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Chapter 40 - Pure Imagination

"Baby, now that I found you

I can't let you go

I'll build my world around you

I need you so

Baby even though...you don't need me, you don't neeeed me!"

"Do you know if he's left yet, Peter?!" I raised my voice anxiously as we drove down the brightly lit Strand in the West End. I sat beside him in the passenger's seat, knowing I'd lose my mind in the back without company. I already was a wreck. What was L playing at, considering leaving Wammy's to go work somewhere else? Would Wammy go with him? Did he expect him to? What would that mean for the rest of the kids?

Peter smiled as his head bopped to the sixties song blaring on the stereo. Now I knew why he always looked so happy up in the front seat. The volume of his music drowned out anything else. "I don't reckon so, Gracie! I wasn't asked to transport him anywhere!"

"Oh right!" I shouted back, wondering why he didn't just turn the volume down. "He's definitely still at the Savoy, then?!"

"I'm almost certain!"

The famous hotel came into view with its liveried doorman in caps greeting late arriving guests under the dark gold roofed entrance. L did like to travel in style.

"I'm staying at the place down the way!" Peter called as he pulled up behind a limousine where a silver haired woman draped in furs was led by a man in a long black coat. "I can't bear to be fussed about in a swanky place like this, so when you need me to get you back to where you are staying, just ring me. All right, dear?!"

"Very well. I shan't phone you late tonight, I promise!"

"Ah, that's all right!" he answered jovially as an attendant opened the back door of our car and looked around confused when he noticed it was completely empty. "I've sort of developed interesting sleeping patterns from our mutual friend!"

I laughed before opening the passenger door where I was face to face with the bewildered attendant. "Oh, uh, welcome to the Savoy, miss. Do you have any need of a porter?"

I held up my purse and shook my head. "Just this, I'm afraid."

"Right, well, let me get the door for you." He jogged a few steps to open a gleaming door with a smile.

I tightened my coat about me as I waved to Peter driving off and stepped through.

"'Have a nice evening." He tipped his hat.

"You as well." I breathed, inwardly marveling at the beauty of the Savoy's lobby. It was even more lovely then its website photographs. I reached the front desk and waited for my turn.

A tall man with a dark mustache was finishing a telephone call and quietly hung up. Then, he greeted me. "Welcome to the Savoy, madam. How may I assist you?"

"Yes, I wish to know the room of Mr. Ryuzaki. He should be expecting me." I kept my tone genial but experienced, trying not to openly gawk at the classic beauty that surrounded me.

"Mr. Ryuzaki? I believe he had stated that he wished for no visitors." The man appeared sorry to inform me.

Of course he had, but I was so thankful he was still there. I groaned but laughed gaily. "Oh, that Rue-Rue, what a card. I believe he meant no other visitors beside myself. You see, we get very little time together and we like to..."

"Er, yes I will phone the room straightaway." The man cleared his throat embarrassed and dialed the room. I gave myself a silent whoop.

"Yes, sorry to disturb you. I have a young lady here wishing to see you...It is a Miss ..."