A/N: As promised, this week's chapter. Did I mention last time that I got my ears pierced!? Well guess what: they're asymmetrical so I have to get one done again... Apparently one of the people who did my ears isn't meant to pierce ears, and unfortunately she gunned the wrong part of my lobe... Sadly, I look a bit silly because I've had to take the bad earring out, but have to keep the other one in, because I need to let the previous piercing heal up... I won't be able to get my next piercing until next week, and it's typical that something like this should happen to me- I'm prone to bad luck, and it just so happens having my ears pierced absolutely terrified me. And now I have to do it again! Even if it wasn't nearly as bad as I believed it would be, it's not something I want to make a habit...

On to far more positive news, it's nearly Christmas- as in, two days- and I make it my custom to post extra chapters on important days, such as Christmas. I won't be breaking that mould, and another chapter of Investigasians will be posted on Christmas Day, or the day after, depending on my schedule. As much I would have liked this Fic to strategically end on Christmas, it won't- but it will definitely have ended by the end of the year. Thank you for your patience, because my posting times throughout this year have been absolutely awful. I'll save my main apologies for the final chapter of this Fic, so for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Without further ado: the next chapter!

Chapter 26

For once, Mei and Yong Soo didn't bicker about being in the back of the car. The pair of them sat, rigid and still, and staring straight ahead as Yao drove the Old Civic away from the Edelstein manor. Elizabeta sat in the passenger seat, still shivering from the cold, although Yao had turned the heating on full. At first, a torrent of cold air had burst through, much to the embarrassment of the car's owner. However, the air had finally flown through, warm and luxurious, promising better days. Pleased, Mei had been able to content herself with waiting for the car journey to end.

Nobody turned on the radio, and faces of all others in the car were nothing if not anxious. If Roderich turned out to be dead by the time they arrived at the theatre, Mei would never be able to feel the same. This was another human's life they were dealing with. Two had already been lost.

Yao was driving faster than normal.

"Careful, Aniki," Yong Soo put a hand on the back of Yao's chair. "If we get caught by the police again, that'll only slow us down."

"It's an empty road with the snow building up," Yao said. "Trust me when I say there won't be a single police car patrolling at this time."

That was true. The snow had been falling the entire time they had been speaking with Elizabeta, and from the moment they'd set off from her house. The windscreen wipers furiously brushed away the cold substance, only to be replaced by more. Yao had the de-mister on, to keep the screen clear. If it hadn't been for the heating, Mei would have been freezing, despite her coat and everything. She could only imagine how Elizabeta felt at the moment. Not only was the cold a problem, but the man she was supposed to be marrying was potentially in danger. Her stern expression was admirable. Mei would have broken down from the pressure by now.

Snow swept past them, and there wasn't a car insight. The city wasn't within view, either.

"I don't want you going in first," Yao warned Elizabeta. "Just in case if something's there, aru. It's very likely we're overreacting and that Roderich's fine, just to let you know."

"I'm hoping that's the case," Elizabeta confessed. "I would hate for him to be in danger because of me."

Yao nodded, and didn't say anything more. Whilst it was tempting to request for the radio to be turned on, the moment felt so inappropriate, and Mei didn't have the heart to make things awkward. She could imagine the disgusted expressions of those around her if she were to listen and hum along to the top charts as if nothing were happening. Travelling had always been boring to Mei, and her inability to preoccupy herself was a curse. The flight from America, although nerve wracking, had been filled with music from her phone. She was forced to sit in tense silence alongside everyone else. She had to remember that this was a life or death matter. Roderich Edelstein's life was at stake here.

The first looming shapes of the city began to materialise from the murky shadows ahead of them. It was a relief to think they had managed to come so far, and that the music theatre was close enough for them to reach in short time. It was going so well, and Mei felt like a marathon runner heading towards the finish line, when the Old Civic's engine began to sputter and fail. Yao slammed down on the accelerator twice, but the car refused to go further. It coughed and crashed out, falling dead and the engine shutting down. They sat in cold misery for a few seconds, until Elizabeta threw open the door and stepped out into the cold.

"Wait, Miss Hédeváry," Yao pleaded, as Mei followed the young woman's lead and stepped out into the freezing temperatures. "It's cold; you're only going to hurt yourself, aru."

"I don't care, Detective Wang," Elizabeta cried out over the winds as she trudged through knee deep snow. "I need to see Roderich. Now."

"Can't we see what's wrong with the Old Civic?" Yao begged. "If we get the car working, it'll be quicker than walking."

Mei peered round the front and saw the heaps of snow heaped at the Old Civic's front. "This isn't something we can fix, Yao. There's just too much snow. We're driving in a hazard."

The sensible thing to do was walk; as mad as that sounded, the Old Civic wouldn't be moving for quite some time. Mei hurried after Elizabeta, carrying her feet through the layers of snow. To have stopped a car, it was a lot, and it was thick. She was wearing leggings, but Elizabeta's legs were pale, and the cold had paled and frozen her skin. Even she was beginning to have deeper concerns for the young woman's health, but there was no stopping her. Until Roderich was confirmed fine, Elizabeta Hédeváry would not stop until she was dead. It was charming to see how far her love for her fiancé went. Mei hoped that, one day, she would find a devoted love like that.

"Yao, come on," Yong called, and Mei glanced over her shoulder to see him a few steps behind her. "We don't have time to mess with that old heap."

Yao, who was standing near the car in his attempts to fix it, groaned, and followed after all the others. Mei turned away once again, battling the elements. Wind was blowing snowflakes in her eyes, and sometimes her hair would whip across her face, stinging and constantly needing to be pushed aside. She was squinting in her pursuit of Elizabeta, but she managed to keep in pace with everyone else. Mei had never been athletic, and she wasn't tall either. However, even she allowed her determination to pull her past the strength of nature.

"We're almost there!" Elizabeta called over her shoulder after a solid twenty minutes of walking.

The snow thinned the nearer the city they got. The heat of pollution and the mass of buildings reduced the amount of snowfall significantly. Once they were out of the suburbs, with the houses layered in a thick heap of snow, the city's heart was covered in crystallised cold. Street lights cast their jeers down in bright jets. Not a single car roamed the roads; they were all stationary, covered in snow and not in use. The weather meant business.

However, the city was alive. Night life had begun, and bright beacons and banners shone across the tall skyscrapers. Mei rarely went into the city that late, so it was breath-taking to see it in such a way. Now was not the time to be admiring the scenery, though. She had to dodge past other people wondering around just to keep up with Elizabeta. Eyes naturally turned towards the woman with damp hair and a dressing gown tied around her body. Mei had to guess everyone recognised her. But it was clear Elizabeta was past caring. Her determined expression and natural GPS led her through the city as if she'd learnt to walk there.

She turned a corner and the music theatre was within sight. A little fast walking could bring you anywhere within no time. It was then that Elizabeta broke out into a jog. Mei gawked when she began to sprint across the snow, hair streaming behind her and the gap between them rapidly grew.

"Elizabeta, wait," she called after her, and started to run herself.

She didn't bother checking to see if Yao and Yong were keeping pace with them. All she cared about was not letting Elizabeta enter a potentially hazardous building on her own. She saw their client disappear into the depths of the music theatre, the doors swinging closed behind her. Huffing and puffing, Mei finally reached the door and leant her full weight against it, forcing it open. The lobby was devoid of people. She could see several faint marks along the carpet, leading to different places. However, what caught her eye was the door left ajar just a little to the side of the receptionist's desk. Mei's feet carried her towards the entrance and she pushed the door open, letting it drift back into place as she passed through. It was dark, the lights turned off, and she couldn't find a light switch. The toe of her boot caught a step and she ascended higher, climbing a set of stairs that, presumably, led to the higher set of chairs available to the audience.

Yao was horrified to see Mei take off after Elizabeta. He had hoped someone of his own team would have more common sense, but was disappointed to see Mei was just as driven by her emotions as she'd always been. Luckily, Yong Soo remained loyal, glancing tentatively over his shoulder every now and then just to make sure Yao hadn't fallen too far behind.

He had always been at the bottom in P.E. class. All other boys in his class had managed to do exceedingly well, but Yao had always lagged at the back, and had never put his complete and full effort into his exercise. Only now had fate ordained him to regret this, as he struggled through the crowds, hoping Mei and Elizabeta would be OK.

Heavy legs carried him to the music theatre, and a pain was knotting in his side. Yong held the door open for him, and he gratefully ducked past his arm inside. Desperately, he hurried towards the entrance to the concert hall. If Roderich was in there, he was likely practising the piano or setting out the layout of the orchestra.

Yao burst through the door and saw Elizabeta whip round at the sight of him, eyes wide.

"Miss Hédeváry," he panted. "Is he…?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Detective Wang," Roderich was stood on the stage, a coffee held in his hand. "I honestly don't see what the fuss is about."

"Mr Edelstein," he breathed, relieved, as his eyes darted around. "Where's Mei?"

"I don't know," Elizabeta looked puzzled. "She was right behind me."

Yao gazed around the concert hall and caught sight of someone standing in the seating above, half hidden by the dim, almost non-existent lighting. They held a long, dark object in their hands.

"Roderich, aru!" Yao yelled, and watched the Young Master flinch backwards just as soon as shot echoed around the entire hall.

The bullet hit the grand piano, leaving a large scratch alongside its side. It was exactly where Roderich would have been. Yao returned his gaze to the seats above to see the same face, none other than Basch Zwingli, reloading a long, powerful rifle. His heart fluttered breezily in his chest.

Just as he was taking aim again, Mei appeared out of nowhere from behind and grabbed his arm from behind.

Mei jerked upwards and the bullet shot towards a ceiling, smashing a light and sending glass raining down on the seats below. The gunman shrugged her away backwards and whipped round, catching her face with the rifle. Mei lost her footing and fell down onto the chairs, an arm digging into her side painfully. Her cheek throbbed, but she got a good look of the incredulous expression on Basch Zwingli's face.

"What is that detective and his crew doing here?" he grumbled agitated.

"We suspected you'd be here to finish the job you intended to do," Mei scrambled to her feet just as he slung the gun over his shoulder.

Basch grabbed her by the throat and her pushed her to the railing. "I don't really care. It's just an increase in the body count, and perhaps means Elizabeta may have to go as well."

"Even a rich family can't get away with seven murders," Mei gagged.

"I think you underestimate the powers of us elites," he smirked.

He was about to offer her a violent push to her death when Yao and Yong Soo hurried up the stairs. Distracted, he turned at their loud entrance. Mei took the opportunity to jam her foot into his knee and send him stumbling backwards. Luckily, he wasn't too big, so she could just about get him off her.

"Hands in the air, Zwingli," Yao demanded, fumbling for the gun in his coat pocket.

Rather than do as asked, Basch Zwingli decided to act like every desperate man who wanted to escape unpunished from a criminal act. He charged at Yao and battered the pistol away from his hands with the rifle. The way he used it like a bat was both painful and amazing; Yao would never have thought a rifle to be so multi-purpose.

"You've been on my case for too long, Detective," Basch growled. "Not only that, but you're not the type to be paid off, are you?"

Yao was tempted to say "it depends", but his attachment to his clients and basic moral judgement held him from saying so.

"I thought so," Basch concluded for himself.

Yao noticed the gold bag hanging from his shoulders. "That bag…"

"He's the one!" Yong called from behind. "The golf bag that janitor had; that's what it was."

Yao's eyes widened. "You used a golf bag to smuggle a rifle into the music theatre, aru. Let me guess; you also bought your way to the footage you needed?"

"I did what I had to," Basch snapped. "Once you kill a man, you can't got back."

"You didn't have to kill Niklas Edelstein – or his son, for that matter, aru," Yao retorted. "Haven't you ever had a girl break up with you before, aru?"

"You honestly think Elizabeta had zero connections before meeting Roderich?" Basch sneered. "Think again; the Hédevárys are yet another elite, wealthy family amongst us. I happen to like cash, and Elizabeta was attractive; I could easily live with that."

"You were that desperate for just money?" Mei cried.

"Perhaps there were feelings behind it," Basch shrugged. "But that's gone and past now."

Basch caught Yao in the head with the rifle. He was wary about being hit too hard with the deadly weapon.

"Is this the same rifle you used to bludgeon Niklas over the head with?" Yao demanded.

"A different one," Basch sneered. "I disposed of the other one. However, my father loves rifles, and I have a good aim. There's plenty to use at my disposal."

He turned the gun in his hands and took aim directly at Yao's face. Yao squeezed his eyes shut, tangled in the rows of chairs as he was, and heard the bullet awkwardly slam through the air. There was a howl of agony and a triumphant shout. Opening his eyes, he saw Basch clutching a bleeding arm and Yong with the pistol in his hands, frightened eyes and shaking.

"You bastard," Basch growled, retaining his composure.

But it was too late. He was injured, and Yao preyed upon such a weakness. Shooting forwards, he grabbed the young man's injured arm and dug his nails into the wound, the searing bullet still embedded burning into his fingertips. Basch cried out, a spasm passing through his arm and Yao managed to wrestle the rifle from his hands.

"Hands on your head, Zwingli," he repeated, turning the rifle round in his hands and taking aim at the young man's chest.

Mei hurried up from behind their enemy, and pulled his hands behind his back.

"What the-" he almost struggled, but stopped when Yao cocked the rifle.

"It's over, aru," Yao sighed. "You couldn't honestly have expected to have gotten away with murder?"

Zwingli's fierce green eyes narrowed. "If I believed I'd get caught, then I never would have done it in the first place. Obviously"

"Everything was going so well until you went after Roderich," Yao shook his head. "You were that desperate to finish the job?"

Basch opened his mouth, ready to speak, but Yao shook his head.

"Save it for the interrogation," he smirked. "Yong, call the police, aru."

"Already done," Roderich said, walking into the room.

His face was flustered, and just a few steps behind him was Elizabeta, pale faced and ashen at the sight of Basch standing there.

"They should be here in no time," he explained, cool and aloof as usual.

"Is there anywhere we can hold him?" Yao asked. "We need a confined space."

"Yes, my office," Roderich rummaged with his keys. "I think that should do nicely."

Basch swore under his breath as Yao led him away, following after Roderich's footsteps.

Sirens blared as the police sat outside the music theatre. Tape prevented the public getting closer, as did a few officers posted in their respective positions. The sky above was tar black, not a single star in sight, but the lights from the police cars lit up the entire parking lot.

Basch was led, handcuffed, to one of the vans, a sour expression on his face.

"Outed by a pompous prissy and his whore," he had snarled in his departure, much to the unamused faces of Roderich and Elizabeta.

Officer Kirkland sauntered over to Yao, who was proudly watching the killer get led away. "I must admit, I never expected you to be able to do this."

"You underestimated me, Arthur," Yao glanced at him, smug.

"Don't get too cocky," Kirkland sniffed. "It's one murder of many that you've solved."

"But I proved you wrong, aru," Yao raised his chin.

"You're lucky to be alive," Kirkland grumbled.

"That was actually due to this kid's help," Yao nudged Yong, who wore a clueless expression on his face. "Thanks for that, by the way, aru."

Yong smiled tiredly. "Anything for Aniki."

"Yes, well, speaking of this young man, we need to bring him back to the station and call his parents to let them know what you dragged him into," Arthur said disapprovingly. "I know he's always involved with your schemes, but remember: he's a kid."

"I know, aru," Yao nodded. "Tell them I'm sorry, Yong."

"Aniki?" Yong Soo's eyes widened.

"Go with Officer Kirkland," he nodded with a gesture. "He'll make sure you get home."

"Other than that, well done," Arthur suddenly couldn't hold his gaze. "You've exceeded my expectations considerably. Perhaps you'll even build yourself a career out of this, Wang?"

"Perhaps so, aru," he smiled. "I need to speak with my client. Make sure this kid gets home safely, OK, aru?"

"Guaranteed," Kirkland replied.

"When am I allowed to speak with Zwingli?" Yao asked.

"We'll have him under isolated custody for the first twenty four hours where we amass evidence against him," Arthur explained. "If we find sufficient evidence against him, we can formally arrest him, where we'll have him interrogated during the second day and have formal documents signed, and so on. You can see him on the third day and ask him whatever you like before he's trialled and sent to prison."

"Excellent, aru," Yao clapped his hands together. "I need to speak with Edelstein now. See you, kid."

"Bye, Aniki," Yong Soo looked mournful as he trailed after Officer Kirkland, who said, "Your parents are probably worried about you."

Yao lifted a hand as the chief pushed Yong towards a car. The blonde man paused and turned. "Remember this, though, Detective Wang: the case did rather solve itself."

Sullenly, he watched the Chief Officer get into the car. Yao strolled into the lobby once more, where Roderich, Elizabeta and Mei had gathered. Elizabeta had a foil blanket wrapped around her to keep her warm, and the faces of Roderich and Mei could only be described as disgruntled.

"I can't believe this is over," Roderich mused.

"He may not be the murderer of your father," Yao warned, but received sceptical looks from all those in the room. "However, I think he is, aru."

"I don't understand, though," Roderich sighed. "I've never spoken to Basch before… Not enough to earn his hatred. Why would he kill my father and want to kill me?"

Yao couldn't help but make awkward eye contact with Elizabeta. His flicked his gaze to Mei, and saw understanding appear in her eyes.

"We need to speak with Kirkland," he told her. "About speaking with Zwingli."

"Ah, of course," she followed after him into the cold. "Is she going to tell him about… you know?"

"Her illicit relationship with Zwingli?" he glanced at her, cheeks red from the cold. "It's only fair that she does, aru. He has a right to know, and it's only best that she's the one to tell him."

Mei was silent for a minute. He glanced at her, and saw her dark eyes were in thought.

"Where's Kirkland?" she asked, glancing around. "We need to speak with him, right?"

"That was a lie to get you away from them, aru," he said. "They need privacy for something like that."

"I understand."

He glanced at her again. He could see the red mark on her face from where Zwingli had batted her away with the rifle. She caught him staring at her.

"Well, you actually solved something, Yao," she said wryly. "How does it feel to be successful?"

"Like an ordinary day, aru," he smiled, but Kirkland's words played slightly on his mind. What if the case had rather solved itself?

The pair of them gazed out across the sea of red and blue flashing lights. There was something beautiful about seeing the snowfall get illuminated by such lights. He had completed his first murder case successfully, and felt extremely proud for having done so. The Investigasians had sought justice and avenged both Niklas and Williams.

The case was over.

A/N: Until next time! xx