Um. I haven't updated in ages. I suck.

I own nothing.

Frank Archer was in a very bad mood.

Why did Mustang have to make this so goddamned difficult? The Elric brothers were guilty, if anything, the man should be helping him! He didn't understand. Mustang wasn't averse to the occasional illegal action if it got him what he wanted, he knew that, but surely he wouldn't consort with murderers just to piss him off- unless he really did think they were innocent, but even then, why all the fuss?

He looked over the report on the crime scene- one of the only records that hadn't been damaged in the fire- with a scowl, searching for anything that would connect the Elrics to the case, or at least merit further investigation. They were practically kids for god's sake, there was no way they could have destroyed all the evidence. Not without help, anyway- but who the hell would help them? One of the hag's gang? Unlikely, he supposed, but possible. That might also explain the false alibis, but there was no way to prove it!

In his anger, he nearly skimmed right over it, but something made him stop. He read the sentence through again, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

Fingerprint found on knife handle, probably belonging to the killer- damaged and unclear, unusable.

Archer frowned at the word unusable, but flipped to the appropriate page in the report for a better look at the print. Sure enough, it was badly smudged- it could have been almost anyone's, in fact.

But it was there.

Until he found something more... concrete, it would serve, he thought with a smirk, and picked up the phone.

"Tucker?"

There was a sharp breath on the other end of the line, and then Tucker's scratchy voice replied, "Sir?"

"We took prints when we brought the Elrics in for questioning, didn't we?"

"Let me just see... yes, we have the Elrics in the database."

"Good," said Archer, and his smirk widened. "Keep it open. I want to check something."

With that, he put the phone down and swept up the file, making his way down to the lab where Tucker was waiting. "Here," he said, passing the incomplete print to Tucker.

Tucker frowned. "Sir, this print could be anyone's, if I run it through the database I'll get dozens of matches- there's no point..."

"I don't want you to run it through the database. I want you to compare it to the Elrics' prints, and only the Elrics' prints."

Tucker frowned slightly, an unreadable look on his face, but he took the file. "Yes, sir. I understand."

Archer waited impatiently as Tucker shuffled away with the file. It was several long minutes before the man returned.

"Sir, the print was a partial match to Envy Elric, but..." Tucker trailed off as his superior smirked.

"Excellent. Thank you, Tucker." he said.

The print will do for now, he thought. Hakuro can't object, not if I've got evidence... provided he doesn't check the print, I'll have plenty of time.

To say that Envy was unpleasantly surprised would be an understatement. He had just returned from the local shop to be confronted by three police officers on his doorstep- for the third time that week.

"Envy Elric, you are under arrest as a suspect for the murder of Dante Bolton. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you do say will be taken down and may be used as evidence against you."

"This is getting ridiculous," Envy said, furious, "Haven't we been through this already? We haven't done anything wrong. You can't lock us up without proof!" he yelled, masking his fear with anger.

Archer's eyes narrowed. "There is no us, Mr Elric, your brothers are free to go. And as far as proof goes..." he gave a cold smile.

Envy swallowed, his throat dry. Proof...? They can't have...

"A fingerprint was found on the murder weapon that is at least a partial match to yours. If you are innocent, I can assure you, you have nothing to fear, but I'm afraid we'll have to keep you in police custody until that is proven." said Archer, and the way he smirked, it was quite clear that he knew Envy was guilty.

"Bastard-" he began, and then stopped, cutting himself short. Anything you do say will be taken down and may be used as evidence against you, echoed Archer's mocking voice in his head. "Don't you need a warrant, or something? Last time you dragged us off, it was illegal. I'm not going through that bullshit again."

Archer smirked. "I have no intentions of repeating my previous mistakes, Mr Elric. I assure you, this is entirely legal." he held out a white envelope. "Here is your warrant- for the arrest of Envy Elric, under suspicion of murder."

Envy scanned the warrant, feeling rather desperate. I don't want to go back there! It was fucking bad enough the first time, this time... what if they find their proof? What if I never get out? What about Ed and Al, I promised Trisha...

"And what about my half-brothers?" he asked. "What will they do while I'm in police custody?"

"Ah, yes, Edward and Alphonse Elric. They can choose to stay with either their closest living relative- your father, in this case- or they may stay in a children's home or with foster parents. You don't need to worry, they won't be separated." he said with a thin smile.

"Can I see them?" he asked.

Archer gave him a condescending smile.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr Elric, but that won't be possible. I'm afraid if you don't come with us, we will have no choice but to use force, and you may be charged with resisting arrest."

Envy stared at him.

"Mr Elric?"

"...I'll come," Envy gave in, seeing no other choice. "But can't I just tell them what's going on?"

"Your brothers will be alerted. Please hold your hands out."

Envy tried not to wince as the handcuffs were locked onto his wrists, and as he was led down to the patrol car, only one word was going through his head:

Fuck.