This is the last chapter of TO CATCH A KILLER. I worked very hard on this chapter so I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 23
"Not a pretty thing, boss," Havoc said, shifting his coffee stick from the left side of his mouth to his right. Roy Mustang ran a hand through his hair, his eyes flitting down to the vast array of doughnuts sitting before the two detectives. It was really quite a dizzying assortment.
"All these doughnuts…someone must have a sick sense of humor," he commented. Havoc snorted at the thought, grabbing a jelly filled doughnut.
"You mean Grumman?" he asked, taking a bite. "I thought it was some sort of 'Great job, Team Mustang' gift."
"If he wanted to get us a gift, he should have gotten us a new coffee machine," Roy said, folding his arms. "I'd like a good espresso without having to pay for it." Havoc didn't answer, munching happily on his donut. Roy scowled, finally giving in and grabbing himself a chocolate éclair.
"Grumman has his hands full, though," Havoc chimed back in. "East PD had three corrupt cops so he has to deal with all that backlash. He's been in Central for two days now."
"Which is the whole reason we've had to come in on a Saturday," grumbled Roy as he sat at his desk. Both of the detectives glanced across to the empty desk near his and the head detective's companion cleared his throat.
"So, when's Hawkeye coming back?" he asked, prompting Roy to lean back.
"Monday, though she'll be sitting desk for the next two weeks per Grumman's orders," the head detective answered. "I guess my shot went a little deeper than I thought…Anyway, the old transfer order was rescinded yesterday."
"Well, at least we'll all be back together," Breda announced as he strode up to them. He slammed a paper down on Roy's desk. "You've made front page again."
"Again? Don't they get anything new?" Roy asked, picking the newspaper up with distaste. Breda's response was a shrug. "Hey, Breda, where are Armstrong and Feury?"
"Grumman called them to Central this morning," Breda responded. "With all the turmoil in the police force, Grumman felt it best to have a bodyguard, and Feury's data mining."
"Well, after the Bradley Era, there's a ton of crap that needs to be cleaned up," Havoc observed. "We put away plenty of corrupt cops during the investigation and that barely scratched the surface."
"The department's certainly in for turbulent times," concurred Roy. "Until we clear away all the stuff the Bradley Era put on us, we can't really move forward. The entire command chain needs to be revisited, and the department will need to vet all of its detectives, and that includes us. Still, I think Grumman will make everything transition smoothly."
"You think the old man will make commissioner?"
"He's up against Gardner and Storch. Assuming they might also have been on the payroll, I think there's no doubt he'll get the job."
"So you'll make Chief then?" Havoc's smile was certainly smug, and Roy returned it.
"Likely. Grumman submitted me for Interim Chief, and I can't see the Board of Reviews shooting it down," Roy told him assuredly. "There's still a lot to do, though, so I'll need you to keep sharp."
"Of course," Havoc guaranteed. He gave a tiny salute before leaving the head detective, presumably to get more doughnuts. Breda followed him. Finally having a moment of peace, Roy stole a glance at the day's paper before scoffing at the headline: BRADLEY CASE DETAILS STILL UNDISCLOSED. MUSTANG REFUSES TO COMMENT. Snorting loudly, Roy pitched the paper into the wastepaper basket.
"They're reporting on the case. Turn it up!" yelled an officer across the bullpen. Roy turned his head to the television set where a reporter was speaking.
"We're standing in front of the East City Police Department, where rumor has it that King Bradley, former commissioner of the Amestris Police, will be arriving shortly," the reporter began. "Four days ago, Bradley was arrested on multiple counts of murder, but the police refuse to release any more details. The president, who named Bradley as commissioner twenty years ago, has been unavailable for comment since her termination of Bradley's employment two days ago.
"We also believe that Bradley has connections to the Homunculus Corporation, a company recently brought into litigation on charges of fraud and illegal arms trading. Various numbers of their executives were arrested recently, including the head of the Security Division, Gregor Indol. Also rumored to have been involved, is the commissioner's sixteen year old son, Selim Bradley, who had been missing since the gala four days ago."
"Yeah, more like ran away, the little bastard," Roy said under his breath. The reporter, however, continued talking.
"Head Detective Roy Mustang of the East PD is still refusing to comment, despite being the arresting officer. We will bring you more news as the case develops," the reporter said to the camera. "In other news, President Ling Yao returns home tomorrow, following the successful signing of the Xing-Aerugo Treaty."
"Detective Mustang, sir?" came a voice to his right and Roy looked at the man calling him.
"Brosh, right? Can I help you?"
"Yes, Officer Ross is currently bringing Bradley to Interrogation Room A for questioning," Brosh informed him and the entire station went quiet. Mustang stood, straightening his shirt as he did so.
"Thank you, officer," he said before walking towards the interrogation room. A slow clap started behind him, eventually rising into a great applause, but Mustang didn't let it affect him. Instead, he continued his walk, giving Officer Ross a quick nod before entering the room.
Seated at the table was Bradley. His usual groomed hair was slightly out of place, but he remained still and poised, even in the midst of the charges brought against him. Across his left eye was an eye patch: the only way he had to salvage the dignity of having lost that eye. In truth, it made the now former commissioner look even more fierce, a certain sense of power emanating from beneath the patch. However, Roy was not rattled in the slightest. Now, Bradley was no more intimidating than he was. King Bradley was no longer a god; he was simply a man with a silly eye patch and steel cuffs around his wrists.
"Detective Mustang-" started the older man next to Bradley. Mustang instantly sought to cut him off.
"Save it, Mr. Edison, this isn't a deposition."
"Nevertheless, you cannot ask my client questions without me present," Edison said, his white hair quivering with every word. "We wouldn't want him to answer leading questions, after all."
"Oh, don't worry, I only have a few questions," Mustang assured the lawyer, taking a seat at the chair opposite Bradley. "Besides, Mr. Bradley knows when he's beat."
"Edison, let the man ask his questions," Bradley interjected. "I believe I owe him that much." Mustang gave a small smile as he flipped open his notepad.
"First off, I need to remind you that this is only an informal interrogation. From here on out, your client will be dealing with District Attorney Henry Douglas. Therefore, any questions you have should be submitted to him."
"We know all this!" Edison cried in exasperation. Mustang clicked his pen and smiled triumphantly.
"I know, but we all want this done right, don't we?" Edison looked positively vilified. "Now then, Mr. Bradley, can you explain your presence on the roof of that building four nights ago."
"I had intended to kill Ling Yao," Bradley stated calmly.
"What was your purpose in doing so?"
"To prevent the signing of the Xing-Aerugo Treaty." Mustang nodded as he took notes on Bradley's answer.
"And what does any of that have to do with Homunculus Corporation?" Bradley seemed to sigh in annoyance at the inquiry.
"Until Internal Affairs Officer Fokker found proof of illicit activities in the company, we provided a variety of services," Bradley answered. "Our intention in preventing the treaty signing was to incite further war between Xing and Aerugo, with Amestris as the battlefield."
"Why did you want to bring war? How would that benefit your corporation?"
"We've been secretly supplying both armies with weapons and medicine for years, but the casualties never mounted high enough to turn a big profit. We decided to incite it further. Give them the weapons to blow each other up, and then the medicine to put them back on their feet and do it all over again."
"So it was all about the money…" Mustang breathed out. "Unbelievable."
"Money and power are everything. Don't you know that, Mustang?"
"Not that you'll have either," Mustang challenged. "Speaking of money, where did the corporation's money come from?"
"Anonymous benefactor fueled by various shell companies; someone who wanted more profit. I don't know any more. Likelihood is that it was some other cop, but you're busy cleaning them all up. Whoever they were, they just provided the funding. I made all the decisions on my own."
"Well, apparently they withdrew their backing. As of this morning, Homunculus Corporation is dissolved."
"Not surprising," Bradley said, his look being one of resignation. "You put most of my executive officers in prison."
"On that note, both Lust and Gluttony have agreed to testify against you. Sloth isn't saying a word, but he's a little slow anyway." Mustang chuckled at his own joke before continuing. "Kimblee, on the other hand, couldn't give a rat's ass about testifying."
"He always was a wild card…" mused Bradley. "That…that was my one mistake."
"It certainly wasn't one we thought you would make, though obviously we had hoped you would," Mustang stated, frowning for the first time in the interrogation.
"I was pressed for time and couldn't afford the distraction. If Elric was going to spill everything, like I knew he could…well, I wasn't going to take the chance. At the very least, I had hoped Kimblee would be a good distraction."
"So…no regrets?" Mustang asked, finally putting his pen down.
"None," Bradley stated boldly. "Is that all?"
"Just one more question, actually." Mustang looked Bradley straight in the eye and asked coldly, "Did you kill Maes Hughes?"
Bradley gave a short, somber chuckle. "I didn't fire the gun, but I did order the trigger pulled. For the sake of simplicity: yes, I did kill Maes Hughes."
"That's all I needed to know," Roy responded with a smile. He stood and began walking toward the door when Bradley suddenly called him back.
"Oh, Mustang," he began, "would you apologize to the Elrics for me?"
"Do you actually regret something after all?"
Bradley smiled at him wryly before answering, "Just an apology for a lapse in good judgment." Mustang considered the request a moment before answering the question.
"I'll see what I can do." Then he left, passing by Officer Ross once more with a, "Book him."
A great cheer rose up once again from within the confines of the station as Mustang strode back through its halls. The sounds died down as Mustang reached his desk. Havoc and Breda approached him as he sat, both now holding plates of doughnuts. Holding back a laugh, Roy took out his key ring and unlocked the top drawer of his desk, pulling out a thick file folder. Emblazoned across the top were the words "Maes Hughes". Roy swiveled around and handed Havoc the file folder.
"Hey, Jean, mind filing this under 'Closed' for me?" he asked and Havoc's face lit up with a grin.
"You got it, chief," Havoc answered delightedly. Roy stood, grabbing his coat.
"Hold down the fort here. I have to go see a friend," Roy informed them, walking toward the exit from the station. Before he reached the exit from the bullpen, he heard Havoc yell out to him.
"Hey, give him our regards! We'll see you at the meeting place!" Roy gave him a lazy hand wave as acknowledgement.
Moments later, he pushed open the double doors of the station. The rare East City sun streamed into his face, and the head detective breathed in the fresh air. At least, he did until the clicks and flashes told him that reporters were buzzing around him. Some officers held them back, allowing Roy to escape the clutches of the press for yet another day. After that, it took only a few more minutes for him to reach his destination.
The cemetery was quiet, despite being in the middle of the city. The trees that enclosed it whispered softly, highlighting Roy's footsteps across the grass. Walking only a few rows down, Roy finally stood before Hughes' grave. In those seconds, he did nothing but stand there, and it felt as though Hughes was still standing right there with him, almost as if the trees were encapsulating them. Roy chuckled. How unnaturally sentimental of him. He took a deep breath with the wind, placing a hand on the cold gravestone.
"So…this is what closure feels like," he whispered. "We got him, Maes. It's done…Sorry for taking so long. I'm sure you'll forgive me." The trees almost seemed to nod as response. "Havoc and the others send you their regards. Anyway, I'll come visit you when I have the chance."
As Roy left, he could have felt that if he turned around he would have seen Hughes smiling and waving at him. But Roy didn't turn around. Not once. He didn't need to. Instead, he got back into his car and drove away, heading deeper into the city. The drive was short, and he quickly pulled up in front of the Hughes' residence. He bounded up the steps and knocked eagerly on the door. Scrabbling was heard from inside before Gracia opened the door.
"We got him," he told her, and she burst into tears. Gracia slipped away from the door, allowing Roy inside the house. The two retreated to the living room, both of them sitting quietly on the couch. Tears continued streaming down Gracia's cheeks.
"I…I never thought this day would come," she said, punctuating the end with a hiccup. "Thank you, Roy."
"No, I should thank you," he stated sincerely. "You never gave up. I think it kept me going."
"I just did what I had to…" she wrote off quietly. "At least, now Maes will be able to rest in peace, I think."
"Maes, rest? He never stopped running his mouth for a minute," Roy joked. She laughed.
"You know you loved that about him," she shot back.
"Everyone loved that about him. Heck, if there was one thing people could say about him, it's that he was loved. Still, I'm pretty sure he'll be happy." Gracia smiled, dabbing at her eyes with her shirt. "How do you feel?"
"Happy. Angry. Relieved. Fulfilled. I can't…quite describe what I'm feeling," she answered honestly. "The grief's still there, but at least I know it wasn't all for nothing."
"Yeah…" The two continued to sit in silence, a clock ticking somewhere in the house. "Where's Elicia?"
"Over at Tabitha's house," Gracia said. "She's too young to be sitting around the house."
"Are you going to tell her?" Roy asked.
"Someday, when she's old enough to understand," Gracia replied. "What are you going to do now?"
"My job, only with no baggage attached." Roy smiled at her, leaning back on the couch. "But, you know, I wouldn't mind coming around for dinner once in a while."
"As long as you bring Riza."
"So, you're trying to usurp his position as resident matchmaker, too?"
"We just wanted you to be happy," she reminded him. Roy continued to smile at the thought.
"I might take you up on that offer," Roy conceded. "In fact, maybe, if it's not too much, I'll bring the Elrics along. Winry's a mean cook. I'm sure she could learn plenty from you."
"I think I'd like that."
"It's a date, then." Once again, Roy stood, but Gracia stood with him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Roy, did you lose your life going after his death?" she asked.
"No. I think I found it," he answered truthfully.
"I'm sure he'd be happy to know that." With that, the two bid their farewells. Roy left the house and once more entered his car. Now, there was only one stop left. Putting his car in drive, he started off towards Resembool.
Everything was done now. All of his dues were paid. Part of him knew that Hughes' death would always be there in the corner of his heart, but now he could sleep at night, knowing that his best friend had been avenged. It wouldn't have been possible without Ed, he knew that for sure. If he had never come in contact with the genius forensics specialist, the case would probably still be open. Well, that and Ling Yao would likely be dead. Unfortunately, even with this victory resounding through his head, he couldn't help but remember the words that Bradley had screamed at him. Sacrifices had to be made.
In his heart of hearts, Roy knew this to be true. Hughes' death was the first in a long line of sacrifices to put Bradley and his men behind bars. Truthfully, Roy was glad that in the end he could answer Gracia's question the way he did. Had it not been for Ed's words, he may have sacrificed himself on the road to vengeance. No, instead, Ed was the one to pay that sacrifice. Nothing could make up for that; no words, actions, or petty gifts. He just had to live his life everyday, grateful for the chance to lament that sacrifice. That was his final thought as he pulled up to the Elric residence. Both Breda and Havoc's cars were already here, and the door was ajar.
"Hey, kid, how you doing?" resounded Havoc's voice from the living room, before a loud slap followed. "Holy crap, that hurt!"
"I didn't just go through surgery on my arm after getting all its muscles slashed just for you to slap it to pieces, Havoc!" That was undeniably Ed's voice, growing sharper as Roy sprung into the house.
"What the hell is your arm made of? Steel?"
"It's automail!" Ed seethed. "Of course it's made of steel, dumbass!"
"Leave the big guy alone, Hav," chastised Breda. Winry blew past Roy, hardly noticing he was there, as she carried a large bowl of water into the room.
"Please don't agitate the ports, they're still sensitive at this stage," she remonstrated the men in the room.
"Yeah, guys, my automail just got attached today. I've already been through hell these last few days."
"Shut up, Ed. Don't insult my automail!" Winry snapped. Ed was going to retort as Roy started laughing. Seeing the head detective seemed to make Ed scowl, but even that was precluded by Al's arrival.
"Food's ready!"
"Yay! Food!" cried a voice from the kitchen and Ling suddenly burst forth into the hallway, followed by his wife. A sharply aimed kick stopped the president of Xing in his tracks, however, and Mei emerged from behind Al.
"Not for you!" she scolded, causing Ling's eyes to water. "You and Lan Fan have been poaching food since you got here!"
"But attempted assassinations make me hungry…" Ling whined in response. Clearly Ling had been told about the events of that night.
"Anything makes you hungry, fatass moocher," insulted Ed as he came out of the living room. His new steel prosthetic was visible at the moment, clanking painfully with every movement.
"Don't talk like that, brother!"
"Not yet!" Ed said, banging him over the head with his good arm. "How're you doing, Mustang?"
"Amused," he answered. Ling seemed to register the name and wheeled around to face the head detective.
"Roy Mustang, I am greatly in your debt." Ling punctuated his gratuity with a bow.
"Thanks, but that was mostly short stuff over here."
"You wanna be the next target for my new arm?" Ed threatened. Roy started laughing again as Al cut in.
"Let's just go to the backyard, before you all kill each other." Heeding the younger brother's advice, everyone in the house followed him out to the backyard. A large spread of food was before them, clearly the result of many hours of cooking. Stretched above the table were two banners that said "CONGRATULATIONS!" and "COME BACK SOON, AL!"
"You're going away?" Roy asked as he went to grab a drink.
"Just for a week," Al answered him, grabbing his soda can from the table. "Mei's coming-of-age ceremony is this week, so I'm heading off with the Yaos to celebrate. Then it's back home to prepare from my dissertation presentation and plan for my wedding. Which reminds me, I should put your name on the invite list."
"Oh, I couldn't impose-"
"Nonsense!" called Ed, who sidled next to him with a smug grin. "Didn't Winry tell you? You're practically family now and you're coming to that wedding."
"Fine. I can see when I'm being forced," Roy sighed in defeat.
"Damn straight," Ed responded, clinking his glass against the detective's. "So, after all that, how's it feel?"
Roy deliberated for a moment before answering, "Like I'm whole again."
"Case closed, then?" Roy nodded. "Good, I don't think I could take any more of working with you. I got off easy with my arm this time, so I'm not exactly keen on a next time, you know? In other words, I'm taking a backseat from now on."
"Suits me just fine," Winry said, joining them around the table. "I think I'll appreciate having my husband back. You'll allow a pregnant woman that, right?"
"Please, you just want to tinker with my automail."
"Guilty as charged." Roy snorted, his drink spraying out. Winry handed him napkins without a word.
"Speaking of automail, Bradley wanted to apologize."
"Yeah…should have done that before he cut my arm to pieces," Ed complained with a scowl.
"Anyway, it's probably best you take a backseat. The department's in for some rough political changes," Roy informed Ed, who shrugged with some effort.
"Yeah, Feury was telling me when he called this morning. Interim Chief, huh?" Ed mused, sipping on his drink. "You were right about Grumman wanting Commissioner, so…hope you lead our department to new heights, partner."
"Still calling me that?"
"Just because we solved one case does not mean out partnership is dissolved. Besides, we still have a debt to settle, and who knows when I'm going to cash in."
"When the hell did this happen?" Roy asked, absolutely nonplussed.
"I told you that night of the first gala: I help you, you owe me a favor." The head detective didn't say anything, preferring to leave Ed to his own delusions. "Hey, Mustang, I've been meaning to ask. What stopped you that night? I wasn't exactly getting through to you, so what happened?"
"Simply put," Roy started, himself leaning back against the table, "I thought I saw a bit of Hughes in you that night, and it helped remind me that he wouldn't want me to do this." Ed made a small, noncommittal noise as they continued to stare towards the house.
"Hawkeye!" Havoc called as Riza stepped out from the house. Her left arm was in a sling, but Roy recognized her as the same beautiful woman he had always known. Winry approached her and the two women began to talk. Seeing the two converse like old friends immediately reminded Roy of something.
"Gracia said she'd like to have you and Winry over for dinner sometime," he told Ed.
"Winry would love that."
"You have a great wife, Fullmetal," Roy told him. Ed nodded in agreement.
"You should get one."
"Someday, when Rebecca gets that anti-fraternization rule repealed." Riza came closer to Roy's sight as she broke away from Winry.
"Edward, how's your arm?" she asked. Roy quickly turned around to grab her a drink and plate of victuals.
"Rehabilitating," he responded. "Yours?"
"Would be better if Roy was good at shooting," she told him. Roy scowled as he handed her the food.
"No one's as good as you. You should know that."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir." Suddenly, Breda's phone rang across the backyard. A minute later he called for them.
"We gotta run, boss. They found a body at an apartment in Liore," he said. Roy sighed.
"Never a day off," he complained. "Well, time to go back to work. You up for it, Riza?"
"Of course, sir," she answered him professionally. "I'm not one to let something like a gunshot wound slow me down. And I'm not desk sitting when I get back on Monday, either."
"All right, all right, I'm not arguing," he conceded. "How about you, Fullmetal?"
"I'll pass. My arm still hurts like a bitch and I want to take full advantage of my paid medical leave." He then popped a cookie in his mouth, as if challenging Mustang. "Don't you worry, I'll be back to work in a few weeks. I'll solve your cases for you then. Until that time, you'll just have to cope."
"Whatever, tiny." Ed tossed his drink at him as both the head detective and his reinstated partner made a swift retreat. Roy looked to the canopy of blue sky above him and inhaled deeply. "It's a beautiful and bright day today, isn't it, Riza?"
Riza looked at him askance before smiling softly. "Yes, sir. Yes, it is."
As the two stepped into the house, Roy looked back to Ed who was currently strangling Ling while avoiding an assault from both Lan Fan and Winry. He chuckled and then said something under his breath. And though no one but himself was near enough to hear, he was certain his message had been received.
"Thank you, Edward. I think the rain has finally stopped."
Fín
Author's Note: There it is: the ending of TO CATCH A KILLER. After 23 months, 270 hand-written pages, 217 typed pages and almost 140,000 words, this story is complete. So, how was it? Did the ending meet your expectations? Did the story meet your expectations? More importantly, how were my characterizations and plot? I'd love to know all of that from you in a review. On a slightly different note, the results of poll are up and closed. Many of you said you'd want to see how the story ended before deciding if you wanted a sequel or not. Well, now that it's over, would you want one? Tell me that in a review, too. But before you do, read the summary of what the second one would be below. Note, this doesn't mean I'll write it, but it's the plan for it.
TO FIND A KILLER
AU. Seven months after TO CATCH A KILLER. The biggest trial of the year, the repeal of the anti-fraternization rule, a series of bombings, and a rash of mysterious murders make for a volatile mix when a killer appears with a deadly game and the promise to kill again…starting with Edward Elric.
So, again, let me know in a review. I must express my gratitude for everyone who ever reviewed this story (especially those select few that reviewed almost every chapter), as well as favorited and followed. I hope I met your expectations. This has been my most successful story to date, and I hope that should I return with a sequel, you'll all be right there with me. In the meantime, I must for the last time ask you to review, and, as always,
Dare to Be Silly,
Epicocity