Chapter 1

"Raymond Chang Kon. You stand charged upon this indictment with the murder of Mariah Wong on 20th of July last. Are you guilty or not guilty?"

Ray stood straight, his head slightly bowed, making his raven locks obstruct his feline golden eyes. The long silky mane was unkempt and carelessly braided. His usually tan complexion was hauntingly pale, and lips tightly drawn. It was a sad yet graceful posture.

There was a long chilling silence. Tyson Granger, Counsel for Defence, felt a thrill of dismay. 'C'mon, Ray! Don't give up now. We can do this…'

Ray's lips parted. "Not guilty."

Tyson sank back, releasing a breath; he didn't realize he had been holding in. Boris Balkov was on his feet, outlining the case. "May it please your lordship, gentlemen of the jury, on July 21st, at half past eight in the morning, Mariah Wong was found dead in her apartment at…"

His voice ran on, icy and monotonous, almost hypnotizing. It lulled Ray almost into unconsciousness. From the simple and concise narrative, only an occasional phrase brushed through his barely conscious mind: "…girl was found holding a revolver… shot dead… seemingly suicide… actually an ill concealed murder… suspicion lies over Mr. Kon… revolver was placed rather awkwardly in the victim's right hand… was shot through left temple… proof… strip of Kon's shirt… strands of his hair… clear that Miss Wong's death…"

'Mariah. Mariah Wong. It seems so far away, almost as if it never even happened.' Ray closed his eyes briefly. Mariah's slim features and taunting smile flashed before his eyes. Her vivid pink hair, held back by a red bandanna, the one that he had given her on her birthday. The sparkle in her eyes when she received it, the smile that spread through her face. The way those cheeks reddened when she had confessed her love for him. The overjoyed look, when he told her that he loved her back. Those lips, as they moved against his. The way those eyes had watered with joy… Those eyes. Those bright honey eyes. The very same ones, which had turned into watery slits, one week ago. The way those lips screamed at him. The way those nails scraped against his face, when she slapped him. The look of horror that took over her expression as he…'

Ray's eyes flew open. Balkov's cold voice once again began to flow through his ears, hazily. "…of course, Mr. Kon's had a clear motive and his lack of a proper alibi…"

Ray felt as though he was imprisoned within a thick fog. A fog filled with faces. Rows and rows of faces. All with a different look, a different expression, a different feeling… His eyes landed on his sweaty faced counsel. Tyson. So young, yet so brilliant. One of the best lawyers of the time— cheerful, friendly…but deadly serious when time called for it. Like then. Tyson's entire body was rigid. A drop of sweat trickled down his midnight bangs, and fell onto his stiff hands. His eyes were narrowed and focused on Balkov. He was thinking, Ray could tell.

His eyes next landed onto a mass of blond hair. Max. Max Tate. The American doctor's usually beaming ocean blue eyes had gone dark and prominent against his fair complexion. Dear old Max. The poor lad had been worried sick over the last week. He treated Ray more like a big brother, than an old school mate.

And speaking of big brothers, there was Hiro. Tyson's older brother. The teal haired officer was sitting right next to Max. His face calm and betraying no emotion or feelings. His were eyes hidden behind dark shades. The very same eyes that could pierce through one's soul and seek out the truth.

Tyson, Max, Hiro—three different people with one thing in common. Faith. Faith in him, Ray. They made him feel as though… as though there was still hope. Their trust gave him strength. Unlike…

A number of seats away, Ray could make out the distinct faces of Lee, Mariam, Kevin, Ming Ming, Ozuma, Goki and… so many others. All those faces showing the same thing—hatred. Hatred towards him for ending the life of their beloved. Mariah… such a beautiful girl. A girl desired by almost every man… almost.

"GAAAH! This is getting us no where!" Tyson ran a hand through his messed up ponytail, in frustration, only to ruin it even more. "Everything… the proofs, the timing, the witnesses… they all speak against him! Balkov's already got everything ready and all he needs is a little more time to get Ray where he wants. And look at us! What have we gathered so far?"

"The truth." Max's voice was quiet yet firm. "We know for one thing that Ray's innocent. He would never do anything like murder. And even if he did, he wouldn't hide it like a coward. He would step forward and face the consequences."

"I know. But the simple faith of two old friends won't be able to prove him innocent in front of the jury. We need facts, Maxie. True facts."

The trial had already been over an hour ago. All the facts were against the suspected, if not already confirmed, murderer. Hiro had offered to drive Ray home, knowing that the neko-jin would probably prefer to be away from the media. That left an exasperated Tyson and a worried Max. The two young men had taken a temporary shelter from the heavy downpour, at a nearby café.

"I know, Tyson." Max placed an encouraging hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know the odds are against us… but we just can't give up now! This is for Ray. Besides we have an incredible team, even though it's small. I'm already working on Mariah's body. I've sent samples of her belongings to Mom at the PPB research centre. Hiro is still on the case, and he is one of the finest police officers of the country. Mr. Dickenson's looking for clues as well. Not to mention we've got you. You're the best Ty! So far, you've only lost two cases throughout your career. And that too was a long time back. C'mon! I'm sure we'll find something that could help us. Something's gottta be there!"

"Something…" Tyson slowly looked up. His eyes suddenly had a distant look in them. "Something… or maybe…someone…"

"What are you thinking?" Max looked at his friend closely. "Do you have someone in your mind? Someone who can help us?"

"I… yeah."

"Well? Quit keeping me in suspense! Who is it?"

"… Vampire…Phoenix…"

"…"

"…"

"Huh?"

"It's him! Maxie, it's gotta be him! He's the only one… Phoenix…of course!"

"Er, Tyson? Are you sure you're on the right track? I mean, going to Phoenix isn't –"

"No! You don't get it. I'm not talking about Phoenix, but it's thePhoenix. The Phoenix! The Vampire! The Sourpuss! TheHiwatari… Kai Hiwatari!"

"Kai Hiwatari?"

"Never heard of him? I know. The guy prefers to work in the shadows. Never was much of a people person… But trust me on this one. He's the greatest! If he can't do it, no one can. Kai's one of BBA's best agents. Scratch that. He is the best. Mysterious but brilliant! No one knows what goes on inside that mind of his. He never seems to search for the truth; it's more like he sucks it out—like a vampire. Though, he rarely accepts cases unless there's extreme risk or it's a direct order from Mr. D. But I'm sure I'll be able to get him down onto this one. Besides, we have Mr. D as back up. He's just as willing to help Ray as the rest of us. So there won't be much of a problem. We'll ask Mr. D to book us a flight to Russia—that's where he is currently; on a vacation, if I recall correctly. So come on! Let's get going already."

"Uh, Tyson… er… are you sure he's the one we need? I mean, he sounds kinda complicated. Exactly how good is he?"

Tyson let out a sigh at Max's doubtful expression. He looked determinedly at the other man.

"Max, remember you said that I've only lost two cases in my entire career?"

"Yeah."

"Well, in both those cases, he was the one who had been hired by the opposition."

"…"

"…"

"When's the next flight to Russia?"