you to fret, nor speak. Keep those energy to recover".
L whines, not wanting to go back to sleep. She had enough of those already. Anger starts bubbling up, but not towards Watari, but towards herself. She'd usually wake up with an energised body, especially after a right amount of sleep to recover her days of insomnias, but now she felt nothing but fuzziness and fatigue. Her body is too weak to recognise its surrounding, and that made L very much frustrated.
"Go back to sleep, darling", whispered Watari, holding L's hand in his. "Everything will be okay and just the way it has been once you wake up. Go back to sleep now. I'll take care of everything".
L let out a sigh before nodding her head, complying to Watari's orders, before her breathing evens out, indicating that she had finally went back into slumber.
Watari let out a sigh of relief as soon as he saw his prodigy went back to sleep without much problem, where he'd usually have to fight tooth and nails to get her to do it, hence the injection of anaesthetic into her IV.
It was an extra precaution Watari took just in case if L did decide to become stubborn, but thankfully, he managed to save the extra effort.
He had to bid his time at this— he'd love to stay and watch over L, but he needs to be back at the office at once so that he could monitor that Yagami...
Light Yagami...
Oh, how he hated him.
Up until now, Watari had loathed the boy. It was an odd feeling, since he never had a strong opinion towards any suspects his dear prodigy is profiling. But it was like a whole another story with that boy.
It starts with feelings of uncertainness at first; whenever the young man was present anywhere near, Watari always had a gleaming suspicion arouses within, and that feeling only intensifies whenever Light was around L.
Watari has lived longed enough, and has witnessed many people as well as their behaviour.
Although, he was a modest man with little to no social life, he does have a fair and share in human psychology— and now, Watari can confirm that Light Yagami has been screaming red flag ever since they let him on the investigation team.
Every time he was with Light Yagami, or that boy was anywhere near the Task Force, he always felt threatened; it was as if that seemingly innocent looking young man would have them all killed at anytime if he so desired. He was left with uneasy feeling, as Light Yagami met all category of all infamous sociopaths he soon come to learn.
Light Yagami is the perfect epitome of someone who'd gaslight you into thinking that he was actually innocent, and that he had no intention of doing anything wrong in the future. After all— what sane mind would actually suspect him of something so despicable? Considering the lack of evidence, there are no valid reasons to.
That is how he poisoned everyone's mind, rendering L completely insane in their perspective.
It was, however, also a sign that Watari recognised, having been working with L since her early days.
He has let L suffered long enough standing her ground alone, now it's about time he steps in.
"What were you thinking, Light?".
Light could only huffs as a response, not knowing how to answer that himself. He didn't know what he was thinking either. He couldn't describe his thought process all the way to the first punch he threw even he wanted to— it was all blurry up to that point.
He knew, however, that having L beneath him, writhing in pain, was one of the most pleasurable moments he has ever experienced in his entire life.
"You could've hurt her, bad", sighed Aizawa, sounding disappointed more now than ever, "In fact, you were inches away from killing her".
"That could end very bad on your part, Light", chimed Mogi in, sounding rather empathetic, "I know Ryuzaki's method in solving things aren't actually... favourable. Trust me, I know. I have worked with her longer than you have, and I understood your frustration— but that doesn't justify your actions against her. She could have you locked back up again if she sees you as a threat".
"She is still L, the top detective who happens to be our sole solace in actually solving this case", stated Ide, patting Light's shoulder by means of comfort, "No offense or anything, but we needed her now more than ever".
'Shut up, all of you', Light grumbled silently, knowing that the facade he has put on as the perfect son is slowly crumbling. Mogi was right— it could end badly for him. Whether he likes it or not, the Task Force's absolute faith in him is his only protection (for now, anyway) in not getting convicted. He needed them to trust him long enough to expand his agenda, to make himself more powerful; now, he is nothing but a weak college student who were caught at the crossfire.
If he didn't act now, it might be a bad end for him.
"I'm... sorry", Light sighed, "I didn't know what came over me. I was just so angry over the fact that L— Ryuzaki— claimed that she was depressed despite what she put me and Misa through... despite what she put all of you through... and sounded like she wanted to give up on the case", that was a bit of a lie. Light was angry that L wanted to quit the case, but he couldn't care less of other people, "It's not fair on her part and... I guess that I just lose my cool on that".
Planting a few seeds of mistrust here and there, this could work.
Light started to play with his fingernails— the most stereotypical stim an anxious person could show— and was picked up by his father almost right away. He did his homework by showing the exact same stim when he was a second grader, up to the way when he was a fifth before 'recovering', and almost has never failed in making Soichirou less concern of his mental state.
"I... I understand, Light", sighed Soichirou, fixing his glasses, "You were angry, and probably frustrated as well by the sudden change of lifestyle. Ryuzaki must've said something so messed up to provoke that kind of reaction out of you".
The whole Task Force stared at Soichirou, flabbergasted.
"W-what?", gasped Aizawa, "Are you... chief! Are you just going to... excuse his actions?!".
"I am not condoning my son's actions nor am I excusing him!", defended Soichirou, voice growing stern, "But try to look at his perspective! He was only a kid, and he got dragged up to this mess because some detective isn't willing to just drop her accusation regardless of lack of evidence! His whole life got messed up because of this! Light has all the right to be angry!".
"But that doesn't give him the right to choke the life out of Ryuzaki!", argued Aizawa, "All of us are frustrated. I do particularly dislike Ryuzaki, but even I would not lay a hand! What Light did was way out of the line!".
"Why won't you hear his side of the story, too?", roared Soichirou, trying his best to defend his son, "You heard him! In fact, you heard everything that went in that room! Of course, Light would be angry! Having so much life opportunity taken away from him just so she could be depressed in some corner? That's inexcusable!".
"I understand Ryuzaki's inability in comprehending basic form of communication", claimed Mogi, "At this point, all of us should get used to her insensitive remarks. Light is not special in this case. All of our lives were greatly affected, but that doesn't justify the sudden hostility", he paused, "and Ryuzaki also has the right to be depressed. We could leave the burden of the Kira case anytime we desire, and will not be affected by it since Ryuzaki has our whole life financially secured. She, however, can't, and will continue to carry this burden until it was solved. She has all the right to be depressed, given the fact that there hasn't been a single progress".
Soichirou was too stunned to speak, "So now you're just going to take her side?!".
Before anyone could argue, Light interferes, "Dad! Stop it!".
Everyone looked at Light, as he has gained their attention.
"I know what I did was messed up, and I'm not going to defend myself either saying that it was justified. All of you were right— regardless of context, I almost killed Ryuzaki", he let out a sigh, "I will be held responsible for it and will not deny anything. I was guilty, after all".
"Indeed, you are, Light-kun".
Everyone turned to see Watari walks in, an icy blue eye staring at them with grim expression, yet undecipherable. Everyone could only stood in sheer silence, unable to speak, before Matsuda spoke, "How... how's Ryuzaki?".
"There was a bruise in shape of a handprint around her neck", claimed Watari, "She had problems breathing for a few seconds and was given an anaesthetic before she could have a manic episode. There were a few bruises and, I could be wrong, some broken bones as well", he paused, "otherwise, she's doing okay".
Everyone let out a simultaneous sigh of relief— happy that their lead detective was okay despite her conditions.
However, one question remained.
"So... what will happen to Light-kun?", asked Ide, "Are we just going to ignore this ever happened, or...?".
"Indeed not, I intended an interrogation to question his intention. Thank you for reminding me, Ide-san", stated Watari, as he pulls out a pair of handcuffs, shocking the Task Force, Soichirou in particular.
"What?!", he gasped, "You can't do that!".
"Yes, I can, Yagami-san", claimed Watari as he fixed the cuffs around Light's wrist, "Your son attempted a second-degree murder and could be charged with manslaughter against L", he turned towards Soichirou, "Don't get me wrong. I am in no way held any grudge against your son, but two wrongs won't make a right. He still did try to kill Ryuzaki, even if it was subconsciously done. I will interrogate him and make sure that he is no longer a threat towards Ryuzaki, if he deserves to continue keep working within close proximity, or needed a restraining order against him. Whichever I see fit".
"I won't, however, press a charge against him at send a court file, since Ryuzaki loathe to have another case intersect with one that she's currently working on, so consider himself lucky".
Watari then turned towards Misa, who already had herself latched onto Light's arms, "Miss Misa Amane will also follow suite. She will act as an active witness who saw the whole thing first-hand. She could also be at Light's defence, considering the fact that she loves him oh so much".
"But, what about the case?", asked Aizawa, "Who would be left in charge of it when you, Light and even Ryuzaki is out of commission? We need someone to lead, you know?".
Watari almost let out a heavy sigh. Right. He forgot that these men are almost as incompetent as a rookie. That'll explain why Ryuzaki hates to work with policemen sometimes— and he couldn't exactly bring himself to blame her.
Because, what the hell?
"There hasn't bee a progress lately. Only random killings", stated Watari, "Do your job as detectives who deserves to be here and analyse each death down to the core. Leave nothing out. Please do give me a report by the end of the day as I will be at another room, interrogating these two".
"Until then, good day gentlemen".
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I just realised how cut short the first time I write Light's situation post-fight. L was on the brink of death, and the Task Force decided to let this menace run free. That shouldn't suppose to happen in any case at all (unless everyone there is biased) so I thought of Light being thrown back again in 'prison' and has a plausible restraining order filed against him.
Other than that, Soichirou (imo) strike me as someone who'd defend his son unless the crime is already ao grave. Like— I wouldn't write him defending Light when he was convicted as Kira, but he would definitely try to empathise with Light to some extend.
Also, I'm a sucker for the Task Force defending L (particularly Aizawa and L's relationship with him being the dysfunctional 'older brother' with anger issues)