Chapter Text
I walked though the busy streets of the red light district, shivering. I knew this would be different from last time. Now, I had experienced what Johan was capable of. He had taken away someone who became dear to me in a short time, and who did not deserve to die. Actually, I didn’t even know what I expected from going here another time. I just wanted to do something , because I couldn’t just keep sitting around.
I felt myself getting dizzy. Not now , I thought. Out of all times, the dizziness had to return now... I had no choice but to lean against one of the street lights. Luckily, I didn’t stick out with my health issues, because there were countless people around me, and I was certainly the last thing they cared about.
I felt so incredibly uneasy. It was a feeling I had barely felt before. Not even Roberto managed to make me feel this uncomfortable. I just had the feeling that Johan was someone I couldn’t grasp, whose next step I could not find out... all the intuition I gained as a detective did not seem to work here. I felt strangely endangered, as if he could just walk up from behind and strangle me any second.
“Good evening, young lady.”
I almost had a heart attack when hearing the soothing voice. I looked next to me. There he stood, casually leaning against the next street light and watching the people surrounding us. He wasn’t even giving me a glance, and not unsettled by my presence at all. He even kept his hands in his pockets.
“And so, we meet again. It’s been a while.”
I stayed quiet as he spoke. My mouth didn’t seem to work. I just couldn’t get it to say a single word. As expected, Johan noticed that.
“It does not seem like you to not attend to good manners. But that’s fine. You don’t look so good, if I may say that. Why did you bother to come here?”
I formed my hand to a fist. Damn you...
“You came here to see me again, didn’t you?”
I clenched my teeth. When had I become so helpless? Only he could activate that weak spot in me. I needed to do something, but my body didn’t listen to me. My head was still spinning, and it was so hard not to show it...
“Why?” I turned to him, facing him. “Why did you do it?”
“Do what?” Relaxed, he kept on watching the people around us. “I think there is a misunderstanding, young lady. It was suicide. I did not lay my hands on Richard.”
He wanted to ignite my anger, but I restrained myself not to give in to his provocations.
“Don’t play dumb. You know this is not the answer I want to hear.”
“And what is the answer you want to hear? That I got rid of him because he became inconvenient? Or maybe, out of pure evil? You won’t get to hear what you want to hear, young lady. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
It was uncomfortable, being in the inferior role in our conversation. I had no idea what he was up to.
“You are one of the few persons who is not afraid of me”, I finally said. His neutral expression changed to a faint smile. It was unsettling. “That is true, I am not afraid of you. Rather, I think you’re quite interesting.” He did not further explain why he thought this way. But him calling me interesting made me feel like an animal in a zoo, as if he was watching me simply out of entertainment. His attitude angered me.
“One more thing, young lady.”
Suddenly, he turned his face to look me in the eye, and our gazes met. I froze when looking into his eyes, and failed to look away. Surely, he saw right through me, and sensed my fear.
“Do not try to get into Doctor Tenma’s way. Let him do what he needs to do.”
Of course, he meant killing Johan. Slowly, and gradually more determined, I shook my head.
“No.”
I furrowed my brows, regaining control of myself.
“Not a chance. I won’t let someone innocent get blood on his hands for someone like you.”
Johan’s expression turned ice cold. “Well... that’s a shame.” Without saying anything else, he made his way though the crowd, leaving me on my own. His words sent shivers down my spine. They sounded like a threat to me. And my hands started shaking again.
Then, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Gasping, I turned around, ready to defend myself against Johan. But it wasn’t Johan who stood in front of me. With widened eyes, I stared at the man in front of me.
“Doctor?”
It was Doctor Tenma. He looked surprisingly irritated.
“What are you doing here?”, I asked.
“I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here with him ?”
I supposed he had seen Johan.
“I’m investigating.”
“Are you out of your mind? This is dangerous! Even for a detective like you. You’re risking your life, talking to someone like Johan!” He grabbed my arm, intending to drag me with him. I resisted. “What are you doing?” “Getting you and me out of here. Come on.” Reluctantly, I went along with him.
When we reached the end of the district, we were almost alone. The streets were calm, and only a few cars were passing by now and then. I was still wondering why the doctor seemed so angry about meeting me in the red light district. He eventually stopped guiding me, and let go of my arm.
“You need to be careful, detective. I’m sure Johan knows who you are, and what your intentions are. He can have you killed any moment. When he is tired of toying with you, he will discard you, just like he discarded Richard.” When he mentioned the name Richard , I couldn’t help but lower my head in dismay. “I want justice for Richard. He didn’t deserve to leave this world so early... this is what I have to do, Doctor. It’s my duty as a detective.” He shook his head. “No, detective. I don’t think this is right. You deserve to rest. I understand that Richard was important to you, and that you want him to rest in peace, but you cannot carry this burden alone. Especially not by walking through dangerous districts, dressed like this...” He glanced at my short dress, the heels, and the heavy make up on my face, before meeting my eyes. I couldn’t quite grasp what I saw in his eyes, but I think my heart knew, in some way. The doctor eventually took off his suit jacket, not breaking eye contact, and gently laid it around my shoulders.
"You always take care of everyone. Who is taking care of you?"
His soft voice did something to me. His words filled me with a warmth I had long forgotten, and it felt as if he touched my heart with his words. I helplessly stared at him with a slightly open mouth as he kept his eyes on me.