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"The Agency: Meeting of Souls "Written By: Karina Pairings 13x6 [eventual], 5xS, 3x4, Others undecided at this time. Warnings: Extreme Alternate Universe setting. Unbetaed, Aussie spelling and grammar, not much else in the early chapters though it will involve murder, stalking and possibly some colourful language down the track. Some Out Of Character depictions are unavoidable considering the alternate universe setting. Rating: M [In Australia that would be mature adult 15+] Not sure with the new rating system about international ratings. Rated for violence and language and adult concepts. Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. That's about as plain as you could say it. Summary: The world took a very different turn with the acknowledgement of psychic abilities and training of select psychic individuals enlisted in elite fields such as law enforcement and politics. A grading system for the strength of psionic abilities was developed and those who were the top of the elite have been dubbed Prime Talents and are highly sought after. Elite institutions have been developed to mark, train and employ individuals with useable psionic talents. The colonies of canon Gundam Wing do exist in this fic and were constructed before the psionic system was founded. With the advent of psionics in open use in society younger people are appearing in positions of power as they are awakening to their abilities earlier and are highly trained in their fields of expertise. //…// Thoughts
Chapter Four “Personally I have always found safe to be a relative term primarily dependent on the best circumstances of a given situation.” Treize’s voice from Winners bedroom proved the Prime was listening to the conversation though he had not previously chosen to participate. Chang smirked and glanced toward the bedrooms. He had learned soon after first meeting the man that the Prime was graced with sensitive hearing, particularly if his name should be mentioned in conversation. Without doubt Kushrenada could be trying on the nerves but he would trust his back to Treize and his abilities any day. Their partnership had taught him not to take any information at face value and there was sure to be multiple layers in everything said and done within sight or hearing. All he needed to do was look and actually see, listen and truly hear. “I am of the opinion it is one of the most misleading words in the English language.” Chang returned. “In any language. Safety is a transient thing, a state between instances and therefore not to be counted on.” Yuy paced slowly across the lounge room his expression as devoid of emotion as always. The observation from Yuy came as something of a surprise to Chang who eyed the Agent with speculation. He knew too little of the training programs and education given to the select few like Yuy. The breeding of these agents and their rearing had been government sponsored and monitored and too frequently Yuy gave the impression of being as emotional as a brick. Chang had interacted enough with him on past missions to decide he liked the agent despite his social shortcomings. It generally came as a shock when something besides mission data issued from that tight lipped mouth. Yuy could be depended on as an agent and if you were on his team you could feel assured your back was safe in his presence. Moments of scintillating conversation and philosophical discussions with him tended to be rare. In the bedroom Treize smirked, catching his partners surprise through the links that bound them. Yuy could be a surprising package and his deadpan delivery took some getting used to. The Kushrenada family, amongst others had expressed a personal concern when the government first had announced the development of specifically bred children to fulfill the rising requirements of the ESUN. That the first few children had been bred and reared in secret had caused an outcry but the success of the designer program could not be denied. Who ever had trained Yuy had taken pains to give him more than a basic grounding in education and safeguards were in place to ensure the agents were not exploited. Unlike Chang Treize had been entertained on more than the odd occasion with intelligent conversation on a myriad of subjects with the agent. //Yuy could surprise you, Wu Fei. He could keep me entertained for hours and I admit that is an accomplishment.// Further comment from either Chang or Yuy was halted by the beep of the door lock refusing an access code, a moment of silence and then a repeated beep as the code was attempted a second time. Yuy arched an eyebrow, amused and noted Chang’s frown. A sharp rap on the door came before Yuy moved, striding to the door with a carefully blank face. “That would be the housekeeper who no doubt will be un amused I had the access codes changed. I have found certain members of the security contingent here to be a little less aware of the sanctity of a crime scene than I approve.” It was standard procedure to ensure the security of a crime scene particularly when a Sensitive was to be brought in to ‘read’ the area. Chang turned to better observe the door and nodded briefly when Yuy glanced at him. He would have been more concerned had Yuy not taken such a precaution. Heero opened the door and stepped aside motioning the young woman to enter the suite. He pointedly ignored her snapped complaint that her pass key no longer operated. “I hope someone received permission to interfere with the security protocols or there will be trouble. I am to have unrestricted access to every room in this building at all times and I do not appreciate being locked out without due notification.” Yuy scowled and glared back, allowing his own annoyance to show. She was a vibrant red head with a smattering of freckles across an up tilted nose and Chang decided she would have the temper to match her hair. The curly mass was of a red shade he doubted could be bottled and was tied neatly back into a pony tail with a simple black band holding it in place. She gave the impression of a no nonsense individual full of confidence in her own abilities as she stalked past Yuy. Her slender figure was complimented by the tight fitting dark brown uniform of a dorm worker at the university complex and she moved with a grace and ease Chang recognized. It might have belonged to a dancer but he was more inclined to believe it the natural grace of a martial arts expert. Given her position in the security system of the University he wondered how good she was in a fight. Her blue eyes were sharp and clear and swept the room with a piercing glare that no doubt had cowed many a child of the rich and famous into tidying up after themselves. He wondered if she was expecting to find the room in a shambles after their examination and if she would dare make a comment if she found something out of place. If she ruled her dormitories with this kind of attitude he wondered how the Maxwell boy had slipped under her radar… or how he had gained immunity. “Mr. Yuy.” She nodded slightly in greeting as she turned back to face the agent. “I’m half way through preparing the new suite for the students and I have a great deal to do before they arrive. I would appreciate it if we could keep this short? The new security sensors have been installed and tested and the surveillance system monitoring the hallway has been checked.” //An interesting woman.// Chang mused. //One would hope she does not maintain this attitude out of work hours. Her personal life must suffer if she does.// “Catherine Bloom, Chang Wu Fei.” Yuy introduced the two ignoring the woman’s curt comment and closed the door before turning to face her. “Ms Bloom, Mr. Chang works for The Agency, as does his partner, Mr. Kushrenada. Your cooperation in this investigation has been assured by your employers. I hope there will be no further difficulties.” //Well, Yuy does not approve of her that much is obvious. It usually takes a considerable amount of ‘difficulties’ to annoy him. I wonder how their past meeting went to cause this much aggravation? // The red head’s gaze swept over Wu Fei before she inclined her head to Chang in a manner suggestive of approval and he decided to reserve judgment. Perhaps the contention between the two was just one of those unavoidable personality clashes that saw sparks fly. He watched as she half turned, catching movement out of the corner of her eye and he saw those blue eyes widen as Treize emerged from Winners room and her pretty face clouded over into a scowl. “The bedrooms of the students are private and played no part in the incident. I will thank you kindly to keep out of them.” her tone was decidedly cool. Yuy’s eyebrows elevated and Chang did not doubt he betrayed his own surprise at her comment. She was a prickly piece of work and he wondered just what her problem was. Treize had not even been introduced to the woman but it stood to reason he was a part of the investigation and had a right to be present. Not only was this reaction uncalled for but he was certain this display of bad manners would be against the Universities policies. The only person present who did not appear to be disturbed by her attitude was Treize whose sapphire gaze swept over her in an assessing glance. “How fortunate for us all you were present during the entire episode, My Dear. Perhaps you would be gracious enough to enlighten us as to who did the deed and thereafter explain in detail how the kill was accomplished and how the body was fitted so precisely into the refrigerator? I will be delighted to close the case speedily and you may resume your duties.” Treize commented in a light tone, a pleasant smile curving his lips. Chang winced at the rising blush colouring the young woman’s face. He knew that tone of voice and the psi strength backing it. She would be about the same age as Treize, he reflected, certainly no older than his twenty five years. At the moment she looked as though she was a six year old gently but firmly chastised for a minor infringement. Treize could so easily have that effect on a person particularly if he backed his words with psi ability to annoy, aggravate or intimidate his target. “Mr. Kushrenada is a empathic telepath with permission to scan the entire University should such action prove necessary.” Wu Fei drew her attention and did not keep the chill from his voice. “We are as discreet as possible considering the nature of our work, Miss Bloom. We do not intrude any more than necessary during the course of our investigations.” Her blush deepened but he suspected it was anger now, not embarrassment. “I have work to do. What did you want me for?” “We require you to go over the events leading up to your discovery of the body with Mr. Kushrenada.” Yuy motioned her to the couch. “Please, be seated.” “I have a great deal of work to do before the students return this evening so my time is severely limited. I have filled out an incident form and made a separate statement. I am a professional in the field of personal security and I missed nothing in either the report or the statement. There is nothing more I can tell you.” Treize watched, silent and thoughtful as she settled herself on the couch, noting how the cushions were straightened as she did so. She was security but she was also responsible for the housekeeping of the units and it was ingrained in her through training and habit to maintain the units to a certain level of cleanliness. He suspected there might even have been psyche conditioning involved in her training program. There usually was a certain element of conditioning in the private security agencies catering to the needs of the rich and famous. “We are well aware of your credentials, Miss Bloom and the constraints of time. It is, however, required that I Read you. Do you know what that means?” It was obvious the woman did indeed understand the reference as she shot back to her feet, a furious scowl darkening her face. “The security protocols of the University require I be exempt from all psychic readings. I have in my possession codes and vital information pertaining to student security too many people would be interested in learning. In addition to this exemption I have been fitted with a neural unit to ensure such information is protected. You will get nothing from me by Reading me, Mr Kushrenada. Good day, gentlemen.” Yuy scowled and before either of the Agency men could respond he stepped between her and the door forestalling her departure. “I was not informed you were fitted with a neural unit.” “I was fitted with the device after the Winner heir was enrolled at the university as part of an upgrade in security protocols. The codes required to enter this suite are known to a select few, as are the security protocols used to guard the student whilst he is under the protection of the University. Such precautions are standard practice when dealing with a high profile student.” “Understood. We have further questions to be answered.” Treize could almost hear her teeth grinding as she glared daggers at the man. A strong willed woman, good at her job and he was almost certain there was conditioning involved. To the first caress of his talent, a light sensing touch, he could detect an anomaly in the ‘feel’ of her aura. “One thing that strikes me as curious, Miss Bloom, is the trio sharing this unit.” Treize motioned her to return to her seat. “I will not Read you, My Dear, in light of the neural net you have installed but you can still answer a few questions for me.” Grudgingly the woman sank onto the couch and Treize took particular note of how she leaned forward slightly too minutely straighten the coffee table placed before the couch. He caught Wu Fei’s frown and knew he tagged the action as being not quite natural. “What is odd about the boys?” Yuy queried, glancing at Treize with a frown. Treize flicked his fingers in a hunters signal for caution he knew Yuy would recognize and turned his attention solely to the woman eyeing him as though she expected him to explode in front of her. “Now, Miss Bloom, would you mind telling me why you think the University Governors would place the Winner heir in the same suite as two wards of the state?” He focused his talent, concentrating on the woman seated before him, her back rigidly straight and hands clasped with fingers interlocked. Extending a delicate tendril of thought towards her he settled across from her, seating himself on the coffee table and ignoring her disapproving scowl. “I am not privy to the thinking of the Governors.” came the curt response. “Nor are either Wards of the State as both students are under private contract.” “Now, My Dear, I did not ask you what the Governors were thinking. I asked for your thoughts on why you think they placed these three together.” His voice dropped to a purr, a low ripple of sound drawing her in and his sapphire eyes were sharply focused. He was concentrating on her with an intensity both watching men recognized and Yuy’s eyes widened. Chang hissed a sharp breath as he realized Treize was working with his talent despite the neural implant and he recognized something was highly suspicious. Either the woman had lied or her unit was malfunctioning. Treize should not so easily be able to penetrate a neural implant. If the woman answered with anything other than a protest to the attempt then there was undeniably something wrong. “It is not my place to question the decisions of the Governors. I am not privy to their discussions with Mr. Winner.” Yuy settled into the armchair and watched, aware Chang had tensed and Treize was the only one who seemed relaxed. Something was wrong here and he did not doubt it would reflect on the incident resulting in a body in the refrigerator. “Of course you are not privy to their discussions. You are security and it is your business to keep your charge secure from threat. Is this not so?” “Yes.” “I am certain Mr. Winner is safe in your care. What happened when you entered the suite last night, Miss Bloom?” A low purr in that rich voice, persuasive and gentle. “I… I… tidied… the… kitchen.” There was a glassy look to the woman’s eyes, her body seemed to be frozen and a disturbing paleness settled over her face. “There was… a b… a b…” Yuy flicked on the tape machine in his pocket aware they needed notes and caught Chang’s eye. The Agency representative nodded indicating he was also taping. The woman seemed to be having difficulty breathing and seemed to want to speak but could not talk past something the size of golf ball in her mouth. “That is alright, Miss Bloom. There is no need to concern yourself with that just now. When you entered the suite you cleaned the lounge did you not?” “Yes.” A whisper. Her breathing calmed and the word came out easily. “Was the suite not cleaned when the students first departed for their tour of the colonies?” He kept the low, gentle purr in his voice and lightly traced a finger over the back of the woman’s hand, sliding long fingers around her wrist to rest over her pulse point, ignoring the irritated movements of her fingers. He caught Chang’s eye and nodded before focusing all of his attention once more on his subject and Chang gently nudged Yuy. He placed the tape recorder on the coffee table beside Treize and motioned Yuy to do the same before stepping away from the pair. He drew Heero away from the lounge into the kitchen where he leaned on the bar and settled down to watch and listen. “What is going on, Chang?” Yuy had the sense to whisper and his eyes never left the pair in the lounge. “There would appear to be a problem with the neural unit implant. Miss Bloom is susceptible to Treize’s abilities and from his reaction she should not be… or at least it should not have been so easy for him to touch her thoughts. If the unit was working as it should be, she would have a headache by now and be complaining loudly and rightfully about a breech of etiquette. With a neural unit installed and operational any Sensitive would back off at the first hint of a headache from the subject for fear of damaging said subject.” “He is using his talent despite being told she is protected? Chang, do you have any idea how much trouble he could be in if the Security Agency learns about this?” Yuy hissed at Wu Fei, eyes widened and wondering how much flack would fall on him since he was witness to this breach of protocol. “Treize never does anything without a good reason. Wait and watch.” Chang grinned and motioned to the tapes. “These are for private use only, to review what he finds out from her. This session is not, as yet, official and I would appreciate your cooperation in the matter. If you are concerned for her, don’t be. He is the best, Yuy. He has circumvented neural units before without causing harm or distress to the subject. That specific ability is why the government has hired him on more than a few occasions to perform clandestine scans of their personnel. I expect this scan will be far easier than those instances when he has been required to perform the scans from a distance with only passing contact with the subject. He’s good. He knows when to back off.” “His skills aside, I do not want to answer awkward questions.” Yuy hissed. “You can not tell me he was issued with exemptions to perform these scans at will can you?” “Neither do I intend to answer awkward questions. The most awkward question I can imagine we would have to answer on this case would be why the Winner heir was abducted or killed on supposedly safe ground. Do you want to answer that question? No? Let him work and use the tape for reference if he comes up trumps and for now keep the tape under wraps. Should it prove necessary I do not doubt he can clear their use with Une.” Chang turned his attention back to the conversation taking place across the room hoping Yuy would see the sense in remaining silent. “I am responsible for the general maintenance and appearance of these suites. I clean and freshen up the suites before the return of the students whenever they are away for any length of time.” Yuy scowled. Three times in the last few minutes Treize had asked her a question and three times she had replied with that totally unrelated piece of drivel. For a moment he reflected how fortunate it was he was not a working Psi as he would not have had the patience to deal with circumstances such as this. To him her answers were an obvious lie or evasion of the question Kushrenada actually asked, yet the man seemed undisturbed by the evasion. “I understand you are very conscientious of your work and I applaud your dedication to duty. There can be no faulting the care you exercise in your duties. Now, other than this morning, when was the last time you entered this apartment?” “Yesterday. I turned on the utilities and the water heater, checked the gas lines and washed out the refrigerator and cook unit. Standard preparations after an extended absence of the students.” “Very good. They will no doubt be far more comfortable for your care. Do you enjoy working for the University security department?” “Yes.” Red lashes lowered and she looked to be half asleep though her fingers constantly wrung together in a clearly agitated motion. “Excellent. We all should be happy in our line of work.” Treize lightly stroked a finger over her fingers in a light caress, measured and constant until her fingers calmed their movement. “I am equally certain the governing body is pleased with your performance on behalf of their students. No one has complained about your dedication to your duty, have they?” “No.” “Good. Now Miss Bloom, think back to when you entered the suite this morning. Was there anything out of place? Was anything different between when you left yesterday evening and when you entered this morning?” He monitored her aura and the subtle ’wrongness’ which had alerted him to an anomaly. The disturbance was stronger when he pushed for her to remember. He needed to read deeper into her subconscious to access the memories he knew were pertinent to the investigation and he knew gaining access that deeply into her psyche was not going to be easy. The block he sensed was powerful and he needed to work around it more than tackle it head on. “Think very carefully before you answer. Remember each of your movements last night and the order in which you made them and compare the rooms you remember last night to what you recall of them this morning. It’s alright for you to tell me what you were doing as you remember, Miss Bloom. In fact I think you should. It will assist in helping keep the order of events fresh in your recall.” “I… vacuumed and dusted the lounge. Made the beds…” Her fingers spasmed and contorted into writhing restlessness. “I dusted in the bedrooms. Freshened up the bedrooms and… Freshened… Made the beds… I… I dusted in the bedrooms and replaced… Made the bed… replaced the bedding. I entered… entered… In the bathroom I set out towels and made certain there was fresh soap and shampoo then I went to the kit… to the … kit… I… I entered the bedrooms… ” Treize closed his fingers around her hands, stilling her movement and gently applying soothing pressure from his mind to hers. “That is alright, Miss Bloom. That was very helpful. You say you tidied up and vacuumed in Mr. Maxwell’s room? Were the items on the floor in Mr. Maxwell’s rooms not there when you vacuumed?” “I… vacuumed… Nothing on…” she struggled to get words out, her face flushing with the effort, something rising within to block her voice. Distress burned in her eyes and under his larger hands her hands wrung together. “That is alright, My Dear. We can move on for now.” He considered the glimpses of remembered activity he had picked up directly from her mind, flashes of instances from the night before and the morning. “Perhaps you can explain to me why you needed to replace the bedding in Mr. Winner’s room?” Treize lightly stroked her wrist, exerting a calming influence. Yuy arched an eyebrow and looked to Chang who grinned and tapped his left temple, indicating telepathy and turned back to the pair. He did not wish to miss the smallest interaction between the two. The tiny frown that had been in evidence for some time now grew into something larger and more ominous. The young woman shook her head in denial and pulled lightly against his grip. “I did not replace Mr. Winner’s bedding.” The obstruction in her mouth seemed to have passed as she spoke clearly and decisively if a little rapidly. “I made the bed last night, before I left the suite. I had a busy morning scheduled and wished to save time.” “And did you make the other boys beds last night?” There was something there, something lurking just beyond his reach and with a little more digging he was certain he could reach it. “Yes, of course I did.” She sounded faintly indignant. “Then why did you replace the bedding this morning?” A little more pressure… just so… “Because of the plants.” The words slipped from her and under his hands he felt her fingers spasm. Yuy leaned forward eagerly. There had been nothing mentioned in her statement made to the investigators about plants. He had taken every word and searched it for any clue, however small he might apply to the investigation and there had been nothing. Chang shifted slightly beside him and listened intently, dark eyes narrowed. He was well aware by now his partner was fighting some type of mental block and he did not believe it to be caused by the neural unit. Someone must have altered the woman’s memories and that was one of the greatest crimes in this modern age of psychics. It was also rather a delicate mental process to alter her memories through the neural nets protection. //As I understand it these neural implants have access codes and may be accessed for maintenance and adjustments as technology advances. Has someone access to her implants codes?// Treize smiled soothingly and caressed the palm of her hand lightly with a finger. “That was inconsiderate of someone, placing plants in inappropriate places. Where were the plants, Miss Bloom?” A full minute stretched in uncomfortable silence as Treize felt his way around the barrier and the effects of the neural implant before a shuddering breath escaped her. “In the kitchen and scattered in the beds. Some prank, no doubt.” Her fingers were curling into claws, twitching and straining against the restraint of his hands. He considered her for a moment, slipping a finger to the pulse in her wrist and determined though distressed there was still a safety margin in which he could work. “What type of plants did you need to remove from the boys beds?” He felt the shaking begin and build slowly until she might have been shivering from cold. Her eyes were wide, the iris’s huge and her colour paled further. “I… re… I… no… can’t…Made the beds last… ” Her hands were balled into tight fists and her eyes flashed constantly about the room as though she did not recognize the suite. With a carefully gentle voice he gripped her hands, massaging his thumbs against the backs of her wrists. “That is quite alright, Miss Bloom. You need not concern yourself with the problem at this time. Perhaps you could tell me where you put the plants from the boys beds?” “Plants?” “Yes, My Dear, the plants you removed from the beds of the students who will be staying in this suite. Where did you put them when you cleaned the bedrooms?” “In the garbage, of course.” A shudder shook her slender frame and Treize increased the level of soothing thoughts he was projecting at her. The block he was probing was a powerful force within her mind and he was only too aware of the tightrope with her sanity he was walking. It was hardly the woman’s fault she had been subjected to illegal tampering. //Still, she would be dead if she had not been blocked. I think you met the killer, Miss Bloom and it will take some delicate work on my part to wring his identity out of you.// “Of course, how silly of me. Where did you put the plants from the kitchen?” “I.. Kitchen? What plants?” “Yes, Miss Bloom, the kitchen. Tell me where you put the plants you found on the breakfast bar in the kitchen?” “Flowers… on the sink.” a whisper. //Progress. Flowers?// “Ah. I apologize. My error. The flowers were on the sink, still in their wrappings.” He caught Chang’s frown and resisted the urge to smile. He knew what worried his partner but he was careful in his methods and he was not leading the questioning, merely coaxing information out of her. He was all too practiced in this method of interrogation and knew what would and would not be admissible in a court of law. For the moment this interview was off the official record but he might be required at a later date to bring the matter to light. “Yes.” “Such a pity the flowers were old and wilted. They would have been lovely when fresh.” “They were… fresh.” Treize resisted the urge to smirk. The pressure of the block within her mind was building and he would need to call a halt soon but he judged he had a little more time. Already this interview had paid off and he would wring from it every ounce of information he could without unduly endangering her. He did not like the implications he found from the events he glimpsed within the shadows caused by the block. “The flowers were fresh?” “Yes. Fresh… I… nothing… This morning.” Yuy moved restlessly, noting the woman’s breathing pattern was rising and glanced at Chang with an arched eyebrow. Wu Fei shook his head unconcerned and motioned toward the Prime’s hands, wriggling his fingers to indicate where he wished Yuy’s attention. Treize had wrapped one of her wrists with his fingers and had turned her hand allowing them to see he had his fingers on her pulse and his other hand was inclined to permit him to see the display on his watch. The Prime was measuring her pulse and satisfied due care was being take Yuy subsided. “This morning? The flowers were not in the kitchen last night?” “No.” A breathy whisper. Chang and Yuy exchanged a look, both frowning. Something was definitely wrong here. Wu Fei glanced at the refrigerator and then back to Yuy who was chewing at his lower lip. The time scale of events seemed about to fall around their ears. “That is very good, Miss Bloom. You seem a little breathless. Perhaps you should take a few measured breaths, My Dear? Yes, slowly now. A little deeper each time and allow the tension to fall from you with each exhalation. Much better. I have enjoyed chatting with you. What kind of flowers were they?” “Flowers?” Yuy rolled his eyes and rubbed a hand over his jaw. He would be more likely to rip the information from the mind of his subject than perform such a delicate dance. He did not have the temperament for such a trial and Chang growled softly beside him. He felt a little better as the constant dance obviously annoyed the Agency representative as much as he. Treize considered the agitation level already rising and offered up a new round of mental soothants, deciding a small retreat might gain him more ground. “You made Mr. Maxwell’s bed this morning, did you not?” “Yes, yes, I did.” “Because there were flowers in the bed.” “No.” Chang rolled his eyes dramatically and swore silently. Where his partner gained his seemingly endless patience astounded him. His own temperament was more suited to threatening than coaxing. It was as well he was a kinetic and not a telepath or empath. He would love to know how much extra information Treize was receiving through his mind to mind contact with the subject and knew it was certainly more than he and Yuy were gaining from listening in. “How odd. I am certain there were flowers in Mr. Maxwell’s bed.” “Yes… No. No flowers.” She was becoming visibly flustered again and Treize gently closed his hands over hers, smoothing her palms with his long fingers. He was far from discouraged with the progress thus far. The block was extensive and he could not realistically expect to gain all the information from her in one sitting. Interrogations such as this worked best over time and involved applying as little stress to the subject as possible. “What was in Mr. Maxwell’s bed, Miss Bloom?” “I…” Her fingers trembled and her head turned slowly from side to side as though she was trying not to look at something only she could see. “Tulips were in the kitchen, were they not?” A surge of soothing thoughts and an extension of warmth through his empathy, offer up with a silent prayer to some higher being for a breakthrough. Yuy had to be getting restless and he did not need distractions and disturbances now. “Yellow tulips.” “Roses. Red Roses.” //Yes. I knew we could find our key to dig a little deeper.// He smiled, lathing her thoughts with approval and security through his talent. “Was there a card with the flowers?” “No.” “Red Roses. Someone has romantic inclinations. Does your Mr. Winner have many admirers? Perhaps even a secret admirer who sends him flowers often?” “I… don’t…” Her fingers curled into fists which Treize spent a few minutes gently prying apart. “Well, perhaps one should not presume the recipient was Mr. Winner, hmm? It was, after all, Mr. Maxwell who had roses in his bed. Is that not so, Miss Bloom?” “No… Stems.” The breath of a whisper and again her voice betrayed she was working against the block, the obstruction in her mouth in evidence. “Stems?” Treize frowned and glanced around at Chang and Yuy who looked equally as surprised and puzzled. “Rose stems. The heads were cut off.” Chang straightened slowly and tried to wipe the frown from his forehead. He did not understand and meeting the gaze of his partner he realized Treize was equally confused. Yuy shrugged slightly beside him and mumbled something Chang could not quite make out. The woman sat quietly, her eyes half closed and her breathing gradually steadying to light and easy breaths. Treize was reevaluating his line of questioning and did not immediately offer more questions, choosing instead to permit the security agent to regain her stability. He was careful to surround her with an aura of safety and confidence and when he judged her to be centered he began again. “Miss Bloom, were the flowers in the kitchen intact roses?” “No… flowers… in kitchen.” //Damn.// Chang dropped his head into his hands. //Not this again.// The resistance was quick to reestablish itself and wipe out the progress his partner had made. //We could be here all day.// Treize did not appear to be disturbed by the seeming loss of ground. “What about in Mr. Maxwell’s room, Miss Bloom? What were the flowers in his bed?” “No… flowers.” He ignored her denial and noted the rise in her pulse and the stiff claw like fingers wrapped in his hands. “Had the thorns been removed from Mr. Maxwell’s rose stems, Miss Bloom?” “No fl… Yes… No… No flowers…” He could feel the resistance of the block growing and knew his time in this session was short but he wanted just a little more information from her. “Do not let it concern you, My Dear Lady. It has been a pleasure talking to you today and you may rest shortly. Before you do tell me how very messy Mr. Marquise’s room was. Were there many flowers to remove?” “Mess? No… flowers. I… Blood… Like blood… I… There were… No mess… Always neat… In the bed. All over … Blood… Red… Blood.” The implanted ball in her mouth seemed to be growing larger and Treize could feel the racing beat of her heart. He was going to need to call off the interview. “Was there no card with the roses in the kitchen, Miss Bloom?” “No… flowers… kitchen.” “Very good, Miss Bloom. Did you place the flowers in the garbage bin, my dear? Did you dispose of all of the flowers in the suite in the garbage bin in the kitchen?” “I… No. Yes. I think… bin.” Her hands were balled into tight fists and all trace of colour bled from her face. “I have already checked the garbage bin. It is empty. There is a new bin liner and deodorizer smelling strongly of pine.” Chang murmured. // Pine would cover the lingering scent of roses and the garbage has obviously been changed. We need to find that bag and have it examined.// Treize smoothed his hands over her wrists, noting the trembling growing despite every soothing thought he directed at her. “Is she alright? She looks as though she is about to faint.” Yuy moved around the breakfast bar and Treize motioned him to wait. “I am going to have to allow her to come out of this state before it gets dangerous. I dare not push any further at this time but there is little doubt Miss Bloom witnessed far more than was included in her statement.” t.b.c. Karina Robertson 2006 —————————- Treize Kushrenada : Level 10 Sending/Receiving Telepath + Receiving and Projecting Empath at Level 10. Prime rated. Agency Operative contracted term of 5 years with 2 years remaining. [25yrs of age] Training facility: Psychic Institute Munich Division. Chang Wu Fei: Level 9 Telekinetic + Receiving Telepath Level 5. Agency Operative contracted term of 10 years with 8 years remaining, [22yrs of age] Training facility:Psychic Institute Luxemburg Division. Heero Yuy: ESUN Security Agency Elite Operative. Government sanctioned Genetic enhancements performed by Romefeller Genetic Laboratory, Tokyo for adult service as Security Enhanced Operative. No Psychic Talent. Genetic induced enhancements include enhanced Strength, Hearing, Speed and Olfactory senses. Assigned regularly to liaison with The Agency’s psychic agents. [21 / 22 years old] Catherine Bloom: Tsuberov University Security Agent
and House Keeper. No Psionic talent. Staff member at Tsuberov for
5 year period. Fitted with Neural shield implant against telepathic
intrusion. [25 yrs of age]. |
