Rated: R
Language: English
Genres:
Action/Adventure/Romance
Title: Play in 15 Acts
Summary:
A new arrival splits up the team of Dee and Ryo. Will Ryo's new
partner put a permanent wedge between the two or will love overcome
jealousy and danger?
Play in 16 Acts
Act VI
"Ready to check the scene of the crime?" asked JJ when Dee returned to the station?
"Sure," agreed Dee. "Let's swing by a burger joint on the way though. I'm starved," he added, following Dee from the building.
JJ's lips tightened. "I thought you had lunch with Ryo," he said peevishly.
"Ryo for lunch," Dee mumbled, grinning idiotically.
"What?" JJ asked, not catching what Dee said.
"I'm still hungry," Dee stated. "I didn't see Touin at the station when I got back," he changed the subject. "Was he still in with Rose?"
"Nah," JJ replied, shaking his head. "Touin was in and out of the chief's office in less than ten minutes. Touin said the commissioner just gave him his and Ryo's next assignment."
Dee sighed and laid his head back. At least Ryo was safe at home. He supposed he owed Rose one for letting him get Ryo away from Touin for the rest of the day. But then, it was Rose's fault he was having to get them apart in the first place.
The two arrived at the alley minutes later. "Ficial's body was found here?" Dee inquired, cocking an eyebrow at JJ.
"Yep," JJ answered, then looked at Dee questioningly. "Doesn't Ryo live close to here?" he asked.
"Yes," acknowledged Dee. "That's one of the reasons why this crime makes no sense. This is one of the better neighborhoods in the area."
"On a cop's salary, Ryo lives in this neighborhood?" JJ asked.
"He had a small inheritance from his folks," Dee explained.
"Oh," JJ murmured. That explained Ryo's nice apartment. "I take it you're leaning toward the victim knowing his attacker?" he asked.
"Either that or there's some new psycho in the area," Dee stated affirmatively.
"Let's ask around," JJ suggested. "Someone new living around here would be easy to locate."
"I agree," Dee said with a nod. "You take the west for eight blocks and I'll head east."
"I hope JJ had better luck than I did," muttered Dee over two hours later as he headed back to where he was supposed to rendezvous with JJ. He looked at his watch as he neared JJ. "Oh well. About time to call it a day anyway."
"Any luck?" Dee asked when he reached JJ. He looked at JJ expectantly, aware JJ's eyes were gleaming with anticipation.
"No," denied JJ. "But we have another body."
Elsewhere..
"I'll get it!" yelled Bikky when a knock sounded at the door.
Ryo frowned. Dee still had at least thirty minutes plus the commute time before he was due. Who could be knocking? Carol maybe? Ryo followed Bikky to the door.
"Hello, Bikky," Touin said as Bikky let him into the apartment.
"Hi ya," Bikky said, smiling as he turned to Ryo. "It's not Dee," he said.
"I can see that," Ryo returned.
"The commissioner gave me the file for our next case," Touin excused his uninvited appearance. "I thought we could go over it this evening and be ready to move on it tomorrow." He held the file up in his left hand.
"I suppose so," Ryo agreed a bit hesitantly. "But Dee will be here soon."
"I've got it!" chimed Bikky when the phone rang. "Hello." Bikky made a face. "I'll tell him," he agreed and hung up the phone.
"Who was it?" inquired Ryo curiously.
"Dee," Bikky answered. "He said something came up and he was having to work late. He said he would see you tomorrow."
"Oh," Ryo said, his smile faltering. Was JJ the something, he wondered? "Oh well," he said after taking a breath. "I guess, if you still want, we can go over the case now," he said to Touin.
"Boooring," moaned Bikky. "I'm going over to Carol's," he said. "Catch you later."
"Would you like a drink?" Ryo offered Touin after Bikky had departed.
"That would be nice," Touin accepted.
"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable," Ryo said. "I'll be right back," he added, heading into the kitchen.
"You and Dee worked on drug cases a lot." Touin commented as Ryo joined him. Ryo lifted a brow questioningly. "Ted," Touin said, revealing the name of the precinct's resident blabbermouth.
"Actually, it was one case. The one we just wrapped up," Ryo explained. "They were all related to Fafner but only connected by the thinnest of threads."
"A solid organization," Touin observed, impressed at Ryo and Dee's ability to break it down. "I guess Laytner will hate me for stepping in at the finale and getting the credit."
"No," Ryo defended Dee. "Like me, Dee is just glad that is one organization that no longer exists. What is our next case?" he asked, changing the subject.
"An easy one," Touin declared. "Insider trading from the look of it." He handed Ryo the file he had brought with him.
"You're right," Ryo agreed after perusing the file. "This shouldn't take long at all."
"Well, now that that is out of the way, what say we talk about something more pleasant?" suggesting Touin, his voice growing deeper as he moved closer to Ryo.
"Like what?" Ryo asked, oblivious to the change in Touin's voice.
"Like you," Touin said, reaching out and caressing Ryo's cheek. "Tell me about yourself," he said, leaning in even closer so that his lips were almost touching Ryo's.
Ryo scooted back. "I...I'm dating Dee," he said, his own voice going a bit high-pitched as he realized the danger he was in. "That's pretty much it for now," he ended, hoping that would cool Touin off.
"But what about later?" Touin demanded, getting on all fours and backing Ryo up against the wall so he had no way to escape. "Once JJ gets Dee, you'll be all alone. But.." he paused briefly for dramatic effect. "You don't have to be."
"Um...I...I.." Ryo stuttered.
"Shh," Touin said, lifting his left hand and putting a finger
against Ryo's lips to quieten him. "Don't worry. I won't let
that happen. You'll never have to be alone while I'm around."
To Be Continued..
