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cornerofmadnessTitle -- When Sorrow Comes
Author--![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness
Disclaimer -- Arakawa owns all, I’m just having lots of fun.
Rating -- R for violence and sexual situations
Characters/Pairing -- Roy/Riza, Ed/Winry, Maes/Gracia, Alex Louis/OC, lots of Ishbalan OC’s
Timeline/Spoilers -- Technically it’s a few years post CoS with manga elements
Word Count -- 34,777
genre mystery/suspense
Warning -- violence and descriptions of murder.
Summary -- As Ed, Al and Alt!Maes settle into life in Amestris, they have to help Roy in his role as ambassador whose main duties are to speed along the Ishbalan homeland restoration. In the middle of this, a series killer seems desperate to get Mustang’s attention while Riza is no longer always at his side, guarding, instead, the new Fuhrer.
Chapter Nine
Hala wheeled Mr. Challis to X-ray, trying to ignore the old veteran’s lewd suggestions. He pinched her butt when she turned him over the technicians. Dirty old fool. When she got back to the nurses’s station, she spotted John, setting up the pill cart.
“Need some help?” she offered. “Didn’t you have a big day yesterday?”
“I’ve got it. And yes,” John wiggled shining new metal fingers at her. “It’s fine. The pain fades. Your son’s mechanic is quite amazing.”
“Yes, he’s very fond of her.” Hala blushed a bit, remembering her own uncharitable reaction to the girl and the role she played in her son’s ruined happiness.
“I can see why. She’s quite talented.” John brushed his wheat-gold hair back, looking at Hala. “You seem upset.”
She couldn’t tell him about her worries over helping to destroy Dev’s first real relationship, so Hala lied. Well, it wasn’t quite a lie. “I’m worried about these killings.”
John nodded, his lips thinning. “As a woman, I can certainly see why you would be.”
“It’s very disturbing.”
“Yes. Well, I do have to get these pills ready.”
“And I better go check on Miss Harding before I have to go back and get Mr. Challis.” Hala left him sorting the pills, unable to get her grim assessment of Dev’s former girlfriend out of her mind.
XXX
“Al wants to move out,” Ed said, kicking off his boots. He flexed his toes.
Winry was so tickled to see him wiggling the automail toes in time with his flesh ones that it took a second for that news to sink in. She frowned. “What did you do to poor Al?”
“Me?” Ed cocked up his eyebrows. “You were the one in the bathroom all morning. And too loud last night.”
“It was youwho was making the racket.” Winry poked as finger against one of his uniform buttons. “I told you he’d hear that.”
Ed sighed, slipping his blue jacket off. He put it on the coat rack in the foyer then moved into the living room. “That wasn’t his problem. Apparently, he has a bladder smaller than his cat’s. Hmm, I should have told him to go pee in Rag’s box if he had to go so bad.”
Winry sputtered then put a hand on Ed’s shoulder. “Do you think he’s uncomfortable with us?”
“No, he thinks you should move in here while he stays with the bastard.”
Her hand fell away. “Really? Is that what you want, Ed?”
He took a few steps back, his gaze skittering away. “I don’t know. Yes and no.” Ed looked past her shoulder, his own slumping. “I mean, I do want to be with you, but we’ve only been back a few months. It feels too fast.”
Winry nodded. It felt unreal that they had been back such a short time. “I know.”
“And you’re not here all the time. You have those other clinics. And…I just don’t think it looks proper. You’re trying to build a business. Some of the clients are military, right? They’re pretty conservative. I’m not sure what they’d think of you if we weren’t married. You remember how some people talked about Mom.”
She drew near to embrace him. “I do and you’re right. We aren’t going to lose anything by going slowly. We haven’t seen each other in years. I know I still love you, but we need time to get to know each other again. Maybe Al can go to Roy’s on the days I know I’ll be staying here.”
Ed’s face brightened. “I think that’ll work. Can I talk to you about something else?”
“Is it more awkward than this conversation?” Winry gave him a little grin as she tilted her head.
Ed shrugged. “Probably. I’m just worried.”
“About the killings,” she guessed.
“I’m still not allowed to investigate that case.” Ed grumbled, “Have to go deal with the bastard tomorrow as a result. The point is, I really wish you wouldn’t go out alone. You know any one of us would come get you when you’re done with work. I know Hughes told Mrs. Hughes the same thing. Betting General Jackass didn’t tell Riza, though.”
“Because she’d shoot anyone getting too close, and I wouldn’t.” At his look, she spread her hands. “I get it. I’ll try, Ed,” Winry replied.
“I know you’re independent, Winry.” He took her hands in his. “You’re brave, too. But please, for me. I’d feel better if you were with someone you knew - we knew - rather than by yourself.”
Winry smiled before kissing him. “That is so sweet, Ed. You’re not going to whine if that someone is Dev, are you?”
“So long as he behaves. I’d even tolerate Mustang.” Ed’s smirk faded as he said, “I think he wants this guy more than anyone.”
“I can understand that,” Winry said and Ed made a face. “What? I said yes to this!”
“Not that. Cat on back! Help me!” Ed flailed, trying to get the enormous fluffy creature off his back.
“She loves your braid. What can I say? Quit flailing around. You’re scaring her.” Winry managed to pry Ragazza Bella off Ed’s back. She cuddled the cat, who purred at her, and reached up with one paw to tap Winry on the chin.
Ed scowled, stepping back to get out of Rags’ reach. “Damn thing. I hate that cat.”
“Ignore him, Ragazza. He’s just temperamental.” Winry kissed the cat’s furry head.
“I’m probably bleeding,” Ed pouted.
Winry poured the cat out of her arms, then slapped Ed’s butt. “Go get changed. I’ll check to see if you’re bleeding.”
Ed grinned wickedly. “If I’m getting undressed with you…”
“Al is?”
“At Mustang’s already.” He hooked a thumb in the general direction of the mansion.
Winry tugged his long hair. “You’re a naughty man, Edward Elric.”
“See, you already know that didn’t change with the years.”
Winry snorted, chasing him into his bedroom.
XXX
“I think I overstepped myself a little.”
Roy started. The den, warmed by the crackling fire, had been quiet for so long, he had gotten lost in his own thoughts. Setting down the cup of hard cider Pinako had sent along with Winry, he turned his attention to Alphonse. “How so?”
Al kept his eyes on the fireplace. “I told Ed I might come here and live in the guest room here without asking you.”
“He and Winry being too loud?” Roy shot him a knowing look.
Al rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his cider. “Ed needs a gag. Dev suggested you had some.”
“Dev needs to keep out of my things,” Roy grumbled, squirming back against his chair, trying to get comfortable. His back ached from being out in the cold with the body the other night. It was a reminder he’d never quite got back to normal after nearly dying in the bombing last year.
“I don’t envy Winry getting one into that big mouth. Still, I shouldn’t have suggested coming here out of the blue like that.” Al sighed.
“Al, if Winry would like to stay at the cottage on a more permanent basis, I’m fine with you staying here. This place is so big, we’d hardly notice. Besides, Miao-Yin likes having you around,” Roy said and the young man blushed.
“It’s not like that!” he protested.
“Funny, that’s what Dev said the other day when you were all trapped here.” Roy laughed. “And Yi-Lan did leave me in charge of defending my niece’s honor, though between me and you, that only applies to Dev. You’re fine.”
Al snorted. “Poor Dev.”
“Not my fault he’s not allowed to date alchemists.”
Al nodded. “I guess the real question is will Ragazza like Hayate.”
“Hayate likes cats, though he does think barking at them to get them to play with him is a good idea.” Roy shrugged. “Ragazza is big enough to eat Hayate so…”
“Well, maybe I’ll just come over on the nights Winry is staying. Ed can take care of Ragazza.”
“Your brother hates that cat,” Roy reminded him, hiding his smile in his cup.
“He hates lots of things, but he likes me, so he’ll feed Ragazza.” Al put the cider bottle on the table. “He’s still mad about being under suspicion in those deaths.”
“He damn well knows he’s not, but this is the military. There are plenty of other things he can be doing rather than that case.” Roy let his head drop back against the couch pillows. “It just keeps things neater that way.”
“I think the plenty of other things means working with you,” Al replied.
Roy snorted. “Technically, he’s always supposed to be working with me. Ed’s lucky I let Hughes borrow him at all.”
“True. Still, I know it’s bothering him. It has to be bothering you, too.” Al peered at Roy.
“Don’t ask me what I know about this, Al. I don’t know a damn thing. I went out there with Hughes and,” he shook his head, disgusted, “nothing. I just don’t know why this person is going through all this trouble to point out his kills to me. I don’t know a lot of killers.” Roy felt his gut tighten. That was a lie. “All right, I know plenty of killers, but they’re all military. None of whom would steal shoes.”
“No one?” Al scowled. “Not that I know anyone who is a fan of shoes, except maybe a couple girls.”
“There was this one guy in the academy who liked to sniff shoes. I didn’t quite get that. I have no idea where he is now.” Roy climbed out of his chair to go to his desk and got out a pad of paper, writing the man’s name down. “Guess I should mention that to Hughes.”
“Do you think it could be him?”
“Al, honestly, I have no idea. I remember Gregory as a fun-loving guy, but I’m not even sure he survived the war.
Al nodded, his expression taking on a contemplative cast. “Are you sure it’s not a problem if I stay here some nights?”
“I’m sure. I like having people around, Alphonse. I’ve lived alone for a long time.” Roy crossed his arms. “Having a full house reminds me of when I was little with all my sisters, Mom and Dad. Granddad and his princess would come by often. The house would be alive with noise. I didn’t realize how much I missed that until now.”
With a smile, Al said, “That I can understand, all too well. It’s nice to be back home, even though I don’t get to see Winry all that often, or at least not as often as I hear her.”
Roy chuckled. “You probably won’t hear us here.”
“I’ll just assume Riza has you gagged.”
“Don’t make me trade you for Dev.” Roy pointed at him. “I can, you know.”
“Speaking of which, Dev seems to have taken a step back. He wasn’t using his cane that much, but I saw him earlier, and he leaning heavily on it.” His brows knit together. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.”
“He fell. Won’t go to the doctor. Gave his mom lip about it.” Roy shook his head at that. “She should have just socked him. I think he’s little depressed because all that progress seems to have been wiped out.”
“Have Miao-Yin talk to him,” Al suggested. He peered at Roy over the rim of his cup. “I know the sweater she should wear when she does.”
“I’ll find you a nice apartment somewhere, you bad boy.”
Al laughed. It had been a long time since Roy heard the young man laugh and sound like he really was happy and not just going through the motions. Having him around would be nice.
XXX
“Is the bastard asleep, Dev?”
The sound of Ed’s voice jerked Roy out of his trance, memories slipping away like fish in a stream. He had a headache from trying to summon forth past acquaintances who would know he found feet sexy. With his luck, that had nothing to do with the killings, and he was running down the wrong path and taking Maes and Alex Louis with him. Rubbing his eyes – his glass eye slipped around a bit - he fumbled for the coffee cup on his desk. “I’m trying to remember what I can about the alchemists on the list the Ishbalans wanted.”
“I know that remembering can be a difficult task when people get to be your age,” Ed said with exaggerated sweetness.
“And it doesn’t help that he’s half insane,” Dev said. “Because looking at that list, the lot of you alchemists either suicide or end up in asylums. You’re all mad.”
“Hey! I’ve only met a handful of Ishbalan priests and none of you are too stable!” Ed protested.
Roy grinned as they bickered. He enjoyed those moments when they stopped picking on him and turned on each other.
“Should you be just sitting there, sir?”
Roy spun his chair around, seeing Riza standing in his office doorway, an attaché in hand. “I’m not ‘sir’ to you any more. And I’m thinking.”
“You do it so little, that’s why she didn’t recognize the look,” Ed called.
So much for the little moment when he wasn’t a target. “Why are you here, Riza?”
She put the attaché on his desk, making him groan before she even opened it. “The Fuhrer sent more work for you.”
Roy groaned loudly, sinking in his chair. “And she couldn’t use one of her other men? Shouldn’t you be protecting her?”
“Miles is there and maybe I wanted to see my husband.”
“Ah.” Roy grinned.
“Not for that,” she replied, and he heard Havoc snicker in the anteroom.
“There are other reasons to see me?” Roy asked before he could stop his tongue. He braced for impact.
Riza’s lips thinned. “I can’t think of one at the moment.”
“Can I start again?” Roy made a puppy face at her.
“You better before she makes me and Ed very happy by shooting you.” Dev hobbled over, using his cane. “Anything in there I need to be concerned with?”
“No.” Riza eyed him. “You’re limping badly.”
“Fell on the ice. It pisses me off.” He sighed, and gestured toward Roy. “Thought dumbass would have told you.”
“We have better things to do than spend our nights talking about you.” Roy shrugged. “I told Miao-Yin. She wants to see you.”
Dev nodded, his ruby eyes brightening at the mention of Roy’s niece. “Fine. When you’re done with whatever Riza brought, think you can tell me when you’ll have that list done? Uzziel will want an update when I get back to the Center.”
“I’m getting there. I have all the dead or committed ones that I know of on this list, and a list of ones I’m sure would welcome contact. It’s this group I’m not so sure of.” Roy tapped it.
Dev peered at it, then frowned.
Roy peered up at him, seeing the young man’s expression change. “What?”
“That name, does it say John Pandur?”
Roy nodded. “The Whip Alchemist.”
“I remember him,” Riza said. “He was quiet, sort of sad.”
His alchemy was originally meant for healing, but naturally the military had more use for that alchemy turned inside out.”
“He could do human transmutation?” Ed’s eyes widened.
“Minor. Marcoh was better, but John knew how to make small cuts,” Roy said. “In the right places, they were deadly. And he was sad a lot. He wasn’t a bad guy but…oh, hell.”
“What?” Dev asked.
“He and I talked some nights, often after a little too much moonshine. He knows my secrets,” Roy said in a low whisper.
“That you’re a pervert? Is it really a secret?” Ed asked.
“About the feet? Yes. Wonder where he is. I’ll have to add him to the list with Gregory when Hughes calls.” Roy stalked around the room, trying to figure out how he had so completely forgotten this man. If he hadn’t been so busy trying to bury his past maybe at least one of the women would still be alive.
“I don’t have to wonder where he is. He works at Central Hospital with my mother. I’ve met him,” Dev said, his voice cracking, his face pale.
“Are you sure?” Roy asked.
“I’ve met a John Pandur, but I had no idea he was an alchemist. He works as a medic. Mustang, he has an automail hand!”
“He was captured by Ishbalans, wasn’t he, Roy?” Riza turned to him.
Roy nodded. “They tortured him for days before cutting off one of his hands. They were going after the other when we rescued him. I was in on that. He was sent back, and I know he was in an asylum for a while before they released him. Central Hospital.”
“Yeah, worse, I sent him to Winry,” Dev groaned.
Ed grabbed his arm, spinning Dev around. “You did what?”
“His hand was old. She just replaced it for him,” Dev said, yanking free of Ed’s grasp.
“The fucking automail oil,” Ed growled.
“You call Winry. See if she still has the old hand,” Roy said. “I’ll call Hughes. Dev, where is your mother?”
“Roy, she’s at the hospital.” Dev went pale.
“Call her. Find out if he’s there, but you can’t let him get wind that we suspect him.” Roy stabbed a finger at him.
“She’s my mother. I’m warning her. Don’t worry, Ishbalans have gotten good at keeping secrets,” Dev said, stumbling in his haste. He yelped, steadying himself on his cane.
“I’m going with you, Roy,” Riza said.
“I didn’t even say I was going.”
“As if you’d let Hughes handle this himself.” She waved him off.
“You’re not military any more.” Roy knew that was a hollow protest. He wanted her at his side but he worried. Something was a little off. He worried she might be getting the bug that had given him pneumonia. “If the Fuhrer allows it, I wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else but with me.”
“If you get maudlin, your men will mock you.” Riza nodded toward the anteroom.
“Right.” Roy nodded. “Ed, Dev, make your calls, then I’ll call Hughes once we know where John is.”
“If this is the killer, what are you going to do?” Ed asked.
Roy’s jaw hardened. “Stop him any way I can.”
Chapter Ten
“You’re sure about this,” Maes said, stopping Roy from going through the doors to the emergency room.
“I’m sure. That reporter published photos of both you and Strongarm,” Roy replied and his friends both scowled.
“Pain in the ass,” Maes muttered.
Roy nodded. “I know. John was no fool. Most alchemists are fairly intelligent,” he said, ignoring the twin snorts from Dev and Ed. “John wasn’t particularly violent, but being tortured and maimed changes a man. I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“You sound like you almost feel sorry for him.” Maes’s eyes were hard behind his lenses.
“In a way, I do. That war turned too many of us into monsters, but if he’s the one killing these women, that is what he is. I’m the best person to stop him. He wanted to get my attention, after all. You or Armstrong would only spook him.”
“But you’re taking a man who can barely walk.” Maes jerked his chin at Dev.
“My mom is working the same floor with him,” Dev grumbled. “I’m going. Besides, I’m pretending I’m hurt. She’ll come look after me and be away from him.”
“You’re not pretending,” Roy reminded him. “I think you did mess up your leg and should have come here two days ago.”
“And I’ll be with him just in case things go wrong,” Ed said. “I sent Al after Winry just in case this guy left early. If he’s here and he can sneak alchemy past Mustang, I can protect any of the innocents we can’t just get out of there without alerting the guy.”
“And I’ll be there,” Riza said quietly. “Pretending to be ill.”
Roy wondered just how much of that was pretend. “We have it covered.”
“Yeah,” Hughes sighed. “I just don’t like sitting out when I’m the one who should be arresting him.” He brushed a hand over his lapel. “I’m incognito, after all.”
Only Hughes would think a purple suit would make him an everyman. Roy shrugged. “Fine, pull the hat down low and take off your glasses. And stay the hell back. Hopefully he’ll think you’re in for a psych consult in that suit.”
Maes made a face then turned back to his men, giving them orders to be waiting outside the emergency room, orders he should have been taking himself. Roy left him and went into the emergency room. It was more crowded than he hoped for. Most of the people looked rampagingly ill with the same killer cough he had so recently suffered from, or were moaning and crying, holding various limbs in awkward angles. Winter claimed a lot of casualties. He signaled for his companions to hang back, sit down, look like patients, do what they had discussed. Roy only trusted Riza to obey orders and follow the plan.
He spotted Hala working the front desk, apparently triaging patients. Roy didn’t recognize the man giving orders to a younger nurse at first. John had aged since Roy had seen him, but then again it had been well over fifteen years, and John was older than Roy. Roy had been the youngest State Alchemist until Edward. Many of the men he served with had been a decade his senior.
Roy walked up to the front desk and Hala handed him a clipboard and paperwork like a pro. Well, she was, he supposed.
“Fill it out and have a seat. We’ll get you in to the see the doctor in order of seriousness of your aliment,” she said, in a half-bored tone but he could see the worry in her ruby eyes as she pretended sudden recognition. “Oh, Ambassador, I’m sorry. Is something wrong?”
“Your son fell and we brought him in.” Roy jerked a thumb toward the back of the waiting room. “He can fill out his own paperwork.”
“Is he hurt badly?” Hala turned to John and said. “John, can you man the desk for a few minutes? My son fell. I’m going to go check on him.”
“Sure.” John turned, his eyes widening. There was no doubt he recognized Roy. “Flame?”
Roy blinked. “Do I know…oh my god, Whip? Is that you?”
A huge grin spread across John’s face and he stuck out his automail hand. Roy shook it.
“I can’t believe it’s you, Mustang. What are you doing here?”
“It’s being a bad day. I work with Hala’s son.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hala get halfway around the desk before a doctor stopped her, officiously ordering her back to work.
“You checking out Hala?” John grinned, picking up on Roy’s interest.
He winced. He should know better than to be so obvious. “What can I say? She’s older than me but she’s hot. Hang on a moment. I want to catch up, but I have to do something first,” Roy said, moving over to the doctor’s side. “Doctor, this woman’s son could use your help.”
“Soldier, you don’t tell me what do in this hospital,” he replied.
“General, and do I really have to pull all the many strings I could to make your life miserable when you could do the nice thing and help one of your nurses with her injured son?” Roy smiled, as cold as the wind outside.
The man sputtered but let Hala lead him back toward where Dev sat. Roy watched her lean in, whispering something. The doctor looked back alarmed, then started moving faster. Roy just hoped she could stop him at Dev’s side long enough to be convincing. He’d best distract John again just in case.
“Sorry about that. I had no idea you were back in Central working,” Roy said, casting one last glance back at Hala.
“For a couple years now, not quite what I wanted to be doing, but the research.” John frowned. “It makes me anxious thinking about doing alchemic research. I can still do what I used to, but I’m even rusty at that.”
“I know what you mean. The war put me off learning anything new for a long time.” Roy scowled. “Didn’t really feel like an alchemist any more.”
John nodded knowingly, pulling a chart off the desk and handing it to a nurse who approached them. She went off to call the person back to the treatment area. “I saw the newspapers with all your wedding photos. I remember Hawkeye from those days. You sure you want to be eyeing up Ishbalan nurses when she’s not looking?”
Roy laughed “Fair point. She’s here, too. We were taking her out to the car when Dev fell. He’s not particularly steady on his feet. The war didn’t treat him well either.”
“Did it treat anyone well?” John asked bitterly, turning to look over the waiting room. “She looks tired”
Roy frowned. John was sharper than he remembered. He sure as hell hoped John didn’t spot Maes as well. A crowded waiting room was no place for an alchemy battle. “I was just in this hospital a few weeks ago with pneumonia. I’m hoping she doesn’t have the same bug.”
John turned back. “Could be. Could be pregnant, she has that look.”
Roy’s mouth dropped, involuntarily twisting back to look at his wife. Why the hell had he never thought about that? Mostly because tired could be anything and that was the only complain Riza had mentioned. “I didn’t think of that. Certainly possible. That would be better than her getting sick with pneumonia, too.”
John nodded. “I’ll be honest; I was surprised to hear you got married. You had a certain reputation. We used to talk about it back then, remember?”
Roy’s mouth felt suddenly dry, but he managed to say, “Yes, I do. That was a long time ago.”
“Hawkeye was a pretty thing, still is. Always wondered what her feet looked like under those boots. Guess you’re lucky enough to know.”
Roy smiled, shaking a finger at John. “They are very nice and they’re all mine.”
“Wouldn’t dream otherwise.” John held up his hands. “I know you were here in the hospital a lot last year. I thought about coming up to see you, even though it wasn’t my floor. I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome a visit from someone from that…time.”
Roy wondered if things might have turned out a little differently if John had. The killings seemed to be a new thing, unless the alchemist had done it wherever he had lived before moving back to Central. “It would have been okay. I came to see you when you were…recovering. I’m not sure you remember that.”
“Barely. I thought it might even be a dream. They had me on a lot of medications.” John glanced down at his metal hand, flexing the finger. “I didn’t have this hand then either. Well, any hand, not this one. This one is new. Hala’s son introduced me to his automail mechanic, surprisingly pretty, Most of the ones I knew were burly creatures.”
“Ah, Miss Rockbell. Yes, she is lovely, a bit young for my tastes but still. She’s my mechanic, too. Lost a leg a couple years back.”
John shot him a pitying look. “That is never easy.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe you decided to get married. I’m still looking for that special one, you know?” John stared at Roy. “You really do know, don’t you? About collecting?”
“Most alchemists know that. I have met very few who didn’t collect something,” Roy said, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to wait for a time where there were less people about. John was nearly there and the fight could start at any time.
“Do you know that Ishbalans believe the energies of our bodies can imbue inanimate objects with power? Centuries ago, they would knock down an entire wall in a room where someone died, so the spirit wouldn’t linger. They wouldn’t take old furniture for fear of some spiritual power clinging to it.”
Roy shook his head. “I work with priests every day, but they tell me little about their beliefs. I think they believe I’ll ridicule them for it.”
“Others would seek out these special objects for the power. The more violent the death, the more powerful the object. I thought you should know that,” John said, his hand disappearing into the pocket of his hospital uniform. “You would understand. I’m sure of that.”
Roy moved just as John’s hand came up, something metal clutched in it. He used a method of attack his grandfather had taught him when he was young, quick and efficient with no collateral damage. Roy struck the side of his hand against John’s carotid, pressing tight. The man yelped, stumbling back a step. Roy moved with him, keeping the pressure on. It felt like minutes when he knew it was only seconds. John passed out. Roy barely caught the man before he crashed into the desk.
“Got him?” Maes hollered.
“Yes.”
Maes disappeared out the swinging doors then returned with Armstrong and the rest of their men. Armstrong had a small stockade that would keep John’s hands separated. Roy fished up the amulet John had dropped, running a finger over the rune, memorizing it. He and Al could benefit from the reverse of this transmutation circle as they researched healing alchemy.
“That was easier than I expected,” Maes said, staring down at his prisoner.
“Easy for you to say. He’s rather mad,” Roy said. “Talking about some Ishbalan belief that death can make objects powerful, know what he’s talking about, Dev?”
“Old superstition,” the young man said, hobbling up with Ed and Hala in tow. “What did he want to make powerful?”
“The shoes, I would guess. That was his thing.” Roy shrugged as Riza came up to him.
“And why would he think you’d understand that.” Ed glared at the fallen man, horror in his gold eyes.
“He just did.”
“For no reason?” Dev pressed.
“He probably assumed the general likes to incorporate shoes and toes into his sex play,” Hala said and Roy blushed.
“You came up with that too fast for comfort, Mom.” Dev wrinkled his nose.
“You can imagine the sexual misadventures we see coming through here,” Hala said then wagged a finger at Roy. “And I heard what you said about me.”
Dev whipped around to face Roy. “What did you say about my mother?”
“That she’s hot.”
Dev pushed him. “Stay away from my mother.”
Roy sighed, leaning against Riza. “Mrs. Jasso, now that we have your idiot son in the hospital, maybe you should make him see a doctor to be sure he didn’t rebreak that leg when he fell.”
“Don’t you worry. Come along, son. That bullet did a lot of damage. Your leg is still fragile.” Hala caught Dev’s arm, pulling him away from the desk. Dev sputtered something about not getting to see how it all ended, but Roy wasn’t sure what else there was to see.
“That was a cool move you used on him, Mustang,” Ed said. “He doesn’t look scary. I guess I thought he would.”
“Looking human is what makes monsters so very scary,” Maes said.
Roy nodded, reaching for Riza’s hand. “How are you feeling?”
Her brow knit. “What’s with all the concern? I’m fine, Roy.”
“You’ve been so tired lately.”
“And now I’m not. Never underestimate how tiring you can be.” She smiled. “Just like your sisters are always saying.”
He snorted at her teasing. “Fine. I guess you and Armstrong can take it from here, Maes.”
His friend’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sure we can.”
Roy held up his hands. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sound so dickish.”
“You can’t help it. It’s what you are,” Ed said. “Show me how that move works some time.”
“Can’t be revealing Xingese fighting techniques to a non-Xingese.” Roy smirked and Riza nudged him.
“See, there’s the dick.” Ed shrugged. “I’ll just ask your niece.”
“Be my guest. She’s likely to use it on you.”
Ed rolled his eyes. “I’ll go tell Al and Winry it’s over – provided, of course, you didn’t just knock out an innocent man since we have almost no proof. Speaking of which, Winry thinks she still has his old hand in the scrap bin, not that I’m sure it helps much.”
“Proves it leaked. That might be enough. I think this guy wants to talk, if only to you, Roy,” Maes said.
“If that’s what it takes, I can come to the interrogations,” Roy said.
“You may have to.” Maes smirked. “I’m not sure Alex Louis or I could convincingly talk about feet being sexy.”
“Go to hell. If I’m done, I’m taking my wife home.”
“You have to write reports about this first,” Riza countered. “You’re going to your office.”
Roy’s shoulders slumped, but he let her lead him away. He glanced back at the Whip Alchemist as Hughes’s men brought over a gurney to cart him out on. He couldn’t help wondering if the war drove John to murder or was it always there, just lurking in the corners of his tortured mind?
XXX
“Sorry if we’re the last ones here,” Ed said, stomping the snow off his boots outside on the porch. His golden eyes took on a wicked gleam. “Al had to make himself pretty.”
Al shoved Ed inside Roy’s house. Roy neatly sidestepped the brothers. “Shut up.”
With a sudden cloud of moisture, the remaining snow succumbed to the brothers’ transmutation from solid to gaseous state, leaving their foot gear house-safe by Riza’s standards.
“We just better not get trapped here again,” Ed grumbled.
“What my brother means is thanks for asking us here for dinner.” Al shucked his coat.
“You’re barely in the house and you’re already causing trouble.” Winry tsked, coming into the foyer, an apron draped over her body.
“You’re the one who wants to put up with this. Don’t look at us,” Roy said and she swatted his arm.
“As if Riza doesn’t put up with the same. Come on, we’re about ready to eat,” Winry said.
“Ed! Al!” Elicia came barreling out of the living room, leaping on Ed, who caught her in an embrace.
“You get bigger every day, Elicia.” Al ruffled her hair as Ed struggled to extricate himself.
“I do. Daddy measures me against the door!”
“Our mom used to do that until Ed started crying because he never grew.” Al grinned until Ed reached over and cuffed him on the back of the head.
Winry sighed. “Try not to fight until after dinner. I’m sure by then Dev will be ready to help.”
“I plan on throwing at least two of them out in the snow before long,” Roy said.
“And I’m sure Riza will send you right after.” Winry gave him a look.
Roy laughed, herding his guests toward the dining room. Dev, Alex Louis and Maes were already seated. Winry took Elicia back into the kitchen. “You’re not helping?”
“The women said we were dangerous and sent us out here,” Maes said.
“Probably true. Have a seat, boys. I’ll go see if they need any help,” Roy said.
“Don’t bother. You’re worse than the whole lot of them,” Li-Ying called from the kitchen.
“Fine, I’ll sit and be lazy,” Roy called back.
“You are the expert at that.”
Roy sat at the table, looking at Armstrong. “And you wish to date that sword-tongued woman, why?”
“She is quite a lovely woman,” Alex Louis said. “And she does not treat me the way she does you.” His mustache twitched as he smiled. “I suppose I am better behaved.”
Roy snorted. “You’re definitely more genteel. I’m just glad everyone could be here for the celebration. It’s not quite mid-winter yet, but we’re celebrating early. Certainly cold enough. And we’re celebrating the closing of your first major case since you’ve been…back, Hughes.”
“He confessed then?” Ed asked, leaning his elbows on the table in his eagerness to find out the answer.
Maes nodded. “With Roy’s help. He seemed anxious to tell his story. He’ll be committed to a high security asylum that specializes in dealing with you alchemists. They assured us he’ll never be released.”
“And they assured us Kimblee was dead when he wasn’t.” Roy eyed Armstrong again. “I certainly hope your sister’s administration is more honest.”
“As do I, Flame.”
“How in the hell did he manage to adopt a purely Ishbalan custom, and an ancient one at that, as his reason for killing to imbue those shoes with power?” Dev asked. “And for what purpose?”
“The high? The imaginary perfect woman? I have no idea. He is insane.” Roy got back up and took one of the open bottles of wine off the side board. He started pouring glasses. “I guess when he was at the mercy of those Ishbalan priests, the power they had over him made an impression. Maybe he studied Ishbalan culture along with Xingese when he was learning his alchemy. I don’t know. I suppose I could always ask him. He wanted me to visit, part of the confession hinged on the promise that I would.”
“Better you than me,” Maes said, with a shake of his head.
“Yeah, still there might be something in his research that Alphonse, Miao-Yin and I can use in regards to healing alchemy.” Roy shrugged.
“Yes, because it worked out so well for Pandur,” Dev rolled his eyes.
“Alphonse and Miao-Yin are more stable. I have Ishbalans torturing me daily, so I’m more of a risk,” Roy admitted, giving Dev the hairy eye.
“Glad to be of help,” Dev replied as Li-Ying and Miao-Yin came out, carrying trays of soup.
“This is a traditional soup,” Li-Ying said, “Sweet with equally sweet rice flour balls in them.”
“I’m getting the wine, less traditional since the last time I gave rice wine to some of you, you whined it was lighter fluid.” Roy snickered.
The women doled out the bowls before settling down, Winry between the brothers and Miao-Yin to Al’s other side. Hala set next to her son and the rest of the women took up spots next to their lovers. Roy gestured to Maes who popped up and hefted the tripod that had been leaning against the sideboard.
He set up the camera and rejoined them. “It’s on timer. Smile.”
Everyone turned dutifully to the camera and grinned. They sat frozen until the flash blinded them.
“I can not believe I’m in family pictures with you, Mustang,” Hala said, making a face.
“Definitely unexpected but welcome, nonetheless,” he agreed. “And we owe you and Dev a thank you. If you hadn’t actually known John, we wouldn’t have caught…” Roy trailed off, looking into Elicia’s young face. “the bad guy.”
“It was just coincidence,” Dev said.
“Many cases are solved that way. Just a random bit of information you overhear and the pieces fall into place,” Maes replied.
“I don’t think I’d be cut out for your job,” Dev said, tasting his soup. “Okay, this is really good. Why didn’t we ever think of sweet soups when I was a kid?”
“Because you’d be fatter than a house by now with your sweet tooth,” his mother replied.
Once the soup was polished off, Roy poured more wine and Riza and his kin went back to bring out more food. Li-Ying set up three hot pots within easy reach and Roy started the fire under them. Several other platters joined the ranks.
“You just take the skewer and put it in the sauce. It’ll cook fast,” Roy said. “This plate is tea-smoked duck. Those are noodles and vegetables with a garlic sauce and that reddish chicken dish is made with peppers of death. Consider that a warning.”
“Ishbalans do eat hot cuisine more often than not,” Dev reminded him, helping himself to a small portion of the chicken. He popped one piece into his mouth then made a face.
“You heard me warn him, Hala,” Roy said.
“My son makes his own choices. On the upside, now that you’ve probably given him third degree burns on his tongue from the looks of his face, maybe you’ll have a quiet evening,” the nurse replied, wagging her head.
“That is insane,” Dev rasped, red-faced.
“That’s not even as hot as we could have made it. It’s traditionally even hotter,” Li-Ying said.
“Does it melt the pot when you’re done?” Gracia laughed.
“If it’s done right,” she grinned.
Roy raised his wine glass. “A quick toast. Here’s to another success. Improving the world is a never ending battle so we should celebrate where we can.”
After the ‘here, here’s’ and the clinking of glasses, they gave the lavish meal the attention it deserved. Afterward, Roy got the men to help him clear the table and do the dishes. By the time he had gotten to the living room, his sister had started sticks of incense on the mantle in front of their parents’ photo. She explained it to the men when Alphonse asked. As talk of honoring the dead faded away, and the younger members of the gathering argued over which game they could all play, Roy sat next to Riza on the couch. He draped an arm around her, pulling her close.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
What he really was thinking about were John’s words. But he couldn’t talk to Riza about that now. If he asked her if she were pregnant in front of everyone, she’d probably hit him. If she said yes, he’d cry. No way in hell was he going to cry in front of Ed and Dev. Even Maes would torment him and Alex Louis would probably hug him until ribs broke. Maybe she really was simply tired. Either way, that would have to wait.
“That I’m the luckiest man alive some days.” He kissed her.
“Oh god!” Dev groaned
“No one wants to see that!” Ed added.
“Some of us do,” Riza replied, laughing.
As they dragged out a board game that Elicia could play yet wouldn’t bore the adults, Roy realized his words were so very true. He could have easily ended up like John, half mad, a danger to himself and others. Instead, here he was surrounded by friends and family, in spite of all the horrible things he had done. He was luckier than he knew. What man could ask for more?
Author--
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer -- Arakawa owns all, I’m just having lots of fun.
Rating -- R for violence and sexual situations
Characters/Pairing -- Roy/Riza, Ed/Winry, Maes/Gracia, Alex Louis/OC, lots of Ishbalan OC’s
Timeline/Spoilers -- Technically it’s a few years post CoS with manga elements
Word Count -- 34,777
genre mystery/suspense
Warning -- violence and descriptions of murder.
Summary -- As Ed, Al and Alt!Maes settle into life in Amestris, they have to help Roy in his role as ambassador whose main duties are to speed along the Ishbalan homeland restoration. In the middle of this, a series killer seems desperate to get Mustang’s attention while Riza is no longer always at his side, guarding, instead, the new Fuhrer.
Chapter Nine
Hala wheeled Mr. Challis to X-ray, trying to ignore the old veteran’s lewd suggestions. He pinched her butt when she turned him over the technicians. Dirty old fool. When she got back to the nurses’s station, she spotted John, setting up the pill cart.
“Need some help?” she offered. “Didn’t you have a big day yesterday?”
“I’ve got it. And yes,” John wiggled shining new metal fingers at her. “It’s fine. The pain fades. Your son’s mechanic is quite amazing.”
“Yes, he’s very fond of her.” Hala blushed a bit, remembering her own uncharitable reaction to the girl and the role she played in her son’s ruined happiness.
“I can see why. She’s quite talented.” John brushed his wheat-gold hair back, looking at Hala. “You seem upset.”
She couldn’t tell him about her worries over helping to destroy Dev’s first real relationship, so Hala lied. Well, it wasn’t quite a lie. “I’m worried about these killings.”
John nodded, his lips thinning. “As a woman, I can certainly see why you would be.”
“It’s very disturbing.”
“Yes. Well, I do have to get these pills ready.”
“And I better go check on Miss Harding before I have to go back and get Mr. Challis.” Hala left him sorting the pills, unable to get her grim assessment of Dev’s former girlfriend out of her mind.
XXX
“Al wants to move out,” Ed said, kicking off his boots. He flexed his toes.
Winry was so tickled to see him wiggling the automail toes in time with his flesh ones that it took a second for that news to sink in. She frowned. “What did you do to poor Al?”
“Me?” Ed cocked up his eyebrows. “You were the one in the bathroom all morning. And too loud last night.”
“It was youwho was making the racket.” Winry poked as finger against one of his uniform buttons. “I told you he’d hear that.”
Ed sighed, slipping his blue jacket off. He put it on the coat rack in the foyer then moved into the living room. “That wasn’t his problem. Apparently, he has a bladder smaller than his cat’s. Hmm, I should have told him to go pee in Rag’s box if he had to go so bad.”
Winry sputtered then put a hand on Ed’s shoulder. “Do you think he’s uncomfortable with us?”
“No, he thinks you should move in here while he stays with the bastard.”
Her hand fell away. “Really? Is that what you want, Ed?”
He took a few steps back, his gaze skittering away. “I don’t know. Yes and no.” Ed looked past her shoulder, his own slumping. “I mean, I do want to be with you, but we’ve only been back a few months. It feels too fast.”
Winry nodded. It felt unreal that they had been back such a short time. “I know.”
“And you’re not here all the time. You have those other clinics. And…I just don’t think it looks proper. You’re trying to build a business. Some of the clients are military, right? They’re pretty conservative. I’m not sure what they’d think of you if we weren’t married. You remember how some people talked about Mom.”
She drew near to embrace him. “I do and you’re right. We aren’t going to lose anything by going slowly. We haven’t seen each other in years. I know I still love you, but we need time to get to know each other again. Maybe Al can go to Roy’s on the days I know I’ll be staying here.”
Ed’s face brightened. “I think that’ll work. Can I talk to you about something else?”
“Is it more awkward than this conversation?” Winry gave him a little grin as she tilted her head.
Ed shrugged. “Probably. I’m just worried.”
“About the killings,” she guessed.
“I’m still not allowed to investigate that case.” Ed grumbled, “Have to go deal with the bastard tomorrow as a result. The point is, I really wish you wouldn’t go out alone. You know any one of us would come get you when you’re done with work. I know Hughes told Mrs. Hughes the same thing. Betting General Jackass didn’t tell Riza, though.”
“Because she’d shoot anyone getting too close, and I wouldn’t.” At his look, she spread her hands. “I get it. I’ll try, Ed,” Winry replied.
“I know you’re independent, Winry.” He took her hands in his. “You’re brave, too. But please, for me. I’d feel better if you were with someone you knew - we knew - rather than by yourself.”
Winry smiled before kissing him. “That is so sweet, Ed. You’re not going to whine if that someone is Dev, are you?”
“So long as he behaves. I’d even tolerate Mustang.” Ed’s smirk faded as he said, “I think he wants this guy more than anyone.”
“I can understand that,” Winry said and Ed made a face. “What? I said yes to this!”
“Not that. Cat on back! Help me!” Ed flailed, trying to get the enormous fluffy creature off his back.
“She loves your braid. What can I say? Quit flailing around. You’re scaring her.” Winry managed to pry Ragazza Bella off Ed’s back. She cuddled the cat, who purred at her, and reached up with one paw to tap Winry on the chin.
Ed scowled, stepping back to get out of Rags’ reach. “Damn thing. I hate that cat.”
“Ignore him, Ragazza. He’s just temperamental.” Winry kissed the cat’s furry head.
“I’m probably bleeding,” Ed pouted.
Winry poured the cat out of her arms, then slapped Ed’s butt. “Go get changed. I’ll check to see if you’re bleeding.”
Ed grinned wickedly. “If I’m getting undressed with you…”
“Al is?”
“At Mustang’s already.” He hooked a thumb in the general direction of the mansion.
Winry tugged his long hair. “You’re a naughty man, Edward Elric.”
“See, you already know that didn’t change with the years.”
Winry snorted, chasing him into his bedroom.
XXX
“I think I overstepped myself a little.”
Roy started. The den, warmed by the crackling fire, had been quiet for so long, he had gotten lost in his own thoughts. Setting down the cup of hard cider Pinako had sent along with Winry, he turned his attention to Alphonse. “How so?”
Al kept his eyes on the fireplace. “I told Ed I might come here and live in the guest room here without asking you.”
“He and Winry being too loud?” Roy shot him a knowing look.
Al rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his cider. “Ed needs a gag. Dev suggested you had some.”
“Dev needs to keep out of my things,” Roy grumbled, squirming back against his chair, trying to get comfortable. His back ached from being out in the cold with the body the other night. It was a reminder he’d never quite got back to normal after nearly dying in the bombing last year.
“I don’t envy Winry getting one into that big mouth. Still, I shouldn’t have suggested coming here out of the blue like that.” Al sighed.
“Al, if Winry would like to stay at the cottage on a more permanent basis, I’m fine with you staying here. This place is so big, we’d hardly notice. Besides, Miao-Yin likes having you around,” Roy said and the young man blushed.
“It’s not like that!” he protested.
“Funny, that’s what Dev said the other day when you were all trapped here.” Roy laughed. “And Yi-Lan did leave me in charge of defending my niece’s honor, though between me and you, that only applies to Dev. You’re fine.”
Al snorted. “Poor Dev.”
“Not my fault he’s not allowed to date alchemists.”
Al nodded. “I guess the real question is will Ragazza like Hayate.”
“Hayate likes cats, though he does think barking at them to get them to play with him is a good idea.” Roy shrugged. “Ragazza is big enough to eat Hayate so…”
“Well, maybe I’ll just come over on the nights Winry is staying. Ed can take care of Ragazza.”
“Your brother hates that cat,” Roy reminded him, hiding his smile in his cup.
“He hates lots of things, but he likes me, so he’ll feed Ragazza.” Al put the cider bottle on the table. “He’s still mad about being under suspicion in those deaths.”
“He damn well knows he’s not, but this is the military. There are plenty of other things he can be doing rather than that case.” Roy let his head drop back against the couch pillows. “It just keeps things neater that way.”
“I think the plenty of other things means working with you,” Al replied.
Roy snorted. “Technically, he’s always supposed to be working with me. Ed’s lucky I let Hughes borrow him at all.”
“True. Still, I know it’s bothering him. It has to be bothering you, too.” Al peered at Roy.
“Don’t ask me what I know about this, Al. I don’t know a damn thing. I went out there with Hughes and,” he shook his head, disgusted, “nothing. I just don’t know why this person is going through all this trouble to point out his kills to me. I don’t know a lot of killers.” Roy felt his gut tighten. That was a lie. “All right, I know plenty of killers, but they’re all military. None of whom would steal shoes.”
“No one?” Al scowled. “Not that I know anyone who is a fan of shoes, except maybe a couple girls.”
“There was this one guy in the academy who liked to sniff shoes. I didn’t quite get that. I have no idea where he is now.” Roy climbed out of his chair to go to his desk and got out a pad of paper, writing the man’s name down. “Guess I should mention that to Hughes.”
“Do you think it could be him?”
“Al, honestly, I have no idea. I remember Gregory as a fun-loving guy, but I’m not even sure he survived the war.
Al nodded, his expression taking on a contemplative cast. “Are you sure it’s not a problem if I stay here some nights?”
“I’m sure. I like having people around, Alphonse. I’ve lived alone for a long time.” Roy crossed his arms. “Having a full house reminds me of when I was little with all my sisters, Mom and Dad. Granddad and his princess would come by often. The house would be alive with noise. I didn’t realize how much I missed that until now.”
With a smile, Al said, “That I can understand, all too well. It’s nice to be back home, even though I don’t get to see Winry all that often, or at least not as often as I hear her.”
Roy chuckled. “You probably won’t hear us here.”
“I’ll just assume Riza has you gagged.”
“Don’t make me trade you for Dev.” Roy pointed at him. “I can, you know.”
“Speaking of which, Dev seems to have taken a step back. He wasn’t using his cane that much, but I saw him earlier, and he leaning heavily on it.” His brows knit together. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.”
“He fell. Won’t go to the doctor. Gave his mom lip about it.” Roy shook his head at that. “She should have just socked him. I think he’s little depressed because all that progress seems to have been wiped out.”
“Have Miao-Yin talk to him,” Al suggested. He peered at Roy over the rim of his cup. “I know the sweater she should wear when she does.”
“I’ll find you a nice apartment somewhere, you bad boy.”
Al laughed. It had been a long time since Roy heard the young man laugh and sound like he really was happy and not just going through the motions. Having him around would be nice.
XXX
“Is the bastard asleep, Dev?”
The sound of Ed’s voice jerked Roy out of his trance, memories slipping away like fish in a stream. He had a headache from trying to summon forth past acquaintances who would know he found feet sexy. With his luck, that had nothing to do with the killings, and he was running down the wrong path and taking Maes and Alex Louis with him. Rubbing his eyes – his glass eye slipped around a bit - he fumbled for the coffee cup on his desk. “I’m trying to remember what I can about the alchemists on the list the Ishbalans wanted.”
“I know that remembering can be a difficult task when people get to be your age,” Ed said with exaggerated sweetness.
“And it doesn’t help that he’s half insane,” Dev said. “Because looking at that list, the lot of you alchemists either suicide or end up in asylums. You’re all mad.”
“Hey! I’ve only met a handful of Ishbalan priests and none of you are too stable!” Ed protested.
Roy grinned as they bickered. He enjoyed those moments when they stopped picking on him and turned on each other.
“Should you be just sitting there, sir?”
Roy spun his chair around, seeing Riza standing in his office doorway, an attaché in hand. “I’m not ‘sir’ to you any more. And I’m thinking.”
“You do it so little, that’s why she didn’t recognize the look,” Ed called.
So much for the little moment when he wasn’t a target. “Why are you here, Riza?”
She put the attaché on his desk, making him groan before she even opened it. “The Fuhrer sent more work for you.”
Roy groaned loudly, sinking in his chair. “And she couldn’t use one of her other men? Shouldn’t you be protecting her?”
“Miles is there and maybe I wanted to see my husband.”
“Ah.” Roy grinned.
“Not for that,” she replied, and he heard Havoc snicker in the anteroom.
“There are other reasons to see me?” Roy asked before he could stop his tongue. He braced for impact.
Riza’s lips thinned. “I can’t think of one at the moment.”
“Can I start again?” Roy made a puppy face at her.
“You better before she makes me and Ed very happy by shooting you.” Dev hobbled over, using his cane. “Anything in there I need to be concerned with?”
“No.” Riza eyed him. “You’re limping badly.”
“Fell on the ice. It pisses me off.” He sighed, and gestured toward Roy. “Thought dumbass would have told you.”
“We have better things to do than spend our nights talking about you.” Roy shrugged. “I told Miao-Yin. She wants to see you.”
Dev nodded, his ruby eyes brightening at the mention of Roy’s niece. “Fine. When you’re done with whatever Riza brought, think you can tell me when you’ll have that list done? Uzziel will want an update when I get back to the Center.”
“I’m getting there. I have all the dead or committed ones that I know of on this list, and a list of ones I’m sure would welcome contact. It’s this group I’m not so sure of.” Roy tapped it.
Dev peered at it, then frowned.
Roy peered up at him, seeing the young man’s expression change. “What?”
“That name, does it say John Pandur?”
Roy nodded. “The Whip Alchemist.”
“I remember him,” Riza said. “He was quiet, sort of sad.”
His alchemy was originally meant for healing, but naturally the military had more use for that alchemy turned inside out.”
“He could do human transmutation?” Ed’s eyes widened.
“Minor. Marcoh was better, but John knew how to make small cuts,” Roy said. “In the right places, they were deadly. And he was sad a lot. He wasn’t a bad guy but…oh, hell.”
“What?” Dev asked.
“He and I talked some nights, often after a little too much moonshine. He knows my secrets,” Roy said in a low whisper.
“That you’re a pervert? Is it really a secret?” Ed asked.
“About the feet? Yes. Wonder where he is. I’ll have to add him to the list with Gregory when Hughes calls.” Roy stalked around the room, trying to figure out how he had so completely forgotten this man. If he hadn’t been so busy trying to bury his past maybe at least one of the women would still be alive.
“I don’t have to wonder where he is. He works at Central Hospital with my mother. I’ve met him,” Dev said, his voice cracking, his face pale.
“Are you sure?” Roy asked.
“I’ve met a John Pandur, but I had no idea he was an alchemist. He works as a medic. Mustang, he has an automail hand!”
“He was captured by Ishbalans, wasn’t he, Roy?” Riza turned to him.
Roy nodded. “They tortured him for days before cutting off one of his hands. They were going after the other when we rescued him. I was in on that. He was sent back, and I know he was in an asylum for a while before they released him. Central Hospital.”
“Yeah, worse, I sent him to Winry,” Dev groaned.
Ed grabbed his arm, spinning Dev around. “You did what?”
“His hand was old. She just replaced it for him,” Dev said, yanking free of Ed’s grasp.
“The fucking automail oil,” Ed growled.
“You call Winry. See if she still has the old hand,” Roy said. “I’ll call Hughes. Dev, where is your mother?”
“Roy, she’s at the hospital.” Dev went pale.
“Call her. Find out if he’s there, but you can’t let him get wind that we suspect him.” Roy stabbed a finger at him.
“She’s my mother. I’m warning her. Don’t worry, Ishbalans have gotten good at keeping secrets,” Dev said, stumbling in his haste. He yelped, steadying himself on his cane.
“I’m going with you, Roy,” Riza said.
“I didn’t even say I was going.”
“As if you’d let Hughes handle this himself.” She waved him off.
“You’re not military any more.” Roy knew that was a hollow protest. He wanted her at his side but he worried. Something was a little off. He worried she might be getting the bug that had given him pneumonia. “If the Fuhrer allows it, I wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else but with me.”
“If you get maudlin, your men will mock you.” Riza nodded toward the anteroom.
“Right.” Roy nodded. “Ed, Dev, make your calls, then I’ll call Hughes once we know where John is.”
“If this is the killer, what are you going to do?” Ed asked.
Roy’s jaw hardened. “Stop him any way I can.”
Chapter Ten
“You’re sure about this,” Maes said, stopping Roy from going through the doors to the emergency room.
“I’m sure. That reporter published photos of both you and Strongarm,” Roy replied and his friends both scowled.
“Pain in the ass,” Maes muttered.
Roy nodded. “I know. John was no fool. Most alchemists are fairly intelligent,” he said, ignoring the twin snorts from Dev and Ed. “John wasn’t particularly violent, but being tortured and maimed changes a man. I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“You sound like you almost feel sorry for him.” Maes’s eyes were hard behind his lenses.
“In a way, I do. That war turned too many of us into monsters, but if he’s the one killing these women, that is what he is. I’m the best person to stop him. He wanted to get my attention, after all. You or Armstrong would only spook him.”
“But you’re taking a man who can barely walk.” Maes jerked his chin at Dev.
“My mom is working the same floor with him,” Dev grumbled. “I’m going. Besides, I’m pretending I’m hurt. She’ll come look after me and be away from him.”
“You’re not pretending,” Roy reminded him. “I think you did mess up your leg and should have come here two days ago.”
“And I’ll be with him just in case things go wrong,” Ed said. “I sent Al after Winry just in case this guy left early. If he’s here and he can sneak alchemy past Mustang, I can protect any of the innocents we can’t just get out of there without alerting the guy.”
“And I’ll be there,” Riza said quietly. “Pretending to be ill.”
Roy wondered just how much of that was pretend. “We have it covered.”
“Yeah,” Hughes sighed. “I just don’t like sitting out when I’m the one who should be arresting him.” He brushed a hand over his lapel. “I’m incognito, after all.”
Only Hughes would think a purple suit would make him an everyman. Roy shrugged. “Fine, pull the hat down low and take off your glasses. And stay the hell back. Hopefully he’ll think you’re in for a psych consult in that suit.”
Maes made a face then turned back to his men, giving them orders to be waiting outside the emergency room, orders he should have been taking himself. Roy left him and went into the emergency room. It was more crowded than he hoped for. Most of the people looked rampagingly ill with the same killer cough he had so recently suffered from, or were moaning and crying, holding various limbs in awkward angles. Winter claimed a lot of casualties. He signaled for his companions to hang back, sit down, look like patients, do what they had discussed. Roy only trusted Riza to obey orders and follow the plan.
He spotted Hala working the front desk, apparently triaging patients. Roy didn’t recognize the man giving orders to a younger nurse at first. John had aged since Roy had seen him, but then again it had been well over fifteen years, and John was older than Roy. Roy had been the youngest State Alchemist until Edward. Many of the men he served with had been a decade his senior.
Roy walked up to the front desk and Hala handed him a clipboard and paperwork like a pro. Well, she was, he supposed.
“Fill it out and have a seat. We’ll get you in to the see the doctor in order of seriousness of your aliment,” she said, in a half-bored tone but he could see the worry in her ruby eyes as she pretended sudden recognition. “Oh, Ambassador, I’m sorry. Is something wrong?”
“Your son fell and we brought him in.” Roy jerked a thumb toward the back of the waiting room. “He can fill out his own paperwork.”
“Is he hurt badly?” Hala turned to John and said. “John, can you man the desk for a few minutes? My son fell. I’m going to go check on him.”
“Sure.” John turned, his eyes widening. There was no doubt he recognized Roy. “Flame?”
Roy blinked. “Do I know…oh my god, Whip? Is that you?”
A huge grin spread across John’s face and he stuck out his automail hand. Roy shook it.
“I can’t believe it’s you, Mustang. What are you doing here?”
“It’s being a bad day. I work with Hala’s son.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hala get halfway around the desk before a doctor stopped her, officiously ordering her back to work.
“You checking out Hala?” John grinned, picking up on Roy’s interest.
He winced. He should know better than to be so obvious. “What can I say? She’s older than me but she’s hot. Hang on a moment. I want to catch up, but I have to do something first,” Roy said, moving over to the doctor’s side. “Doctor, this woman’s son could use your help.”
“Soldier, you don’t tell me what do in this hospital,” he replied.
“General, and do I really have to pull all the many strings I could to make your life miserable when you could do the nice thing and help one of your nurses with her injured son?” Roy smiled, as cold as the wind outside.
The man sputtered but let Hala lead him back toward where Dev sat. Roy watched her lean in, whispering something. The doctor looked back alarmed, then started moving faster. Roy just hoped she could stop him at Dev’s side long enough to be convincing. He’d best distract John again just in case.
“Sorry about that. I had no idea you were back in Central working,” Roy said, casting one last glance back at Hala.
“For a couple years now, not quite what I wanted to be doing, but the research.” John frowned. “It makes me anxious thinking about doing alchemic research. I can still do what I used to, but I’m even rusty at that.”
“I know what you mean. The war put me off learning anything new for a long time.” Roy scowled. “Didn’t really feel like an alchemist any more.”
John nodded knowingly, pulling a chart off the desk and handing it to a nurse who approached them. She went off to call the person back to the treatment area. “I saw the newspapers with all your wedding photos. I remember Hawkeye from those days. You sure you want to be eyeing up Ishbalan nurses when she’s not looking?”
Roy laughed “Fair point. She’s here, too. We were taking her out to the car when Dev fell. He’s not particularly steady on his feet. The war didn’t treat him well either.”
“Did it treat anyone well?” John asked bitterly, turning to look over the waiting room. “She looks tired”
Roy frowned. John was sharper than he remembered. He sure as hell hoped John didn’t spot Maes as well. A crowded waiting room was no place for an alchemy battle. “I was just in this hospital a few weeks ago with pneumonia. I’m hoping she doesn’t have the same bug.”
John turned back. “Could be. Could be pregnant, she has that look.”
Roy’s mouth dropped, involuntarily twisting back to look at his wife. Why the hell had he never thought about that? Mostly because tired could be anything and that was the only complain Riza had mentioned. “I didn’t think of that. Certainly possible. That would be better than her getting sick with pneumonia, too.”
John nodded. “I’ll be honest; I was surprised to hear you got married. You had a certain reputation. We used to talk about it back then, remember?”
Roy’s mouth felt suddenly dry, but he managed to say, “Yes, I do. That was a long time ago.”
“Hawkeye was a pretty thing, still is. Always wondered what her feet looked like under those boots. Guess you’re lucky enough to know.”
Roy smiled, shaking a finger at John. “They are very nice and they’re all mine.”
“Wouldn’t dream otherwise.” John held up his hands. “I know you were here in the hospital a lot last year. I thought about coming up to see you, even though it wasn’t my floor. I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome a visit from someone from that…time.”
Roy wondered if things might have turned out a little differently if John had. The killings seemed to be a new thing, unless the alchemist had done it wherever he had lived before moving back to Central. “It would have been okay. I came to see you when you were…recovering. I’m not sure you remember that.”
“Barely. I thought it might even be a dream. They had me on a lot of medications.” John glanced down at his metal hand, flexing the finger. “I didn’t have this hand then either. Well, any hand, not this one. This one is new. Hala’s son introduced me to his automail mechanic, surprisingly pretty, Most of the ones I knew were burly creatures.”
“Ah, Miss Rockbell. Yes, she is lovely, a bit young for my tastes but still. She’s my mechanic, too. Lost a leg a couple years back.”
John shot him a pitying look. “That is never easy.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe you decided to get married. I’m still looking for that special one, you know?” John stared at Roy. “You really do know, don’t you? About collecting?”
“Most alchemists know that. I have met very few who didn’t collect something,” Roy said, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to wait for a time where there were less people about. John was nearly there and the fight could start at any time.
“Do you know that Ishbalans believe the energies of our bodies can imbue inanimate objects with power? Centuries ago, they would knock down an entire wall in a room where someone died, so the spirit wouldn’t linger. They wouldn’t take old furniture for fear of some spiritual power clinging to it.”
Roy shook his head. “I work with priests every day, but they tell me little about their beliefs. I think they believe I’ll ridicule them for it.”
“Others would seek out these special objects for the power. The more violent the death, the more powerful the object. I thought you should know that,” John said, his hand disappearing into the pocket of his hospital uniform. “You would understand. I’m sure of that.”
Roy moved just as John’s hand came up, something metal clutched in it. He used a method of attack his grandfather had taught him when he was young, quick and efficient with no collateral damage. Roy struck the side of his hand against John’s carotid, pressing tight. The man yelped, stumbling back a step. Roy moved with him, keeping the pressure on. It felt like minutes when he knew it was only seconds. John passed out. Roy barely caught the man before he crashed into the desk.
“Got him?” Maes hollered.
“Yes.”
Maes disappeared out the swinging doors then returned with Armstrong and the rest of their men. Armstrong had a small stockade that would keep John’s hands separated. Roy fished up the amulet John had dropped, running a finger over the rune, memorizing it. He and Al could benefit from the reverse of this transmutation circle as they researched healing alchemy.
“That was easier than I expected,” Maes said, staring down at his prisoner.
“Easy for you to say. He’s rather mad,” Roy said. “Talking about some Ishbalan belief that death can make objects powerful, know what he’s talking about, Dev?”
“Old superstition,” the young man said, hobbling up with Ed and Hala in tow. “What did he want to make powerful?”
“The shoes, I would guess. That was his thing.” Roy shrugged as Riza came up to him.
“And why would he think you’d understand that.” Ed glared at the fallen man, horror in his gold eyes.
“He just did.”
“For no reason?” Dev pressed.
“He probably assumed the general likes to incorporate shoes and toes into his sex play,” Hala said and Roy blushed.
“You came up with that too fast for comfort, Mom.” Dev wrinkled his nose.
“You can imagine the sexual misadventures we see coming through here,” Hala said then wagged a finger at Roy. “And I heard what you said about me.”
Dev whipped around to face Roy. “What did you say about my mother?”
“That she’s hot.”
Dev pushed him. “Stay away from my mother.”
Roy sighed, leaning against Riza. “Mrs. Jasso, now that we have your idiot son in the hospital, maybe you should make him see a doctor to be sure he didn’t rebreak that leg when he fell.”
“Don’t you worry. Come along, son. That bullet did a lot of damage. Your leg is still fragile.” Hala caught Dev’s arm, pulling him away from the desk. Dev sputtered something about not getting to see how it all ended, but Roy wasn’t sure what else there was to see.
“That was a cool move you used on him, Mustang,” Ed said. “He doesn’t look scary. I guess I thought he would.”
“Looking human is what makes monsters so very scary,” Maes said.
Roy nodded, reaching for Riza’s hand. “How are you feeling?”
Her brow knit. “What’s with all the concern? I’m fine, Roy.”
“You’ve been so tired lately.”
“And now I’m not. Never underestimate how tiring you can be.” She smiled. “Just like your sisters are always saying.”
He snorted at her teasing. “Fine. I guess you and Armstrong can take it from here, Maes.”
His friend’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sure we can.”
Roy held up his hands. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sound so dickish.”
“You can’t help it. It’s what you are,” Ed said. “Show me how that move works some time.”
“Can’t be revealing Xingese fighting techniques to a non-Xingese.” Roy smirked and Riza nudged him.
“See, there’s the dick.” Ed shrugged. “I’ll just ask your niece.”
“Be my guest. She’s likely to use it on you.”
Ed rolled his eyes. “I’ll go tell Al and Winry it’s over – provided, of course, you didn’t just knock out an innocent man since we have almost no proof. Speaking of which, Winry thinks she still has his old hand in the scrap bin, not that I’m sure it helps much.”
“Proves it leaked. That might be enough. I think this guy wants to talk, if only to you, Roy,” Maes said.
“If that’s what it takes, I can come to the interrogations,” Roy said.
“You may have to.” Maes smirked. “I’m not sure Alex Louis or I could convincingly talk about feet being sexy.”
“Go to hell. If I’m done, I’m taking my wife home.”
“You have to write reports about this first,” Riza countered. “You’re going to your office.”
Roy’s shoulders slumped, but he let her lead him away. He glanced back at the Whip Alchemist as Hughes’s men brought over a gurney to cart him out on. He couldn’t help wondering if the war drove John to murder or was it always there, just lurking in the corners of his tortured mind?
XXX
“Sorry if we’re the last ones here,” Ed said, stomping the snow off his boots outside on the porch. His golden eyes took on a wicked gleam. “Al had to make himself pretty.”
Al shoved Ed inside Roy’s house. Roy neatly sidestepped the brothers. “Shut up.”
With a sudden cloud of moisture, the remaining snow succumbed to the brothers’ transmutation from solid to gaseous state, leaving their foot gear house-safe by Riza’s standards.
“We just better not get trapped here again,” Ed grumbled.
“What my brother means is thanks for asking us here for dinner.” Al shucked his coat.
“You’re barely in the house and you’re already causing trouble.” Winry tsked, coming into the foyer, an apron draped over her body.
“You’re the one who wants to put up with this. Don’t look at us,” Roy said and she swatted his arm.
“As if Riza doesn’t put up with the same. Come on, we’re about ready to eat,” Winry said.
“Ed! Al!” Elicia came barreling out of the living room, leaping on Ed, who caught her in an embrace.
“You get bigger every day, Elicia.” Al ruffled her hair as Ed struggled to extricate himself.
“I do. Daddy measures me against the door!”
“Our mom used to do that until Ed started crying because he never grew.” Al grinned until Ed reached over and cuffed him on the back of the head.
Winry sighed. “Try not to fight until after dinner. I’m sure by then Dev will be ready to help.”
“I plan on throwing at least two of them out in the snow before long,” Roy said.
“And I’m sure Riza will send you right after.” Winry gave him a look.
Roy laughed, herding his guests toward the dining room. Dev, Alex Louis and Maes were already seated. Winry took Elicia back into the kitchen. “You’re not helping?”
“The women said we were dangerous and sent us out here,” Maes said.
“Probably true. Have a seat, boys. I’ll go see if they need any help,” Roy said.
“Don’t bother. You’re worse than the whole lot of them,” Li-Ying called from the kitchen.
“Fine, I’ll sit and be lazy,” Roy called back.
“You are the expert at that.”
Roy sat at the table, looking at Armstrong. “And you wish to date that sword-tongued woman, why?”
“She is quite a lovely woman,” Alex Louis said. “And she does not treat me the way she does you.” His mustache twitched as he smiled. “I suppose I am better behaved.”
Roy snorted. “You’re definitely more genteel. I’m just glad everyone could be here for the celebration. It’s not quite mid-winter yet, but we’re celebrating early. Certainly cold enough. And we’re celebrating the closing of your first major case since you’ve been…back, Hughes.”
“He confessed then?” Ed asked, leaning his elbows on the table in his eagerness to find out the answer.
Maes nodded. “With Roy’s help. He seemed anxious to tell his story. He’ll be committed to a high security asylum that specializes in dealing with you alchemists. They assured us he’ll never be released.”
“And they assured us Kimblee was dead when he wasn’t.” Roy eyed Armstrong again. “I certainly hope your sister’s administration is more honest.”
“As do I, Flame.”
“How in the hell did he manage to adopt a purely Ishbalan custom, and an ancient one at that, as his reason for killing to imbue those shoes with power?” Dev asked. “And for what purpose?”
“The high? The imaginary perfect woman? I have no idea. He is insane.” Roy got back up and took one of the open bottles of wine off the side board. He started pouring glasses. “I guess when he was at the mercy of those Ishbalan priests, the power they had over him made an impression. Maybe he studied Ishbalan culture along with Xingese when he was learning his alchemy. I don’t know. I suppose I could always ask him. He wanted me to visit, part of the confession hinged on the promise that I would.”
“Better you than me,” Maes said, with a shake of his head.
“Yeah, still there might be something in his research that Alphonse, Miao-Yin and I can use in regards to healing alchemy.” Roy shrugged.
“Yes, because it worked out so well for Pandur,” Dev rolled his eyes.
“Alphonse and Miao-Yin are more stable. I have Ishbalans torturing me daily, so I’m more of a risk,” Roy admitted, giving Dev the hairy eye.
“Glad to be of help,” Dev replied as Li-Ying and Miao-Yin came out, carrying trays of soup.
“This is a traditional soup,” Li-Ying said, “Sweet with equally sweet rice flour balls in them.”
“I’m getting the wine, less traditional since the last time I gave rice wine to some of you, you whined it was lighter fluid.” Roy snickered.
The women doled out the bowls before settling down, Winry between the brothers and Miao-Yin to Al’s other side. Hala set next to her son and the rest of the women took up spots next to their lovers. Roy gestured to Maes who popped up and hefted the tripod that had been leaning against the sideboard.
He set up the camera and rejoined them. “It’s on timer. Smile.”
Everyone turned dutifully to the camera and grinned. They sat frozen until the flash blinded them.
“I can not believe I’m in family pictures with you, Mustang,” Hala said, making a face.
“Definitely unexpected but welcome, nonetheless,” he agreed. “And we owe you and Dev a thank you. If you hadn’t actually known John, we wouldn’t have caught…” Roy trailed off, looking into Elicia’s young face. “the bad guy.”
“It was just coincidence,” Dev said.
“Many cases are solved that way. Just a random bit of information you overhear and the pieces fall into place,” Maes replied.
“I don’t think I’d be cut out for your job,” Dev said, tasting his soup. “Okay, this is really good. Why didn’t we ever think of sweet soups when I was a kid?”
“Because you’d be fatter than a house by now with your sweet tooth,” his mother replied.
Once the soup was polished off, Roy poured more wine and Riza and his kin went back to bring out more food. Li-Ying set up three hot pots within easy reach and Roy started the fire under them. Several other platters joined the ranks.
“You just take the skewer and put it in the sauce. It’ll cook fast,” Roy said. “This plate is tea-smoked duck. Those are noodles and vegetables with a garlic sauce and that reddish chicken dish is made with peppers of death. Consider that a warning.”
“Ishbalans do eat hot cuisine more often than not,” Dev reminded him, helping himself to a small portion of the chicken. He popped one piece into his mouth then made a face.
“You heard me warn him, Hala,” Roy said.
“My son makes his own choices. On the upside, now that you’ve probably given him third degree burns on his tongue from the looks of his face, maybe you’ll have a quiet evening,” the nurse replied, wagging her head.
“That is insane,” Dev rasped, red-faced.
“That’s not even as hot as we could have made it. It’s traditionally even hotter,” Li-Ying said.
“Does it melt the pot when you’re done?” Gracia laughed.
“If it’s done right,” she grinned.
Roy raised his wine glass. “A quick toast. Here’s to another success. Improving the world is a never ending battle so we should celebrate where we can.”
After the ‘here, here’s’ and the clinking of glasses, they gave the lavish meal the attention it deserved. Afterward, Roy got the men to help him clear the table and do the dishes. By the time he had gotten to the living room, his sister had started sticks of incense on the mantle in front of their parents’ photo. She explained it to the men when Alphonse asked. As talk of honoring the dead faded away, and the younger members of the gathering argued over which game they could all play, Roy sat next to Riza on the couch. He draped an arm around her, pulling her close.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
What he really was thinking about were John’s words. But he couldn’t talk to Riza about that now. If he asked her if she were pregnant in front of everyone, she’d probably hit him. If she said yes, he’d cry. No way in hell was he going to cry in front of Ed and Dev. Even Maes would torment him and Alex Louis would probably hug him until ribs broke. Maybe she really was simply tired. Either way, that would have to wait.
“That I’m the luckiest man alive some days.” He kissed her.
“Oh god!” Dev groaned
“No one wants to see that!” Ed added.
“Some of us do,” Riza replied, laughing.
As they dragged out a board game that Elicia could play yet wouldn’t bore the adults, Roy realized his words were so very true. He could have easily ended up like John, half mad, a danger to himself and others. Instead, here he was surrounded by friends and family, in spite of all the horrible things he had done. He was luckier than he knew. What man could ask for more?
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