Days Without Sun
Chapter Fourteen: Plans
Within minutes of Aikawa handing Flynn the card the two women left the restaurant. As Aikawa relayed her surreal experience in the ladies' lounge, she was surprised that it didn't seem to faze Flynn in the least.
"You know a colleague of mine did an article a few months back on that new craze among the elite," the reporter offered. "But because it was published in a tabloid, everyone thinks that it's just made up. I swear sometimes a rag like The Sun holds far more truth than most 'legitimate' newspapers these days."
Flynn and Aikawa quickly relocated to a cyber café where they sipped lattes over their laptops as they each began to search for information on the surgeon, Villinski, and plan their story for when they called him.
It was very strange. The two women quickly noted that while most plastic surgeons and surgeons in general had a website or at least a listing in the Garopaba directory there was absolutely no information for any Lodov Villinski.
Aikawa sighed and pinched her nose in frustration: she was so sick of all these damn dead ends. "Well, I imagine with kind of work that he's doing, he probably doesn't openly advertise. It was foolish to think that it would be so easy."
Flynn was not deterred so easily though, she had other resources. "You said she told you that he had his clinic on his estate?"
Aikawa nodded and then watched as Flynn worked her magic on the laptop. After a few minutes of searching, the reporter's eyes widened.
"Holy fuck," Flynn whispered. She turned her screen around to Aikawa. Looking at the picture the editor was amazed at the size of the estate. Flynn flipped through several pictures showing multiple views. "According to the city records," she said soberly, "the estate was purchased by Villinski a little less than four years ago."
The American turned her screen back and read through an article about Villinski's estate. "This place has quite a history. It looks like the previous owners were part of a major cartel and came to a rather unfortunate end there."
Reading on she added, "The place was noted for its security, several posh out-buildings and…" Her face became very serious. "As the original owners were involved in drugs, trafficking in organs, and white slavery, the place was eventually found to have an extensive underground network, levels of corridors and all kinds of rooms."
"We have to go there now, Flynn," Aikawa breathed.
Flynn looked at the editor seriously. "Ms. Aikawa, this is not the kind of place one just shows up."
The reporter did a few more searches. "I can't find any images of this Villinski guy. Outside of a few mentions here and there it sounds as though the good doctor is pretty reclusive," the blonde said sounding annoyed.
"Then we need to call this Villinski immediately. That woman, Maria Mendieta, said to use her as a reference." Aikawa offered hopefully, "maybe that will get us in to see him right away."
Flynn frowned at the mention of the woman's name, this was the first time Aikawa had used it. Without answering she typed furiously on her computer for a few more moments and then spun the screen around. "Was this the woman you spoke with?" Clear blue eyes regarded Aikawa closely as she pointed to the image of a woman on her screen from an old society event.
Aikawa's dark eyes registered recognition; she nodded.
Flynn became agitated at this information. "Maria Mendieta is a former model." Then she added, "She's also the wife of the head of the Garopaba police force."
After this information sunk in, the two women were silent for several minutes.
Flynn picked the card that Mendieta had given Aikawa up off the table. She grabbed her cellphone and punched in the number.
"What are you?..." Aikawa stammered.
The reporter held up her hand for quiet. When the phone picked up it was a recorded message in Portuguese and English asking her to leave a message.
Aikawa was amazed to watch the woman transform in front of her as Flynn began to leave a dramatic message in an aristocratic English accent, managing to sound regal and yet slightly hysterical about having a cosmetic emergency, that Maria Mendieta had told her that Dr. Villinski was her only hope, and that she'd pay whatever she had to, to been seen as soon as possible.
The coffee shop became quiet as the patrons around her watched the young woman's performance. Aikawa was stunned.
After she made the phone call, Flynn looked at Aikawa. She smiled as though those kinds of theatrics were an everyday occurrence. She shrugged, "I do a lot undercover work in my quest for the truth." The reporter paused for a moment and her face became thoughtful. "From what you said earlier about your Mr. Usami it seems like he's loaded. Right?"
Aikawa looked at the woman and nodded though her expression was questioning. "He's quite comfortable, yes."
"Can you get access to some of those funds?".
"Yes," Aikawa said quietly. Since they had been in Brazil, Usami-sensei had given control of a number of things over to her that he was too distraught to deal with. As a result, she had access to several credit cards and expense accounts.
"Good," Flynn said, "Let's go shopping."
The women had been an hour into their spree when Flynn's phone rang. She answered it completely in character and after a lengthy exchange; she snapped her phone shut with a satisfied smile on her face. "I have an appointment to see him tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow?" Aikawa sighed in frustration.
"Tomorrow's pretty good, I thought," Flynn frowned back. "And remember this is a long shot." Still, Flynn could understand Aikawa's impatience, even on such a wild hunch: if Takahashi Misaki was still alive and being held, every minute mattered.
"So what am I supposed to do until tomorrow? There's no way I can go back to Usami-Sensei without him knowing something's up and if he gets any wind of this he'll charge over there immediately." Aikawa's face belied her concern.
"Well then call him and tell him you have a late business meeting or something, find some excuse to stay out for the night."
Aikawa pondered this a moment then she looked at Flynn. "Look, if we're going to do this, I think there's someone else we should bring in." After she explained things to Flynn the reporter nodded.
Aikawa opened her phone and placed her call. "Mr. Santo… Augusto." She was aware her heart was pounding for multiple reasons. "I was wondering if when you get back into Garopaba, if you might be free for dinner tonight? You can? Ah…that's wonderful, and Agusto please, you can call me Eri."
Aikawa was quite aware she was blushing as she hung up the phone.
Flynn looked at her and smiled. "Back up and a date, I like how you work, Ms. Aikawa."
"Oh hush, and just call me Aikawa. We've still got things to do, Flynn, so let's get going," Aikawa said this despite the fact the blonde's comment had just doubled her blush. She pulled one of her stern editor looks on Flynn: it had about as much effect on the reporter as it did on her author.
Aikawa had more difficulties getting away from Akihiko than she'd anticipated. In part she was worried about leaving the man on his own at this point but, at the moment, she knew it was the only way.
Akihiko had become incredibly protective when he heard Aikawa had a date and might not be returning that evening. After losing Misaki as he had, Akihiko had no intentions of losing any one else he cared about. He badgered Aikawa about her safety until she finally admitted she was going out with Santo Justino.
Hearing this Akihiko had relaxed just a bit. He'd seen the two surreptitiously eying each other on occasion and knew that it was probably vital to Aikawa's mental health for the woman to get a break from all his craziness.
In all honesty, Akihiko himself wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be able to hold on to his sanity (or what was passing for it these days) without Misaki. He'd asked about Santo Justino's news or if there was any. Aikawa had stalled saying he hadn't told her anything specific but that she'd call him after dinner and catch him up on any updates.
At this point Akihiko had sighed and told her not to bother. If Santo Justino hadn't called him and hadn't said anything, that most likely meant there was nothing new. Then he'd wished her an "enjoyable" evening away, his voice sounding heart-breakingly defeated as he hung up.
The dinner went well; though to Santo Justino's disappointment Flynn joined them. He listened to what the women had discovered carefully keeping his face blank, not wishing to incite any false hope.
Though Aikawa and Flynn's plan was risky and he was reluctant to permit it, after everything had been laid out Santo Justino eventually agreed to try it.
Following this, Flynn considerately excused herself saying she had additional work to do in preparation. She slipped Aikawa a piece of paper with directions to her apartment, just in case the editor needed them later. Though looking at the way the two people sitting across from her at the table had been looking at each other throughout the evening she highly doubted Aikawa would come find her.
Flynn was right, Aikawa never showed up.
The next morning when the three met up again, from the soft glow both Aikawa and Santo Justino were wearing, it was obvious the two had found a congenial way to deal with the tension and the long hours of what was surely one way or the other a sleepless night.
Aikawa assisted as Flynn finished getting ready, each growing more nervous as the time to head out for the appointment drew nearer. The reporter had donned a sharp fashionable dress. She had dyed her cropped blonde hair a deep brown during the evening. The reporter also sported new expensive sunglasses and simple but rich jewelry.
After Santo Justino had changed out the rental plates, the new brunette climbed into the sleek sports car Aikawa had leased the day before.
Aikawa wanted to go with Flynn, but she had been photographed quite a bit in the last few weeks with Usami, who'd become a popular paparazzi target ever since the news of Misaki's disappearance had been made public. Santo Justino much to Aikawa's annoyance had all but forbidden her to go, just in case someone at the clinic might recognize her. It was only when Flynn agreed with the detective that Aikawa allowed herself to be persuaded to stay back with Santo Justino.
Flynn was bugged and had a tiny camera inserted in a tasteful brooch she wore on her lapel. Aikawa handed Flynn the envelope with the hefty cash payment required for the initial consultation.
As though she were going to a pleasant social event and not stalking a crazed kidnapper, Flynn gave a cheerful wave and headed off. Santo Justino, with Aikawa riding silently beside him, followed in another car a safe distance behind.
Out in the lush land between multi-acred estates, at a certain point he pulled off the road pretending to have engine trouble as he listened to the bug on Flynn. He'd wanted to be close enough that if there was trouble he might be able to intervene, though all three of their party knew that in reality it would only take a few seconds for something to go terribly wrong.
Inside the car Aikawa sat waiting, her skin beginning to glisten with the sweat brought on by the hot humid air and her terrible nervousness. She hated feeling so helpless.
Villinski had said the consult would take about thirty minutes.
It was the longest thirty minutes ofAikawa's life. She watched the hand on her watch tick onwards, by the time forty-five minutes had passed she was on the verge of screaming. Just when she thought she was about to lose it, the hood of the car slammed down.
Santo Justino walked slowly around to the driver's side opened the door and slid in. He leaned over and started the car. "Flynn just drove out of the gates of Villinski's place."
He turned and looked at Aikawa his handsome face incredibly serious.
He said softly, "It's him."
Ashley Tangerine, Gothpandaotaku, and Alcuzey, Thank you so much for your faithful reviews. Also it pleases me immensely that you like my OC. You're right, yaoi does need an injection of some strong, admirable women and to get away from the trope of the histrionic or demonized female that inhabits so much of this genre.
I am also delighted with your enthusiasm for Aikawa's love interest. While het really isn't my thing, I do think the poor woman deserves some loving. I mean, how frustrated she must be to inhabit a world where every man is gay.
On to the next chapter!