This is up late because, um, I sort of forgot I hadn't posted it. Heh... you see, I had it finished and edited on time, uploaded it... and then forgot to actually post it. Yeah. Um, sorry about that...

I don't own anything.

Alphonse smiled hesitantly as he took his place opposite them.

"Hello," he tilted his head slightly. "Officers... Hughes, Hawkeye and Mustang, right?"

"Yup," Maes smiled. "We just want to ask a few questions, Mr Elric, and we need you to answer as fully and truthfully as you can."

Alphonse nodded. "Sure. And could you call me Al?"

"Not a problem. So, where were you between the first and the eighteenth of august?"

"First and eighteenth... camping," said the youngest Elric brother thoughtfully. "With Dad, Envy and Ed."

"Okay... what can you tell me about Dante?"

"She messed with the breaks in Mum's car," he scowled slightly, "And she's Envy's mother. I don't really know anything else." he shrugged.

Maes nodded. "I see. Could you tell me a bit about your mother, Al?"

"Why?" he responded immediately.

"I'm afraid that so far your family is one of the few leads we have, and we can't afford not to look into it, Alphonse. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to answer the question." Riza said, as kindly as she could. Al seemed to mull this over for a few seconds, frowning- but after a moment, he nodded, although still clearly reluctant.

"Mum was always kind," he said. "Even when we misbehaved, she never shouted at any of us. I know Envy didn't like her very much, but she loved him just as much as she loved me or brother, I know she did. She was... it's hard to explain."

"Please try."

"She was always there, until she wasn't." he said wistfully. "She took good care of us even though she was sick. What do you want me to tell you?"

"That's enough now, Alphonse. What about the rest of your family?"

"Well, Dad only came back a little while ago, but I know he's sorry for going away when he did. Envy is my half-brother, and he's taken care of us since Mum..." he trailed off. Maes nodded understandingly.

"He acts grumpy about it, but he wouldn't leave us. I know some people say he's not an appropriate guardian for us because of his... age, but he looks after us. And Ed, well, brother is very over-protective," he said with a small grin. "And he acts really rude sometimes, especially if you call him small. But he's a lot cleverer than most people take him for, you know- I've heard his chemistry teacher call him a genius- and he never gives up, ever. They're both good brothers in their own way, even if they argue all the time. They care about each other really, even if they'd never admit it."

"Sounds you three are very close," Maes said. Alphonse nodded.

"We are." he gave a small sigh. "We had to be."

"Because you were alone?"

"Exactly," Al nodded. "We were all we had. We've got Dad now too, of course, but Ed and Envy... well Envy's mostly okay with him by now, but Ed really doesn't like him all that much. I know he tries, but... it's kind of obvious," he gave an awkward laugh. "Especially when he keeps accidentally calling him bastard instead of dad."

"Do you know why Ed doesn't like him?" asked Roy- he knew why from questioning the others, but it didn't hurt to double check.

"Ed blames him for what happened to Mum," Al said softly. "He says that... that he was never there when we needed him. It is true that it was difficult without him," he added. "I mean, Mum struggled for money sometimes and it wasn't always easy for Envy to get a job... people don't tend to think he'd make a good employee." Al explained, tactfully avoiding any mention of why this was- although they could guess. The eldest Elric was certainly rather unique.

"I see. Well, I think we've asked all the questions we need to for today... unless you have any questions?" Maes turned to Roy and Riza, who shook their heads. "Right then. WPC Ross will take you to the lobby, and you can all go home. Please tell your family we're sorry for dragging them in like this," said Maes with his sunniest smile. Al smiled back.

"It's fine. Goodbye, Officer Hughes, Officer Hawkeye, Officer Mustang."

"Goodbye Alphonse. Maria? Could you take him to the lobby, please?"

Moments later, the last Elric was gone.

"A very interesting family, that's for sure." Maes mused. "Hey, Roy?"

"What?"

"I think we should go take another look at the crime scene... I want to check something."