Preys
Chapter 17: Keys
She was lost to the darkness. Falling into it endlessly, deeper into the bottomless void, the anguish lurking in her heart menacing to overwhelm her, changing into an utter feeling of panic. She knew there was light somewhere, she could sense it, so close, yet for some reason that she didn't have enough strength to analyze, even more frightening than the shadows. Pain and fear were waiting for her there. If only she had something to hold onto. Tightening her hand nervously, she realized that she had. Another hand in hers, solid, reassuring..a warm impression of being protected, against whatever was threatening her on the other side, pushed her out of her slumber.
"Do you feel better?" asked a deep, serious voice next to her.
Misao opened her lids. "Aoshi-san?"
She remembered. She was in the hospital. She had been attacked..
"Don't move your head."
He could see awareness slowly dawning on her. She was still holding his hand and pressed it tighter. He gave it a slight squeeze in answer, to calm the worried nervousness he could sense in her.
"What time..?"
"It's Thursday. A little after 6 in the morning. Do you feel better?" he repeated.
She mentally checked her sore body before answering.
"My neck hurts a little. That's all," she smiled, not wanting to make all a fuss about whatever happened to her. Yet she darkened after a few seconds, as confused memories assaulted her mind. "What happened... No, I know, but who.."
"Not now, Misao-san."
It was the third time that she woke up. Each time, she had no immediate recollection of having been awake before, and each time her efforts to remember had led her to agitation, confusion and another slumber. The investigation could wait; she had to recover first.
"I need to know.to remember..Please, help me." She tried to turn more to him, letting out a little moan of pain.
He stopped her move, laying a hand on the side of her face. Her eyes were pleading. He couldn't resist to those eyes, he realized. His unbidden reactions to her were puzzling him.
"You were on patrol with Yukishiro. He decided to make a move," he began, with reluctance.
" Yes..he was driving so fast. I said to him it was against the orders..I wanted to call, but he told me not to.." Her gaze was absent, focusing on the memories.
"Where did you go?"
"Someplace else..in the 13th precinct. He said he had a plan. Told me to stay in the car.."
"Why didn't you?"
"He was so weird, so..I don't know, I was afraid he did something stupid..I went after him, but he was out of sight already. And then.."
She closed her lids to hide her fear.
"You're safe, now."
She turned her gaze into his again. His voice was cold and his eyes were unexpressive, yet he had an oddly soothing effect on her. Like at Okita's funeral.
"I felt..I can't express it, it was for a second only..You're gonna think I'm mad."
"Let me judge," he coaxed.
"Evil. A presence, so mean, so..It has its eyes on me, I felt cold to the bones. It was just behind me, but before I could turn around, I felt that pain..and then I woke up here.."
She closed her eyes once more. He could see tears at the corner of it. "Who attacked me? It was him, wasn't it?" she asked in a small voice.
"We think so," he answered honestly. She wasn't ready to hear more. She was brave, but it was too much.
"I'm alive.." She was trying to convince herself. She stayed still for a while, savoring the strangely soft contact of his cold hands, on her face and her palm. He made her feel better. She suddenly thought about the other victims, the ones who didn't survive, and a wave of guilt swept through her. She could be laying on a morgue table now, all alone, and instead of being thankful for having the chance to be alive, with someone, with Aoshi- san, caring about her, she was crying over spilled milk. Morning? He probably stayed all this time..yes, he did, she remembered, he had been with her all night.. She should stop being so ungrateful and self-centered.
She re-opened her eyes and made an effort to smile brightly. "I guess I was lucky."
We all were, he thought, just nodding absently.
Tsunan, Sano and Enishi were already there when Tokio and Saitoh arrived to the office. They were gloomy, smoking in silence instead of bantering animatedly as they usually did. She greeted them but Saitoh didn't and directly went to sit at his desk. He was obviously still furious at them for their behavior last night.
"Is Kondo there?" he just asked sternly.
"We're still alive, so not yet," answered grimly Tsunan.
Saitoh snorted. Aoshi arrived a few seconds later.
"How is Misao?" Sanosuke asked immediately.
"Better. She could tell me what happened, this morning." At Tokio's questioning glance, Aoshi shrugged. "She didn't see who attacked her. Yukishiro, I'd like to know why you drove to the 13th precinct."
Tokio frowned. Aoshi's tone was just short of aggressive. That was so unlike him.
"We'll clear that with Kondo," she began, before hurrying to her office to pick-up the ringing phone.
"Ah, good morning, Kondo-san.."
The men exchanged puzzled glances as she put the phone down, the time to close the door. No good news, for sure. Tsunan stubbed his half-smoked cigarette, staring morosely in front of him, while Aoshi was still glaring at Enishi.
Saitoh smirked. He had noticed already that Shinomori was losing some of his coldness when it came to the little Weasel-girl. That was interesting. And gave him a way to respond if the profiler decided to poke his nose again in his own private matters. He still remembered the conversations they had after meeting Seta. He hadn't appreciated at all his insinuations.
The silence was getting heavy. Sagara was glancing alternately at each of them, trying to understand. Saitoh's smirk widened. And that was very entertaining. He felt like laughing at the lost puppy expression on his moronic face.
"Excuse-me, I'm looking for.." began a feminine voice. "Ah! Here you are!"
A woman rushed inside to a stop in front of Saitoh and Aoshi, and bowed deeply. She had shoulder-length hair, curling around her face, small delicate lips, and her green eyes were just a little too small comparing to her face for her to be stunning. Sanosuke swallowed a lump in his throat as her gesture revealed a serious amount of cleavage, trapped in a lacy black bra.
"Thank you for saving my life."
Tokio came back and her concern faded a while at Saitoh's contemptuous look and Aoshi's cautious stance.
"I'm Takagi Tokio, chief of this section. We met briefly yesterday, Honjo- san. Thank you for coming so early today."
"Oh, you're commanding here? I didn't get that! You're so lucky! All these...Oh! Hello!"
Kamatari had spotted Enishi, and gave him a warm smile, along with a little wave of her hand. He adjusted his sunglasses, staring at her in cautious disbelief. Her smile turned flirtatious.
"You know each other?" asked suavely Saitoh.
Enishi shook his head.
"Yes, we do! You helped me the other day, when this terrible man didn't want to leave me alone.. I never forget a good-looking guy, less a gentleman!" she finished with a little laugh.
Enishi shrugged. "Oh, yes."
Noticing Aoshi's dubious glance at him, Tokio intervened. They'd clear that later. Along with Kondo's last orders, she thought, sighing inwardly.
"Please take a seat, Honjo-san. There are questions the detectives would like to ask you."
Sanosuke approached a chair, and Kamatari thanked him with a wink. Tokio nodded to Saitoh, sitting at her place near the board, just next to their witness.
"How did he attack you?"
Saitoh Hajime: direct as an uppercut.
Kamatari lit a cigarette, talking with gracious hands gestures. "I've been so scared, it's not very clear..I was going to work, walking as fast as I could, with that murderer in the streets.How could I imagine that.."
"And still you went outside at night?"
She let out a throaty laugh. "Honey, we don't have much choice. The club I'm working for is not what you can call first class; they can't afford to pay a cab for their employees. And my boss had been very clear that I'd better come to work. We have few regulars and they had made reservations for the night. We new-halves are popular, lately, but still most of the customers go to "real" women, as they say. Don't ask me why..No offense, sweetie," she added for Tokio.
Tokio had been trying to hide her bemusement at her outrageous manners. Saitoh's face when Kamatari had called him "honey" had been priceless. So had been Sanosuke's when she had revealed her former gender. Yet, in that last remark, although made as a shallow joke, Tokio, with her long experience of witness interrogations, had detected some deep sadness.
"No offense at all," she answered with a warm smile.
Kamatari stared at her for a second, obviously surprised at her serious reaction. She then sent her back her smile, the green eyes appreciative.
"So, Honjo-san, did you have the feeling of being followed?" Tokio went on, as she felt Saitoh growing impatient, by the way he tossed his cigarette away.
"Oh, no..I was about to arrive to a bigger street, it's safer, you see, and I was relieved, when that man came out of a little alley on my left, just next to me. He told me to run. I was so surprised that I stopped, and then I saw his face..." Her eyes filled with retrospective terror.
The cops tensed.
"What did he looked like?" asked sternly Saitoh. "I heard you say it was Shishio."
"I saw his pictures in the papers, of course. Terribly handsome man..My style," she sighed, oblivious of the disapproving glances on her. "But he wasn't at that time. Not entirely."
"He wasn't what?" snapped Saitoh.
"Only half of his face was normal. The other was..burnt. All shrunk, you know, it was horrible. Half of his face was smiling, only..and one eye was burnt, too. In the other, I saw death..my death.."
Tokio patted gently her shoulder, before offering her a new cigarette.
"Thanks, sweetie."
"He attacked you before you arrived to the 23th street? I saw you there, though."
The woman's pink lips twisted in a little, confident smile. "Ah, you see, honey, I'm not that stupid. I had my pepper spray with me, holding it in my hand. I know most people don't use that, the streets in Japan are sure, blah, blah..But a woman has to be ready to defend herself. "
"I wish everybody were thinking like you," approved Tokio.
"I really like you, sweetie."
"So you used it?" Saitoh cut her off. He was getting unnerved at the "bonding" of Takagi and the witness. They were not here for girlie talks.
Kamatari turned to him. "I'd like to say that it was conscious, but I was paralyzed with fear. He lifted his sword..and it's only when he cursed, that I realized I had used my spray. I ran, I arrived to the big street and there he grabbed me and threw me back in the alley. I tried to stand up but my knee was hurting too much.. He sheathed his sword behind his back and prepared to take it out again, when we heard people running..he cursed again and escaped just before you arrived. And I think that's when I fainted."
"He didn't say anything else to you? Give you a reason why?" asked calmly Aoshi.
"No, nothing."
Tokio gave a look around, asking silently if there were more questions. She stood up.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Honjo-san. Where is the officer who escorted you here?"
"He's waiting for me in the corridor."
"You'll be under protection until we arrest Shishio."
"Does it mean I have to stop some..of my activities?"
"You're working in the entertainment business, as far as we're concerned. During this investigation, nobody will check further. If you remember anything else, please contact us. I didn't ask you, how is your knee?"
"Humpf! Why do you think I'm not wearing a skirt today? It's horrible, all red and violet and swollen..My legs are my best features, usually.."
A disdainful snort was heard from Saitoh's direction. Kamatari turned to him with a mischievous smile.
"Thank you again, honey. I know that I'm lucky to be alive. You guys can come anytime, your drinks will be on me! Bye, sweetie, and you're welcome also," she added for Tokio, who had called the young officer.
"Take care of you, Honjo-san. I assure you that we'll arrest him soon."
Tokio closed the door, a bemused smile still lingering on her lips.
"Interesting person..and she has resources. She owes her being alive as much to herself as to you."
"So when exactly did you meet her, Yukishiro?"
Tokio's smile faded. What was with Aoshi? It reminded her that she had to tell them..
"One moment, please. Kondo canceled our meeting of today. But he gave me some directives..without leaving me any choice. I'm still in charge of this section, at least until we solve the case. Or until the next mess. Sagara and Kitaoka, you get a mention on your services records. Yukishiro.."
"I'm suspended." It was a statement.
"I wish it were that simple. You're off the case only, not suspended. But the internal affairs are investigating on your miss."
"Kondo called the rats?" Sanosuke was out of himself.
"He made clear that I wasn't in position to protest. He didn't seem thrilled, though."
"So Enishi is going to pay for all of us.." Tsunan didn't try to hide his disgust.
Saitoh said nothing, just frowning. He would surely not argue on Yukishiro getting a suspension for his moronic behavior, and probably a psychiatric evaluation, but the rats, and without a preliminary report..that was fishy. His eyes crossed hers, wondering if she knew more than she told. No, she was obviously puzzled, too.
Tokio sat back on her chair, and turned to Enishi, who had stayed very still, absorbing the news, a cynical smile slowly twisting his lips. "Maybe you can explain now exactly what happened? And how you met Honjo, by the way, if it's not too private."
"It isn't. I spent my free time on Monday and Tuesday recognizing the areas, and studying the maps. I had forgotten about the incident with that woman. As she said, a man was bothering her and I had just to tell him to leave, no big deal. I was focused on something else. One thing was bothering me. How could the murderer escape after Sanjo's death without being noticed? He could have been that lucky, the area is quite deserted, but it's famous for the homeless village in the park nearby..wasn't that too big of a risk? We can also assume that he was using her car, as it wasn't found. I mean, Porsches aren't that usual, somebody should have noticed it.."
Saitoh looked at him with interest. Whatever he was unstable, Yukishiro had brains.
"So, I noticed that this area was full of underground parking lots, because of the numerous office buildings in the 13th. One particularly attracted me, as it wasn't far from where Sanjo's body had been found. I noticed also, during my wandering in the area, that the service stairs weren't leading to the 12th precinct, but to the 13th. This isn't indicated on any map that we had. If he had arrived and left there, it could have explained why the Porsche hadn't been noticed near the Sanjo crime scene. So when I heard where he tried to strike, I immediately assumed that he'd use that way again. And you know the rest."
Saitoh blew out a cloud of smoke. "It was a good idea," he finally admitted. "It could have worked. I lost him just after that parking at the limit of the 12th and the 13th, not so far from the first crime scene."
"I'll point the fact to Kondo, Enishi. This explains your disobeying the orders, and I really think that the internal affairs' investigation is too severe in your case. I hope that I can have it cancelled. But why didn't you tell us? With back-up, maybe Misao wouldn't have been attacked," objected Tokio.
"Hey, I wasn't allowed to the briefings with the CD guys. Do you think they would have listened to me anyway? Moreover, it was just a hunch..and a chance to trap the scum. These amateurs don't know how to be discreet."
"I ran after Shishio for some time..more than half an hour. How long did it take you to arrive there?"
"Less than 5 minutes."
"So the other one was there too. Shishio couldn't mug Makimachi," concluded Saitoh.
"Aoshi?"
"It fits what Makimachi told me so far. She followed you, Yukishiro, but you were out of sight, felt a presence behind her back and she was knocked out. She didn't have the time to see anything."
"The other one would be hovering near the murder scene? That's risky..."
"You see, Kitaoka, it's very common for serial killer teams. When they don't kill the victim strictly together, the other one has to feel the excitation too.. Being near the scene is one way to get it."
"But Shishio had alibis for some of the previous crimes, including one prostitute that you all think Seta killed."
"That murder was the one just after we got interested in him. It was a diversion," stated Saitoh.
"And they don't always need to share the killing itself. Playing with the police is as satisfying for the Slayers as killing, considering their latest provocation. The important point is that: the other killer was there..and I think that he's the one who put the body at your place," said Aoshi to Tokio.
"How long to go from this area to your house, by car? 10 minutes?"
Tokio stared blankly at Saitoh for a while. "10, yes, depending on the traffic. You think they could have been together for that?"
"I don't know. For the little that I saw, he was alone in the car, but Shishio could have joined the other later, too."
"I do think that the partner was alone, Saitoh. It was Shishio's turn to kill, and he must have been frustrated not to. If he had had his clutches on Makimachi, she wouldn't be alive, fitting the profile or not. I think that the other killer took her with the body to your house just after he attacked her. Yukishiro, did you notice anything while looking for Makimachi? A car parked in an odd position, somebody waiting inside?" The profiler had recovered his noncommittal attitude towards the other cop.
"No, it would have attracted my attention."
Aoshi turned to Tokio. "You know, the body in your house was a very calculated move. You live in the 13th precinct, and it's where Komagata had to be found. It fits their modus operandi."
"And Makimachi?" she asked.
"I would say he took advantage of the opportunity. Though I can't think of a reason for this, except provocation.."
"Oh, by the way, the precinct inspector called just before you arrived. He'll fax the report, but he said that there was no broken window and no forced entry at your place.."started Sano, shutting up as she paled.
"Moron," growled Saitoh.
"I lost my key..I thought I had lost it.."she murmured.
"When? Where?" asked Enishi, his eyes glittering behind his sunglasses.
She had retrieved her composure when she answered. "On Monday. I don't know when, or where. I realized when I arrived home, luckily I was with Meg.Takani-sensei, and she has a spare one. How stupid, I didn't even think about that yesterday."
"And you didn't change the lock?"
She snapped at Saitoh's accusing tone. "I didn't exactly had the time, lately, in case you didn't notice."
"Where have you been on Monday?" Saitoh couldn't help to be stern. At the idea of the murderer having been close to her, he had to make an effort to control a sudden outburst of restlessness.
"I went to the office, directly..then to Kamiya's for lunch with Makimachi and Yukishiro, and I met Takani-sensei in a restaurant near the office after work. We went to a bar nearby, in front of the City Hall, afterwards. I already called on Tuesday to ask if they found my key holder, but they didn't, and I didn't find it here. And no, I noticed no one suspect near me, and I don't remember somebody bumping into me in the streets.."she added dryly, guessing his next question. "But I left my bag without surveillance on my seat at every place.."
"You don't go anywhere without bodyguards," he ordered, Enishi approving vigorously his opinion.
"Sano and I are going to interrogate the places you've been," announced Tsunan.
"Kamiya's is full of cops, it's unlikely that he went there," remarked Sano.
"I was there too, and I would have noticed," added scornfully Enishi.
"Check it anyway," ordered Saitoh again.
"It could have been some place else, I didn't pay attention," said calmly Tokio. "I'm sorry."
She was used to the idea of the murderer following her, in a sense, she realized as the panic she had felt the night before didn't reappear. She was more furious at herself for not noticing than anything else. That was a miss. It was time that she took control of herself, and the situation, again. She weren't to be ruled by her emotions, and certainly wouldn't let them affect her efficiency at work anymore.
Enishi nodded to her, his eyes conveying his support. She smiled back. He was the first issue that she had to take care of. And she had her idea about it.
"Yukishiro, you can't investigate on this as you're off the case. Thus," she added, indifferently, "I will affect you to Makimachi's protection."
He replaced his sunglasses on his nose, puzzled, before a satisfied glimmer lit his eyes.
"Count on me. Nothing will happen to her again."
"This is still connected to the Slayers case," objected Aoshi, icily.
"After Hijikata reproached us for overloading his subordinates with extra- work, I expect them to be relieved that we won't ask for more personal to ensure her safety," she answered with a little, knowing smile.
Sano laughed. "Well done, boss. I knew you wouldn't let them put Enishi on the shelf like this."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea."
Tokio contained an exasperated sigh. Aoshi wasn't being sensible. It was unlike him again.
"You'd rather ask some precinct cops to look after her?" mused Saitoh, sending a sideway, ironic glance to Shinomori.
He didn't answer, a frustrated light crossing briefly his eyes.
"No way we let these amateurs anywhere around our Misao," stated Tsunan.
"This is my decision, anyway," stressed Tokio, her tone definite. "Now, back to work. I'd like to get your reports about last night, too, so I can present something to Kondo, and have this ridiculous investigation stopped."
To be continued..
Author's notes (err.I'm in a chatty mood, sorry):
1 -If the key problem seems sudden: remember Tokio fixing her spare key at Kamiya's, chapter 14.
Once more I plead guilty (mea culpa, mea maxima culpa) for A/M waffiness. S/T are hot, A/M are cute: I can't get out of this.
Aoshi isn't homophobic, BTW. He just doesn't like to be hugged by unknown persons (chapter 14 again). Saitoh isn't homophobic, either, just moronophobic, yet I can't see him as a full-fledged liberal.
Kamatari starts to present some seriousness. More later (-). New-half: Japanese denomination of transvestites and transsexuals (half: offspring of a Japanese/gaijin couple, by extension, any half-blooded).
2-Thanks:
As always, to FiruzeKhanume and Mara, for their support, encouragements, and comments. L.Sith, than you for your precious grammar check (I'm the only responsible for the mistakes left) and comments! (-)
BTW, I recommend these great stories: L.Sith's "Falling" (Saitoh/Tokio), and FiruzeKhanume's "Of legendary creatures and mystical beasts" and "Moonlight shining over snowfields" (Enishi-centered, but all the RK characters intervene). I think that these stories are more popular than Preys, but once in a while, reminding of their existence can't be a bad thing, in case some new people are looking for a good reading time.
Next chapter: Megumi's presenting the results of the autopsy gives new perspectives on the case. As for Saitoh and Tokio, here's the title of the chapter: "Mayor problems".
See you!
Kamorgana