Teufelsschloßes - Chapter 5
It didn’t take long for Omi to find patterns to the locations. The next evening, after the shop had closed, the three elder members of Weiß headed out to where the three newest victims had been found. Omi remained behind, to see what else he could uncover.
Leaning back in his chair, Omi thought about Dorin. He hoped that he wouldn’t become another victim, he seemed like such a kind old man. Glancing at his watch, he locked the computer systems down, and then the trailer itself. The fresh air felt good to him, and he could use the time away from his research. He’d take a quick walk through the park, and then get started again.
The park was nearly empty, given the time, although not completely. He passed a few couples here and there, and a few young men and women. Most of them looked to be cutting through the park on their ways home. However, the youngest of Weiß’ eyes lit up when he saw one particular person, sitting on a bench. “Aconite-san!” he called out, moving to join him.
“Aa, Tsukiyono-kun. What brings you out this evening? Could you not sleep?”
“I just needed some fresh air. What are you doing out here, though? You should stay inside, where it’s safe.”
“Safe?”
Omi bit his lip slightly, until he remembered that there had been some things on the news. “There is someone attacking the elderly. You should be careful.”
The old man laughed. “Tsukiyono-kun, do not worry for me. I shall be fine. I have come to this park nearly every day for many years. I do not intend to change that any time soon.” He paused, and then gave a curious smile to the boy. “Perhaps, if it would make you feel better, you could meet me here each evening? So that we may both assure the other of our safety?”
“Of course, Aconite-san!” Omi didn’t want to see the man get hurt, although the others would not be pleased if it interfered with the mission. He’d have to find a way to convince Dorin not to come the night they moved.
He stood up, stretching his back. “It is getting late, you should return, lest your friends worry for you. And I shall see you tomorrow.”
Omi nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then, Aconite-san!” Omi stood as well, and bowed to the man as he returned to the trailer.
When Omi returned, he went back to his research. He made notes to go over later, regarding the time difference between the disappearances and when the bodies were found, and how long they’d been dead before they were found. Assuming a vehicle was used to transport the victims and their bodies, and that they were taken to the same location, he projected the area the holding location was likely in. Depending on if the others found clues, he’d be able to further pinpoint where their target may be.
Switching to a more detailed map, he began making a list of possible locations.
“Back,” a voice called, coming into the living area. “Omi?”
“Flower shop,” Omi called back through the cracked door. A few moments later, Youji’s head poked through the door.
“Still at it?”
“I’ve managed to narrow down the area the holding location is likely at, assuming that it’s the same location each time. Of course, this also assumes that they’re taken from somewhere near their homes. If not…”
“If not?”
“Then my calculations could be completely off. I should run another set, to broaden the area based solely off of the dump locations.”
Omi wasn’t expecting a hand to suddenly cover his eyes. “Youji-kun!” he complained.
“It’s getting late, and your mini-vacation’s over. You have opening shift tomorrow.”
“Youji-kun, I’m fine. And anyway, the pull-out’ll be in the way if we get it set up before the others get back.”
“You’re not sleeping there tonight. You take my bunk.”
“But, Youji-kun…”
“Enough with the ‘buts’, Bishounen. I’ll take Aya’s mattress, and he can share with Ken. We’ll figure it out. You, get to bed.”
“Hai, hai… I’m going, Youji-kun.” Omi slipped into the small bathroom to change into his nightclothes, and by the time he was done, Youji had pulled down the retracting shelf that he normally slept on, and covered it in bedding.
“Up you go, kiddo.” Omi scowled at him, but accepted his help in climbing up. “Good night, Omi.”
Omi was about to reply, but he had to stifle a yawn first. “G’night, Youji-kun.” It wasn’t much longer until he was asleep.
Youji sat down on the couch beneath him, going over what he’d found. There had been no clues left at the site he’d been to, and he doubted Aya or Ken had had much more luck. At this point, there seemed to be no way to track their target. They’d have to rely on Omi’s best guess as to the location, or wait for another victim to disappear. He hoped they wouldn’t have to wait for the latter. It wasn’t as bad as Aya had been when the name Takatori was involved, but probably Omi’s care about the elderly was on par to his with women. And if the kid was the one passionate about their mission, the other three probably wouldn’t be able to talk him out of trying to rescue any further victims. They weren’t a rescue team, they were an assassin team. But try to convince their youngest of that, sometimes.
Youji sighed, and hoped the others would get back soon.