Author's note: To all who reviewed, thank you so much! I'm sorry this chapter took some time to be put up, but my family has been going through a rather difficult period… all your reviews certainly has helped brightened my day, and given me hope to continue this fic. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and please review!

Chapter 3

Calling to his housekeeper for some cold beef and tea, the young man stowed the death note into his jacket and gave a contented sigh. He then took all the newspapers he had collected and shoved them into his cupboard, locking it behind him with a click. Ryuk was chewing the last of his apple thoughtfully. "Just now, I realized something. Why did you kill that human- the one whom you took the money from- by heart attack?" the demon asked. "Would it not be obvious to your rival that this incident could be linked to this sudden rise of heart attacks everywhere?"

"Don't you see?" Raito took in a sharp intake of breath. "I want him to know. I want him to guess. I will draw him out from where ever he is. And then I will kill him."

"Well I suppose you know I don't take sides…"

"I am very well aware of that, Ryuk."

"But I must warn you though," said Ryuk slyly, lying on the bed. "Your enemy is not going to be a very easy person to kill."

Raito made no reply. He had no doubt at all to his ability. Already he was on the move, familiarizing himself with his new surroundings, learning to understand the different accents of the British citizens around him- and he was well equipped with enough money and tools to accomplish his purpose.

Now the key thing to do was wait, and see how his adversary would act.

The housekeeper, a thin, ratty woman with slit eyes and a simpering look, soon came up the steps with Raito's tea. The fanatical glimmer in the latter's eyes instantly vanished, to be replaced with the bright open demeanor he commonly adopted to gain peoples' trust. "Mrs Morel?" asked Raito pleasantly, as the middle-aged woman put down her tray. "It is such a lovely day, and I have nothing pressing in the evening. Would you mind joining me for a cup of tea?"

Now, this woman, Mrs Morel, was a quick-witted soul, and she fancied herself as an accurate reader of characters. She was favorably impressed by this slim, handsome youth (despite his Asian origins), and thought him a very well-mannered, charming and polite boy. She was extremely curious as to his origins and intentions, but as he paid good money and was a quiet tenant, she was more than ready to keep her tongue lest she drove him away.

"Well…" she said doubtfully.

"Come," said Raito smoothly, getting up and drawing a chair for her. "Surely it would not be too much of your time to talk to me… I remember you telling me that you had no tenants for some time, and that you have no family or friends in this part of England. You… must be rather lonely."

"Oh yes, times have been bad, very bad, recently," murmured the middle-aged woman, setting herself and her creaking joints onto the chair with a sigh. "I have not had a tenant for a long time. After all, it is rather rare for people to come to this poor, desolate place. Indeed, I was about to pack up and leave when you came." She gave the young man opposite a suspicious look. She cleared her throat, holding tightly the cup of tea Raito had poured for her. "Forgive me if I sound impudent, sir. But why, would such a fine young man as yourself be doing in a place like this?"

Curious, Ryuk looked at Raito eagerly, desiring to know what the latter was concocting.

Raito started, and the housekeeper noticed with alarm that his hands were shaking, and his face was deathly pale. "Sir…?" Mrs Morel asked in concern, fearful that her only source of income (aside from her father's and husband's will) was going to drop dead. "Are you all right?" Raito turned his beautifully innocent eyes at her, and Mrs Morel saw with shock that he was tearing.

"I… I am sorry," he said, his voice cracking. He drew a long, shuddering breath. "It's just that… I came here, because of my wife." His voice grew very quiet, and he allowed the tears to continue falling. Raito knew that tears were a sure garner of sympathy and trust from a woman, and he needed to charm this housekeeper into doing his will. Ignoring the cackling laughter from Ryuk, Raito took out a cheap locket that he bought for this purpose. "You will never see this open. In this locket, there resides the only woman I have ever loved, and will ever love." His eyes shone passionately. "I was but a naïve young businessman when I met her. She was my wife, an Englishwoman… she cut herself off from her race to wed me, but she died soon after from illness. I… I have…" His voice cracked again. "I have come to visit her homeland, to see the beauty of the land that has fashioned and created such a woman of incomparable loveliness and gentleness."

He closed his eyes, maximizing the dramatic emphasis of his tragic story.

There was a long and pregnant pause.

"That is why I came here, to London… away from people so I can sit alone… and remember," he said dreamily, as though lost in his own world. "I hope you do not mind me mentioning it, but you do remind me somewhat of her, from your looks and manners." The carefully insinuated flattery was not lost on the woman, and Raito saw the quick blush that stole across the latter's features.

"Oh," Raito suddenly said, throwing back his head and giving a deliberately false laugh. "You must think me a weak and foolish man, for bearing my heart on my sleeve. But I am sorry, I just… I just miss her so."

"No… no… not at all. Oh, I'm just so sorry to hear of your loss," murmured the housekeeper in a very different tone, her heart softening despite herself. She could even feel herself tearing a little. "It is my fault… I should never have brought up such a terrible memory."

Under the pretext of brushing away his tears, Raito took the opportunity to study the effects of his story on the woman.

Not too bad… almost there. Soon she will trust me entirely, and I can use her. Pah! All women are the same- silly, sentimental creatures.

Hidden under his fingers, Raito allowed his lips to curve slightly; a sneer. It instantly vanished the next second, however, when Mrs Morel began to speak. "I understand your feelings, boy," she said, eyes glistening. "I had a husband too, once… we loved each other very much. But he died too; he was killed during a robbery… the authorities never did manage to find the killer." Her tone turned very bitter. "Or rather, the accused bribed the judge. He got off scot-free, while my husband lies six feet under the ground. I have long given up hope on our justice system."

Raito nodded gently, eyes shining with compassion. "I have seen the newspaper clippings and the photos you have on your mantelpiece. He… your husband, seems like a very fine gentleman indeed. I suppose," he said tentatively, fingers deliberately intertwining with each other. "I suppose you must hate that murderer very much."

"Yes!" She spat venomously. "I hope to God that he is rotting away somewhere… all criminals should go to hell!" Her hands on the table trembled.

Slowly, without taking his eyes off the woman, Raito reached out over his untouched beef and tea to grasp the woman's thin hand. She gave a small start, but Raito cut across her. "We both have been victims of such unfortunate circumstances… I wish there was something I could do to help." There was a tiny pause. Raito noticed with some satisfaction that the hand beneath his own (although shaking slightly) did not draw away, an indication that she was beginning to trust him. Then, completely in his projected image, Raito gave a small start, and quickly withdrew his hand as though realizing for the first time what he was doing. "I- I am sorry. I didn't mean to… to… violate you, or- or anything offensive." Raito's carefully constructed face was now a beet red as he stammered. "It's just, back home... it is the culture to hold the hand of the person who has suffered such a heavy loss… a gesture of compassion and sympathy. Please forgive me, I meant no harm."

"Haha… good one, Raito!" Ryuk laughed in the background. "She is completely taken in by your words."

"It's… it's all right," the woman croaked. She felt a hot flush creeping up her face, at the thought of those smooth hands cupping her own worn ones. "I… I think I have to go," she flustered, getting up quickly. The thin strands of golden hair flapped around her narrow sallow face. "I- I have chores… to do…" she said rather lamely. Raito arranged his face into a look of surprise, with just a touch of disappointment. "Oh… I am sorry for keeping you for so long. It has been a pleasure talking to you, I hope you would still continue giving me the honour." He stood up, walked over to the door and held it open for her.

"This really isn't necessary sir," she murmured as she walked forwards.

"Just common courtesy, madam." Raito inclined his head towards her, noting with satisfaction the flattered, although slightly confused expression on the woman's face.

Mrs Morel halted before him. "You really are such a pleasant young man, if it's all right for me to say so." She gave a small sigh. "It's been so hard to find someone who understands…Life is hard to a woman who is a widow. I just wish that my husband's case had been handled by Sherlock Holmes- He would have seen that justice be served." Her eyes flashed. "He once helped a dear old lady friend of mine (she has long passed away, God bless her soul)- but I doubt she would have rested in peace if that great detective had not found out her own husband's murderer…"

Raito froze.

Sherlock Holmes? The legendary detective? But… but… he doesn't exist!

It can't be…

Unless…unless…

At the back of the room, Raito could hear Ryuk issuing a rather strange laugh- a mixture between a snigger and a snort.

With an effort, he controlled and composed himself, fixing a concerned expression on his face. "Oh, you have to tell me about that someday. Have a good night." Raito smiled charmingly and closed the door as she left. As the heavy door swung shut, Raito gave a triumphant smile.

"Sherlock Holmes," whispered Raito, turning and staring at the death-god before him. "He actually exists… I should have guessed."