PREYS
by Kamorgana
Disclaimer: For the 6th
time
here (sigh), RK is not mine. It's Watsuki and co property.
Preys
Chapter 6: Decisions
Tokio repressed a yawn. Unable to sleep, she had come to the office
early, buying a bento and sandwiches on the way. The long shower had
made her some good, and she was in control of herself, determined to
deal with the difficult day ahead. She wouldn't weaken again. It didn't
mean she could do without some advice, she thought, picking up her
phone to call Aoshi.
Around 8.30
Kondo arrived. Although she had half expected to see Saitoh with him,
the old man was alone. His face was straight, yet she could sense his
pain.
"The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon" he announced. "It will
be official, of course." A pause. "Hiko-san will attend. He saw the
local news early this morning."
She nodded towards the screen of her office's TV. "I saw it too. With
Tsubame's death, it will be loaded with journalists."
"I tried to explain him. He says he can handle that. Is it his decision
or his counselors'?"
"Both, I guess. For different reasons."
"Who will make the speech? Usually, it's the partner, but don't count
on Saitoh for that."
"I wasn't. I was wondering if you could take care of that. You have
worked with him longer than anyone, and although he won't do it
himself, Saitoh won't like me to either," she explained. "If you can't,
I'll ask Inoue.."
" I'll do it. Saitoh told me he had talked to you?"
She nodded.
"That's why I came so early. We have decisions to take. First, assign
Yukishiro to another section for a while, as yours will be working
exclusively on.."
"Kondo-san, one minute please. I spent the night thinking about this,
and I've drawn my own conclusions. I want him to be in."
"Takagi-san, you can't do that. I'll ask Hijikata to delegate.."
"Kondo-san!" she said forcefully.
He stared at her in surprise.
"When you asked me to lead to lead this section you told me that you
trusted me, and thought that I could make a good job here. Reason I
accepted. If you wanted somebody you could easily manipulate, and still
lead the team through, I think I should quit now. Don't get me wrong. I
respect your point of view, and I'd just like you to listen to mine. I
think I should be the one deciding. You can fire me if I fail, isn't
that the rule?"
He looked at her, and eventually dropped his head. " I'm quite...shaken
today. You're right. Go ahead."
"Sanjo Tsubame's death is linked to the Slayer case, Takani confirmed
that yesterday night. We are facing a major crisis, especially now that
we lost a member. Okita had been working with Saitoh for like..10,
years, and they had known each other since the Academy. He was his
balance.."
"Saitoh is a professional. He'll never let this situation affect his
work. Don't underestimate him. He thought about finding the surviving
victim even before you called me about it last night."
So that was what he had meant by "I charged somebody of that already".
She suppressed an annoyed reaction. It was the second time that Kondo
and Saitoh made arrangements behind her back.
"Yet the team's balance is broken. And I won't let Saitoh work on this
particular case without a partner, or at least someone who can calm him
down, after his little escapade of yesterday. You have to admit that
it was not at all like him. Saitoh is usually a man of order. He never
respected me as a person, but was still following my directions because
I was the boss. I think that if he doesn't have Okita to moderate him,
he'll let his wild side dominate him. We can't have another Kanryu
situation, you know that as well as I do. But with one member
personally affected, Saitoh, and everybody else upset at Okita's death,
we can't have somebody new now. It won't work. We need to stick
together."
He thought for a second, in a familiar gesture rubbing his chin between
his thumb and forefinger. "You have a point. What do you propose?"
"I called Shinomori this morning, and already asked him to work with us
full time on this problem. After all, he did the original profiling,
and we know him. Moreover he can get along with Saitoh."
"If Saitoh is cooperative.."
She rolled her eyes. "He will take an order, period. He was when you
were in this seat, he will with me." Her voice, her eyes were metallic
again.
He raised a brow: "And Yukishiro?"
"I had an idea, and discussed it with Shinomori too. He thinks it can
work well. I want to switch all the partners."
***
By 9:30
She recognized Saitoh's paces. Her office was open, and she was reading
some files, familiarizing with the aspects of the case she ignored,
while smoking like a volcano.
"Where is Kondo?"
"Came. Gone. Good Morning, Detective."
"So who are they going to delegate?" he asked scornfully.
Spite after a sleepless night, she just needed that. He probably went
to lick his wounds alone somewhere like the wolf he was. And expected
clearly everybody to react as usual, like him. Admiring, but can't he
give HER a break?
"Nobody."
"We lost Okita and Yukishiro is reassigned."
"Unless I decide otherwise, Yukishiro is on. And Shinomori will work
with you permanently during that case."
"What?"
Could he look more disgusted? Oh, yes, she thought smugly, the
overwhelming sadness she had been feeling fading for a moment. "
Detective Saitoh, I know you had a discussion with Kondo about his
intentions, but I'm in charge. Two of your superiors exchanged some
points of view and mine prevailed."
He sat in front of her. At least his disdainful expression had
disappeared. "I don't need another partner."
"Yes you will, in due time. For now, you will be "collaborating". You
have the choice: you can accept the orders or quit.."
He lifted his brows, crossing his legs, his cigarette dangling from his
lips, which were twisted in a bemused, superior smirk.
"Or I team you with Sagara."
Oh, that was good. She would never make such a bad combination, but he
couldn't be sure, considering his opinion on her abilities as a leader.
His expression was priceless. Very still, brows frowned very low on his
eyes now, trying to figure out her degree of seriousness. He finally
shrugged, conceding her silently that little victory.
It didn't please her more than a few seconds, the sadness insinuating
in her mind again as the silence filled the room. Another partner for
Saitoh was a reminder that Okita was gone..
He smoked for a while, looking outside. She began to feel
uncomfortable, like at the hospital the night before. She shook her
head, relieved when his unemotional voice addressed to her. His eyes
were still gazing beyond the window.
"Who is making the speech at the funerals?"
"Kondo."
A soft knock on the open door broke the new blank in the conversation.
"Hi boss." Enishi was already looking dark. "You wanted to see me
earlier?"
"Yes, thank you, Detective. Please go and close the door," she added to
Saitoh.
As he was leaving, Enishi stepped in front of him, and gave him a short
nod, acknowledging his loss. Saitoh narrowed his eyes. Tokio was afraid
that he'd punch the younger man. When he just nodded back, after
several seconds, she thanked the Great Almighty. She really didn't need
another problem right now.
"Please sit down." She breathed deeply. "There's an information I have
to give you before we have this meeting about Sanjo Tsubame's death.
You aren't going to like it."
He frowned behind his sunglasses.
"She has been murdered with a blade."
His features hardened, and his intense gaze darted into hers. She could
see his train of thought, she could see him make the link, pain, anger,
doubt flicking alternately in the blue depths, and finally, as he
silently asked her to confirm or deny his conclusions, she went on.
"Takani and Saitoh both found similarities with."
"That BASTARD!" He had only hissed between his teeth, but it didn't
tarnish the hatred of his voice. His breath was ragging.
"Yes.Takani thinks it's a copycat, but we have to.."
"It's the same. He killed her. Bastard, I.." There was a hint of
childish anger in his voice. His hands were gripping the sides of the
seat.
"Enishi!"
He snapped out of his trance. She hadn't raised her voice, appealing to
his sense. He let out several steady sighs.
"I discussed with Kondo this morning. The section will work exclusively
on this case. This is the other reason why I wanted to talk to you
before.."
"You want to tell me I'm off. But I.."
"I wanted to ask you if you could control yourself. I thought you
might. What I just saw.."
His eyes widened with amazement.
"You'll let me?"
"Listen to me. You're a member of this team, and you're efficient.
Although in normal conditions, I probably won't let you in, after what
happened last night, nothing is normal. I have two questions, and I
want totally honest answers. First, do you think you can handle the
personal, psychological pressure? Totally honest," she repeated as he
had opened his mouth immediately.
He looked at his hands for a while.
" After this, I can't say that it won't be hard." He gazed into her
eyes. "But I can. I know I can."
"Second, do you think you can control yourself enough not to take
foolish initiatives, endangering other people's lives?"
He hesitated. "My partner and I see things the same way."
"That's why, if I decide to let you work on this case, you'll have
another partner."
"Why?" His eyes expressed his defiance.
"This is very important, Enishi. I want you to work with Makimachi. I
want it because I have a mission for you."
She had all his attention now. She had to be very careful with her
words. "If we have to deal with a copycat, there's a good chance that
he'll follow the same victim's profile. And your sister.."
"Was a cop, and she was investigating the case." Steady voice, clear
eyes. Good.
"You know what I expect from you, don't you Enishi? We can't let the
same thing happening. I know you can keep an eye on Makimachi. And do
your part of the work on that case. But if you can't control yourself,
you will be a danger to her, and a problem to us only."
"I saw you in court. I know you're manipulating me," he grinned. She
was making it obvious, not insulting his intelligence. He knew she
could do better.
"Yes, I am. Does it work?"
"As well as the first time I met you. When you tricked the bastard into
spitting it out."
"Can I trust you to come to me or Shinomori if you feel that you can't
stand the pressure?"
"I owe you if you let me on this case. I won't fail you."
"So this is settled."
Standing up, he nodded. "Thank you."
She smiled. "The others are going to arrive. You should take a moment
alone. Why don't you go out for a walk and clear-up?"
***
After 10.00
After he exited, she let out a deep sigh. One problem settled. Dealing
with Enishi was exhausting when it came to mental manipulation, as he
was a master in that art. She was savoring a well-earned cigarette when
Megumi entered her office like a storm.
It was so unlike her friend that she dropped the stick on the floor.
She cursed, retrieved it quickly and as she rose, saw Saitoh entering
the room.
"Close the door," ordered Megumi to Saitoh.
He only glared at her, so she slammed it herself.
"Meg, what."
"This is huge. This is wrong. Tokio, we are in deep, deep trouble."
To be continued.
Author's notes:
Thanks again to Mara and Firuze (special thanks for Enishi!), for their
reviews, advice and encouragements!
Thanks to Lly and Saitou Tokio for reviewing too!
Just a few words more: Kondo is old here (although he died at 35 in
reality, if I recall well). Aoshi is a profiler, but as he is a
psychologist first Tokio relies on him for advice about the human
relations in the section and counseling, that's why she asks Enishi to
talk
to him if he feels too much pressure.
I kept the fact that Tomoe is dead as the loss of his sister is an
important part of Enishi's psyche, but I twisted the way it happened
(it's explained in next chapter).
In the next chapter: Megumi drops a bomb, Misao and Sano make the
reports on Tsubame's death, the Slayer case and its connection to other
section members is revealed.
See you!
Kamorgana.
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