Title: Written in Blood
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 2+5, 3+4
Rating: action/mystery
Warnings: Slight Duo torture
Spoilers: None.
Notes: Takes place after the Eve Wars of Endless Waltz. Everyone works for the Preventers.
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.
"How did you know?" WuFei asked, surprise showing on his Asian features.
Duo wordlessly turned the monitor to face him. WuFei's eyes widened, and then narrowed. The Chinese boy clenched his jaw in determination. "Come on. We're heading to the morgue."
The braided boy nodded and rose from his seat. Heero watched him, eyes dark. Duo reached for his jacket but the Japanese boy beat him to it. Duo allowed Heero to slip the jacket on him.
"Will you be here when I get back?"
Heero nodded. "I'm going to plug into the system and see if I can trace down the hacker. It will probably take all night."
"No."
Heero turned to face WuFei, his expression guarded. "What?"
"William H. Comfrey was a supporter of Relena Peacecraft. He lived on L3 but came to Earth per Relena's request. He was only here for the week to give a speech about Colony peace acts then he was to meet the Vice Minister at Sank. Relena may very well be the next target."
Heero glanced at Duo, his face clouded with indecision. Duo sighed and gripped the Japanese boy's arm.
"You better go. You're needed elsewhere. I know enough computer claptrap to get a good lead on the hacker. I'll send the results to your laptop in Sank."
Heero nodded and watched as the two left the office. One hand was shoved into his pocket, holding Duo's empty pill bottle in a white-knuckled grip.
Duo glanced over at WuFei worriedly. The Chinese boy hadn't said a word since they left. He contemplated turning on the radio, but decided against it. Sighing, he concentrated on the road as it zipped by beneath Shinigami's tires.
Duo was driving this time, more because WuFei hadn't complained then the actual wanting to. The American wrinkled his nose as he caught a strange smell wafting through the Jeep. He was going to have to take it to be cleaned. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke up.
"Umm...Wu? Is something wrong? You seem angry."
The Chinese pilot stared at him for a moment, coal eyes dark and smoldering.
"I don't like...I don't like the thought that someone could hack into the Preventers' mainframe so easily."
Duo didn't think this was the real reason, but he was content to let it drop. "Why are we going to the morgue?"
"Dr. Horner should have found a cause of death for Ambassador Seishu by now."
Duo glanced at him, keeping one eye on the road. "You think Charlie's got something?"
"I know he has."
They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Duo hopped out of the Jeep; eager to hear what news Charles had to offer. Ignoring WuFei, he rushed over to knock on the door. They waited in silence.
And waited...
"Maybe he stepped out." WuFei suggested as Duo continued to pound on the door.
"When was Comfrey's body supposed to be delivered?" The American asked in frustration.
"Right after I left the scene at about...two-thirty."
"It's only a little before four now. He has to be here." Duo gave up being polite and opened the door. He stood hesitantly in the dark corridor.
"Charles? Hey Charlie, you there?"
No answer.
"Maybe he's downstairs..." WuFei trailed off, gripping his gun nervously. Duo also drew his gun and together they made their way down the dark stairwell. They entered the workroom cautiously.
"Charles?"
As Duo made his way into the room, he noticed the place looked ransacked. Trays littered the floor, their contents scattered everywhere. Gurneys were overturned, rolling the bodies out onto the floor. And lying amongst those bodies...
"Oh, God! Charlie..."
Duo sidestepped the cooling puddle of blood to kneel down beside the doctor. Charles starred sightlessly up at the ceiling, blue eyes wide with horror. One fist was flung away from him; the other hand gripped the pair of forceps imbedded into his chest. Duo gently closed the old man's eyes and just knelt there, head bowed.
"I'll call the authorities." WuFei stated quietly.
Duo nodded and looked sorrowfully down at the body. His eyes caught a flash of white in the doctor's hand and reached over to gently pry it open. Nestled in the old man's gnarled hand was Duo's card, crumpled and bloody. Picking it up, Duo silently put it in his pocket. He glanced over to see WuFei staring at him.
"I've got a couple of things to take care of. You stay here until the cops arrive."
WuFei opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he caught the familiar glint in Duo's eyes. Shinigami was out on the hunt. He nodded.
"Fine. Meet me at the office later."
"Yeah..." Duo took one last look around the room, his face hardening. He left without another word.
End Part Eight
(:./astrokender/written8)
