Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, why would you think that!? I do however own Mina
Here we are yet another day, not feeling too bad as my technology exam was fine, just have to do physics next week and I'm free…
Yami deoki: oh will you give over! I have to write the next chapter while it's still fresh in my head!
Deoki: don't you insult me! And what you're doing in this chapter is horrible!
Yami deoki: I know…it's great isn't it?
Deoki: whatever, just don't mess up
Yami deoki: no need to worry about that…once again I'd like to say thank you to HieiJaganshiAlways for your review, it was very much appreciated and I'll update as soon as I can. Enjoy
Twisted Deceit
… … …
Chapter 4 – Aftershocks and Alibis
The journey to the police station was a quiet one for everybody. The guys in the limo were in a complete state of shock and disbelief, they didn't want it to be true, there had to be something wrong with what Joey said. At least they actually knew something unlike the girls. Mina just drove silently and tried to fight back the tears gathering around her eyes, even she was trying to convince herself that it couldn't be true, even about how Téa was involved, that was just as big a shock. Serenity was nearly in a state of panic on the backseat while Mai was trying to calm her down. The girls were closer to the police station than the guys and therefore arrived first and nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to face…
Mina got out of the car first and went to get Serenity out of the back
"Something's happened to Tristan hasn't it? Tell me!" cried Serenity
"Joey's inside with Ishizu, they're going to tell us everything, please calm down!"
Mina had linked her arm with Serenity on the left and Mai did the same on the right and they all walked into the station together. When they entered the main lobby Joey was waiting for them on a chair in the corner. When Serenity saw him, she threw herself on him and sobbed into his chest
"Oh Joey what's happened? It's Tristan isn't it!" shouted Serenity
"I'm afraid so…did you tell them?" he asked Mina
Mina didn't answer and just shook her head
"I think you two should sit down or something"
"What happened to him?" asked Mai as she sat down beside Serenity
"When I drove over to your place today to see if Tristan was home, I saw Ishizu outside it with a load of officers and they told me that they were called out by your neighbour who thought she heard gun shots…and of course when they went out…" Joey could barely continue, the anger and sadness in his voice was almost overwhelming, but he somehow managed to continue, "When they went out and into the house…they found Tristan lying in your bedroom…dead with 2 bullet wounds in his chest"
Time almost seemed to stop for Serenity; it was almost as if she had stopped moving. Serenity sat for a few seconds without realising what was happening, but her emotions quickly caught up with her and she broke down in Joey's arms. Even Mai couldn't help but cry, but Mina still somehow found the strength to fight her own tears, every ounce of acting talent she had was being put to the test to not let herself break down. She always believed in being the strong one, it was natural to her; after all, she did grow up with Seto.
"There's something else…"
Mina cut Joey off, "she doesn't need to know that right now until we know all the facts…speaking of which, where's Ishizu?"
"I'm right here. I know that this isn't exactly a good day out, but unfortunately this investigation has to be carried out"
"I know…Ishizu, can I speak to you for a moment…alone?" asked Mina
"Of course"
Mina followed Ishizu into the next corridor to find out more about what happened
"Is it true what Joey said about Téa?"
"It depends on what it was that Joey told you" answered Ishizu
"He never said much, but he said enough for me understand the situation…"
Mina continued talking to Ishizu about what she had been told by Joey, and Ishizu confirmed her suspicions. Mina now appeared to be angrier than she was upset; however, she didn't get a chance to say anything more as the sound of voices in the lobby got louder indicating that the rest of the guys had just arrived. Mina and Ishizu left the corridor as she had to address everyone together.
"Everyone please listen!" everyone turned around to look at Ishizu, "this lobby isn't exactly ideal to discuss the situation, therefore could you all follow me to the waiting room; it'll be big enough for everyone"
Everyone followed Ishizu to the waiting room, by this stage Mina had joined the others and now had her arm around Mokuba as it was obvious that even he took the news of Tristan's death very hard.
When everyone entered the room, they noticed that it was set up with various drinks and snacks on the table
"I've left you some things to eat and drink as you may be here for a while, but if you want anything else, there are vending machines at the end of the hall and I must ask you not to leave the building" announced Ishizu
Joey sat down next to Serenity with her head resting on his shoulder and an arm wrapped around her, while he held Mai's hand with the other. Yugi and Duke sat opposite them while Ryou was preoccupied with making a cup of tea. Seto and Mina however didn't sit down; Seto leaned against the wall in his usual manner with his arms folded while Mina leaned against the wall beside him with her arms wrapped around Mokuba.
"I'm sure you're all aware as to why you're here. I know this is going to be hard on all of you, even I'm trying my best to stay focused on my work, after all, Tristan was a very good friend to all of us…"
"Maybe not as good as we all thought" Mina muttered under her breath
"What?" asked Seto
"Never mind…you'll find out later"
Ishizu continued, "All we are going to be doing today is taking a statement from all of you, that's all"
"Why?" asked Ryou
"Because they think that one of us did it and they're going to compare stories to see if anyone is lying, they may even ask for a motive" remarked Seto
"What's wrong Kaiba, think they're gonna find you out? Everyone knows that you and Tristan didn't exactly see eye to eye" smirked Duke
"Keep your opinions to yourself dice boy! Or I'll see to it that you lose an eye!"
"Is that a threat rich boy?"
"Would you like it to be?"
"Alright that's enough!!!" shouted Ishizu, "remember that you're in a police station and if you don't calm down I'll throw you both in a cell for the night!"
Seto and Duke didn't say anything else; they just gave each other an evil stare and then looked away again.
"Allen will be here if you need anything and you'll be questioned by myself and my boss…so please behave yourself when we're taking your statement!" pleaded Ishizu as she looked between Duke and Seto, "You'll be seen in alphabetical order, so Ryou, you're first…come with me please"
Ryou slowly got up from his seat and walked toward the door.
"Don't look so worried, this isn't an interrogation, I'll be right there" Ishizu softly said as she smiled at him
"Before you go, Ishizu" interrupted Yugi, "I couldn't help but notice that Téa isn't here with us, why is that?"
"She is here in the building, she was here before all of you were and we already spoke to her. At the moment she is still talking with one of our counsellors…"
"Will she be joining us?" continued Yugi
"Given the current circumstances…it's not likely. Let's just say that it could make a bad situation worse"
"That's an understatement" commented Mina
"Ishizu's right Mina, don't bring that up, let's just deal with one thing at a time…" Joey started
She cut him off, "but that could affect motive…especially if someone knew… and you wanted to tell her earlier" remarked Mina as she raised an eyebrow
"And if I'm not too much mistaken, you stopped me! And just what are you implying?"
"I didn't imply anything. I merely pointed out that anyone could have used this situation to their own advantage"
"DON'T YOU PEOPLE EVER GIVE IT A REST!" cried Serenity, "TRISTAN'S BEEN MURDERED FOR GOD SAKE AND ALL YOU LOT WORRY ABOUT IS YOUR STUPID LITTLE CONSPIRACIES!" she shouted as she ran out the door and into the bathroom
"I'll go and get her, I have to go to the toilet anyway; but you two had better calm down before I bring her back!" scolded Mai
"You're right, we're all just uptight at the moment, I'm sorry" apologised Mina
"And I'm sorry too, it was just a very unexpected thing to hear right now" stated Joey as he hugged Mina
"That's more like it" Mai remarked, "You can argue all you want elsewhere, just not in front of Serenity. Remember, she's just lost the one person she loved more than anything! And if you two can't drop your petty differences for more than five minutes to give a shit about anyone else, you can piss off now!" and Mai walked out to retrieve Serenity
Everyone in the room now went silent as there was nothing left to say. Joey returned to his seat and Mina continued leaning on the wall with her arms around Mokuba and leaning her head on Seto's shoulder, she looked as if she wanted to burst into tears, but she still somehow managed to stay in control. Ishizu then left the room with Ryou following close behind and lead him down to a door at the end of the corridor. Not long after Ishizu and Ryou left, Mai returned with Serenity.
"Serenity…I'm sorry for acting like a total bitch, I can only imagine the pain you're going through and I shouldn't have been so insensitive…can you forgive me?" Mina pleaded
"Of course I can…thank you" replied Serenity as she hugged Mina
"I'm sorry too sis, I shouldn't have been such a jerk"
"That's ok big brother, I forgive you" she said as she kissed his cheek and sat back down beside him.
Almost an eternity seemed to pass as they waited to give their statements, tension and disbelief was running riot in the room. In actual fact only fifteen minutes passed before Ryou returned.
"Ok Duke, it's your turn" announced Ishizu when she returned
Ryou returned back to his seat next to Yugi, it was obvious that he had been crying and he just put his head down on the table as Duke got up and followed Ishizu out of the room.
"How…how was it?" Mokuba managed to squeak out
"It was ok, they only asked questions about where I was all morning and around the time of death and how long I'd known Tristan and stuff like that. They also asked me about Téa and let's just say that I didn't see that one coming" answered Ryou in between his sniffles
"Me neither" replied Joey and Mina in unison
Although there was a TV in the room, no one was watching it. They just seemed to be in a daze and stood about until they were called to take their statement. After another fifteen to twenty minutes Duke and Ishizu returned. Duke just looked completely spaced out and sat back down without saying a word to anybody.
"As we've already spoken to Téa, it's your turn Mina"
"You're gonna have to let go sweetie, but don't worry, I'll be back soon" Mina softly whispered to Mokuba as he slowly let her go. "Let's get this over with so that we don't have to sit around here any longer than we have to" Mina commented to Ishizu
Mina then left the room with Ishizu and followed her to the interview room [or interrogation room, whichever you prefer]. Mokuba leaned against the wall were Mina was standing and it wasn't long before he felt a hand on his shoulder
"Hey kiddo, don't worry, you'll be alright, they'll get whoever did this…it won't bring him back, but at least justice will be served" Seto spoke softly to Mokuba
"You haven't called me kiddo in quite a while"
Seto just gave Mokuba a weak smile
"It's just hard to believe that he's gone, I mean I was just talking to him in the car a few hours ago and now he's…" Mokuba couldn't even finish his sentence; he just buried his head in Seto's chest "It's not fair! It's NOT!!" he cried
"I know" said Seto as he put his arm around Mokuba "since when is anything in life fair?"
"wow, I never realised Kaiba had emotions" Duke thought to himself "maybe I should…" he stopped himself from saying anything when he saw the threatening look in Yugi's eyes which told him to drop it
After another while of waiting around, Mina returned and Mokuba was summoned to be interviewed. Mina looked even angrier than she did before she went in. Just when Mokuba had left, a woman could be seen walking down the corridor who Yugi instantly recognised as Téa. He ran out of the room and called her back
"Téa! Where are you going?" he shouted
"There are a few more people they want me to talk to…" but before she could continue, it wasn't too long before Mina was in the corridor
"So here you are…bitch!" shouted Mina
Upon hearing this, Duke, Ryou and Seto were now poking their heads out the door to see what was going on
"And how exactly am I a bitch!?" Téa shouted back through her tears
"You know exactly how you little slut…"
"I don't have to take this shit from you Mina!"
"And here I was thinking you were Serenity's best friend!" shouted back Mina as she slapped Téa across the face [a/n: go me, I had to put that in there, I hate Téa]
"All right ladies, break it up!" shouted Officer Allen as he entered the corridor and split them up
"Whatever" smirked Mina as she turned in the opposite direction "she's not worth my time" she stated as she walked off towards the lobby
Téa was escorted down the corridor and into another room by Officer Allen while the guys were left wondering why Mina had just slapped her
"What was that all about?" asked Yugi
"It must be because of where Téa was when Tristan was killed" replied Duke
"Why, was she somewhere she shouldn't have been?" enquired Seto
"You could say that" Ryou remarked
"I'd better go and check on Mina" Seto stated as he walked off toward the lobby after her…
When he got to the lobby, he saw Mina standing with her arms folded staring out the door
"Hey"
"Oh…Seto, it's just you"
Seto came and stood beside her and also looked out the front door
"So are you gonna tell me why you're so angry with Téa?" asked Seto
Mina turned her head briefly to look at Seto, but turned back to stare out the door again
"When the police got to Tristan's house, they went up to the bedroom to find not just Tristan in the room…Téa was there as well and let's say that she wasn't wearing very much"
"She didn't do it, did she?"
"They don't think so, because she was tied up with black tape…"
Seto cut her off, "what was she doing at the house?"
"It's why she was there is what's got me so mad!" Mina put her head in her hand "to put it simply, Tristan was…was…cheating on Serenity…with Téa"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Seto "But we were all at their house last week hearing how much they loved each other and were getting married! And you're telling me he was secretly cheating on her!"
"Apparently, Téa arrived this morning not long after Serenity had left to go to our place. But because Tristan was called into work this morning, they didn't exactly have much time together, so she waited in the house until he came back so that they could…well; let's just say that they weren't exactly talking. She said she heard the door open and I don't know what happened next, but she said when she went into the hall, she was grabbed from behind and passed out or something 'cause when she regained consciousness, she had black tape on her eyes, mouth and her hands were taped up behind her back. Apparently she heard Tristan come in and confront the person, but when she heard the gun shots…well you know the rest"
Mina lifted her head and exhaled deeply as a surge of anger and sorrow washed over her
"And you know what's worse!?" Mina began to cry "he's not even here for me to be angry at! I'm upset because a very good friend was murdered…but then you hear that this friend was betraying the one he was supposed to love! It makes me so angry that I just wanna…just wanna…"
Mina was about to slam her head into her hands again, but got caught up in Seto's tight embrace. She cried and slammed her fist into his chest; she couldn't bottle up her emotions anymore and even Seto seemed to have a tear gathering in his eye. Mina never let herself break down in front of anyone, but with Seto it was different, he was the only one that she had ever shown her true emotions to. Even when they were kids in the orphanage she never cried in front of anyone except him
"You're gonna be alright…you know I'm always here for you" he whispered in her ear
"I know…what would I ever do without you?" she replied
Meanwhile back in the waiting room…
"What's got Mina so angry with Téa?" Yugi asked again
"She has her reasons" replied Joey
"She's probably just jealous because he chose Téa instead of her!" smirked Bakura who decided to come out
"What's that supposed to mean?" Yugi was looking puzzled
"It means he's going to shut his face and let Ryou out again" barked Joey
"Don't start again" implored Mai
"I agree with Joey, why don't you go back inside your ring?"
"And why don't you go back inside your puzzle pharaoh!"
"And why don't you both shut up before I lock you up!" shouted Ishizu as she entered the room with Mokuba, who was crying again as the tears were still rolling down his cheeks
"Where's Seto?" she asked
"He's in the lobby with Mina…she got upset after her argument with Téa and he went after her" Mai replied
"Téa was here?"
"Yeah, she walked past and Mina decided to go out and give her a piece of her mind" answered Joey
"I should have known…I'll be back later, Yugi, you're next after Seto" Ishizu said as she walked out back towards the lobby
"Seto, it's your turn" she said when she saw the two of them in the lobby
Seto let go of Mina and wiped away a tear from her eye using his index finger
"Will you be alright?" he asked her
"I'll be fine, Mokuba would be back by now so I'd better make sure he's alright" she answered as she wiped her own eyes
"You know Mina, it's ok to cry once in a while…you shouldn't keep putting everyone else's problems on your shoulders before dealing with your own" commented Ishizu
"I appreciate your concern Ishizu…but I'll be ok…it's Serenity who's really gonna lose it when she hears about Tristan and Téa"
"Well…just take it easy" smiled Ishizu "If you ever need to talk, you know where I am"
"Thanks Ishizu" replied Mina and she hugged her before going back to the waiting room
"Well Seto are you ready?" Ishizu asked
"Let's get this over with" he remarked and he followed Ishizu to the interview room
Mina returned to the waiting room and saw Mokuba sitting with his head on the table. She sat down beside him and he put his head on her shoulder.
"I guess you've calmed down now" commented Duke
"For now" was her reply
"For what it's worth Mina" Joey said as she turned to look at him, "I was thinking about doing the same thing, but I don't like to hit women so…" and he gave her a very weak smile
Mina didn't say anything but returned the smile and nodded her head in understanding. When Seto returned, Yugi was called up followed by Mai and lastly Serenity as they had already spoken to Joey before everyone arrived. However, Serenity broke down during the interview and Ishizu returned to get Joey so that he could sit with her for the rest of it.
At long last, the questioning was over and Joey, Serenity and Ishizu returned to the waiting room…
"I have to say thank you for coming today to let us get these statements…I know it's been hard on all of you, Tristan was my friend too and it won't be easy on anyone. You're all free to go home now, but for now I must ask you not to leave the city, we're not accusing anyone, it's just that we need to keep in contact with everyone involved"
"Thank you Ishizu…I can give the three of you a lift if you like" Mina said looking at Yugi, Duke and Ryou
"That would be great…thanks" replied Ryou
"I'm gonna take Serenity home with us…it would be better if she stayed with us for a few nights" stated Joey
"Then I guess that leaves just us Mokuba…we can go straight home" added Seto
"What about Téa? Is she going now too?" asked Yugi
"No, we still have a few things to clear up with her, so we'll send an officer to take her home" replied Ishizu
"Besides…I'm not ready to let her back into my car" Mina mumbled
"Speaking of which, it would be better if you left via the back exit rather than the front" stated Ishizu
"Why?"
"There's photographers and reporters out the front and the last thing you want is for them to see you leaving here while a murder investigation's in progress…that's why they're here, so that they have something to put on the news tonight"
"Thanks for the heads up…If I'm seen, then every tabloid in the country will be accusing me of the murder and telling the world how I did by tomorrow morning!"
Everyone took Ishizu's advice and left out the back way and as luck would have it, they weren't spotted. Seto and Mokuba went back home in the limo while Mina dropped off the 3 guys at Yugi's house and then returned home to the Kaiba mansion. Meanwhile, Joey drove back to his own house with not only Mai, but also Serenity as she was in no fit state to stay by herself at home given the fact that she just heard that her husband to be was not only murdered, but also that he had been sleeping with her best friend for the past 6 months. Also, her house was still cornered off by the police as a crime scene and therefore couldn't go back to it, so she had to go with Joey anyway.
… … …
Later that night in the police station…
Ishizu had finished up her report of the days events and looked over the new list of information which she had gathered…
BAKURA, RYOU:
Arrived at Yugi's house around 9:20am, met Duke outside Kaiba Land at approximately 10:00am and the three were there until 12:25pm
DEVLIN, DUKE:
Met Yugi and Ryou outside Kaiba Land at approximately 10:00am and the three were there until 12:25pm
GARDENER, TÉA:
Arrived at Tristan's house at approximately 9:25am, remained there alone until attacked, heard two gun shots, which according to neighbours was at approximately 11:10am
KAIBA, MINA:
Left home at 11:25am with Serenity, arrived at Domino Mall café at approximately 11:40am and awaited arrival of Téa and Mai
KAIBA, MOKUBA:
Left home with Tristan at approximately 10:45am, arrived at Kaiba Land at about 11:00am, joined Seto at 11:05am, 11:30am, 11:45am and midday, remained there until 12:25pm
KAIBA, SETO:
Arrived at office at 9:00am, was joined by Mokuba at 11:05am, 11:30am, 11:45am and midday, remained there until 12:25pm
MOTO, YUGI:
Left home at 9:30am with Ryou, met Duke outside Kaiba Land at approximately 10:00am and the three were there until 12:25pm
WHEELER, JOSEPH:
At Domino maternity hospital for appointment at 10:30am, remained there with Mai until 11:40am, arrived at scene of crime at 12:10pm
WHEELER, MAI:
At Domino maternity hospital for appointment at 10:30am, remained there with Joey until 11:40am, arrived at Domino Mall café at 11:56am
WHEELER, SERENITY:
Arrived at Kaiba mansion at approximately 9:30am, left with Mina at 11:25am, at Domino Mall café at approximately 11:40am and awaited arrival of Téa and Mai
Ishizu looked over the list to try to find any inconsistencies with the information. She even had all of the alibis listed. Yugi, Duke and Ryou's alibi were the security cameras at Kaiba land which showed them there all day. Téa was tied up at the scene of the crime and couldn't have done anything. Mina and Serenity's alibis were the maids and butler at the Kaiba mansion and also the photographers which followed them to the mall. Seto's alibis were his cameras and workers at Kaiba Land. Mokuba's alibi was Seto and the Kaiba land security cameras and Joey and Mai's alibis were the doctors and nurses at the maternity hospital
"Burning the midnight oil?" smirked Officer Allen
Ishizu just smirked back
"Maybe you're barking up the wrong tree"
"What?" replied Ishizu
"What makes you think it was one of them?"
"Each one had a solid motive…even though they're my friends, I'm still a police officer and it's my job to solve this kind of stuff and I just have a gut feeling that at least one of them has something to do with this…I probably wouldn't have jumped to that conclusion if we hadn't have found out about Tristan and Téa, but I think Seto's right, one of them could have used the situation to their advantage if they did know. Because of the Téa thing, I'm convinced someone's lying." Ishizu solemnly replied
"But what if it's not…what if it's just a burglary gone wrong?" Allen asked her
"It's not…the psychology's all wrong…how many burglars do you know ransack a house without stealing anything?"
"What!?"
"Think about it…we don't actually know how long Téa was passed out for, there would have been plenty of opportunity to take a good deal of stuff, yet when we checked the house, there didn't appear to be anything missing…they all had motive, I know that for a fact without even having to ask and I'm sure most them would have the means.."
"But what about opportunity?" Allen asked
"That's where the detective work comes in, I know one of them did it, I can feel it…and they're gonna pay…"
… … …
Looks like Ishizu's on to them…or is she just being paranoid…I guess you'll have to read on to find out. I had to put in the whole thing with Téa and Tristan because I'm just evil, if it doesn't make sense now, don't worry because it will later when Téa explains her side of the story, but how will Yugi react to the whole story? That's something else you'll have to wait for…
However you'll have to wait a while because I'm off to America for a month on Wednesday so I'll not be able to write for a while. However, I do know how this story will end and who dies next as I have the end written already, so as soon as I get back, I'll start posting again, I promise, after all I'll have the rest of the summer holidays
Remember to read and review (even while I'm away) or deoki will cry, we love reviews, even if they're flames and constructive criticism is always welcome and even feel free to speculate on who you think you killed Tristan, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
So I'll say goodbye for now
Deoki: and it's goodbye from me also and you'll be glad to hear that I'm writing the next chapter
Yami deoki: I heard that!
Deoki: good! You were meant to!
Yami deoki: I'll see you at the next murder (storms off in a rage)…