In this chapter, we have the police interview. Quite a few revelations are made, and there are a few shocking surprises in store. As well as the mention of death and guns, I should also warn that there is talk of rape, prostitution, human trafficking and drug taking, which may be upsetting for some people.

Apart from that, enjoy!

Chapter 7.

Police Interview.

Two plain clothed detectives stood at her door. One was older, roughly in his mid fifties, with sandy coloured hair that was going grey and thinning on top. He was clean shaven, with brown eyes, and ruddy, haggard features; no doubt worn by years of dealing with violent criminals. His dark brown linen suit was well worn and he had a potbelly –courtesy of too many hot-dogs and doughnuts- straining at his pale blue button up shirt. He introduced himself as Detective Inspector David O'Reilly.

The other detective was tall, slim, and much younger. Still at the start of his career, he was obviously keen to impress in his tailored dark grey suit, pale pink tie and white shirt. His short dark hair was neatly combed, and his keen blue eyes were taking everything in. The only thing out of place was his bushy moustache, which really did not suit him. Anzu figured he had probably grown it to look older and more distinguished. He was introduced by his colleague as Detective Matt Henderson.

Not knowing what to say, Anzu clung to the door, gazing at them with unease.

"May we come in Miss Mazaki?" D.I. O'Reilly asked in a friendly manner, which put her slightly more at ease.

"Oh! Yes, of course." She wondered how they found out her name, and then realised that they probably got it from her drunken landlord, who held the tenancy agreement. She wondered what else they already knew about her life: Well, if they had checked her status they would at least know she held a valid green card and had never been in trouble with the law before.

Before allowing them inside, she hesitated and cleared her throat. "Hmm.. Do you have any news on Tony? Did he... is he... okay?" She asked feebly.

Both detectives were studying her with expressions she could not quite determine, but she got the distinct impression they were assessing her.

The older one answered her question, "I'm afraid he didn't make it through surgery, Miss. Too much internal damage. Was Tony Moretti a good friend of yours?"

What was that supposed to imply? Anzu wondered, sucking on her bottom lip to stop it trembling; despite knowing his injury was such that he might not live, it was still shocking news to hear he had died.

"Sort of," she somehow managed to reply, "He's my... was my.. employer. I'm a... I'm a dancer at his club." She disliked calling herself an erotic dancer, or a stripper, but they looked at her as if they already knew what she did for a living, and it made her feel ashamed. Did they think she was trash?

"Can we talk inside?" D.I. O'Reilly pressed, not really willing to discuss anything further while standing in the hallway.

Realising she was still standing in their way, Anzu shrunk backwards and apologised, gesturing for them to come in.

The detectives marched inside, their attention now on Yugi: So, this was the man who had supposedly fought with a hardened gangster, wrestled the gun from him and somehow managed to shoot him. Looking at the guy, that was doubtful. "Nice pants by the way," the older one said sarcastically, smirking at the fairy lounge pants Yugi was still wearing. His younger colleague snickered.

Feeling very self conscious, Yugi looked down at his attire,"They're not mine," he said defensively, "Anzu let me wear them to sleep in." Realising afterwards how that probably sounded, he added. "All my clothes are at my hotel."

Already deciding the pair were judgemental and obnoxious, Anzu waded in. "Yugi is my friend. He's visiting me from Japan and wasn't expecting to be staying all night."

"Is that so, Miss," D.I. O'Reilly snorted lightly. "Is there somewhere we can all sit?"

Geez! What was with this old dude's attitude? Anzu seethed, as she unfolded two extra dining chairs.

"Will this take very long detective?" Yugi asked politely. "Only I'm supposed to be at work by eleven."

The detectives both looked at him with slight confusion. "I thought you said you're a visitor from Japan?" The older one said.

"I work for Kaiba Corporation," Yugi clarified, "I'm actually here to attend a gaming convention and product launch, sponsored by Industrial Illusions, but I'm visiting while I'm here; Anzu is my friend. We've known each other for many years." At the mention of two of the biggest companies in the world, both officers raised their eyebrows.

"Then we'll try not to keep you too long, Mister... Can you give me your name? " He looked at Yugi, notepad and pen at the ready.

Yugi gave the detective his full name and was then asked to spell it out.

With everyone seated, the younger detective pulled out a recording device and started it going. "Just to let you know, this interview is being recorded for our records," he said, "Could you both speak your full names clearly please? One at a time."

Yugi and Anzu both nodded their agreement and spoke their names.

"Okay! Shall we begin?" D.I. O'Reilly noticed they were both a bit nervous, so he smiled, revealing neat, but nicotine yellowed teeth. "We just need to ask a few questions and clarify a few things we're not too sure of."

While he was talking, detective Henderson googled Yugi Mutou and his face lit up with intrigue. The guy was famous! He showed the long list of Wikipedia entries to his senior colleague, who raised an eyebrow.

"Well, well, looks like we're in the presence of a King," the older detective chuckled in amusement at the title, King of Games, that was highlighted in several of the articles. To confirm what they were looking at, the younger detective turned his I-pad around for Yugi and Anzu to see.

Yugi blushed; he was always a bit bashful about being referred to as famous. "I'm just good at playing games, that's all," he said casually.

Looking at the articles involving his affair with a pop star, they doubted that was all he was known for, but since that was not part of the investigation they let it go.

Moving on, D.I. O'Reilly cleared his throat, "Okay. Well, let's start with what we know so far." He addressed Anzu. "We have interviewed your neighbour, Andrew McKenzie, and he claims that he heard a fight going on in the hallway. When he heard the gunshot, he says he came out to investigate and found you," he turned his gaze to Yugi, "Mister Mutou, standing over Tony Moretti with a gun in your hand. Is that true?"

Yugi was mortified. "No way! It's not true!" He blurted, sitting bolt upright.

Horrified, Anzu reached out and clutched Yugi's wrist. "Yugi would never shoot anyone!" She gasped emotionally, "We were in here! We heard the gun go off and Yugi went out to see if he could help save Tony's life. He didn't touch the gun." She glanced at Yugi; at least, she did not remember him touching it. Neither detective reacted to what she said.

"Relax Mister Mutou. You are not our main suspect. We have taken some DNA samples, from under Tony Moretti's nails. They are still being analysed, but we're pretty certain the tissue sample will belong to Mister McKenzie, since scratches on his arm would seem to concur with that. But I must ask, Yugi – may I call you Yugi?" He did not wait for Yugi to reply, "Where did you get those bruises from?"

Yugi rubbed his arm self consciously, and sighed. "I was thrown out of a nightclub. I haven't seen Anzu for a while and... well, I wasn't too happy when I saw her dancing on stage. I reacted a bit... rashly. Anzu came outside to find me and we came here." He looked at her for support and she nodded.

"I didn't want to leave it like that so I ran outside to find him and explain. Yugi was upset at me and I was upset too, so we argued, then he came home with me to talk. We were still talking when Tony turned up and started making threats," she explained.

The detectives looked at them inquisitively.

"I'm guessing seeing someone you know performing as an erotic dancer is a rather big surprise!" D.I. O'Reilly mused out loud.

"Surprise!" Yugi snapped gruffly."It was way worse than that." He gave Anzu an apologetic look.

"It's okay Yugi. I'll explain," she said wearily. "Yugi and I used to be a couple but we split up ages ago. I had no idea he would come to New York and actually visit the club where I work, to watch the... show," she cast him a withering look and sighed, "But, unfortunately he did, and it was just as big of a shock for me as it was for him."

"Did Tony Moretti know about your relationship with Mister Mutou? Is that why he was outside your door making a noise? Or is there more to it than that?" D.I. O'Reilly continued.

"He doesn't know about Yugi and me dating. But I guess Ray, the bouncer, suspected there was something going on with us, and must have told him. Tony was also pretty pissed that I ran out in the middle of a show."

"Would you like to tell me what actually happened after Tony Moretti arrived here?"

Anzu and Yugi looked at each other, and Yugi took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"He started hammering on the door. Anzu was afraid he would kill me, so she was about to call the police when we heard her neighbour's voice yelling at him to keep quiet and take his domestic elsewhere. Then they started fighting, and then we heard the gunshot. A woman was screaming and I went out to see what I could do to help." Neither detective gave any indication as to whether they believed what he was saying.

"Don't you think going out to help was a bit foolish? Especially if someone has a gun and is willing to shoot," Detective Henderson wondered.

Yugi frowned. Now that he thought about it... "Maybe," he said. "But the way the couple were talking, it sounded like the gun went off by accident."

At Yugi's explanation, D.I. O'Reilly tapped his chin with his pen. "Now, don't get offended Miss, but when we interviewed your neighbour, he told us that he thought you worked as a hooker. He thought Moretti was probably your pimp, which was why he was here. Is there any truth in that?"

"How dare he! He knows nothing about me! I'm most certainly NOT a hooker. Okay, I admit that I work as a stripper one night per week, and I do a second shift as a podium dancer –which doesn't involve stripping. But the club's licensed and dancing certainly isn't a crime! So I can't understand what you're trying to accuse me of?" she said, irritably.

Yugi put his arm around her and tried to console her. "Don't be upset Anzu. They just want the truth. If you tell them, it'll be fine," he said very quietly in Japanese.

"I know Yugi. But first they imply you might have shot Tony, then they accuse me of being a prostitute! They probably think I'm trash." She looked at the detectives and reverted to English. "I'm not trash. I'm a graduate from Juilliard, who's part time job in a cafe doesn't cover the bills, so I work a second job as an erotic dancer. It's not what I want to do, but it's better than starving."

"It's okay Miss. We're not judging you, and you're not in any trouble for the work you do. We just want to make sure you're not a victim of trafficking, being forced to work in the sex trade," Detective Henderson explained. The older detective acknowledged his subordinate with a nod of the head, and took over.

"Sex trade?" Anzu questioned, frowning. Something about where this conversation was going set off alarm bells in her mind.

"I would urge you to be honest Miss Mazaki. Did Tony Moretti ever force you to work as a prostitute?"

"What? No!" Anzu gasped. "Definitely not!" She said adamantly. "Even if he did ask, I would say no. I'm not that desperate. What are you saying?"

The older detective smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry if you're offended Miss Mazaki, but let me explain; we need to know how you got involved with Tony Moretti? He's already known as bit of a local player, but he has also been under investigation for his part in trafficking girls into the sex trade. Many of the victims we have rescued are illegal immigrants, who are frightened and often don't wanna talk. But although he's dead now, his associates are still out there and the trafficking goes on, so if you know anything at all, then you should not be afraid to speak up. It will help us to catch them."

Anzu was horrified. She knew he was involved in criminal activities, but had no idea he was trafficking vulnerable girls and forcing them into the sex trade. She realised how lucky she was that he only wanted her to work in the club, rather than a woman who could be sold for sex. Being a talented dancer had probably saved her from an even worse fate!

"Oh, geez," she took a shuddering breath. "I didn't know... I don't think... I don't know if the other girls I work with know either." Did they? They certainly never spoke about it. Maybe they were afraid to."

"Are you okay Miss Mazaki?" The younger detective asked. "If you want to take a break..."

"No. I'm okay. I knew he was involved in some dodgy stuff, but I had no idea he was..." Her voice was starting to dry up.

"I'll get you some water," Yugi offered, getting up to go to the sink. As he filled the glass with water, he felt his blood boil. It made him feel sick to the stomach to think that Anzu had fallen into the hands of such a man. He was so angry at himself for letting it happen that he almost crushed the glass in his hand. But if he ended up with glass in his hand it would only make things worse for Anzu, so he forced himself to remain calm.

Walking back over, he handed her the glass with a sad smile.

She could not bring herself to look at him as she took the glass and thanked him. She gulped the water down gratefully.

"There's more," the older detective said. "We've also been investigating complaints from three women, who worked at his club, who claim he drugged them and raped them. We had built up enough evidence to arrest the bastard, but, obviously, his death changes things."

Anzu paled as she remembered that night a couple of weeks back: Tony denied it, but the drink he gave her was definitely spiked. But why? They had been in a relationship and he had been good to her. It was only after she started working in the club and the relationship cooled, that he had drugged and raped her. Maybe it was his way of dominating and controlling her.

Did she want to confess to any of this in front of Yugi? He looked upset enough already, without knowing that his sweet Anzu, who never let guys take advantage of her, had been the willing victim of a sleaze bag.

With a little cry of distress, she put her head in her hands.

"Anzu?" Yugi touched her shoulder gently, "Did he ever do anything to hurt you?"

She shook her head in denial and cleared her throat. "Nah... It was my own stupid fault anyway. I would rather just forget about it. I should never have got involved with him in the first place, but he seemed nice. The only thing he wanted me to do was work in his club. And I only agreed to do that because I couldn't afford my bills and was too fucking stubborn to ask my friends and family for help... How could I be so dumb?"

"You're not dumb Anzu! I just wish..." he trailed off. The way she was speaking gave Yugi the impression that there was more to this than she was letting on. Whatever it was, she was finding it too painful to discuss, and he decided that now was not the time to pressure her, so he let it drop. The best thing he could possibly do now, was get her away from here. "Look. Anzu. I know you don't want to leave New York, but why not come back to Japan with me? We can work things out between us and I can help get you back on your feet. Who knows? Something good might happen."

She gave him a rather defeated look and snorted, "Nothing good seems to happen to me lately," she grumbled bitterly.

"Let me give you some good advice Miss Mazaki," the older detective interjected, handing her a card with a name and phone number on. "It's up to you if you wanna talk to one of our specialist officers; we have a team who've been trained to help victims of men like Tony Moretti. Think about it, and call that number if you do want help. If you don't, then my advice is to do as your friend here suggests, and go home to Japan and get yourself back on your feet. A decent young woman like yourself deserves better than being stuck in a shit-hole like this. Just living in this neighbourhood leaves you at risk of being taken advantage of by low-life's like Tony Moretti."

Anzu pulled her resolve together and nodded weakly. "Thanks. I'll consider it." She turned the little business card over in her hand and then placed it on the table.

As the detectives finished up the interview, Yugi could not help but ponder his own role in all of this:

He could not entirely blame Anzu for getting herself into this mess. Yes, she had been a bit foolish to try and think she could manage without the help of her friends. But it could have been avoided had he made time in his busy schedule to come and see her sooner.

Instead, he sulked when she suggested they cool things off between them, and then dated other women as a way to take his mind off her. He should have guessed she would find out about him and Suki – it was all over the news and social media – and as a result, well, maybe not as a direct result, but more as a contributing factor, she had ended up getting involved with Tony Moretti.

::::::::::::

As soon as the detectives left, Yugi turned to Anzu. She looked exhausted.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through this Anzu. I should have come to see you months ago. But I was wallowing in my own self pity because I thought you didn't like me any more." He reached out for her but she turned away and began busying herself with cleaning the kitchen.

She went to the bowl where Yugi's shirt was still soaking and lifted it up to inspect it. "I'm afraid the make-up didn't come out. Maybe the dry-cleaners can get the stain out." Concentrating on the task, she started scrubbing at the shirt as if it had offended her in some way.

He frowned at the sight. "Don't worry about it, it's just a shirt. I'm more concerned about you right now. I feel like I let you down, leaving you to struggle on your own." He was not sure what to do. He moved to take the shirt away from her but changed his mind. She would not look at him and he wished she would stop fixating on that dam shirt.

"Don't blame yourself Yugi. It's not your fault. I seem to recall I was the one who ended things. Then I pushed you away by not answering your calls. I was stupid and stubborn and... I was embarrassed you would find out I was struggling to get by. Then I met Tony and started working at the club, and didn't want anyone, not even my parents..." Her breath hitched and she dumped the shirt back into the soapy water, splashing water over herself. She started to cry.

The invisible chains keeping Yugi from getting close, broke, and he reached for her, pulling her into his arms. He held her gently and let her cry into his chest. She felt like a rag doll, not the feisty, determined girl he knew her to have once been.

He buried his face in her hair and soothed her until she cried herself out, and then he handed her a tissue to dry her face.

She actually managed a little laugh when she saw the tissue was full of snot and tears. "I must look a mess. And I've got snot all over you."

The side of his mouth pulled up into a half grimace, as he pulled the wet material away from his chest and glanced down at the slimy steak. "It's not technically my vest," he shrugged. Giving her a small smile of encouragement, he chuckled. "And snot or no snot, I still think you're still beautiful," he said softly, gently rubbing her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"Don't fib." She huffed, slapping his arm away. "I'm a mess. How did I end up like this Yugi?" She sagged and looked miserable again. He shrugged lightly.

"It's my fault," He stated assertively. "I shouldn't have reacted so badly at the club, then you wouldn't have run out and Tony would never have come here and been shot."

"No." She shook her head. "I don't mean tonight -that was just the straw that broke the camels back. Before that." She could see he was waiting for her to explain, so she did. "The downhill slide started ages ago. I graduated with so many hopes and dreams, but one by one they all fell away. The friends I shared that nice apartment with, either got jobs elsewhere, or gave up and went home. Only I was stupid, and stubborn, enough to think I could stay and go it alone." She let out a withering sigh. "I have signed up with agencies, applied to the New York Ballet –they placed on their books should anything come up. I've been to several auditions, but they always tell me they want experienced dancers. The only dancing jobs I did get, was a bit part in an advert for sanitary towels, where I had to dance in the background to show how comfortable they were," she let out a bitter laugh, "I wasn't even on my period at the time!"

He grimaced internally at that, but did not interrupt – she was talking and he wanted to let her get it all off her chest.

She continued, "And then I was in a pop video for a song that flopped. The money I got, just about covered a couple of week's worth of groceries."

"What about your job in the cafe?"

She looked at him and pouted. "I enjoy it there, but the wages aren't enough. I asked for more hours, or maybe a pay increase, but they couldn't give me a raise and they have enough staff already, so I was forced to find a cheaper apartment. This place was all I could afford, and I could barely even pay for this! I should have given up then, but I was too stupid and stubborn to admit defeat. I kept my troubles to myself because I didn't want anyone at home to know I was a failure."

"You had a dream and you didn't want to let it go. That's not stupid and stubborn, that's determination," he said, trying to give her some encouragement. "And you should know me well enough to know that I would never think you were a failure. You only had to call me and I would have helped."

"And intrude on you and your pretty little girlfriend?" That sounded way more bitter and jealous than she intended. He looked visibly hurt by it but did not defend himself. All he could think to do was mumble that he was sorry.

"Don't apologise Yugi. I shouldn't have said that. It was spiteful. You had every right to date other girls – it was me that dumped you, remember? I just didn't know I would be so upset when I found out you were in a relationship -with a famous pop star at that! I was absolutely heartbroken when I read she was pregnant! After that, I completely ignored you."

"Turned out the baby wasn't mine anyway," he snorted. "Guys said I had a lucky escape. They were right. I was actually pleased it wasn't mine. That's when I knew I didn't love her – she wasn't you."

"Oh, Yugi..." she sighed. "If I had returned your calls I might have known that." There had been so many misunderstandings. It was painful to ponder over them.

"What I still can't understand, is why? You were always so wary of people like Tony. The girl I used to know would have run a mile. It goes against everything you ever stood for."

She gave a nonchalant shrug. "It's not as simple as that. When I met Tony, he seemed really nice. He was sympathetic and seemed to understand how I felt about not getting my lucky break. He listened to me complaining for ages and then asked me out for a meal. He took me to a nice restaurant and we got on well and he offered me a job. I went to the club full of anticipation, only to find out what kind of dancing it was. I told him to get lost, but he said he really liked me and asked me to be his 'chic'." She emphasised chic and rolled her eyes. "Being called a 'chic' should have been warning enough, but, stupidly, I said yes and became his... chic." The word almost stuck in her throat. "Then my phone broke and he gave me a new one, which I should have rejected but didn't. Then we had a real cold snap and I needed a new coat and boots so he took me shopping. The electricity meter also seemed to eat my tokens –I couldn't afford to buy more tokens, but I didn't dare ask him to pay for my electricity as well! He invited me to watch the girls at the club training for their routines and it didn't seem that bad. They were dressed in leggings and crop tops, and although raunchy, the dancing was actually really exciting to watch. Most of the girls were average dancers, and I found myself thinking that I could do better!" She snorted at this and Yugi looked surprised.

"Anyway," she continued, "they invited me to join in, and I thought 'what the heck!' and jumped on the stage. Everyone was impressed. Afterwards, Tony said I was dancing that night. I declined and was mortified when he hissed in my ear about owing him for the clothing and phone. Part of me wanted to throw the clothes and phone in his face, and another part told me that all I had to do was dance for one night, then it would be alright –I could keep the clothes and buy some tokens for my meter." She looked down at her trembling hands and clenched them into fists.

Past traumas came to mind: Shadi possessing her and using her as bait to bring out the other Yugi. Marik possessing her and using her to get to Yugi. Being placed inside a game piece by Yami Bakura and having to fight for their souls against Zorc. Watching Yugi fight duels of life and death. Nearly being cooked and eaten by Hitotsumi Giants. Seeing her friends have their souls taken by Dartz. Helping to find Atem's name so they could defeat Zorc and save the world. Watching Atem walk through those doors and into the afterlife. None of these things had beaten her. So she sure as hell was not going to let this latest incident beat her down.

"Anyway! You should probably get to work, Yugi. But change out of those fairy pants first," she teased. A look of resolve flashed across her face as she pulled her posture back into its usual composure. "Do you need anything before you leave?"

He checked the time. "I've got an hour or so. I'm not going anywhere until I know you're okay."

"I'm absolutely fine Yugi. Go to work. I'm going to catch up on some sleep, and maybe go for a jog in the park later."

He shook his head sadly. It had looked like he was getting somewhere but now it felt like she was pushing him away again. "Do you really want me to go?"

For a moment he looked unsure of himself, and Anzu caught a glimpse of the timid boy he had once been.

"You don't have to stay just because you feel sorry for me Yugi," she mumbled. "I don't need looking after. I'm better on my own." She felt like she had let him down badly, and if pity for her was what was making him stay, then he should probably just go.

"Feel sorry for you! Is that what you think?" He shook his head in despair. "I love you. I want to take care of you. Isn't that enough?"

"I'm not sure it is. I'm not the nice girl you used to know," She said, bitterly. "If you knew some of the things I have done you would be really disappointed in me." Did she want to admit, that on top of dating Tony and the baggage that went with it, she was also using cocaine to get herself through her routine as a stripper? No. Now was not the time.

"I don't care what you've done," he stated, so forcefully that it made her jump. He blushed. "I'm not disappointed, I'm actually proud of you for not giving up; even when everything was going wrong for you. Okay, so you should have asked for help. If not from me then your parents. What about Mai? She came to see you. She has had experience of being used and could have done something to help." She was looking at him, guiltily chewing her lip. "What?" He asked, eyebrows knotted in confusion.

"I saw Mai when she was in New York for fashion week. I told her I was struggling. She saw this place. I didn't tell her I was working in the club and I swore her to secrecy about my dire financial situation. She even tried to give me one hundred dollars, but I refused to accept it." She fixed him with a determined look. "I don't think you're gonna like this, but I still don't think I'm ready to quit and go home," she admitted.

Although he admired her determination, guts and fighting spirit, he was exasperated with her for being too stubborn to accept help when it was offered. "Why not?" He turned away from her, put his hand to his forehead and shook his head in dismay.

"You're annoyed with me, I can tell," she muttered, pathetically.

"I'm not annoyed," he snapped, exasperated. "I just can't understand why you would be so stubborn about this?"

"Please, Yugi? You have to understand. If I let the last few terrible months be my last memory of New York, I might grow to hate my time here. And, apart for the last six to eight months, I haven't hated it –I've I loved it!"

"And what about us? Can there ever be an us if you stay here?" He implored.

"I don't know. There can if we work at it. Now that you've finished your degree, designed your game and have Mai helping in the game store, you can spend time in New York, with me."

Wait?! How did she know Mai was working in the sore? She only started helping out in the store a couple of weeks ago!

"How often do you and Mai talk?" He would not be at all surprised if it was more often than Mai let on.

"I know what you're thinking Yugi. Please don't be angry. I don't know why, but Mai is the only friend I stay in touch with. She tried her best to persuade me to meet you, but I asked her not to give you my address. I haven't told her I was dancing in the club though. She would have been furious with me, and would have given you my address and ordered you to rescue me."

To hide his anger, Yugi scratched at the light dusting of beard growth on his face, and considered the options. Could he find time in his busy schedule to spend more time living in New York? Or should he put his foot down and take her home? Knowing her as well as he did, ordering her home would not work; it would drive an even bigger wedge between them. He could not come to a decision right now.

"I need to get to work," he said, sounding really annoyed with her.

"Yugi?" She called desperately, as he went to the bathroom to wash and do his teeth. He ignored her.

Had her refusal to go home with him upset him that much?

Oooh! Some revelations, and an awful lot of tension between Yugi and Anzu.

Please review.