Katya- Ukraine

…

To be honest, this chapter's a complete train wreck, so sorry for that.

...

"Lars!" Peter ran forward before falling to his knees and pulling his little brother into a hug. Lars was trembling, clutching his attacker's body as he let out a sob.

"I didn't mean… I didn't want to kill her! I wasn't aiming to kill!"

"I know. You're not like that." Peter looked down, and wondered just what Lars was aiming to do, judging by the bullet hole in their forehead. However, that thought was driven from his mind when he realised he recognised that face.

"Angie?" he whispered. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Little Angie Bonnefoy was a Commonwealth assassin? No! There was no way she could be! This wasn't happening!

"Sweetie…" Tino appeared in the doorway, breathless and leaning heavily on the doorframe. But when he went to embrace Lars, Peter held up a hand.

"Stay back," he choked, "this is a crime scene now. We can't contaminate the evidence." He stood up, trying his best to remain professional, though all he wanted to do was to run back to his brother and promise to protect him. The attempt on his life was clearly traumatising for the man.

"But you just did!"

"Yes and that was a mistake." Peter tried not to touch anything as he moved back towards the door. "I'm sorry, but…"

Lars let go of the body with shaking hands, reaching out for his father and brother, and he was no longer an adult in Peter's eyes. Peter saw him as a child, crying and injured and desperate for someone to comfort him, though he'd never say it out loud.

He wanted to run over and comfort Lars, and tell him that everything would be fine, but it wasn't. And unless he could prove Angie was working for Commonwealth, and thus the same person who was behind the other attacked, Lars would be branded a murderer.

Well, he wouldn't be convicted of 'murder', per say…

"Am I gonna go to prison?" Lars sobbed.

"I don't know," Peter sighed.

"Am I a murderer?" he asked, wiping his face.

"Of course not," Tino tried, and Peter nodded.

"If you're convicted, it will most likely be on a manslaughter charge, not a murder one."

That only succeeded in making Lars cry harder.

Peter winced as he stepped back into the hall, telling Berwald, who had just arrived, not to touch Lars or go in the kitchen before running into Lars and Franz's bedroom. This was where Franz would keep his spy equipment, right?

Several minutes of snooping later, and Peter had seen more than he'd have liked to, but he'd found the suitcase of Franz's gadgets. Rushing back into the kitchen, he ignored his parents' questions and opened the thing in the doorway.

"Should we call the police?" Berwald asked, and Peter shook his head.

"I want to talk to Lars first," he replied, "then I'll phone the agents and get the police involved."

"And c'n you please explain why m'not allowed to hug my son?"

"Evidence contamination," Peter growled, "this room is the only thing standing between Lars and a prison sentence. So far he's the only one to survive a Commonwealth attack and I won't have him being arrested for that."

Lars listened to all this in silence.

"But I can't believe Angie would try and kill her friend," Tino shook his head.

"If it's true that she was working for Commonwealth, then that means she may have killed her own brother," Peter replied grimly, "now, Lars…" he picked up a handheld voice recorder and turned it on. "Tell me everything."

So Lars gave an account of his attack, from his feelings of being stalked to Angie cornering him in his house to the fight and him shooting her. He tired not to look at her body, and several times he paused to compose himself, or swallow sick. All the while, Peter stood there silently, staring at the rip in Lars' trousers and the blood dripping from it onto the floor. Another scar, to match the faint ones on his thigh. Peter noticed bruises on his neck and face too.

When Lars had finished, Peter nodded and stopped the recording, placing the thing in his pocket. He'd pass it on to Agent Patch later.

"I'm so sorry," Lars whispered to Angie, burying his face in her hair.

"But she tried to kill you," Tino frowned.

"She's still my friend," he stroked her hair.

"Lars, she's the reason we had to bury Alin and his kids today. She murdered three children under five years old!"

"We don't know that for sure," Lars tried.

"Well," Peter exhaled sharply, "Katya told me the DNA samples from the Radacanu-Borisov murders would be ready by Monday, so we'll soon know for sure."

"Lars," began Berwald, "do you have Björn's medicine?"

Lars nodded, and reached into his pocket, pulling out the syringe and tossing it to his father. Peter caught it, and handed it Berwald, who disappeared to give his son the injection.

"Peter, I just killed someone…"

"I've killed people before on missions. Isi had to kill people as part of his job too."

"Don't," Tino looked at the ground, blinking back tears, "I joined the army to save lives."

"And I'm an illustrator," Lars mumbled, "I draw for a living. I create, not destroy."

No one said anything for a long moment. Finally, Peter sighed and pulled out his phone.

"I guess we need to get the other agents involved now."

…

The reception at Tsvetan's house was a dreary affair, unsurprisingly. Tsvetan, assisted by his cousin Katya, talked to guests and mourners, who offered condolences, talking about the sheer tragedy of their deaths until Tsvetan wanted to scream.

Andrei, meanwhile, was attempting to eat his grief away at the buffet table, eyes burning as he picked up a photograph resting on a nearby table. Alin, Tsvetan and their children smiled up at him. He couldn't bring himself to smile back.

Alin and Eugen were murdered in this very room, he noted as he looked around, and he didn't like being here. Neither did Tsvetan, who had stayed at Andrei's flat nearly every night for the past week, and Andrei knew he was considering moving in permanently. He wasn't sure though, because although he couldn't bear to be in the building where his family had been murdered, the place still held those warm, precious memories he was desperate to conserve. There was also a part of Tsvetan that wanted to let the place fall into ruin, but he couldn't afford not to sell the house if he moved out.

The blood had been cleared up, at least. Andrei walked into the hall for some peace and quiet, trying not to walk over the spot where Dragomir had fallen. He stared at the upstairs landing, trying not to picture the blurry, anonymous attacker that had climbed those stairs to shoot Skender. The attacker that left several bullets and a single flower- a rose- behind, placing the flower in Skender's hand before disappearing. Every criminal left a trace, and those were theirs. Hopefully it would be enough to hunt them down.

He'd get his revenge somehow.

Andrei felt a prickle of guilt in his chest; he'd accused Luca of being revenge-driven, but he was just as bad.

"Hey kid."

Andrei turned around to find Daniél leaning against the door, staring at him evenly.

"Hello," he replied, voice flat.

"How you holding up?"

"As well as can be expected, given the situation."

Daniél nodded.

"Look," Andrei began, "I know you and Alin didn't really like each other, so I appreciate you coming along and all."

"Hey, I didn't get along with the guy, but I never wanted him…" he shook his head, "not him, or his children."

Andrei didn't reply.

"Come on, no point sulking out here," Daniél held out a hand and Andrei took it, allowing the other agent to lead him back into the sitting room. They spied Monique in the corner, frowning as she tapped at her mobile.

"Something wrong?" Daniél asked, walking over to her.

"My sister isn't replying to my texts," she muttered. "It's bad enough she's late. She told me she'd be on time but now she'd missed the service and the burial!"

"Angie's probably been held up by something," Andrei shrugged, "I'm sure she has a good explanation."

"Maybe she doesn't really want to face another funeral," Daniél tried, "you two were only burying your brother a short while back."

"Yes, I remember, unsurprisingly," Monique sighed.

"Of course…"

"You think that's bad," Franz cut in, joining them, "my husband's entire family has disappeared."

"Well their little boy was really ill," Daniél replied.

"Yes but I don't see why that means the whole lot of them have to disappear," Franz rolled his eyes, "not to mention Lars is supposed to be bringing my cake."

"Well, somehow, I don't think Tino will let Eemeli come back, not after what he said," Andrei added, and Daniél had to conceal a smile.

"You can't have honestly found that little shit funny," Franz exclaimed.

Daniél shrugged, and was about to reply when Andrei's phone went off.

"Huh?" he flipped it open and pressed it to his ear, "Seagull? Peter?"

The group fell silent, Daniél beckoning Oscar and Anri, who had walked past, to join them.

"What's up?" Andrei asked. He paused as he listened to the reply. "What about Lars? Calm down, I can't understand you!"

"Lars? What happened to Lars?" Franz leaned against Andrei's shoulder heavily, "does he have my cake?"

"He was attacked?" Andrei covered his mouth with a hand.

"But is the cake okay?"

"Shouldn't you be more worried about your husband?" asked Oscar.

"Well if Andrei says he was attacked, and not murdered, then he should be fine," Franz shrugged, "he is fine, right?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out," Andrei growled, "Peter, what happened to your brother? …I see. Yes, Monique is here, why? …We'll be right over."

"What happened to Lars?" Franz asked, voice low.

"He was attacked, by a Commonwealth assassin," Andrei looked at the floor as he pocketed his phone, "and survived. He killed the assassin too."

"What? No way!" cried Daniél cried, "that's never happened before!"

"Was he hurt?" Franz gripped Andrei's shoulder harder.

"Why did Peter ask after me though?" asked Monique, glancing down at her phone before shaking her head.

"I don't know," Andrei replied, though it was clear he was lying; "Peter can tell you himself when we get there."

"Shall we get going now?" asked Daniél.

"Well I wasn't planning on staying and eating more sandwiches," Andrei replied dryly.

"Would it be bad if I said I was?" Oscar cut in.

"Yes, now let's get Tsvetan and Luca and get going," Monique grabbed his arm, but Andrei stopped them.

"Let's not go and get Tsvetan involved just yet," he said, "he's busy, and besides, he has Katya to look after him. Grab Agent Fondue and meet me outside in thirty seconds."

…

"No! Angie!" Monique screamed, trying to reach her sister. Oscar and Anri held her back, dragging her from the kitchen. "That's my baby sister in there!"

"There's nothing you can do for her!" Oscar cried.

"Mon, she tried to kill someone," Anri added.

"No! Not her!"

Lars and Franz's kitchen was a mess. Officer Nguyễn, first officer on the scene, was trying desperately to retain control of the situation.

"I need everyone out of here right now!" she shouted, but with two sets of agents; Mr Oxenstjärna-Edelstein; the man's parents; and now his younger brothers, who had come up with the other agents to see all the excitement- Eemeli supporting his older brother, who was limping badly-; there were simply too many people, who all needed to be gone from the room by the time the CSIs arrived. The two boys were quickly shielded by Berwald, who pulled them into the hall, but the flat was still crowded. Lars was still sobbing, but had at least been moved away from the body, and was sat in a dining chair whilst Agents Seagull and Edelweiss tried to comfort him, Edelweiss also mourning the loss of his cake, and in shock at the betrayal of his friend. Still, his relief that his husband was alive was evident, as he gently stroked Lars' hair. Agent Monte Carlo was hysterical, and beyond talking to. Tino just leaned against the wall, mind lost and muttering to himself.

"Agent Patch, Agent Magyar," she snapped, "get everyone out of here."

"Where should we take them?" asked Andrei.

"Well, outside, of course. Put some handcuffs on Seagull's brother, calm Monte Carlo down and get all the witnesses ready to take statements, including any other of the building's tenants you find." She threw the duo a harsh glare. "And keep your Agents out of my way."

"Of course," Daniél nodded.

"Okay everyone out," she called, "this is a crime scene. Get out or you'll be arrested!"

That everyone heard. The agents slowly filed out, Luca taking Tino by the hand. The man flinched, but didn't resist.

"Where do we go?" Franz asked, helping Lars up.

"Outside," Officer Nguyễn replied, "Hassan will look after you all. He'll get Mr Oxenstjärna-Edelstein in a police van and take him to be questioned."

"What?!" cried Peter and Lars at the same time.

Officer Nguyễn sighed. "Well then you explain that dead body on the floor;" she pointed at Angie, covered in a sheet.

"But Officer, it was in self-defence," Peter gushed, "Angie was the same person to kill Alin and Francis and those other people!"

"Prove that, and he might have a chance." Officer Nguyễn pulled out a pair of handcuffs, wrapping them around Lars' wrists. "Now clear out. Officer Hassan has a few questions for you all." Peter could only watch as she led his brother away.

…

"There's no way my little sister's a mass murderer," Monique growled; "it has to be a trick!" She took off her glasses and wiped her eyes, smearing makeup across the side of her face. "Peter's brother must've made it up!"

"Now, now, Monique Bonnefoy," Daniél chided, "don't be going all illogical on us. You're the smart one here."

"Give her a break," Luca told him, "her sister just got killed."

"Still," Daniél frowned, "this is no time for losing your head."

The three were gathered outside the block of flats with the other agents as well as Tino, Berwald and their sons. Lars had already been taken away for questioning, though Andrei had assured him it wasn't a problem. If he told the truth, and Angie's DNA results matched the samples from the Radacanu-Borisov murders, then chances were that he could walk free. After all, Commonwealth had been responsible for hundreds of murders across the continent, and if Lars hadn't acted, then he'd just be another of those killings, and the assassin would still be at large.

Tino and Berwald were horrified at the sight of their child being arrested, and the whole day seemed to be having a drastic effect on Tino, though Berwald was the only one to actually notice it. And even he was somewhat distracted between Björn's illness, Eemeli's morbid curiosity, Lars' distress and Peter's insistence on playing detective.

"I don't want to accept it," Monique whispered, pulling her blanket tighter around her. She was sat on the steps, in between Agents Magyar and Fondue, clutching the edges of her wool blanket with trembling fingers. Agent Fondue wrapped an arm around his childhood friend's shoulders.

"I wouldn't want to accept it either," Luca muttered.

"But Angie… my Angie… working for those people?" Monique covered her mouth with a hand. "Why? How could she?"

"That's what we'd like to know too."

Monique looked up to find Agent Patch and Officer Hassan glaring down at her.

"Patch, what are you saying?" asked Agent Magyar slowly.

"Well, put it this way: we have a traitor in our midst, you see Officer," Andrei glanced at Hassan, who tried his best shocked. "And I know Agent Magyar is aware." He sighed; "it just seems pretty fishy that the sister of one of our agents is found to be working for Commonwealth."

"What traitor?" exclaimed Monte Carlo, "this is the first I've heard of this!"

"You can't possibly think Monique knows anything!" exclaimed Magyar.

"Stick to the codenames," Andrei growled, "and yes, I have reason to suspect Agent Monte Carlo is that traitor. Or one of them at least," he glared at Luca, who rolled his eyes.

"No, you have to believe me, I'd never betray you!" cried Monique, "they killed my brother!"

"They also killed Angie's brother."

"Angie… and Francis…" Monique looked away, "they didn't exactly get along… but I never imagined…"

"And what about you?" Andrei raised an eyebrow.

"I loved them both dearly. They were my big brother and baby sister."

"That's not what I asked."

"I would never kill them, or betray this country."

"Well we can't be sure," Andrei replied, "and besides, this isn't exactly your country, is it? So no emotional connection there, and probably no qualms about betraying it! And what do you care for our efforts to preserve the EU? Your country isn't even in it!"

"Neither is yours," Monique shot back.

"How rude. Still, we just want to question you," he glanced at Officer Hassan, "and when I say we, I mean the police, though they will be providing us with records of your interrogation."

"Naturally."

"But I'm innocent! Whatever crimes you think my sister committed, I had no part in them!"

"Then this shouldn't take long," Andrei turned to walk away.

"Monte Carlo," began Agent Magyar, "just go with them. Even if you're not involved in Commonwealth and were unaware of your sister's involvement, you can still assist our inquiry. Even a little thing you mention about your sis- Angie's behaviour up until her death can prove helpful."

"I see. Then I will come quietly." Monique nodded, and allowed Officer Hassan to handcuff her and lead her towards a police car. Luca and Daniél could only watch her go.

"I don't want to seem like a bastard," Luca began, "but at least this leaves me in the clear, I guess."

"Don't get so complacent," Andrei barked, still in earshot "we don't know how many moles there are, but we do know you and Monte Carlo go way back."

Luca groaned, running a hand through his hair. Once Monique had been driven away, Daniél stood up and turned on Agent Patch.

"Okay, what's your game?" he growled, pulling his colleague to one side.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh you do. Going round accusing my agents of being moles!"

"That's because we know there is one," Andrei replied, "and they're my agents too, if you haven't forgotten. You're perfectly at liberty to accuse Seagull, Edelweiss, Yogurt and Fondue of betraying the organisation, should you see reason to."

"And you saw reason to have Monique arrested like that?"

Andrei let out a sigh. "Of course. Look, her sister's already been discovered to have been a Commonwealth assassin. What's to say they're not keeping it in the family?"

"But Francis… I can't imagine Monte Carlo being capable of taking out her own brother."

"I can see her doing so more than I can Angelique," Andrei scratched his chin, "you knew the girl as well as I. Angie wasn't a killer."

"I don't know," Daniél glanced at the block of flats, "she always seemed odd to me."

"How so?"

"She always had a look of desperation about her, at least whenever I saw her," Daniél noted, "and she was nervous. Jumpy."

"Now that you mention it…" Andrei chuckled, "she hid it well though. Not perfectly, but enough for us not to suspect her."

"So she's condemned in your eyes?"

Andrei didn't speak for a while. "What does it matter? What I think won't bring her back to life. And we certainly can't ask her ourselves. All we can do is wait for the evidence to be processed and see what that tells us."

"And if it proves her guilt?"

"It won't be a surprise. Lars was attacked by her in his own home, after all."

"Poor Monique though, if she's proven to not be involved."

"Yeah, that's gotta be rough," Andrei spat on the floor, "losing Alin was hell, but at least I knew he always stood by me and Tsvet."