Finally, here's the next chapter. Keep in mind that this chapter takes place right after chapter 2.
So enjoy...
Chapter 4
It was strange how a simple question could have received such a drastic reaction from some of the BBA's most talented and well trained members. Tyson, for instance, had whipped around so fast that he had to grab the control desk to regain his balance, nearly knocking over half the equipments in the process. Max, on the other hand, had let out a shocked "What on Earth?!" after wheeling around as well. Although Wolf's reaction was not so dramatic, but the way his head had snapped around and the expression that he bore clearly stated that he had been caught off guard as well.
All the three BBA members, including the breathless chairman, simply stared at the direction of the voice, unable to pin point its actual source. For a wild moment, Max wondered if it was possible for all of them to have the same hallucination, as he kept his ocean blue eyes focused on a rather dark corner of the room. Dark but distinguishably clear, due to the light coming off the video screens. Max squinted slightly, in order to see better. But even then he could not make out any human-like form apart from the shadow cast on the wall… Shadow?
Max's breath hitched as he realized just what, or rather who exactly he had mistaken for a shadow. He heard Tyson whisper out his thoughts. "K-Kai!"
The 'shadow' smoothly pushed himself off the wall and took a soundless step forward. Tyson's earlier words ran through Max's head. 'The guy prefers to work in the shadows… Mysterious but brilliant…like a vampire…Vampire… The Vampire…' Max finally realized the reason behind the nickname.
Kai Hiwatari stood motionlessly, with his arms crossed, completely indifferent to the shocked faces in front of him. His dark clothing accentuated his sharp porcelain complexion. A set of royal blue triangles stood out clearly against the smooth planes of the high cheek bones. His eyes however, were veiled by a layer of sleek slate hair that gradually blended into a midnight mane, falling past his shoulders. Although Kai was not nearly as heavily built as the other three Russian, he looked capable of causing more damage than all of them taken together. His was lean with an athletic built, the one that represented both strength and agility.
Despite the dangerous aura that seemed to radiate off him, Kai had a somewhat mysteriously addictive beauty. It wasn't the kind of flamboyance one usually sees on the covers of fashion magazines; or the serenity carved on an angel's face. It was different. Kai was almost inhumanly alluring.
"It's about Raymond Kon, isn't it?" the deep velvet voice finally cut through the silence that had been created by the others' lack of verbal response.
Kai looked up calmly, revealing a pair of blazing amethyst orbs that gazed from beneath a row of long thick lashes, straight at Mr. Dickenson, making the old man flinch slightly.
In spite of all his expertise and knowledge in the field of human anatomy, Max couldn't help but wonder whether or not those eyes would illuminate in the dark
Tyson sat patiently in the lounge of the Towers. Max and Mr. Dickenson occupied his either side on the couch. Wolf, who had earlier on introduced himself as Tala Ivanaov, efficiently vacated the room for them. All the three pairs eyes were locked expectantly on the fourth occupant of the room, who sat perfectly immobile on a settee across the room. Even with the warmth of the roaring fire, the room was exceedingly cold. Yet Kai showed no sign of discomfort due to the extremely low temperature, despite the fact that he was wearing a lot less clothing, compared the others' heavy layers of woolens. The long sleeves of his shirt were pushed up to his elbows, revealing a pair of hard and muscular forearms that were crossed across his strong chest. His head was slightly bowed; making his slate hair veil his eyes once again.
Kai had not shifted from that position, even the slightest, for the last twenty minutes, in which Tyson had briefly accounted the whole situation to him, along their reason for coming to Russia. It was impossible to make out, from his face that whether or not the Phoenix had even heard a single word. He could have been carved out of marble, for all one knew. But the dark haired lawyer sitting across him knew better than to estimate him by just his appearance.
Tyson knew perfectly well that Kai had heard each and every word of his, and was already considering all that he heard. 'You won't let me down, Kai. I know you won't. You can't…'
Kai finally looked up, his gaze locked with Tyson's. "So what exactly do want me do about this case?"
"Investigate," Tyson replied with determination. "We need more evidence to prove that Ray's innocent. And we need your help to find what we are looking for."
"Which is?"
"I… don't know… Not yet, at least…" Tyson trailed off uncertainly. But he regained determination quickly. "But that's why we need you! With you working on our side, I know we can find a fresh lead somewhere. I'm positive we will!"
Kai sighed softly before speaking again. He spoke calmly and clearly. "I am a secret agent, Tyson. Not a private investigator. I deal with espionage. If Kon needed physical protection against some kind of attack, then it could have been taken into consideration. But what you're asking is different. I have no connection with such types of analyses. There are others who can help in this matter. I think Brooklyn Masefield would be—"
"But Brooklyn's not you!"
Both Max and Mr. Dickenson were taken aback by Tyson's sudden outburst, interrupting Kai Hiwatari no less. Tyson had always been known for his politeness. But at that moment he seemed almost frustrated at Kai. He was practically restraining himself from bellowing openly at the Phoenix.
"Can't you see, Kai?! Even after all these years? I don't want Brooklyn or anyone else! Because they are not Kai Hiwatari. They are not you."
Tyson stopped and exhaled slowly. Then spoke up again, but with more composure this time. "Kai… I'm not asking Phoenix, to take on a case. But I'm asking you, Kai, as an old friend, to help me save an innocent person. I know there are others who would accept this case readily. But others are not you. They won't understand me like you would. I'm being honest, Kai… We're at a complete loss here. We don't have proper evidences, witnesses or anything! We have nothing! Nothing but faith. Faith in Ray. The same faith I've always had in you. Masefield might assist me in this case, but he won't help me. You're the only one who can do that. And you know it just as well as I do. You're our only hope, Kai. Help me prove Ray's innocent."
Once again a heavy silence descended in the room. Even if Tyson's words had the slightest effect on Kai, he didn't show it. He remained aloof as ever.
"I'm not going to help Kon."
Both Tyson and Max looked ready to argue. But before they could have said anything, Kai cut across them smoothly. "The only thing I'll help find, is the truth. And the truth may not be what you like."
Tyson suddenly looked a few years younger, as a huge grin broke out through his face. Mr. Dickenson smiled to himself. 'I knew Kai wouldn't refuse Tyson. They may not show it, but they do share a strong bond of friendship.'
"Thanks a lot, Kai. We really appreciate this." Surprisingly it was Max, who spoke. Tyson was about to agree when—
"When was the body discovered?" Kai's abrupt professionalism derailed Tyson for a moment.
"Huh? Oh… right. July 21st. Near about half past eight in the morning. The body was discovered by Mariah's neighbor, Ralph or something… Hang on, I'll check."
Tyson quickly retrieved his briefcase from the side of the couch. He took out a thick folder and a few photographs, which he placed on the table if front of Kai.
The young lawyer began to search through the folder, before he finally found the required document. "Here it is. Raul Fernandez, he's a member of the local athlete's club. He lives with his elder sister Julia Fer—" he stopped abruptly, as soon as he'd looked up.
Kai was holding up a photograph, studying it closely. He spared another photo, lying on the table, a quick glance, before returning to the one in his hand. However the thing that caught Tyson's attention wasn't any of the photos. It was the look on Kai's face. His eyes were narrowed slightly and focused on a particular spot in the picture. The corner of his mouth was curved upward very slightly. It was a look which Tyson knew only too well. 'He knows something!'
Without looking up, Kai began to speak, almost like he was reading out from a book.
"When victim was found in her apartment, she was already dead. Shot dead through the temple. She had been holding a revolver in her hand, which made it look like suicide. However the revolver was placed rather awkwardly in the palm of her right hand, while the bullet was fired through the left temple, making it impossible for her to take such a shot. In other words, an attempt murder masked as suicide."
Kai picked up another photograph, before continuing.
"Suspicion fell on Raymond Kon, as a strip of his shirt and some strands of his hair had been found near the victim. Moreover, Kon had recently gotten into a fight with the victim, before her death. Is that it?"
"Yeah, that's about it," Max replied impressed at Kai's swiftness and accuracy. "But tell me, how did you figure out that part about Ray's argument with Mariah?"
"When did the fight take place?" Kai asked without answering.
"The same night Mariah died."
"Break up?"
"Right."
"No suicide note?"
"No."
"Did Wong have any family or relatives?"
"She was an orphan. Relatives unknown. She lived with Ray and three other people in a rented house. The other three were Lee Yang, Ray's childhood friend; Gary Tan, Mariah's old friend and another guy called Kevin Cheng."
"For how long did they stay together?"
"About two years, I guess. I don't know much about the others, but Ray left them a couple of years back, and joined the BBA."
There was short silence, before Kai stood up and addressed Mr. Dickenson. "When are we supposed to leave, Mr. Dickenson?"
The old man stood up as well. "It would be best if we could leave right now. I've arranged for a private flight. Is that fine with you, Kai?"
"I don't have a problem, Sir. I'll meet you at the airport." With a slight nod towards the chairman, the Phoenix fluidly turned around to leave.
"Kai."
The said person stopped in his tracks, one hand on the door knob. Tyson who had been surprisingly quiet for the past few minutes had finally spoken up.
"You know something." It was more of a statement than a question. But when Kai didn't even turn, Tyson spoke up once again.
"You can prove Ray was framed, can't you? Who is it? Who's the real murderer, Kai?"
"You'll never be able to prove Ray's innocence if it's the murderer you're looking for, Tyson."
"What?! But Ray's not – Hey!"
But Kai was already out by then.
"Kai! Wait a minute!" Tyson rushed towards the door and wrenched it open. But the corridor on either side was empty. "Man, not again!" Tyson cried out in frustration. "How does he do that? Did he dissolve into thin air or what?!"
Max once again betrayed his years of studies as he whispered to himself, "I wouldn't be surprised if he did."
So Kai's finally on the case. You'll see more of Ray soon enough.
By the way, in this fic, Kai and Tyson are like class mates, who haven't seen each other for quite a while. But remember, this is going to be a KaiXRay story. Tyson and Kai's relationship is the same as it is in the original anime.
And don't forget to review. It means a lot to me. I really need to know whether or not you like my story. I'm counting on all of you!
KPR
