Circumstantial Evidence

Chapter 5: The Shady Side of Satan City

Satan City…

Videl reached her destination at 9:15 sharp. The sun had already set and even though it was Tuesday the streets in Little Italy, as the Italian neighborhood in Satan City was called, were lively. Families could be seen strolling around the streets taking their after dinner walks. Here and there young couples were talking and flirting. Videl loved this part of town. It was always friendly in an old fashioned sort of way and the food was absolutely fabulous. This part of town was also the safest. No danger of being robbed, no muggings, and almost no murders. The Gambini family made sure that Little Italy was a safe little haven for business… their business.

It was a very little known fact that the Gambini family was of distant relation to the Satans. Apparently Videl's mother was related through marriage to a cousin of the Gambinis. This flimsy connection was enough, though, for Videl to make acquaintance with the most powerful mafia boss in Satan City, Caesario Gambini, while she had been fighting crime for the Satan City Police in high school. She had unwittingly done the Gambini family a huge service by disposing of the Red Shark Gang for them. The Gambini's despised unruly violence and had been trying to get rid of the various gangs that had run amuck in Satan City for a long time. They hadn't been very successful outside of little Italy and had been losing territory until Videl and Saiyaman had come along. Seeing an opportunity that couldn't be missed, Caesario had moved the family interests into gambling, escort services, and other forms of 'shady' but borderline legal activities. It had been a brilliant move and while the other gangs had been smashed by the police led by Videl, the Gambini's had remained untouched and profited enormously. Eventually Caesario had found out about Videl being related and had sent out feelers to strike a deal with the young star of the Satan City Police. The two had hit it off right away. They found out that they had a lot in common and genuinely liked and respected each other. Caesario had even quietly been at Videl's graduation from Satan City University (SCU). The deal the two had struck was simple; so long as the Gambini's didn't do anything overtly illegal like robbing a bank, Videl would help them out from time to time cleaning up the streets with police backup. In return, Videl got the best informants in the city since the Gambini's were the heart of the underworld in Satan City. They knew pretty much everything that was going on and could provide invaluable information for cases ranging from narcotics to homicides.

So it was that Videl pulled into a parking lot in front of a restaurant/bar called the Italian Villa. It was a relatively upscale place and catered to a business clientele. More importantly for Videl, it was where Caesario had his private meeting room and where she knew she could find him almost every night around this time. She didn't want to be too conspicuous but didn't want to be seen to be 'sneaking' around so she just casually got out and walked around back and knocked at the kitchen door.

The door opened to reveal a handsome swarthy Italian guy who wore a grease stained brown shirt, a pair of jeans and an apron around his waist. "Saluti Videl!" he exclaimed as he recognized her. "It's been such a long time. I haven't seen you in a year or so… How've you been?" he greeted in an accented voice while waving her in.

Videl couldn't help the smile that appeared onto her face. "Marco… Come Siete?" she said as she stepped in.

"I'm a good… You look a little skinny Videl… how about some of Marco's special veal parmesan for you?"

"I'd be delighted any other day Marco… but I'm stuffed. I just had the most… bizarre dinner ever," she replied. "I'm sorry Marco… but I'm in a real hurry. Is Ceasario here today?"

Marco looked a bit disappointed but understanding. "Of course… he's always here. He has some business with Meneghetti tonight… go on up. Take the service elevator."

"Thanks Marco… See you soon…"

"Vedali Presto…" replied the man as he turned and went back to cooking for the numerous diners that were unaware of her presence.

It only took a few minutes for Videl to reach the top floor. She smiled at the two hulking giants that were standing in front of the door to Ceasario's meeting room. "Videl," smirked the first. "Il molto tempo nessun vede."

"Long time no see yourself Geno," replied Videl. "Ceasario in?"

"Yeah… give me a sec." The man named Geno opened the door and went inside for a few moments. Videl could hear some talking going on inside and then several people walked out. She wasn't sure who they were since she had her back turned towards them so that they wouldn't recognize her. "Ok Videl… he's all yours."

"Thanks, Geno," she said as she walked in. Her smile broadened as she saw the man sitting quietly behind the desk scratching some notes on paper. He was approaching his mid forties and looked his age. His face was weathered and careworn from years of responsibility and rough housing in the streets. He reminded her of that guy from the movie… Godfather… Michael Corleon.

"Ahh… Il mio Diavolo Piccolo [my little devil]" he greeted as he stood up and brought Videl into a warm hug. "I haven't seen you in a few months… what brings you to visit Ms. Satan."

"I'd love to say it was for pleasure Ceasario, but I need some information on business."

"I see… well I'm always at your disposal," he said.

"Well there are two things I need to know about… the first is this girl Amanda Rochester. She was killed last night and I've heard that she was into narcotics. She was really into a club called Ciara's Haven and she worked for Capsule Corp."
"Capsule Corp?" said Caesario with a slight widening of his eyes. Videl caught the movement before he smoothed his face away into an unreadable mask. Her curiosity about Capsule Corp and Gohan peaked even more.

"Yeah… Capsule Corp. I need to know about them to. I think they are involved in this. I had dinner with Bulma Briefs tonight and there is just something about them that doesn't strike me as right. They definitely are hiding something."

"You had dinner with Bulma Briefs?" he said incredulously. "They didn't ask anything from you did they? Videl… if they did please tell me."

"No… I just had dinner. Bulma and her family were really nice and down to earth. They didn't seem to be like stuck up rich society snobs that I thought they would be. We just talked about the latest things going on… nothing particularly special or unknown to the general public."

"Hmmm… Videl, if they approach you for something be careful. Capsule Corp isn't just a powerful company from West Capitol. The Briefs aren't just a business couple anymore. They are much more now."

"So they are hiding things… do you know what they else they are into? Drugs… could they have killed off this Rochester girl because she was going to squeal or something?"

"I don't know if they are into narcotics. No one knows what Capsule really is into besides their legitimate businesses. All I know is that nothing… nothing even breathes in West Capitol without Bulma Briefs say so."

"Really… what about her husband, Vegeta? The man struck me as… intimidating."

Caesario got quiet for a second before he spoke. "I have a few insights into that man… but what I'm going to tell you goes no farther Videl. I consider you family and I'm telling you this only because you need to be aware of what you are getting yourself into." He got up and opened the door whispering a few words that Videl couldn't hear. A few moments later he came back and sat down heaving out a huge sigh. "Give me a moment Videl. I'm having a pot of coffee brought up for us."

Videl nodded and was perceptive enough to see that he needed a few moments to gather his thoughts. Silence stretched for about five minutes before there was a knock and the door opened with one of the bodyguards bringing in the coffee and some cups.

"Alright Videl… have you ever heard of a man known as the Ouji?" asked the Mafia boss.

"The Ouji? Of course… who hasn't heard of him. Everyone in law enforcement has… he's a boogeyman though. Every once in a while an investigation will turn up someone that did a job for someone who was in contact for someone working for him. Usually it's just seen as a dead end… No one has actually ever seen him and no one has ever worked directly for him."

"So I thought as well… but do you realize that most of the rumors began about twelve… maybe thirteen years ago. They started in West Capitol where the gangs were running amuck. Did you know that there was an assassination attempt on Bulma Briefs during that time?"

"I've heard about it… but the assassin was killed by her bodyguard. She eventually married him… oh I see what your getting at."

"That's right… shortly afterwards *poof*," Caesario made a gesture that one makes when blowing out a match, "the gangs in West Capitol disappeared. The bosses were killed and stories began spreading about a man that was impervious to bullets. That moved with superhuman strength that would kill you with a smirk on his face if you dared stand up to him. He came onto the scene like lightening and then disappeared into the shadows."

"That's kinda far fetched Caesario… impervious to bullets? It's just a bunch of tricks."

"Perhaps… perhaps it was technology. After all didn't Saiyaman fly around and what human could fly?"

"You got a point there… and Capsule Corporation is the world's leader in technology with none other than the brilliant Bulma Briefs at the helm."

"Yes… and it would be much easier for them to get things done underground then legally. I find it less than coincidental that even the underworld in West Capitol follows what Bulma Briefs says."

"I'd never even think of Bulma Briefs as a criminal mastermind… She just doesn't seem the type."

"I've met her before and I agree with you… but you have met her husband, yes?"

Videl was silent… the wheels turning in her head. "The Ouji?"

Caesario shrugged. "I have my suspicions but they are only suspicions… nothing more than circumstantial evidence."

"And now that I think of it… he matches very well the description that was given about a man that was seen with the Rochester girl lately. He also claims to have known her and even knew that she was into drugs… I wonder if he could be involved."

"Perhaps… perhaps not. Just be careful Videl… if he truly is the Ouji then a man like that doesn't stick his head out to be chopped off. He'll be like smoke Videl."

"Don't worry… I can take care of myself. If you find out anything else about this case let me know, ok?" she asked as she got up. "I've got to get going. It's late and I have to be up early in the morning."

"Of course… take care of yourself."

"Arrivderci Ceasario."

"Ciao."

***

Meanwhile…

Gohan stepped out of the shower and stretched. The next time he saw Dende he would have to thank him for making sure that his apartment had air conditioning. It had been so long since he'd had to put up with the stinking heat of Satan City that he had forgotten to check that his apartment had AC when he signed his lease. Luckily the little green guy was looking out for him.

Dropping himself on the couch he started flipping through the latest copy of the Satan City Post that he had picked up on his way home. However, he couldn't keep his mind focused on the day's news. Instead he couldn't believe that he had run into Videl on his first day of work. He had always thought her pretty and had a crush on her when he was in high school. After all, he had gone to senior prom with her, but only as friends. Back then she'd been quite the tomboy. She never wore skirts or even nice clothes at all. She was always in a T shirt and shorts. The change from then to now was startlingly mused Gohan. She had looked absolutely ravishing in her blouse and slacks. She even had makeup on. On a physical level she was… just WOW. He could feel his hormones raging at the thought of her. Now if mom ever heard me think like this… hahahahaha can we say "Beatdown" Super Saiyan or no… it'd be a beatdown, thought Gohan getting a hold of himself. Seeing Videl definitely had awakened an old flame within him, but he firmly put it down. He was a lot more confident and laid back now. He'd just see how things go and see how else she'd change besides physically.

His cell phone went off and he saw that it was Bulma calling. "Hello," he said answering the phone.

"Hey Gohan… I'm downstairs of your building with Vegeta… sorry about just popping by like this but can you let us up?"

"Of course Bulma… just give me a sec and I'll buzz you guys up. You know its apartment 510?"

"Yes I do… who decorated your place with your mother, kiddo?"

Gohan just laughed. "Ok… one sec. See you in a few."

A minute later he heard a knock on the door and he opened it. "What brings you guys here this time of the night?" asked Gohan curiously. After all he had just seen them two hours before at dinner.

"Brat… the woman has some things she needs to say to you," stated Vegeta flatly in his normal but harsh tone. Gohan just looked at Bulma befuddled.

She just sighed. "Gohan… this investigation you are doing… It might uncover a lot of things that I've been up to lately. Not all these things are… shall we say 'strictly legal'. I just wanted you to hear everything from me up front."

"Come on Bulma… don't take me for a fool. Any company the size of Capsule does things that aren't legal. Give me a little credit for understanding ok?"

Vegeta elbowed Bulma in the side. "I told you the brat would be willing to listen without judging first."

"Shut up," she mumbled back. She hated being told that she was mistaken, especially by her husband. Vegeta smirked.

"Ok…" said Gohan as he brought out a few beers for himself and Vegeta, and a gin and tonic for Bulma. "So… spill the beans."

"Well… it started about twelve years ago when that guy tried to assassinate me…"

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A/N: Well… a lot of new ground here. I've always thought Videl's name sounded Italian… yeah I know it's a pun on Devil but it still sounds Italian to me. Anyway after rereading what I wrote I've decided this was a total filler chapter… but I did have a lot of fun in writing it and I do hope you all enjoy reading it. The chapter does add some flavor of uniqueness to the story and with that I'm happy. Let me know what you think.

Now… I know many of you are wondering what Bulma was up to. That will all be revealed as the story progresses. Think on the various movies that you've seen because maybe… you'll hit on the answer. As for who did the murder… well ahhaha I'm not saying. YES it could have been Vegeta… but it could have been anyone in DBZ… All I'll say is it is NOT an OC that committed the crime and NOT a char that has died for good… like Nappa or Tao Pie Pie. It will be a char that is generally accepted as still alive. It could be a good guy or a bad guy… hints are already being dropped but I'm not telling you what they are. I'll be introducing you to more suspects soon so keep your mind sharp! Next Chapter… More Gohan/Videl and YAMCHA makes his debut.

Italian Translations

Diavolo Piccolo: Diavolo is Devil.. Piccolo is little

Come Siete: How are you?

Saluti: Greetings

Arrivderci: Goodbye

Il molto tempo nessun vede:  Long time no see

Vedali Presto: See you soon