PREYS
by Kamorgana
Disclaimer: Nothing but
the
"plot" is mine. All is borrowed from Watsuki and co. Don't sue me!
Preys
Chapter 3: ..is near the Capitol
From the top floor of the building, Tokio was glancing at the city,
which was spreading lights as far as she could see. Have a drink and
forget about the mess, right. She sipped a bit of red wine. Good, she
thought, feeling the heat of the alcohol warming her empty stomach and
the delicious, heavy after-taste filling her mouth. If only she didn't
have to show up at that stupid party, and enjoy the drink at home.
After her talk with Saitoh, she had to rush to her apartment, shower,
change and make-up in less than an hour in order to attend the last
extravaganza at the City Hall, thrown for the directors of the
law-enforcement departments. She had totally forgotten about it under
the pressure of the day. Being yelled at on the phone, yelling back,
bargaining, trying to avoid an intern investigation, making sure that
Hatsume wouldn't sue them, worrying for Okita, handling the press and
finally confronting that egotistical jerk, from morning till dusk, her
day had been a nightmare. Not a chance to relax now. Most of the people
she had argued with during the day were there. Of course, the Mayor and
his counselors were totally happy about her, and she could count on
Kondo, even if he had left a while ago.
Focus on the good news. Okita was getting better. She had been there
when he had regained consciousness. They had known each other for
years, their professional relationship turning into a real friendship,
which had not been affected by the fact that she was his boss now. He
had been so helpful when she took the lead, and was a central element
of the team, getting along with everybody. Before she got in the
section, she used to tease him that to befriend Saitoh, he was probably
a saint. She had always wondered whether Saitoh's growing dislike for
her had something to do with her relation with his partner. Of course,
their degree of closeness
couldn't be compared, and Okita didn't know her as much as Megumi or
Aoshi
did, still.
"Tokio?" a familiar voice said behind her.
She turned to the neat, good-looking man, genuinely happy. "Akira!"
"I just wanted to know if you were all right." His clear blue eyes were
concerned. "You had to deal with a lot today. I heard that the
Narcotics were furious."
"Everything is under control now. By the way, thank you for your help,
and your discretion."
He waved his hand: "You're welcome. Frankly, I don't like to sue a cop
for doing his job."
"You sound like Saitoh. I know that Hatsume is a scumbag, but we have
laws! The fact that he is a cop doesn't give him the right to beat the
crap out of the suspects."
"And yet, you covered him."
She took another sip of wine and looked in the young man's eyes, saying
coldly: "I didn't cover him, Kiyosato-san. As a leader, I covered my
team. Everyone of us worked too hard to be screwed because of him."
After 10 years of working with her, he knew that he'd better change of
conversation. The way she used her last name always made him feel like
a little boy scolded by his mother.
"We miss you at the office. I didn't realize everything you had to do
before I had to take care of it. Are you sure you won't return? I'll
give you the job back gladly."
She shook her head. "I like this job. Maybe even more than being in
court."
" Is that the same person who used to say that getting a conviction was
better than sex?"
Akira's sense of humor was not subtle, yet she felt a little guilty for
her coldness. Her bad mood was not his fault, after all.
"I said it was as intense, not better. Seriously, I know you're doing
great there, and I needed new challenges."
"Well, working with the Wolf must be one. Everybody is afraid of him,
you know."
She sent him an annoyed glance and stated sternly: "Not me" as she took
her ringing cell-phone. Her frown deepened. She put her half-empty
glass on a small table nearby, mouthed "Duty" to her friend, and walked
quickly
to the elevator.
***
She didn't have to go far. The body was in an alley behind the City
Hall building. Saitoh was there already when she arrived, his piercing
eyes scanning the crime scene. They narrowed as he noticed her. The
blues had delimited the perimeter, patrol cars blocking both sides of
the street. The morgue's van didn't arrive yet, though. She showed her
badge and crossed the yellow line. A young, blond man in a brown suit
waved to her.
He was so pale that she could say he didn't stomach the vision of the
body. "Takagi- san? I'm Tsukayama Yutaro, from the 13th precinct. We
were waiting for you."
"Kondo-san told me. Did you start to investigate the neighborhood?"
"It's mostly offices here. But I sent people at the nearby convenient
stores."
"Where is the body? Have you any idea of the identity?"
"We are waiting for the forensics. The Wolf.I mean, Detective Saitoh
told us to leave it alone. The body is a few meters from here. Do you
want me to show you?"
He was obviously reluctant, his mouth faintly trembling on the last
words. She shrugged. "I don't think I'll get lost. Check the offices
too. Cops are not the only ones staying late for work."
"Yes, Takagi-san."
Saitoh, the Wolf. As she walked towards him, it struck her again that
never a nickname had been more appropriate: wild, dangerous, and
fascinating. Even physically, there was a striking similarity,
something animal in his features and..She sighed. She should have eaten
something before drinking. The object of her bizarre considerations was
still standing near the body. She was about to ask for more facts, when
she finally saw it.
"Good lord.." she whispered, as the scene was reaching her brain pieces
by pieces.
It was a complete slaughter. It actually took her several seconds to
realize that it was a woman.
"Do you need a plastic bag?" Mocking voice. God she was tired of it.
"It's not my first violent crime scene. You should have offered it to
our Freshman there."
He smirked. "I arrived too late. He had the good taste not to puke on
the body, at least."
"Kondo told me you called him? How come? Where are the forensics?"
"I asked only for Takani. They should be here any second."
She looked intently at him. His eyes were glittering in a weird way.
"When was the body discovered?"
"One hour ago. According to the patrol that bumped into it, it was
still warm."
The city morgue van arrived. Megumi and two of her assistants came out
of it. Tokio smiled to her friend, who acknowledged her too with a
quick nod, her all attention already on the body.
"My God. This is something. Hannyah, Beshimi, start with the pictures."
Her tone was absolutely even. "Any idea of the identity?"
"Her purse is there. But we were waiting for you, as it's half-trapped
under the body."
"Always a pleasure to work with professionals, Saitoh. I'll call you
once we're done." She bent on the cadaver, forgetting about their
presence.
They walked away. Takani didn't like to have people nosing around when
she was working.
"So... How come you were the one to call Kondo? I'm supposed to be the
first informed when we are given a case." she began, lighting a
cigarette. The smell of the blood was so persistent that she could feel
the taste in her mouth. She leaned against a patrol car. As Saitoh
stared at her coldly, Tsunan's words popped disturbingly in his mind.
She's quite pleasant to look at. His gaze rested a second on the
cigarette she was holding between her red lips.
" The boy called the section directly while I was finishing my
homework. He told me they had a similar murder last week, and as they
found nothing so far.."
"He is obviously a fan of yours. As he ignored the procedure, I hope we
won't have jurisdiction problems again. Who was the first victim?"
"A cheap prostitute."
" Vendetta between pimps?"
"Possible. Depends on this one. But what's left of her clothes doesn't
really fit in. Her bag is a famous brand, for what I could see so far."
She grinned. Saitoh Hajime knowing about women's clothing. That was
unexpected.
Megumi came back with the purse a second later. Saitoh put his latex
gloves and reached for the wallet. As he checked for money, he
whistled. "Robbery is definitely out. There are 100.000 yens in bills.
Here's the ID, student card..same name. Sanjo Tsubame."
Tokio sucked in a breath. He turned to her, inquiringly, noticing from
the corner of his eyes that Takani went pale.
"You know her?"
She lifted her eyes to meet his. "She's the Mayor's niece."
To be continued..
Auhor's notes:
Don't know about this chapter..moreover it's a bit short comparing with
the followings.Well, the crimes had to begin.
Mara, thanks a lot for your review, as always I hope this one won't
dampen your enthusiasm! Thank you too Firuze, you are a great help with
Enishi! And thanks to Tyrant scissors for reviewing too!
See you!
Kamorgana
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