Wrongfully Accused
Chapter Nine
Quistis tried to suppress a giggle as she watched Zell feign falling asleep. They'd been at the dinner party for almost an hour listening to the senators personal assistant, Gaz Fosman, drone on about the campaign. Quistis' patience was wearing thin. The only reason she was here was to meet the senator but if she'd known he wasn't going to be on time she wouldn't have skipped lunch. 'I'm starving. This guy better turn up soon or I'll start eating the plastic fruit in the centre of the table.'
"So as you can see our policy on employment is going to be a major part of this election. In the next 18 months we plan to help reduce unemployment by 32%."
"In only 18 months? How do you plan on achieving such high numbers in such a short time?" Rinoa asked.
"Well it's quite simple Miss Heartilly. Not only shall we increase funding for employment agencies, but we well also be enforcing stricter laws for welfare. The criteria to be put on social services well be raised so as people will be forced to get jobs."
"But what about those who can't work, like the disabled or the elderly?"
"Selphie, I'm sure the senator and his party have thought of all that." Squall stated in an attempt to calm her down.
"Ha ha, do not worry Miss Tilmitt, allowances will be made for those in extreme circumstances"
'When is this going to end, it's almost 9pm. Where is this guy?'
Everybody turned their attention to the door as the sound of knocking interrupted the senators assistant.
A short, balding man scurried into the room and introduced himself to the nine people at the table, including the wives of the senator and Mr Fosman.
"Oh here it comes, the excuse." Bareta's wife, Patricia, whispered to the rest of the table.
"The what?" Irvine asked
"My husband can never deliver a message personally. He's always sending one of his assistants to make excuses for him."
"My apologies for interrupting ladies and gentlemen, but the senator wishes to inform you that he shan't be attending tonight. He sends his apologies but promises to make it up to you at a later date."
Patricia rolled her eyes. "What a surprise, I guess we'll have to eat dinner without him. Our loss."
"Why can't he be here?" Zell asked before stuffing a bread roll in his mouth.
"I'm afraid there where some minor mishaps at the office today that needed his immediate attention"
"Like his 23yr old secretary." Patricia said under her breath.
" so he is simply tying up some loose ends."
"Ha!" Patricia laughed into her wineglass.
Quistis raised an eyebrow at her reaction before turning her attention to the messenger. She couldn't help but notice the slight irregularities in his body language. His hands, although steady, where crossed in front of his body palms facing inwards, suggesting insincerity. The slight film of perspiration at the top of his forehead was slowly increasing in density and his breathing pace had quickened. All of these things were extremely subtle and would probably have gone unnoticed by normal people, but they all led Quistis to one conclusion. 'He's lying.'
"Well this sucks, we got all dressed up for nothing."
"Irvine!" Selphie grabbed her fork and attempted to stab him in the arm.
"It's true, there's no reason for us to be here if Bareta's a no show, and I don't know about the rest of you guys but I can't wait to get out of this monkey suit."
"Here here." Zell mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"Surely you will stay for the meal won't you?" Mr Fosman asked.
"Of course we will." Squall spoke through gritted teeth. He too wanted to rid himself of his formal wear. 'But not for the same reasons as the other two.' Quistis thought after noticing the apologetic look he gave Rinoa.
"Now where was I? Oh yes, the unemployment issues, as I was saying the current percentage of unemployment"
'This is going to be a long night.'
Seifer tossed and turned on the old leather couch. No matter what position he slept in there was always something keeping him awake. The leather did nothing to help, he was already sweaty and in serious need of a shower, so sticking to the upholstery just increased his discomfort.
"Shit!" 'This is ridiculous, it's gotta be 100 degrees in here!' Standing up he walked over to the kitchen. Seifer felt his way around in the dark until he came to the sink. He splashed his face with water, wincing as the icy liquid stung his neck and chest. He looked down at his bruised chest and sighed. He was crazy for leaving the hospital so soon, but not half as crazy as he would have been if he'd stayed. 'That arsehole did a hell of a job on me, but it'll be nothing compared to what I'll do when I find him.'
The face of his attacker appeared in his mind. Every detail as clear as a picture. Seifer gripped the ends of the counter until his knuckles turned white. Without a moments thought he swung his fist into the nearest wall.
His fist sliced through the plaster, narrowly missing the wooden frame. Gripping his bloodied hand Seifer slowly dropped to his knees, his whole body shaking with rage. A hand rested on his shoulder. With catlike reflexes he spun around and grabbed the potential attacker by the throat. Raijin fought to release himself from Seifer's grip but it was no use. He was like a man possessed.
"Sei.Seifer! It.it's m Raijin!"
The angered look in Seifer's eyes faded into fear as he released his grip and backed himself into a corner.
"Shit. Raijin II."
Raijin fell to his knees as he attempted to breath again. "S..Shit man. WWhat happened to you?"
"I think I'm losing it."
"You think? For the love of hyne, what the hell was goin on in that head of yours?"
"You don't wanna know."
"Try me."
Seifer looked at Raijin, still on his knees clutching his throat. 'I almost tried to kill him, yet still wants to know what happened. I'll never fully understand you Raijin.'
"You remember what happened a few nights ago?"
"When you just disappeared?"
"Yeah, well, you probably already know this, but some fucked up shit was goin on at the Guardian Nightclub and I was stuck in the middle of it."
"You mean you where there? What for?"
"Guess you could say I got a message from an old friend. Said they wanted to talk. Unfortunately for me, talking was the last thing on their minds." Seifer said, referring to his battered body.
"So what happened?"
"I don't really remember much. I remember dead bodies, and someone kicking the crap out of me but then everything's a blank." Ok so that last bit was a lie, but Seifer just wasn't prepared to let all his secrets out in the open. Not yet. "Anyway, when I woke up I was in some sort of military hospital, with round the clock security. From what I could gather from the interrogation sessions, I've been accused of the attack, if that's what it was."
Raijin got to his feet and turned on lights. He walked out of the room, but returned seconds later with a paper in his hand. He threw it on the floor in front of Seifer, who was still on his knees.
The headline read -34 CONFIRMED DEAD IN NIGHTCLUB MASSACRE-
"What?" Seifer read on.
Deling police have confirmed that over thirty people are reported dead in what appears to be a mass murder at Guardian nightclub. Although the motives of the killers are still unclear, the police have ruled out several possibilities, including terrorism, and are certain that the attack was pre-emptive. Police also stated that the leader of the group who attacked the nightclub may not have been targeting the nightclub itself. Even though the majority of the people were killed by minor explosions or machine gun fire a select few in a private back room appeared to have been killed by single shot wounds to the head or chest. Constable Chief Richards made a statement on this new evidence this morning. "We suspect that these people where the targets and the other killings where simply made to cover the offenders tracks...... As of now we are not certain exactly how many people where involved in these horrific slayings but we are currently looking into area's of organised crime. Once the targets have been identified we are certain that we will be able to find some sort of link that will aid us in tracking down the culprits." It has also been reported that a survivor was found at the crime scene and was taken into custody. This individual, who's current location is unknown, is rumoured to be one of the major suspects in this case. The police made no further comments.
"They're talkin bout you, aren't they Seifer."
"I had nothing to do with this."
"You just said you where there."
"Yeah but I didn't kill anybody. You gotta believe me."
"Why should I? The authorities don't."
"Come on Raijin, you know me better than that."
"That's what you said...... before you attacked Garden." A heavy silence fell between the two. Finally Raijin spoke. "Seifer I... I didn't mean it like that..."
"I killed a lot of people that day, I won't deny it. But that was almost a year ago, and Ultimecia......"
"It's ok, I wasn't thinkin when I said that ya know. I do believe you."
"Raijin don't lie for my sake. If...."
"Hey! I said I believe you, and I mean it."
Seifer smiled up at his friend. An act for him that almost never held sincerity, but there's a first time for everything.
"So what are you goin to do now?"
"Don't know, but whatever I do, I gotta be careful. Don't wanna end up back at that fuckin military hospital."
"Which one did they keep you at?"
"Not sure, but it was near Galbadia Garden." Raijin gave Seifer a puzzled look. "What?"
"Seifer, there is no military hospital base near Galbadia Garden."
"........ Huh?"
"The closest one is near Dollet after that, there's nothin till Winhill."
"Impossible."
"I'm certain, don't you remember? Balamb Garden kept accurate records of all Galbadian activity, including construction of Military hospitals."
Seifer once again looked up at his friend in disbelief. 'Shit he's right. What the hell is goin on?'