Chapter 19
Christine braced herself for the onslaught she expected thru her door, but it didn't come. The boys must have been outside and far away from a television, unlike herself. She was actually glad for she didn't know what she would have said to them this time because this time she was truly scared for L. Apparently Kira had made a demand on Japanese TV, for L to surrender himself in 4 days at 6:00 in the evening on live TV, or many innocent people would die. She knew L, and she knew he would never allow the deaths of innocent people to save himself. She knew how he felt over deaths he was only indirectly responsible for, this he would never stand for. She wondered how often in all the cases he had been on over the past almost two years she had known him that his life had been in danger and he had still managed to come home. The difference being they weren't public like this Kira case and she didn't know what was happening. Knowing what he was constantly up against made it worse, and she knew he had NEVER been up against what seemed to be almost supernatural powers before.
She had been updating medical files and enjoying a glass of wine when the news flash came across the screen. Apparently the original demand had been for either L or the Deputy Inspector and the police had to decide which they were going to give up. Of course they chose L, the spineless weasels. They didn't even try to come up with another plan to save them, from what she could see. She now understood why he had never given her his cell number because if she knew it his phone would be ringing right now, and in reality she knew it was wrong. It was all right if he called, it would be at a time of his choosing, and when he knew it wouldn't interrupt or jeopardize anything. Her calling him at some unknown time could really screw things up. Still, she couldn't help wishing she could hear him tell her that he had come up with a brilliant plan to completely outsmart Kira's demands.
She got up to refill her glass and went over in her head what she would be telling the boys right now if they had heard this ultimatum. That L has more intelligence than any supernatural boogeyman and she was sure he would either catch Kira or come up with a plan to keep him from being exposed before the time limit was up. After all, he had four days. The world was created in seven!! She snorted at herself, they'd never go for that, she wasn't even sure about that seven-day stuff. But the rest was correct she was sure. Knowing his personality he would never allow himself to be seen on TV, no matter what the threats were. He would figure something out, he just would. He'd do his talk to the kids via computer at the end of this week just as he always did. She sighed as she sat back down and put her feet up on the table. How many more of these talks was she going to have to give herself and the boys? She'd rather just not know how much danger L was in, it made it far easier than having to hear it on the news. It made her think she was becoming irrational about the whole thing, it was like having a relationship with a policemen and worrying every time he went on patrol. You simply can't do that and keep your sanity. The problem was this was not an ordinary murder case, or espionage case or anything else L had been on. And L had always kept himself behind the scenes, using others to do the footwork and make the connections. Mostly it was Watari himself in his disguise delivering messages, watching over things and reporting back to L. But this time he had already thrown himself out there and who knew how much further he had gone or would go before this was over. Still, she had medical files and forms to fill in, and sick children in the infirmary to go check on. There was no more time to sit and worry. Besides, she could see the smirk he would be giving her if he knew she was worrying, and she didn't like it one bit.
L stared at the sight in front of him on his laptop, he had to admit to himself that even for him this was extreme, but it was necessary so that made it all right. After all the evidence from the tapes sent to the TV station pointed to one young model, Misa Amane, it was more than good luck to find her in Light's company earlier in the day. He had decided to keep an eye on the boy himself, instead of fearing for his life and going back into hiding as he had thought he might do earlier, when he realized that both Kiras had made contact with each other. That put his life in major jeopardy and he knew it, especially if the original Kira was Light as he suspected. He had put into place the workings to pick her up, but the fact that she had practically handed herself to him showing that she knew Light just made it that much better. That coupled with the fact that Light tried to call her as soon as she had left them pretty much cemented the deal in his mind. Luckily he had pick pocketed her phone and it was he that answered when Light called, probably saving his own life by doing so.
Now she was in his custody, strapped to a table, tied down with a straitjacket and eyes shielded to prevent her from seeing anyone's face. He had told Watari to do whatever he had to, just to get her talking, and she had begun to talk. But she wasn't saying what he wanted to hear. She kept begging to die, for someone to kill her. No matter what he asked she ignored it, or said she knew nothing about Kira. But that she wanted to die, that she knew he could kill her now, that she couldn't stand it anymore. He wondered if Kira was controlling her actions right now, as he knew she was in custody. Then suddenly she stopped talking, smiled and nodded her head, and then she lost consciousness.
L took another sip of coffee as he watched her wake up a few moments later. Then he nearly choked on it as he heard her call for "Mr. Stalker". What the hell was she going on about now? He looked around him at the other task force who also look totally baffled. The more she babbled about being held by a stalker the more confused they looked. Matsuda screamed into the microphone at L's laptop for her to stop messing around, making her cry that she was scared and wanted to be let go. He pressed the button on his intercom.
"Do you know Light Yagami? Why did you approach him? We know you've met with him several times. You're going to keep denying that?" he asked
"Huh? Of course I know my boyfriend, but how did you know that? You're good. Not as good as Light". Came her surprising answer. After not saying anything for so long, now she immediately admits he's her boyfriend, he thought, what is going on? In the middle of his confusion with her, his main suspect calls him and tells him he's turning himself in, that he thinks there is the possibility of him being Kira. L felt for a moment that someone was twisting his brain into knots; nothing was making any sense suddenly. What was Light planning with this move?
When Light arrived, shocking the room with his thoughts that he may be Kira unconsciously and he would feel better if he were held in custody until it could be proven either way, L just stared at him. It was an act; he knew it was an act. There was no could be about it, he WAS Kira, but what was he trying to prove here? If we restrain Yagami and criminals continue to die, even if he is Kira then he will no longer be Kira in anyone's eyes, is that what he wants here? If he can do that, then even if Light is caught, Kira will continue to exist. He'd cease to be Kira even in my mind…he looked at the boy behind him.
"I don't really like where this is going but fine, Light Yagami will be restrained and placed under confinement for an undetermined amount of time." His father began to protest but L turned his back on him.
"But in that case, if we are going to do this we're doing it right now. You will not be allowed to leave my sight before then." He then agreed with Light that he would not let him out no matter what Light may say, until he was sure he was cleared of being Kira. L warned him he had no idea how long that would take so he'd have to be prepared for that.
As he was led away, L couldn't help but think that somehow this had happened just as Light had wanted it to. Maybe he was over thinking it, maybe Light was innocent and just afraid he was doing something unconsciously…L shook his head hoping the action would clear up everything that was swimming around in there at the moment and make some sense of what was happening.
When her phone rang this time she was glad she had decided to take it to bed with her, as it was nearly midnight. Of course he'd never remember the time difference between here and Japan, and she didn't really mind. It had been several weeks since his last call and she was glad to hear from him no matter what time it was.
"Hey" she said sleepily into the phone. She heard him chuckle.
"What, no officious Dr. Thompson this time?" he asked.
"Dr. Thompson is off duty right now, would you like to leave a message?"
"Actually, I believe I'd like to talk to Christine right now, if you don't mind." She sat up and leaned against the headboard.
"I think that can be arranged. How are you, L? I'm not sure you sound yourself right now." She heard his deep sigh and could picture him running his hand through his hair.
"I am not sure how I am right now. I am so confused right now that I have to remember who I am sometimes." She was quiet, she knew he needed to talk this out and her saying anything would only interfere.
"Nothing makes sense on this case anymore. Just when I think I have it figured out, it takes a curve that completely turns me around. I'm beginning to believe I'm being led in certain directions by Kira to keep me off of his scent. And yet I know everything I've done is correct, and I have the correct people in custody."
"If you're that sure about it, aren't there steps you can take to prove that you are right?" she asked him.
"Yes, of course there are, in normal circumstances. There are always clues and evidence that can be found but in this case nothing is normal. I'm calling for several reasons, the most important is I don't know when I'll be able to call again, I'm pretty much on surveillance for two people 24 hours. I only took a little time simply because I had to, and Watari insisted at least for now. He's watching right now, but the way this case is going I can' afford to be away from the screens for too long. I don't wish your imagination to run away with itself and think something has happened to me simply because I have not called. Besides, you know the sequence of events that will happen if something should happen, so please don't take lack of communication on it's own as a sign."
"What makes you think I'd be worried about the great L on one of his many cases?" she said laughing.
"I know, such a foolish thought wasn't it? " he said and then he was quiet suddenly.
"Is something wrong?" she asked after a few moments.
"You do know I enjoy our conversations?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes, of course. I enjoy hearing from you as well. It gets rather boring around here without your rapier wit!" she heard him laugh.
"Oh well it isn't boring here right now, but I do enjoy it anyway. If only because I can speak in English for a while instead of constant Japanese. Sometimes I think I might forget how."
"Oh no you'd better call more often if you think that might happen. I don't speak a word of Japanese."
"Some things don't need words."
"L, are you being naughty again?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she heard him sigh again, "Remember it may be a while before we can chat again. "
"I'll remember" she said and he hung up. Well, at least he warned her so she wouldn't worry. As if that would truly stop her from being concerned. She lay back down and worked on going back to sleep.
