Firestarter - Chapter 2

"Tashigi?"

Smoker rarely called me by my name. Only Lieutenant would do. But the effect he probably wanted was in full force. I looked up from my desk and Captain Smoker was standing there in all his glory, a cigar in his front pocket and a scowl on his face. "Care to brief me on this?" He was holding the report I'd left on his desk."What happened yesterday after the parade?"

---

It was cold in his office since he liked keeping the window open while he smoked. I sat down, shivering in front of his desk and explained to him how Fullbody and I had come across an orphaned boy named Luffy, and his brother, Ace.

Smoker was quiet, and I could see the thoughts going about his head. I cleared my throat when I'd finished and waited for him to say something.

"Makino won't talk to us," he growled, leaning back in his chair. "I need record of Luffy's brother. A name, to start with. Ace must be a nickname his brother knows."

I nodded, "Fullbody said he would look into it."

Smoker was already shaking his head. "I don't think he's paying attention to that right now." He motioned toward the doors. Fullbody was standing up at his desk, saluting a tall, slender woman who wore more medals and decorations than Captain Smoker. Her lips were thin, her eyes were narrowed and she looked and felt pissed-off.

Worst of all, she was coming right for us.

She threw open the door without a knock and walked briskly inside, pausing to stop at the window to light a cigarette.

"Tashigi, since Captain Hina doesn't like to pick up after herself," Smoker said grimly, his eyes on her, "Would you mind closing the door?"

I obliged weakly and turned in my seat to look at her. There was too much smoke in the room to bear. My eyes watered up behind my glasses.

"Ace?" Captain Hina's eyes flashed up at Smoker and she breathed out, her hand on the windowsill. "Your little pyromaniac, you think it's Ace?"

"It's my investigation."

"And what a Holiday investigation it is." Hina said curtly, "Ace has been in our files for years. Missing boy from four years ago. Left his foster parents."

Smoker almost growled. "Nice of you to let me know."

Hina sighed. I watched them both anxiously. "Your investigation won't get you anywhere until this kid slips up. I have his files, his records, his everything. He just disappeared one day. Couldn't find him at his job, his place of residence, anywhere." Her eyes went to me, and I quickly broke the gaze. Her intimidation was a factor I couldn't help but feel. "It gets much deeper, Smoker, and you're not swimming in gray waters."

"Yeah?"

Hina continued without missing a beat. "This is a red ocean, Smoker. We're diving into the Whitebeard crime family."

I sucked in my breath and held in. I was shivering. The Whitebeard crime family was untouchable. No one I'd want to cross. We had three dead officers who gave their lives for his intimidation.

Smoker looked down at his desk and chewed on his cigar, thoughtful and quiet. Hina watched him with a softer gaze. I felt out of place. Thankfully, Smoker spoke up again. "So we just let his tool light some fires and get away with it? Sure. The body count will just pile up, and it'll be another case for us to turn a blind eye to. So when the family's are asking me what I'm going to do about this--"

"Smoker!"

"--what I'm going to DO about this--"

"Smoker!"

"--I can safely say that there's nothing I can do. Sorry ma'am, but it looks like your teenage daughter, your family dog and all your photographs and memories are gonna be sitting in a grave with no killer to blame. Good luck finding a new home."

"Smoker..."

He shook his head. "Or better yet, the police can just rule it as an accident. Is that what you're here to tell me, Hina?"

"Captain," I said, my eyes urging him to stop. Hina sighed and tossed her cigarette, looking out the window.

"Smoker, I came here today to help you."

"Then help," he growled, "I'm not gonna let this go on and on and keep apologizing to victim's family members. This is gonna stop. I intend to stop it."

"As do I." Hina said quietly, "But this is a case that's going to require more than just a firm jaw and a righteous eye, Smoker. This is Whitebeard's game."

"Ma'am," I ventured in, and Hina spared me a glance. "If I may. This is a case I don't want to give up."

"You certainly won't, Tashigi," her smile was warm, very unlike her cold gaze she sent to Smoker afterward. I was surprised she knew my name. "I just want to extend my help to you. I knew it was something you wouldn't give up, Smoker. You're just the only one with the guts to do it."

"Well," Smoker said, blowing smoke up at the ceiling. "Let's get started."