She hadn't said anything like that... had she?
"The killer will take his fourth victim on August 22nd. You have six more days."
"Six days?"
That was nine days after the third murder. Nine days, four days, nine days and nine days again? What was he basing this assumption on? Germain was about to voice this question, but...
"I'm afraid I don't have time to explain right now," he said. "Please try and work it out for yourself But the next murder will occur... or the killer will make his next attempt on the 22nd, and I would have you act on that assumption."
"Understood."
He didn't sound like he was in the mood for arguments. But August 22nd... come to think of it, the LAPD had received the crossword puzzle on July 22nd. The same day of the month. Was that a connection?
"In that case, over the next six days I will make careful preparations and investigate the third crime scene."
"Please do. Oh, and--Tabitha Germain, do take all precautions for your own safety. You are the only person who can work for me on this case. If you fall, there is no one who can replace you."
He must be referring to the fight in the alley. She was caught off guard by this. No one who could replace her? For 707 it might be a very casual pronouncement, or just an outright lie, but Germain found it hard to believe it was even being applied to her.
"Don't worry. I wasn't hurt."
"No I mean, take care not to place yourself in a situation in which you might be attacked. Avoid back roads, alleys, and other deserted areas. It might take longer, but stick to crowded areas and busy streets."
"I'm fine. And I can take care of myself. I've trained in martial arts."
"Have you? In what? Karate? Or judo?"
"Capoeira."
Even over the scrambled line, she could tell 707 wasn't sure how to respond. She admitted Capoeira was an unusual choice for a Japanese FBI agent. Germain felt a moment's gleeful pride, as if she'd outsmarted 707-though she knew she had done nothing of the kind.
"Yeah, I thought it was crap till I actually started it, but I got involved in street dancing in college and joined a Capoeira group as an extension of that. It's actually a really effective form of self defense for a woman. The basic techniques all involve dodging your opponent's attacks, which means it isn't possible to overpower a block like it is in karate or judo. We can never match a man for power. And the acrobatic, tricky movements in Capoeira give you time to get a good look at your assailant."
"Really? That makes sense," 707 said, sounding impressed. Genuinely impressed, not just saying so.
"Your description makes it sound interesting. If I have time, I will have to look at some videos... but however confident you are, if they have a gun, or outnumber you, the situation changes. Take all the precautions you can."
"Of course. Don't worry, I always do. Um, 707?" Germain said at last.
''What is it, Tabitha Germain?"
"I was wondering... you've figured out what the killer's goal is, right?"
"...Yes," he said, after a long pause.
Germain nodded. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so sure when the fourth murder would occur. But he had told her to figure the reason out for herself. Which meant he had enough information to identify the killer now? Just as this thought crossed Germain's mind, 707 destroyed her chain of thought with a single phrase.
"To tell the truth, I always knew who the killer was."
"...Huh?"
"The killer..." L said, "...is B."
What did he hope to accomplish by killing unrelated people? Or perhaps B simply wanted to meet 707. He would be able to find out who 707 was.
So this all boiled down to a strangely shaped battle of detection between 707 and B. From this perspective, this was nothing but a detective war.
Beyond Birthday challenged 707. And 707 accepted the challenge.
"Mmm... mm... mm-hmm-hmm hmmm... mm, mm, mm... Zo zo zo zo... no, that's a horrible laugh... henh henh henh."
He was ready now.
He cracked his neck...
And Beyond Birthday began to move.
