The Whitechapel Case [abandoned]

Part 2: The Connections (Chapter 3)

The Whitechapel Case
Fox-Trot-9

PG-13
Horror/Suspense/Mystery (How-Catch-'Em)
Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt or Death Note.

Part 2: The Connections
Chapter 3

Day 2—2:30 p.m. saw Noll and Lin down the stairs; that's when they noticed the decibel levels picking up as they descended. Several people, mostly high school and college students and some professors, were checking out books, doing homework, reading, chatting, researching, typing essays, preparing speeches, sleeping, playing cards, checking their emails, listening to their iPods, doing all the things academics did when not in class. And all this on every floor below the top floor, which added up to a steady hum of activity. Many heads turned, both guys and girls, who didn't expect to see two men descending from the sanctified floor of the library that few ever access. Some, mostly girls, eyed and sniggered at Noll and even Lin. Some even catcalled; yes, catcalling is a symptom of both sexes. If Mai was here, she'd be popping a vein over the scandalous looks and gestures Noll received from top floor to ground floor.

"Uh, excuse me, sirs," said the reception lady, when they passed her desk. "I need to check out your cards before you leave." They looked at her. "Our library policy has changed a bit since the last time you were here. Sorry for the inconvenience; it'll only take a second, I promise."

So they got out their cards and waited...and waited...and waited... One minute... Two minutes and counting. What was she doing? When she returned, she apologized and sent them off. Then the two saw Bert Grendal at the entrance of the library, with his hands in his pockets and a newspaper folded beneath his coat pocket. He looked harried and tired as Hell.

"So this is where you two were all day, huh?" he said.

"We were doing research," said Noll.

"I can see that. Listen," said Bert, "the shit's hit the fan at the MIT building, and the commissioner is balls deep in trouble."

"What does that have to do with this case?"

"Turns out it has a lot to do with it. Man, you stirred up a lot of hate yesterday, and all the cops are complaining to the commissioner about it. Said they'd be on strike, unless either Jake or you are taken off the case. The commissioner's looking for your head, man, I'm telling you."

"What are you going to do? Turn me in?"

Bert grinned. "Hell no, man. My loyalty's with Jake. So is the commissioner's, but he's got his arms tied; the news hounds got him by the balls, he told me. I'm not sure, but Jake might get fired before the day's out." Noll and Lin looked at him in disbelief. "I'm serious, guys. Here,"—he handed Noll the day's newspaper, courtesy of the Guardian—"it's on the front page if you don't believe me."

Noll didn't look at it; he didn't want to attract more attention than he already did.

Bert nodded toward the door, and they followed. The three didn't walk very far. In fact, they walked into the Clocktower Cafe, situated just outside the library.

"What are we doing here?" said Noll, as the three took their seats at a table. "I thought we were going to the MIT building to clear this up."

"No way, man. Not now. We need to lay low for awhile," said Bert, "at least for two days; we've got at least two dozen reporters from all over England crawling all over that place, covering the strike. Hopefully by then, all the shit has died down, but I seriously doubt it. You two hungry? It's half past two, you know."

That's when they finally noticed the time. Both hadn't eaten in awhile, especially Lin who hadn't had breakfast yet. Both their stomachs growled for sustenance. They ordered beer and three big grinder's sandwiches; Noll asked for tea, instead. No more alcohol for him. He sat back in his chair, trying to think about this new kink he had to deal with. Of all the cases Noll had, none were ever this troublesome.