InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Closing the Case ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

A/N: *hides behind her flame proof shield* Sorry this chapter took so long. School and work are in full swing and I just got a little busy. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. And remember, if you kill me, you'll never find out what happens.

Closing the Case

Chapter 8

"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Yash?" Miroku asked. The two detectives had spent the better part of the day chasing leads, all of which had been dead ends. They were both tired and frustrated, and they had yet to get anything to eat. Miroku turned the car into a small, out of the way café where they could grab a quick sandwich. "We're handing ourselves over to Kouga on a silver platter. He could ruin our careers."

"I don't want to see her cry anymore," Inuyasha answered flatly, "She's cried herself to sleep every night this week. As soon as that news hits the streets, there'll be reporters all over the place. They'll all want an interview. She'll be a prisoner in that apartment."

"She'll be mad if you throw away your career."

"Only if she finds out." Inuyasha retorted, looking pointedly at his partner. Miroku decided it was better to just change the subject. He leaned out the window and placed an order with the drive-through machine, before pulling around.

"So she's really that broken up? She seemed fine yesterday."

"You know Kagome," Inuyasha replied as he passed Miroku his half of the bill, "She wants everyone to believe she's strong. She grew up too fast if you ask me."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Miroku replied, leaning out the window to exchange the money for their lunch, "You read a few of your mother's psycho-gibberish books and it makes you an expert."

"Fuck you." Inuyasha unwrapped his turkey and cheese and took a bite as Miroku pulled back into traffic. "So, what's next?"

"Lady on Fifth Street claims to have seen a dark-skinned male forcing a younger dark-skinned male into a blue car."

"Not to be confused with the Caucasian female on Seventh or the Hispanic male on Edward." Inuyasha spat.

"Don't forget about the alien abduction theory we got on Jefferson," Miroku added.

"God, I hate the day after press release." Inuyasha griped, "Everyone wants their fifteen minutes." Their banter was interrupted by the ringing of Miroku's cell. The dark-haired detective looked at the small screen to see who was calling. His face twisted in concern as he brought the phone to his ear.

"This is Mr. Priest." Inuyasha lifted an eyebrow; Miroku only answered personal calls that way. Miroku's face contorted again as he listened. "I did not take my niece out to lunch. And I did not authorize anyone else to do so either." He paused, "Of course I'm sure! My partner is right here with me. I'm coming, don't let anyone leave!" Miroku snapped the phone closed, turned on the sirens, and pulled a U-turn that made Inuyasha swear like a sailor.

"And you say I drive like a maniac!" Inuyasha yelled over the screaming sirens. "What's the story?"

"The secretary said that a man with a note I signed took Kanna out to lunch an hour and a half ago. He hasn't brought her back yet."

"And they didn't call to make sure you actually gave permission? Fuck!" Inuyasha grabbed onto the door handle as Miroku made a sharp turn. Miroku did not respond, too engrossed in dodging the cars that could not get out of his way fast enough.

They pulled up to the school twenty minutes later and Miroku all but flew out of the car and into the building. Inuyasha leaned across the seat and took the keys out of the ignition before following. He found his partner at the secretary's desk, giving a petite red-haired woman a piece of his mind. Inuyasha knew better than anyone that it took a lot to get Miroku angry, but one sure shortcut was through Kanna.

"What do you mean you just let someone walk off with her!?"

"Sir, please calm down. I'm sure she is fine. We'll call the police and I'm sure everything will be ok."

"I am the police!" Miroku slammed his fist on the counter. Inuyasha came up and placed his hand on his partner's shoulder. There was an old saying, 'never work on your own'; and despite the nature of their current case, both detectives believed in it. There were just too many emotions involved when the victim was someone close.

"Ma'am, I'm detective Inuyasha West. Can you tell me what happened?" He flashed his badge for her to see.

"A man came in and gave me a note signed by Mr. Priest saying that he was to take Kanna Priest out for lunch with her father."

"Really?" Inuyasha replied. He drew himself up to his full height so that he towered over the woman. It was a classic, yet subtle intimidation technique. "And it never occurred to you to call Mr. Priest before you let him walk away with the child?"

"He insisted that it wasn't necessary and Mr. Priest was busy. The signature looked authentic." Her voice wavered slightly under his cool gaze.

"Tell me Miss …"

"Mrs. Jackson."

"Mrs. Jackson. Tell me, do you know that Kanna Priest is a special needs child?"

"No, I just started this week."

"Did you know that by allowing an unknown person to take Kanna without express permission from her legal guardian, you are aiding in Kidnapping and Child Endangerment, both felonies?" Inuyasha watched as all the color drained from her face. Miroku snorted.

"But I…"

"Do you still have the alleged note?"

"Yes, it's here." She pulled open the desk drawer in front of her and reached for the scrap of paper.

"Don't touch it." Inuyasha snapped and the woman froze. The white-haired detective pulled a pair of white cloth gloves from his pocket, he found it was always wise to keep a pair on hand, and pulled them on as he moved around the desk. He picked up the piece of paper and took a long moment to examine it. The handwriting was a very neat script with an elegant signature that did indeed read Miroku Priest. It was a forgery, a very good one, but a forgery none the less. He pulled an evidence bag from his other pocket and dropped the note into it, then carefully put it away.

"Did you see the vehicle the man was driving?"

"Yes, it was a black SUV."

"Small, large, any distinguishing features?"

"Small… it think, Explorer-ish… but looked expensive, like it had a lot of special features." She put her finger to her mouth as she thought. "It had a lot of silvery trim." Inuyasha nodded and stripped off the gloves.

"Ma'am, we're going to need you to come with us."

"Am I under arrest?!"

"Yes, ma'am, but I'd prefer not to cuff you if I don't have too. It upsets children. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him or her present during your questioning. If you can not afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you, if you wish. Do you understand each of these rights as I have explained them to you?" The woman nodded numbly. "Answer verbally, please."

"Yes." Her voice shook slightly as he took her by the elbow and led her out of the office. By this point, several school officials were looking on with great interest. And a class of first graders, standing outside the office waiting to leave on a field trip, looked on with wide eyes. Mrs. Jackson was red with embarrassment. Miroku trailed behind them in silence.

Inuyasha placed the woman in the back of the squad car and shooed Miroku to the passenger's seat so he could drive. The trip back to the precinct was strangely quiet. Miroku did not say a word the whole way back and the woman kept making a strange whimpering noise in the back of her throat. When they arrived, Miroku got out and walked into the building without a backwards glance. Inuyasha followed shortly, escorting Mrs. Jackson. A uniform met him at the door.

"Chief wants to see you."

"Another body?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ok, take Mrs. Jackson down to booking and get her printed and photographed. Then go to Elister Elementary School and have the teacher of Kanna Priest come down to the precinct ASAP for questioning. I'll deal with Mrs. Jackson personally when I get back. She's already been read her rights. And put an APB out on a fully loaded, small, black SUV with a lot of silver trim. A male driver and a small girl, about 7 years old. The girl has hair like mine, only straighter." The uniform nodded, took Mrs. Jackson by the elbow, and escorted her away. "Did you see where Miroku went?" The uniform pointed and Inuyasha went to collect his partner.

Inuyasha found Miroku trying to crawl down Shippou's throat. The younger detective was taking it all in stride, reminding Miroku to keep calm and that he would handle it.

"Miroku, go take a breather." Inuyasha instructed, pushing his partner into a nearby chair before turning to Shippou. "I've already sent someone to the school to instruct her teacher to come in after work and Mrs. Jackson is down in booking." He turned to his partner. "Another body was just pulled from the river, you think you can handle it, Miroku?" The dark-haired detective did not respond. Inuyasha frowned. "And Shippou, call Kagura before you leave. I'll catch a ride with Sango." He turned and hurried towards the morgue before the M.E. could leave.

He found her in the morgue just picking up her field bag. There were bags under her eyes and her hair was a mess. Inuyasha was willing to bet she had not slept well lately. As he walked in, she looked up at him.

"Miroku's niece is missing; can I get a ride with you?"

"Kanna's missing?"

"Yeah, but we're on top of it. She's only been gone about two hours, so he doesn't have too much of a head start."

"That's terrible!" He took the bag from her as they headed out the back door of the precinct, "Do you think it was her father?" Inuyasha shrugged and shook his head.

"Possibly, but I don't want to jump to conclusions."

"I hope she's found okay. That poor girl has been through enough as it is." Inuyasha nodded in agreement as they ducked into Sango's old Honda. She turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot, taking the first right towards the river. "How's Miroku?"

"Have you ever known him to go for over an hour without saying anything that wasn't shouted?" Inuyasha answered.

"I've never heard him shout. Period." Sango's voice twisted with concern.

"I've only seen Miroku lose his cool once. That was the day Kanna was brought to him. She was so small and thin, you could count her ribs. And all those scars. Miroku spent a lot of time with a punching bag that night. All that after seeing her mother kill herself."

"At least Miroku can give her some semblance of normalcy."

"Yeah…" They fell into silence, watching the world pass outside.

"How are you holding up?" Sango asked quietly.

"Girlfriend's a mess, haven't gotten a full night's sleep in almost a week, three…" he paused and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "Umm… no clues on the case, a goddaughter who's vanished, and a partner who's probably not going to be much help for a while. I'd say I'm fucking craptacular. How about you?"

"Tired, can't sleep."

"We'll find him, Sango."

"That won't bring Kohaku back." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I know, it won't bring Souta back either." Sango pulled the car to a stop outside an area blocked off with yellow tape. Uniforms were milling about; Hojo was waiting for them just outside the tape.

"What have we got?" Inuyasha asked.

"Same MO as the others, but this time it's a girl and she's younger." Hojo answered.

"Damn, he's changing his choice in victims." Inuyasha held up the tape for Sango, before following her towards the body. The scene was a lot like the others had been. A few witnesses were off to one side being questioned and uniforms were combing the area for evidence. The body was covered in a clean white sheet, blotted in river water and blood. Hojo trotted after them as he continued.

"Those people found the body floating by, but did not see or hear anything suspicious. They said the body was still warm to the touch and it is still bleeding."

"Probably hasn't been dead long." Sango provided.

"Anything else?"

"Nothing new." Inuyasha nodded in understanding and waved the boy off. The M.E. and detective squatted down next to the body. With a flip of his wrist, the sheet came back. Beneath was a small frail body, beaten and bloody, her white hair tainted with blood, river water, and mud. Stab wounds cut into her small chest and stomach. Blood also stained her dress near the top of her legs.

"Oh, Kanna. No…" Inuyasha dropped down to his knees next to the small girl. Sango brought her hand up to cover her mouth, stifling a sob and the bile that was rising in her throat. Carefully, she reached out a gloved hand and brushed a lock of hair from the child's face. Suddenly, she paused and placed her hand on the girl's face; then quickly moved down to her throat to press two fingers into her pulse point.

"She has a pulse! Inuyasha, she's still alive!" The detective threw off his coat and wrapped it around her small body.

"Kanna! Kanna, sweetie. It's Uncle Yasha. Open your eyes for me, sweetie! Someone call an ambulance!" The scene erupted in pandemonium. Sango did her best to field-dress the wounds, Hojo called 911, Inuyasha kept attempting to wake Kanna, and the uniforms hurried to preserve the evidence before anything could be destroyed.