Broken Then Fixed: Gruvia

Chapter 15:

At the police station, in the same soundproof room:

"So, how did they manage to get the information on the plan?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

None of us said anything, so someone on their side had to have done it. They risked my brother's safety, so of course I'm mad. In fact I was silently deciding whether to yell at them or plan their murder. Figuratively, of course. But according to the law, any police officer working with a person breaking the law, can and will lose their job or be forced to resign, along with receiving jail time afterwards. 

"We don't know," The chief said.

"We will have to do a deep dive on every officer's background information and see their connections. For now, that's all we have to go on," he said.

"No," I said.

He raised his eyebrow.

"That's not all you have, to go on," I said, "There were only 3 officers in this room. We're there any guarding the door? Or perhaps listening and watching through the cameras?" I asked.

"No. The camera room was locked because it was a meeting, not an interrogation. There were no guards near the door. The entrances to the hallways were the only place near that were guarded," he said.

"Does anyone have the key?" I asked.

"Only me," he answered.

"Let me see it," I said.

"Miss Lockser-"

"I can tell if it's a fake or not," I said.

He pulled out the key and gave it to me. I looked it over and then ran my fingers over it. The metal felt real. I've worked with metal because of Gajeel-kun's hobby, so I know fake metal when I see it or feel it.

"It's real. Here you go. I would like you officers to do one more thing for me," I said.

"Oh, um of course Miss. What is it?" The chief asked, confused.

"Answer a simple riddle," I said.

"A . . . riddle?" One of the investigators asked.

"Just a simple one sir. If you answer it, it means you are not the traitor. You three are the only ones who could have had the information needed to know the plan, therefore it must be one of you. Answer the riddle, it isn't you. Don't answer it, and you're the traitor. Just as I said, simple," I said.

"Okay then. Ask away," the chief said cautiously.

"I am hard but not a stone. I am cold but I do not require a coat. When I'm hot I change appearance. I can easily be stepped on, depending where I am, but not easily broken. What am I?" I asked.

"Tch that's easy. The answer's ice. Now, we should get going on that deep dive-"

I put a hand up, interrupting the investigator sitting across from us to our left.

"You. What is your name?" I asked innocently.

"Simiro Duglas, Miss," he said.

"Well Mr. Duglas, I need another favor," I said. He sighed.

"And that is . . ?" He drew out.

"I'm going to need you to tell Lyon that he's gonna regret ever sending a newbie to do a professional's job. He's the traitor, trust me," I said, now turning to the chief.

"But Ma'am he's one of our top investigators-" the chief argued.

"I lied. I said whoever answered that question was not the traitor. That riddle I just gave you all is Lyon's favorite. He made it up, so only people he's told it to will know the answer. Lyon must have drilled it into him for him to answer so fast," I said.

"Th-This is ridiculous! I'm not a traitor!" Simiro protested as he was being handcuffed by the other investigator.

"Then please tell me, how do you know the answer?" I asked harshly.

"I . . ."

"Exactly," I said, giving him a glare.

He was taken out of the room to what I could only assume was a cell. They would probably interrogate him later to find out any information on Lyon or Jamie's whereabouts.

"I have to say, I am impressed yet again Miss Lockser," the chief complimented.

"Thank you sir," I said.

He smiled.

"-But, that does not excuse the fact one of your officers may have just placed my brother in even more danger than he is now." My mood turned dark when I said that.

Even the chief was fazed by my sudden change in attitude. He shivered. He should be scared. No one wanted to mess with me when I'm mad. Gray-Sama learned that the hard way. One time I was fuming because someone had accused me of cheating on a test when they're the one who did it, and caused both of us to get a zero on it. Gray came up to me to calm me down, and let's just say he's learned that was a no-go.

"You're absolutely right, of course. I'll supervise the deep dive myself," he said. I only nodded, fearing what I would say if I allowed myself to respond with words. I was much too upset right now to think rationally. Although I suppose that riddle idea was an exception.

He accompanied us out to the entrance of the police station and we went home. Gray went to his own, sending that I needed some space for now. He shouldn't even be over here this often. If Lyon saw him coming over so much then he'd know something is up. I hoped to hide the fact we were looking for Jamie with my answer to that phone call. Hopefully they thought it was a mistake and Mr. Duglas gave them false information. I wouldn't know whether it worked until school tomorrow. This was all so stressful. I think I'm going to need some serious stress relief, or even therapy, when this is all over.