6

6. "…and unless she pays 75,000 by the end of this very same week, she can say goodbye to Matthew and the research notes," Roy told Havoc, Fuery, Falman, and Breda.

"This complicates things," Falman muttered.

"Duh!" Havoc rolled his eyes.

"What's the significance of the briefcase?" Fuery asked.

"To prove that they really do have Matthew," Roy answered. "He brings it with him anyway, even though he's been out of work for a while now. All the cases are dated from last year. He hasn't been doing too well."

Havoc laughed bitterly. "You can't still be on that, Mustang! They guy didn't take himself hostage!"

"Up until yesterday, all the notes were sent to some other alchemist that had nothing to do with Mr. Hawkeye," Roy stated. "Matthew finds out about it, and suddenly the threats are directed to the Lieutenant. Now, other than Matthew, we were the only ones who knew that it was Mr. Hawkeye's research. This just proves that it's connected to Matthew in some way!"

Havoc groaned. "I don't know…"

"Well, I do, and I think we should start researching into Matthew O'Brien a little more," Roy continued. "Does anyone agree with me?"

Breda frowned. "I'm going to guess that the Lieutenant doesn't know a thing about this suspect of yours, right?"

"Correct. She definitely wouldn't believe it."

"75,000, wow, whoever's behind this is really pushing it!" Fuery thought aloud. "We don't have much time left. Unless we start looking into something, she's going to have to pay it or we're all in big trouble." He smiled over at Roy. "I'll help you! Maybe I can find some way to hack into some of his computer files!"

"Yeah, count me in."

"Me too!"

Roy looked over at Havoc expectantly. "Well?"

Havoc frowned. "Jeez, man, don't look at me like that! I don't have a choice, do I? Ugh, I guess I can help you guys…for now."

Roy grinned. "You'll see I'm right, and you'll owe me big time!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever!"

The phone on the Lieutenant's desk began to ring. The group exchanged worried glances.

"What if it's concerning the case?" Fuery asked. "We can't let it go to the answer machine!"

Roy walked over and picked up the phone. Havoc rushed after him, leaning in so he could hear the conversation. "Hello?"

"It's Matthew," the voice came. Roy and Havoc exchanged shocked glances.

"Matt, where are you?" Roy demanded. "What's going on?"

"They told me to call," he explained, "to prove that I'm still alive. Otherwise, the deal wouldn't be able to be completed."

"That's right…" Roy muttered thoughtfully. "Can you see the face of the person who took you?"

"No, they have a mask on. But it's definitely a man – oh, I can't tell you anymore. They'll get angry."

"Matt-"

"I have to go!"

"Wait-"

Beeeep

Roy held out the phone, staring at it, dumbfounded, before hanging it up and looking over at Havoc. "That was…"

"…Strange," Havoc agreed. "Even I can't argue that!"

"Sure, more kidnappers let the hostage make a call, but they're usually the ones making it," Roy pointed out, "and it just seemed so corny."

"Too bad we couldn't trace the call or something," Havoc muttered. "I bet it came from his house or something."

Roy's eyes lit up. "His house, huh? I wonder if the Lieutenant has a key. Maybe we could start by looking through there!"

"But that would mean telling her about it," Havoc pointed out. "Are you ready for that?"

Roy paused before answering. She had finally stopped acting cold towards him. This was sure to set her off again. But there was no other choice. "I guess if I have the four of you to back me up, she might listen."