Chapter Five

Light looks like he's seen a ghost and perhaps he has. I have, after all, evaded all his questions about what it is I do outside of school and for him to find out like this, I can understand all anger. I nod and smile at Chief Yagami. 'Are you alright sir?'

'I'm fine. Thank you.'

Light stands up and walks towards me. For a split second, I see betrayal in his eyes quickly replaced by a calm demeanour that changes his face entirely. He bows. 'Thank you so much. I'm indebted to you.'

'Whoa! It's no big deal. Really.'

And still I manage to earn another chuckle.

'I'm glad you two are friends,' Ryuzaki comments.

Light glances at him and then back at me. He gives me a tentative smile before returning to his seat. 'I still can't believe that you actually told my father that I'm a suspect. Does she know too?'

'Yes,' Ryuzaki nods. 'She knows. But she doesn't agree with me. You have an ally.'

If I was a rude person I wouldn't hesitate to give Ryuzaki the finger right now. He better be thankful that I was raised with manners.

'Ryuzaki. Now that you met my son, I hope all your suspicions of him have been cleared.'

'When I say I suspect him, you should know that it's only a little. We've gone over this before but I will say it again. Twelve FBI agents were deployed to Japan to investigate people close to the Police. One of these investigators was Raye Penber.'

'I understand,' Light says crossing his arms and leaning back on his chair, 'and I was one of the people Raye Penber was investigating, so it makes sense that I'm a suspect.'

How much did I miss? It appears that Ryuzaki has Light know officially that he's suspected of being Kira. Perhaps he told Light the percentage which makes the fact that he's tested Light's deductive skills at this point. It's how he works, I've realised. I fail to see how any of this will confirm Light is Kira though.

'If it's alright with you, I'd like to join the investigation and catch Kira in order to prove I'm not him,' Light suggests.

'No Light,' Chief Yagami interjects, 'this is the time for you to be focusing on your studies to become a police officer. When it's time, you can join us.'

'Come on Dad, what are you talking about? Besides don't you remember my promise? If something were to happen to you, I'd catch Kira.'

There's a lot of sincerity to his voice. I'm not sure that he wouldn't mean all the love that he expresses for his dad.

'Light, listen to me,' Chief Yagami says, 'Kira is pure evil. We can all agree on that. But lately I've been thinking that it is the power to kill people; that is truly evil. No happiness can come from that. Whoever has the power to kill people is cursed.'

'That's true,' Ryuzaki agrees.

'Excuse me,' a nurse walks in, 'I'm sorry but visiting hours were over ten minutes ago.'

'Thank you,' Light says.

Time to go. 'I hope you feel better Chief,' I smile. 'Take it easy okay?'

'Sure. Thank you so much Frejda.'

'Of course.'

'Wait Frejda,' Light calls as I near the door.

'Hmm?'

'Wait for me outside? I can walk you home.'

'Sure.'

I take the 'wait for me outside' bit too literally and wait for Light outside the building. In that time, I mostly play games on my phone but my mind is distracted by what Chief Yagami said about the evils of the power to kill people. I don't condone wanton murder, I know where I stand. Kira's killing, even if it's to people who lawfully may to deserve to die, is no different than wanton murder. Serial killers run their minds with excuses to justify their murders, so long as it's not backed up by a fetish or some other sick sense of pleasure in killing. Vigilantes are filled with honour and in their mind, they're serving their people. But with Kira, the arrogance I sense just from the way he kills off victims coupled with what he feels is a strong sense of justice…it brings a lot of questions to mind. No amount of empathy or understanding I have for him will stop me from doing my job but I wonder…what exactly is going on inside his head. Punishing evil doers of both minor and major crimes, taking the alms of a wrathful god, is that all in the name of keeping justice or is there something else?

A while later, Light and Ryuzaki walk out of the hospital. Neither seems to notice me. I doubt they'd even look for me while Light is busy trying to convince Ryuzaki that there's no way he could be Kira. Of course Ryuzaki doesn't recant his statement.

'I can't take this anymore!' Light snaps, 'think about it if you were in my position. How would it feel if you were accused of being Kira?'

'It would be the worst feeling ever,' Ryuzaki responds with partial thought.

'What if you were to lock me away in a place with no TV or internet. Would it help show that I'm not Kira?'

Ryuzaki thinks about that for a minute. 'What good would it do if I deprave you of basic human rights? Besides it's not a good idea to take suggestions from the suspect.'

After a pause, Light concedes. He follows Ryuzaki to the car up front. They talk quietly, probably more about Light being a suspect. When they are done talking, Light thoughtfully watches the car drive away. He's probably thinking too heavily about the case presented to him, in which he is suspected of being probably one of the worst serial killers in history. He turn to the other direction still deep in thought and then suddenly stops, spotting me as I walk down the steps of the hospital. 'There you are,' he says.

'Everything okay?'

'Yeah,' he gives me a thoughtful look. His eyes seem a bit angry but I can't say for certain that's what he's feeling. 'Frejda,' he says, 'the work you told me about. You couldn't say that it was this…could you?'

Oh dear. 'No. I couldn't.'

'So you knew Ryuga suspected me this whole time?'

'I did.'

Another pause. 'Do you?'

I can tell how weighted that question is, especially after all our talks about Kira. I have to answer truthfully and trying to correctly word it wouldn't help this time. 'No. I don't think you're Kira.'

He continues to give me a thoughtful. He's probably measuring the sincerity in my answer. 'Alright,' he sighs. 'I understand why you had to keep your involvement with the case quiet. But I don't think you'll have to lie to me anymore.'

'Yeah.'

I follow as he walks towards home. It's quiet for a few moments. I guess all he really needs to know is that I am part of the force and not much more. But the reality of the case being out in the open dawns on me. Light may have considered me a friend but even if he didn't, all those times we hung out together, he'd conclude that those were my times to spy on him. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be totally wrong. Whatever happens next, I'm still here to do the job I've come to do: to catch Kira. Making friends while doing it is just the luxury I might no longer afford.

'Frejda?' Light breaks through my reverie.

'Yeah?'

'Thanks for not suspecting me.'

I smile. 'Any time.'

For the next few days there's more of a standstill at Task Force providing an opportunity for me to be more of a student. Light more or less hangs out with me now, with Ryuzaki back primarily at Task Force Headquarters. By hanging out with me, I mean we mostly study together and he walks me home. He doesn't ask me too much about work, which I appreciate but I also wonder why he's not too curious about it. But he seems too thoughtful about it. Whenever he gets the chance too, he does invite me to sit and eat lunch with him at the cafeteria. One of these days, he introduces me to his girlfriend, Kiyomi Takada. I have seen her around campus. She's quite popular and pretty. She is tall, with a slender body, short black hair and a pair of blue eyes. Her skin appears to be pale and I've heard her nickname is Miss Toho and deservedly so; she looks like a professional model. Light seems to be happy with her and she with Light. They really do make a pair. However, I sense some sort of vanity from her. It's not too much but she does seem to crave for attention and enjoys getting it. But it's not something she broadcasts. Suffice to say she does have a likeable personality. Meanwhile I rarely hear a word from Ryuzaki and the Task Force. Not until I am summoned one day to discuss the disappearance of Raye Penber's fiancée, Naomi Misora. As of now, she's been missing for four months. 'For all we know, she's probably dead,' someone suggests.

'If she was dead then we would have found a body by now,' Ryuzaki says, 'We still need the evidence. But this should be handled separately from the Kira case. Especially if we want to be able to find her.'

'It really is most likely that she's dead,' I hear Mr Matsuda whisper beside me.

Just then, Mr Watari urgently walks into the hotel room, his voice matching: 'Ryuzaki! You need to see this. Something is happening on Sakura TV.'

With no further questions, we all rush to the TV as one of the investigators turns it on. On screen are three anchors: two men and a woman with the heart-with-wings symbol for Kira behind them. The middle anchor, a young Japanese man, speaks with strained calm in his voice: 'In other words, all of the reporters and staff here are Kira's hostages!'

Whoa, wait, what?

'Aside from that we have a professional obligation to share this message with you. I assure you that this is not a hoax and that Sakura TV is not airing this tape for the purposes of sensationalism.'

Kira has taken them hostage? What's going on? Why would Kira need to go this far?

'Four days ago, at Sakura TV, our director received four tapes. After a thorough examination, there could be no doubt that they are from Kira himself.'

This isn't good.

'The first tape we received contained a prediction regarding the time of death of two suspected criminals who'd recently been arrested. And as predicted, at the exact time that Kira had specified, both men died suddenly of heart attacks yesterday.'

Only Kira could do that. But…

'We are to air the second tape today at exactly 5:59 pm. And we do intend to comply with his demands. This tape should offer proof of his powers by predicting yet another death. Beyond that we understand that it contains a message to all the people of the world from Kira.'

Oh boy!

'This has to be another fake!' someone suggests.

'I doubt it,' Mr Matsuda says, 'I'm pretty sure even Sakura TV wouldn't stoop that low.'

A moment later they play the video. A white screen with Kira's name in all caps using the Chiller font is displayed. After a clearing of the voice the speaker begins: 'I am Kira. IF this video was being aired on April 18 at exactly 5:59 pm as I requested, then the time now is 5:59:47, 48, 49. Please change the channel to Taiyou TV. The news anchor Mr Kazuki Kohibima will die of a heart attack at exactly 6:00.'

'What?' we gasp.

'Change it!' Ryuzaki commands.

Someone does.

As predicted, he does die of a heart attack. The newsroom is in panic and it's no different in here.

'Change the channel back,' Ryuzaki says. 'And I need you to bring us another TV, Watari. No make it two.'

Meanwhile this Kira talks of punishing a news anchor for defying him. As proof, another news anchor is punished.

'Now that you've seen proof of my powers, you should have no trouble believing that I am Kira.'

'Stop this broadcast! We can't let him finish!' Ryuzaki yells.

Mr Matsuda and Mr Aizawa rush to the phones to call Sakura TV. No one answers. Wow. They really are taken hostage. Suddenly, Mr Ukita runs to the door.

'Where are you—' I begin.

'I'll stop this broadcast myself if that's what it takes!' With that he barges out of the room.

Meanwhile, Kira, or I should say 'Kira', continues to speak:

'People of the world, listen to me. The last thing I want to do is kill the innocent. I hate evil and love justice. I've always thought of the police as allies, not as enemies. I intend to create a new world that is free from evil. If you agree to join me in my mission, I know we can make it happen. And as long as no one tries to catch me, I promise that the innocent will not die. Even if you don't agree with me, all I ask is that you not publicise your opinions on the media. If you can do that, you will be spared. All you have to do now is be patient. I will create a new world that we can all enjoy.'

He rambles on and on about a world free of injustice, filled with people who are honest and kind. Kira's ideals but I can't help but think that this is not the original Kira. This Kira claims to be a beacon of justice but…these words that he uses. They are not words of the real Kira. They wouldn't need to be. Whoever is doing this has to be someone else! But what if I'm wrong? I'm not accustomed to much of the ways of the world so if I were to say that Kira is some sort of god then…

But…

Oh…my…god!

If I am right then the world is in a lot of trouble. Big trouble!

Suddenly another anchor speaks: 'We interrupt this programme to bring you a feed live from Sakura TV studios.'

The feed is of someone lying in front of the doors. A car sits behind the body. The man lies dead. I don't have to guess. It's Mr Ukita.

'As you can see,' the anchor continues, 'someone has collapsed just outside the door.'

'Oh no!' I gasp.

'Ukita!' Mr Aizawa grumbles, 'Damn! Kira did this!'

'Mr Aizawa,' Ryuzaki calls, 'Where are you going?'

'Where do you think? I've got to get there!'

'You can't! Think about this rationally!'

'What? You want me to just sit here and watch TV?' he's angry and rightfully so.

'If this trusly is the work of Kira you'll just meet the same fate if you go there.'

'You told us that Kira couldn't kill without a name! So how could this happen?'

He's got a point. Mr Ukita was one of us and I'm the only one here who goes publicly with my true name and face.

'The aliases and fake police IDs are worthless,' Mr Matsuda points out, 'what are we gonna do L? You don't think Kira has all our names already, do you?'

'That's a definite possibility. However if that's the case, you'd think it would be easier for him to kill off the entire Task Force. Before making a move.'

'Agreed,' I nod.

'Initially I deduced that Kira needed both a name and a face to kill. But from what we've just seen, I'd say it's not entirely impossible that Kira can kill with only a face. All I know for sure is that Kira is either in that Tv station, or he's somewhere close by. In a place where he can watch everyone who enters the building.'

'If Kira is in the area, then isn't that why we should get down there?' Mr Aizawa grumbles.

'For all we know, he could have just surveillance cameras in the area. If we rush down there unprepared, all of us will be killed.'

I take the seat next to Ryuzaki. His hand grips his shin and he's shaking like crazy. He's just as freaked out by all this as we are and this is a sign of him trying to remain as calm as possible. Mr Aizawa doesn't see it until he proceeds to grab his collar and feels his shaking hand. Mr Aizawa steps back, as if realising the humanity of Ryuzaki, and calms down a bit. We have to handle this as carefully as possible. If only there was some way we can outsmart Kira.

'I now await the response from the police,' Kira continues, 'they must decide whether or not they'll help me create a better world for all of us. Please announce your decision on the 6:00 news in four days. I've prepared two videos.'

Wow. This guy took the necessary steps to make this work.

My attention snaps to the surveillance feed in front of Sakura TV studios. 'Uh…guys.' I point to the video once I have their attention.

Everyone looks at the feed as a police van crashes into the station.

'Well that's one way to get into the building without being seen by Kira.'

'Ya think?' I mutter.

'But who would…?'

I know.

The broadcast meanwhile seems undisturbed as Kira's message finishes. Another police car shows up in front of Sakura TV. Two police officers step out of the vehicle to try and get inside. It looks like we're not alone in our fight against Kira.

'Mr Aizawa,' Ryuzaki calls.

'Yes?'

'You know Deputy Director Kitamura's cell phone number, right?'

'Yeah.'

Mr Aizawa proceeds to call the director. As the phone rings Mr Aizawa gives the phone over to L. the person on the other end answers but Ryuzaki cuts them off: 'This is L. There's something I need you to do for me. There may be police officers who will see this broadcast and feel moved to take action in the name of justice. If you don't take control of this situation quickly, there will be a disaster.'

Ryuzaki listens as Kitamura responds.

Live on the feed, both police officers collapse, dying of heart attacks. Feeling the danger, the reporters move away from the scene of the crime.

Another phone rings. Mr Watari then announces that Chief Yagami is calling.

Ryuzaki asks Mr Watari to call him back immediately and to hand the phone to Ryuzaki.

If only I don't have to play freaking bystander in all this!

'Yes, it's me,' Ryuzaki says. 'So Mr Yagami, you're the one driving the police van!'

He what? And in his condition? Holy!

Mr Aizawa and Mr Matsuda share my look.

'But what about your condition? Are you alright?' Ryuzaki asks.

Whatever the case, I don't think he should try to get out of the station yet. Ryuzaki has just finished instructing Kitamura on the preparations. Perfect.

'Please hold the line for a second,' Ryuzaki says. Switching for the other phone he talks to Kitamura: 'Deputy Director Kitamura. It was Chief Yagami who just drove into the building. Are your preparations complete?'

As soon as he gets an answer he switches back to the other phone: 'Mr Yagami, listen carefully. IN exactly five minutes I want you to come out of the front entrance.'

I look at the live feed. Perfect. Everything is falling into place. When Chief Yagami walks out, police officers completely covered in helmets and bullet proof vests will escort him safely to a car. None of them will show their faces to 'Kira'. Even I cannot see anyone. Every one of them is covered. We have the okay when we see a car safely driving away from the scene. Thank god.

After what just happened, the news anchor boldly declares that the citizens should not stand with Kira. I only hope they stand with him. Moments after the news ends, the door behind us opens. Mr Watari walks in supporting a tired Chief Yagami. We give him a hero's welcome, and I move to make him some tea.

'Ryuzaki, I apologise for taking matters into my own hands. I admit, I got a little carried away.'

'No,' Ryuzaki answers.

Chief Yagami holds out a bag. 'Here. These are all of the tapes in an envelope. Everything Kira sent to the station is here.'

'I can't thank you enough,' Ryuzaki says.

Mr Watari moves Chief Yagami to a couch. I hand him a cup of tea which he receives with gratitude.

'Frejda, will you please take the time to analyse this? I need you to be on it for as long as it takes to get anything.'

'Copy,' I nod. 'I can go get my things from home now and move them here, set up a lab in the corner of the room.'

'Watari can you help by gathering anything else she needs?'

'Of course, Ryuzaki.'

'I'll look this over as closely as possible. No spots left.'

'Please do so,' Ryuzaki says. 'While you're going to do that, I'm going to watch these tapes to see if they can tell us anything.'

Mr Watari first drives me to the crime analyst office at the station to collect a few necessities I would need and then lets me go home to pack up my personal forensic kit. Aside from the small bag, I have a larger suitcase of cleaning chemicals and microscopes that I have packed from France that I move to the hotel room we are meeting. My little lab is in a two-bed bedroom with the dining table moved in for my convenience. Slipping on my gloves I set to work, starting with the envelope. I notice that it was mailed from a place called Osaka. Pulling up my laptop, I start with that information. Tokyo is in the Kanto Region so where is Osaka? Pulling up a map, I notice that Osaka is in a region called Kansai which is a province away from here. Kira can kill his victims ahead of time but…would it make sense for him to be in Osaka? But even if he was in Osaka, these killings don't exactly seem like him. If this envelope and the copies of the tapes can tell me anything then I need to look at this with extra care. There are several traces of hair, saliva imprints as well as finger prints found in the envelope and tape covers. I take my time, gathering the samples in smaller tubes and slides in order to get an accurate reading of the cells before I look through finger print analysis. Thankfully Mr Watari has given me all access of finger print readings throughout Japan to help me focus my investigation when I find the right one. There are also traces of hair samples that I find and pieces of nails. There is also some food smell in this envelope, like that of some sort of fruit flavoured candy. Strawberry by the smell. Interesting. So the person behind this likes strawberries or at least strawberry related things. This will take some time. I have to assume that this Kira took care to hide what he could in order to do this without trace. But even without the necessary evidence to support me, I believe all the clues as to the identity of this Kira, or at least an idea of his identity, are hidden in the tapes. When I can, I'll have to watch them with Ryuzaki.

Over the next two days it's alternating between school, homework, watching the tapes and returning to my lab. Several results have turned up already and the more I look into it the more I'm convinced that my theory may be right. I've also spent some time with Ryuzaki in front of the TV, watching the videos and carefully listening to the way Kira addresses the world and the police. I've become almost completely convinced. Chances are that Ryuzaki has come to the same conclusion as I have for other reasons but with what I've discovered so far regarding the tapes and the envelopes, the evidence turning up isn't worth jack without proper tracing. The fingerprint analysis that we get from main surveys in Japan is taking its time tracing the finger prints and I'm taking a little longer matching them to that of the hair samples and saliva. What I have to work with is not much. Ryuzaki, by the grace of the Saint, is patient with me and understands why the results aren't turning up in time for the tape regarding the police's response to be played. It's actually been him and me in here and at work the last few days. Apart from asking me about how my days with Light are going he hardly talks to me and I with him. We need all the concentration we can get now. The next day at school I'm all but tempted to sleep through the biology class but thankfully, the professor allows us to bring in thermoses of coffee. Mine is black to the core and with a lot of sugar. I need to stay as awake as possible. I feel Light take his seat next to me: 'Hi Frejda.'

'Light,' I nod.

'You look very tired today. Are you okay?'

'No. It's the—you know.'

'Oh. Any new developments?'

'I can't say. What you saw on the news is development enough.'

'Yeah. Kira's gone crazy huh.'

'Hmm.' My head begins to droop but I stop it and get another gulp of my coffee, earning yet another chuckle from Light.

The Professor's lecture saves me from saying anything more about the case but it hardly keeps me from nearly falling asleep. Light may not be a suspect to me but out of respect to Ryuzaki, I hope to remain quiet about the new possibility I've discovered. As far as he's concerned, the Kira that showed up on the news is the same one we're chasing. I'm surprised that I'm paying attention today. Most of the lecture revolves around cell mitosis and meiosis and our lab, which we have directly after class, is based on identifying cell mitosis and meiosis in a specific cell. Light and I hardly talk during labs except to confirm observations. Today, he seems especially interested in talking to me. 'Is the Task Force doing much nowadays?' he keeps his voice low, 'Are they any closer to finding Kira?'

'Aside from responding to his threats, your guess is as good as mine.'

'Yeah. That stunt he pulled though, it was quite the stretch wasn't it?'

'Hmm.'

'It's not really like him.'

That wakes me up. 'Why do you say that?'

'Well…I don't understand why someone who wants to pursue justice quietly would go public like that and on top of that, he killed innocent people.'

'But Kira mentioned that they said things in defiance of Kira.'

'So?'

'Didn't Kira kill that L stand-in? All he did was pose as L and call Kira evil and Kira killed him.'

'True. But Kira has only done that once. Several other people have voiced their opinions against Kira and up until this point, he's left them alone. Why attack them now?'

'Heh. By the way, I've been wondering.'

'Yeah?'

'Why're you talking to me?'

Taken aback he asks: 'What do you mean?'

'You're usually focused on your work. The only time you say something to me is when you're confirming something. Why the sudden interest?' And then it dawns on me. 'Oh.'

'What?'

'It's because you know. About my work. Light, if you still think that I suspect you're Kira, I really don't.'

'No, I know. I know that you don't. I trust you. It's just…it hasn't exactly been easy for me either.'

'Right.'

'Are you sure you're okay?'

'Why?'

'You seem really tired. Have you been sleeping?'

'Not really. I've been working on the double since the stunt on Sakura TV.'

'I'm sorry.'

'C'est la vie,' I shrug.

'More French proverbs,' he chuckles.

'It just means, "that's life," Light.'

'I know that.'

'Jerk!'

After class, Light and I part ways as he joins his girlfriend. I have no class the rest of the day. I take the light rail to the hotel location and return to the lab to go over my log book to see what else I can look for. The samples of hair, prints and saliva are placed in separate bags but the envelope may hold the largest clue. From here on out, I wonder how we will find who these things belong to. There's a chance that I may need to run these tests again. I'm about to get to work when Ryuzaki walks in and practically orders me to sleep. Watari promises to look over what I've gathered so far while I rest so that I can work with fresher ideas later. I'm too tired to argue. Ryuzaki had anticipated that I might concede and had ordered nightgown for me. I take a shower and dress in the bathroom before I move back into the room, crawling into one of the beds to get some sleep. I wake up about four hours later feeling a little hungry. Mr Watari offers to call room service but forbids me from going back to analysis until I've eaten and slept properly. I compromise by working on homework and reading ahead while I eat only to get back to sleep again at the appropriate time. The next time I wake up is in the morning. Ryuzaki informs me that the other Task Force Members will be meeting here in the afternoon, about an hour after my last class ends. It gives me time to freshen up for class. I don't see Light during the day, for which I'm secretly glad. I manage to get through the day with little to no issue of sleep or stress regarding my forensic work. If the DNA results have come in and they match the samples of saliva and hair pieces I've found, I might make a suggestion to create a warrant to search the house of the suspect. But that might not be the first priority.

I manage to walk into the meeting just as Ryuzaki the fourth tape is being aired. The threat of Kira remains that the insurance would be the life of one of the two detectives: either the deputy director or L appears on TV after which, Kira will kill him. Ryuzaki asks Chief Yagami to check-in with the other police officers and Interpol to see who they are in favour of appearing on TV. He returns later with the obvious news: L has to appear on TV.

'I think that's the most appropriate choice given the options,' Ryuzaki says. 'Well, we still have three more days before it happens. Maybe we can find some countermeasure. After all this, it would really annoy me,' he slurps on a piece of short cake and says: 'If I'm killed by the first person to jump on the Kira bandwagon.'

That takes everyone by surprise. That is, everyone but me.