Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I don't own Death Note, Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata do.
Chapter Ten Progress
~Rei's POV~
The room was dark, the curtains were drawn protecting our sensitive eyes from any outside light. We, meaning the task force, had been watching surveillance tapes for more than twenty-four hours straight. The glare from the television screen had ceased to make my eyes water approximately twenty-three hours ago. I was sure I would be completely blind if I so much as stepped into the hall of L's ritzy hotel of the week.
Everyone, excluding L, Watari, and myself, was completely exhausted. The only reason I hadn't passed out once already was my tolerance to sleepless nights. That and the strange concoction of caffiene Watari kept serving me whenever my cup was empty. So far the weirdest mixture had been Gatorade, Five Hour Energy, tea, and some Japanese form of Coke. Much to L and Matsuda's amusement, I had proceeded to drink it all without wincing or any other sign of disgust. As a result I was completely buzzed. I had never understood the appeal of a sugar rush before, but I was starting to get why people gorged themselves to achieve this level of hyperactivity.
I was thinking at a much faste rate than usual and wondered idly, if this was how L maintained his role as the world's greatest detective. However I wasn't at the same level of L. He managed to look completely at ease, even going as far as to nonchalantly eat ice cream. I on the other hand was dealing with muscle spazzums and twitches and I couldn't focus. Thoughts were running through my head at a million miles an hour and slipped by as easily as water dripping through a cupped hand. When I caught myself staring at the patterns at the furniture I realized it was less of thinking like L and more like I was on some sort of drug. I snapped to attention when Aizawa spoke.
More like ADHD…
"That was footage from survellance camers at the station. The death of one of the FBI agents is captured on here," Aizawa explained lethargically, shaking his head as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was most likely fighting another wave of tiredness.
"Let's see the following scenes again," L demanded slurping on his ice cream. Despite the bizarre conection we had shared after I caught him spying on me during Tai's funeral, he had revereted back to the distant stranger he was before, with a few differences. He joked with me on occasion, and when we were alone, openly discussed the case, eager to hear my thoughts and ideas. Apparently as L put it, I "interested" him. For what reason I couldn't possibly fathom. L continued with his instructions, "Raye Penber passing the ticket gate on his way in, then him boarding the train, and finally the part where he dies on the platform." L took another monumental lick of his ice cream.
Right. Raye Penber. He was one of the few agents who had died in public, and had caught L's attention. There was a connection, I could sense it, but due to the state of my caffeine clouded brain, I couldn't find it on my own. Aizawa looked for the tape; sleep deprived enough to even crawl on his hands and knees in search of it. Aizawa place the tape into the player. Matsuda began to narrate the events contained in the tape.
"So um, based on the records I have here, Raye Penber comes through the west entrance of Shinjuku station at three eleven PM. Then at three thirteen he boards a train on the Yamanta line. But even if he was following someone at that time, I think it's going to very difficult for any of us to draw any conclusions about this blurry video," Matsuda pointed out before continuing. "Then at exactly four forty-two PM – oh! Thank you very much Watari." I peered at him watching in amusement as Watari began serving the same brand of ice cream L was eating to the other members of the task force. "Um at four forty-two PM he exits the train at Tokyo station and dies on the platform."
Watari offered me an ice cream cone. I quickly shook my head, afraid of what the sugary substance would do to the already volatile combination of sugar and caffeine in my body. I grimaced in pain when the movement brought on a severe headache.
"It's quite strange don't you think?" L voiced his thoughts allowed softly.
"I'm sorry. What do you think is strange?" Dad asked in response.
"Yeah, what is it? Do you notice something," Matsuda added. At the moment he was probably the most competent member of the force here. He at least could form complete questions without nodding off in the time it took someone to answer. L's eyes fell upon me.
"Any ideas, Rei?" He had dropped the "san" in front of everyone else when he confirmed that no one called me Rei-san. I held an arm out apologetically, while the other cradled my head. My eyes were screwed shut in an attempt to stop the pounding on the inside of my skull from becoming worse. I opened my eyes to answer.
"Sorry Ryuzaki. I can't concentrate. There's something there I just can't see it." He nodded thoughtfully a slightly disappointed look on his face as he turned to the other members. I felt a pang in my chest.
"Mm…we know that Raye Penber got onto the train and an hour and a half later he got off and died on the platform." His tongue darted out, grabbing more ice cream into his cavernous maw. I definitely needed to stop with the caffeine. Cavernous maw? I mean really. "But the Yamanta line only takes an hour to complete its circuit. And more importantly there's the envelope."
"What do you mean?" Aizawa asked. L pointed at the television. Automatically I glanced towards the electronic device and regretted it immediately when the glow caused the pulsating in my head to become exacerbated.
"He's holding what looks like an envelope when he passes through the ticket gate," L explained. In shock, Aizawa bounded up to the TV screen for a closer look, the bushy haired man's body effectively blocked the offending glow from the television and I sighed in relief.
"You're right. It's right there under his arm, but on the footage right before his death, it's gone. I can't believe you actually caught that," Aizawa's tone was of grudging admiration. Dad frowned as he looked through a list.
"Well I don't see an envelope on the list of his personal effects," Dad said.
"Which means it was left on the train. And if you watch closely at the very end here, it seems he's straining to look inside the train before the doors close. You can see right here." I squinted noticing that this lessened the pain in my head considerably.
"If that's the case, do you think it could mean something?" Dad wondered.
"Wouldn't it be interesting if Kira were on that train?"
"That's impossible," Dad said. However I wasn't so easily convinced. The fact that our target could have been so close was bringing momentary clarity to my mind. It would fit with his profile. Kira liked using our own deductions and conclusions against us and this would take the cake.
"I admit I find it hard to believe as well," L conceded. I smirked. Liar. If he wasn't more than eighty percent sure he wouldn't have even brought it up. L found that the task members went with his theories much more willingly if he admitted that even he himself found them improbable. This was going to be key when he attempted to zero in on Light. Light. L, in a great show of trust, explained that at the moment, Light was our prime suspect. He as telling me in advance in a gesture of peace indicating his remorse for the Tai incident. When I pressed him further he admitted to not wanting to anger me again if he came out with the theory out of nowhere. L continued, "There's no reason for Kira to come to the scene of his own crime when he can kill from a distance. Well maybe he was counting on us to make that assumption and figured he could get away with such a bold mood." L broodingly licked his ice cream.
I groaned loudly, finally voicing my dissent at the pain in my head. L glanced at me.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked. Now he notices. The world's greatest detective can't even see that I was having a freaking migraine. I bit back the sarcasm that longed to appear.
"It feels like my head is about to split in two," I complained, rubbing my temples furiously. In a swift movement he disposed of his ice cream and grabbed my chin, turning my face towards him. One hand supported the back of my neck while the other felt my forehead. I shivered.
"I apologize if this makes you feel uncomfortable. I am merely checking for a fever," he explained.
"Your hands are cold," I grumbled.
"I apologize…." We remained like that for a few more moments before pulling away. I thoroughly thanked the gods for making my father nearly unconscious with exhaustion. He had missed the awkward exchange.
"So what's the verdict Doctor Ryuzaki?" I asked dryly. His lips twitched as he held back a smile.
"You do not appear to have a fever. I believe you are dehydrated from all the caffeine you consumed earlier today."
"Ha!" Matsuda exclaimed triumphantly. "I knew you couldn't take it! Remind me to never take you out drinking." At a glare from Dad, who apparently was retaining awareness now, Matsuda hastily backtracked. "Not that I ever have before! I was gonna wait until you were legal…"
"Shut up. Let's see you drink it," I growled. Matsuda accepted the challenge. Less than a half hour later he started complaining of a headache.
"Honestly Matsuda," Aizawa said exasperatedly. "Once you saw Rei get a headache, why the hell did you still do it?"
"She challenged me!" Matsuda said in his defense, and then moaned at the pain the volume of his voice had brought upon himself. After drinking three glasses of water and taking two aspirins, I felt much better. I smirked at the writhing form of my friend.
"Exactly who shouldn't be taken out drinking, Matsu?" I asked teasingly. L smiled.
"Shut up!"
The phone rang, knocking me out of the light nap L had suggested I take. A quick glance out the window told me it was morning. L was slouching near the window, resembling a drugged panda more then ever. I focused as Watari began to speak on the phone.
"Yes. Yes would you please hold for a moment. Ryuzaki? It's Ukita at the NPA." L's gaze shifted from the window to Watari. "He says he's on the phone with someone on the tip line who has information for us." L nodded like this was no surprise.
"Right, then give Ukita the number for line five and ask him to have the informant to call that line instead. It'll be safer that way." He turned his attention to Matsuda. "Matsuda-san its okay for you to turn your cell phone on now. Actually please turn it on right away." Matsuda glanced at him in confusion.
"Uh sure." The device immediately began to ring and I had to muffle laughter when I saw Matsuda's expression when L snatched the phone away from him. L held the phone like he did everything else, peculiarly. He gripped the top of the phone delicately letting it dangle by his ear so he could still use the mouth piece. My amusement reached an all time high when I heard the voice L was using to answer the phone with.
"Yes, this is Suzuki, head of Kira's investigation public information division." He had mimicked the professional rushed introduction with a hint of extreme boredom that plagued people holding this job, perfectly. He paused as the informant began to speak. "Raye Penber's fiancé?" I sat up at this. Penber had a fiancé? "Naomi Misora," he repeated for Watari's benefit. I got to my feet and silently crept up behind L so I could see whatever information that was brought up.
A photograph of an attractive Japanese woman came up, apparently like her husband-to-be she had formally been an FBI agent. L let out a low outtake of breath as he viewed the picture. There was a faint touch of recognition on his face, but it faded quickly. He turned to the other investigators like the exchange had never happened. I nearly toppled over when the movement took me by surprise. He steadied me, his fingers momentarily brushing across my waist and shoulders.
"Well apparently she's been missing since the day after he fiancé died," he explained stoically. Matsuda's shoulders slumped in understanding.
"I'm sure that anyone in her situation would be pretty depressed. Was it…" he trailed off suggestively.
"Suicide," Aizawa finished.
"No," L contradicted firmly. "The Naomi Misora I knew was strong. Not to mention she was also an excellent FBI agent. If anything, it's more likely she'd be trying to catch Kira. It appears she came to Japan with Penber it's possible she may have found a lead," L murmured voicing his thoughts out loud. His thumb came to rest on his lips as he slowly paced away from us. His head snapped up as he reached a decision. "Everyone from this point on I'd like to focus our investigation on only those people Raye Penber was tailing. In particular he was assigned to two police officers and those closest to them." I stiffened. Here it comes…
"Very well. Who are these two individuals he was investigating?" I couldn't decide if it was funny, sad, or simply ironic that Dad was the one to ask that. L looked over his shoulder back at us.
"Deputy Director Kitamura, along with Detective Superintendent Yagami and their families. At this stage I'd like to place wire taps and surveillance cameras in both households." Everyone was silent a moment before exploding.
"Surveillance cameras?" Matsuda asked in disbelief. "Ryuzaki!"
"I don't see how you could even consider this!" Aizawa spit out. He seemed to take every opportunity to argue with L, though I admit that this time his reaction was justified. "If this got out we'd have a civil rights scandal on our hands! We'd all lose our jobs!"
"You'd told me you'd be willing to risk your lives for this investigation, but you wouldn't risk your jobs?" L countered sharply. This shamed them into staying quiet.
"Ryuzaki," Dad said finally. "What are the odds that Kira is in one of these households?" L looked up thoughtfully.
"Maybe ten percent. No it's closer to five," he mused. Liar. Matsuda's jaw dropped open.
"Seriously? I'm sorry, but it isn't worth the risk," Matsuda commented.
"No," Dad disagreed in a feverish voice. "Of all the people we've investigated so far, not even one of them seemed even the least suspicious. Even if there is only a one percent chance, we simply can't afford to ignore it."
"Chief?" Aizawa asked hesitantly. Dad continued like he hadn't been interrupted.
"I don't have to tell you how offended I am to learn my family is under suspicion." Not everyone Dad, just Light. "Having said that…" he glared at L, his eyes wild. "Just go ahead with it. And make sure you install them everywhere. I don't want any blind spots in the house and that includes the bathroom." L nodded in gratitude.
"Thank you very much. That was my intention," L answered.
"Come on Chief!" Aizawa yelled, enraged. "You don't have to agree to this!"
"Yes he's right!" Matsuda agreed. "Think about your family!" His eyes flickered towards me. "You have a wife and daughter at home don't you?" Dad whirled upon the pair.
"Yes I am well aware of that fact. But there is no point in doing any of this if we can't be thorough." His expression changed from anger to that of a deranged man. "Now I suggest you keep quiet!" Matsuda hung his head in shame.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Dad sighed tiredly.
"No it's okay. Excuse me," Dad apologized. Aizawa muttered under his breath.
"I still don't think its right…" I had had enough. I turned to the aggravating man, teeth bared.
"Aizawa, do you want to catch Kira?" I asked in irritation.
"What kind of a question is that? Of course I do!" He answered just as aggressively.
"Now tell me. Does my father want to catch Kira?"
"Why do you kee-" He began to ask before I cut him off.
"Does he?" I roared.
"Yes!"
"What about the Deputy Director?"
"Yeah. He wants Kira caught! What's your point?"
"My point is that all three of you want Kira behind bars and this is the way to do it! Having your family under surveillance is a small price to pay in order to catch the world's most dangerous murderer! I'm sure they'd much rather prefer their families to be cleared then have the possibility that Kira is among them hovering over them for the rest of their lives! So I suggest you quit bitching and do your job!" I panted heavily, my hair hanging around my face. His gaze sank to the floor.
"I'm sorry…."
"Apology accepted." I straightened my clothes and hair. L's eyes met mine briefly and I saw a hint of admiration and approval in their depths. L began to give instructions.
"As a courtesy to the Chief and his family, only he, Rei, and I will conduct surveillance on their home. Watari how long will it take to prepare the wiretaps and cameras we need?"
"Well, starting tomorrow, I can set them up at any time providing we know when both houses will be empty." L nodded in approval and headed back to his seat. On the way his hand briefly made contact with mine and he gave it a light squeeze as he passed. I smiled softly before getting back to work.
~Author's Note~
Ten chapter anniversary! And to think at first I was apprehensive at posting this story….
Yes! You tell him Rei! I like Aizawa a lot, but he questioned L a bit too much for my taste. Aizawa also holds a bit of disdain towards Matsuda, who doesn't really deserve it. They need to give poor Matsu a break already…
Heh, Rei was sugar high. And then Matsu followed her without question. Stupidity in smart people is the best!
I fit in a couple of cute moments for L and Rei, though they have a big one during the surveillance arc. And no, it's not dirty you pervs. Just because it has to do with him spying on her through cameras….
I finally figured out why Tenacious D reminds me of Jack Black. It's because he's in the band. Face palm moment on my part guys XD.
I'd like to thank all my reviewers. I think the reviews for chapter nine reached an all time high.
Hikari-Suzume: Why thank you! Hope this satisfies!
gnarley-: Mello does look like a woman…at least until he gets his BA scar. Then he looks much manlier. I feel that happens to characters in general like Harry Potter or Zuko. The scar just makes them cooler. Rei is scary when angry. I really want her to flip out on Light; I just need to find a good reason for it. I know I was like, "L admitting anything romantic to a girl at this point is unrealistic, so…he just finds her interesting? Yeah that'll work." It's like little kids with the words "like" and "like-like." You called me love. That is so sweet!
Mega-chan: Megan!1 Haha random ones FTW! And I didn't land on anybody, though Whitmore did catch me spacing out in class. I was wondering what you called black people born in England or France. Obviously not African Americans. So what are they African-English or African-French? Important questions!
.cake: ah yes….flattery. Though I am not lying. I do believe you are the better writer out of the two of us, and you update much more quickly then me. Speaking of which update again soon! I less than three (3 get it?) V and L. I'm evil aren't I? Using a review response to pressure you into updating. Why won't the first part of your name show up?
Sesshomarus-demoness20: Haha I should have called it that! Short and sweet! I reeeally wanna see the live actions, but unfortunately I am broke and have no time…maybe my birthday….Whether the American live action sucks or not, I will be there at the midnight showing in L cosplay shoveling four different types of candy in my mouth. I am now Alchemist-san! You all must address me as such!
snowXgem: Haha I am rapidly approaching the nerdiness in cosplay. My friends and I are already making plans to go bowling in cosplay and to the mall. It's only a matter of time… You're so nice; everyone is like update right now! But you go, "take your time. I'm willing to wait for your work to be at its best." This makes me squee. Not really, but in my head, I am squeeing.
Lt. Sarcasm: NO! Not splenda! It's like sugar went on a diet and what's the point in that? I feel your pain. And I love that even you who is writing a Twilight fanfiction realize how deplorable it is. Don't get my wrong, I like Twilight fine, but the whole thing kinda reads like well…a bad fanfiction. I mean honestly vampires, werewolves, mean girls, and a Marysue who even admits to being boring! It's like Stephanie Meyer is mocking us! Haha jk. I did like her other novel, The Host, a lot though.
japancake: Did you change your username? If not I'm severely confused. And thanks for the review!
Rat300: I hope this ends another Wednesday nicely for you! I accept your love despite the stalkerish implications. I have never been stalk-oh wait. Yes I have. By a creeper Asian who denied stalking me until I asked him what my favorite color was…AND HE KNEW THE ANSWER! Yeah, we're cool now. He stopped following us around.
PyromanicVocaloid: Sweet name. I don't understand it at all though….here's the new chapter!
Akisua: Haha yeah it's funny, because L kinda flirts on accident if you haven't noticed. So when he actually tries it's going to be very amusing…yes very amusing indeed….
Shinigami's-Rusty-Death-Scythe: Yet another sweet name. I know right? Imagine how I feel after writing it! I'm also wanting sugar now…
E - Echo: Your wish is my command!
Hareiyu: I enjoyed the squee and accent. I'm glad you like the chemistry, I was a bit worried that I might be laying it on a bit too thick too soon.
XxMichyBabyxX: Ah yes. Poor Tai, however he no longer had a purpose. Rei's not dead, but she is traumatized and has a strong sense of justice. That's all he had going for him. I give Tai imaginary flowers in the graveyard in my mind.
sakuno101: I still like hearing they're adorable XD. Is this update fast enough for you?
Ukaran: Wabam indeed. I also chew my nails. In fact I'm doing it right now, but it's more in an imitation of L then anything. Thanks for the review!
kieanu: I would love to be Rei! And no one has ever described my work as a captivating before. Thank you!
Aoi Nami-chan: She's realistic? Thank God. I'm really worried that she'll come off as too much of a Marysue. And everyone wants to see Light and Rei interact, but the next one I show might be a bit disappointing.