A/N: Um, dang, I thought this chapter was longer. XD

So, this story is done. That's a record time, for me. Just need to type and put up the next eight chapters! Enjoy!

4: Forensics and Suspects

-

"You got anything for us, Ev?" Braig asked, carefully looking away from the numerous cases already in the lab. The thirteenth precinct was short on funds and understaffed, so Even was the only forensic scientist they had. He had gotten offers to be transferred, but either he was loyal to his former classmates at the academy or he preferred the solitude, for he stayed where he was.

"Total of four wounds," Even reported, handing over some papers held together by a paperclip. "Caused by a sharp, jagged object. I'm checking for traces of it, but nothing yet. The third chest wound killed him. The slash across the neck was superfluous."

"Did you find any foreign DNA?"

Even indicated the papers impatiently.

"Forgotten how to read?"

"You know I can't read this chickenscratch," the detective quipped back. Even sparred him a harried glare.

"The only foreign DNA in the room or on Ansem's person was what I expected."

"Xeha did say he went over last night," Braig said, pursing his lips to hide a smirk. "Rough play gone too far?"

"Spare me," Even said dryly. "This is a murder investigation, Braig. We can't rule anything out."

"There were other visitors after Xehanort's departure," Dilan deadpanned.

"Spoil my fun, I was only joking," Braig grumbled. "Is that it?"

"For now, yes."

Even rested for a moment against an occupied examination table.

"I'll give it all I can, but…"

"But you've got other stiffs to work on, yeah, we know," Braig finished. "Not too many volunteers for this sort of work."

"I've noticed."

"You're the best of the best, Ev."

"I know. Now get out."

-

-

"Jack and Ara looked around some more," Elaeus told them, passing a stack of papers over. "Left these for you, but they had to fun. Got a multiple homicide on Fleet Street. Something about a deranged barber, I think."

"Thanks," Braig replied. Dilan took the sheaf and Elaeus went away. "Did he say barber?"

"I believe so."

"This world. Anything good, there?"

"The door's records. Photos. Some of Ansem's papers, cases he worked on in his spare time."

"Feed it to Tron. See if he can make anything of it. I'll go get into Ansem's laptop. Guess the password?"

"What is it?"

"The hint is 'the key to my heart.' How sappy is that?"

"Don't tell me."

"Yep. 'Xehanort.' Cute, isn't it?"

-

-

"Well, fuck," Braig said.

"Agreed," Dilan said.

"That's, like, half the city!"

Braig flipped through the stack of papers Tron had expelled for them, shaking his head.

"We have no leads," Dilan reminded him, "and no solid motive. I just entered in a few broad criteria, and this is what Tron gave me."

"What criteria?"

"Anyone the door would authorize. Anyone with a history of hacking, or good with technology. Anyone we've put away, highlight anyone Ansem was directly responsible for. Anyone who visited him that evening. And a few more."

Braig waved a section of the list.

"Dude. That's bogus. We're all here."

Dilan gave him a wry smile.

"Who's to say it wasn't one of us? We all had access to Ansem's flat. They're all color-coded, by the way. Green has one of the characteristics, yellow two, red three or more. Right now they're grouped by association. We're going to group them by color."

"This is crazy, Dilan. We need to find one guy out of all of this?"

"Then we should get started."

"Lots of people connected with Maleficent," Braig commented after a few minutes.

"All of her known associates, yes."

"No love lost between her and Ansem, that's for sure. We should get Ael out there."

"I'm sure he already is. By the way, there will be more characteristics to input once we have more from CSI and forensics."

"Is that good or is that bad?"

"Both," Dilan said. "There will be more suspects, but the lists will be more refined."

They finally hit the bottom of the stack after what seemed like hours of sorting.

"There," Dilan said. "We'll want to interview all of them that we can, get some alibis."

Braig looked through the smallest pile.

"Got some nasty-looking characters, here. Hey. Xeha's been red-listed."

"He fits many of the characteristics," Dilan said, examining the file. "He'll be our first."

"Cut the guy a break, will you?" Braig said quietly. "Hasn't he been through enough?"

Dilan met his gaze, nodding.

"I know," he said. "But Even's right. We can't rule anything, or anyone, out until we know more."

"He's the only one of ours on the red list. Hey, here's Maleficent. Pity she won't be available for questioning, unless we get really lucky really fast."

He flipped to the next file.

"You've got to be joking," he said. "The doctor killer? Tron's malfunctioning. He only fits one characteristic; why's he red-listed? Ansem's no doctor. I thought Tron used only specifics."

"Tron thinks—"

"He's a fucking computer, Dilan, he can't think."

"Artificial intelligence, Braig. Tron thinks we should consider it as a very serious possibility. Ansem has been involved in that case since the beginning. Maybe the killer got fed up with us being on his tail."

"All right, maybe Tron's onto something… does possible motive factor into this?"

"Not yet. Tron doesn't do psychology. That's up to us and Ienzo. Once we've interviewed, we can more people up and down the lists depending on their alibi, or lack thereof, and possible motive. We need to think outside of the box on a case like this."