Another Chance | Lawlight

Chapter 4

Author's Note: Heya, I hope you're enjoying this so far! I've been considering writing a prequel to this story about how Light became Zero, solving the LA: BB murder cases, meeting (virtually) L and B and developing a friendship with them. I want to know if that is something you'd be interested in reading; it would be a short-ish story with 4/5 chapters max. If that is something you'd like to read, please let me know! Anyway, thank you for reading this chapter and for your continuous support. I'll see you in the next one!

In all his years as a detective, he's never once been forced to reveal himself or meet with those he's working with face-to-face. Yet, the Kira Case was forcing him into situations he would never willingly do. The FBI director withdrew their support from the case and announced to the NPA of L's order; most quit, leaving only five remaining. They wouldn't willingly work with him if he didn't sacrifice something, and if he had to meet with them to earn their trust, then so be it. He'd put himself on the line to find Kira, but wasn't he? His suspect: Light Yagami. He's met with him three times now, and each meeting has been so different from the last, and whilst L couldn't say without a doubt that Yagami was Kira, he couldn't rule that he wasn't Kira either.

By bringing in these task force members, he should invite Zero. His fellow detective was much more capable of working this case alongside him. If L had the choice, he'd prefer Zero by his side (even if it was over a computer) than anyone else. That being said, if Zero worked on the investigation, it would give L more time to focus on Yagami while trusting that the investigation was moving forward in the right direction.

L grabbed his laptop and pulled up Zero's contact; L double-checked that his voice modulator was working before clicking the call button. Part of him expected Zero not to pick up; speaking over a call was a rarity, and whilst L despised anything that involved phones, there was something about talking with Zero (through an array of voice modulators they both used) that L enjoyed compared to sending a message. However, L was surprised when Zero answered.

"Hello, L." Zero's distorted voice washed over him. Each time he heard it, L felt like straining his ears to see if he could hear the real voice underneath.

"Zero, I'm officially requesting your assistance on this case. I believe that with our combined intelligence, we can strive to find Kira," L said. Zero went quiet, and L could almost hear the cogs ticking away in Zero's head.

"Why?" Zero said. It threw L. Normally, Zero would either agree or turn him down. They usually worked on the same wavelength, so Zero never needed an explanation for L wanting his support. Why was he questioning him all of a sudden? This wasn't like Zero.

"We've worked well in the past, and I understand that you don't have a good working relationship with the NPA, but other agencies have seen how well we get on, and to a degree, there is an expectation for you to help out on this case. No one would be surprised or would turn down your help?" L said, still unable to comprehend what was going on.

"Chief Yagami would never be civil with me, and whilst I understand you want my assistance. In this case, you have the full force of the NPA and outside agencies, so I don't see how I could be useful. I told you that I don't mind looking into this on my own. Still, for the safety of the investigation, it would be better if I stayed away in an official capacity. I don't understand why you would request my assistance when it would hinder you," Zero said. This time, L stayed quiet; he trusted Zero more than he'd like to admit, and if there were anyone L would want to meet, then he'd take Zero over the task force. Still, Zero has never seen him make this bad of a mistake because the deaths of all twelve agents were on him.

"The FBI are no longer assisting, and all but five members of the Kira task force have resigned from the case," L said.

"Something happened?" Zero said that because, of course, he would. He wasn't stupid, and even though they'd never met in person, Zero knew L better than he knew himself.