The Devil Wears a Pinstriped Suit

I didn't know people were still reading this fic. I've been really busy with things. Sorry you all had to wait so long. Here's an update! Keep reviewing and more will come :)

Chapter 28

I decided I would have my house swept and debugged the following day, citing the O'Malley case as the reason. But, with several hours to go until then, I had to keep up appearances. I did not want to seem suspicious under the obviously watchful gaze of the handsome Enishi. Though, he locked horns with the wrong woman, if I may say so. I would give him a run for his money, and then some. As far as my feelings for him went, they bordered hatred and disgust. I had my own opinions of him, and they were none too flattering. From his behavior, I would say he was overly concerned with his older sister’s welfare. He had a sort of unhealthy attachment that Tomoe was oblivious to, for she loved her younger bother as she would her own child, I assumed. If she had been his mother, it would be a case of Oedipus Rex.

Aoshi seemed to have a similar attachment, though his not quite as unnatural. The sexual frustration between those two may have simmered since they laid eyes on each other, but neither dared to bring their attraction to light. Perhaps Aoshi felt if he had gotten involved with Tomoe, he would not be able to protect her. I decided the next time I talked to him, I would bluntly ask. I needed to know where his heart lay. I had no doubt he cared for my Missy, but if it wasn’t love he would have to let her go. I deeply regretted getting her involved in this whole mess.

I sighed and looked at my cell phone. It hadn’t ringed since I talked to Tomoe. I wanted to call Megumi, but at the same time I was in no mood for her antics and disapproving tones. Since she did not call me, I assumed she was busy with Sanosuke one way or another. Hopefully it didn’t involve bailing him out of jail, I thought with a giggle.

Just then, my phone rang and I quickly hoped I didn’t summon her by mistake. A quick glance revealed it was Enishi. I wondered for a moment if I should answer him. I hadn’t found out everything I wanted just yet, but it didn’t matter.

“Moshi. Moshi.”

"Why so formal?" Enishi said as his greeting.

"I didn’t look at the Caller ID before I picked up,” I lied. “What do you want?”

"I got the feeling you needed a friend, but I was just going to leave a message and let you call me back," he replied.

"I don't need a friend right now," I snapped.

"I see. So, you and my brother-in-law made up?" he asked sarcastically.

"Not that it is any of your business…but no. I haven't even spoken with him since that whole disaster,” I replied with venom. Kami, how I hated him!

"So, you aren't chasing him anymore?" Enishi led, his tone more than suspicious.

"Your sister's lap dog came all the way over here to ensure I never put a move on him again, the fucking hypocrite," I grumbled.

Enishi laughed heartily at my outburst. He was hard to read. Was he laughing because he knew the truth, or did he think I was telling the truth and thought it to be humorous? His laugh was definitely unnerving, and I sat silent a few moments before interjecting.

"I don't see what's so funny," I snapped, and Enishi's laugher died down to a pleasant chuckle.

"It seems we have much more in common than I thought. I am a much better match for you than that red-headed womanizer," said Enishi.

"Are you flirting with me at a time like this?" I replied, outraged.

"Kenshin doesn't deserve to be happy," he replied in a dark, distant tone.

"Are you saying you think he'd be happy with me and not your sister?"

"He's worthy of neither of you," he yelled, though I was not sure if it was truly directed towards me.

It was as if he was only partially in this world. Enishi's mind was always hovering somewhere else, somewhere between his subconscious and reality, a reality he found impossible to deal with. Yet, he was alert and aware...and frightening.

"What do you want from me, Enishi?" I asked bluntly.

It was he who was silent this time. I could almost hear the wheels in his head turning, thinking, contemplating, wondering. It was very clear he had a specific plan of action for me. I had to wonder just how much Enishi knew of me and my background. Did he dig deeper than just Kenshin and I? True enough, my address would not be too hard to find, nor would it be that difficult to bug my house since I'm hardly home. Don't inquire on how I know. But, to have a plan for me, Enishi must know a great deal about my personality. I then smiled. He could interview people and go through public record, but he could never know what truly went on in my head; and that’s where I had the upper hand.

"I wish you could make his life hell," he said.

"I think I've already accomplished that," I retorted.

"You don't know what hell is," he said darkly.

Ok, he was REAAALLLLLLLYYYY starting to creep me out. This dude was a Class A Committable.

“Can you tell me where are this is going, Enishi? Truth is: I love Kenshin. I don’t think I will go after him any more, but I still love him. As mad as I at him for falling for me, I can’t deny that I fell for him, as well. But, this whole thing with you and me, I cannot do it. It was meant to be a one-night-stand and that’s what it’s going to be. You are far too close to the situation and right now, it’s just too complicated,” I said to him.

“You think it is that easy, Kaoru?” he asked, his tone dripping with warning.

“Nothing in life is easy. Quite frankly, I don’t like how you tricked me yesterday. If you wanted to be with me, you wouldn’t have resorted to such games!”

“I apologize. Let me make it up to you,” he said.

“Oh, do YOU think it is that easy?” I spat. “You hurt my little sister. You exposed Aoshi and Tomoe…something even I didn’t know about.”

“You suspected!” Enishi blurted out in his defense.

“But I didn’t…wait a minute…how did you know that?”

Silence. Then I repeated myself.

“You are very quick,” Enishi said finally.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” I reminded him.

“I never said I knew for certain. You tell me you never heard of intuition?” was the counter.

I almost said something in that moment, but I decided to bite my tongue lest I give myself away. I had a feeling he understood me and was trying to thwart me as I was trying to thwart him. No, I said to myself, let this one slide.

“It’s going to take a lot to make up what you did. You created a lot of havoc in the lives of innocent people. That is not easily forgiven. I don’t know what you expect from me. You still think I want to be your lover after what you did?”

“Of course not,” he responded.

“Good. I have to go now,” I said, hanging up the phone.

I did not want to hear his retort. I just wanted him to pay for what he had done, just as I have to pay the piper. I was certain the cost would be greater than losing Kenshin, for he was never mine to begin with. I foolishly fell in love with the wrong man yet again. My track record is rather shitty in the relationship department. Perhaps that’s another reason I stayed away from them, a voice in my head said.

Perhaps.

After I spoke with Enishi, I decided I needed to get all of my ducks in a row. As much as it would hurt her, my baby sister needed to know the full truth. Hopefully, she would help me exact my plan...or better yet, formulate it to be fool-proof. I went about my business of getting ready for another exciting day in the life of Kaoru Kayima. With my suit on, a devastatingly crisp Versace number in black with the thinnest of hound’s-tooth pattern in powder blue, light blue blouse and navy stiletto-style pumps, I felt more like myself than I had in weeks. I had to admit that I loved the challenge put before me. My stomach tingled with anticipation, for I knew I would enjoy the destruction of Enishi Yokushira and his devious plans. The crew finally arrived just minutes prior to me leaving for the day and with a wave, I left the men to do their job in my home as I piled into my car, cell phone to my right ear.

“Pick up, damn it,” as said as it was ringing. I knew he had to answer.

“What do you want?” Kenshin asked, quite annoyed.

“We do have a job to do, or did you quite forget?” I volleyed.

“I am not coming in today,” he said.

“I will be there in ten minutes and if you do not have your suit on, I will drag you out the house naked…but you are going to work today,” I threatened.

“I just found out my best friend slept with my wife!” I screamed through the phone.

“You miserable little hypocrite! Do you forget you were cheating on your wife?” I yelled with equal veracity. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get your ass ready for work.”

I threw the phone into the passenger seat, not caring that it fell to the floor. Dealing with Kenshin was like dealing with a spoiled child, and goodness knows I fucking hate children. I cursed under my breath as I rushed through morning traffic. I imagined how I would throttle him when I got to the door. A sadistic part of me was wondering if Tomoe would be in a crying heap somewhere, wondering how to win the affections and trust of her husband after she so carelessly threw them away.

I pulled into the driveway, nearly making a lawn ornament my new hood ornament. But, before I could pound the door in, Kenshin opened it, quite ready to go. I had opened my mouth to speak, but just as quickly clasped my lips shut. Without any words between us, we got into the car and I made way to the office.

“Have you spoken to her?” I asked, not caring to be delicate.

“No.”

“Do you want to talk to her?”

“No.”

“Have you talked to Aoshi?”

“Have you told your sister why her boyfriend slept with my wife?” he snapped finally.

“No. I haven’t had a chance to speak with her, but I know it has to be done,” I replied firmly. “I’m not running away from what I need to do. We fucked up, simple as that. Now we have to do damage control and rectify whatever we can.”

“You always make things sound so simple,” Kenshin said, dryly.

“I’m tired of hearing that. It’s not simple. Missy will be doubly crushed. I don’t know if she’ll forgive me, but she deserves to know. At least she won’t be torturing herself trying to figure it all out,” I said.

“But Tomoe won’t have that luxury. She’ll wonder every single day why I betrayed her…continue to betray her,” he said sadly.

“You say ‘continue’ in present tense. How are you currently betraying her?” I asked, puzzled.

“For someone so worldly you can be damned clueless. I don’t want to be with her, Kaoru!” he exclaimed.

The car screeched to a halt as I barely missed running a red light. Several motorists eyed me evilly as they passed, but I paid them no mind. I could hear my heart beating in my ear, for I know those ears heard correctly.

“You…what?” I said, turning my head slowly to him.

“I am going to divorce her,” he said with somber confidence.

“I will not take you, Kenshin. This game is over. We just need to survive the next few days,” I said, not taking his words seriously.

The light turned green and I put my focus back on the road ahead. The rest of the trip was traveled in silence, for I had nothing further to say to him.

When we arrived at the office, Carter was waiting for us with a manila folder in hand. Neither Kenshin nor I knew what was in it, or why it was so important that our boss handed it to us personally. It was odd to think only yesterday I was taking Carter’s counsel on more personally matters, but today, he was all business. And it appeared to be grim business. Wordlessly, he led us into his personal office. We all took a seat, waiting for the news to come down upon us.

“O’Nelly was murdered last night,” Carter said.

“Nani?” Kenshin and I gasped in unison.

“Fuck! Speak English!” Carter yelled, annoyed beyond reason.

“Who on earth would kill him?” Kenshin asked out loud.

“That cunt of a sister-in-law. Her liaison with him was exposed during the trial,” I contemplated.

“If she hadn’t spent the past few days drowning her sorrows in a bar very night, I would agree with you. Her alibi is air-tight, seeing that she was being arrested for public drunkenness at the time O’Nelly was murdered. It would seem someone else had it out for the man.”

“Who else would want O’Nelly dead? This isn’t making any sense,” Kenshin said.

“What do you want us to do, Carter?” I asked.

“You aren’t going to believe this, quite frankly…but it seems our dearly departed was involved in some illegal activities,” Carter said, tossing the folder to me.

I eyed my boss speculatively before opening it up. It wasn’t hard to believe that a murderer had his hands in something else, but what could it be to cause him to be a target? Kenshin peered over my shoulder as I fingered through the pages, absorbing all the information, yet barely comprehending at the same time. All the little pieces were starting to come together and the picture was frighteningly clear.

“The Yakuza,” I said fatalistically, slumping into the chair.

“As you would say, Kaoru: Hai,” Carter responded.

“So, there’s actually more to Mrs. O’Nelly’s murder than we first thought,” Kenshin concluded.

“A whole helluva lot more,” I said, starting to recover. “He never mentioned anything to me about being involved with any organization, must less one of the scope of the Yakuza. How did you happen upon this?”

“I’m the boss for a reason, Kaoru,” was Carter’s response.

“This is not the time for that game, Carter. We need to know or other people’s lives could be in danger,” I warned.

“You are in no position to threaten me, Kayima,” Carter responded coolly. “I didn’t give you this information for you to solve his murder. You are a lawyer, not a detective. That’s what we have him for.”

Carter pointed to the corner of the office and there stood a tall man. He was an older man, but attractive. His dark hair was slicked back to reveal an angular face. Though his eyes were shut, the almond shape betrayed his heritage. His classical nose did not, however. Caught between the thin slits that were his lips was an unlit cigarette, which defied gravity as he spoke to us.

“I need to know everything you know about the Yakuza in this city,” he said in a casual tone.

“I wasn’t even aware they had a holding in this city,” I responded.

“What of your friend’s little ruffian?” the man retorted.

“How do you…who the hell are you?” I demanded, totally caught off guard.

“I am Saitou Hajime. I used moonlight as a parole officer,” he said with a smile, knowing I would understand.

“I see. I knew he was a thug, but not a Yakuza. Megumi never mentioned it to me,” I replied honestly.

“People involved usually don’t,” Kenshin said, gazing directly at the older man.

Megumi had mentioned some time ago that Kenshin knew this man. Megumi explained it as the pair being in rival “Greek” organizations in college. It was obvious now those organizations weren’t so Greek. The air of hate between Kenshin and Saitou was suffocating. I personally didn’t know if I liked or disliked him, yet.

“It’s been a long time, Himura,” Saitou replied, his tone an amused one.

“Not long enough,” Kenshin replied.

Great, just when I thought the pieces were coming together, although unpleasantly, more fell out of the box. I had to find out Kenshin’s history with this detective, and I could tell it wasn’t going to be an easy task. And somehow, I knew it all linked to Enishi.