The images on the computer screen in front of Heero blurred, becoming nothing more than randomly shifting colors. He blinked several times, but he still couldn't distinguish between the end of one color and the beginning of the next. Having no other choice than to take a break, he looked to Dorothy's side of the office.
The blonde woman was watching him intently. As soon as she noticed his scrutiny, she stood and handed him a file folder. "Take a look at this," she instructed him.
Too weary to argue, Heero did as he was told. The file contained information on a man named Killian O'Doul, an ex-White Fang member who had escaped being tried for war crimes by pleading that he had joined the group since he felt that it was his duty as a citizen of the colonies to gain their sovereignty.
Reading further, Heero discovered that O'Doul wasn't the model citizen he claimed to be. He had been linked to various criminal networks and had been suspected in several different murders of both Earth and colony delegates. However, there had never been enough evidence to satisfy any judge, so he had never been convicted.
Finishing the report, Heero looked up and locked eyes with Dorothy. "And?"
Dorothy threw her hands up and sighed, exasperated. Her point was painfully obvious; why couldn't he see it? "I saw him at Relena's party. Why would a criminal be at a party of the most famous person in the ESUN? Obviously to kill someone or destroy property or something."
"Did you ever think that maybe he was invited?"
Dorothy stabbed a finger into his chest. "Were you ever invited to a party hosted by the rich and famous when you were running around believing yourself above the law?"
The corners of Heero's mouth curved upwards in the beginnings of a smile. "Once or twice."
Dorothy hesitated. What was he talking about? He was never... oh yes, Miss Relena did mention a ripped up birthday invitation when she was recounting the tale of how she and Heero had first met, but... "Only because she was enamored of you!"
"So you're saying that Relena is attracted to this O'Doul person?"
Dorothy's jaw dropped open in shock. Certainly he couldn't be serious! As her mind strove to collect its scattered thoughts, she noticed the grin on Heero's face. The full-blown, no holds barred, absolutely drop-dead gorgeous grin. She was shocked speechless for the second time in a two minute period.
'Shocks like that can't be good for my heart' was her first coherent thought. It was followed closely by, 'Damn, he's hot.' Blood suffused her face. Where had that thought come from? She didn't know, but it was neither the time nor the place for it. And Heero was still grinning like the cat who ate the canary. He was enjoying her speechlessness! The bastard!
Dorothy slammed her open palms down on Heero's desk. "NO! What I'm saying is O'Doul is the best lead we have! We need to find him!"
Heero shook his head, the grin melting away to a frown. "He's suspect because you saw him at a party?"
Dorothy stood and headed towards the door. "Fine, I'll handle it myself."
The door slammed closed behind her. Heero rose to his feet, pausing only long enough to grab his Preventers jacket, and leisurely followed his angry partner.
Dorothy marched purposefully into the poorly-kept apartment building which was O'Doul's last known address. With any luck, he was still living there. Skittering claws sounded on the broken linoleum tiles behind her, and she jumped. The halls were the perfect breeding ground for rats, cockroaches, and similar creatures. She shuddered in revulsion. Why anyone would live in such conditions confounded her, especially with rats running around.
Concealing her distaste, she climbed the stairs to the second floor and paused outside the door marked B5. She raised her fist to knock, and a minute later, the door cracked open enough for her to see a single blue eye.
"Ah, Dorothy Catalonia," a voice with the hint of an Irish accent drawled, "I noticed ye at the costume ball, and now ye're here. Our meetin' must be fate."
Dorothy snorted. "Why were you there? It's not your normal stomping grounds." She allowed a pinch of disgust to enter her voice as she rolled her eyes to indicate the hallway.
"Keepin' tabs on me, are ye?" O'Doul opened the door all the way and leaned on the frame, smirking. "I went for th' promise of free beer. Can't resist a good Irish red."
Dorothy shook her head unconvinced. "They didn't serve beer there."
O'Doul winked. "Ye just need t' know where t' look. But actually I was just checkin' up on the VFM. Important lady. Be a real shame if somethin' happened t' her."
"So you wouldn't know anything about the assassination attempt."
"Can't ye leave your cop persona at home when ye go social callin'?"
"O'Doul." Her voice held a warning note.
O'Doul sighed. "The VFM's too important t' kill now with all th' wonders she's done for peace."
"More than you have."
O'Doul shrugged. "Aye, true, true. She's such the saint compared t' me an' you."
Dorothy snorted again. "You certainly."
"Aye, an' you too. Durin' the war, ye were quite the she-devil."
Dorothy made a show of checking her watch and asked a second time, "Do you know anything about-"
"The VFM's assassin?" O'Doul interrupted. "I haven't been involved in any plot t' kill her. Haven't heard of any either."
"We're glad to hear it." Heero stepped out of the shadows provided by the hallway's dim lighting and caught Dorothy's elbow. "Let's go, Dorothy. We've got work to do."
As Heero pulled her away, Dorothy called over her shoulder, "If you hear anything..."
"Don't worry about it, Dottie. If I hear anythin', you'll be th' first t' know about it."
Dorothy jerked her arm out of Heero's grip when they reached the street, but managed to keep her tongue in check until they had returned to the office. By then her anger had reached a boiling point.
"Why did you follow me?" she demanded angrily.
"To keep you from doing anything stupid." Heero began to walk to his desk.
Dorothy moved ahead of him to block his path. "Anything stupid? Ever since I went searching for you, I've been doing stupid things. The stupidest was bringing you back here and becoming your partner. I can handle this on my own! I know O'Doul is involved! If you don't agree with me, you should just go back to your bar and drink yourself into a stupor!" With each word, Dorothy's voice rose, and she ended with a near-bellow.
Heero scowled. "You think the first suspect is the one who did it! He was too calm to have been involved! He was telling the truth."
"How can you be so sure? So he's a good liar! You were always good at staying calm when you lied!"
Heero shook his head. "I have a feeling that he isn't involved."
"Well, I have a feeling that he is! And I know him better than you do!"
"You may know him better, but this," he stepped around her and yanked O'Doul's file off his desk, "proves nothing! You're accusing him simply because he was at a party! If you're going to do that, you'll have to suspect yourself as well as me and everyone else that was there. Don't forget Relena; she was there too. Maybe she hired someone to kill herself!"
Dorothy's eyes narrowed. "You're being ridiculous, Heero. Quit mocking me."
"No!" Heero tossed the folder over his shoulder, disregarding the papers that flew out and floated to the floor. "You are the one being ridiculous, Dorothy."
"Whoo! You two better cool down before you set the building on fire."
Dorothy whirled around and glared at Duo standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here?" she spat.
Duo grinned. "I've got a deathwish," he replied drolly. "Actually, we," he clapped Wufei, who had appeared beside him, on the shoulder, "were just on our way to get some food with the girls when we heard your little... confrontation. Anything we can get you? Guns, swords?"
Wufei grabbed Duo's braid. "Baka. They have plenty of those already."
Duo waved to them as he was dragged away. "Just make sure I have an office to return to after you two are done!" he called cheerily.
Dorothy turned back to Heero and saw that he had already sat down and was picking out one of the videotapes to re-review. She rolled her eyes and walked out into the hall, following the quarreling voices of Wufei and Duo. Food sounded like a good thing at the moment.