We Sleep Forever

Suggested Listening: 'Something In Your Mouth' by Nickelback; The Book Not The Feeling by A Kiss Could Be Deadly (I love this band)

Chapter 7: Deception

~Mello~

I slammed my fist on the bike as I seated myself. How the hell could I have lost control like that in front of them? I was sent running to the bathroom just from the sight of food, I hadn’t even eaten any of it. I sighed heavily and rubbed at my face.

The only upside to this would be that I would end up saving money on food for the next week or so. Other than chocolate that is. I was still able to stomach that for the moment. At my worst moment I hadn’t even been able to eat that, and I had a hard time getting used to eating normally afterwards.

I hoped that this time wouldn't get that bad, but nothing with this case was going well.

I didn’t really pay attention to where I was driving and ended up passing my apartment and having to backtrack. Swearing, I made my way to my place and closed the door with a slam. The moment I set my keys on the counter my phone rang.

“What the fuck do you want?!” I snarled to Jasper.

“I'll forgive you this time since you seem to have PMS the past few days. We, or rather you, have a major problem.” although normally I probably would have screamed at him for that comment I let it go in favor of his last statement.

“And what might that be?” I asked tersely. “Someone got a hold of your file.” my mouth went dry.

“My file? As in my mafia file?” I whispered. Jasper hesitated, and that was not a good sign.

“I'm still trying to figure out exactly what they wanted it for, since it doesn’t seem like they were the ones who actually wanted it...” I swallowed thickly. I would have to tell L about this, as much as I hated it. He was the one who made the file, and now it became my problem. I shut my eyes tightly as a thought struck me.

“Jasper, do you know when the person started looking for the file?” he was silent for a moment and I heard a few clicking sounds.

“About three days ago.” I bit my lip in anger. Three days ago was when I first spoke to J. It was too much of a coincidence.

“Fucking hell.” J now knew about my past, or at least the parts that involved the mafia. I would have, at this moment, preferred him to have found out about Whammys.

It was bad enough that L, never mind the countless surviving mafia members, knew about what went on in the earlier days but now someone else I was working with knew as well. It was humiliating.

“So what do you plan on doing about this.” I sighed.

“Forget it for the moment; I have a feeling that it was J. However I have something else I have for you to do now that I think of it.” if this information had proved to be true, then the one about someone asking about me and Whammys was also probably true.

“I need you to see who has been asking about me, anyone and everyone since the start of this case.”

“Did something happen?” Jasper immediately replied. I smiled softly; he worried too much for someone who was just supposed to be a mere contact.

“Not yet, but it could if you don't get your ass on this pronto.” he grunted something and hung up on me. I stared incredulously at the phone for several moments before closing it.

“When this is over that bastard is going to get an earful for that.” shaking my head, and strangely feeling calmer, I headed over to my laptop. If J could investigate me, then I could investigate him as well. But I wouldn't use Jasper for this, no.

Someone owed me a favor and it was time to cash it in.

After sending my request to him, I began to write my e-mail to L. Just because I never accepted help from him didn't mean I couldn't contact him. With my slightly rude letter to L complete, and sent, I leaned back into the couch with a yawn. It wasn't even that late into the afternoon and I was already tired.

“Dealing with all of this shit at once is making me exhausted...” I murmured as I shut my eyes. Just for a moment, I told myself.

The beeping from my laptop woke me some hours later when the sky was dark and my apartment filled with shadows. Groaning I sat up and clicked the mouse. The screen lit up with a blinking 'you've got mail' sign. Rolling my eyes I opened it.

“All this for an e-mail...”

Upon seeing who it was from my expression darkened.

'Dear Mello,

I never expected for you to ask me for help, regardless if I owed you something or not, so it must be something important to you despite what your email has stated.

I growled lowly at the screen and glared as though he could actually see it. “Condescending little bastard!” I swore.

I have begun working on your request and should have something for you in a few days.

-N-'

Quickly deleting the email, as though it were an infectious virus, I grabbed a cushion off the couch and hurled it across the room.

“Damn him!” when dealing with him he never ceased to irritate me and bring out my anger. As though sensing my rising anger another email popped up. It was from L. This one left a decidingly bitter taste in my mouth.

“Sorry for creating a problem for you my ass.” I shook my head at the email.

“There wouldn't have been a problem if you hadn't decided to document all of my fuckups!” I spat while slamming the laptop shut. If it weren’t for the fact that I needed to be sober tomorrow, and for the rest of the night in case something came up, I would have probably just drowned my anger in liquor like I had been taught to in the mafia. Because when you are angry and drunk you make a better fuck. Or so I’ve been told.

And as they say, old habits die hard.

With an irritated groan I left the comfort of the couch and began to pace the room, I was wound up and didn’t have an outlet for it. My mind immediately supplied me with a solution.

My stomach clenched painfully and I ran to the bathroom and threw up what little else had been in my system. The feeling of hands groping and touching me, fingers roughly sliding across my skin, made me gag painfully though nothing else came up.

Shaking pathetically I sat on the cold tile floor, white faced and clammy skinned. I clutched desperately at the rosary that hung from my neck. I couldn't believe I had even thought of doing that again. And for reasons other than information. I wouldn’t have even gotten anything out of it...

I was truly starting to lose it. This case was going to destroy what was left of my sanity.

I curled my legs up to my chest and sat with my head hidden in my arms. I stayed there for the rest of the night with not even chocolate to keep me company, only my guilt and memories that would never fade, not even if I had forever.

I woke sometime before dawn to the sound of music.

'Dirty little lady with the pretty pink thong, Every sugar daddy hittin on her all night long' I grimaced at the familiar tone. It was mocking me after my thoughts from last night.

“I really should change that damn ringtone of his... ” I had only put 'Something in Your Mouth' as the ringtone because of the irony. I managed not to hear the next phrase as I stood on shaky legs and stumbled from the bathroom towards my cell phone.

'you naughty thing-' I flipped open the phone.

“Yes?” I managed to sound normal though I’m not sure how.

“Ah, Mike. I wasn't sure if you would be up at the moment, but I’m glad that you are.” I rolled my eyes. Of course he was.

“I wanted to congratulate you on a job well done, my clients tell me that your skills haven't rusted in the least.” I forced myself to think of anything but the bile rising in my throat.

“Good to hear.” I managed to choke out. If Takahashi noted the difference in my voice he made no mention of it.

“This ends our transaction; however anytime you need information you know you can call me. The price will always be the same.” he said in a way where I could tell he was smirking.

“Thank you, I'll keep that in mind.” I told him. “If you'll excuse me I have to get back to work.”

He laughed.

“Entertaining are you?” I closed my eyes and my hands shook.

“Something like that.” I ground out.

“Alright, have a good day Mike. Goodbye.” I ended the call and took a deep breath and managed to set the phone on the counter before sinking my fist into the wall.

“Arg!” I hung my head and let my hair fall into my eyes and dangle before me; teeth bared in anger. Was I ever going to get away from this?

I smashed my fist into the wall a few more times, my hand going through once, before the anger had melted away and the sick feeling had quietened down. I pulled my fist away from the wall and surveyed the damage.

The wall had a new hole and the edges were tinged red. Glancing down I noted how my knuckles were dripping blood onto the carpet but decided that I really didn’t care all that much. I needed coffee, because eating anything at the moment was just a bad idea.

Quickly taking a shower, changing, and grabbing my phone and keys I left the apartment but decided to walk to the coffee shop rather than drive.

I wasn’t in the right state of mind to multitask at the moment. Thankfully the woman from the other day wasn't there and I received my order without any poor seduction attempts.

Leaving the sweet smelling shop I carefully sipped at the chocolate flavored coffee. The air was cool, yet not unbearably so.

The sky was clouded over with gray and the sun was absent; hidden behind the smog. Putting the brew under my nose I breathed in deeply and let the aroma calm my nerves. Walking down a few more streets I stopped abruptly, just short of the opening to an alley, and leaned my back against cold discolored brick; one leg was propped up on the wall while the other kept my balance.

With my hood pulled down around my face and my posture being what it was, everyone sidestepped me by a few feet and I was left to zone out for a little while.

By the time the coffee was finished my hands were numb, due to the fact I had forgotten to replace my gloves before I left, and the knuckles on my left hand stung furiously. Blood had cooled and dried to the raw skin and cracked with every movement my fingers made.

'You'll never get to heaven if you're scared of getting high' my pocket vibrated and the lyrics to a song Jasper had set for texting went off. Rolling my eyes skyward I pulled out the phone and flipped through my messages until I go to the most recent text.

-Mello, there has been another murder. Friend saw body before police, there something u want to tell me? - Jasper

“Another one already?” I whispered, my calm already fading into the background. “And why the hell didn't he just call me?!” I snarled and ignored the weary looks I received.

-Why didn’t you call, Body where, and what do you mean?-

There was no need to add names like Jasper did, it was unnecessary and cost more than I was willing to pay for a few extra letters.

-Didn’t want u to hang up. 115 Marshal Ave, about 20 minutes west of your apartment. And I think you know what I mean 'detective'- jasper-

My eyes widened, detective? The killer had left something again, something for me. “Shit!” I cursed loudly. Well this certainly created more problems for me, especially if J found out.

-Are police there yet?- I sent it out and his response came almost immediately.

-Yes.-

-Have they seen 'that' yet?- I typed quickly and sent the text. Whatever the killer left wouldn't be good, and would probably raise questions about me with the police.

-Not yet.- I breathed a small sigh of relief.

-Then get it out of there!-

I could practically see Jasper's expression to that, somewhere between 'are you fucking kidding me?' and 'the pay better be worth it'. No sooner had I closed my phone it rang.

“Yes?” I answered tiredly, the coffee high not kicking in quite yet.

“There has been another murder. The body was just found.” the cold detached voice of J stated through the speaker.

“I already know.” there was a small pause before the voice spoke curiously.

“And yet you didn't feel the need to inform me?” I snorted.

“I haven't known for more than a few minutes at best, and as if you could possibly be left out of the loop.” there was a small laugh but it came out creepy with the distorter.

“The two from yesterday are on their way to the crime scene; get there as soon as you can.”

I snorted. “It wont take me long, it's only twenty minutes from my apartment and I am already out.” as I spoke those words it dawned on me. The victims were getting closer and closer to where I lived. The last one had been around forty minutes, give or take a few, this new one just twenty.

I doubted it was coincidence if what Jasper told me was true and he had left something else for me. If this was still about L, then this person knew far more about Whammys than I had given him credit for.

He knew about L's successors.

If he had been able to somehow hack into Whammys files, or at least obtain them somehow, it wouldn't be hard to figure out who would be easiest to get to first. Near was working with L, and not even I knew where they were at the moment, and Matt had practically disappeared off the face of the planet.

That left me, who was a private detective, out in the open and an easy target. Apparently Dom had been right when he said I should move.

“That’s interesting...” I narrowed my eyes. If I had figured that out, then J would have also. Though I doubt even he could guess the significance of it without the, now two, missing pieces of evidence to point to me.

Or at least it had better be two, J could never lay eyes on whatever the killer had left for me this time, or the video I had on my computer.

“What's interesting?” I made my tone curious.

“Oh, nothing. I suppose Emerson and Miranda will see you soon.” and with that the connection was cut and the call ended with beeping.

“Damn it!” I cursed myself for my own stupidity.

“This is why you were only second!” but the moment I said that I stopped and had to laugh.

“Actually, I’m third...” with a sad smile I thought of my red haired friend.

“When this case is over, I swear I’ll find you Matt and make everything up to you if I can!” my fists clenched painfully but I ignored it.

Dumping the empty coffee container into the trash I walked to the curb and hailed a taxi. I didn't have time to go back and get my bike now.

“Take me to 115 Marshal Ave.” I told the driver as I closed the door beside me. I didn’t bother with things like 'and step on it' since all it usually did was piss the driver off. The ride was blissfully silent, devoid of all phone calls and dangerous thoughts.

The drive took just over twenty minutes; there had been a traffic accident that had slowed us down by a few minutes. I paid the driver and exited in front of a set of grand looking apartments, amusing that they were so close to the crappier parts of town.

I swore as my phone vibrated and let me know I had another text.

-Got 'that' out safely, police never saw. You owe me.- Jasper-

I sneered at the message but supposed he was right. I wouldn't have even known about it if it hadn’t been for his friend. I quickly sent a text telling him to 'fuck off' and that he would get his money after the case.

Turning the phone off I was able to get through the tape just by telling them 'Detective Michael Keen' was there. Apparently Miranda and Emerson were already there.

“Thank god for informants....” I muttered as I took the elevator up to the sixth floor, nice choice for the sixth victim. Stepping out of the elevator I became dizzy and had to hold onto the wall for support.

It was the effect of having coffee in my system without having any food in it for the past few days. Jasper was correct in the fact that chocolate does not really count as food.

Shaking my head and pushing myself away from the wall I forced my body to obey me.

As I opened the door the police were still taking pictures and the flashes of cameras momentarily distracted me. Blinking my eyes I focused in on the red carpet only to realize moments later that the carpet had originally been a pale blue, as the part I was standing on now was that same color.

The red, was blood.

AN: Kinda a cliffy, oh well..... I just needed to end Mello's pov here if I wanted to end this the way I planned. Yes, you heard it, end. There should be about another three chapters, give or take one. Heheh.