LxReader - Part 3 - Justice!

As the days wore on, you grew more and more tired of this "Ryuzaki". The so-called important discovery he made was that of a missing volume of a manga called Akazukin Chacha. Apparently, you had to see the number of pages missing since that volume was taken out. Then use the numbers on the corpse to count to the different page numbers in the book it was replaced with on the shelf. It didn't end there. With each victim's house, there were more torturous puzzles like that to solve. To be honest, Ryuzaki did most of the work. Really, all of it. You would always have these theories at each house, but Ryuzaki expanded on those, adding in concepts that you didn't even think of. He was being the true detective here. You were just a girl that was being dragged along.

It was Christmas Eve and the rest of the world was celebrating while you were working on the most dangerous thing to happen to you in your life. Still, something in your gut told you that something was off even more so about this whole case. Ryuzaki was still rather suspicious to you, but now even L seemed like he was hiding something ... other than his identity. You and Ryuzaki have concluded that victims were being targeted because of their initials. Every two victims seemed to have the initials "BB", alternating with the initials "QQ" because of being mirror reflections of each other, when in lower case at least. However, with this last victim, it may be "BB" again ... so, you both disregarded that theory. For the lack of "QQ" initials and the presence of a 13th floor in a condominium, it seemed that the reason this killer was obsessed with the letter "B" also indicates a liking to the number 13, seeing as they are so close to one another in shape.

You and Ryuzaki have pegged the location for the next murder to happen, but still needed to know where the victim was. There were two rooms that had residents with "BB" initials. There was Blackberry Brown in room 1313, or there was Blues-harp Babysplit in room 404. Ryuzaki pointed out that 4 is, in fact, 1+3, so it was another possibility. He stationed himself at one while you guarded the other, armed with a gun that L prearranged for you to have. L. Giving you a gun. Something wasn't right, and you knew it.

Later, while on the job, L called to check up on you, reassuring your safety since you were uneasy about going in without even bugs or security cameras in there so he would know what was going on. How did he comfort you? By saying that he sent in a thief and a con man as stealthy reinforcements. As if that was supposed to make you feel any better. Still, there was a burning question you had to ask. "L ... do you know the killer?"

"Yes. He is B."

"He's ... someone you know personally." A couple days ago, he said, Whatever you do, please catch the killer. The way he practically begged you, there was no doubt in your mind that there was history between them.

"Yes. (Your name), please keep that in the strictest confidence. The back-up I stationed inside have not been told what case they are working on. They are better off not knowing. Since I asked you to do this for me, I don't mind telling you. But, generally speaking, it was also something you were better off not knowing."

You were the worst at keeping secrets, but at least you knew you would honorably keep this one. "I know. Either way, B has to be stopped. He killed three people with no reason but to show off to the police. But ... I must ask ... you know the killer ... yet you have nothing to do with him?"

There was a moment of silence before he responded. "I have nothing to do with him. To be completely accurate, I don't even know B. He is simply someone I am aware of. But none of this affects my judgment. Certainly, I was interested in this case, and began to investigate it because I knew who the killer was. But that did not alter the way I investigated it, or the manner in which my investigation proceeded. (Your name), I cannot overlook evil. I cannot forgive it. It does not matter if I know the person who commits evil or not. I am only interested in justice."

You gained a whole new level of respect for L in that moment, whoever he may be. Once the call ended, you proceeded with your duty to capture B, stationed directly inside of room 1313.

~*~*~

Your feet were falling asleep. You were feeling tired. And no one was coming through the door to murder anyone. In your free time sitting there, you contemplated how the doors remained locked after each killing. It was a simply trick with string and the locking mechanism, wrapping around the nail used to hang the Wara Ningyo dolls. Of course, as each killing decreased by one, there would only be one doll in the room you were standing in. If the killer ever came.

As much as you hated the idea of leaving your post, you decided to check in with Ryuzaki in room 404. There was no one to kill in the room you were posted at anyways. You ran down several flights of stairs in an attempt to lower the amount of time to killer could walk in while the room was unguarded.

You arrived at room 404. It was locked.

Your hands shaking slightly, you use a pin from you jacket to jimmy the lock. You have never succeeded in doing so before, but hoped that luck was on your side. It was. It opened. Ryuzaki was, in fact, laying down gasoline, pouring on himself! He was trying to set himself on fire! He was the next victim! It was suicide!

You put it together within a second in your head. The victim's initals usually had something to do with "BB". The killer's name was B. He was making himself the last victim to cover his tracks. Ryuzaki was B!

Shocked by your sudden entry, and sure as he was that you've pieced everything together, B jumped on top of you, strangling you with his arm as he wrestled you into the gasoline. Try as might to escape him, you remained completely coated. You spotted him reaching for the matches, about to set you on fire, so you dominated him with sudden strength. Of course, in all that wrestling, you lost your gun. Because you forgot to arm it on the way in.

Instead, you did the next best thing. You bashed his head against a dresser and knocked him out cold. After making sure you did nothing more than cause a minor concussion, you called L and told him of your success. The strange detective, Ryuzaki, was indeed B. L, still using his synthetic voice, praised you. "Excellent work, (Your name). I appreciate your cooperation on this case. I realize this was never a way you wished to spend your holiday break. For that, I apologize. However, you have exhibited remarkable skill as a field agent, though that is certainly not what you are currently studying to be. I'll be sure to make a note of that. In any case, you have proven your skill and earned my trust."

L trusted you.

You couldn't believe it. This was a man who represented justice, who was greater than all forms of authority combined. And he praised you. You were rendered speechless, though you wanted so very much to thank him and tell him how unworthy you were ... especially considering the only way you solved this case was by abandoning your post in the first place. But he took no mind to it. "I shall look forward to any instance of us ever working together again."

And he hung up.