AN: I don't know whether to thank you for the reviews or say sorry for doing that to Melinda. I knew you guys were going to attack me for making John Doe kill her.

Things you should know:

"Someone talking"

Someone's thoughts

~*~*~ Changing to someone else's Point of View (You will be told whose point of view). When I am changing the setting of the story and that doesn't appear, it means it is still the same point of view from the previous setting.

[Author's Notes]

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Clamp but the plot is mine and any new characters are mine.

Murdering Angel

Chapter Fifteen

(Sakura's P.O.V: One week later: Friday Morning: PI Office)

Everything seemed so unreal. The light. The color.

My life.

I was lying on the couch in my office, just dazing at everything in my office.

None of it seemed real.

Why would anyone want to kill that poor little girl? Little Melinda? She wasn't immune to death, but neither was she destined to die so soon. An eight year old who was so mature didn't deserve to die so soon. I'm surprised I haven't died yet due to the pain I feel. It hurts so much. It feels as if the pain I felt when Father and Kita were merged together.

A bullet in the stomach is what killed her, the letters JD were carved just above the bullet hole. That's what Eriol had informed me after I asked him how she died.

And that's how she died in my dream. But why didn't I get to hold her like in the dream? I was holding her, crying that I now lost her. Why didn't I do that in real life?

Maybe because in my subconscious, some sixth sense, I already knew I would lose her. Maybe my dream was just telling me that I would lose her, and it was letting me cry my sorrow in my dream while I held her because it knew I wouldn't be able to hold her in real life.

And maybe there is no reason why I didn't get to hold her. That isn't really important, is it?

Nothing in my life is important right now. Except Syaoran. Syaoran is the only reason why I haven't gone and committed suicide, which is what I want to do. Knowing that he would return soon, although I don't know when, is what's keeping me alive. If I was going through this alone, I would have killed myself a long time ago. But I have Syaoran. How can I tell him that Melinda is dead? He so believed that we would find her. He believed that she would be alive. How can I destroy his hope? How?

So many questions . . . it's hurting my head. I can't think, can't eat . . . can't do anything except cry.

And wishing that John Doe was here so I can kill him. Is it Bennett? Fingerprints matched, yes. But then, why would he make us go on a wild goose chase if he was John Doe?

Well duh, he wanted us not to suspect him. But he has no motive. None whatsoever. Fingerprints aren't enough in order to get him in court. It's enough to arrest him, though. But he isn't around. He's been gone for over week, and no one knows where he went.

Groaning with sorrow, I bury my head in the cushion, trying to stop myself from crying. I haven't done anything except cry since Melinda's death. Not exactly a good sign when you're trying to find a serial killer, but I couldn't help it. To go through this again, for a third time, is not fair. I was raped; I lost my mother, my father, and Kita. And now I lose Melinda? How many bad things could happen to one person?

My face is wet with my tears, which I couldn't stop. I want to wipe them away, but what good would that do? It won't wipe my sorrow away, or my anger.

I suddenly feel a hand on my back, moving up and down soothingly. I look up and over my shoulder.

"Syaoran?" I croaked.

He was there, hair messier than usual, and an expression of confusion. "No one is telling me anything" he said softly. "They said you would tell me. Why are you crying? Why is everyone so . . ."

"So quiet and wary?" I whisper.

He nodded.

My lip shook. "Because they feel my pain." I bowed my head, placing my forehead on my arm. "Melinda . . . Melinda was . . ."

I couldn't say it, didn't want to say it. But I had to. "She was found . . . dead" I whispered, closing my eyes hard. "Eriol found her and . . . and she wasn't alive anymore."

The hand on my back suddenly stopped, before it disappeared. I wasn't looking at him, but I knew he was now standing up. Was he going to pace? Was he-?

I jumped when I heard the crash. I looked up quickly and saw pieces of my lamp now sitting on the floor. I looked at him and he stood there looking at the lamp, face filled with anguish. He looked at me and rushed to kneel in front of me as I sat on the couch. He took hold of my forearms.

"Please tell me it isn't true" he said, begging me to tell him that everything I told him was nothing more than a lie. "Please tell me it's not true!"

"I wish I could" I say as I raised my hand ran my hand over his forehead, moving aside his bangs. "But I can't. I'm so sorry, but I can't."

He was breathing hard, looking at me. He suddenly let me go and hit my other lamp, sending it crashing to the same wall he had thrown my other lamp to. I didn't care about the lamps. But I cared about Syaoran and I was worried as he began to send everything on my desk to the wall or to the floor.

"Please, Syaoran!" I got up and ran to him grabbing his hand before he threw my nameplate to my computer. My tears were falling fast, my vision blurred. But Syaoran's anger and pain was clear. "Please, don't! Stop! This won't do any good!"

He stared at my face and slowly placed my nameplate down.

"I'm sorry" he said softly. Then he lost control and hugged me to him. I wrapped my arms around him, giving him the comfort he needed as he shook with sobs. "I'm so sorry" he whispered again as I felt his tears on my neck.

"It's okay, it's okay" I say, my voice thick. "Don't be sorry. Be mad. Be sad. I don't care. But don't be sorry for losing control, okay?"

I felt him nod a little, and I continued to hold him as he grieved for the little girl we had loved.

~*~*~ (Third person P.O.V: Tomoyo)

Tomoyo closed her eyes, knowing they were crying. She had turned on the intercom to tell Sakura if she wanted coffee, only to hear them crying. Tomoyo turned in her chair when she heard footsteps. She stood up abruptly.

"God, I was getting worried about you" she said as she moved around her desk in order to hug Eriol.

"How are they?" He asked as he hugged her.

"Not good. Li just came back after having to arrange Numi's funeral. I think Sakura just told Syaoran about Melinda."

Eriol sighed. "I know everybody is telling me not to blame myself, and I know that I couldn't stop taking showers until they came and picked her up. But it's hard, you know? You guys weren't there, you guys didn't see how she looked, and none of you had seen how bloody it was. No matter how many times I try to justify what happened, nothing will erase my guilt. Nothing."

Tomoyo said nothing, but merely hugged him to reassure him that she didn't blame him. That it wasn't his fault Melinda was murdered.

The only one to blame is John Doe, she thought angrily. I hope they get that bastard.

(Kiyo)

Kiyo stretched on his couch at his house. He had read about Ling's murder in the newspaper. He didn't know how he should feel about her death, but, truth be told, he could care less. She's gone. He can't do anything about it.

He got up when he heard the doorbell ring. He casually walked to the door; there was no need to hurry. He opened it, and he blinked.

"What do you want?"

"Surprised?"

"A little. You don't usually come to my house, rather I got to you. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to scare you."

"How will you- Whoa!" Kiyo raised his hands and backed away when his visitor took out a gun and pointed it at him. "What the hell do you think you are doing?!"

"You're going to be my hostage. If you don't do as I say, I'll kill you right here, right now."

Kiyo stood there, motionless.

"Now, I want you take me to your car, and I want you to take me to a very familiar place."

"What familiar place?"

"To a place where a certain Kinomoto Fujitaka was killed."

Kiyo stared at the visitor, speechless.

"That's right; I want you to take us where you, and I, had killed our very first victim."

~*~*~ (First Person P.O.V: Syaoran)

Now I know how Sakura felt when she lost her maid and father. I've never felt this pain; maybe when I was a three-year old and I had lost my father, but I don't remember it. But I can remember this pain because I am living it. It hurts. A lot. Almost as if someone had took a knife and stabbed me over and over again in my heart. I'm tired, but this pain doesn't care. It doesn't care that I had barely arrived from the airport, it doesn't care that it is making my heart ache. It doesn't care. Should I care? I don't know anymore. For someone who is a PI, someone who has made his living solving crimes and knowing exactly what to do, I have never felt so lost than what I do now. I just don't know what to do.

"I don't think she suffered" Sakura whispered next to me on the couch. We were both now lying on it, just staring at nothing.

"Did you ask Hiiragazawa?"

"Yeah, but he didn't want to say. I guess he doesn't want to recall all the details."

We were silent once more.

"How was the funeral?" She asked a few minutes later.

"Sad. People were mourning, which surprised me."

What surprised me the most, though, was the mother showing up. She looked genuinely sad, but I'll never know if she showed up in order to mourn her daughter, or to not let the people know that she disowned her.

"Did you mourn?"

I sighed. "No. I couldn't because it would have been false. I didn't wish her ill, but neither could I falsely mourn her."

"Oh."

Again, silence.

I sighed again. "We have to talk about what we did Saturday night."

She didn't answer for a moment. "Do you regret it?"

"Hell no!" I was quick to answer. I turn so I can face her on the couch before I cupped her cheek. She looked at me with a solemn expression, sadness from Melinda's death and fear that what we did was nothing but a mistake to me. "I don't regret it. I never will."

I wanted to tell her I love her. But this wasn't the time. It was pretty ironic that even though we made love, I still won't tell her how I feel. It would be different if Melinda hadn't been killed, but it feels so wrong for me to tell her how I feel at this time. My confession would have to wait until we have both moved on from this grief.

"I don't regret it either" she whispered softly. "I'm just sorry that when we made love, it was on the same night Melinda was murdered. I shouldn't have made you-"

"You didn't make me" I said firmly.

"If I just kept my mouth shut-"

"Sakura, you didn't pressure me into making love to you. The only reason why I resisted was because the only guy you were with was Tsuchida, and even then it wasn't really a special experience. I was just scared that I would hurt you the way he did."

"But you didn't."

I look into her emerald eyes and hugged her tight.

"We'll get through this" I whispered. "We're both strong, and just know that Melinda is now someplace better, and we don't have to worry about her being in danger anymore."

We stayed like that for who knows how long when the door to her office opened. I released her and sat up along with Sakura.

"Sakura" Daidouji began "Bennett just came."

I was confused at first, not knowing why Daidouji thought it was important for Sakura to know Bennett was here, but then I remembered the fingerprints.

"He hasn't been around?" I asked.

"No. We weren't able to find him" Sakura said as we both got off the couch.

"Are you going to question him?" Daidouji asked.

I looked at Sakura. "You're call" I said.

Sakura looked at me. "Let's go and question him."

(Interrogation room)

We stared at our boss across the table. He just stared back. I looked for signs of nervousness, but he gave nothing away. He was calm, controlled. I didn't like that.

"This is nothing but a waste of time" he finally spoke. His voice was toneless and his eyes were hooded.

"We don't really think so" Sakura said as she threw a folder on the desk. Bennett glanced at it.

"What is that?"

"Data from CSI. While looking around Matsumono's home, we found fingerprints on a soda can. Guess who those fingerprints are?"

Bennett's eyebrows rose. "You can't possibly think they're mine."

"Look through them if you want. But remember, this CSI is trustworthy and that's why we work with them. They never make mistakes."

Bennett ran a hand through his hair; that means he is nervous now.

"How did those fingerprints end up in his house, Bennett?" I asked.

He glared at me. "I don't know" he growled.

"And where have you been? You've been gone for over a week."

"Yes, I have been. I went to visit my mother."

That was a lie. I knew it was. "The first time I met you" I started out "you told me your mother was dead."

He cursed. "I didn't think you would remember that" he grumbled.

"Well I do. Where have you been?"

"That is irrelevant to-"

"You're avoiding the question."

"Damn it you don't-"

"Melinda was murdered" Sakura growled. "That little eight-year-old is dead because John Doe kidnapped her during the time you were gone. Bennett, I'm hurting, I'm mad, and I want answers. Where have you been?!"

"With Sue!"

The room became silenced. "Sue?" Sakura questioned.

Bennett crossed his arms. "Huang Sue."

That name seemed awfully familiar.

"That woman we talked to?" I asked when I turned to look at Sakura.

"That woman who totally ignored me and dazed at you?" Sakura asked in return as she returned the look.

We looked at each other, and then looked at Bennett. "Are you sleeping with her?" We asked in unison.

He sighed with disdain. "Yes."

"For how long?" I asked slowly. I didn't feel it was a coincidence that he was sleeping with one of the victim's wives.

"About a year."

"An affair then." I knew what it felt like to be cheated on, so I couldn't help but show my disdain towards what he and Huang were doing behind her husband's back before he was killed.

Bennett ran a hand through his hair again. "She and I were best friends since we were little. I eventually fell in love, but I didn't realize it until after she was married. But then she said she had feelings towards me and . . . well, you get the picture." He looked at us before frowning. "How was I supposed to know her husband would be murdered?! And how was I supposed to know you two would go on and question her?"

I didn't mention that I had the distinct feeling that Huang would have immediately jumped to the chance of going out with me if I had asked. I had recognized that look she was giving me when we were questioning her, and, I might be arrogant by saying this, but she looked like she had the hots for me.

"Okay, so maybe you have an alibi for the time you have been gone, but that still doesn't explain how you're fingerprints ended up in Matsumono's house" Sakura stated.

"I don't know how they ended up in his house, but I sure as hell was never in there."

We looked towards the door as Hiiragazawa opened it. "May I talk to you two?"

Sakura and I looked at each other before standing up.

"Don't go anywhere" I say to Bennett as we left the room.

"What's up?" Sakura asked once we were out of the room.

Hiiragazawa looked at us with a grim expression. "CSI just called me about Melinda."

Sakura stiffened next to me, and I took hold of her hand, giving her reassurance.

"A kid had accidentally got stuck in a storm drain and when the police took him out, they spotted something reflecting light. They had identified it as a gun. It was hidden so well they never would have spotted it if it wasn't for the kid saying that he had dropped his dad's expensive watch in there and that's why he had gotten stuck in the first place. When the police found the watch, the gun was partially covered in a blanket sitting next to it." He sighed. "A ballistics test showed that the bullets in the gun match the bullet found in Melinda."

~*~*~ (Sakura)

I took in a hiss of breathe.

"Where's the gun?" I ask hoarsely.

"In the lab" Eriol answered, looking a bit regretful. "Maybe I should have just told-" He paused when he looked at Syaoran, who was pale and looked like the news just made him age ten years.

"I want to see it" I say, my voice a little shaky.

"Sakura-"

"We both want to see it" Syaoran said, his voice stating that he shouldn't be denied.

Eriol sighed, looking at us ruefully. "Fine, then. Tell Allen, the director of the lab, that I sent you."

**

I looked into the microscope, not believing that they matched.

"You've got to be kidding me" I whispered as I pulled back to look at Syaoran. "A kid dropping his dad's watch in a storm drain is what gets us the gun that killed Melinda? This is a miracle."

"Not to mention that this almost killed Mihara Chiharu."

I looked at Allen sharply. He was an attractive man, with dark hair and eyes that almost looked violet, which told me they were contacts. He wore a white lab coat and a nametag stating his name and his employee ID number. "What are you talking about?"

"The gun. I tested it with the bullet extracted from Mihara. It matches too."

"John Doe is stupid to do this. It's dumb for him to just dump the gun in a storm drain."

"Not unless he didn't plan for anyone to find it" Syaoran muttered.

Allen nodded in agreement. "The gun was found in the worst part of Tomoeda, in a neighborhood that people consider scary because bums and gangsters hang out there. No way would an officer or anybody check in a storm drain in that place."

"And he probably thought that we wouldn't think he would hide the gun in a storm drain in the first place" I added with a growl.

"John Doe doesn't specialize in guns" Syaoran said with a frown. "He usually uses ropes to strangle or a knife to stab."

"With Chiharu, he couldn't get close enough to wound her at the party, so maybe he thought a gun would get the job done at a safe distance" I stated.

"And Melinda?"

I stayed with that one, because I truly do not know.

"The bullet entered her heart, making her death swift" Allen spoke up. "I don't think John Doe wanted her to suffer, or to feel pain, so that's most likely why he decided to kill her with a gun."

"But why?" I ask softly, almost in a whisper. "John Doe has killed fourteen people before killing Melinda. Why did he suddenly decide to go a bit soft on Melinda?"

"Because she was a child." Allen looked highly confident with that answer. "It's true that murderers don't really care if their victims suffer no matter if it is a child or an adult. But there are some who just can't stand to see a child suffer, even though they killed many adults who had suffered. John Doe has never killed a child since his killing spree; Melinda was his first. I don't think he wanted to see his first young victim suffer."

"'His first young victim'" I repeated. "Are you indicating he might kill more young children?"

"He got through killing his first child. I believe it will come easily now to kill more. And soon, a child would be like killing an adult to him. Their ages won't make a difference."

"We have to stop him" I said. "Before he starts killing more children. Allen, may I see the gun?"

"Sure thing." He got off the stool he had been sitting on and left the lab.

"Okay, let's think about this: Bennett has an alibi, or so he says."

"We're going to have to check that out" Syaoran muttered.

"It doesn't matter, though. His fingerprints were at the scene. But let's say he didn't do it, say he is innocent as he claims. How did his fingerprints end up in the scene?"

I look at him, a frown on his face, as he thought about it. But then it hit me.

"He was framed" I whispered. "He was framed" I say louder. That made the most sense since finding out that Bennett's fingerprints were a match. Bennett just doesn't have the time to be going out and killing people, and even if he did, a clue would have bound to be picked up sooner by one of the PI's in the building.

"Then how did John Doe get his fingerprints?"

"He could have been watching him drink the can before he went and took it only to place it at the crime scene."

"Here's the gun" Allen announced as he came back into the lab. Putting gloves on, I took hold of the gun and examined it.

"Fingerprints?" I ask.

"There are no prints on that gun. Either he used gloves, or he wiped the gun before disposing it."

"I've seen this gun before" I say, my eyes peering at the weapon.

"From where?" Syaoran asked me.

"I don't know, but I've seen it somewhere." I examined it more closely and saw two initials engraved into the handle of the gun. "M.A." I read out loud. I looked at Syaoran. "No one we know have those initials."

"None of our suspects have those initials either" he said.

Biting my lower lip, I handed it back to Allen. "Did someone take pictures of the gun?"

"Yup."

"I want them on my desk in my office by tomorrow."

"Will do" Allen said as he took the gun and went to put it back.

I turn to Syaoran. "I have a feeling that John Doe had this gun for quite a while before deciding to get rid of it."

"Are you sure you've seen that gun before?" Syaoran asked.

"Positive. That gun is not common, in fact it is rare that people have to buy it overseas because it isn't made here in Japan. I've seen it, but I have no idea where!"

"It'll come to you. In time."

"But time is something we don't have, and I want to know where I've seen that gun before!" I give him a confident look. "I have feeling, Syaoran, that once I remember where I have seen that gun before, then I will know who John Doe is."

(Next Day)

I stare at the pictures with great concentration, trying hard to remember where I saw it. Every time I try to recall a memory that involved this gun, I would hit a mental wall. The memory was just over the wall; I just needed a way to climb over it. I stand up and begin to pace.

"Okay, where have I seen it . . . where have I seen it" I mumbled that same sentence over and over again as I moved around my office. The answer to whom this gun belonged to seemed obvious, but at the same time hard to grasp. Mumbling that sentence wouldn't help, but it gave noise to my silent office so I didn't stop repeating it.

And I was still doing that ten minutes later when my phone rang. Stopping my pacing, I walked over to my desk.

"Kinomoto Sakura" I answer.

"Help me Sakura, help me."

I froze. "Kiyo?" I whispered. He was whispering, but I could hear pain.

"It hurts" he whimpered. "Come and help me."

"Why? Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere."

"Kiyo, who is hurting you?"

He didn't answer, but I can hear him sniffling.

"Kiyo?" I say, using a cajoling tone.

"I can't reveal the true name or I'll die . . ."

"Kiyo, I am starting to think this is some stupid prank of yours-"

"It's John Doe!" He cried.

I sucked in a deep breath.

"Where are you?" I demanded.

"At Little- No! I don't want anymore muffins!" He suddenly cried. "Please leave me alone!"

The phone went dead. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I slowly lowered the phone back on its cradle. I sat down on my desk and stared at the phone, shocked. Kiyo was with John Doe. And Kiyo was about to tell me where they are at. Kiyo's call brought me so close to nabbing John Doe, but now that opportunity is gone.

No! You can figure this out, Sakura! Think about all those kids who might die because you gave up so easily!

"Right" I whisper as I stood up and began to pace again. Kiyo was about to reveal a place, but what place? My only clue was that it starts with 'Little', but many places names start with Little.

At Little- No! I don't want anymore muffins!

At Little- I don't want anymore muffins!

Muffins? Why would Kiyo say that?, I thought. John Doe wouldn't give his victim's muffins . . . would he?

Crossing my arms, I look down at the ground, staring at the reddish carpet under my shoes. I loved this carpet. It was soft and didn't get ruined when I walk in here with my shoes. The factory that made it-

At Little-

Anymore muffins!

The factory that made it-

Little Muffin's Factory! That's what Kiyo was going to say!

"No" I whisper, knowing exactly where that was. Little Muffin's Factory was over the same ground that my father was killed. Am I brave enough to return to same grounds my father was killed, even though that Little Muffin's Factory was built on that spot? I had gone to those grounds; a few weeks after my father was killed Kita told me that I should go to where my father was killed to help me through my grieving process. I had never returned because I couldn't look at the place where my father lost his life.

But now I had to go back. No question about it.

Grabbing my gun and car keys, and left the office in a run.

"S-Sakura!" I turned around when I heard Tomoyo call me. She looked at me with confusion. "Where are you going?"

I walked up to her desk. "I think I know where John Doe is, but I have to go now!"

"Wait! What do I tell Li? He'll surely ask where you went if you aren't in your office."

"Right, he will." I bit my lip. Syaoran had told me never to go someplace by myself where it might be dangerous, the way I did when I found Kobyashi and Tokumatsu. And a normal person would do the safe thing and ask him, or someone else, to go with them as backup.

But I can't ask him. I have gone after John Doe for much longer than Syaoran, and John Doe almost killed Chiharu before murdering Melinda. If I brought him with me and we indeed find John Doe there, then he would want to arrest him. That won't be enough for me.

I want John Doe dead.

And I'm going to kill him.

"Just tell him . . . Just tell him that . . . That I have to go back." Then I ran away from the desk before she could ask for an elaboration.

(Little Muffin's Factory: Twenty Minutes Later)

I looked at the new factory resting over the ground. It was built just last year, it's purpose being to make muffins, but it still looked new. A sign at the door told me that it would be closed for the day. I couldn't believe that John Doe decided to bring Kiyo here, of all places. Slowly, I opened the large door and peered inside. It was dark, but there was enough light pouring through partially closed windows that allowed me to see the silhouettes of the machines which were used to make muffins. With a deep breathe and a pounding heart, I entered.

The door slammed shut behind me, and I winced at the loud sound it produced. I cursed that I didn't close it softly, knowing that John Doe now knows someone is here.

Taking out my gun, I held it in my hands as I walked forward, determined to find them. This wasn't a large factory so I knew I would find them in no time.

"You came."

I spun around and pointed my gun.

"Kiyo?" I gasp. He seemed perfectly fine, not having a bruise or injury anywhere.

And he had a smirk.

"I knew you would come. You were always able to figure out things. You have a knack for it."

"What's going on?" I demanded.

"Come now, Kinomoto, I thought you have figured it out by now."

I spun around again as a new but very familiar voice spoke up. My eyes widened.

"You and Li were coming much to close to finding me, especially after Kiyo had decided to shoot the brat I kidnapped."

Eyes widening more, I glance at Kiyo, who merely shrugged at the person's comment.

"I knew the only way to protect my secret was by killing you and Li, starting with you. You just have to die today before you go off and tell everybody about my little secret. Just think of the headlines that are bound to appear tomorrow: Famous Kinomoto Sakura dies by the hand of the infamous . . ." A smirk appeared on the face ". . . John Doe."

AN: Okay, next chapter reveals who John Doe is. I'll upload the next chapter as soon as I can, after I make corrections to it, of course. Spelling and grammar and stuff like that have to be checked. Review, please!