As Light followed L into his house, he couldn't help but notice the way the man shuffled along with his shoulders slumped. With that, and the bare feet, Light jumped to the conclusion that L had serious issues. But what was he expecting from someone who called themselves a private detective?

"Now please take a seat, on the sofa or the chair by the door. The chair by the fire is mine," L said, gesturing into the living room. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure. I'll have a coffee."

"Oh," L said, lifting his hand to his mouth. "I'm sorry, I don't have any coffee. I don't have visitors very often, and I find it is too bitter for my tastes. I can offer you tea?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

L's lips curled upwards and he turned to carry on to the kitchen. "Milk and sugar?" he asked on the way.

"Yeah."

"Honey?" he called from the kitchen as Light walked towards the couch.

Light's heart gave a jolt and he stopped in the middle of the living room. "What?" he said.

"Would you like honey in your tea?"

Light heard his heart beating in his ears. For one crazy moment he thought this man he had just met was calling him a term of endearment. It had been a long day. He shook his head. "No, sugar is fine."

"You can have honey as well. I do."

"No thanks," Light said, frowning to himself. He sat down on the sofa and looked around the room. There were lots of newspaper clippings on the walls, some of them framed. Lots of books and notebooks were piled up on shelves and in a pile by the chair next to the fire. There were also boxes and boxes of sweets, on the coffee table, on end tables, piled up on top of shelving units.

"Now I expect you're here because you want my help with something," L said when he returned with a tray bearing two fancy floral patterned teacups with matching saucers and a pot containing sugar cubes.

Light assumed the police man he spoke to must have called him and forewarned him, that was the sort of thing that people did in these small towns. He was about to say something, but L continued before he could do more than thank him for the drink.

"You've never visited before, so I have ruled out the possibility that this could be a social call," L said, putting down the tray and picking up his own cup and saucer, then literally climbing onto his chair in the most bizarre way. "You seem troubled by something, and Matsuda has sent people to me in the past, so it seems the logical conclusion."

Light couldn't help but stare at L. His wild hair. His dark, probing eyes. His baggy, obviously old clothes. This man didn't care. There was something almost appealing about that. No. That wasn't why Light was staring. It was the juxtaposition of him talking about logic and sitting in a crouch on what looked to be a comfortable armchair. "The sergeant said you would be able to help me find my wallet," he said after composing himself.

"Ah, a missing wallet!" L said, lowering his cup and placing his thumb against his lower lip. "How intriguing!"

Light took a sip of his tea, unsure if L was making fun of him. It was eye-wateringly sweet and did little to quench his thirst. "Can you help me, or not?"

"Of course I can. Finding missing items is completely within my remit," L said, leaning over to grab a sugar cube, then holding it up to inspect it. "If you would furnish me with all of the details, I will track it down and have it returned to you with no delay." He dropped the sugar cube into the cup with a splash, then gestured to the pot of sugar cubes for Light to help himself.

Light held out a hand and shook his head. "I arrived a few hours ago. My car broke down so I walked to the garage. It wasn't open, so I went to Penber's Bar and Restaurant to ask if they knew why. Then I came back here and went into the house. The power was out so I went back into town to the convenience store, where I discovered I no longer had my wallet. I came back to check the house and the car, then looked for it in town and went to the police station."

"And Matsuda was about as helpful as he usually is, I expect?" L said.

"If by that you mean not very, then yes."

"Now, this may sound like a stupid question, but are you sure you had your wallet when you set off?"

"Yes, of course-" Light began, then stopped. "I think I did. I mean, things have been a bit fraught with everything that's happened."

"Your parents dying?"

"Yes," Light said, and there was something refreshing in the way that L put it so bluntly, and just nodded instead of offering any sort of condolences.

"Then we shall work on the assumption that you had the wallet when you came here. Can you describe it for me?" L asked, putting down his cup. He tugged on a notebook and wiggled it out from under the candy boxes that sat on top of it, then tore out a page and started to draw a sketch and make notes from his prompts to Light about its size, shape, material and contents. Finally, he held the piece of paper up by the corners. "Like this?"

"Exactly like that," Light said, impressed by the accuracy of L's drawing.

L put down the paper and then took a handful of candy from the box beside him and put them in his mouth. Light finished his tea and tried not to stare as L chewed thoughtfully.

"Leave it with me. I'll be in touch," L said eventually.

"That's it?"

"That's it," L said. "Unless you'd like some more tea? I also have a very nice strawberry gateau if you'd like some of that."

Light's stomach felt very empty, but the thought of more sweet tea and probably even sweeter cake was not particularly appealing. "No thanks, I'd better be going," he said, placing his cup and saucer down on the tray. "Thank you for the tea."

"You're welcome," L said, climbing out of his chair and following Light to the door. "One more thing before you leave."

Light turned around. "Yes?"

"I know all about your educational achievements and your successful career. What I mean to say is, you don't need to worry that I think you're stupid. Anyone can lose something, after all.

Light gritted his teeth. "Okay. Thanks," he said. After L shut the door behind him, he started to wonder if he was worried that L thought he was stupid, or if the man had simply put the thought in his head. Asserting his own intellect by suggesting Light was stupid, then making Light believe that he had thought that himself? Very devious.

On the way back to his parents' old house he silently fumed at L for getting one over on him. He had no idea such people lived in this town. The other locals seemed so dull and empty-headed. Maybe L liked to help people simply for the opportunity to belittle them and make himself feel better in comparison. Well, Light wasn't going to let him win. No. He'd use him to get his wallet back, and also find some way to turn the tables on him.

Inside, Light optimistically flipped the light switch, but the power was still off. He sighed. It was getting dark. After some rummaging, he found some candles.

His stomach rumbled. It had been a long drive, and he hadn't eaten anything since early morning. Perhaps he should have accepted a piece of cake. Without his wallet, he couldn't buy anything, and with the power off he didn't want to risk opening the fridge or freezer and spoiling any food in there that might still be good. Besides, the thought of eating something his mom had cooked felt weird now. He'd rather remember eating her cooking when she and his dad were still alive.

He opened the kitchen cupboards and found packets of uncooked rice and pasta, various jars and spices, all things that never got the chance to be used. Finally he found a family sized bag of chips. He felt like a child again pulling the bag open, stuffing a handful in his mouth then going to sit in front of the switched off television to eat the rest. It wasn't a fitting meal for a businessman in his thirties, but it was either that or go to bed hungry.

Sitting there on the sofa, it felt like any moment now his parents would come back into the room, his sister too. Light set the empty bag of chips aside and stared into space for a long while.

It was completely dark now, so Light busied himself going round the house shutting all the curtains. And that was it, there really was no more to do. There was nothing more he could do today. He had an appointment with a property lawyer tomorrow. Ideally, Sayu should be with him for that appointment.

He took out his phone and dialled her number. It went straight to voicemail. Maybe she was already on the plane.

Light put his phone away, then went out to the car to get his bag, then headed upstairs to his old room. He always stayed here when he visited, and even thought it had never felt the same since he moved out, it felt even more odd now.

He shook off the feeling, unpacked the essentials and got ready for bed.

Light's sleep was broken and plagued by thoughts of trying to track down his sister, his missing wallet, that mysterious helpful stranger, the electric being cut off, the weird detective, the equally weird police officer.

In the morning he saw a voicemail from Sayu. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and pressed play.

"Hey Light! Sorry I missed your call. Guess what, I just booked a last minute trip to Pompeii! Everyone says you absolutely can't miss it when you come to Italy. I'll take loads of pictures to show you!"

Light sighed. So that meant she wouldn't be there for the meeting. Well, there wasn't anything he could do about that. The only thing he could do was meet the lawyer and do as much as he could alone.

The power was still off when he checked, so he took a short, cold shower and got dressed, then went downstairs and considered eating another bag of chips for breakfast. However the novelty of eating chips as a meal had worn off, so he put them back in the cupboard.

He tried to call the electric company again, but was greeted by a recorded message telling him their offices were closed because of the holidays. How had he missed the fact that it was Christmas Eve? Not that it really mattered. Christmas didn't mean anything any more.

Light's appointment with the property lawyer was at ten a.m. He checked the email confirmation for the lawyer's address. He knew his office was somewhere in town, so at least his broken down car would not be an issue. He just needed to know what time to set off.

Light frowned, unable to immediately spot the address on the email. Then he realised that his eyes must have passed it by on account of it being too familiar. It was the house next door.

His immediate thought was that the universe was messing with him. Surely that strange private detective couldn't also be a property lawyer and just hadn't mentioned it yesterday? He checked the address again. No, it was the other house next door. Still an odd coincidence.

So the answer to his question was that he needed no more than three minutes to put on his shoes, and walk over to the neighbour's house. He already had all the documents the lawyer had requested ready. He sat in the living room and listened to the ticking clock and the grumble of his stomach. He really wanted a coffee, and a proper meal. It was too quiet here. As much as his sister annoyed him at times, if she was here at least she'd have something to say.

It was snowing again when Light left the house. Children were making a snowman further down the street. An adult standing in a doorway was calling them in for hot chocolate. Light glanced at the other neighbouring house and wondered if L had found his wallet yet. He would ask him later.

He knocked on the door of the lawyer's house and waited. The man who opened the door was familiar. Long dark hair, glasses, smart black suit. It was the man he'd seen in the town square, and the man had helped him move his car. He seemed to recognise Light too, and flinched slightly when they locked eyes, but quickly recovered his composure.

"Mr Yagami?" he said.

"Yes."

"I am Teru Mikami. Pleased to make your acquaintance," he said, holding out a hand.

Light shook his hand. Teru's handshake was brief and surprisingly gentle, a far cry from the hand crushing competitions the city businessmen Light often met with would engage him in.

"Please come through to my office," Teru said, leading Light through a minimalist hallway into an obsessively tidy office. "I was just brewing coffee, would you like some?"

Light smiled. It was the best thing anyone had said to him in twenty-four hours. "Yes please. Make it strong."

"Excellent choice," Teru said, bobbing his head and gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk before leaving the room.

Light sat down on one of the chairs and waited. The books behind Teru's desk were all on the subject of law, and seemed to be alphabetised and also sorted by year, size and colour. The few items on the desk were placed in perfect alignment.

Teru returned with coffee, and handed one of the cups to Light. "Thank you," he said, taking a sip.

The lawyer sat down behind his desk, put his own cup down on a coaster and surveyed Light over steepled hands. "I understand you and your sister have already decided to sell the property," he said.

"That's right."

"In that case, this meeting is just a formality. There are a few matters we must discuss, and I must obtain signatures from both of you."

Light nodded. "My sister is currently away, but she will sign as soon as she can. Is that going to slow things down?"

"I'm afraid so," Teru said. "Is that a problem for you? Does your financial situation demand this is done quickly?"

Light sighed. "I would rather this be done sooner rather than later. I'm currently renting an expensive apartment in the city. It's not sustainable, but I had to move out of my old home... after the divorce."

"I see. Let me know if I can be of assistance in that matter."

Light nodded, but said nothing. He wanted to avoid complicating matters. Teru went through all the required documents and explained what they needed to do next.

"This is a nice house in a nice area. I am sure there will be no shortage of interested buyers. It is a wonderful place to settle down, and I would not blame you at all if you changed your mind about selling it."

Light scrunched up his face. "I have no plans to settle down. I tried it once, and now my ex-wife lives in my house with her girlfriend."

"I see."

Light quickly searched for a change of subject. "There is something that I have been wondering about. Did you know who I was when you saw me yesterday? I don't think I've ever met you before."

Teru adjusted his glasses. "Forgive me. I suspected it was you. I've seen you in town before, but only in passing. I didn't think it would be appropriate to bother you outside of our scheduled appointment, but I couldn't stand by while you were struggling."

"I didn't have the chance to thank you."

"You're very welcome. It is my pleasure to serve," Teru said, placing a hand on his chest.

Light's stomach chose this moment to rumble loudly.

"My apologies, I am keeping you from lunch."

Light shook his head. "I lost my wallet, and the power is off at the house so I can't cook anything," he said, suddenly feeling very wretched and regretted admitting these things to this very well-dressed, put together man.

"Then perhaps you would like to stay for lunch?"

"I couldn't possibly impose on you like that," Light said, feeling uncomfortable. This man was a neighbour, he probably knew Light's parents, but they also had a professional relationship. And because of his missing wallet, Light was very aware that he was currently unable to pay him.

"Then at least let me take a look at the fuse box."

"Okay."

"Do you have plans for Christmas?" Teru asked he walked with Light to the door.

My parents are dead and my sister isn't here, Light thought, but what he said was, "No."

They left the house and walked through the snow to Light's parents' former home. "I have a little Christmas day tradition," Teru said. "Penber's do a wonderful Christmas dinner, you really should try it. It is usually a table for one for me, but I wouldn't mind a little company."

"I don't think I would be very good company right now," Light said, which he felt was a diplomatic answer.

"I understand."

Light let them both into the house, which was noticeably colder than Teru's. He led the way through the kitchen and showed him to the fuse box. He had already looked at it himself and doubted that anyone else could get it going, but it was worth a try.

Light watched as Teru fiddled about with the fuse box.

"What you need is to know what you are doing," Teru said, and then the lights came on.

"How did you do that?"

Teru gave a secretive smile.

"Thank you, Mr Mikami."

"You can call me Teru," he said, smiling slightly and adjusting his glasses self-consciously. "Now, I'll leave you in peace."

They walked back through the kitchen. Teru paused and put his hand in his pocket. Light looked away. As grateful as he was to Teru, he was still a virtual stranger. He wondered if it would be acceptable to just ask him to leave.

When Light looked up, he saw that Teru had taken a bill out of his wallet and placed it on the counter. It was a fifty. "To help you survive until you get your wallet back. Don't worry, I'll add it to my invoice."

Light stared in disbelief as Teru left. Just like the detective, there had to be some ulterior motive for his behaviour. People didn't just help total strangers like this. This ridiculous town might look like something out of the movies, but real people weren't just nice for no reason. He would feel better when he was back to his usual life in the city where people would insult you to your face and openly screw you over.