A is for Assumption
I rode the elevator back down, replaying from the moment I saw the man who claimed to be L to the second I left the room though my head again. Actually, I had no doubt that man was L. I let out a slow breath. He was even more intriguing than I thought he'd be, more so than I always deemed him to be, more so than I'd always imagined or fantasized him to be. I suppose the word 'fantasized' wouldn't truly fit in the context until now. Despite the bags under his eyes and the dead look in his eyes, the messy hair and hunch in his back or crouch while he sits, there was some sort of attraction I felt. It was a small spark though, nothing I couldn't get rid of before it grew into anything more. I'd probably eventually get so involved in the case that I wouldn't even realize I had thought about his alluring mysteriousness at all.
After I reached the lobby I walked outside and got into my car. Driving home I still pictured the tall detective in my head. Blinking the image away, I parked and made my way to the apartment room. After locking myself inside, I sighed once more, the small, dark apartment reminding me how little it would ever see company. With that, I changed and went to bed.
I awoke in the middle of the night, the air was still and the only light that illuminated the room was the green haze of my alarm clock. The constant vibration of my phone was the culprit for stirring my rest. Groaning I rolled from my side to my stomach and propped myself up on my elbows, reaching for the phone. Glancing at the caller ID it read, RESTRICTED. I could feel my eyebrows push together from confusion. Sliding the unlock, it picked up.
"This better be good." I growled.
"Ms. Charrett." A familiar robotic voice responded. Immediately, my attention was high. "I'm sorry to wake you at such a time, but I have a favor to ask," he stated. "I need you at the Keio hotel in twenty minutes. I have reason to believe there is a man there whom I've suspected as a lead in my current investigation."
He's found a lead in the Kira investigation already? It had only been a day and the team was just getting settled in. I had to admit, that was incredibly impressive.
The disguised voice continued.
"He goes by the name of Rakio Kunsiam. I'm sending a picture to you now."
Just like he said, a picture had been received by my phone seconds later from a restricted number.
"It would help a great deal if you were able to get close to him without revealing your true intentions. See what you are able to obtain. In addition, I will have a file with his information emailed to you now."
I sighed, letting my head drop tiredly before bringing me ear back to the phone.
"Alright. I can do that."
"It's greatly appreciated." The voice replied. "And, Ms. Charrett?"
"Hm?"
"Dressing formally may be in your favor." With that, he hung up.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Wrinkling my nose I placed my phone back on the dresser and groaned again. I hated losing sleep, being that I rarely ever got any. I rolled out of bed and stretched. Something formal. Well, I was never good at that, but I figured I'd be able to pull something together. I turned and glanced at the clock. It was only 1:09am. I'd only been sleeping for about two hours. At this point I'll either be super friendly with Kunsiam or dangerously homicidal. I flicked on my lights and blinked to adjust the sudden change in light exposure. Opening my closet, I reached in the depths of my closet and pulled forward two dresses that hung on hangers. One, I wore to a friends wedding three years ago right after I moved to Japan while following a case I decided to work on individually. It was purple, long and had a ruffled bottom with out any straps, only held up by the clear strings that were meant to be tucked away when worn. Too formal. The only other option was the black dress in my right hand. It was simple. I figured it would have to do.
I opened the cabinet in my small bathroom and pulled out a small bag of supplies that were rarely used and set them on the table. I quickly curled my lashes and applied eyeliner, then chose a random shade of lipstick and swept it across my lips. I didn't look half bad, other than my bed head. I brushed my hair and pushed the long bangs out of my face before pushing the wavy dark hair to my left shoulder and applying a bobby pin to hold it in place.
Huh. Not half bad. I smiled at myself tiredly in the mirror. For only a few minutes, I didn't look too homely. After slipping on heels, I grabbed a small bag that never saw the light of day and tossed my phone, keys, wallet, and gun in. Of course, I knew that Japan banned civilians from carrying guns, but I wasn't a civilian. It might blow my cover, depending on what I may have to do in order to achieve the information. I'd just have to keep him away from my purse.
Finally, I rushed out my door and into my car, quickly driving to the Keio hotel. It was one of the five-stars downtown that I drove by all the time, but I'd never been inside. I parked a few blocks away and walked the rest of the way to avoid the valet. I didn't have the money for a stranger to park my car, nor the trust. Approaching the desk, I was impressed with the fine interior.
"Hello," I greeted the man, smiling sweetly, holding my head high. "I'm looking for a man, whom I know by the name of Rakio Kunsiam. Is he checked in here?"
The man smiled back at me and nodded.
"Actually yes, he's in the bar. It's through there."
I dipped my head.
"Thank you."
With that, I headed to the large open arch. It was obviously the bar. The lighting was dim and I heard the clinking of cocktail glasses. I felt very in place with the way I presented myself. I sat myself down at the bar, scanning for the man I'd seen in the picture.
"Can I get you anything?" A young woman asked me from behind the counter.
"I'll buy it for her." A deep voice said just over my shoulder.
I refrained myself from jumping when I turned to look up to put a face to the voice. It was him! Rakio Kunsiam! The perfectly chiseled man stood there, nicely dressed in a slim black suit and a stripped red and black tie.
Well that was easy.
"What would you like, darling?" he asked, throwing me a charming smile.
I forced myself to smile back.
"Anything strong," I replied slowly.
He seemed impressed with my answer.
"Do you mind?" he asked, motioning to a seat next to me. Without waiting for my answer he sat and made himself comfortable. "I'm sorry but I couldn't help but see you walk in. I just knew I had to buy you a drink."
"Well I'm flattered." I responded smoothly. Kunsiam ordered us both drinks and we talked small talk. It seemed to drone on and on, just him asking stupid, pointless questions about my family, my interests, my occupation, and my favorite places to eat - all which I lied about. It seemed like I was getting no where until finally he invited me to his room. We made our way up and down a hallway. He opened the room and allowed me to walk in first.
"So, Lucy,"
I almost laughed at the fake name I'd given him.
"How about we get down to business?" he said, his voice suddenly turning dark and serious. I blinked. This was odd.
"Business?" I echoed.
"Yes," he purred, stepping in behind me and grabbing my arm tightly. I knew where this was headed.
"You see, I'm a very angry man, Lucy. And women like you are the type that make me angry."
I could feel my heart start to race. This man didn't fit the profile at all. Why would L suspect him? He was too irrational and set off too easily to be Kira.
"You sluts," he growled.
"Get off me," I warned, trying to shake him off me.
"Shut up!" Kunsiam shouted, tossing me towards the bed, making me stumble in my heels. Quickly, I reached in my purse, but he came at me before I was able to make my move. Pushing me down, the purse fell, my fake badge and gun along with it. There was a pause. I could feel the blood start to boil in Rakio's veins. I was in real trouble now.
"A cop?" he sneered, gritting his teeth.
Well, that didn't go well. Quickly I grabbed my gun and pointed it to him.
"Detective, actually. And if you will, back the hell off." I warned.
He stopped, his eyes like a bull ready to charge. I could hear my heart in my ears.
"I've got a real itchy trigger finger, Mr. Kunsiam, don't give me a reason to scratch it." Slowly, I grabbed my things, and stood, backing up to the doorway.
"Run while you can, slut. I'll see you soon enough." Rakio hissed just before I closed the door behind me.
"Shit." I murmured, rushing out the hotel and to my car.
None of this made sense. Why would he suspect a man like this? Nothing fits the profile of Kira, and he was going on about something about me being a slut. What an offensive man... but L...
"That bastard!" I shouted, a smile actually appearing on my face and laughter hinting in my words. He never once said that he suspected this man to be Kira, I was ignorant and assumed, rather, this must have been another current investigation he was trying to wrap up that happened to be in Japan. Then I frowned. Kunsiam wasn't really calm about the situation. He threatened to find me... that made my stomach turn. All I could do for now is go back home and sleep; if I could, that is.