VII

"Are you hungry?"

"Sure. Unless you decided to cook." I had planned on going up to my room and passing out into a dreamless sleep but food like Makoto's could hardly be passed up for sleep.

"No." Setsuna had been reading something on quantum physics. She slapped the book shut and followed me into the kitchen. Offering me the chance at a meal was her way of getting information out of me. No sooner had I sat down at the counter top and Makoto set a plate of blueberry pancakes in front of me that she barked, "Report!"

And report I did. It was the usual stuff. What Hino thought I knew, what she thought she knew and the endless run around games that we played. When I had finished my cakes I leaned back and massaged my stomach.

"Satisfactory. Hino is no closer than we are. There is still time."

"Time to do what?"

Garnet eyes sparkled. "To find the mother and the killer, of course! Oh and did you forget to mention something the other day?"

"Mention?"

"For instance did you forget to tell me that Kaiou-san is coming over at two o'clock this afternoon is discuss the case?"

"Forgive me. I was incarcerated. I was a little concerned as to how I would detour the police from finding out who our client is."

"At least you have your priorities straight." I didn't know if it was meant to be an insult or praise. "Go get cleaned up and rested. Call Kaiou-san and have her come to the back door. Hino may have a temper that limits her sight but she is no fool. She has had this place watched. If Kaiou-san wishes to remain anonymous it would be in her favor if she were not seen coming and going so often."

"Aye, aye chief!"

True to her word Kaiou-san…er, Michiru showed up right at two in a very nondescript car at the back door. She wore a simple skirt and jacket in a light lavender. A pancake hat aslant on her waves of hair. She was stunning. It hurt to breathe around her. Damn I was hit and falling badly.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Meiou-san."

Setsuna shook her head with a slight smile, which was something for Setsuna. "No you are right on time, Kaiou-san."

"Ara, but a good guest shows up early and does the waiting not the host," corrected Michiru.

Pleased Setsuna directed for Michiru to take the center chair while we took positions at our desks. There was one way to stay on Setsuna's good side. Always arrive on time. The genius was a time freak. She once had me timed for getting ready, eating and getting into the office just so she knew how much longer she could dawdle. Knowing this there were times when I would show up seconds late just to spite her.

"Now to the point of our meeting. Haruka-"

Setsuna shot me that look that suggested that I had taken certain liberties with our client. Let her think that. I knew the truth and once Setsuna got to know Michiru better she would see that the elite socialite was out of my league.

"-Informed me yesterday that there was a chance that the murderer and the person who left Hotaru to me might be one in the same. If that is the case I want you to find them. I am certain that the relatives of Sakurada-san want the murderer to be found as well. I came here to inform you that money is no object, that I want to see this through to the end."

"Even if the police come knocking?" asked Setsuna.

"Let them come. I can use my name to keep them at bay while you work. I have several houses in the countryside. I can simply avoid them while you work."

"You do realize this will cost a great deal of money."

Michiru chuckled. "What good is having all of the money in the world if you can't use it to do what you want with it. I trust in yours and Haruka's ability."

A jangle from the other room announced Makoto coming in with the teacart. The brunette smiled at Michiru glad to see her back, handing her a hot cup of tea first then another to Setsuna. She pushed the cart the extra three feet to give me my coffee, which I had been rather demanding of since I hadn't had a decent night's sleep yet.

"So you leave it to us, no matter what the cost?"

Michiru nodded. "Yes. This is delicious tea by the way. Is this the Stone Mountain blend from India? A very rare exotic blend. You must be blessed."

Ooh Michiru was winning points on all sides with Setsuna. First being on time and then complementing on her tea. She had already won points for her fashion. Now if she had a capacity for science I would have to fight Setsuna for her. Then again it was so seldom that Setsuna took interest in anything outside those fields that if she pressed I might just have to yield for my boss' pleasure and continuing employment.

"Why thank you. It is one of my favorite blends. I find that the Ceylon blends with the –"

I cleared my throat bringing both women up from what would be a very boring conversation, at least for Mako-chan and myself.

Setsuna blushed. "My apologizes. Perhaps we should find a more proper time to discuss tea blends."

"You are correct." Michiru gave me a slight smile that did not go unnoticed by Makoto. "I am willing to pay whatever it takes to keep this under the hat and I want you to find the murderer."

"That may be Kaiou-san but first let me pose this question: Where were you this last Friday between the hours of eight and eleven that evening?"

Blue eyes went wide with shock. If she hadn't been brought up in the crux of high society she would have spit that expensive tea all over Setsuna's desk and Setsuna. Good up bringing could stem off some baser instincts it seemed. However, Michiru had to wipe what little tea escaped with a napkin Makoto had kindly provided.

"But that's the hours that – that-"

Setsuna rose a well-arched eyebrow. "That Sakurada-san was killed in. Give or take a few hours. I put it past no one to do murder. I have been in this business for many years, Haruka as well. Murder takes many forms."

"I can tell you that murder did not take this form." Michiru was collected. The shock had come and rolled off her. "I had a concert that night. You can ask the conductor, the ticket box even. I was told that the show was sold out with a great deal of encores. If I had the time I would have been too exhausted to chose someone."

"I believe you. Believe me, Kaiou-san I do not like accusing others but it is a part of what I do. I can trust no one until the murderer is found."

"I only hope that I can earn your trust." Michiru stood and offered her hand to Setsuna. "I apologize for leaving so suddenly but I have pressing engagement with my manager. He's not keen on taking Hotaru-chan on tour with me. I might lessen my appeal, or so he says."

Setsuna rose as well and took the pale hand. "A pleasure, Kaiou-san. I shall do my best to make sure that we find the mother and the murderer in due time but it may not always be smooth."

"Oh I do not expect miracles, Meiou-san. Just weekly up dates." Michiru cast me a sly glance that sent shivers up and down my spine. "I will be sure to see you soon, Haruka? I want to know just what my money is going for."

It took me a moment to find my voice. "You can count on it, Michiru."

Her smile shone brighter than the sun when she remembered a small piece of blue-green paper that she handed to me. With a wink she allowed herself to be led to the back door.

"Exchanging notes to our client now are we, Haruka?"

Gods did she have to sound so damn superior? I opened to note expecting everything from the key to the mansion to a line that read 'just teasing.' Instead it was memo. In neat curling script it read:

Memorandum

Haruka. Call me Michiru

"Well what does it say?"

I laughed, tucking the note into my breast pocket. "I am afraid, oh great commander, that this is a note of a more personal nature and does not pertain to the case."

"If it involves the client it pertains to the case. Dammit Haruka! What does it say?"

"Say please."

Setsuna rolled her eyes. "Oh never mind." She slid out of her chair for the attic.

"Oh sweetness! I think of you everyday. Your eyes haunt me, shining like glittering jewels – "

"Haruka."

"Hmm?"

"Shut. Up."

"But this is magic. Pure unbridled magical passion."

The elevator grate slammed hard. "SHUT UP!"

"You know you really shouldn't tease her like that," Makoto whispered. "One of these days you're going to cause her to snap."

I turned to look at Makoto. She was dusting. Makoto doesn't dust. It was hen that I noticed a sly hand trying to reach into my pockets. "Really, Mako-chan. If you want to touch me, you only have to ask."

"I – I don't know what you're talking about." Her face a beet red Makoto scuttled to the kitchen, leaving the feather duster on the bookshelf.

At last the I could get some sleep without any interruptions. If I was lucky a succulent aqua hair heiress would replace all thoughts of sugar plum fairies.