Author's note: Hey one and all, finally the next chapter is up. Many apologies for the delay! I was simply so busy that I couldn't get my hands on a computer to write! It's a little long (hope that will pacify you a little) with a bit more action in it. So read on and hope you like it!
To natsumexmikan43vr: Thanks so much for the support! I'm very glad that you enjoy this particular fic so much. To keep the reader in suspense and thinking about the various possibilities, that's what I think is the ultimate aim of a thriller writer! I hope to achieve that one day. So, hope this chapter is as enjoyable as the rest!
To Yuriski-1st: Ok, I have to admit, I've been trying to put Mu in because I like the guy too, but I can't seem to fit him in anywhere. I'm still trying!
To Guest: Thank you for the support! Glad I could finally get a new chapter up! And so sorry for the delay again this time.
To predator64: Yup, I'm hoping to continue the band fiction, but that will likely to be after this fic is complete, because the two fanfics are of such different styles so it's a little difficult for me to be fun and humorous in one and serious and angsty in the other. But I'm definitely not discontinuing it! About the confusing scenarios, maybe you could pinpoint me to a particular example? I know, sometimes, as I'm writing the fic, I get a little confused about some parts too and I do realize that some of the details are either miswritten or left out. So yeah… but I think, as the writer, I tend to assume that the readers know certain things because I know it. Haha, I think that's the biggest challenge of being an action thriller writer. So would really appreciate it if you could direct me to some of the confusing parts? As for the filter, I really wanted to, but there are a couple of pairings here and there, so I couldn't quite decide. I'll think about it some more!
To naruto girl: Thanks for the support and so sorry to always make you guys wait! Promise I'll do my best to speed up!
Chapter 37:
Kira ducked the roundhouse kick that came at his head the moment he walked through the door. He missed it by mere inches and a clenched fist swung at him from below, aiming an uppercut at his chin. There was enough aggression behind it to shatter his jaw if it had landed, but Kira stopped it easily with his palm. "Glad to see you're back to your old self again," he commented dryly, staring back into livid azure blue eyes.
"You asshole! I can't believe you actually hit me!" Auel snarled, trying to wrench his wrist out of Kira's vice-like grip. Kira remained unfazed. He reached out easily and took Auel's chin in his free hand, turning his face around so that he could eye the pale purple bruise blossoming spectacularly along the younger man's left jaw. "You'll live," Kira smiled.
Auel pouted and pulled away. "Of course I'll live," he sniffed irritably, "but you could have punched me in the stomach. Why my face? Now you've just ruined my dating prospects!"
Kira laughed as he released his hold on Auel. "I don't think so," he said, stepping into the room. He exchanged a glance with Sting, who was leaning against the wall with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "I thought the ladies are usually charmed by your bad-boy attitude," the green-haired man smirked. Auel shot him a vicious look, which didn't seem to put Sting off because he continued nonetheless. Glancing over at Stellar who was perched on a chair in front of the computers, he said, "Besides, Stellar doesn't seem to mind. And since you've already got your eyes set on-"
"Shut up!" Auel dove towards him and clamped his hand over his teammate's mouth. Kira watched, amused, as Stellar blushed and looked away. He gave the two guys several seconds to wrestle and struggle, then put an end to it by clearing his throat. "Enough with the fooling around," he said, "time we got back to work."
Seiran raised his arms above his head and stretched. His mouth widened in a large, grotesque yawn and Athrun had to clench his fists to resist the urge to punch the man's teeth down his throat.
"Shouldn't you get a move on?" He ground out through his teeth.
"Relax, Athrun," the obnoxious bastard gave him an annoying grin. He caught the back of a chair in one hand, turned it backwards and settled down comfortably on it, with his arms folded across the back. "We've still got thirty-six hours. Let me get to know my team first."
Athrun shoved his watch into the Seiran's face. "Look," he spat, "it's 10:45 a.m. You don't have thirty-six hours. You only have thirty-two. So get your ass moving." Seiran caught his wrist in a hand and peered at the watch face curiously. "So it seems," he drawled, "But actually it's thirty-two hours and fifteen minutes."
Athrun seized Seiran's shirt, bunching the front in his fists, and hauled the surprised man off the chair. "Shut up, Seiran," he barked. "This is your case now, so you better get it going. Move, NOW!" He released Seiran, giving him a hard shove backwards. The expression on Seiran's face would have been comical, under different circumstances. Athrun would have loved to see it. But right now, he wanted nothing more than to rearrange Seiran's face.
"Alright, alright," Seiran put up a hand to placate him, the other smoothing down his creased business shirt. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Zala. Look what you did to my shirt. This is 100% cotton. It's difficult to iron-"
Athrun advanced on him.
"Okay, okay," Seiran raised both hands. "I'm getting started. Where's your sense of humour?" He glanced around the room. "Well, for starters, let's head down to the crime scene. I want to have a look at the theatre."
"We just returned from there," Shinn protested.
"Good," Seiran gave one of his signature grins again, "then you know how to drive back. So let's go!"
"All of us?" Meyrin asked in disbelief.
"Yup," he smiled, "we can get to know each other on the way. Let's go!"
Athrun stepped into the way of his path. "We don't have time for this, Seiran!" he snapped, "There's nothing left to be found at the crime scene. Besides, sending the whole team there is of no use. What we should do is to look at the other clues. Listen, I've got Miriallia Haw looking at a chemical trace we discovered at the Clyne Mansion. We need to follow up on that. And look at the missing persons database. There must be a clue there. Maybe lots of children of the same age went missing and were never found. We need to confirm the identity of the guy called Kira Hibiki. Maybe he's one of the missing kids. And we have to keep the vial away from them at all cost, because if they get-"
"There is no 'we'," Seiran interrupted smoothly, "you've been reassigned, Zala."
Athrun recoiled as if he had been slapped in the face.
"So, this case is none of your concern now," Seiran continued, "I appreciate your help though. Tell you what, I'll be sure to consider your suggestions. Now, let's move out."
"Seiran-" Athrun said threateningly.
"Zala," the other detective grinned, "You're holding us up. You're the one who kept nagging at me for not moving, and now that I am, you're in my way." He rested a hand on Athrun's shoulder and propelled him aside gently. "Make up your mind, Athrun."
"As for the rest of you," he smirked, turning to the rest of the stunned team, "don't just stand there. Go get the cars and let's head out."
Kira saw them leave.
They got into two unmarked sedans – two of them in the first car and three in the next.
Sting lifted the screen of his laptop and began to read. "Dearka Elsman. He's the blond guy in the driver's seat. First vehicle."
Kira nodded without taking his eyes off the company of five.
"IT expert," Sting continued, "Former member of the Cyber Division. Joined Athrun Zala's Special Unit three years ago. The red-head behind him is Meyrin Hawke. She's Athrun Zala's secretary. Fresh out of grad school and newest addition to the team," Sting smiled, "therefore, not much of a threat." He paused and using his index finger, dabbed at the 'down arrow' of his laptop to scroll.
"She's got a sister in the Special Unit too." He glanced up from his screen and nodded towards the second vehicle. Kira followed his gaze and saw another red-haired woman slide into the driver's seat of the second vehicle. Her hair was worn short, just as how Kira remembered her.
The two sisters who had been part of the team manning the entrance of the Clyne Mansion. The younger one with the ponytails who had blushed at him, and the elder one with more experience and maturity, and hadn't quite succumbed to his charm.
"The sister's name is Lunamaria Hawke. Research specialist. Former member of the Information and Technology Division. Transferred over two years ago. The guy in the passenger seat, with the green hair, is Nicol Amalfi. Expert in forensics. Used to be one of the crime scene techs until Athrun Zala pulled him out to join his team. Guy with the black hair is Shinn Asuka. Cracked several major cases when he was just a junior detective. Has a reputation for being hot-headed and rash. Says here that he was nearly dismissed but he caught Athrun Zala's eye and was transferred over to the Special Unit."
Sting glanced up and peered out of the windscreen. They had an unobstructed view of the carpark that bordered the right side of the Police Headquarters. Auel had steered the van into a side street that ran perpendicular to the main road and they were backed up to the point where they were obscured behind an office building, the only visible part of the van was its front bumper.
"There's a guy missing," Sting frowned, "Yzak Joule. Silver hair. Firearms expert. Former member of the Firearms Unit. He was transferred over alonside Dearka Elsman."
Kira nodded. He had expected that: someone had to be guarding the vial. He shifted as Auel leaned over and pressed his face close to the glass. "Athrun Zala isn't there either," he pointed out. "Where're they all going? They're moving around full force without their leader?"
Kira said nothing. He didn't have a clue. Where were they headed? Why mobilize the whole team? It didn't make sense. It didn't seem like what Athrun Zala would do. It was a waste of manpower, and the Special Unit was only seven-man strong. He watched them climb into their cars and fire up the engines. The first sedan eased out of the parking lot with Dearka Elsman behind the wheel and Meyrin Hawke in the back passenger seat. The front passenger seat was left empty.
They were picking someone up, Kira thought. His guess was proven right when the first unmarked sedan swung around the bend and got onto the main road. It slid into place outside the entrance of the Police Headquarters and stopped. The second sedan coasted to a halt smoothly behind it.
Probably Athrun Zala, he thought to himself.
But he was only half right.
Athrun Zala stepped through the double glass doors of the Police Headquarters, but he didn't get into the car. There was a man who exited the building with him and it was he who slid into the front passenger seat beside Dearka Elsman.
And Kira nearly laughed out loud when he recognized the purple-haired man.
"Is that who I think it is?" Auel muttered.
Kira nodded in response. Yuna Roma Seiran. They had crossed paths with the detective a couple of times. The man had been in charge of several cases in which Kira's team had been involved, but the guy had never caught on. Not even close. He had let them slip right under his nose. Every single time.
"Don't tell me he's in charge of this case," Sting let out a snort of laughter, "What's this? Are they underestimating us or are they trying to make our job easier?"
Auel laughed and they began to recall the incidences when Yuna Roma Seiran had walked right past them without sparing them a second glance.
But Kira didn't participate. He kept his eyes trained on Athrun Zala. The detective stood on the edge of the road, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. He looked a little crestfallen, following the two sedans with his gaze as they left the curb. He stood there for a long moment, before turning abruptly and retracing his steps back into the building.
Auel shifted the gear into 'drive', lifted his foot off the brake and the van began to move.
"Head back to base," Kira said.
The van jammed to a sudden halt as Auel slammed his foot into the pedal.
"Aren't we following them?" He asked in disbelief. Even Sting turned around to glance at Kira, mute surprise in his eyes.
"No," he replied simply. He leaned back into his seat and settled down for the ride. "We're heading back," he repeated.
"But why? The plan was to shadow them and see what they know about us," Auel demanded.
"Athrun Zala's spotted us. He's sure to warn them and they're going to be on the lookout now," Kira shrugged, gazing straight ahead at the inching traffic on the main road. "No point going after them."
"Zala saw us? Are you sure?"
"Positive. Besides, we already know where they're headed. With Seiran in charge, he's going to drag them all down to the theatre for a wild goose chase. They're not going to find anything there, so let's go."
The van didn't move. Auel said, "If we head back now, Athrun Zala could have us followed."
"He's not going to," said Kira, "The odds are against him. For now. He's just been stripped of his team. He's a lone ranger and what's he going to follow us in? His black convertible?" He shook his head and gestured forward with a hand. "Let's go."
As soon as Athrun got clear of the doors, he folded himself behind a pillar, ignoring the curious glances cast his way. He dug out his cell and dialed a number. Nicol picked up on the second ring. His voice resonated a little, like an echo. It was obvious that he was using his earpiece so that he could drive. "Yes, Chief?"
Athrun noted with some comfort that his team still acknowledged him as their superior, but he hastily pushed aside the feeling of triumph. "There might be a black van following you. Stay on the alert."
There was a pause, and Athrun waited as Nicol checked the mirrors.
"There's no sign of it, Chief."
Athrun glanced around the pillar. He could just catch a glimpse of the front bumper of the black van. The rest was obscured behind the office building across the street. It was still and unmoving. Two seconds later, it began to inch forward, then came to a stop.
"It's still here," He muttered into his phone. "I can see it. It's parked across the street. Hold on…"
The van had begun to move again, and this time it didn't stop. It inched forward a little more to the cross-junction, paused to allow a car to move ahead, then turned right and headed in the opposite direction.
"It's off your tail," Athrun said.
A pause again as Nicol double-checked the mirrors. "Are you sure it was shadowing us, Chief?"
"Yes," Athrun said, "I don't have time to explain. Just be careful."
"Yes, sir. You too."
He hung up and glanced back at the roads again. The van was gone. Athrun was certain that it had been trailing them. He glanced at his watch. 11:00 a.m. They were approaching the end of the morning peak hour. Most office workers were already holed up in their offices and most delivery guys had finished their morning rounds. A black van like that, all run-down and faded, had to be some sort of delivery van. Besides, the Central Police Headquarters was set in the midst of the city, more specifically, downtown, where all the office buildings and skyscrapers were packed like sardines. No one here chose a van as their family vehicle. But most delivery vans had all sorts of labels and signs on them. This one was painted all black, with tinted windows. An unusual delivery van. And it had parked around the block, hidden behind the office building across the street. Double the intrigue.
The only explanation – it wasn't supposed to be there. It wasn't a delivery van making its morning round.
It was a surveillance van. Whoever it was inside, was keeping a close eye on the team. Whoever it was inside, had changed his mind to pursue the team. Whoever it was inside, was likely to be the one who had attacked the Clyne Mansion, killed an officer and injured Yzak. Whoever it was inside, was likely to be the one who had killed the woman alongside Officer Gregory Samson and Brian Hutson. Whoever it was inside, had Lacus in his hands.
And Athrun couldn't follow them. Because he didn't have a team, or a proper tracking vehicle.
He slammed his fist into the pillar and took off at a run. Shoving his way into a lift and ignoring the curses that were thrown his way, Athrun took it up to the sixteenth floor. He didn't wait for the doors to open completely before he charged through the deserted department and barged into his office. He fired up his computer so that he could run the plates of the van through the system. He left it running, then hurried back through the empty floor and boarded the lift up to the twentieth level in search of Miriallia Haw.
Lacus studied the woman crouched in the corner of the room closely and carefully.
She was still confident that they would let her go. Otherwise they wouldn't take the trouble to cover their faces, and he would not have defended her. If she got out, she would need to remember as many details as she could. It would help Athrun's investigation.
So she stared at the woman intently, as much as she dared to.
And the woman endured her scrutiny.
Not that there was much to see anyway. The woman had a scarf that completely covered her hair. No possibility of telling what colour her tresses were, or whether her hair was worn short or long. Like her accomplices, she had a mask that covered the top half of her face, with tinted lenses that hid the colour of her eyes. A thin handkerchief hid the bottom half of her face from view. No way to tell if there were any distinguishing features on her.
She was lean. Not tall, but not short either. She wore a plain black turtleneck and trim black pants. No belt, no jewelry, no accessory of any kind. Nothing special.
Except the glass cylinder that she held in both hands.
Lacus stared at it. She had been confused at the start. The woman had crept into her room silently and settled in the corner, her knees pulled close to her chest as she cupped the glass cylinder in both hands. She didn't say a word, didn't even spare her a glance. Later, Lacus had realized that it was some kind of aquarium, a little glass tank, with a strand of emerald green seaweed and several tiny fishes. The woman just sat there and stared at the glass cylinder in her hands, with a sort of abstract curiosity in her eyes.
She has her own issues.
Lacus remembered what he had told her. So this was it?
But Lacus couldn't detect any animosity in the woman. She didn't look like she was going to attack or act in an aggressive manner. In fact, she hadn't even reacted to Lacus. It was like Lacus didn't exist.
Lacus started to talk. She didn't really know why. Maybe it was a 'female solidarity' kind of thing, like maybe she could get this woman to help her. So she talked, and she didn't know what else to talk about, except the topic that was weighing on her mind – Kira Yamato.
Athrun found Miriallia Haw in her lab, eyes glued to a microscope.
"I really need some good news," he told her, leaning his hip against a lap table and crossing his arms across his chest as he looked at her.
Miriallia didn't glance up from her work. "You're not the only one," she said. She moved the specimen slide of her microscope with a slight tap of her finger. "I need some good news too, especially after hearing how you were taken off Lacus' case."
"Bad news always travels fast," Athrun commented dryly.
Miriallia looked up from the microscope, just a tilt of the head to glance at him. "You know I'm not supposed to do this," she said, frowning, "Now that AC Ramius has taken you off the case, I can't provide you with any of the findings related to this case."
Athrun shrugged his shoulders. "So don't," he said. "Did Seiran ask you to trace the manufacturers of the chemical?"
The forensic scientist shook her head.
"Okay," he smiled, "So this isn't business-related. Treat this…" He gestured at the microscope with a hand. "-as research interest. What we're having-" He moved his hand back and forth between the two of them, "-is just a friendly, casual talk between colleagues. Sharing of research interest. Nothing directly related to the case."
"That's bullshit," Miriallia said.
Athrun shrugged his shoulders. "Help me out here, Miriallia," he said, this time his tone serious and sincere, "you know what's happening. You can guess what's going to happen. I need as much help as I can get."
Miriallia sighed and glanced away. She shook her head again, not in refusal, but in resignation. Athrun started to smile.
"Alright," she snapped, throwing her hands up in surrender. "I didn't say I wasn't going to help. But-" She pointed a finger at Athrun, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "-wipe that smile off your face, Athrun Zala. I promise I'll help, but you need to give me more time. And this is against the rules, so this has to stay off the books. Now, run off and chase down some other trail and leave me alone. I'll let you know if I find something."
"Yes, M'am," Athrun mocked a salute and hastened out of the lab. He dug out his cell again and scrolled through his contacts, looking for a specific someone who worked at the news agency.
Auel pulled up alongside the warehouse and killed the engine.
Kira slid out of the front passenger seat and waited till Sting had gotten off beside him. Then he patted the side of the van and said to Auel, "Trash it. And get us something a little more 'invisible'."
Author's note: That's it! Next chapter should be up by next week! (Cross my fingers…) Meanwhile, don't forget to review x3!