Chapter 1

Investigation of a New Life

"Do they really think it's him?" Edward said, still staring at the picture, "Because it couldn't be! He was killed by Scar. Al and I . . ."

"It's okay Ed, we know for a fact it's not him," Mustang interrupted, handing Ed another piece of paper, but this time it was creased, as if it had been folded, "This proves it. It was found in the Brigadier's unharmed hand."

"You just confuse me. "This had nothing to do with the Brigadier. He's just a messenger and example of what's to come. Now that the Master Butcher is gone, it's time for the apprentice to come out of the darkness and avenge her Teacher's death. I'll be coming for his killers next, as well as some unfinished business. 'Til my knife meets your flesh, Night Blade. Well isn't that nice. We have another serial killer on the loose!"

"And guess who their targets are?"

"Who?"

"You, Al, Scar, and possibly Winry."

"What?! What about you guys? You captured him!" Edward yelled in dismay.

"But in Night Blade's eyes, you and Al lead us to him and Scar killed him."

"What about Winry?"

"Obviously "unfinished business" means that since Barry couldn't kill her the first time, Night Blade's going to finish the job."

"Right."

"So, your family's at stake and so are you but it's your job to catch this killer. What will you do next?"

"I'm gonna take a leap and go to Barry's old shop. Who runs it now?""A girl by the name of Kate. We already checked her out. She had an alibi for the night of the killing. She was out here bringing in flower deliveries. Her roses are the best in town! I should know."

"Yeah, yeah, you get millions a day, blah, blah, blah. But did she work at the butcher shop with Barry before . . . well, you know," Ed sighed.

"Yes, yes Fullmetal. It's hard to forget. But why go again? We already checked her out. She's home free. And what makes you so sure it could be her?"

"Well, she's the only female connection to Barry the Chopper we have," Ed replied handing Roy the note and heading for the door.

"That doesn't answer my question, Fullmetal," Roy said, grabbing his jacket and following Edward.

"It's time for the apprentice to come out of the darkness and avenge HER Teacher's death. She wrote it out in plain words. I'm surprised you didn't notice it yourself, Brigadier Mustang."

Mustang read the note again and smirked, "I am, too."

A half hour later, Ed and Roy pulled up to Barry's old shop, now renamed "Kate's Flower Garden".

"So you weren't kidding when you said flower shop, were you?"

They walked in to a room of shelves stacked high with every color flower that seemed possible.

"Well," Roy said, "she seems to be out for a moment. Should we stay and wait? All the bright colors make it very comfy." He sat by a shelf full of violets and lilies and sighed, "It's nice to be away from the office."

"You do that, but I know she's here. The sign says open and . . . Hello! What's this?" Ed said as he looked behind the front desk. "She seems to have a nick for her old employer. She has a whole album of pictures of him!" Edward said, flipping through the yellowed pages.

"Who?" Roy said, zoning back in to reality.

"Jeeze! You're out of it today! Barry the Chopper! All that work must be seriously hard on you . . ."

"Yeah, Uh huh, right, of course . . ." Roy said, dozing of again.

"Okay, so were is she?" Ed whispered as he closed the book, not being mindful of where his hand fell. Right on top of the "Customer Service" bell. It rang out and Ed tensed up. "There goes my element of surprise," he mumbled to himself. Soon, light footsteps could be heard coming from the back of the shop.

"J- J-Just a moment!" a shy voice yelled. Then, from behind the shelves, a girl of about 13 came out to the front desk, put the large album in a drawer, locked it, and put on a weak smile for Edward, saying, "W-Welcome! How may I help you?"

Edward suddenly doubted his theory. How could such a meek girl commit such heinous crimes? Then he noticed the dark red stain on her apron.

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