Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 36 ( Chapter 36 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 36

 

“Any clue as to what has Une's goat up?” Heero asked as he and Chang sped back to the Preventer HQ having left the forensics team at the residence to continue their work on the case.

 

“No. All she said was there's a breakthrough in the case.”

 

The rest of the trip was made in silence, Chang trying to determine what the break could be and Heero still running theories about Duo's involvement in the murder through his mind.

 

Arriving back at HQ, the pair quickly made their way to Une's office. They didn't have to wait to be shown in, Une was waiting for them.

 

“Agents, thank you for returning so quickly. I'll hear what you have to say about the case thus far in a moment. Firstly, you need to see this.” Une moved to pick up the remote to the small vid recorder and turned it on. The vid screen came on and Une paused for a moment to address the agents again.

 

“This was delivered via e-mail to the ESUN about half an hour ago. Immediately they contacted us and sent it through.”

 

Heero and Wufei's eyes widened as they watched.

 

* * *

 

Nolen sat back and smirked to himself as Farrow shut down the computer and disconnected the small camera.

 

“I think that went well,” Duric stated as he tapped his packet of cigarettes and withdrew one.

 

“Yes, I think it did. Time will tell though,” replied Nolen.

 

“I'd say they're all running around like headless chickens by now.”

 

Nolen chuckled. “Better than what they usually do - sit around like stuffed turkeys.”

 

Duric joined in the laughter.

 

“You need me any more, boss?” Farrow asked.

 

“Not for a while. Thank you, Farrow.”

 

“I'll get back onto hacking then, see if I can't find more evidence.” Farrow left the pair and headed back to the small room he had his equipment set up in.

 

“Ah, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall at the ESUN right now.”

* * *

 

Une hit the play button and the disc began. The image of a man appeared, slightly blurred and his voice was distorted.

 

“Good day to you all. My name is not important, but my reasons for contacting you are. By now you will all be aware of the death of the L1 ambassador. Let me say that whilst this was a regrettable act to have to commit, you as politicians and peace keepers need to see that I am serious in what it is I wish from you. No, I do not demand ransom money or anything like that, but it seems to me that the ESUN is somewhat lacking when it comes to the Colony rebuilding schemes.”

 

The figure on the screen paused for a moment, then leaned in closer to the camera.

 

“My demands are simple. The colony cluster known as L2 once again appears to be forgotten by the powers that be. I am well aware of the progress currently being made on the other colonies and their rebuilding, however, it seems that L2 is again lagging behind. All I ask is that L2 be given more funding, be rebuilt and the services promised are forthcoming. And I don't mean in another two or three years; I mean now. The death of the L1 ambassador is simply to prove to you exactly how serious I am. You have forty-eight hours to comply. If I do not see any improvement in funding, materials and the like, then I will be forced to act further. You have been warned.”

 

The screen went blank, Une turning the machine off for the moment and facing her agents.

 

“How do we know this isn't some crackpot claiming responsibility?” Wufei questioned.

 

“He sent through proof,” Une replied.

 

“Proof?”

 

Une hit the play button again. “Photos.”

 

The screen showed several shots of the dead ambassador. Even a rookie could see that the death was fresh, the blood was still oozing from the throat.

 

Wufei swallowed. “I see.”

 

Une switched the machine off.

 

“What does the ESUN plan on doing?” Wufei asked.

 

“They're currently in the middle of talks pertaining to this matter. From what I've been told, all the colonies were receiving the same funding, L2 included. I am going to the ESUN shortly to see what I can find out regarding this funding.”

 

Heero's mind was still locked in thought, pieces of a jigsaw puzzle were slowly coming together. He gave a grunt as another piece slotted into place. Une picked up on it and turned to the agent.

 

“You have something to say, Agent Day?”

 

“Hn. I'm not too sure about all this, I have a sort of theory, but no evidence to back it up. Right now all I have are thoughts.”

 

“I suggest you may wish to share these thoughts.”

 

Giving a deep sigh, Heero decided to lay it all on the line. “The ambassador's murder was most definitely committed by someone who knew what they were doing. In fact, I'm positive it was Duo's work.”

 

“Agent Night?! But, how? Why?” Une exclaimed.

 

“That, I'm not sure of. I have several other things going through my head right now and I'm sure everything is linked together somehow. I need more time to figure it all out.”

 

“A clue was left at the crime scene,” Wufei stated. “On the ambassador's pillow slip we found a simple message. It said '02 + 2'. Yuy said the way the murder was committed was in keeping with how Maxwell disposed of enemies during the war, a precise, neat cut to the throat that would ensure a quick and relatively painless death. We also found strands of hair matching the length and color of Maxwell's hair clutched in the ambassador's hand. Forensics will be doing a DNA test on it once they return and I'm certain it will be a match to Agent Night.”

 

“It is my belief that Duo murdered the ambassador. I'm sure he's being held against his will and that he also has the nanny and my son with him,” Heero growled. “I also have a few other theories to go with this, but I need to look into them a little more.”

 

Une leaned back in her chair and let a breath slide out slowly. “Gentlemen, I have no need to tell you how much of a shock this is. What I need though are facts, facts to back up your theories. I have to go to the ESUN now, I expect you both to work more on this. Yuy, you look into these theories and see what you come up with. Chang, I want forensics to treat this case with high priority and secrecy. I also expect you to work with Yuy in figuring out these theories. I'll be back later today and I expect a complete update on the case when I do. Dismissed.”

 

Chang and Yuy left the commander's office and returned to Yuy's office. Once seated behind his desk, Heero grabbed a pen and paper to write his theories down on and try to figure them out one by one.

 

Chang took a seat on the other side of Yuy's desk. “Care to fill me in on these theories?”

 

“I'll try.”

 

* * *

 

“Yes, sir. I'll see to it right away.” Wainright cut the connection and leaned heavily on his desk. “Fuck!” he snarled to the four walls of his office. This was not happening. With a sigh, he punched the intercom unit to his secretary. “Get Evans in here, now.”

 

Five minutes later, Evans walked in and closed the door. He took a seat, face pale and met the other man's eyes.

 

“You heard about the death of Harvey?”

 

“The L1 ambassador?” Evans replied. “I think everyone here has.”

 

“I've just been contacted by the boss. He wants to know who these people are.”

 

“Shit.” He went even paler.

 

Wainright dragged his fingers through his hair. “The operation is to go ahead a little earlier than scheduled. We get out tonight.”

 

“Tonight?” Evan's parroted.

 

“Yes, tonight. Anything you have that may be traced back to the operation is to be destroyed. Am I clear?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Good. Come to my place at eight tonight. I have the coordinates for the rendezvous point. Zaheer will accompany us.”

 

“Right. Is that all?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I will see you this evening then.” Evans stood and took his leave.

 

Wainright cradled his head in his hands for a moment, then got to work erasing all files on his computer.

 

* * *

 

“I'll contact Trowa and Quatre, shall I?” Wufei asked as Heero continued to wrestle with his theories.

 

“Good idea. If we can get them to come here then another two heads will be better in trying to sort this mess out,” Heero replied.

 

“Okay.” Wufei pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed Quatre's number. Moments later he was putting the cell back in his pocket. “They're on their way.”

 

“Good.”

 

Yuy's vid phone rang and he stabbed absently at the button. “Agent Day.”

 

“Agent Day. I've received a call from the police regarding a pick up truck that's registered to Agent Night.”

 

Instantly Heero's attention was fully on the vid screen. Wufei was around the desk in a flash.

 

“What about it? Where is it? Is there any sign of Agent Night?” The questions poured out of Heero's mouth.

 

“They didn't say much, just that they had a report of an abandoned vehicle and when they went to check it out they traced the registration to Agent Night. I have the details for you to contact them if you wish.”

 

“Thank you. Send them through.”

 

The receptionist gave Heero the contact name and number, then cut the call to leave the agent to do his work.

 

“It's a start,” Wufei muttered. “Call them.”

 

Heero was already punching in the numbers. The call connected.

 

“21st Precinct Police station. Can I help you?”

 

“I need to speak to a Constable Jameson, please.”

 

“May I ask who is calling?”

 

“It's Agent Day from the Preventer Organization.”

 

“One moment whilst I put you though, sir.”

 

“Jameson.”

 

“Constable Jameson, it's Agent Day from the Preventer Organization. I believe you have found a pick up truck registered to my partner Agent Night, or rather Duo Maxwell?”

 

“Ah, yes, sir. That is correct. I have tried to contact the registered owner of the vehicle, but so far I've had no luck.”

 

“Where is the vehicle now, constable?”

 

“It's still in the parking lot where it was reported being abandoned. I was about to organize to get it towed in to the precinct.”

 

“Constable, could you please leave it where it is and give me the location? I'll go out there and pick it up. I'd prefer it if you could meet us there as this is part of a Preventer investigation and any clues that may be found there are of vital importance, hence the need to leave it as is.”

 

“No problem. I can meet you there in half an hour.”

 

“That would be good.”

 

The constable passed over the information of the pick up's location and Heero disconnected the call. Grabbing his jacket, he looked at Wufei.”You coming?”

 

“Right with you, Yuy.” Wufei also grabbed his jacket and followed the agent out the door.

 

* * *

 

“Did Wufei say what this was all about, Quatre?” Trowa asked as he drove them to the Preventer Headquarters.

 

“No. He didn't want to say much in case the line wasn't secure. I'm sure we will find out everything once we get there though.”

 

Trowa continued to drive in silence. His mind was working overtime and still coming up blank. They had the baby stroller in the trunk, intending to have forensics go over it for prints, DNA and anything else they might find. They had taken the details of the council workers along with fingerprints to rule them out should their prints be detected amongst any others on the child's stroller. With Chang's call all further investigations had drawn to a halt for the moment.

 

Trowa was soon pulling into the parking lot at Preventer HQ. Cutting the engine, the pair exited the vehicle, Quatre getting the stroller from the trunk. He carried it carefully, having wrapped a couple of rags around his hands so as not to add his own fingerprints to any existing ones.

 

Approaching the reception desk, Trowa hoped Heero or Wufei had informed the receptionist of their arrival, otherwise they would be stuck.

 

“Can I help you?”

 

“Yes. I'm Trowa Barton and this is Quatre Winner; Agent Fire and Agent Day are expecting us.”

 

“Wait one moment please.” The receptionist turned away from them for a minute.

 

Quatre looked at Trowa who shrugged. He didn't have any clue either.

 

“I have a message here for you, Mr. Barton. Both agents had to step out for a while, but they did say you were bringing in some evidence relating to a case they're currently working on and that I'm to organize someone from Forensics to pick it up. Do you have the evidence?”

 

“Yes,” Quatre replied and motioned to the stroller.

 

The receptionist didn't bat an eye at the unusual item, rather she got onto the 'phone to contact the Forensic department as if baby strollers turning up as evidence were an everyday occurrence.

 

“Forensics will be here in a moment, gentlemen. If you would care to take a seat whilst you wait. Once they've finished, Agent Fire asked if you would be so kind as to wait in the cafeteria for them, I will contact them to let them know you have arrived and they will collect you once they return.”

“Thank you,” Trowa replied and escorted his husband to a section at the side that had several plush couches scattered around. They took a seat and waited for the Forensics person to turn up.

 

A tall, elderly man came strolling through the reception are after five minutes and spoke briefly with the receptionist before approaching Trowa and Quatre.

 

“I'm Agent Summer from forensics. You must be Barton and Winner?” he asked as he held out his hand.

 

“I'm Barton,” Trowa replied and shook the agent's hand. “And this is Mr Winner.”

 

“Pleasure to meet you,” Quatre said as he shook hands.

 

“I was told to expect you and some evidence pertaining to a case Agents Fire and Day are currently working on, correct?”

 

“Yes.” Quatre turned and picked up the baby stroller. “This is the evidence. I believe it is to be tested for DNA and also any fingerprints. I have taken the liberty of getting the fingerprints from the council workers who found it so you can eliminate theirs from any prints you may find.” He handed the stroller over.

 

Before taking the stroller, the agent slipped on a pair of latex gloves. “Thank you. I'll take this to our labs and get started on it right away. Good day.” Agent Summer left with the stroller.

 

“Guess we should head for the cafeteria and get a drink or something. I have no idea how long Wufei and Heero will be,” Quatre said as he walked back towards the receptionist to ask for directions to the cafeteria.

 

The receptionist gave them clear directions and also put in the call to Wufei regarding their arrival. Chang replied to let the pair know they would be about an hour before returning to HQ and apologized for the wait. The receptionist passed over the information and the pair left to get a hot drink and see if there was anything edible in the cafeteria.

 

* * *

 

“Over there,” Heero said and pointed to where a police patrol car and Duo's pick up sat parked.

 

Chang drove over whilst Heero took a look around. It was a basic parking lot out front of a Diner. Nothing special about it, nothing that stood out. Chang pulled up and cut the engine. The officer got out of the police car and came to meet them.

 

“I”m Agent Fire and this is Agent Day,” Wufei introduced them and flashed his badge as identification.

 

“Constable Jameson,' the officer replied. “As you can see, that's the pick up. We had a call about it this morning from a worker in the Diner. They said it was parked there last night, still there when they locked up and went home and seeing it still parked there this morning, they called us,” Jameson told the agents as they walked over to the car.

 

Heero had the spare keys on him and fished them out from his pocket, along with a pair of latex gloves. “Has anyone touched the car?” he asked.

 

“Only myself that I know of. I only tested the door handles, but it's locked.”

 

“Hn.” Heero unlocked the pick up and began to search around inside for any clues. Wufei continued to question the constable.

 

Satisfied that all was as it should be aside from the missing driver, Heero closed the door and joined Chang.

 

“I can't find anything out of the ordinary inside the car and there's no evidence of damage or the like on the outside,” Heero reported to Chang.

 

“In one way, that's good,” Wufei replied. “I have a statement from the constable, there's nothing really he can add so I've let him return to the police station. I have his contact details should we need to question him again.”

 

Heero turned to look at the Diner. “I think we should speak to the staff in there. They may have seen Duo or noticed something happening in the car park.”

 

“Do you still have the photo of Maxwell?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Come on then, let's go interrogate the staff.”

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...