Chapter 34

Director Mason appraised the slight young man in front of him as he listened to his presentation and watched all of the proof that was presented to him. He seemed a bit young to have collected all this information in the time frame he specified, he had to be a mere child when he started. But if he truly was what he said he was, L's successor, then that really shouldn't be a surprise. What was a surprise was the weapon that Kira was apparently using, a notebook of death. He had heard and seen a lot of strange things, but this one was definitely almost more than he could believe. Something that had the power to kill if you wrote someone's name in it, it just couldn't be possible and yet it was the ONLY thing that could make sense. The only way hundreds of people could all die at the same time around the world; the only way it made sense that his agents had all died 4 years ago within minutes of each other.

When Near was finished he sat down across from the Director and waited. His hand found it's way to his hair and he stared back at the Director. Director Mason could see Near was 100% sure of his findings and determined to see it through. He sat back in his desk chair and thought deeply before giving the boy an answer.

"Alright. Let's say I agree with you. What would be your next move, what would you need from me?"

"I don't believe the Japanese Task Force is doing anything worthwhile right now because I believe Kira has some kind of hold on them. We need to form a task force of our own if we are going to catch Kira. That is what I would need from you." Director Mason nodded.

"Dealing with Kira we're going to need get this sanctioned by the White House as well, to make sure we get the funding we need to run this kind of operation.."

"That isn't necessary, I have the ability to fund whatever we need…"

"That may be true, but we can't run this without the government's permission and back up. We'll get a meeting with the President and discuss this with him. I'm sure he'll want to do what's necessary to capture Kira." He picked up his phone and started arrangements for an immediate meeting with the president.

Mello hated being alone in the room provided for him; it left him far too much time to think about what he'd done. He looked around the room they had given him, it had a bed, a table and chair and a lamp on the table. Apparently this would be his room alone and that he didn't have to share with anyone else because the boss was happy with his present.

He felt an involuntary shudder go through his body and reminded himself that he had promised himself that whatever it took, he would do it to get to Kira. For L's killer, everything was on the table. But the part that was still the Mello who worshipped and loved L, the boy who wanted L's approval and love, was screaming that L would be upset with him with what he had done and had been doing because L never killed. He knew L had the ability, he had seen L at a shooting range and had seen him use a gun with deadly accuracy. But L had told him that this was only a precaution, a way to protect himself if necessary. He had never carried a gun on his person and had never used one against anyone that Mello had heard about.

But what he had done to get into this gang was going to haunt him for the rest of his life, he knew. He unwrapped what had to have been his 10th candy bar since he'd been in this room today and he realized his hands were shaking. He stretched his legs out from the chair he was sitting in and sighed. The other assassinations he had carried out personally or had set up had been done from afar, clinical to the point that he could almost pretend that it hadn't been him. But this last one, the stipulation that Mello's boss had put on for Mello to prove his worth, had made it personal.

His target had been someone that this new boss had been trying to get rid of for a very long time. Not even Kira had been able to take this one out, although many of his gang had been eliminated with the killer notebook. So the job that got him here, because of his reputation of never missing his mark, was to kill that boss. But then this new boss decided he wanted a trophy, to show that he had finally won; he wanted his head. Mello snapped another piece of chocolate and stood up, beginning to feel his stomach lurch at the thought. He remembered standing there and staring at the Boss, trying not to show what he was feeling while his insides were squirming. He nodded, flashed his cockiest grin and walked away. He went to the room he was in now and sat down at the table, reading all the information provided for him about this guy, including pictures. It was just another job, he told himself, the final step in being where he had to be to finally get to Kira. This guy was an animal and he deserved what he was getting. Then he realized he was sounding like Kira and he screamed. He threw the papers on the floor and pounded on the table with both fists. He made himself another promise; this would be the last one, he would never kill again – except for Kira. Once this was done he would let the boss know what his new agenda was and he was sure he'd agree that getting rid of Kira would make his life easier as well.

He saw L's face float in front of him, and then Matt. Oh God what would Matt think of this? He knew that if Matt knew he would leave him, Matt would never agree with this, especially since he was working on the "proper" way to get to Kira. Matt could never find out, ever or he'd lose everything and L, if he was watching, would forgive him when Kira was dead. He made himself calm down and breathe normally, this would be okay it was a test; a test to see how dedicated he was to this, and he'd pass it. He'd get it done. He reached down and picked up all the papers and began to plan his attack.

And now a week later, Mello looked around the room again, the gloom seeming appropriate for what he was feeling. He had done it, he had killed the target and removed his head, placed it in plastic bag which he then placed in a bowling bag and had given it to his boss who had called in his main operatives to enjoy the moment with him. He had then opened his drawer and handed Mello more money than he'd ever seen at one time. Mello eyed the money, carefully keeping his eyes away from the head, and then leaned in to the boss.

"Although the money is nice, Boss, I'd rather be paid another way for this. I want you to listen to my idea on how to capture Kira and what he uses to kill people with. I can guarantee that if you help me with this, we will catch him. Now that you know what I'm capable of, you should have no trouble in believing in my abilities on this. Let the guys take your trophy and put it wherever you want while you and I have a conversation." He stared directly into the boss's eyes, his green eyes boring directly into the Boss's. The man sat back, and appraised Mello. Obviously he was talented at what he did, if anyone could take down Kira and get him out of his hair it would be him; he hated running his operations constantly worrying there was some clue that would lead Kira to him. The bonus of getting whatever Kara's weapon was even better. He nodded at the leather clad young man.

"You've got my attention; the rest of you get out, take my present with you and find a suitable container." Mello had given his best smile and began to tell him the plans he had, as the others filed out. And now, several hours later he sat in his room, his mind trying to filter out what he had done earlier in the day and leave only the triumph of getting the boss to agree to his plans. He finished the candy bar and closed his eyes wondering if he'd manage to sleep tonight.

Near found himself standing in the Oval Office, at the desk of the President of the United States. Under other circumstances he would have been intrigued, but right now it was just something else to get through to get what he needed.

"Mr. President, the L that exists right now was created by the Japanese police force to avoid chaos," Director Mason was saying, "The real L is dead. And the Kira murders were done with a notebook." The President's face registered his disbelief at this information. If it had been anyone other than Mason standing in front of his desk he would have had him thrown out.

"A notebook?" he asked the FBI Director.

"That is correct." Near answered. He then told the President about Higuchi and the fact that an officer had heard him tell the task force that it was a notebook that did the killing by writing the intended victims name in it. He told him that an object resembling a notebook had been taken from Higuchi's car and handed over to someone in a helicopter at the scene.

"I can only assume that L was in that helicopter and with him gone, the Japanese police force still has the notebook." Near placed the briefcase with his proof on the President's desk and sat down, his fingers finding his hair.

"Near has been able to collect this much evidence all by himself without any pre-existing data," Director Mason added, "You should realize that this is the truth from the other materials I have already sent you." The President looked down at the information in the briefcase and turned to Mason.

"Director Mason, who exactly is he?" he asked glancing at Near.

"Let's just say he's L's true successor." Mason answered and the President folded his hands and nodded.

"Well then, let's get started." He answered and picked up his phone. Mason turned and looked at Near, a smile on his face; Near returned his gaze and nodded.