Detective or Defective?

Light had no idea what L thought he was doing. The anti-social, ultra paranoid freak was outside the protection of his bodyguard/servant. He had foregone the security of his mirrored building only to walk down two blocks to a small coffee shop. With a giggly girl stumbling over her words as L requested tea with extra sugar. Probably instant tea from a packet, Light thought disdainfully.

So, Light mused, why was L here with Kira still supposedly on the loose (Light himself was proof of that) and death imminent in L's future. Truly, L didn't even know Light was here. He had followed the detective at a discreet distance as he shambled over to the shop. He sat himself a few tables behind L, staying well out of sight. He hid himself with one of the shop's heavy concrete pillars. Precautions seemed to be needless, however, as L had yet to look up from his sugar-sludge tea.

Suddenly, a breath of sweet-scented wind shifted past Light, turning his head. A young woman, possibly 22 or 23, waltzed past him on a straight path to the spaced-out detective. Light was halfway out of his seat to save the poor, foolish woman as she laid a hand on L's white-clad shoulder. L's head shot up, eyes wide and questioning, but not hostile. Light couldn't see the girl's face as her back was to him, but he thought he saw a slight smile ghost its way across L's face.

Shocked, Light sat back down. The woman sat across from the infamous man and ordered a latte.

"So, Ryuzaki, why is it you called me so late in the investigation?" Light's mouth dropped open for a confounded second before he closed it with a snap. Who was this woman?!

"I have called you as an extra help to my predicament. You are off the grid as it were and also have a sharp mind and, as you have helped me with cases before, are trustworthy. I must warn you, I am in what may be the most dangerous case of my career and you may come under harm yourself. Take that into consideration before you decide whether to join me."

Light watched the amused expression on the woman's face as she shook her head.

"I wouldn't have come if I thought we couldn't handle it, Ryuzaki. You are very close to your prey and I am flattered that you would invite me in to share the glory of taking down Kira, no matter how many there may be." Silence followed her statement and she smiled.

"I know there are more than one Kira, just as I know that you and Kira are in a stalemate, neither has the right safety net to triumph. You, not enough evidence; him, too much to lose. It surprised me that you came out in the open today, but that just means he doesn't know your name, only your face." L interrupted her now,

"How do you know he knows my face?" She smiled,

"You are out to tea with me. If he didn't know your face, you wouldn't let others see it. Am I correct?"

Light sat flabbergasted at the girl's deductive ability as L nodded.

"Yes, you are absolutely correct, unfortunately." The woman's coffee came and they spent a few minutes in companionable silence, sipping on their drinks. Light took the time to study the girl closely.

Long, black hair fell straight down her back with long bangs obscuring one dark green eye. Her clothes hugged a trim waist and shapely hips. She wore a sensible smoky red blouse with a tasteful neckline and long sleeves. Her black slacks were expertly pressed and black pumps looked comfortable with one-inch heels. Her makeup was sparse, enhancing her large eyes and lush lips. She sat up straight with her left leg crossed over her right. All in all, she cut a striking figure against the slumping detective across from her.

Once they were finished, the pair stood up in unison, one bent almost double, the other tall and dignified. L offered his hand and the young woman took it with a grin. Light was floored once again, however, as she leaned down and gave L a light peck on his right cheek. L stood motionless for a second as she released his hand, flashed a toothy grin, and walked off, throwing her coffee away in the process.

Light saw L shake his head, either in bemusement or amusement, shove his hands in his pockets, and walk out the back door. Light beat a hasty retreat, wishing to be back at headquarters before L.

Light arrived at L's building with five minutes to spare. He had just enough time to make it look as if he had done some work. L slipped gracefully into the room and crawled into his chair before announcing,

"Everyone, I would like to forewarn you that we will have a new member joining our investigation."

"Why, Ryuzaki?" Light asked, playing dumb.

"We seem to have hit a wall here, and though I am loathe to admit it, we need help." L stated shortly. Matsuda stood up, whining,

"Are we not doing well enough? Is that it?" Before L could give an explanation, Light cut over him,

"That's crap, Ryuzaki. We can't get any farther in this investigation even with some American backup."

"I wonder why Light-kun thinks my informant is from America. I also wonder why Light-kun thinks we won't catch Kira. Perhaps Light-kun feels secure now that he has killed Higuchi." L said, staring hard at Light. Light sighed.

"I didn't kill Higuchi, and that's not what I said. I just fail to see how a new person could solve this case if two geniuses like us can't." Light's eye twitched, as he glared at L.

"You'd be surprised, Light-kun."

Twitch.

Suddenly, Ls cell phone rang. He dug it out of his blue jeans and held it up to his ear with forefinger and thumb.

"Yes? Of course, send her up." Snapping the phone shut, he abruptly turned to his computer and ignored the others.

The door clicked open and a slim figure stepped through. The woman Light had seen in the shop smiled at the astonished men.

"But-but you're a woman." Matsuda exclaimed, making Aizawa and Mogi sweatdrop.

"What he means, miss, is that we are surprised to see you here. We didn't know you would be arriving until a few minutes ago." Aizawa explained. The woman's smile grew as she said,

"Quite understandable. I assure you, gentlemen, I am trustworthy and every bit as set on finding and stopping Kira as you are. L trusts me, and I hope, in time, you will as well." Matsuda and Mogi nodded then, and Aizawa turned towards his computer with a smile on his face. Light scowled.

"Very good. We can catch you up on the latest information, Miss…" Mogi trailed off, realizing they didn't know her name.

"Rivers. Mandy Rivers." She replied. "Which is a pseudonym, of course." Mandy added, mischief glinting in her green eyes. Light inwardly snorted. He didn't think it was a fake name, but he knew well enough that if he tried to write her "name" down in the Death Note, and she died, he would come under extreme suspicion. So, he concluded, giving them her real name was just as safe as giving them a pseudonym.

"I am Kanzo Mogi. This is Shuichi Aizawa and Touta Mastuda." Mandy smiled and bowed to each in turn.

"I am Soichiro Yagami. This is my son, Light Yagami." The older detective bowed to Mandy and gestured to the boy sitting next to L. Mandy's thin eyebrow rose as she looked him over.

"Very well met, Light-kun." Every bit the polite upper-classmen that he was, Light swallowed his skepticism and replied,

"Likewise, Mandy-san. I hope you can live up to the trust Ryuzaki has in you." Mandy smiled softly,

"Me too, Light-kun. Me too."

Watari brought in laptop for Mandy and an extra chair. She thanked him and got straight to work, tying away. Light studied her serious expression for a few more minutes until he felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. Turning around, he faced L's blank stare with a glare of his own.

"Yes, Ryuzaki?" He asked.

"I understand that Mandy is a beautiful young woman, but Light-kun has more important things to do than stare." Light scowled as Ls obsidian eyes lit up with concealed amusement.

"Besides, Light-kun has Misa-san." He added. Light was about to reiterate that he may have Misa, but he sure as hell didn't want her, when the door bounced open and in came Misa herself, calling,

"Did someone say my name?

Twitch.