Ice Cream Shop

[FoxTrott]

"Good point," responded Rhyme. He resumed licking the ice cream for a few moments, thinking and occasionally biting his lip. Finally, he leaned on Kat's shoulder, and closed his eyes.

"Since Sai's probably not Kira," he began, "we need to start thinking of possible suspects. People that know Sai personally. He ever say anything about his past?"

[Raven]

Kat shook her head. "He's an orphan as well, that's all I know. His parents died in an accident a few years ago," she told him.

[FoxTrott]

"That explains the lack of parents," Rhyme mused, "He seems like such a homebody, so he must not go to school, either... The lack of family and school rules out a lot of possible suspects." He got off of Kat, and slowly nommed the ice cream, which was nearing the cone. "Did he say anything about past girlfriends or boyfriends? Or friends? Or anyone?"

[Raven]

Kat shook her head. "He's not gay, Rhyme. He did mention something about a lack of girlfriends, which just eliminates more people. He never mentioned any friends, but there were a few times when he got phone calls from someone who knew him while I was over there. Maybe, like, an uncle, or something? Or a neighbor?" she suggested.

[FoxTrott]

"If he had a close relative like an uncle, he'd be living with them," Rhyme replied, gnawing on his lip instead of the cone, "Kids don't normally live alone... A neighbor is the best possibility, but it's probably nobody that I mentioned. Hm..."

He continued gnawing on his lip, to the point that it was slightly bleeding. "Well, there's always the option he's Kira. A lone wolf, but Kira all the same."

[Raven]

"Yeah, there is... And quit biting your lip like that," Katia told him, taking the cone and standing up. "We can finish this as we walk."

[FoxTrott]

"I can't help it," sighed Rhyme, wiping his thumb across his lip, "I do it when I think. It's a bad--hey! I wasn't done with that!" He jumped up, snatched the cone from Kat, and was about to devour it when he added, "Well, unless you want the rest, then I'm done. Sorry."

[Raven]

Kat laughed. "I took it to get you up. You can have the rest," she told him, slipping her hand into the one he didn't have the ice cream in.

[FoxTrott]

"Much thanks," Rhyme mumbled as he quickly downed the rest of the cone, "So! Options are that Sai's Kira, or that someone Sai knows is Kira. The second option can be further expanded into a relative of Sai's is Kira, a friend of Sai's is Kira, or an unknown acquaintance of Sai's is Kira. And we could also go into my past idea that you're Kira, which would make sense, considering you're a natural born liar--hey, you gotta admit it--but you, in that case, would've killed Sai yourself, so maybe you never liked Sai in the first place, so..."

He shook his head, and bit his lip. "Sorry. I'll stop rambling."

[Raven]

Kat shrugged. "Of course I know I'm not Kira, but for others, it's a possibility... If I'm a natural born liar, though, how do you know I like you?" She tapped his nose, then turned and walked out the building.

[FoxTrott]

"Because nobody can resist a sexy guy like me," Rhyme responded, shutting his eyes and nodding. It took him a few moments to realize the cashier, along with most other patrons, were staring at him. "It's true," he announced before rushing out behind Kat.

"Any ideas, Kitty?"

[Raven]

Kat shook her head. "We'll have to hope Blue and Seven will still go along with the new L idea," she responded.

[FoxTrott]

"After that fiasco? Blue won't, and Seven might."

Rhyme kicked a wayward pebble, and sighed.

"We still have Velvet to help us, though. Did I tell you she threw a shoe at Sai?"

[Raven]

Kat shook her head and smiled. "I don't think so... I'm sure Blue will know better than to not let us in on it at all. Seven will for sure. Well, unless he believes you guys can't trust me. And even then..." Her voice dwindled off and she frowned.

[FoxTrott]

"Well," Rhyme began with a sigh, "All we can do is hope for the best, at this point. The best being Kira magically showing up, Sai dying, Blue apologizing, and us coming out as the victors. Again, I'd rather laugh than cry, especially in a situation like this."