Gah, late chapter... I don't actually have an excuse. Um. Sorry?

Edit: Thanks to Turtle Kid for pointing out a mistake in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Five: Who Are the Elric Brothers?

Maes sighed, and dumped the journal on the coffee table.

"No, nothing. It's just vague hints- and I was right, he only mentions the boys once, in that final entry. It's as if they never existed- except for the bedrooms, the portrait, and those boys Winry Rockbell saw..."

"Speaking of Winry Rockbell, have you got that photograph? I want to know if she recognises the boys in the portrait ."

Maes raised and eyebrow. "Roy, it was seven years ago."

Roy shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

Maes shook his head, but he handed over a copy of the picture anyway. It was small, but the faces were still recognisable.

"Thanks," said Roy, taking the photograph. Maes nodded- and then he grinned.

Roy gulped.

"And speaking of photographs... just look at my little Elysia! Isn't she just so precious? She's three now, isn't she just the cutest little angel you've ever seen?"

Roy groaned loudly. "Maes..."

"Maes, we are all very much aware that your daughter is adorable. In fact, with the way you're constantly reminding us, it is rather hard to forget. Now put the photographs away." Riza said sternly. Maes pouted a bit, but returned the pictures to his pocket- after all, it did not do to anger Riza. Riza got scary when she was angry.

Riza nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, Roy, give me the photograph of the portrait- I'm heading out anyway to grab a book from the library, and since the Rockbells only live down the road, it's not out of my way.."

Roy nodded. "Right. Here you go, Riza."

Riza tucked the photograph into her notebook. "I'll be back in an hour or so. I'll see you then."

"See you later," the others chorused, and then turned back to the table to discuss the case.

Maes tapped the journal. "The way I see it, the biggest mystery here is those boys. I'm pretty sure that if we find out why the Elrics were keeping them hidden, we'll find out what actually happened."

"Why d'you say that?" asked Fuery. "Weren't they being hidden because the Elrics were being targeted?"

Maes shook his head. "No, I don't think so... I think there was another reason, and whatever it was, it was big. I mean, their parents obviously cared for them, at least to some extent- they had nice rooms, nice toys, nice clothes, they were included in the family portrait, and hell, Trisha even gave her life for them... but they didn't want anybody to know about them. What was the big secret? I'm pretty sure once we find that, we'll find what really happened."

Roy nodded. "I think you're right. So, what do we already know?"

"We know their names, what they looked like, we know when they died and how. We know that for whatever reason, they were kept locked away from the outside world. We know that somebody wants the world to think they never existed." listed Falman.

Roy nodded. "And what don't we know?"

"We don't know why they were kept hidden, we don't know what their personalities were like, we don't know... well, let's just say we don't know much at all."

Maes sighed. "Got that right. So... how can we find out more about them, do you think?"

Kain Fuery piped up. "I think we should search the house again, and we should talk to anybody who might have met them... perhaps some of the servants who worked there?"

"Good idea," said Breda, "But how are we supposed to find one of the servants?"

"We'll put an ad in the paper. Sooner or later, we'll get somebody. We just ask for any information relating to Edward and Alphonse Elric."

Roy smiled. "That might actually get us some real information- nice work, Kain. But until then, we'll go round the village again. Last time wasn't much of a success, but we've got nothing else to do... and somebody must've seen them- right?"

They returned to the hotel three hours later, and collapsed onto the couch in the lobby.

"I can't believe nobody saw them! How can two kids live somewhere for... how old were they? Ah, forget it. How can two kids live somewhere for who knows how long and not be seen by a single person?"

"Except Winry Rockbell. Which reminds me- Riza?"

Riza, who had been sat in the lobby waiting for them, looked up. "Yes?"

"What did Winry think of that picture?"

"She's pretty sure that's who she saw- the boy we think is Edward was definitely there, she says, but she's not so sure about the other one. She doesn't really remember it that clearly."."

"Well, I didn't really expect her to remember it well. She was only ten." he sighed. "But I can't believe we haven't found a single lead on the Elric brothers! They certainly knew how to keep a secret-there's nothing in the library, and the only person who's actually seen them is a teenage girl, and that just tells us how they died!" Roy groaned.

"Actually, the guy who runs the shop says he was delivering something once and thought he saw two kids in the gardens, but they disappeared when he shouted to them." Jean said thoughtfully. "But I don't suppose that does us much good."

Maes perked up. "It's something. What if those boys were the Elric brothers?"

Roy frowned. "What of it? It doesn't tell us much."

Maes sighed. "If they were the Elric brothers, then it tells us that they weren't locked up, and they knew they weren't supposed to be seen."

"How so?" asked Jean.

"They were in the garden, weren't they? If they were locked away, would they have been outside? And if they knew they were supposed to be hidden, then when they realised they'd been spotted, of course they would've run inside!" Maes explained.

Roy shook his head. "That's pretty shaky evidence if you ask me, but I suppose you're right- it is something, at least. Assuming it wasn't just a couple of village kids messing around."

"You know, discussing the Elric brothers really isn't getting us anywhere." said Breda. "Maybe we should investigate one of the other family members? I mean, obviously the Elric brothers are important, but until we've got a lead on them, there's no point. Maybe we should try and find out a bit more about Trisha?"

Roy looked thoughtful. "I think the murders have more to do with Hoenheim Elric than his wife, but it couldn't hurt to look into it."

"True enough. So, are we agreed?"

"Yup. We'll look up Trisha Elric tomorrow."

Roy smiled- and then he yawned. "Well, that's great... Now, I don't know about you lot, but I'm tired. See you in the morning."