Author's Note: Notice a slightly different format in this chapter? It's because the internet was being difficult when I typed it up and it wouldn't open the document I'd saved the information in so that I could work on it there. Anyway, by kind of popular demand, here is chapter three of Play in 15 Acts. Enjoy. I'll try to have the format back to normal later.
Play in 15 Acts
Act III "Dee! Where have you been?" JJ demanded when Dee entered C.I. headquarters the next morning.
I had to change." Dee answered, remembering with a smile the previous night.
"Change?" asked JJ, his smile fading. "You mean you spent last night with Ryo, don't you? You're my partner now and I won't have it!" he declared, glaring at Dee.
"What I do when I'm off duty is no business of yours." Dee snapped, rubbing a hand through his dark hair. Oh, yeah. he thought. This is starting off just how I imagined. "And we're only temporary partners. In two weeks I get Ryo back."
"Not if I can help it," JJ mumbled. "Here." he said a bit louder, handing Dee a folder. "We've got a new one."
Dee sat down and began looking through the folder as JJ continued to talk. "He was found by a patrol man late last night. The victim's name is Jeff Ficial. His wallet was still in his pants."
"Rules out robbery." Dee stated then paused. His eyes widened when he reached the part telling about the actual crime. "Raped and castrated?"
"Scary, isn't it?" JJ said with a shiver.
"Not pleasant." Dee agreed. "Talked to his family yet?"
"No, I was waiting for you." JJ replied.
"Let's go." Dee stated, letting the folder drop onto JJ's desk and heading for the exit.
"Oh, good morning." Ryo said, almost crashing into Dee coming through the door.
"Gotta go." Dee said, ignoring JJ's whining behind him. "But I'll see you tonight?"
"Sorry." Touin said from behind Ryo. "Looks like we're going to be putting in a bit of overtime on our case."
"He's right." Ryo said regretfully. "I'll call you when I get home."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Dee agreed, his eyes fastened on Touin in a hard glare.
"Come on, Dee." JJ said, pushing Dee through the door. "We can have lunch on the way back if we hurry."
"I wonder where they're off to?" Ryo commented as he and Touin took seats at Touin's desk.
"New case." Drake answered, overhearing Ryo's question. "Some sicko's on the loose."
"What else is new?" Ryo sighed wearily. "Did you get a chance to go over the file I gave you yesterday?" he asked Touin.
"I did." Touin acknowledged. "This Andrew Fafner character sounds like really bad news."
"He is." Ryo agreed. "Dee and I have been on his tail for some time now but yesterday we got the first solid lead we've had in weeks."
"I'm surprised Rose split you two up." Touin said. "Since you got a break and all, I mean."
"Actually, the timing of your transfer was perfect." Ryo stated. "Don't tell Dee, but our big break has a connection to an old friend of Dee's. The commissioner was going to split us up anyway until this was wrapped up."
"Dee is going to have a fit when he finds out." guessed Touin.
"He wouldn't be Dee if he didn't." Ryo replied with a shrug. "Let me check in with the commissioner and then we'll be on our way."
One hour later Ryo and Touin entered an apartment building on the south side of town. "What's Dee's connection?" Touin asked.
"A friend from his childhood." Ryo answered. "I'm not exactly sure how close they are now but Mother said they used to be best friends."
"Mother?"
"She ran the orphanage Dee grew up in." Ryo explained. "Okay, we're looking for Fred Somma. He's one of Fafner's flunkies."
"How do you want to handle it?" Touin asked. "Find and follow or find and scare?"
"I'll question him." Ryo said. "I epect him to either head straight for Fafner or come after me. Would you mind staying out of sight? That way you can follow him."
"Yes I mind." Touin said, grabbing Ryo's upper arm with his left hand and staring into his eyes. "Putting yourself in that kind of danger is just stupid."
"What danger?" asked Ryo calmly. "You're my back-up."
"What if I screw up?" Touin demanded, green eyes riddled with worry.
"The commissioner said you were the best on the force in Detroit. Why are you doubting yourself?"
"I'm not." Touin denied. "I just...I just don't want anything to happen to you. I...I like you. A lot."
