IC Voicemail

[evowhisperer]

 *There's nothing but a long silence after the ringing stops. If the caller's been looking at their screen, there are plain black-and-white letters on display:*

Please leave a message after the beep.

*Beep.*

Comments

[Action]

[evowhisperer]

*A second ticks by. Two seconds.*

*The grip on L's collar eases. Cesar lowers the cellphone, exhausted in ways that have nothing to do with his recent exertion. The rage from before still lurks under the surface, but he's typing, now, not threatening.*

My condolences. Name?

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[L's previous mistake, the one where he got close enough for Cesar to seize, is hastily remedied; when he's free, he makes it a point to get out of arm's reach while still remaining close enough to read what Cesar types into his phone.]

Anthony Janvier. Albero's people sawed open an old woman's head. Removed her brains. The media latched onto the imagery of a zombie doing that to her, and I'm sure you can imagine how the frightened public responded. I tried to tell him to run; he wouldn't leave me to face them alone.

[L shakes his head restlessly. The ever-present rings under his eyes say that he hasn't slept since this happened.]

It should have been me. Someday it will be, and this cosmic joke will end, and I hope you can take as much comfort from that as I do. Until then... what's happening is evil, and I am asking you to help me fight it. I can't do it by myself.

[Action]

[evowhisperer]

*Silent lips trace words that can't be identified, and his complexion is greyer than before. Cesar's hand goes to the bridge of his nose.*

*Seconds pass.*

*Now, typing.*

They kidnapped me. Brought me to a warehouse. Said it was punishment.

Left me there when they were done.

*Cesar's eyes stay on the phone, this time.*

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[L doesn't know what he'd expected; more fury, a total breakdown, even the worst possible reaction, derision and cruelty tearing down efforts that would be worthless at best and destructive at worst.

He reads what's been typed, and it's a painful kind of comprehension because it's so familiar.]

Yes, that sounds about right. I am... truly sorry.

[Two months ago, he and Tony went through a similar ordeal. L survived, and came away from it in one piece, another part of that cosmic joke that inexplicably continues to spare someone who should, by every natural law, die easily and quickly.]

How... how long were you there. After they left, and... who came for you?

[Action]

[evowhisperer]

*Cesar shakes his head.*

I don't know how long. No one came. They say I called an ambulance.

*He starts to show the message, and then pulls back to add,* Somehow.

*His lips twitch mirthlessly, and the expression dies before it gets far.*

[Action]

[dead_black_eyes]

[L nods gravely; it's a far cry from the kinds of answers he supposes he'd hoped for, details and names and time frames, but he was in no shape for questioning after he came back. Hell. He'd barely known his own name.]

I know it's hard. Thank you for what you've told me; I believe that it will help us. In return, I want to help you; I'll leave, of course, like you wanted, but in addition, do not worry about hospital expenses not covered by your insurance, as they'll be taken care of.

[He nods briskly, turning towards the door.]

[Action]

[evowhisperer]

*Cesar waves a dismissive hand ('No, don't bother',) but doesn't insist. He'll deal with cost once L is gone, and when he's in better health.*

*As things are now, he lifts his gaze to watch L leave.*