Cataclysm

Chapter Three

::::::::::::::: Third Person POV :::::::::::::::::::

                A little while later Matsuda walked into the current hotel headquarters where a few members of the team were gathered, reading case files. Except for L, who was seated in front of a computer screen, clicking away on the mouse and keyboard.
"Did it go well?" L asked without even looking away from his screen.
Matsuda cleared his throat and sat the bag containing his food down on the floor by the table near the sofa.
"Y-yes, Ryuzaki," Matsuda responded with a nod.
"Did she say anything? About who you are, or me?" L asked as he plucked a sugar cube off of a small plate beside his cup of tea using his forefinger and thumb.
Matsuda shook his head. "No, actually, not a word. She asked me my job, I told her a detective, and she didn't even say anything. She knows, right?"
"Yes, she knows. I called and informed her before you arrived," L told him as he flipped through footage on the screen.
Soon it showed the hallway to Angel's apartment, angled so that her front door was visible.
"Have you bugged her place too?!" Matsuda exclaimed when he saw the vision on the screen.
"No. Just the hallways. I do think I should though, just in case Light acts there..." L responded calmly.

                Matsuda sat down and swallowed. "Oh. Right," He added quietly as he grabbed a file.
L stood, his posture slouched, and made his way over to a small table that held more sweets. He grabbed a small box of panda shaped cookies before moving back to his seat. There had been no news on Light, but he hadn't expected too much. Their own surveillance showed him doing nothing but studying, and his father had revealed the entrance exams were in a few short days. On second thought, cameras within Angel's home wouldn't prove much. He sighed, lifting one of the pandas to his lips. No, he had a better idea.
"Matsuda. There is an arrival in the lobby. Watari is out, so would you go get it?" L asked without even glancing at the young agent.
"Yes, yes of course, Ryuzaki!" Matsuda responded as he quickly stood and hurried out.

                L glanced over at the other three members. Two of them were readying themselves to leave. Once they left, only one remained, deep within the files. He stood once again and moved over to the table where Matsuda's lunch sat. He peered inside and saw a slice of chocolate cake wrapped in clear plastic on a small plate. He pulled it out and took it over to his desk. L took a few bites before pulling out his phone. He dialed.
"Angel?" L spoke when he heard her voice.
"Yes, Ryuzaki? What is it now? It's awfully late and some of us are trying to study," Angel snapped. "I haven't even heard from Light! It's only been a few hours! He's studying for the entrance exams. I told you last time that's all we did when I saw him."
"I'm aware, Angel. I wasn't calling about Light," L told her.
"Huh? Oh... sorry. What is it, then?" Angel asked, her voice softer than before.
L looked at the cake beside him. "Oh, I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your cake," He stated simply in his monotone voice.

There was a pause of silence between the two. "Ryuzaki! I swear if you think you can just... just call me at midnight because you stole someone's cake... What is wrong with you?!"
L held the phone away from his ear as she yelled. "Are you finished?" He asked boredly once she fell silent.
"Are you?" Angel asked snippily.
"No. I have a few questions. The first is, would you permit us to put video cameras and microphones in your home to watch and listen when Light has arrived? And to help eliminate the suspicion of you being part of this yourself?" L asked her calmly.
Angel was quiet again. "I really don't care, Ryuzaki. If you wanna be a perv and watch me change and sleep, that's your prerogative," She replied.
L was almost surprised by her response. "Good. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter," He replied.
"So, let me guess. There's a two percent chance that I'm a suspect, right?" Angel asked sounding as unamused as L.
"Yes, actually, you're correct. Are you bothered by this?"
"No, Ryuzaki. It makes perfect sense for everyone to be a suspect. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you were having Light play double agent too. So why wouldn't you suspect me? You wouldn't be doing a good job at your career choice, Ryuzaki. That's why I'm not bothered," Angel said into the phone. "Now, what other questions do you have?"
"Monday, after work, you will arrive to the address that will be left under your door tomorrow, promptly at your shift's end. You'll know what to do from there. Goodnight," L ended the phone call just as Matsuda reentered the room.