Author's note: Once again, thank you all so much for all your reviews! And to Norcena T. Calamus, yes you are right. When I re-read the chapter again, I realized that I did go a tad too far with Holmes' reasoning. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, and it won't happen again! I will rein in his intelligence a bit J
Hope you all like this chapter, and please review!
Chapter 6
"Hey Raito…" said Ryuk, peering over Raito's shoulder at the daily newspaper. "Your plans to go public have not been successful- nothing of the heart-attacks has been reported."
"Don't worry," said Raito, gently stroking the tattered cover of the death-note. "It won't be long now. The police will not be able to keep the deaths from the public by tomorrow."
"Why? How do you know?"
"Because," said Raito smiling. "Some breeds of people never change. A secret note, a bribe, a threat… and I now have both police and newspapers unwittingly doing my will. I will see what I want on the cover of this newspaper by tomorrow. Oh, this is just too easy," said Raito arrogantly.
There was a short silence.
"However," murmured Raito. "I will not be too conceited this time… the only reason why Near and Mello could bring me down before was because I became too proud- this time I shall spare no expenses or hours to make sure that the same thing will never happen again." His eyes took on a maniacal glint. "I WILL become a god this time."
And the next day, just as Raito had predicted, the newspapers ran their story on the heart-attacks. Feeling pleased, Raito was just about to tuck into the news with a cup of tea in hand, when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"A letter for you, sir," came the housekeeper's voice.
"Oh. Coming," said Raito, going to the door and opening it. He felt extremely puzzled indeed, for he could not think of any whom he felt would have sent him a letter. "Thank you, Mrs Morel. I will attend to it at once." He quickly shut door.
Opening the letter, he stood there, motionless, as he read.
"What is it, Raito?" asked Ryuk, sitting on the bed.
I KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND I DO LOVE YOUR NOTEBOOK. MEET ME AT 12 AT THE PAVILION. TABLE OVERLOOKING THE STREET AT THE FURTHEST RIGHT-HAND CORNER. IF YOU DO NOT COME, I SHALL REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY TO THE POLICE.
A.
Raito stared at the note, stupefied. Glancing at his watch, he was horrified to see the hands at forty-five minutes past eleven. Should he go? Was it a joke?
No. It cannot be. Whoever it was, the writer knew about the death-note. Had another death-note fallen from the sky?
There was no time to think.
Fifteen minutes.
Crushing the note into a ball, Raito quickly threw it into his fireplace. "Come, we have to move," said Raito to Ryuk, throwing on his cloak and dashing out onto the landing. "There is still time."
It was a beautiful afternoon, one of those rare glorious days in rainy London. Settling himself down at a pleasant café, Raito waited. Although the pale, freckled waiter had been somewhat reluctant to give the Asian man a seat, thinking that the latter's yellowed skin would no doubt shatter the ambience of white and chase away potential guests- a lazy flick of several pounds soon sent the waiter scurrying for the best seats in the restaurant.
"I-I am sorry, if I am late," a sweet gentle voice said, as Raito was perusing the menu absently, his thoughts in a whirl. "I was caught up by the mess of traffic, and have only just reached." Instinctively, Raito instantly jumped up and bowed.
As he tilted his head, he took the opportunity to view his counterpart in a detailed light.
"Of course not. In fact, I am honoured that such a woman as you has agreed to grace me with your presence."
Fair, slim and comely in appearance- the young woman was one who would definitely turn heads at any party. However, Raito was on his guard. Anyone who sent him such a letter as he just received is extremely dangerous- and unless he could make use of her, she must be eliminated. "Oh, that really is too much praise," she laughed. "But quite honestly, I doubt you are here simply to flatter me, my dear sir." Her eyes glittered coyly.
"Well, before we get down to business, may I know your name? Ms-?" Raito asked, acting indifferent although inwardly he was seething with excitement. The woman just looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "Do you honestly think that I am going to tell you?"
Raito dropped all pretense, the fear and frustration in him reaching almost boiling point.
"Then what is it that you want? I am in no mood for games," hissed Raito impatiently. How the devil did she know? Was she going to expose him? No… knowing who he is was impossible- he had been extremely careful in his methods and concealment… how then, did she know? He considered taking her out there and then using his strength- but with the presence of other waiters and guests, coupled with a police station just opposite, Raito decided prudently to wait.
"Temper, temper," she said irritatingly, waving a slender finger at him. "I am hungry- I can't discuss business on an empty stomach." Calling for a waiter, she opened the menu before her. "Hmm… I think I would like to start with some appetizers…"
After poring over the menu in which she spent around ten minutes picking and rejecting assorted foods, she finally turned her attention to the impatient Raito. The latter, although normally cool and calm- was having difficulty concealing his frustration at this enigmatic girl. "Haha, Raito," said Ryuk softly behind his ear. "This is certainly amusing. She is making you even more uncomfortable than when you were with L."
"So, what would you like?"
"I… I am not hungry," said Raito stonily.
"Oh, but you must eat," she pouted. "It isn't polite for a gentleman on a lunch date with a lady to be disinclined to eat."
Raito stared at her.
"All right," he said finally. "I will have the Fish and Chips then." Raito gave the waiter an extremely forced smile. The latter bowed and went away briskly.
There was a silence, in which the woman wiped her mouth daintily on a napkin.
"Now that we have ordered our food, will you please tell me what is going on here?" Raito asked at last, trying to inject an element of confusion and bewilderment in his voice.
The woman just looked at him, tossing her dark brown hair. "Do not lie to me, sir. You know as well as I do what I mean."
"I don-"
"The fact that you came is evidence enough. An innocent man would have merely scoffed at the note, thinking it the workings of some random prankster," cut in the woman smoothly. "But you came. Obviously my presence and what I know worry you. And right now, I have you in my power."
Raito sat up rigidly in his chair, glaring at the woman opposite. Much as he disliked admitting it, he knew that she was right.
"You have no proof to back up what you say," said Raito, leaning back upon his chair. "Indeed, I can go to the police headquarters right now, and accuse you of threatening me."
"Oh please be sensible," said the woman, in an annoying patronizing manner. "Let us see who they will believe- a respectable young Englishwoman, or some immigrant Japanese of shady background?" She smiled. "At a snap of my fingers, I can land you in prison and perhaps the gallows."
"But I have to say, you are extremely lucky. I am a firm supporter of your beliefs and methods, and am here to help you. Although, of course, as at all business transactions- such aid must come at a price," her eyes glinted. "I know that you can only kill if you know the name and face of your victim- and I assure you, you will never be able to find out my real name unless I tell you. And as to how I know…" she smiled.
"Let's just say that I have my sources."
The waiter arrived with their food.
"I must say that I admire you," she continued almost dreamily, toying with her peas and potatoes like some overgrown schoolgirl. "To have that much power- and using it to shape society into a world full of good people. And seeing how you have acted- I know you are an extremely intelligent person." She winked.
"But then, I also know that you are exceedingly dangerous. I will not tell you all I know... for now. I warn you though," said the woman quietly. "If you ever even think of killing me, I have safeguards in place that will reveal your secret to the world. And to set the record straight- even if you have my real name, it will not be of use to you. The moment I die-" she grinned. "Those safeguards will instantly activate."
"I… understand," said Raito. "So what, exactly, is it that you want from me?"
"Well, although I support your methods and ideas- I do have my own personal agendas." Her thin lipped smile made her look intensely predatory, so different from the girlish image she had presented before. "There are… some people… who are making life rather difficult for me. They do not support my actions and attitude, and think I am a disgrace to the family name. My own inheritance now is at risk."
"So… you want me to kill them off for you?"
"Yes, I do," she said matter-of-factly. She pushed across the table a list of names with photos attached. "They have earned my ire. Eliminate them."
"And I take it that they have not committed any crimes?"
She took a sip from her glass of wine. "They irritated me. That is criminal enough."
It was taking Raito a lot of effort to control himself. He was god, not some dog to be kicked around and forced to do his master's bidding. However, as of now, he knew he had to swallow his pride and act subservient.
Sooner or later, she will make mistakes.
Sooner or later, she will come to trust him.
And when the time comes…
"My father is an extremely well-connected businessman, and I can help you get any information that you need- as long, of course, you continue to do as I say. And right now I will be your strongest ally… I know who you are up against, and I will help you defeat him."
She bent close to him. "Sherlock Holmes ruined my life years ago. I hate him with so much passion that I will never rest until he is dead."
"Kill him for me."
Hearing these words, Raito's lips curled into a smirk.
Perhaps God is on my side, after all.
"Well, I suppose that this is all for today. I also want you to meet me once a week for updates," she said, as she rose from her chair. "I will tell you the address by mail."
Without waiting for a reply from Raito, she turned to go.
"Oh! And please pay, will you, handsome?" So saying, the young woman sauntered gaily away and out onto the street.
The fish and chips before him had gone cold.