TRIGGER: CH 7

Chapter 7

The day after the case, Thursday morning.

 

The day starts early today, as it always do whenever there's a case. Their team split up to cover for today's task - Rian went back to the crime scene, while Ryuga and Takeru head to the hospital for the autopsy.

They were given a short briefing before the autopsy started, seeing how neither of them have involved in one.

 

"That's just about it. Usually, there's a person appointed as the police's photographer but I'm not really sure how it works with you.." Dr Kujou's words trails of as he looks up from the papers in his hands towards the two standing in front of him.

"It's more or less the same."

"Like he said. So, I'll be handlin' the photography."

"E-h, sure you're up for the ride, buddy?" He raised one of his eyebrow, smirking in an obvious challenge.

"Better not underestimate me too much, doc." Takeru shot back, accepting with full confidence.

"Good, then." Dr Kujou seems satisfied with the reply. "The autopsy'll start shortly and for the time being, you can wait here. It's fine if you want's to go around, just don't stray too far."

"Got that."

The two of them then went of to the mortuary, lightly chatting on their way out.

"..They're kinda feel similar, Takeru and the doctor." Ryuga smiles to himself, amused by his thoughts.

 

---

 

The next day, Friday - afternoon.

 

A call came in early in the day. It was from the hospital’s forensics office – the prelim report is done and ready for taking. The team meeting had to be postponed until the report is available since it is important for the next step in their plan.

Ryuga went alone to pick it up. He was welcomed by Dr Kujou on his arrival, as always in his flowery shirt and that relaxed smile of his.

“Here’s the initial report. I’ve roughly compiled the autopsy findings in this, including the blood toxicology result. You were lucky it came in earlier today.”

He takes the document handed to him. “That’s good to hear. Won’t be able to go further without this. Thank you for your hard work, doctor.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m used to it. The full report’ll take some time, we’ll give you a call once it’s ready for picking.”

Dr Kujou pat his shoulder as a gesture of goodwill. “You’re doing a dangerous job, so be careful out there.”

“..Okay.”

The other parts way with a smile.

Something in the other changed slightly then. Not in his demeanor or even his smile, but it was in his eyes. It was very brief, almost unnoticeable. Like he was foreshadowing something. Those words echoed in his mind all the way back to the office.

 

They are already there by the time he came in. Handing the report over, the meeting begins.

 

A serial murder case with the killer still on the run. This one has been going on for quite some time. So far, the body count is 5, the latest one found just about a few days ago. The case was initially handled by the main Crime Investigation Division, but it was later proved to be impossible for them. As of now, the case is now placed under their jurisdiction (as it should have been since the start, but some people are just that egoistic).

 

"Now that it's handed over to us, it's our responsibility to stop him. I’ve gone through the report and after everyone had given it a once through we can discuss about it later.”

Takeru took the report from Rian and flips through it. “..It was really a violent one. Just going through this remind me of it.”

“We’ve seen many bad things but this one is plain horrible.”

“What’s worst is there’s almost nothing on the killer. Either we’re missing something, or he’s really that good.” He snaps the document close at that.

“Regardless, for now we’ll have to work with what we have at hand. Now, how should we track him down?” Rian turns towards the two of them with a serious expression.

"I can try going under, find out his hidey hole and stuff. We could plan from there."

"Possible, but that'll take too long. There's also the possibility he'd sense us coming somehow, and that'll be really bad. Unless..-"

"Unless..?"

"We use someone as bait."

"But wouldn't that put them in danger? Also, we have no way to make sure he'll bite it."

 

To come up with a sound strategy and plan is as grueling as carrying it out. Though honestly, these kind of things aren't really his forte. He works better on field, planning out his steps while on the run. All of this higher brain stuff is more Rian's, and Aguri's thing. Speaking of which-

 

"By the way, did you hear anything from Aguri?"

"Oh, yeah. He's just wrapping up some stuff after his mission and he'll be back by tomorrow. Should be in on Monday."

"That's good to hear. I'll brief him when he's back, we can discuss the case a bit first. See if we can come up with a potentially viable plan."

"Ok, then I'll leave that to you."

 

---

 

Saturday morning.

 

The loud booming sound of the airplane’s engine breaks through the space. Stepping out of the plane, the passengers are greeted by the cool crisp air of the early morning. Nevertheless, the airport is always busy, filled with people going in and out of the country.

Sharp eyes scanned the areas, looking for any potential danger though there's none to be found. Still he can't help it. A habit. He had long since learnt to trust people a bit more, but some things are just hard to change. He grabbed his luggage and made his way out.

A vibration in his pocket notifies him of a new message.

< I'm at the waiting area nearby the arrival hall. >

Wasting no time, he quickly searched for the one who sent the message. 'There she is.' Dressed in a pastel orange coloured blouse and dark brown skirt, sitting in one of the chairs in the waiting area, she seems like normal people. He knows better.

As if sensing him, she looks up.

"Welcome back, Aguri."

"Hello, Rian. It's quite a rarity to see you of all people."

"Hmm, I guess. But circumstances lead to this. Did you read the e-mail I sent you yesterday?"

"As expected, straight to business."

"You know I don't like beating around the bush."

"Yes, I did. It's no surprise they end up handing the case over to us, in fact they should've since the beginning. So, you'd like to discuss strategies with me?"

"Naturally. We have some ideas but it's not coming together that well."

"I see. Then let's go, we can discuss on the way to the head quarters."

"Okay!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

Friday - morning.

 

Kiriya stared hard at the paper in his hand. The laboratory result for the blood sample he sent. It came in the morning, just in time before he started on the prelim report. Nothing bad or surprising written there - everything's normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.

That did nothing to calm his suspicion.

Something's off. He just knows.

They all died, killed in the same, violent  manner. Repeated stabbing. Bruises around the wrists likely from being tied up. But not a sign of struggle. Did the victims trusted the killer to that extent?

There should at least be some..

 

Wait-

Triggered by a sudden memory, he pulled up the pictures taken during the autopsy.

There it is, the one thing separating it from the previous cases.

 

There was some signs of violence in this one.

 

But why?

 

Standing up, he heads towards the department's refrigerator. Opening it, he pulls out a vial of blood - an extra sample he made during the autopsy, just in case. Still in good condition.

Grabbing his phone, he taps in a string of numbers.

"Hey, 'sup. Just wondering if you're busy. No? Good. Can you do something for me? I'm sending over a sample, can you check it out?"