"My, my, my. Aren't you a happy looking detective." Acting captain Takeshi Yamanaka waltzed up to Aki in his ever so dissonant manner; tossing a canned coffee to her.
She caught it and sipped at it in one hand while she organized all her reports, evidence, and other documents in the other. Her files labelled 'Reaper.'
"Do I really look that happy?" She brushed her blonde bangs out of her face; her smile growing wider as she looked at her work.
"I haven't seen you this giddy since the first day you graced our fabulous department. A fresh-faced recruit, ready to take on the world... You've aged like fine milk, just like the rest of us." His sarcasm was as dry as ever.
"Ooohhh, I bet you wished you still had your fresh face too. Maybe then people might respect you and that sour face."
A sardonic smile spread across Takeshi's face.
"You've made us proud kiddo. You stuck to the case and you've caught the big fish. Caught him smashing a lady's head into the concrete. In the old days, we called that 'a slam dunk.'"
She gave a smile as walked past with her mountain work. Tonight was a good night.
A mass murdering vigilante was off the streets; caught with 20 lives on his conscience. Evidence a plenty. Even if a lawyer were to dare defend this monster; they wouldn't make it past the first few pages before a plea was needed.
The Reaper would be locked up for life. 20 lives at the minimum. The sun would scorch the entire Earth and turn it to barren rock before he is ever released for his actions.
"Hey, come here a sec." Detective Mori motioned over to Aki. He stood at the door to the observation room; ready to watch the fun unfold. Another smile from the very giddy Aki, her jaw would hurt like a bitch after tonight. But she would be glad for the pain. The most she's smiled in months.
"Aki, how you feeling, good?" Mori asked leaning back against the two-way mirror; arms crossed over one another.
"Better than I've ever felt."
"Good, the work we've put in. 'You' have put into this case deserves some results."
"It was a team effort; we've got everyone to thank..." Her modesty was showing outwardly as any team player would, although Mori could tell she was being gracious.
"Yeah, yeah. But you were the driving force for this investigation. So, take the praise you deserve it."
She wouldn't say it, but she did deserve all the praise and then some.
"Has he said anything?" Aki asked, looking in on Eren Heart. Wearing a simple white t-shirt and black pants, covered in bandages from gunshots that were already healed.
Large cuffs especially designed for rankers kept the man's hands clamped under a heavy metal shell.
His eyes were focused away from Mai and Luca who kept him company in the interrogation room.
"No. Since we patched him up, he made his one call and shut up ever since. Just that empty expression... Like somethings going on behind those eyes of his." Mori turned to look into the interrogation room.
"Do you have a gameplan?" Mori continued.
"Not really, just gonna go through the usual motions. With all this though I might make him sweat it out. Enjoy it a bit ya know." Aki tapped her evidence.
"Just remember... We've got him for more than all the squads lives combined. If you can get him to confess to the hundred other killings great. If not... Just enjoy that we got a killer off the streets. You've done good Aki, real good." Mori gave her a firm pat, entering the observation room to watch the show.
Aki took a deep breath and opened the adjacent door.
---
"Eren Heart, you are charged with 26 counts of murder, 8 counts of breaking and entering, 14 counts of destruction of private property, and interfering with the course of justice... Do you have anything to say in your defence?"
"..."
Silence from the white-haired man as Detective Akiko Bennett went through the charges. Eren just looked at the woman, no emotion for her in the slightest.
"A fashion crime too, that hair is ridiculous, you look like a bootlegged anime character." Detective Luca snickered.
A strange joke to make during the interrogation of a man who killed over 20 people in one night. However, dark humour was something that helped keep sane when dealing with heinous crimes such as what he did.
"..."
Eren still remained silent, only eyes moving to the new voice.
"Luca, can you go and bring up some coffee?" Mai ordered her younger ward.
"Really? You're kicking me out now? But it's getting good!" He protested. But couldn't disobey a senior officers order.
"Make sure to add some of my favourite stuff too… We're going to party after this." Mai added.
*Thud*
The mountain of evidence placed before Eren. This was her moment to shine.
Aki took Luca's spot.
Eren gave a light knock to the files. They all tumbled to the floor.
Annoying Mai, but Aki paid no mind. She was just getting started. Let him enjoy his last antics.
"You could burn all the evidence we have on you. You will still end up behind bars. For a vigilante you are incredibly sloppy… That lady must've really riled you up to after her without your mask."
"..."
Still no response from the man. Not even a flinch.
"Fine, let's start from the top then."
"Kaito Heart, your father. Holding a large debt from the Blood Tooth cartel; Ten million yen. From what we hear that's easy money for you; you know with all that Silvermane money you get from watching a bunch of useless delinquents all day. Yet you decided to kill them instead." Aki started to lay out all her evidence piece by piece in front of Eren.
A slight brow twitch with the insinuation about his students; gone unnoticed by the pair.
"Mr. Kim-Woo and Mr. Alekseev, two men that were sent to collect, correct? We've been watching them for a while now. Their nearly as sloppy as you are."
"..."
"Keep listening then. You could have come to the police, paid off the debt, even asked your Guildmaster or fellow guild mates for help but instead, you killed them repeatedly. Did you think that their deaths would wipe the debt?" Mai continued to scold.
He finally looked over to Mai. Still not a word escaped.
"Do you want to know what your new debt is? You've rattled the cage so much it got up to 20 million. Not including the fact, they really, really want that debt cleared now." Aki explained, using all her energy to hide her enjoyment at the circumstance Eren put himself in.
Unprofessional sure, to revel in the dangerous water's others walk in; Eren was just the exception.
"So, what's the plan then? Did you think you could kill them all off? The Blood Tooth cartel is a worldwide enterprise with thousands of your kind. You're just a stone in their shoe."
"..."
"Nothing at all? Do you not care for those that you killed? Their families?" Mai was getting worked up at the lack of voice from the alleged psycho.
They all wanted to boast about the glory of what they stood for, spouting their manifesto whenever they could. The RCU had seen it before with dangerous rankers they had caught.
So why was this one any different.
"Did you know that we had an informant within their ranks that you killed? He never hurt anyone in his life. Did he need to die because of some debt you refused to pay?" Aki added. Joining in on that growing frustration.
The man who was on his phone just before the police arrived; calling for help. He died along with the others in the backroom.
"I suppose where you're going; you will have all the time in the world to reflect on the ghosts you made." Mai's disdain for the man was growing with every moment he refused to speak.
Aki on the other hand was just enjoying the show. Though not as much as she pictured in her mind.
---
"A deal? Would that get ya to speak?"
An hour of one-way communication. It started to grate those smug expressions away.
"I seem to remember that we offered your student a deal. Although, you won't get let off. You might be able to take a memento of the outside world... Your sister?" Aki started walking into those dangerous waters to get his attention.
It worked…
Those words stirred the calm ripples. Eyes fixed to Aki with deadly aim for the first time tonight. She smirked knowing that she had finally cracked through the inviolable shell.
"I bet they threatened your sister. Did they threaten her? Would you like to see proof off what happens to those who cross the cartel?" Mai mocked, changing tactics to align with her counterpart, to something far harsher.
"We could protect your sister... Take her into protective custody, or perhaps witness protection. If you maybe... tell us about your other slaughters? Where you store the bodies? We have a running tally with what you do the bodies. Short odds are you eat them you twisted fuck."
"I'm not the Reaper. And I wouldn't trust you with a house plant." Finally, Eren spoke, although it was just a short statement.
"Oh, the monster finally speaks... You literally murdered a woman in front of us; killed countless people who lay immobilised. Your killings fit his MO to a T. A man who can't control his anger, taking justice into his own hands... I don't think you would know justice even if it hit you in your face..." Mai continued.
"..."
"What about if we dangle your sister in front of the blood tooths? Catch us a bigger fish in the cartel?"
"Aki..." Mai's tone softened to a whisper for her colleague. The detective perhaps wading deeper into those waters.
There were things the police can use to make a perp talk, but some things were still off limits.
Although Aki didn't listen; she leaned in close.
"You will spend years in jail, waiting, hoping, that one day you hear about your sister; that she is alive and well. We could keep you up to date, tell you everything that happens."
"..." His eyes narrowed like a hawk at Aki, ready to rip her off the ground and tear her apart.
"Do we dangle her little feet over the edge; catch a big one with her... Is she pulled off the line and into the vast ocean never to be seen again?"
This was no longer an interrogation; it was personal now. For all the pain he caused; it was about time he got some back.
"Aki stop..." Mai warned softly.
"Even if your guild hid your sister; the cartel will find her… they would torture her for weeks, we would find her one body part at a time."
"Aki, stop!"
Eren's hands clenched hard on the restraints, tearing apart the single chain that held those cuffs to the table. Wrapping it around the back of Aki's neck and slamming her head hard into the table.
"DON'T DO IT!!! LET HER GO!!!"
Straight to her feet; Mai held her pistol at the temple to Eren's head. Rubber bullets still, but anything to that soft centre. Lights out forever.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
Both detectives were drawn to the one way-mirror. A sign to come out and speak. Perhaps long overdue.
A crimson smirk as Aki lifted her from the dent from the table.
"No wonder the blood tooth cartel found you easy prey… That temper will get you and your sister killed…"
"Go to hell…"
Aki left with a firm tug from Mai, an accomplished smirk on her face, having gotten what she needed out of Eren for tonight. A few well-earned jabs.
And a monster to stew in his own vile rage.
---
"Master... Are you alright?" Megi spoke this time from the shadows. Unheard to the detectives.
'Yeah...' He thought to himself. Trying not to speak aloud to anyone else in the room.
"The guild as sent their representative. It will only be a little longer; do not let that woman's words get to you." Taking over the role from Saku, who was strangely keeping quiet.
Probably growing mushrooms in whatever dark abyss, the shadows dwelled in after receiving harsh words from his master.
Watching Akiko and Mai leave. With it his bloodlust to rip out the throat of the blonde detective.
Not many were allowed to get away with threatening his sister; let alone someone who is supposed to be on the right side of the law.
The only thing that kept him going; Jiro was going to arrive with the big guns. He would be home just in time cook Emi breakfast.
For the longest time, nothing happend. Eren really was left to stew on what he did.
But as with all things, unfair or not. The world corrects its course; for the benefit and detriment of all.
Akiko returned with nearly the entire RCU department: Detectives Mai, Mori, Takeshi and even a chief of police, Chief Inaba.
Alongside Mr. Jiro, the apparent head of legal affairs for the Silvermane. As well a smaller man, Eren had never seen him before. Suit and tie, thin rimmed glasses as wide and tall as green bean, as young as one too.
'A regulator?'
The green bean was the speak of this mass of people crowded into such a small space.
"Detective Bennett, I am to ask you to release Mr. Heart and return all his belongings effective immediately." The tone of voice did not match the boy in the slightest.
A commander's voice from the body of a boy who held a position no higher than private.
"He killed 26 people right in front of our eyes, and the prime minister is just going to let him walk?"
"He was acting on behalf of the guild, detective. And as I said, he was clearly defending himself and his family. Something you are unjustly crucifying him for."
This was the most words Eren had heard Jiro speak… ever. A voice that matched the younger mans, but clearly fit him better.
Silence. No detective was willing to do the deed. To throw away their hard work with a turn of a key.
Even Aki… slowly slid her hand down to her holster.
Jiro too, took notice; as he slid his own hand behind his black blazer.
"Aki, please. We'll get him again, I'm sure. Don't go down there with him." Mori put a hand to that holster she was reaching for.
"Gods dam it!!! This is why nothing gets done around here anymore! It's stains like you that think you have to take justice into your own hands. These guilds play by their own rules and innocent people pay the price."
With much disdain in her face, she unlocked Eren's cuffs. No longer that bloody smug look of victory on her face. She left the room with her colleagues in tow.
"Jiro..." He spoke to the man who came to help. But the younger intercede first.
"Mr. Heart. You should thank whatever guardian angel you have; the prime minister of Japan is not in the habit of releasing obvious monsters into the public. I hope you do not waste this opportunity that you have been gifted."
Disdain seemed to be the flavour of the night, Eren holding the most more those around and himself… Not many were good enough to exceed his understanding of what this world is.
"Let's go Eren… Baelor would like to speak with you. Immediately." The enigmatic Jiro nearly pulling him out of the integration room by the scruff oh neck.
---
"Please return Mr. Heart's belongings." Jiro ordered a young officer. His tone made it clear he wouldn't take no or any if buts or maybes… Dare he even delay giving all his belongings back.
The officer looked to Mori and Aki for confirmation; they gave the nod.
*Thud*
In front of Eren was a small box that contained all his possessions. Dirtied clothes, slightly chipped phone, and the god-eaters ring.
Eren reached for the ring first, it seemed to call out to him. Like it missed its host more than the compère wished.
All this time he could have still used the rings powers. Either the ring was imbued to him or he to it. The physical object was just that, an object.
"We know what you are. Sooner or later, you'll be back here again." Aki warned.
"That's enough detective." Jiro warned like any good lawyer would. "You sound as though you have the evidence to tie him to these crimes…"
"C'mon Aki... It's just some guild bull." Mori tried to console his junior partner.
"Guild bull? You call this guild bull? Letting out a monster cause of some strings that blonde bastard has on the prime minister?!"
*Slam*
She punched the table hard; making it quite clear to the entire precent that she was very, very pissed off. Her face was turning a deep shade of red.
"The Silvermane can't protect you forever. One day you'll run out of whatever bullshit luck that is keeping you on the streets."
"Let's go Eren. Before the good detective says anything, she may regret." Jiro led Eren into the cold winter's night.
"Once again, thank you, Mr. Aizawa. Would you care for a ride anywhere?" The member of the Prime minister's party waited for his ride to show up. Keeping his shoulders in close to himself.
"Of course, Prime minister Ito is always willing to assist Guildmaster Baelor. Just don't make it a habit; especially with this one." Not even turning to face the pair; standing well away from them. Most likely trying to at least pretend this was all just a coincidental meeting. Plausible deniability and all.
"To your other question, no. They will be along soon. We will head straight to ward 12 to start work." The suited man nodded to Jiro. Before stepping further away from them.
The Silvermane car was already there with the engine running. Eren and Jiro about to embark until a voice cut through the cold.
"Hold up."
Acting-Captain Takashi strutted over, rugged up in a long trench coat to at least try and protect those old bones against the harsh Japanese winter.
"Listen. I know we've just grilled you for the better part of three hours... Berated you, threatened you and yours, even roughed you up a bit… But we do need your help."
"Excuse me, captain. We need to be off." Jiro just wanted to get home, into his warm bed.
"What do you want." Despite all the hostile feelings towards the police and how they handled this case; Eren was open to listening.
After all Takashi said the magic words 'help.'
A monster who is willing to help… Try and make sense of that, Detective Benett.
"We've got information about the Blood Tooth Cartel's major players in Japan. Your little fight did cut the tether we had into their empire. But… as they say, the enemy of my enemy… will still hate our guts, they just hate the other more." He peered his big beak into the black car.
"Why come to me?"
"A man of your particular proclivities, could do wonders for this case... The Reaper-"
"Allegedly, the Reaper."
"Ah, right of course... A man who always seems to find trouble like yourself could prove useful in a shared problem... In my eyes, a win-win. We get our guys; you get some justice against those that threaten you and yours. I'll even throw in a little extra; we'll keep you and your sister out of the reports for a time."
Eren didn't answer right away. He had to think this one through. Lest he end up here once more.
"Here." Passing a card with his details on it. "Think it over and give me a call."
Takeshi smiled and turned back to the police station. Ready for a well-earned nap under his desk.
*Vroooom*
The car drove off into the night, The orange glow of the street lights reflecting against the black van.
"Speak to Baelor first, then decide on the future." Jiro learnt over from the driver's side seat.
"..."
Eren silent once more. Tired and hurt. Not just physically; but mentally too. The whole ordeal with the police, the cartel, his sister and even the guild.
It was time to rest. For now, at least.