Chapter XVI: The Secret Meeting
Chapter XVI: The Secret Meeting
As soon as Note Blue’s door opened, I began walking forward, never slowing or stopping until I was firmly inside. Rem remained an intimidating force, but showed little actual physical resistance, shying away from any personal touch.
“I apologize for intruding, Rem,” I said as I pushed my way in. “I have a few more questions to ask Ms. Amane, if that’s all right with you. I’ll only be a moment.”
“Misa has nothing to say to you,” Rem said as we pressed our way toward the dressing room.
“I’d prefer to hear that from Ms. Amane herself.”
“She is very busy right now.”
“I’ll only take a moment.”
Rem stopped backing up and crossed his arms, glaring down at us. “She isn’t here.” His single eye flicked toward the dressing room door, only a few feet away.
Light leaned in close to me. “Hold him for a moment; I’ll slip around the right,” he whispered quickly, then backed out of whispering distance before I could argue.
I focused on Rem. “Which is it: unwilling, busy, or gone?” Rem was momentarily perplexed, which was all that was needed. Light dashed around Rem’s side and in moments the door was closed behind him.
Rem moved to run after Light; I wrapped an arm around his surprisingly slim waist. He froze under my touch. I raised an eyebrow.
“That’s two things you keep hidden, Rem,” I said quietly. “Any other secrets you’re willing to share?”
If Rem had wanted to say anything, it was cut off by a loud crash, followed by a shout from Light and a scream from Misa.
Rem and I rushed into the room. Shards of glass covered the floor-broken curios knocked off of Misa’s dressing table. The back door was open, Light was nowhere to be seen, and Misa was in tears.
I stalked over to where Misa sat, ignoring the glass breaking beneath my feet. “Who was here?” I demanded.
Light reappeared a moment later, out of breath. “I lost him. I’m sorry, L.” He slammed the door behind him. Misa and Rem flinched, and for a moment gave him their full attention; I slipped something into my pocket.
“Where is Kira?” I asked. She hid her face in her hands.
“Misa doesn’t know. How should Misa know?” she said between gasps. “Don’t be so frightening, L. Misa has done nothing wrong.”
“Then you’ll have no problem telling me who was just here,” I said, planting my hands on the desk and leaning forward.
“No one. Just a friend. No one,” Misa said quickly. “Oh, be kind, L. You always liked Misa.”
“Your lipstick is smudged,” I remarked coldly. Misa blushed and checked her reflection-and utterly flawless makeup. Not even a smudge of mascara marred her perfect cheeks. She pouted at me.
“Be kind, L. You’ve chased him away. He won’t be back now.” She burst into a fresh round of tears. Light rolled his eyes. “Oh, please don’t tell Matsui about this,” she begged. “It was just a boy. Just a boy. Misa was scared about her engagement. Don’t tell Matsui. He wouldn’t understand.”
Misa cried some more, glancing up through her lashes to make certain I was still watching. “Be kind,” she said weakly.
“And Kira?” I asked.
“Misa doesn’t know. It was just a boy,” she whispered.
I raised my hand; Misa flinched. I laid it softly on her hair, brushing it away from her face. “I believe you, Misa. I won’t tell anyone.”
Light looked at me incredulously; Rem remained impassive; the light in Misa’s teary, brown eyes made me regret that any of her films were recorded in black and white. “Thank you, L. Thank you.” She lowered her lashes. “If you ever want...anything....”
I swiftly withdrew my hand. “I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not in the habit of telling secrets.” My eyes flicked to Rem. “Not without reason, anyway.” I tipped my hat to the two of them. “I apologize for intruding. Please, continue with your infidelity.” I motioned to my companion. “Light?”
Light almost protested, but managed to bite down on it until we were outside the club. “What was that? I didn’t know you gave up so easily, L.” Light was trying to sound cold, but the shaking of his voice betrayed him.
“I got more than I came for,” I said.
“What, some fake confession and a promise of a favor?” Light scoffed. “We don’t even have proof that she was meeting with Kira!”
“Two favors, and we do,” I corrected mildly.
Light was momentarily speechless. “If she...then why are we out here?”
“Because I have something better than Ms. Amane’s fabrications. If I’m right, I’ll no longer need to search for Kira.”
I pulled a thin, well-worn notebook out of my inner pocket. There was little remarkable about the book, (other than, perhaps, an odd choice of punctuation on the title) but the sight of it made Light’s jaw drop.
“Is that?”
It was. “I believe that now Kira will be trying to find me.”
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