Wrongfully Accused
Chapter Twelve
Squall placed his head in his hands and sighed. He'd been sitting on the lobby couch for five minutes waiting for the attendant to return. He'd come downstairs to find out information about the woman he'd run into earlier but the attendant had been engaged in a heated discussion with what he assumed was the manager of the hotel. After noticing Squall's presence they had moved into a back room to complete their discussion and had yet to return. 'Whatever she's in trouble for it must be serious.' He'd overheard fragments of the conversation before they'd noticed him. The manager was saying something about his busy schedule and how he shouldn't be disturbed unless he was really needed. However the woman was insisting that someone had harassed her just before but they must've left before either of them had returned. 'Harassed? But that girl wouldn't have?... Would she?'
"This is your last warning, even if she had harassed you it was most likely because she had a reason." The manager snapped as he walked out into the lobby.
"But..."
"Enough! I'm already paying you overtime, get back to work."
The woman nodded obediently before walking back behind the counter. Most people, after noticing how distraught the woman was, would've walked away and left her in peace, but Squall was in no mood to be kind to anyone. Marching up to the woman he waited for her to notice him before he spoke.
"Yes sir, can I help....."
"A woman came into the hotel this morning, just before twelve. Do you recall anybody inquiring about our rooms at that time?"
"Y-your rooms sir?" The woman looked up at his face. "Oh Mr Leonhart my apologies, I didn't recognise you. No, no one has asked about any rooms on your floor."
"Did you see anyone come in about that time?"
"Well yes, a woman did come by around then, a young girl, about your age, perhaps a bit older. She was asking about the bar downstairs, wanted to rent it out. Well, that's what she said."
Squall raised an eyebrow at the woman's comment.
"Were you in the room the entire time she was here?"
The woman began rubbing the back of her neck. It was obvious she did not want to discuss this.
"No, I could not help the young lady with her inquiry, so I went to find the manager." At this point the woman looked like she was about to burst into tears. "But when I returned she was gone... and." She paused to take a deep breath
"And?"
"She'd left this behind." The woman said as she reached behind the counter and pulled out a small knapsack. "I don't know what's in there. I figured she'd come back for it later so I didn't open it."
Squall picked up the bag and examined it closely.
"This girl, what did she look like?"
"Umm, she was average height, long dark brown hair, fair skin...."
"I meant her clothes."
"Oh, well let's see. I can't really remember, but they were very casual clothes. I do remember she was wearing very bizarre bracelet, a sort of....."
"Serpent."
"Yes, that's it. Do you know her?"
"Do you mind if I hold on to this?" Squall asked, holding up the bag.
"I'm sorry sir I'm not allowed."
"You were told to cooperate with us were you not?" Squall mentally kicked himself. He did want to abuse his authoritative powers over the woman but he was running out of patience.
"Oh sir I apologise but....... Will you be returning it to her?"
"Yes." 'Eventually' "Thank you for your help." Squall walked back to the elevator without saying another word.
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The cold night air stung his eye's and throat as he crouched low in the bushes, waiting for the officers to pass. Once he saw their torch lights disappear he swiftly moved from his hiding space and out into the open. Seifer was dressed entirely in black, from his heavy combat boots to the hooded coat that hid his face. Obviously he didn't have his hyperion with him, but Raijin had supplied him with a handgun and an army knife. It wasn't much but he didn't intend on having to fight anyone. At least not tonight.
Quickly he crept around to the side of the building. There were only two entrances into the nightclub, the front door and the staff entrance at the back. Since the front entrance was guarded the back door was his best shot. He sat in the darkness analysing the events in front of him. The police officer only came by every three minutes, giving Seifer just enough time to break in without being seen. Without wasting a second he ran to the door and, using the army knife, cut the wire leading from the door to the internal alarm system. He was able to pick the lock easily enough, but wasn't prepared for what was inside. Seifer slid inside the back room but was greeted by an officer waving a nightstick in his face.
"Don't move sonny, I've had it up to hear with you kids and your pranks."
'He thinks I'm here to vandalise the place. I guess being under 21 has it's advantages.' Seifer grabbed the officers wrist with his left hand, spun around and flipped him over his shoulder. Snatching the nightstick from the officers hands Seifer hit him on the back of the head, knocking him out cold. Soundlessly he moved the now limp body behind piles of empty boxes at the back of the room. He checked the rest of the area for any more surprises. Satisfied that he was now alone Seifer moved on to the next room. He found himself in a hallway filled with markings, most likely where blood had been found. 'So the staff back here were killed too. I shouldn't be surprised, he'd always been careful not to leave behind any witnesses.' He silently ran down the hallway, passing various storage rooms and such before reaching the doorway to the main part of the nightclub. He paused briefly listening for any signs of activity. There shouldn't be anybody in the actual building during the night, but that cop had been there, so there was no telling who else was. He opened the door slightly and peered in. The room was completely dark, no lights at all. Stepping inside he felt his way along the wall making sure not to trip over anything. Even though this is where most of the people had been killed he had no interest in this room. He continued to feel his way around until he came across a door. 'This has to be it.' Again, checking first for any signs of movement, Seifer slowly opened the door and stepped in. By now his eyes had adjusted to the dark allowing him to look over the familiar layout of the room. Everything was just as it was that night, the furniture, the marks on the wall. There was even a small hole in the wall were he'd been thrown up against it. 'I don't get it. Why would they accuse me when I was the one who was attacked? I tried to save those people dammit, not kill them.' He gritted his teeth in anger as memories of that night flooded his mind.
Seifer pulled at his jacket collar in an attempt to keep warm as he strolled through the entrance of the nightclub. The bouncers didn't even try to stop him, they knew what he was capable of. The heat of the room warmed his chilled features as the music surrounded him. He continued to walk through the dancing masses moving aside for no one and receiving many dirty looks because of it. But nobody dared approach him. Even those who did not know him could tell he was trouble, he had an aura about him that said 'do not mess with me'. And Seifer knew it, he was in no mood to deal with anybody. He just wanted to get this over and done with and go home. He walked up to a back room guarded by to two men who's appearances were more threatening than his own.
"Name?" One asked.
"Almasy." He replied, his voice void of all emotion. The man nodded and moved aside to let him in. Seifer walked into the smoke filled room and examined his surroundings. There were three men sitting on the couch each being fawned over by at least one hired woman each. There were another two in the back right corner staring at him as he continued to walk to the center of the room. And then, to his left, sitting in an armchair surrounded by three women of his own was the reason he was there. A man they simply called Seta. He saw Seifer and rose to his feet, pushing the poor girl on his lap to the floor. She looked up angrily at him, but then crawled away. She was paid to be obedient. The two men stared at each other for several minutes, Seifer clutching hyperion tightly the entire time. He had wondered why they hadn't searched him, and now he knew. There was no point. All the men that surrounded him, as intoxicated as they were, were heavily armed and not afraid to put him in his place should he step out of line. It was then he knew that this was not going to turn out the way he'd hoped. No matter what he did, this night was going to end with blood shed.
"You came. I'm impressed. It's seems you've grown a spine in the last two years." Seta noted.
"What do you want?" Seifer growled.
"Whoa, so touchy. Why don't you sit down, have a drink. Vodka?"
".........."
"Perhaps you'd like something a little... smoother." He said, referring to one of the women on the floor. Taking the initiative, she walked up to Seifer and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, bringing her lips to his neck. He took hold of the woman's neck and pushed her away. She squealed in annoyance before sauntering back behind her 'master' who simply chuckled at her actions. Seifer snarled at him, his eyes narrowing to slits. He detested the man before him, he'd like nothing more than to run the blade of his hyperion through Seta's chest, but he didn't dare. Not now.
"You are wondering why you are here no?" Seta walked over to a table and poured himself a drink. Seifer said nothing. "Seifer, I know that we have not had the best history together. One might even go as far as to call us enemies."
Seifer smirked at his comment. "Might?"
"What I am trying to say is, I wish to mend the rift between us."
"What are you up to?"
"I just said......"
"Cut the bullshit. What do you really want?"
"You accuse me of being here for a dishonorable cause?"
"........"
"Then why, may I ask, are you here?"
"To stop whatever it is that you plan to do." At this, laughter erupted throughout the room.
"I don't believe it. Seifer Almasy, turned decent. This is rich." Seta lit a cigarette as he walked over to Seifer. "Well, since you're being so honest, I shall be too." He paused to blow smoke in Seifer's face, unfased by his blank expression. "You had me put away for a long time my friend. A very long time. I've simply wish to repay the favour."
Something in Seta's voice set off an alarm Seifer's head. He dodged the fist aimed for his stomach just in time and reached for his gunblade. One of the men tried to get Seifer in a headlock from behind, but Seifer elbowed him the stomach then spun around and kicked him in the head sending him flying across the room. With hyperion unsheathed he took up a fighting stance and glared at the men before him. The first pulled a gun from his jacket and aimed it at Seifer's head. Without a second thought Seifer moved in and sliced the man's chest before using his left hand to punch the second man in the jaw. The next two reached for their guns but Seifer spun his leg out and knocked one off his feet then brought the blade of his hyperion just below the fourth man's chin.
"Impressive." Seta sneered. Seifer knocked the man unconscious with a blow to the back of his head, before turning around to face Seta. He held one of the women against his chest and aimed the barrel of a gun at her head. Seifer pointed the end of the gunblade at his target, as he usually did before he attacked.
"Don't be so hasty my friend. One false move and this dear child will meet an unfortunate end." The girl cried out hysterically as Seta pressed the end of the gun against her forehead.
Seifer's expression remained unfased. "Let the girl go, this is between you and me. Don't get her involved."
"Oh but she is involved. If I can cause you suffering by ending her life, then this night wouldn't have been a complete failure."
Inwardly, Seifer winced. He had to find a way of getting the girls out of there. Suddenly an angry scream came from the corner of the room. The woman that was offered to Seifer threw herself at Seta. She pushed him to the ground and began clawing at his face, at the same time yelling at her friends to run. Seifer ran forward to help the woman but an explosion from the other side of the door shook the room forcing him off his feet. Screams could be heard followed by a series of gunshots. Seizing the opportunity Seta slapped the woman then threw her against the wall. She struggled to get to her feet but Seta pushed her to the floor. She screamed as he pulled a knife from his jacket and plunged it into her chest.
"You BASTARD!!" Seifer screamed as he got to his feet, but was knocked back down again by another force. The two men guarding the room had come inside and were now binding Seifer's hands behind his back. He struggled to break free but it was no use. Seta walked over, wiping the blood from his lower lip with his hand. He slowly bent down on one knee before roughly grabbing Seifer by the chin to look him in the face. "Well, what do you think?"
"Of what?"
"Of this." He said, referring to the screams coming from the main area. "It's a little over the top for a simple assassination but....."
"Assassination?"
"You don't have a clue do you Seifer? And here I thought you were a worthy adversary."
"You sick bastard!!" Seta stood up and kicked Seifer forcefully on the shoulder. He continued to beat him until blood started to pour from his mouth.
"Why?" Seifer stammered.
"Why what?!?" Seta snapped.
"Why do all this? Why draw so much attention to yourself? Why not just kill me?"
At this Seta laughed. "Seifer my friend, death is a blessing. I want you to suffer."
Seifer cringed at the memories, but didn't lose his cool. He continued to search the room. It may have seemed to be a futile attempt, the police would have collect all the evidence days ago, but there was one piece of evidence he'd hoped they'd missed.
Seifer, weakened by the beatings, looked over at Seta as he lit another cigarette.
"Do not worry, this will be over soon. I have no doubt that the police will be here any second. But I'm afraid I will be long gone." Seta closed the gold cigarette case and placed it on the table behind him. He didn't see or hear it fall off the table. Seifer watched as it landed half hidden underneath the couch.
Seifer found the couch he was looking for and bent down to look underneath it. He extended a gloved hand underneath the piece of furniture to feel around for the fallen object. He grinned to himself as he felt his fingers come in contact with a small metal object. Quickly he pulled it out to examine it. Seifer stared down at it's tacky gold design and quietly laughed to himself. It wasn't everything he needed to clear his name, but it was a start.
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Damn, this chapter was a real pain to write. I'm not good with action sequences which is why I usually have to get Spaz to write them for me, but I haven't been able to get in contact with her recently so.......... Argh! You get the point. I hope it made sense.
Also, I don't know much about crime scenes so I kept the details pretty vague, but I have a friend of a friend...etc who does that kind of work so I'll probably repost this chappie when I get my facts straightened out.