I know it's really late, but hey, better late then never right? I made this one long as an apology. Sorry!

They call her: Kagome

Chapter three

I bought a can of soda at Fiorello's and drank while I walked to my car. I slid behind the wheel, then I flipped open Kouga's file. I studied the photos, mug shots from Kouga's booking. He hadn't changed much. A little leaner, perhaps. More bone definition in the face. Not much though.

According to the information on the bond contract, Kouga lived in an apartment complex just off Monicploy. This seemed like a good place to start looking. I doubted Kouga would be in his apartment, but I could question his neighbors and see if he was getting his mail.

I set the file aside and turned the key in the ignition. No response. I gave the dash a hard shot with my fist and let out a sigh of relief when the engine cranked over.

Ten minutes later, I pulled in to Kouga's parking lot. The buildings were brick, two-story, an industrial design. Each building had two roofed, open-sided passageways (breezeway). Ten apartments opened off each breezeway, five on the right and five on the left. I cut the engine and scanned for apartment numbers. Kouga had a ground-level apartment.

I sat there for a while feeling stupid. Suppose Kouga was home. What would I do, threaten to tell his grandma that he didn't come peacefully? The man was a murderer. He had a lot at stake. I didn't think he would hurt me, but the possibility of him mortally embarrassing me was high. Not that I was afraid of a little embarrassment. It's never stopped me before from forging blindly ahead on what ever I was doing… like my ill fated marriage with Inu-yasha, the horse butt. The memory gave me a shiver. Hard to believe I'd married a man named Inu-yasha.

Okay, I thought, forget about Inu-yasha. This is the Kouga plan. I'd check out his mail box and then his apartment. If I got lucky (or unlucky, depending on your point of view), and he answered his door, I'd lie through my teeth and leave. Then I'd call the police and let them do the physical stuff.

I marched across the blacktop, trying to look as secure as I wish I was, and then stared in to the bank of mail boxes. They were all stuffed but Kouga's was more so. I crossed the breezeway and knocked on his door. No answer. Go figure. I knocked again and waited. Nothing. I walked around to the other side of the building and counted off windows. Kouga had his shades down, but I crept close and peeked anyway. If the shades suddenly rolled up and a face peered out, I'd wet me pants on the spot. Thankfully the blinds stayed down but unfortunately I couldn't see any thing beyond them. I went back to the breezeway and tried the neighboring apartments. Three were no answers. The fourth was occupied by an elderly woman who had lived there for six yeas and never met Kouga. Then another no answer. Dead end.

I went back to my car and sat there trying to think of what to do next. There was no activity on around the apartment. No kids playing around, no load televisions, no dogs barking at passing cars. Not the sort of place that drew families. Not the sort on place where neighbors knew each other.

A sporty car pulled in to the lot, parking in one of the front spaces. The driver sat still for a while, and I wonder what the person was waiting for. Since I had nothing better to do, I waited to see what would happen. After five minutes, the driver's door opened, and a man got out and walked to the apartment next to Kouga's.

I couldn't believe my eyes. The guy was Kouga's cousin, Gont Estaphan. Gont undoubtedly had a real name, but I couldn't recall it. As long as I've known him he's been Gont. He used to hang out with Kouga when they were kids.

Gont returned with a key to Kouga's apartment and let himself in. I did a quick in take of air. This could be it. Gont came out of the apartment with a leather duffle bag. He locked the door behind him then got in to his car and bolted from the lot. I flowed, my knuckles white with impatience.

I followed Gont to State Street and watched him pull in to private drive. I circled the block and parked several houses down. Gont exited the house after a few minutes. When he left, he was alone without the leather bag. Oh boy. A lead. What are the chances Kouga Estaphan was sitting in the house with a leather sports bag on his lap? I decided they were fair. Probably worth checking out. Now I had two choices. Call the police or investigate myself. If I called the police and Kouga wasn't there I'd look like a dunce. Not only that the police might not be so anxious to help me out next time. On the other hand I didn't want to do this alone. Not a very good attitude if I want to catch Kouga.

I stared at the house for a long time hoping Kouga would come out on his own will so I wouldn't have to find him. I looked at my watch and thought about food. So far all I had was a bottle of beer for breakfast. I looked back at the house. When this was over I could go get a cheeseburger at Burger King. Motivation.

I sucked in some air, pushed my door open, and got out of the car. Just do it, I thought. Don't make a big deal out of this. He probably isn't even there.

I strode hurriedly down the sidewalk, speaking reassuring words to myself. I reached the house and went in without hesitation. Mailboxes in the vestibule indicated there were eight apartments. All apartment doors opened off a common stairwell. All mailboxes had names attached with the exception of apartment five. None of them were Kouga.

For a lack of a better plan I choose the mystery door. My heart fell in to my stomach when I turned to the stairs. Stage fright I told myself. Perfectly normal. I reached the second floor. I took a few beep breaths and managed to motor myself over to the right door. A hand was knocking on the door. Holy cow, it was my hand.

I sensed movement behind the door. Someone was inside, looking at me through the peep hole. Kouga? I knew it was him. Air struck my lungs, and my pulse throbbed painfully in my throat. Why was I doing this? I was a designer. What did I know about catching murderers?

Don't think of him as a murder, I reasoned. Think of him as a macho jerk. Think of him as the man who led you astray and wrote the details on the Shikun high school wall. I sent him a shaky smile of hope and insecurity to the person on the other side, telling myself that no macho jerk could resist coming to the aid of that much honest stupidity.

Another moment passed, and I could almost hear him cursing and debating the wisdom of opening the door. I did a little finger wave to let him know I knew he was there. It was tentative, nonthreatening. It told him I was a harmless piece of fluff.

The bolt slid back, the door yanked open, and I found my self face-to-face with Kouga.

His stance was aggressive and his voice was laced with impatience. "What?"

I took a moment to steady my voice and come up with a good lie. "I'm looking for Kouga Runith…."

"You got the wrong apartment. There is no Runith here."

I faked confusion then forced a tight smile. "Sorry…" I took a step backward and was about to bold for the stairs when recognition hit Kouga.

"Jesus Christ!" he said. "Kagome Higurashi?"

My blood ran cold for a second but turned to acknowledge him anyway. "Kouga Estaphan," I said. "What a surprise."

His expression narrowed. "Yeah. Almost as surprising as when you nailed me with you father's car."

Remember when I said I hadn't seen Kouga sense he moved? Well that wasn't entirely true. And after the confrontation I felt pretty well redeemed. Although I felt compelled to explain I didn't feel the need to do it convincingly. "It was an accident. My foot slipped."

"That was no accident. You jumped on the goddamned curb and followed me down the sidewalk. You could have killed me." He leaned on the door frame and looked down the hallway. "So what are you really doing here? You read about me in the papers and decided my life wasn't already messed up enough?"

My plan evaporated in a rush of rage. "I could care less about your messed-up life," I snapped. "I'm working for my cousin Zack. You're in violation of your bond agreement."

Good going Kagome. Wonderful control.

He grinned. "Zack sent you to bring me in?"

"You think that's funny?"

"Yeah, I do. And I have to tell you, I really enjoy a good joke these days, because I haven't had much to laugh about lately."

I could understand were he's coming from. If I was looking at twenty to life time in jail I wouldn't be laughing either. "We need to talk"

The contour of his face hardened. "You're wasting your time. I have no intention of going back into custody. They'll lock me up and throw away the key, and in the process I'll probably end up dead. You know what happens to cops in prison. It's not nice. And if you want to know more of the sad truth. If any one was going to catch me, I won't let it be you. You're a lunatic. You ran me over with a goddamn Buick."

Deep down inside I wanted Kouga to hold a tender feeling for me. I wanted to ask him why he never called me after he seduced me at the bakery. But instead I yelled at him. "You deserved to get run down. And besides I barely touched you. You broke your leg because you feel on your own."

"You're lucky I didn't sue you"

"You're lucky I didn't put the car in reverse and run you over a few more times"

Kouga rolled his eyes and threw his hands in the air. "I gotta go. I'd love to stay and try to understand female logic…"

"Female logic? Excuse me?"

Kouga turned away from the door and put on a light sports jacket, then picked up the duffel bag of the floor. "I'm outta here"

"Where are you going?"

He nudged past me, and shoved an ugly black gun in his waist band. Locked the door and started toward the staircase. "None of your business."

"Listen I may be new at this but I'm not an idiot. I'll track you down and turn you in by any means possible." What a load of crap. I can't believe I just said that. I'd been lucky to find him the first time. I doubt I be able to catch him even if he was bond, gagged and unconscious when I got to him.

He left through the back exit and headed for an old blue car parked close to the building. "Don't bother tracing the plate. This car is barrowed; I'll have another one in an hour. And don't bother following me, I lose you, I guarantee it."

He tossed the leather bag in to the passenger seat, and stopped. He turned hooked an elbow over the door frame, and for the first time looked me over completely. The first rush of angry emotion was gone, and in its place was quiet evaluation. This was the cop, I thought. The Kouga I didn't know. The grown up Kouga, if such an animal existed. Or maybe the same Kouga looking for a new angle.

"I like the way you let your hair go curly," he finally said. "Suits your personality. Lots of energy, no much control, sexy as hell."

"You know nothing about my personality"

"I know about the sexy as hell part"

I felt me face burn. "Tactless of you to remind me"

Kouga grinned. "Your right. And you could be right about me. I probably deserve to get run over a few times"

"Was that an apology?"

"No but you can hold the flashlight next time we play train."

End of chapter!!!

That's all for now folks! Review time!

FrustratedPhoenix2005: Sorry it took so long! I got writers block and loads of homework! But I did this anyway!

Polkadotzalot: Lol. No I'm not dead. As far as I know Thanks for reviewing… twice.

mT96: Thanks for reviewing! It will get better as it goes. Hopefully.

Black-rose23: I'm sorry if I confused you! A court date is what a criminal as to go, to decide weather or not that person is guilty. After someone is brought in to the police station they get locked away until someone bails them out. Once they are bailed they get to live in there own house until the trial. If they run away they get chased down by Kagome (Or a different bounty hunter). I hope you understand better now.

Koriina: Also thanks for reviewing!

Mahanino: Thank you lots for being my first reviewer. First is the best!

Please Review!!!!!