Failure (A Death Note/L Love Story)

Chapter 44

I rubbed my eyes in the elevator on my way down to the see L and Light. We had been at a stalemate for two months, and criminals kept dying. With that type of stress, it was making it harder for me to sleep at night. I couldn't stop trying to figure out what we were missing, but I always came up empty. Was there really anything left?

The door opened when I arrived at the floor. I walked down to the area, but I stopped at the doorframe, leaning against it. I asked, "Anything new? Because I need to tell Ryuzaki something." I raised an eyebrow at the sight of Light and L hunched over one of the computers.

Light looked back at me and said, "Actually, you're just in time, Hikari. Come over here. I have something to show you." I nodded and sat in one of the rolling chairs, pushing my way over to them. L quickly pecked my lips as a greeting, which made me smile.

Sometimes it was a little awkward since he had never been in a relationship, and we had been friends for such a long time, but he was definitely trying. That was all I could really ask for, and to add to that, I thought he was maybe starting to forgive me...? I knew that would never mean he'd forget what I had done, nor did I ever expect him to, but it was one stress that was being lifted from our shoulders.

"So, what's going on?" I wondered.

Light pulled up a window and told us, "Take a close look at this. It can't be a coincidence." I leaned in to make sure I was reading everything right. It was a list of people who had died of heart attacks over the past few months, but they weren't criminals. In fact, they were quite well-known in Japan. "All of them were prominent Japanese businessmen. CEOs whose companies are leaders in their respecting industries. In just over a month, they all died of heart attacks." He pulled up a stock market graph. Two white lines were declining rapidly, but the bolded red one rose steadily. "As expected, there's been a general downturn in the market with the exception of Yotsuba. In other words, their deaths have worked in Yotsuba's favor." He went back to the list. "Looking back, there've been thirteen similar deaths in the past three months. Your thoughts? Based on this, I can only conclude that Kira is supporting Yotsuba."

"Huh. Could be," L said.

"It's actually a very likely theory. Businessmen often have the same traits and personalities as serial killers but use them in a different way," I informed Light, nodding.

"But if what you're saying is true, we can assume punishing criminals is not this Kira's real intent," he reasoned.

Light agreed, "Right. Punishing criminals is a diversion for him. It'd excuse the fact that he's actually killing people for the benefit of his company."

"And it's working. I don't recall news show talking about any of these men dying, nevertheless newspapers covering them. They're all focused on Kira punishing criminals because no one has realized this must be connected," I gasped.

Light smirked, "Are you two feeling a bit motivated now?" I felt something I hadn't felt in a very long time, and that was excitement over the Kira case. Like I actually had a grip on what was happening, and that was an amazing feeling that I could see L experiencing as well.

I grinned, "Very. I'll be right back. I'm going to make a pot of coffee, and then I'll start helping out." I stood up and was about to leave when I remembered what I needed to tell them. I turned back. "Oh, yeah. I was going to tell you something."

L asked, "Is it something private?"

I dismissed, "No, I don't think it will hurt for Light to hear it. Listen, Watari called me a few minutes ago. He said he was hearing rumors of Kira bribing politicians. He's going to see if this true, but we should be prepared for police agencies to start backing out of our investigation. Specifically, it seems the NPA has been getting a lot of heat."

Light said, "But my dad just got called in. Is that what it was about?"

"I'm just warning you. I can't say for sure, but if it is, we are about to see loyalties spread thin. Everyone might lose their jobs," I predicted.

L brushed it off, "We're prepared for it. You know what we'll do if that happens, right?" Double-meaning laced his words, and I understood clearly.

"Of course. I just thought it might be better if we braced ourselves for that scenario," I responded easily. He nodded once, showing he knew what I meant. "Anyways, coffee. Do either of you want any?" They both declined, so I went ahead to the small kitchen not too far away.

While I wasn't exactly happy about what might happen with the Task Force members, I couldn't stop the hope of solving the Kira case. Or, at least, getting the third Kira and not having any more than that. We had another chance. It was time to catch Kira.