Chapter Sixteen

Uub slipped into Sasoli's office undetected, bright and early the next morning. He had been hoping to beat her to work and it looked like he was successful. He had already obtained Bra's permission and password to enter the company computer system.

"All right, here we go," Uub grinned and logged in as 'Saiyan Princess'. The password made him grin. 'Kakarotsspawn.' Well, no one would guess it, that was for sure.

Okay, now for the employee profiles . . . there Sasoli Briefs.

Name: Sasoli Briefs

Age: Cross-reference Zarah Briefs

Height: Cross- reference Zarah Briefs

Weight: Cross-reference Zarah Briefs and subtract fifty pounds

Marital Status: Single Gender: Female, obviously

Uub chuckled and shook his head, she had obviously filled out her own profile.

Job title: s

Uub clicked it only for another sign up box to pop up with a message.

This information is classified under current company policies placed by Trunks Briefs.

Uub stared at the screen stumped, there was information protected even from Bra?

"Uub?"

The said detective jumped and glanced around the room worriedly only to see he was alone.

"What are you doing?" The sleepy female voice sounded again.

Uub licked his lips nervously, that sounded like Sasoli. He logged out quickly and stepped away from the computer.

Sure enough, the vent popped open and Sasoli slipped out, landing on her feet like a cat. She rubbed her eyes sleepily as she half-glared at her tuned on monitor.

"Are you going to answer me?"

Uub just smiled at her.

Sasoli snorted, "Fine, be that way."

She plopped into her computer chair and . . . did something Uub couldn't see which made her profile pop back up.

Sasoli turned back to him with a raised brow, "You were looking at my profile with Bra's pass codes."

It was more of an accusation, Uub noted, than a question.

"Sometimes the killer is found within the work place," Uub replied sagely.

Sasoli nodded, as if taking the advice to heart and then tilted her head, "And you were looking at my profile because . . . ?"

Uub was silent for a moment before simply shrugged, "Curious."

"About what?" Her voice had sharpened.

It seemed that she didn't take kindly to people invading her privacy. Well, Uub had never stepped down from a verbal challenge in his life and he wasn't going to start now.

Now, how to turn this back on her . . .

Oh, yes.

"Why is your job title restricted information?"

She went very still. Apparently she was more interested in keeping her secrets than finding out the answers to her questions.

Interesting.

"What do you mean?"

Ever so helpful he directed her attention back to the screen.

"You see . . . restricted."

She licked her lips, "Um . . . You see-"

"I thought you said you were head of security," Uub was putting half his weight on the computer desk and the other half on her chair, unconsciously trapping her so she couldn't escape his questions. "So why would that be classified?"

Sasoli leaned back into the chair but that only prompted Uub to lean into her space.

"I . . . " she swallowed and attempted a shaky smile, "I do more than just . . . make sure the company is safe."

Uub smiled, "Like what?"

"Like . . . supervise important shipments, making sure they don't get tampered with, and that they arrive in one piece." Sasoli nodded to herself, seemingly pleased with the answer she gave.

Uub let a puzzled frown cross his face as he looked at her.

"But . . . why didn't they just put Head of Security/Inspector/Supervisor?" Honestly, he was just making up things now. He didn't know what a company like CC would call those jobs.

However, neither did Sasoli, apparently.

Her mouth opened then closed.

Almost smiling, Uub cocked his head to tithe side and watched her eyes follow the movement of his . . . hair. . .?

She sighed, "Uub . . . did you see Zarah's profile?"

"No," true confusion appeared now.

"I see," she relaxed into her chair, "There is something you have to understand, Uub, about the company an my twin."

"Go on," Uub frowned, listening carefully.

"If you had checked my brother's profile, you would have seen the exact same thing: A restricted job title. You could even ask the secretaries, they wouldn't be able to tell you what his official title is . . . and the reason is simple.

"We're . . . like back up for Trunks and Bra. If for any reason, they're not able to fulfill their obligations then we have to step in. Didn't you wonder why Zarah was the one to take over and not Bra? This place is more than a business to us . . . it is our kingdom."

Uub took in her earnest expression before taking a step back to digest this new information.

Sasoli watched him wearily, waiting to see if he believed her. She had been honest with him, mostly, though if she were anyone's backup she would be Trunks'. Zarah was fully capable of running the company, with her help, but the only reason he was, was because Bra had refused to and Sasoli's first priority was to find the murderer and free Trunks.

Sasoli snapped back from her thoughts as Uub opened her office door.

"Where are you going?"

Uub stopped to lift an eyebrow at her over his shoulder.

"To the bathroom, I mean, if I have permission."

Sasoli flushed, "I'm sorry, of course you do."

"Hmm," Uub smiled as he left the office.

As soon as the door clicked shut Sasoli started typing desperately on her computer. Okay, she had lied about her brother's job title being restricted but it would be soon.

Uub read the computer's screen skeptically as it confirmed Sasoli's words. He was two rooms over in a temporarily abandoned office.

Despite the glaring evidence, Uub found himself the validity. Surely, as head of . . . whatever she was, Sasoli has a pass code to override everyone in case of emergency.

Besides, her story was just a little too plausible to be believed, like she pulled it out of the air. If her story was true then she wouldn't have fumbled her answer . . . unless she never had to explain it before or didn't know . . .

No, the way she stiffened when he asked spoke volumes. Not only did she know her job title was restricted, she was probably the one who did it.

She was hiding something from him and, what's more, she knew he knew she was hiding something.

"Oh my!"

Uub's head snapped up at the sound of a woman's voice only to find a secretary. He didn't know if he was disappointed or relieved it wasn't Sasoli.

"Can I help you-"

"Can you tell me what Zarah Briefs job title is?" Uub swung around in his chair to face her.

"Zarah Briefs? You mean the Zarah Briefs?" Her hands fidgeted nervously.

"Yes," Uub snapped and was on his feet.

The girl flinched.

"I . . . he's . . . um . . ."

"Well," he raised a brow, "spit it out."

The girl blanched, "I don't know. Nobody does. Everyone speculates and makes their own conclusions but in the end . . . he does everything."

The last bit was completed with a dreamy smile.

Uub's lips quirked, he could practically see the hearts in her eyes.

"But do you know his sister's-" She lit up brightly but Uub wasn't interested in what she thought she knew.

"I know, head of security."

He didn't see the woman frown at him as he left her office nor did he hear her damning words.

"No, she's the Capsule Corp. spy."

Sasoli peeked out of her office for Uub as she clutched the case folder to her chest. She just had to make sure Himbon was at the company so she could hand it to Uub, though it actually might be better if she went over the information first just to be sure-

"Sasoli, we have a problem."

She jumped and glared at her brother.

"What now?"

"One of our most important shipments has gone missing," Zarah growled, his hands fisted at his sides.

"What?" Sasoli's lip curled as her frustration became clear, "This would have happen now."

Zarah snarled his agreement.

"What was stolen?" She chewed her bottom lip viciously as she tried to arrange her thoughts.

"I'm not sure."

Sasoli's mind went blank.

"What do you mean you're not sure!"

"You make sense of Trunks' files," Zarah shoved a paper under her nose, "Look!"

Uub paused just out of sight as he heard their raised voices.

Sasoli snatched the paper away and shoved the folder under her arm.

"All it says is 'Of EXTREME IMPORTANCE! Deliver posthaste to President Briefs' office!'" Sasoli frowned as she scanned the rest of the paper, "Jeez, the container has so many safeguards on it . . . the only one who is going to open this is Trunks."

"Are you sure?" Zarah was skeptical.

"Yeah, look," she pointed at the paper, "the mental used for the container is the same one Aunt Bulma developed for Uncle Vegeta's gravity room. It's going to take a lot more than explosives to blow this thing open. And the pass code is not only hidden by a special compartment but it is in saiyan so even if they do find it, they won't be able to decipher it enough to crack it. It should be fine until-"

"No," Zarah interrupted curtly.

Sasoli closed her mouth and narrowed her eyes.

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

Her upper lip lifted slightly to reveal her canines.

Zarah returned the look, "I mean, 'no' I don't want you to leave it until it's convenient for you to pick it up! I want you to get it now!"

Sasoli unconsciously widened her stance and straightened her spine as she screamed back at him.

"No, I will not! It should be FINE! I'll steal it back LATER!"

Zarah's eyes narrowed, "You will listen to me, Sasoli, I've been entrusted to make decisions for this company and, like it or not, you answer to me."

Sasoli seethed as she opened and closed her fists when she forcefully pulled back her rage.

"Can it wait until tonight, sir?" She couldn't help the snarl.

"I guess it will have to do," Zarah nodded at her arrogantly when a warm smile crossed his face. "Uub, I trust you are in good health?"

Uub nodded absently while Sasoli whirled around, eyes wide with surprise.

"So," Zarah continued conversationally, "How long were you standing there?"

"For most of it," Uub answered just as pleasantly, "So there's a theft? Aren't you going to report it?"

He watched Sasoli when said the last part.

Sasoli chuckled nervously, "Of course we were."

Zarah turned to watch her as well.

"Really," Uub glanced up and then back at her, "And what did you mean, exactly, when you said 'I'll steal it back later'?"

Her nervous chuckling turned into nervous laughter.

"Uub, you see . . . when I said steal I meant . . . you have to understand . . . steal . . . is company techno talk for . . ."

Both males watched her grasp for straws only to fumble and drop them horribly.

"What's wrong with you?" Zarah placed a hand on her forehead.

She slapped his hand away.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," her tone was thick with warning.

"You seem to be not yourself," Zarah ignored her warning and took her face in his hands. Her surprise was the only thing that let him do it. "Your face is hot . . . flushed," a beginning of a smile, "blushing?"

He lifted a brow.

Her eyes widened with mortification and she was released. She couldn't believe he was doing this to her, getting revenge now, of all times.

"You know, Uub," Zarah stepped pass his sister, "Sasoli wants-"

Uub flinched back as Sasoli's foot swung through the air and collided with her brother's head with a sickening crack. Zarah hit the ground after a hard bounce only to have Sasoli drive her knee into the center of his back. She raised her fist and-

"Ahem," Uub couched and Sasoli stopped her fist mid-motion, "You know . . . that's considered assault."

Sasoli found herself stuttering in defense. Her expression hardened suddenly and she dug her hand into her bother's hair.

"He's my brother, he doesn't count."

She yanked his head back.

"Right, Zarah?"

Zarah winced but agreed.

"Now that's just answers under duress."

She released her brother and stalked off.

There was an awkward moment when Zarah dusted himself off as he got off the floor.

"I wouldn't follow her if I were you," the saiyan hybrid warned.

Uub, who had been about to take a step, glared at the business man. He wasn't really so predictable, was he?

Zarah grinned at him.

"You just took away her main stress relief. She's going to be grumpy all day."

Uub was quiet for a moment.

"So you were going to just let her beat you up?"

"No," miffed the saiyan straightened his jacket, "I was going tot fight back eventually. Besides, she's done the same for me."

Thus, Uub was left with the odd mental image of Sasoli standing in one place while Zarah punched her.

Oddly disturbed, he decided to change the subject, "So . . . care to explain your comments about theft?"

Zarah just gave him an amused smirk and walked away.

"Hey, wait," Uub caught up with him.

Zarah shook his head, "You're here to investigate murders. Aren't you, Detective?"

Uub allowed himself to come to a stop as Zarah continued on his merry way.

The newly appointed president couldn't have been any clearer if he flat out told him to keep his nose out of anything that didn't involve the murders and the murderer. If he tried to check out anything else that didn't seem quite right, then he would be cut off at the knees.

It all came down to one fact, that really, Zarah didn't know him so Zarah didn't trust him. Sure, Uub was a part of their world, but in the end, Uub was still human.

He recalled Goten's rather cryptic comment about the saiyan twins.

"There's one thing you have to understand about Zarah and Sasoli. They were raised in a traditional, royal saiyan way, with a father who undermined it while simultaneously half-heartedly supported it."

"Uub."

The detective turned to find Sasoli fidgeting with a folder.

"Himbon dropped this off, I thought you might be interested."

Uub studied the offering for a moment an accepted it without a word. Until, he got a good look at the title. "This is . . . it can't be . . . you mean, he just dropped this off."

"He didn't even glance around to see if anybody was there," Sasoli shrugged.

Uub didn't answer as he undid the thick rubber bands holding the folder closed when something shifted. He tilted the folder but the object fell an revealed itself to be a mini tape recorder.

Sasoli picked it up curiously and glanced at Uub for guidance.

The detective was just as inquisitive since he hadn't a chance to read over all the notes and, frankly, had no idea what it contained.

"What are you guys looking at?" Beasely came out of nowhere, watching them curiously.

"Himbon gave us the case file," Uub tightened his grip so nothing else would fall out. "What is that?"

Beasely came forward an plucked the device out of Sasoli's hands. With a quick inspection of the tape, he nodded to himself with a 'hmm.'

"This is why Trunks Briefs is in jail."

End Chapter Sixteen

AN: Okay this chapter is dedicated to Tashia and element6. Thanks for your kind words and I'll keep trying to catch up on my typing. Michelle18