Hi again! Many many thanks to Hi Kitsune, BBleached, FlamingIce94 and You can run but you cant hide for reviewing.

I know you all think that the Kai-Ray moment was inspired from Edward and Bella in Twilight, but believe it or not, I actually got the idea from Mission Impossibe III. I saw Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) roll under a moving truck, and decided to make Kai do the same. But it was only after I'd read Hi Kitsune's review, that I realized how much similarity my scene had to the 'Edward-saves-Bella' moment. In fact, it was more similar to Twilight than to MI III! Thanks Kitsune!

Anyway, I'll stop my blabbering now. On with the story...



Chapter 6

The rain continued to pour, showing no signs of subsiding. Huge rain drops splashed against the window sill of the hospital's waiting room. The room had but one occupant – Tyson Granger. The young lawyer looked exhausted and sleep deprived. One could make out the faint shadows beneath his eyes. He supported his head on one hand; while the other moved briskly over a note book, as he wrote. A number of documents, photos and an audio recorder were spread out on the table in front of him.

Tyson finally put the pen down, as his eyes scanned over the rather untidy scroll.

Mariah Wong (Victim): Murdered on July 20. Body was discovered in her apartment, on the next day, by Raul Fernandez, near about 8:30 A.M. Investigations proved that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to conceal the murder as suicide. Murder was committed at night, between 10:30 to 12:30 (approx.)

Ray Kon (Framed): Believed to be the prime suspect. Had close relationship with the victim. Admitted to have gone to the victim's place on the night of the murder. Had an argument over a break up. Left the house sometime after 10:30 P.M, when Mariah was still alive (According to him). Unable to produce proper alibi. A portion of his shirt and some strands of his hair had been discovered at the crime scene.

Raul Fernandez (Mariah's next-door neighbor/ first one at the crime scene): Discovered the corpse on July 21. Was on good terms with the victim. According to his statement, he had gone to the Victim's apartment in order to return a book that had been borrowed by his sister. On getting no response, tried the front door, only to find it unlocked. Stumbled upon the dead body in the living room, and immediately raised the alarm.

Julia Fernandez (Mariah's next-door neighbor): Raul's elder sister. Had friendly relationship with the victim. Claims to have heard some sort of commotion coming from Mariah's house on the night of the crime. (Unable to specify time or reason of the commotion)

Lee Yan (Mariah's close friend): Not yet interrogated. Manager of the Saint Shields Private Company. Shared flat with Mariah for about two years. Used to have feelings for the victim, though they were not returned. Has known Ray since childhood. Used to share a brotherly relationship. Views on Ray seemed to have changed drastically since the crime. Strongly believes Ray to be the killer. Left the city on 21st July with fiancée Mariam. Destination – Osaka. Alibi not yet confirmed. Returned to Tokyo on 24th July.(Information based on Kevin Cheng's account)

Kevin Cheng (Mariah's close friend): Local chemist. Ray's ex-friend. Has developed strong dislike for him since the crime. Believes that Ray's guilty and supports punishment. Was out of Tokyo on the night of the crime, due to work. Alibi not yet confirmed. Returned on 23rd.

Gary Tan (Mariah's childhood friend): Had strong sisterly feelings for the victim, and deeply regrets her death. Believes Ray to be guilty and deserving punishment. Was in his own house on the night of the kill. Alibi confirmed.

Mariam Shane/ Yan (Lee's fiancée): Not yet interrogated. Director of the Saint Shields. Had good relationship with the victim. Shares Lee's views on Ray. Was out with Lee on 21st. Alibi not yet confirmed. Returned on 24th.

Ming-Ming (Mariah's friend/colleague): Not yet interrogated. Performer at the Venus Hotel and Club. Was out of Tokyo on 21st. Destination unknown. Arrived in Tokyo once on 25th and left again, later that return on 1st August.

Wyatt Smithwright (profile not yet known): Hospitalized and under police custody for rash driving on 27th July. Nearly killed Ray.

Tyson stifled a yawn as put down the list, before picking up 'those blasted pictures'. The first picture was that of the crime scene. It showed a lifeless Mariah slouched over in an armchair, her head hanging off the side. A stream of crimson flowed down the side of her face. One of her hands was hanging limply; while the other – the one that rested on her lap— had a small revolver lying across the palm.

The Dragon frowned before setting it aside. The next picture was a head shot of Ray's, taken from the side. It too did not excite him. Neither did any of the other photographs. They included a few more shots of Ray; and some pictures of the other rooms in Mariah's house—the kitchen, the bedroom, the bath room and so on.

"You'll kill me someday…" Tyson groaned, his head falling onto the table.

"I take it you're referring to Kai?"

Tyson's head shot up at the new arrival. "Hiro! What about Smithwright?"

"I don't think he's our man, Ty," the elder Granger walked across the room and sat next to his brother, before continuing. "He doesn't have any connection with the victim or anyone else involved in this case. I've checked his profile. He's got a clear background. Son of Warner and Eliot Smithwright; educated at Whitney Prep School and so on. He's just a clumsy driver."

"But his car! What if—"

"It's not been tampered with in anyway. Michael's checked it already. My guess is that the tyres probably slipped, and being inexperienced, Smithwright failed to get them under control. Believe it Ty. It really was an accident."

"If you say so." Tyson sighed dejectedly. "I really thought we'd gotten hold of something."

"Haven't you?"

"If you're talking about Kai… then let's just say we're closer to figuring out this entire case than we are to figuring him out. I mean the guy's just… impossible. He just took one look at those seemingly useless photos and the case seems to have become crystal clear to him. Yet every time I look at them, I see the same thing—absolutely nothing! Just how mysterious can a living being get?"

"He's got his own way of doing things, Tyson." Hiro's tone was rather sharp. "The same goes for you. Just because you two follow different procedures, doesn't necessarily mean that you'll arrive at different conclusions. Just remember who you are and your ways of doing things. Don't try to see things from Kai's point of view. Investigate as yourself, Tyson. Think over what you know."

"I suppose you're right, Big Bro," Tyson offered a weak smile.

He leaned back into his seat, focusing his eyes on the ceiling. "So what exactly do I know? Well let's see… It is quite unlikely that the killer is a psychopathic freak, who kills for the sake of fun. So that means there's got to be a motive behind the murder. But what? Jealousy? Hatred? Mariah Wong isn't known to have many enemies so the second case would be rather surprising. Then that leaves us with jealousy. It seems more probable, actually. Beauty, charm, attractiveness—all the traits possessed by Mariah, to make one envious. Also, a successful love. It was only later that Ray broke up with her. And Ray has millions of admirers waiting for his love… No. Wait. I'm going wrong here. It can't be someone who loves Ray, because the whole case was set up to frame him. So does that mean the killer had something against Ray and not Mariah? If so, then why not attack Ray directly? Because he was too strong? It's possible. There's also another theory… the killer had something against both Ray and Mariah. Kill one and the other gets the blame."

Tyson slowly sat up. "There is also a very high possibility that the killer isn't quite finished yet. There are more kills in his mind…"

A brief silence followed this, before Hiro took over.

"So basically, the main mystery here is a motive. And from what you've just said there are a number of possibilities which leads to a number of suspects." Hiro began counting them on his digits. "Lee, for jealousy and hatred. In spite of starting from the same point, Ray had left him far behind in both success and love. Same case for Kevin, though we don't know whether he liked Mariah that way or not. Mariam, for jealously, if Lee still had something for Mariah. Ming-Ming, for jealously as well. Mariah definitely had a hand over her in popularity. We can also count in Mariam's family—Ozuma, Dunga and Joseph. They might've thought Lee was cheating on their girl. So that leaves us with seven suspects in total. Of course there's always the chance that the murderer turns out to be someone entirely different."

"I suppose you're right," Tyson finally said. "And also, Lee, Mariam, Kevin and Ming-Ming had left the city just after the crime, and somehow managed to return right before Ray's trial, on the 25th."

"You've got a point. Still we haven't interviewed anyone other than Kevin Cheng, yet." Hiro stopped for a bit. "By the way, how's Ray doing?"

"Huh? Oh that… Well, he gained consciousness a while after the accident. But promptly refused to be taken to the hospital. Good thing Max was there. He decided to tend the injuries in Ray's apartment. That's where they're now. And Kai's with them."

"I see."

Tyson jumped a bit as his cell phone suddenly rang out from his back pocket. The screen flashed the name 'Max'. Tyson swiftly pressed the 'receive' button and spoke up before Max could.

"Max! How's Ray?"

"He's fine, Tyson. I've checked him. It's nothing serious. He's gotten off with a few scratched and a bruise on his head. I've already wrapped up the wounds and supplied him with pain-killers. A good long sleep would be enough to get him into shape."

"Where's Kai?"

"He's with Ray at the moment. Said he had some questions ask. I've left them alone. I had the feeling Kai would prefer to have some privacy."

"No doubt on that."

"By the way, Tyson, Kai's left a message for you."

"What?"

"I quote—'Tell him, he's wasting his time with the driver.' "

"… Tell him I said 'thanks'…"

"Don't worry, I will… Hey Ty… there's something else that's been bothering me…" Max seemed to hesitate.

"What is it?"

"Nothing serious. But… it's just that… I'm not sure…"

"If it's Kai, then—"

"No! It's not him. As a matter of fact… it's Ray."

"Ray?!"

"Relax! It's nothing big. The thing is, Ray's kinda acting really strange."

"What do you mean 'strange'?"

"Ever since we got back, he seemed to be so… reserved. He didn't talk much, nor did he complain a single time about me fussing over him. It may be my imagination… but I think it's got something to do with Kai."

"Kai? What did he do this time?"

"Nothing, as a matter of fact. Of course, he simply turned down my offer to check on him. Not that I needed to. He looked like nothing had happened. He just stood by the door silently, like he always does, the entire time I was examining Ray. I tried to introduce him to Ray, but he barely nodded his head in acknowledgement. But the thing that shocked me was Ray's behaviour. No greetings, no smiles, not even a 'thank you'! It's completely against Ray's polite nature! He didn't even look up at Kai, not even once… It was almost like he was trying to avoid him!"

"…"

"Ty? You still there?"

"…"

"Tyson?"

"… He's hiding something."

"Tyson…"

"…"

"Ty—hey look, maybe we're making a big fuss about nothing. Ray already has enough to deal with, and after tonight's incident, maybe he's just shaken up. We're so used to his kind and helpful nature, that we simply can't expect anything else from Ray. Everyone has mood swings once in a while. Besides, Kai always leaves an impression on people. Even I was at a loss for words when I first met him. I'm sure it's the same with Ray. We're just worrying over nothing."

"… I sure hope you're right, Maxie…"


For the last few hours, Ray had looked anywhere but the figure that now sat directly in front of him. His long bangs curtained his face, effectively blocking out the other occupant of the room. The statement he was now making seemed to be addressed to the bandaged finger on his left hand.

"On the night of June 12. It was M-Mariah's birthday and we were all there. That was when she… confessed…it… her feelings."

"Could you specify the people?"

Ray's breath hitched slightly, it that every time Kai spoke. "Me, Mariah, Lee, Mariam, Kevin, Gary, Ozuma, Dunga, Joseph, Goki, Salima, Kane, Jim, Raul, Julia… that's about all."

"Do you remember the presents she received?"

The unexpected question almost made Ray look up, but he caught himself in time. Instead, he began to speak to his left cuff. "Not all of 'em… I gave her a red bandana for her hair; Lee bought her a fancy bag; Mariam…. uh… yeah. – A special watch which she had designed herself; Kevin and Gary had given her a wooden statue of a cat and some sort of charm… I forgot who gave what… and I don't exactly remember the others… but there was a book, a Champaign, free trip to Greece—that might've been Ozuma—a dress, some jewellery and all…"

"Everyone approved of your relationship?"

"I thin—thought so." Ray emphasized his point by nodding his head at a cushion on the sofa.

"What about the Yans?"

"Lee? Well he was rather surprised, but later on he wished us all the best in life."

"He was devoted to his fiancée?"

"Yes. Very."

"Was it returned?"

"Huh? Of course… she was always by his side. She used to accompany him every time he came to visit us, especially Mariah."

"How often did he do that?"

"… Quite often."

"I see…"

Kai stood up in one fluid movement. "That's all, Mr. Kon." Without waiting for a reply, he headed for the door."

"Wait." Ray brought his glance to rest hesitantly on Kai's stationary shadow on the floor—the nearest he had come to a direct encounter—and murmured, "Aren't you going to ask whether I had killed her or not?" Ray's eyes swiveled right round the room and looked expectantly at the closed window.

However, as soon as he heard Kai's reply, the stunned pair of golden orbs snapped directly towards the speaker… Only to find him gone. Even minutes after that, Ray found himself staring at the now empty spot, with Kai's last words still ringing in his ears. He could almost hear the deep hypnotizing voice saying them —

"I don't need to. I already know what I wanted to know."


Well, end of yet another chapter... (sounds kinda cliched, doesn't it?)

So we've got an unknown killer, seven suspects, a frustated Tyson, a confused Max, a mysterious Ray, a... er... Kai-ish Kai and a lot of twists and turns waiting round the corner. Well until then, take care and keep on reviewing!

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers, once again. I'm glad yo like my story. See you all, soon!

KPR