Chapter Seven

Training and Frannie's Discovery

Sick… Riku was getting sick of waiting. She wanted to be in the search parties and she wanted to be included in the interrogations. However, here she was… training… safe… and her sister was out there somewhere. "What's the matter?" Karl sighed, "You're getting better. You have your mother and your aunt in you. I knew it wouldn't take long."

"That's not what's bothering me. I want to look for Georgie. Instead, I'm in Julia and David's basement… learning to swing around a sword."

"You're their only hope, now. You know that, right. Your blood is the only thing that can kill them."

Riku winced, "Kill?"

"Of course kill. You know that already. That's why were doing this. What did you think was going to happen? Did you think you could befriend them, and then have afternoon tea with them? It's nearly impossible to befriend your enemy… especially when they turn a deaf ear to you."

'I guess he would know,' Riku thought, studying him, 'Did aunt Saya turn a deaf ear to him?'

"What?" he narrowed his eyes.

"Nothing. I mean… do you still hate my aunt?"

He narrowed his eyes again, "That's ancient history. Don't worry about it. You have bigger things to worry about. After all, if you aren't ready… what good will you be to anyone."

"How flattering," glared Riku, "You're a real charmer."

"Your aunt… your hero was the best at what she did. She was a professional when it came to the sword. You have a long way to go before you're as good as she is, but we don't have the time. You chose me, so I don't plan to let any harm come to you. Just trust me and you will be okay."

"Alright."

"Then, you can join in the search for your sister."

"Do you think she's alright?"

He sighed, "I think she's being treated like a queen. However, your sister doesn't want what Diva wanted."

"Of course Georgie doesn't want what she wanted!"

"How immature of you," Karl smirked, "You still can't say her name."

"I hate her."

"Hate is a strong word, Riku. It's as strong as the word love. Don't say it unless you truly mean it. Now, enough talking. Come at me. Don't be afraid to cut me… or even stab me. It will heal, and your blood can't harm me."

Riku went pale, "Cut or stab…"

"Don't be so weak. We're Chiropterans. We can't be killed so easily. Now, come at me!"

Riku took a deep breath, let it out, and then she held her sword at the ready. Karl grinned, as she sped toward him.

II

"How's the search going?" Frannie asked DJ, as they walked down the hall.

They had just come from a meeting. DJ and Lewis had questioned almost everyone at the Red Shield, and still there was no one either liked for the crime. "Not good. So far, we haven't even got a suspect."

Frannie looked disappointed, "I'm sorry. I really hope we find out who it is. I hate this! I trust everyone!"

"I thought I did, too."

"How's Riku's training coming along."

"Better than our search. She's becoming a regular samurai," DJ smiled.

"Fantastic. It won't be long until she has the bad guys running for cover."

"Listen, Frannie… you're here all of the time… by yourself…"

"I sleep better here than at home."

"I know, I know. Just… watch your back. Be careful who you trust or who you talk to. I'd hate it if something happened to you."

Frannie blushed, "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me."

"I'm heading out with Lewis. We're going to see Argiano again. It's probably pointless, but… he was in their inner circle."

"Okay. I'm going to look over some files. Maybe there are some employees that you've overlooked."

"Good idea. I'll see you later."

He gave her one last smile, and then walked away. Frannie walked toward her station passing Tatem, one of the maids, on the way. Frannie gave her a friendly smile, and then walked on.

III

Riku gasped for breath. He'd been unnecessarily rough with her… or so she though! Oh, she'd cut and stabbed, but she hadn't landed a single blow. "Why are you stopping?" he demanded, eyes wide with excitement.

"You… you're getting off on this!"

"What does that mean?"

"It…" Riku's eyes widened, "Never mind, but you're liking this, aren't you!"

"Of course. It's been awhile."

Riku glared at him, "I need to rest, okay. I wanna go see Frannie. I feel like I haven't seen her in forever."

Karl looked annoyed, "Very well. We'll go see your friend and then we'll come back here… and continue."

Riku slapped her forehead, "Fine."

She put her sword down, and then the two of them walked out of the basement.

IV

When the hospital wing of the Red Shield was empty, it could get a little creepy. Frannie was about the only one who thought it was actually peaceful. She didn't even know why she had an apartment.

She rubbed the back of her neck, which had started to cramp from reading so many files. So far it looked like DJ and Lewis had interviewed everyone at the Red Shield… "Every damn body," said Frannie, quietly.

She looked up, and noticed Tatem… talking on her cell phone. 'What's she still doing here? The rest of the cleaning crew has gone home.'

Tatem turned, and stared at Frannie in shock. She clicked her cell phone shut. Frannie looked at her confused, "Hello, Tatem."

"I didn't know you were still here."

Tatem's red hair had stared falling out of it's tight bun, and her brown eyes looked almost wild… like a caged animal's. "I like sleeping here," it suddenly dawned on Frannie… Tatem was having a conversation that she didn't want over heard, but… 'It can't be!' her mind screamed, 'Tatem can't be our leak!'

Frannie snuck a letter opener behind her back. Tatem nodded, not taking her eyes off of Frannie. Then she smiled, "Let's not pretend here, Francis. You heard, didn't you?"

"Heard what?" Frannie shrugged, gripping the letter opener tighter.

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to hurt anyone… not yet, anyway. He said I might have to. At least it was you who found out… and not someone like DJ, Kai, or David."

"You," Frannie nodded, and then sighed, "It was you… they would've never suspected you…"

"Because I'm not really with the Shield. I don't go to the meetings, I'm not a black suit, I'm not a scientist… I'm hardly noticed. I can't believe you even remembered my name."

Tatem pulled a gun out of her cleaning cart, and pointed it at Frannie. "Why would you do this to those girls? Why would you help him hurt them?"

"I don't even know them. What do I care what happens to them?"

"But why!" shouted Frannie.

"I'll not have you screaming, alerting the others," Tatem said, through clenched teeth, "He promised me I'd be like them. He said I could be a Chevalier."

"You did this to them… for that?"

"I'm going to shoot you, now. By the time they find you… you'll be dead and I'll be gone. I'm sorry, Francis. I did like you. You were the only one who was kind of nice to me around here."

Frannie was barely aware of the loud bang… and it took her a little while to feel the pain in her chest. The letter opener fell to the floor. She gripped her desk, as she lost her balance, and fell to the floor. Her vision started to blur, and her head began to spin… then she started to feel the pain a lot more. She could here someone screaming, and someone who sounded like Riku shout, "You bitch! What have you done?"

She felt herself being lifted off of the floor, and a man say, "She's shot, Riku. I think she's going to die."