Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 52 ( Chapter 52 )

“Family Ties”

 

January 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 52

 

Having finished his talk with Yuy, Chang immediately contacted headquarters again. “Commander?”

 

“Agent Fire? What is it now?”

 

“I've spoken with Agent Day and likewise, he believes the message was left by Agent Night. He also interpreted it along the same lines as I and added that the reference to pink most probably means that Relena is next on the hit list.”

 

Une gave a soft gasp and then rubbed her temples. “We haven't heard from the terrorists as yet to confirm this was their doing.”

 

“I know and I'm not sure why,” Wufei replied.

 

Une frowned. “They were pretty quick off the mark last time, I would have expected something from them by now.”

 

“I don't have an answer for you on that, but Yuy demanded we double the guard on Relena. I think it would be best to listen to him.”

 

“I agree. Leave it with me, Fire. I'll sort that out, meanwhile, finish up your preliminary investigation and report back to headquarters.”

 

“Yes, commander.”

 

“Thank you. Good work, Fire.”

 

“Fire out.”

 

Hooking his cell back on his belt, Chang set about securing the crime scene and hurrying his agents along.

 

* * *

 

Une sat back in her seat and let a long sigh leave her lips. Closing her tired eyes momentarily, she sat back and took a second or two to let all the information sink in. Wearily, she reached for her phone and called Relena's home.

 

Ten minutes later, she was hanging up again. She'd spoken to Relena, explained briefly what was happening and the suggestion that she was most likely next on the hit list. Relena had taken it all quite calmly and agreed to Une's recommendation that she have extra bodyguards.

 

Aside from her own security detail, the Preventer organization would supply a further two agents to assist in keeping the senator safe. Whilst Relena was confident her own guards were more than capable of looking out for her, she accepted the added security without complaint.

 

Feeling a little better, Une swallowed the last of her coffee and was contemplating seeking out some food when her phone went off yet again.

 

“What I wouldn't give to leave this damn thing off the hook,” she muttered to her office walls, but duly picked up. “Commander Une here.”

 

Une listened as she was given the current update on Jefferies' accident. “I see, captain.”

 

Une rubbed her forehead. This was all beginning to turn into a nightmare.

 

“Thank you, captain. I'll alert the medical wing and await your full, forensic report.”

 

Hanging up, Une waited only a moment before picking up again and calling the medical wing on the extension. Having relayed all she needed to, she hung up again. Pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts, she stood up, grabbed her communicator and cell and headed out to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat before aiming for the forensics section where she would be available to speak with both investigating teams when they returned.

 

* * *

 

“We should be approaching the first possible hideout in a moment,” Trowa stated calmly as he turned off and down a side road.

 

Both Heero and Quatre fixed their attention to the outside of the vehicle, eyes scanning the area thoroughly.

 

“Approaching on the left now,” Quatre stated as he checked the grid map.

 

Heero picked up the binoculars and began a scan of the building as Trowa drove slowly past. “It could be,” he said slowly. “We need a better look though.”

 

Driving a little further down the road, Trowa pulled over and Heero got out. Checking he had his communicator on him and the Preventer special issue binoculars that allowed for night vision too, he melted into the evening.

 

Sitting in the car, Quatre extended his empathy again, somehow hoping he might be able to pick up on Duo's emotions and give them some clue as to how close they were to finding him. Eyes closed, his breathing slowed as he gently let the empathy flow.

 

Knowing what his husband was up to, Trowa remained silently watching, not interfering, but ready to assist if his husband needed it.

 

Moments later, Quatre opened his eyes and gasped softly.

 

“What is it, Quatre?”

 

“I can feel him, Trowa. He's around here somewhere and not too far away judging by the feelings I'm getting which are stronger than they were at headquarters.”

 

Heero chose that moment to return. Slipping into the car he was quick to pick up on the tenseness. “No sign of him at that place,” he informed as he placed the binoculars on the seat. “What's going on?”

 

“I thought I'd see if I could get some sort of an idea of where exactly Duo might be with my empathy,” Quatre replied. “He's close, not too far away and he's...” Quatre faltered for a moment. “There's many emotions rolling within him right now; anger, fear, pain, confusion...”

 

“Then I suggest we get moving and check out as many of these places as fast as we can,” Heero replied curtly. He was worried sick about Duo, and now knowing they were close to wherever Duo was being held only served to heighten his determination to locate his family.

 

Trowa put the car into gear again and drove off into the night.

 

* * *

 

“What the hell was he doing in the basement?” Matthews asked.

 

“He claims he was being held hostage,” Young repeated.

 

“What for?”

 

“I don't know. I haven't had a chance to question him properly yet,” Young huffed.

 

“I'd say the part about him being a hostage is true,” Peterson said. “There's evidence in the basement that he was being detained there and it looks like they roughed him up a bit too judging by the ankle. I think he may have some rib damage too as he winced a bit when I patted him down.”

 

“We don't have time for this now,” Matthews muttered. “He'll have to come along too. Take them all out and secure them.”

 

The three nodded and moved towards the group on the couch. Waving their guns around, Duric and Farrow were pulled to their feet. Duo found his wrists being duct taped as well, although they didn't slap a piece over his mouth, something he was grateful for.

 

Murphy was half carried, half dragged outside and into the waiting van, Duric, Farrow and Duo forced to follow. Once they were all inside, their captors duct taped their ankles, locked the van door and climbed into the front. The engine started and the van drove off into the night.

 

* * *

 

In the basement, Nurse Brown remained hidden in the corner. The murmur of voices above had faded, but she wasn't sure what was happening. It was silent and the silence was starting to get to her.

 

Keitaro was still sleeping and Margaret prayed he would stay that way for a little while longer until she at least figured out what to do. She started to toss options around in her head.

 

She could get up from her hiding spot and see if all was clear in the basement. Then she could climb the stairs and leave the basement, see what was going on upstairs. But what if those people were still there? What if their captors were still there and these others were a part of their group? Whilst she wasn't so much worried for her own safety, she did have the child to look after and she wasn't about to put young Keitaro in any danger at all.

 

With a sigh, she decided it was probably best to remain where she was for a couple of hours, see if she could hear anything at all from above. Only then would she venture out and check the surrounding area.

 

Settling back into her hiding spot, Nurse Brown closed her eyes and tried to catch a nap.

 

* * *

 

Trowa had driven on to three more of their possible targets and each time Heero had scoped them out and returned with no luck.

 

It was starting to get frustrating.

 

Unfortunately, it was the only way they currently had of trying to locate Duo.

 

“Maybe we will have some luck with this one,” Quatre said as Trowa crawled past another building on their list of possibles.

 

“Hn,” replied Heero and slipped out into the night again.

 

Once the Japanese man had departed, Quatre leaned close to his husband and stole a kiss. “I hope we have some luck soon,” Quatre stated as he pulled back, his lover's hand following to rest reassuringly against his arm.

 

“They have to be around here somewhere,” Trowa replied.

 

“I can't help but feel we're taking too long.”

 

“I don't think they're going anywhere, not if what Yuy says about Relena being the next one on the hit list.”

 

“Yeah, you do have a point. I just wish there was some way we could speed this up, some way we could get a better fix on that call.”

 

“I know. I feel the same way.” Trowa rubbed his hand along his partner's arm.

 

They remained in silence for a few minutes until Yuy returned.

 

“Any luck?” Quatre asked as Heero slid back into the car.

 

“No. Nothing there other than an elderly couple,” Heero sighed.

 

“Okay. On to the next one then,” Trowa said and slipped the car back into gear.

 

Quatre concentrated on the road map and guiding Trowa to their next destination. Trowa following the directions and keeping an eye out for anything unusual. In the back, Heero gnawed on a fingernail in an attempt to prevent himself from screaming his frustration to the night.

 

Another half an hour passed as Trowa drove along back streets. They passed two other vehicles as they sped on through the night. A pickup loaded with hay passed by not long after they'd left their last suspect building. Fifteen minutes later a van passed them by.

 

“Next place should be off a side road just up ahead, Trowa.”

 

Trowa began to slow down. It was hard to see on these country roads, no street lighting to assist and the headlights could only do so much.

 

“There, that's got to be the turn off,” Quatre said and pointed to a break in the trees.

 

Trowa turned and the tires slid a little on the unsealed road.

 

Heero glanced around, noting the lack of buildings. “It might be an idea to dim the lights. According to the satellite map there's only a couple of places on this dirt road.”

 

“Good idea.” Trowa turned the lights off and slowed further. For once luck was with them though and the moon shone brightly, offering enough light for Trowa to navigate by, providing he remained at a slow pace.

 

“Up there.” Heero pointed along the road a bit to where the outline of a building could be seen.

 

“Keep your eyes peeled for a driveway. It's obvious this road doesn't pass close to the place itself,” Quatre suggested.

 

A little further down the road, Trowa spotted a driveway and turned into it. “I think this is it,” he said and continued along.

 

“Pull up a little way from the house, we don't want anyone getting suspicious,” Heero requested.

 

Seeing a likely place ahead where the car would be hidden by trees, Trowa brought the car to a stop.

 

“I'll go up and have a look around. I'll report shortly.” Checking the communicator was on, Heero opened the door and faded into the night.

 

* * *

 

By the time Une had reached the forensics section and specifically the section that was dealing with the investigation into Jefferies' accident, the team had returned and dispersed off into their various areas to analyze and put together the most probable scenario based on their findings.

 

After a little searching, Une found the captain and demanded a report.

 

“The investigation is still in its preliminary stages, commander,” the captain informed. “At this point I don't have concrete facts to support the suggested cause, the team are still working on linking all the evidence together.”

 

“I realize that, captain, but I'd like a rough outline for now.”

 

“Okay, commander. At this stage we believe that Jefferies' car was deliberately targeted. We found evidence in and on the road surface that indicated a small explosive device of some form was embedded and detonated at the precise time the senator's car drove over it. The resulting detonation caused a blow out to the left front tire and as a result of that blow out, Jefferies lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the side bridge support. The force of the accident killed the senator instantly. We cannot rule out the possibility of a defect in the senator's car, though we are certain there was nothing wrong with the vehicle to cause this and the team will be going over the vehicle with a fine toothcomb as soon as it arrives here from the scene to back that up.”

 

“I see. And you have the forensic evidence to support the other claim?”

 

“Yes, commander.”

 

“There's more?” Une asked, sensing the captain wasn't finished.

 

“Yes, there is. Investigation of the scene would indicate that the person or persons responsible for the accident would have had to have been at the scene to detonate the explosive. It could not have been left on a timer as they had no knowledge of the exact time the vehicle would pass over it. Also, it couldn't be rigged to explode with the vehicle weight pressure - something like a land mine - as there was no knowing if other vehicles would be passing over before the senator's car. They would have had to be present and detonated the device manually.”

 

“I take it you checked the area surrounding the scene?”

 

“Yes, we did. We found no evidence left behind to give us a clue as to the perpetrators identity. But...”

 

Une raised an eyebrow.

 

“When I had a team check out the area surrounding the bridge, they discovered something very interesting. Another explosive device was located underneath the bridge, attached to one of the supports. It's our guess that if they missed with the device on the road, they were planning to set off the second one under the bridge and bring both the bridge an the car to a messy end.”

 

“That sounds interesting,” Une stated.

 

“The device was deactivated by the explosives squad and has been brought in for analysis. commander?”

 

“Yes, captain?”

“The agent that dismantled the device, he did it very rapidly, too fast in my opinion and when I questioned him about it, he said they had been trained on such a device. When I inquired as to who had done that particular section of their training, I was told it was Agent Night.”

 

“Shit!”

 

* * *

 

Having made his way through the shadows, Heero was standing just to the side of the building. It appeared to be a farmhouse type, made of stone and looked deserted. There weren't any lights on, however, there were tire tracks in the dirt; although no vehicle was visible at this stage.

 

Scanning around, Heero made his way closer, remaining in the shadows and moving without a sound. He approached one of the windows and cautiously peered inside. It was dark, too dark to see clearly so Heero reached for the binoculars and turned on the night vision.

 

It was a little better, but not much.

 

Scanning around again, Heero's trained eyes took in the scene. It appeared to be a normal lounge type room, only it was sparsely furnished. Heero frowned. That didn't look completely right to him.

 

Crouching low, he made his way along the wall until he came to another window. Carefully, he straightened up until he could peer inside. The night vision aided his sight to a point, but not quite enough for him to positively identify what he thought he was looking at.

 

Deciding this place was a definite possibility, Heero snuck back to the car and waiting couple.

 

When Heero suddenly appeared beside the car, Quatre nearly had a heart attack.

 

“Fuck, Heero! A little warning next time if you please,” Quatre snapped as he tried to steady his racing heart.

 

Ignoring the blonde, Heero slid into the back seat. Trowa was immediately on the alert, noting the change in Yuy's eyes and body language.

 

“You find something?” asked Trowa, already preparing himself to leave the vehicle.

 

“Possibly,” Heero replied as he dropped the binoculars to the floor of the car and withdrew his gun to check the clip.

 

“Well?” demanded Quatre.

 

“I'm not sure if there is anyone present. Place is sparsely furnished, but someone is definitely living there. I managed to see into what appears to be a lounge room, which was vacant. A little further along I saw what I think is a kitchen. It looks like there has been some sort of scuffle in there and on the floor there is some staining.”

 

“Blood?” questioned Trowa as he checked his own weapon.

 

“I couldn't be certain.”

 

“Let's go then.” Trowa opened his door and exited, the other two following suit.

 

Making their way through the darkness, Heero paused by the second window he'd looked through, Trowa and Quatre taking a peek and agreeing with Heero's earlier assumptions.

 

“We need to get inside,” Heero whispered.

 

“Back door,” suggested Trowa.

 

“I'll go first, Quatre, you in the middle and Trowa, you watch everyone's backs.”

 

Both men nodded and the three slipped along the wall again, aiming for the back door. It was slightly ajar. Heero carefully nudged it open a little further, crouching low, safety off and gun ready to fire. With there being no immediate threat, Heero silently entered the room, keeping low and to the sides.

 

Once Heero was inside, Quatre followed when given the signal. With his gun drawn, he slipped inside and along the opposite wall to Heero. Trowa remained by the doorway, covering them from any possible outside attack.

 

Having scoped out the room and not hearing anything at all coming from anywhere else in the immediate vicinity, Quatre and Heero met in the middle and checked out the tossed furniture and stains on the floor. Trowa joined them a moment later, still keeping an eye on the door.

 

“Definitely blood,” Heero announced as he sniffed the fingers he'd dipped into the pool of congealing wetness.

 

“Any idea how long it's been there?” asked Trowa.

 

“I'd guess, roughly an hour, two at the most,” replied Heero.

 

“It appears there's been some sort of scuffle,” Quatre stated as he took in the scattered mess.

 

“Up there,” Trowa said and pointed to the wall where a bullet hole could be clearly seen.

 

“Hn.” Heero's eyes narrowed. “Let's check out the rest of the place.”

 

The trio moved from room to room, silently working their way through the house and noting the lack of furnishings. Checking through the bedrooms, they spotted belongings, but no owner to them.

 

“Very strange,” Heero muttered as they worked down the hallway and to the last room. Pressed against the wall, Heero slowly peered around the jamb and froze. “Shit!” he whispered.

 

Trowa raised an eyebrow in question. Heero motioned for Trowa to take a look, the tall Latin peering around the jamb and jerking back suddenly.

 

“What is it?” Quatre whispered.

 

“Body,” came Heero's reply.

 

“Dead?”

 

“Not sure.” Heero crouched low and entered the room, gun at the ready. He approached the body and moments later holstered his gun and called the other two inside.

 

“Oh, yuk,” Quatre groaned and turned away. It didn't matter how many dead bodies he'd seen, he just couldn't get used to the sight of a waste of life.

 

Meanwhile, Trowa and Heero were both checking over the corpse, noting the bullet wounds and the mess the fatal shot had made, not only of the man's head, but the surrounding chattels as well.

 

“Duo was here,” Heero said with a catch in his voice.

 

“How…?”

 

“This is the guy that contacted the ESUN. I know as I've seen the tapes. He's the one that demanded funding for L2 and claimed responsibility for the murder of the L1 ambassador. I know it was Duo who committed the assassination which means Duo was here.” Heero's heart was in his mouth. He didn't know if Duo was still here, alive or dead or was he injured somewhere. Spinning around, Heero faced the other two who were well aware of what was going through Heero's mind. “We have to search this place thoroughly.”

 

“But, Heero. We've already gone through all of the rooms,” Quatre replied. “Duo's not here.”

 

“Maybe. Quatre, we need to double check again, scour every room and all the immediate area. I know Duo was here, is possibly still here, maybe injured and we have to find him.”

 

Heero's eyes were taking on a wild, feral glint, something that Quatre wasn't sure he liked the look of. “Okay, calm down. We'll go over everything again.” Turning to Trowa, Quatre called on his strategic side. “We will split up, take a room each and search thoroughly, look for anything, anything at all that might indicate where someone could have been held against their will.”

 

Having decided on their plan of action, they split up.

 

Twenty minutes later Heero was in the kitchen, having found nothing at all in the office or bedroom he'd been allocated to search. He made his way around the room, eyes combing over everything; and then he spotted something.

 

A door.

 

Drawing his gun, Heero approached the door and rested his hand upon the handle. Grasping it firmly, he turned the knob, the door opening with a soft squeak. Taking a deep breath and staying low, he moved through the doorway to stand atop a small set of steps.

 

He blinked his eyes, adjusting to the darkness. Once his vision cooperated, he saw he was entering a basement. Scanning around, he noted the utensils on a table. Immediately, Heero was down the stairs and at the table. Eagerly he looked about, noting the used dishes, drink still in a mug - although it had gone cold - and then, in the corner he spotted Keitaro's baby bag.

 

With his heart hammering in his chest, Heero's eyes raked over the basement, searching desperately for his husband and son.

 

He saw nothing.

 

The frustration and anger came boiling out.

 

“DUO!” he screamed.

 

“Heero?” came a muffled voice from the corner of the room followed by a baby's cry.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...