Preys
Chapter 6: Decisions
Tokio repressed a yawn. Unable to sleep, she had come to the office early, buying a bento and sandwiches on the way. The long shower had made her some good, and she was in control of herself, determined to deal with the difficult day ahead. She wouldn't weaken again. It didn't mean she could do without some advice, she thought, picking up her phone to call Aoshi.
Around 8.30
Kondo arrived. Although she had half expected to see Saitoh with him, the old man was alone. His face was straight, yet she could sense his pain.
"The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon" he announced. "It will be official, of course." A pause. "Hiko-san will attend. He saw the local news early this morning."
She nodded towards the screen of her office's TV. "I saw it too. With Tsubame's death, it will be loaded with journalists."
"I tried to explain him. He says he can handle that. Is it his decision or his counselors'?"
"Both, I guess. For different reasons."
"Who will make the speech? Usually, it's the partner, but don't count on Saitoh for that."
"I wasn't. I was wondering if you could take care of that. You have worked with him longer than anyone, and although he won't do it himself, Saitoh won't like me to either," she explained. "If you can't, I'll ask Inoue.."
" I'll do it. Saitoh told me he had talked to you?"
She nodded.
"That's why I came so early. We have decisions to take. First, assign Yukishiro to another section for a while, as yours will be working exclusively on.."
"Kondo-san, one minute please. I spent the night thinking about this, and I've drawn my own conclusions. I want him to be in."
"Takagi-san, you can't do that. I'll ask Hijikata to delegate.."
"Kondo-san!" she said forcefully.
He stared at her in surprise.
"When you asked me to lead to lead this section you told me that you trusted me, and thought that I could make a good job here. Reason I accepted. If you wanted somebody you could easily manipulate, and still lead the team through, I think I should quit now. Don't get me wrong. I respect your point of view, and I'd just like you to listen to mine. I think I should be the one deciding. You can fire me if I fail, isn't that the rule?"
He looked at her, and eventually dropped his head. " I'm quite...shaken today. You're right. Go ahead."
"Sanjo Tsubame's death is linked to the Slayer case, Takani confirmed that yesterday night. We are facing a major crisis, especially now that we lost a member. Okita had been working with Saitoh for like..10, years, and they had known each other since the Academy. He was his balance.."
"Saitoh is a professional. He'll never let this situation affect his work. Don't underestimate him. He thought about finding the surviving victim even before you called me about it last night."
So that was what he had meant by "I charged somebody of that already". She suppressed an annoyed reaction. It was the second time that Kondo and Saitoh made arrangements behind her back.
"Yet the team's balance is broken. And I won't let Saitoh work on this particular case without a partner, or at least someone who can calm him down, after his little escapade of yesterday. You have to admit that it was not at all like him. Saitoh is usually a man of order. He never respected me as a person, but was still following my directions because I was the boss. I think that if he doesn't have Okita to moderate him, he'll let his wild side dominate him. We can't have another Kanryu situation, you know that as well as I do. But with one member personally affected, Saitoh, and everybody else upset at Okita's death, we can't have somebody new now. It won't work. We need to stick together."
He thought for a second, in a familiar gesture rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger. "You have a point. What do you propose?"
"I called Shinomori this morning, and already asked him to work with us full time on this problem. After all, he did the original profiling, and we know him. Moreover he can get along with Saitoh."
"If Saitoh is cooperative.."
She rolled her eyes. "He will take an order, period. He was when you were in this seat, he will with me." Her voice, her eyes were metallic again.
He raised a brow: "And Yukishiro?"
"I had an idea, and discussed it with Shinomori too. He thinks it can work well. I want to switch all the partners."
By 9:30
She recognized Saitoh's paces. Her office was open, and she was reading some files, familiarizing with the aspects of the case she ignored, while smoking like a volcano.
"Where is Kondo?"
"Came. Gone. Good Morning, Detective."
"So who are they going to delegate?" he asked scornfully.
Spite after a sleepless night, she just needed that. He probably went to lick his wounds alone somewhere like the wolf he was. And expected clearly everybody to react as usual, like him. Admiring, but can't he give HER a break?
"Nobody."
"We lost Okita and Yukishiro is reassigned."
"Unless I decide otherwise, Yukishiro is on. And Shinomori will work with you permanently during that case."
"What?"
Could he look more disgusted? Oh, yes, she thought smugly, the overwhelming sadness she had been feeling fading for a moment. " Detective Saitoh, I know you had a discussion with Kondo about his intentions, but I'm in charge. Two of your superiors exchanged some points of view and mine prevailed."
He sat in front of her. At least his disdainful expression had disappeared. "I don't need another partner."
"Yes you will, in due time. For now, you will be "collaborating". You have the choice: you can accept the orders or quit.."
He lifted his brows, crossing his legs, his cigarette dangling from his lips, which were twisted in a bemused, superior smirk.
"Or I team you with Sagara."
Oh, that was good. She would never make such a bad combination, but he couldn't be sure, considering his opinion on her abilities as a leader. His expression was priceless. Very still, brows frowned very low on his eyes now, trying to figure out her degree of seriousness. He finally shrugged, conceding her silently that little victory.
It didn't please her more than a few seconds, the sadness insinuating in her mind again as the silence filled the room. Another partner for Saitoh was a reminder that Okita was gone..
He smoked for a while, looking outside. She began to feel uncomfortable, like at the hospital the night before. She shook her head, relieved when his unemotional voice addressed to her. His eyes were still gazing beyond the window.
"Who is making the speech at the funerals?"
"Kondo."
A soft knock on the open door broke the new blank in the conversation.
"Hi boss." Enishi was already looking dark. "You wanted to see me earlier?"
"Yes, thank you, Detective. Please go and close the door," she added to Saitoh.
As he was leaving, Enishi stepped in front of him, and gave him a short nod, acknowledging his loss. Saitoh narrowed his eyes. Tokio was afraid that he'd punch the younger man. When he just nodded back, after several seconds, she thanked the Great Almighty. She really didn't need another problem right now.
"Please sit down." She breathed deeply. "There's an information I have to give you before we have this meeting about Sanjo Tsubame's death. You aren't going to like it."
He frowned behind his sunglasses.
"She has been murdered with a blade."
His features hardened, and his intense gaze darted into hers. She could see his train of thought, she could see him make the link, pain, anger, doubt flicking alternately in the blue depths, and finally, as he silently asked her to confirm or deny his conclusions, she went on.
"Takani and Saitoh both found similarities with."
"That BASTARD!" He had only hissed between his teeth, but it didn't tarnish the hatred of his voice. His breath was ragging.
"Yes.Takani thinks it's a copycat, but we have to.."
"It's the same. He killed her. Bastard, I.." There was a hint of childish anger in his voice. His hands were gripping the sides of the seat.
"Enishi!"
He snapped out of his trance. She hadn't raised her voice, appealing to his sense. He let out several steady sighs.
"I discussed with Kondo this morning. The section will work exclusively on this case. This is the other reason why I wanted to talk to you before.."
"You want to tell me I'm off. But I.."
"I wanted to ask you if you could control yourself. I thought you might. What I just saw.."
His eyes widened with amazement.
"You'll let me?"
"Listen to me. You're a member of this team, and you're efficient. Although in normal conditions, I probably won't let you in, after what happened last night, nothing is normal. I have two questions, and I want totally honest answers. First, do you think you can handle the personal, psychological pressure? Totally honest," she repeated as he had opened his mouth immediately.
He looked at his hands for a while.
" After this, I can't say that it won't be hard." He gazed into her eyes. "But I can. I know I can."
"Second, do you think you can control yourself enough not to take foolish initiatives, endangering other people's lives?"
He hesitated. "My partner and I see things the same way."
"That's why, if I decide to let you work on this case, you'll have another partner."
"Why?" His eyes expressed his defiance.
"This is very important, Enishi. I want you to work with Makimachi. I want it because I have a mission for you."
She had all his attention now. She had to be very careful with her words. "If we have to deal with a copycat, there's a good chance that he'll follow the same victim's profile. And your sister.."
"Was a cop, and she was investigating the case." Steady voice, clear eyes. Good.
"You know what I expect from you, don't you Enishi? We can't let the same thing happening. I know you can keep an eye on Makimachi. And do your part of the work on that case. But if you can't control yourself, you will be a danger to her, and a problem to us only."
"I saw you in court. I know you're manipulating me," he grinned. She was making it obvious, not insulting his intelligence. He knew she could do better.
"Yes, I am. Does it work?"
"As well as the first time I met you. When you tricked the bastard into spitting it out."
"Can I trust you to come to me or Shinomori if you feel that you can't stand the pressure?"
"I owe you if you let me on this case. I won't fail you."
"So this is settled."
Standing up, he nodded. "Thank you."
She smiled. "The others are going to arrive. You should take a moment alone. Why don't you go out for a walk and clear-up?"
After 10.00
After he exited, she let out a deep sigh. One problem settled. Dealing with Enishi was exhausting when it came to mental manipulation, as he was a master in that art. She was savoring a well-earned cigarette when Megumi entered her office like a storm.
It was so unlike her friend that she dropped the stick on the floor. She cursed, retrieved it quickly and as she rose, saw Saitoh entering the room.
"Close the door," ordered Megumi to Saitoh.
He only glared at her, so she slammed it herself.
"Meg, what."
"This is huge. This is wrong. Tokio, we are in deep, deep trouble."
To be continued.
Author's notes:
Just a few words more: Kondo is old here (although he died at 35 in reality, if I recall well). Aoshi is a profiler, but as he is a psychologist first Tokio relies on him for advice about the human relations in the section and counseling, that's why she asks Enishi to talk to him if he feels too much pressure.
I kept the fact that Tomoe is dead as the loss of his sister is an important part of Enishi's psyche, but I twisted the way it happened (it's explained in next chapter).
In the next chapter: Megumi drops a bomb, Misao and Sano make the reports on Tsubame's death, the Slayer case and its connection to other section members is revealed.
See you!
Kamorgana.