Guyz, I know the long wait is annoying. I really apologize, somehow I got caught up with some subjects and events in my school never mind about some preparations for scholarship enrollment. This story needs update and I won't let you down. Thank you for your wonderful reviews, again you all rock!
Petiyaka - you have been awesome with your reviews (fastest one) and guess nicely from the start. However, I still want to surprise you...
James Birdsong - You are great and awesome too!
Keeper Aki - glad to hear that you've been better. I agree! They are really good pair (Rei and Mina, I mean) if you are interested, you can check some of Reimina fanfic that I wrote.
Passerby - You are always the sweet one ^^,hahahaha, Haruka sleek big gun you say? Let's just see. Very kind of you saying that, I am taking care myself just fine and update as fast as I can. I think it will be great if you sign in while putting your reviews so I can get personally reply you through PM. Just a random suggestion (^v^)
Tripower - a huge bowl of cookies for you too then ^^, yaay. I'm glad you finally put the review, I know the feeling when you are stuck with a wonderful game (kinda happened with me too), I'm sorry for the lazy update (_ _)
Ph1n3 - Thanks for your wonderful reviews! Have a nice day for you too!
Vientocorcante - You are rock as the 50th reviews.
Thank you guys, I love you all who read and giving this full-of-flaws-story a chance. This is the next chapter.
The central plaza was a huge shopping center located in the middle of the city. It loaded with some facilities that make the place the most favorite spot for people to spend their holiday and their money. Today is Wednesday and even though in a working time, the place would be usually full of people. Commonly they were the ones who out for lunch in a break time.
Haruka walked in to the plaza. The busiest center on the town now is like a graveyard. No one except her and some officers lurking around in that area. The area already secured from civilians and had been categorized as code red. The blonde detective immediately found the figure she had been looking for. The chief was giving orders to the unis. Haruka knew the situation. They only had a couple minutes before the explosives blow up the building.
"Haruka." The raven-haired woman greeted her briefly before turning to another that likely her subordinate in assault team.
"Where's the bomb squad team? They aren't here yet?" Haruka was scanning the room.
"They got trapped in the highway. Haven't you heard the news yet?" The anxiety in Rei's eyes had enough describing how the dread evolving in the past minutes.
"There was a bomb planted below the highway bridge. It went off eventually when the squad passed on it. That guy, whoever he is… he is playing with us and enjoying it." Rei said, scream and shouting to the delta team on the third floor of the building.
"Tell me if I'm wrong. Don't tell me that the bomb…" Mamoru caught another concern in the amethyst eyes.
"We haven't found it yet." Rei quickly replied. Haruka's mind had some scenarios that were going to happen if this continues. She believed that the raven-haired chief had already thinking about them too.
"We should get out from here, Rei." Haruka whispered in a low voice.
The chief looked back at the blonde, Haruka caught it as a big determination.
"The bomb squad had gone, detective. The authority of this case has practically fall to me. I have my subordinates spread out in this 7th floors building plus 3 basements to search the explosive. We can't get back now."
Haruka sighed, she knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"Trust me, chief. If you don't retreat now, and the bomb goes off, there will be more casualties in our side. That fucking bastard demand our lives, the polices. He wanted us dead, fail, miserable, victims. We aren't heroes, Rei. We are just human that doing every best effort we can to beat and catch the bad guy every single day. So, I am here as your friend, if you think me like one… begging you to abort this mission. I know this guy, he will win if you are keeping this on." Haruka composed and restrained herself from punching the chief woman before her if those punches can snap her out back into the realities.
Rei stared at Haruka. The blonde hit some points that had bothering her from the start. In previous occasions, the explosives had laid in bare that everyone can see and had easily discharged by the bomb squad team. The situation now is far different and complicated. She risked herself and her team if this continues. What she is doing right now just an effort to prevent him defeating her ego and pride.
"Abort the mission. Retreat back to the secure areas. I repeat, abort. Abort the mission for searching the bomb and retreat to the secure areas." Rei talked over with her radio.
Mamoru let out a relief sigh and saw his blonde partner got a phone call.
"I just get this one first." Haruka gestured to her cell phone and disappeared into her car.
"Detective Tenoh speaking." Haruka got on the line. She got a gut feeling that this will be bad.
"Hello again, detective. Do I need remind you about your remaining time left? It is 3 minutes… oops, 2 minutes and 57 seconds and keeps counting down as we are speaking." The cold creepy voice talked with enjoyment.
"You and your sick game need stop now…" Haruka hissed in annoyance.
"Do not angry, detective. At least not yet. I still have some surprises waiting for you… but I find it is not interesting if I don't get you here witnessing everything that's gonna happen. No fun." He whispered the last word evilly.
"I will catch you, wherever you are. If I can't, I will kill you on the spot. I have been sick with your lame jokes, they aren't funny at all."
"Detective… what I said about not being angry? I want you keep your anger for me later. I want to see your shock priceless expression, not your fury in your eyes. Me and your girlfriend will be sad looking at those exhausted and frustrating eyes… right? Miss Kaioh?"
Haruka was dead on her track when Michiru's name being mentioned. She clutched her phone tighter. This ain't a threat… his threat always real though. Haruka didn't want to gamble on this one. This is a game for him.
"Where are you?" Haruka didn't realize that her voice tone had changed to the ice cold tone that can send a shiver to everyone who listen it.
"There… there… where's your shock expression, detective? I kinda disappointed here."
The blonde detective noticed that she was being spied on. She finally saw the nearest surveillance camera in the end of the street. That bastard had hacked on government's cyber securities to get her. Haruka was wondering how can a genius like him become twisted like this. She suspected that almost all geniuses had twisted minds.
"I will show you my best shock expression and we will have a nice conversation about it too. Maybe we can exchange pictures while I shot your head dead and blown up those sick brains of yours." Haruka replied without joking tone. She is serious now, more serious than the past days. She perhaps exhausted and a little dizzy because her lack of sleep. However, she was certain that she still capable to bring a bomber down.
"I love it when you are angry." He chuckled over the phone.
"Tell me your damn location." Haruka turned on the ignition of her car.
Meanwhile back in the plaza…
Mamoru took his phone, he didn't have intention to answer it when he saw the name on the screen.
"Yes? What is it, Minako?" Mamoru half grunted, this had to be something important.
"Call me a queen of the dead." Minako smirked and sound so cheerful over the phone. Mamoru exchanged glances with Rei for a second and mouthed Minako's name to the chief woman. Mamoru swore that he saw a little blush crept out on her.
"Okay, Queen of the dead or whatever. Me and Rei don't have time in the world, just tell me what you've got." Mamoru spoke impatiently.
"I found something on our Jane Doe, a simple DNA that most ME's would ignore it. Wait, you are with Rei? Don't tell me you are handling the bomb plaza case!" The usual perkiness in her voice had changed to the horror and worried tone.
"Yeah we are on it. What DNA, Minako…?" Mamoru asked once again.
"Her DNA I mean… our Jane Doe is another Elliot. She is Sarah Elliot, the sister of Jack Elliot, our prime suspect… or was…" Minako sounded like she was typing something over there.
"We don't have database related their history, however the DNA can't lie. I believe that Jack Elliot doesn't know that his little sister had died… he has been careful along this time, it's tragic when your only and loyal partner betrayed your trust." Minako stopped when she opened the data about Elliot family.
"Let's we talk about the Elliot family. They have 3 children. 2 sons and one daughter. Ring the bell there? I have a feeling about the son beside Jack. James Elliot, the youngest of the three. Since I cannot find any possible suspect in here, I bravely assumed that the one we are dealing is James Elliot. Yes, high possibility that he is the one who set up the meeting with Sarah and killed her, he also the one who teamed up with Jack and created the explosives together…" Minako explained her analysis. She opened the database that restricted for even the government department. The one Minako opens was a lead in the federal files.
"Oh my God…" The blonde ME gasped on the screen of the computer. This day couldn't be worse anymore.
"What? Minako, what is it, tell me?" Rei that had been listening in the past minutes was scooting closer to Mamoru.
"I don't believe it! The federal agents have released Jack Elliot from custody! The decision is the matter of secret related to the current cases." Minako read the explanation on the screen and uttered her disbelief. "Why don't we get a notice about this?" Minako shouted. Being a medical examiner for the past years and working with Haruka as the lead detective made Minako understood the procedure of federal agents to them.
Everything is a secret. The priority is the highest order from above. Haruka would not like this.
"Where is Haruka?" Mamoru hung up the phone. Rei shook her head, they were too preoccupied with the bomb location.
"I have bad feelings about this." Rei saw the vacant spot where Haruka's car had parked a moment ago.
"I will go find her." Mamoru said.
"You need back up." Rei nodded.
"You handle the things here… I got this one." Mamoru ran to another police car.
That moment a huge explosion filled the horror behind them. The 7th stories plaza, the left wing area had gone and turned into hell with fire and smoke.
"Damn…"
Haruka arrived on the old factory building. Why every criminal chose the creepy building as their headquarters? Perhaps it has something to do with their twisted mind. Haruka thought to herself. She brought her gun up and ready. When you got invitation to someone's party on top of it, a bomber's party… you must ready for the possible outburst around.
Haruka jumped out when a grenade was thrown directly to her.
"Welcome Haruka." His voice greeted her together with the sound of explosion. The blonde detective smirked.
"What way to welcome a guest…"
"I love the surprising party, you don't know?" Haruka got up and aimed her gun to him.
"Where is she?"
"She is inside. Actually she is watching us through that camera. I don't like your gun pointed at me, Haruka. Why don't you put it down and give it to me?" His grin widened when the blonde detective obeyed his order. This is too easy.
"Say, Haruka… let's play a game." Haruka frowned when he called her first name.
"I never like your game…"
"But you don't have choice here… I set up some explosives in this building I can activate them whenever I want to… oh, your girlfriend is inside by the way." He smiled full of victory. Haruka knew that she wasn't in advantage here. She had to accept the game offer for Michiru.
"What game?"
He enjoyed the tension on Haruka's face before opening another door. Jack Elliot appeared with his orange jumpsuit, the prison uniform."
What the hell? How can he be here?
"I got my freedom this morning, detective. Federal agents are easier to deal, they are understand their position." Jack looked at his partner.
"May I start, James?" Jack asked while stretching his hand and neck.
"You have 10 minutes to win the game, Haruka. If you win, I will let your girlfriend go, never mind I will give you information about the biggest firework I have planted on the other side of the city. You guys can never outsmart me, you know." James turned on his countdown.
She had acknowledged the fear. Yes, she knew it. The horror and dread experience overwhelmed her whole mind and body that resulting in trembling and heart beat elevated. The fear because of insecurities and what might happen to her dear life. She knew it, and now she feels it.
The first thing she realized was the darkness. Slowly when her eyes had adjusted with the black pitch, she registered what had happened to her. She was attacked in her own apartment. That guy disguised as a police officer and attacked her with some electric mechanical tool. Her hands and feet were tied up to the chair she was sitting on. Her mouth was gagged with some clothes, leaving a bad taste lingered on her tongue. She was tied, gagged, and confined in a little dark room of nowhere. She is scared, confused, and disoriented.
Haruka.
From the mini screen before her she watched the blonde somewhere was talking with a man. The man was the one who brought her here. How can she forget the creepy face like him? Michiru gasped in horror when Haruka jumped out from a grenade that meant to her. This matter was more serious than she was predicted before.
Haruka!
She spelled the blonde's name inside her thought. Just mention her name and she gained a little courage to process with the situation she fell into. Haruka would come, rescue her. Because that always happens in the crime show she loved to watch every night. The detective always gets his girl, they always win because they are the good ones.
Who cares about the soap opera? I have to get a grip myself! I don't want to be that distressed girl hopeless and can do nothing. I will save myself! If I fail, Haruka will come or at least someone will help me. She is the best lawyer in the states! There must've been something she can do! She will get out of here and meet with Haruka outside.
Michiru winced when the wires that tied her hand cut her wrist every time she tried to move.
I can bear the pain. These wires she had to get rid off from the damn thing and search some help before her kidnapper came.
"5 minutes, Tenoh. I enjoy this very much." James kept checking over his countdown. His brother, Jack got the upper hand on the game. The game here, means fight. It was amusing because both of them fighting for something that can never be obtain.
"I know what's in your mind, James." Haruka got up on her feet once again. This was the third time she got knocked out to the ground. Jack Elliot was a guy with a well built muscular body that weight almost 180 pounds and almost 192 cm tall. The blonde cannot over powered his strength, she had been dodging but surprisingly Jack also had dynamic and agility better than her. This guy is a fighter. No way she can win without her gun.
"Even though you win this one, there's nothing you can get Jack. I know you aren't the type that obeys others. You are the strongest, I saw you years ago. You held the control not being controlled. What happens now, Jack?" Haruka tried another approach. Taunting him slowly.
"Shut up, detective." Jack threw another punch to the blonde's face. Haruka ducked under it but cannot avoid his kick that landed right on her chest. Haruka got thrown backwards, her back crashed with the adjusted wall behind her.
"I hear something cracked…" James grinned. 6 minutes.
Haruka felt pain shot through her whole body. Seems her right hand which she used for a shield before had broken, but she didn't have time to pass out here and now. Jack is angry, looked like she got a vital point there.
"What James promise to you… Jack? Are you sure you will get it after this?" Haruka had difficulty to stay conscious.
Jack got angrier, this time he turned to his younger brother. There's a doubt in her eyes.
"James, are you sure Sarah is okay? Are you sure that you don't tell her about what we are doing right? She has given up her dream as a runner! I want her to look at me not as useless brother!" Jack approached James with a great speed. James still keeping his smiles with him.
"Don't worry, bro. She is fine and will never know about these things." James reassured Jack as he patted gently his brother's shoulder.
Everything is now clicked in Haruka's mind.
"She's dead, Jack. Your sister is dead, James killed him. We found her body 4 days ago on the park together with the explosive. Whatever you are fighting for now is gone." Haruka successfully stood on the ground. Her right hand fell limp beside her body.
"Do not hear her! You know that police always deceive us, Jack. They never understand our feeling! Sarah is fine!" James took Haruka's gun and gave it to Jack.
"Take this. If you don't trust me, your brother who sharing the same flesh and blood with you just shoot me. But, if you trust me… shoot that detective who had ruined our life from the beginning Jack." James whispered.
Haruka gulped nervously. How can this game became like this? Wait, unless that James had predicted firstly about the outcoming of the game… no, he couldn't do that. The game ended with a gamble for both players. In this case they were me and James. Jack was only a toy for James while the real player is him. That bastard had wanted this scenario.
Jack accepted the gun and looking at Haruka then James.
"Choose, Jack. Get rid of your enemy in your life." James smiled. His gaze fell onto Haruka. This is his victory.
Jack lifted the gun and aimed at the blonde detective. Haruka didn't move, she just looked at Jack wishing that he got her message, hoping that he will trust her instead his evil brother. True that they were enemy, however the obsession that built between them had overpowering the common trust. Deep down inside Haruka, she knew that Jack unable to trust James.
The shot rang out twice and then silence followed.
Michiru took a deep breath and concentrating all of her energy to break free from the wires. Her wrists hurt very much, yes. She was too preoccupied with the show on the screen. They were beating up her detective. Her detective, yes. How long Michiru was thinking about Haruka being her only detective? She shook the chair hard to get away but her effort is futile.
"Don't move." A voice echoed in the room. Michiru frantically seek the source of the voice. It was came from the corner of the room where the door should be.
"There's someone inside." Another voice replied. Michiru finally knew that the voices came from outside.
"Break the door!"
"Don't! There are explosives connected here, if we forcefully open the door it can blow away the entire building!" Now a woman voice echoed. Michiru didn't know who they are behind the door. The thing that clear is they are here to help her. She pushed herself closer to the door.
"Hold on, sweetie. We will get you out from here." The voice reassured her. Michiru can only nod, the help finally came. She turned to the screen that showing Haruka and 2 men. The situation turned from bad to worse. A gun pointed at Haruka. Michiru witnessed the horror when the shot carried out.
There was no pain came. The impact she expected didn't arrive until she opened her eyes. There's blood. So much blood. But it came from the person before her. They are James blood. Jack double shot James deadly on his head, make half of his skull scattered around the pavement. Haruka turned his gaze from James body to Jack Elliot. She predicted but never expected the guy to trust her.
"He is adopted. He never shares the same blood and flesh like me and Sarah did." Jack said calmly. He looked very composed even after he shot his own brother. Jack turned to see Haruka.
"She is dead, right? Sarah, I mean." His eyes reflected the deep sorrow and grief. Sarah was the only one he had after his family left them.
"I believe so. She was an athlete that had old scars on her biceps. The M.E said that type of scar wouldn't allow anyone to be able to run fast anymore. I heard your stories about her. She didn't have any sign of struggling means that she knew her attacker. Guess it was your brother." Haruka explained.
Jack grinned. "I knew, detective. Feds have told me everything." Jack reached something from his collar and threw away a small device.
"I promise them a cooperation to bring James down. I accept it with a condition that me myself the only one who will punish him." Jack gestured to the body near them.
"The feds didn't care about the result as long as the bomber stops his actions."
Haruka didn't believe that someone who has been her biggest enemy actually allies with the FBI.
"Why you are accepting his game? Never mention about broke my arm before?" Haruka sighed, her left hand asked back for her gun in Jack's hand.
"gimme back my gun."
"I had to convince James. But, I admit that it was fun fighting with you. I did your hand so we are even now." Jack threw Haruka's gun to her while exposing the bullet scar on his shoulder to Haruka. That scar was made by the blonde detective.
"Criminals like you talking about even…" Haruka smirked, holstering back his gun. She noticed that some agents had surrounded them and cuffing back Jack.
"We haven't done yet… there are still bombs somewhere in the city…" Haruka said to the nearby agent.
"We took care of them already. The explosive in memorial park had been deactivated by him." The agent pointed to Jack's direction.
"I am more genius than my brother FYI." Jack saluted the blonde for the last time before he went back to the back seat of police car.
"HARUKA!" The blonde turned to the familiar voice. The aquanette lawyer ran in full speed and hugged the blonde detective tightly.
"Are you okay?" Haruka let go of her and examined the lawyer's physical condition immediately. She noticed the deep cut along her wrist.
"That bastard deserved a second death for doing this to you…" Haruka looked at Michiru's hand with regret overwhelmed her.
"I am doing this to myself Haruka. I saw you from a screen monitor, the fight, and… oh my God… what happen to your arm?" Michiru caught the odd angle of Haruka's right arm.
"Broken but it's fine." The blonde replied quickly. She covered her groan with a forceful smile.
"Nothing's fine with a broken bone, detective. I see you are in pain there." Michiru took Haruka's good arm and pulled the detective with her.
"You need medical attention immediately." Michiru pushed Haruka to one of the EMT's near the scene.
"Ouch, you are so bossy for someone who became a hostage moment ago."
"Don't you dare to start…" Michiru snapped. She didn't believe how normal the situation had turned. The horror and fear had passed, now the only thing left is Haruka.
"Careful, will you?" Haruka shouted to the medical team that was tending her arm.
"Seem like a clean break, but I think you will need a light surgery in hospital, detective." He got used to for being shouted at by stubborn detectives.
"What, no way! Can you just pop those back in place?" Haruka grunted. Michiru couldn't help it and wince while Haruka mentioning about the scary procedures.
"These are broken not dislocated. You still need surgeries. Take a deep breath, detective." The EMT placed an oxygen mask to Haruka's face.
"What the hell is this?" Haruka suddenly felt loopy and sleepy.
"It can help you with the pain. Everyone, get ready to transport!"
Michiru squeezed Haruka's hand until the blonde fell asleep. After Haruka closed her eyes, Michiru whispered to her ear.
"What can I do to you? I already fell deep down into your heart, Haruka…"
Okay guys… this awesomely long and can be a final chapter or not? Give me review and let me know what you are thinking! Okay, the next chapter will be the last, or I will give more if you want more.
Who do you think should confess first? Michiru or Haruka? The same question but important for me. Again, reviews are cookies and I love cookies. (^ v ^)