aic ch 28 preview

 Gaara was in her office the moment the door shut behind the new chuunin.


 Aiko gave a pointed look to the pile of sand that had accompanied his whooshing entrance.   

 The other redhead seemed not to notice. “I see you are well.” Gaara stated. “I have investigated. Saito-san is not responsible for the attempt on our lives this afternoon.”


 Her brows shot up. “Good evening, Gaara,” Aiko said. She glanced around her office and chose to sit on the couch at the back. “Thank you for your work. How can you be certain?”


 “Many other people have been poisoned at a local restaurant,” Gaara said. He seemed bored, except for the restless way sand lashed at the carpet. “A shipment of the imported tsukemono has been deliberately contaminated. I do not know how to determine if this happened when it was produced in Nadeshiko, or if that was done en-route.”
 

Aiko winced. “Any deaths?”


 “One,” Gaara said bluntly. “After that, we understood that the shipment had been compromised. All but two jars have been accounted for and gathered as evidence.”


 “Those two?”


 “Missing. The inventory lists them as remaining in stock.”


 “Right.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Thank you, Gaara. Where is Saito-san?”


 Gaara watched her impassively. “She can only be released on your orders, as it was you who incarcerated her.”


 Aiko nodded. “Probably good precedent. Very well. Security!” She offered a smile to the hard-faced man who answered her summons. “Please have Saito-san released from custody and give her the option of taking tomorrow off of work as a paid holiday.”


 He nodded and flickered away.


 A bell interrupted anything else. Aiko sucked on her lower lip and leaned back to listen. It wasn't the chime that meant it was 5 pm, it definitely wasn't the abominable noon screaming sound, it was.... “A ship coming in to harbor?” she asked Gaara.


 The teenager frowned in thought. “No. That's a three-toned bell.”


 “Ah.” She considered it for a minute. “I have no idea.”


 Gaara crossed his arms. “Is there anything else you would like to speak of?”


 Actually... “Yes,” Aiko decided. “I need to have a talk with Utakata and Mei, and you'll be present. Please have them found and brought to my office by 8.”   


 Gaara hesitated.


 She raised an eyebrow.


 He left, taking most of his sand with him.


 Aiko eyed the carpet. She leaned over and pressed the intercom button. “Can I have someone bring a hand vacuum and the architectural plans made for diplomatic housing, as well as the soil reports on areas C-48b and F-2d? Thank you.” She leaned back, trying to remember what else was ongoing. And then she sighed and pushed the button once more. “I'd also like Sakurai in my office as soon as possible. Thank you.”