Case Closed Fan Fiction ❯ The Detective Prince ❯ Heart Stricken ( Chapter 77 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Detective Prince
Chapter 77
Heart Stricken

The sun had completely descended to the other side by the time they had arrived out, coming to find the sidewalk crowded by several others.

"Not a bad little place."

"I thought you might like it," Conner said. "Looks like everyone's out, must be that time of night."

"Was just thinking the same thing," Conan said looking down at his watch. "It's ten after eight, I think I better start planning on heading back."

"Didn't realize that, time sure does fly by."

"Very true statement."

"Come on." Conner said turning to the left.

"Where are we going?"

"To the bus stop of course."

He wasted no time in following him as they made their way into that direction.

"Now, why don't you tell me what gave you the go ahead nod."

"Pardon?"

"What conspired that made you inspect me in the first place?"

"Oh that, it was actually a number of things," Conan replied. "Starting from day one to tell you the truth."

"That far back huh."

"It wasn't until you lifted that TV up to the room today that I really took notice."

"The TV, why's that?"

"It's rather heavy for one person to lift by themself, let alone carrying it with the use of only one arm," Conan replied. "Alfred and I already had troubles with it the night before."

"I see."

"Then there's the glasses," Conan continued. "You claimed to have two pairs, one for distance and the other for reading correct?"

"That's right."

"When we arrived at Sky Limits Bernadea had a hard time reading what was written on the sign beside the back door, I think it was hard for all of us to make out for that matter," Conan stated. "Earlier you had said you were wearing your glasses for distance, not the ones for reading."

"So that prompted you to focus in on me, which then lead to you noticing the absence of a protective glove when handling the hawk," Conner said. "That's when you decided to set up that whole tree trial for me to confirm your suspicions, right?"

"That's pretty much it in a nut shell." Conan said with a nod.

"Well I'm impressed, and that's to say the least."

"So, that raises the question," Conan said. "Why the false story about the glasses and all?"

"I guess I do owe you an explanation." Conner said as a low tune from within his pocket could be heard.

"What's that?"

"My phone," Conner replied before reaching into his pocket. "This will only take a moment."

"I'll still be here." Conan said having a step back.

He answered the call from there, looking away as he took part in a brief conversation which lasted all but a minute. He then turned back to face him, dropping the phone back into his pocket.

"Sorry, but I have to go."

"Who was that?" Conan asked.

"A good friend," Conner replied. "It seems something important has come up."

"Is everything ok?"

"Nothing to worry about," Conner assured. "Just something I really need to look into."

"I guess this is where we part ways."

"Sorry about all this, here take this," Conner said pulling a card out from within his pocket. "It's a bus pass, this should at least get you halfway to where you need to be."

"Thanks." Conan said accepting the red card.

"Here's a map to go with it," Conner said handing it to him from his side pocket. "We're currently located by the R.H. Kane building, if you take the '72' bus it will take you all the way past Robbinsville all the way to the Robert Kane Memorial bridge."

"Where's that in relation to here?"

"All the way across town," Conner replied. "That will put you less than an hour away from the manor, you could probably call and have them pick you up from there."

"Thanks for the tip."

"Anytime," Conner said. "Will you be ok riding alone?"

"No problems here," Conan replied. "I do it all the time."

"I know you were hoping to have your questions answered, but with the limited time table I'm on I think we better hold off on that until next time."

"I understand."

"If you'd rather not wait for my next visit, I'm sure Tim would be willing to tell you anything you'd like to know."

"I'll keep that option open."

"Good, then I better get going," Conner said. "You're free to sit on the bench there, the bus should be here any time now."

"Thanks, but I prefer to stand."

"Keeping it on the fly I see," Conner said before turning to walk. "Until next time, Conan."

He watched him as he headed down the street, slowly losing him within the larger group of those walking along. He found himself a spot up against the light post a few feet back, looking up to the night sky as he waited for the arrival of the bus.

"So, I wonder what happens from here."

The clouds could be seen floating above the skyline as they drove. Not much registered to him no matter what flashed by his sight. He only thought of what the meeting may hold, what may be said or asked of him. Just as he sat up to look out the window the car incidentally began to slow up. He knew exactly where they were, seeing the flickering lights atop one of the cars that pulled in right before they did.

"This is it," Alfred said finding a space aside the walkway. "Would you like me to wait for your return?"

"Don't bother, there's no telling how long this will take," Heiji said unbuckling the seat belt. "Thanks for the ride, I'll let you know how everything goes the next time I see you."

"Be careful in there," Alfred said. "There's no telling who's coming in and out at this time of night."

"Thanks for the heads up." Heiji said before pushing the door open.

With that he stepped out from the car, closing the door before turning to see the front entrance across the lot. He took the next few moments to take it all in, looking from one side of the building to the other.

"Well, this is it."

He took a couple shallow breaths, exhaling just as steadily before walking forward. Commotion from the other side of the door could clearly be heard as he neared. He reached out to grab the handle, pulling the door open to allow himself in. He looked to the left side of the room to see two officers in a scuffle with another man.

"What's going on here?"

He watched as the two officers continued to try and gain control, forcing his upper body onto the desk in front of them.

"Hold him, steady now!!" One of them yelled.

Regardless of their efforts he was too much for the two to handle, knocking both men to the ground before making a break for the door.

"This is not what I was hoping for." Heiji thought as he sprinted full speed into his direction.

He braced himself for what was to come, calculating what to do to deny him a free pass. It was then that the door from behind flew wide, feeling the rush of the air as someone darted past. He watched as they leaped forward with a kick, sending the running fugitive to the ground. Everything had happened so fast, almost spontaneously.

"Book him."

Their voice was low and unruffled, taking a few moments for him to realize it was a woman who had taken him down at the point of attack. He watched as she cuffed the unconscious fugitives hands together before standing to her feet.

"I have to go back and arrange the paper work from yesterdays case, I take it the two of you can handle this on your own."

Getting a look at her face was next to none, watching as she made her way to the right side of the room. Not once did she look back, only stopping after reaching a door which lead to another room. He found himself fixed in that position for the moments that followed.

"Is there something we can help you with?"

He turned at the sound of his voice, looking to see he had been joined by the two officers who had been  involved in the small tussle just seconds prior.

"Oh yes," Heiji said getting back on track. "I'm here to meet with the Commissioner, would you happen to know where I might find him?"

"I'm not sure if he's here to tell you the truth."

"Last time I checked he was up in his office," The other said. "If you'd like I could walk you up there to go have a look."

"That would be most appreciated."

"Then come, the stairwells right this way," He directed. "I'll leave this to you Officer Sal."

"I've got it covered," Sal said before carefully lifting the body of the cuffed man. "I'll go ahead and find him an empty cell for him to rest until he awakes."

"I'll be back shortly to assist you."

He didn't waste anymore time, leading him to the door at the far end of the room. He pulled a key from the many that hung from the side of his belt before unlocking the door. They walked into the dark stairwell, only guided by the very few lights present on each floor.

"Do you always keep this door locked?" Heiji asked as they began their ascension to the next floor.

"For most of the time, yes."

"Don't you take the risk of someone potentially getting locked in here?"

"That's never been a problem, being the fact all officers here have a key to this entryway."

"Makes sense."

"If you don't mind me asking, what are you meeting with Gordon about?"

"I'm not completely sure to be honest," Heiji replied. "He's the one who wanted to see me."

"So it's one of those things."

They arrived to the next floor shortly there after, continuing up to the next. They stopped upon reaching the top, stepping aside as he watched him use the key once again to unlock the another door.

"We're almost there, his office is right down this hall." He said leading the way once again.

They walked down the long and narrow hall, taking a left once reaching the end to find a single door sitting right in front of them.

"This is it."

He gave the door a knock from there, only to have it push off to the side.

"Hmm, he's not here."

"Where do you think he could be?" Heiji asked.

"I'll tell you what, why don't you come in and have a seat," The officer suggested heading into the room. "And I'll go and let him know you're here."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course, there's not too much on my agenda at this very hour."

"Thanks officer..?"

"Basell," He replied. "It's officer Basell."

"Sorry about that," Heiji apologized. "I couldn't see your name tag there."

"No worries my boy, now why don't you have a seat," Officer Basell pointed.  "I'll be back shortly."

"And I'll be waiting." Heiji said as he watched him exit the room.

It wasn't until he fell out of sight that he turned to the other side of the room. He moved further in, having a seat in a cushioned chair across from the large desk set in place. It didn't take long for him to take note of the name tag on the right side, confirming this was indeed the Commissioners office. He quickly found himself relaxed, looking to the left side of the room to see a window near the far corner. It was slightly pinned up, allowing for a small dose of cool air to drift right in. He leaned back with approval after taking it all in.

"Not a bad office, I could get used to something like this."

The traffic mellowed down with each passing minute, the sight of fewer vehicles becoming very evident. The time had become lost to him, looking down at the card given to him to check for the number of the bus he awaited.
"It says here the '72' bus passes by every thirty two minutes or so," Conan read before looking back to the road once again. "I've been standing here for nearly twenty minutes, which means the bus should here any time now."

He kept his grip to the card upon lowering his arm, turning just in time to see a bus heading down from the left side of the street. It slowed up as it continued into his direction, coming to a complete stop after reaching the pole right beyond the bus stop. He rechecked for the card, making sure the number matched the one stamped on the side of the bus before heading for the door.

"Welcome aboard." The driver said with the tip of his hat.

"Good evening." Conan said in response with the raise of the card.

"So I see you're a frequent rider, feel free to sit anywhere you please."

He nodded before doing just that. There weren't too many others present on the bus besides himself. Located in the very first seat on the right side sat a woman who was working with something on her phone. Three seats back and on the opposite side sat two young men who were engaged in conversation. He decided to head past them toward the back, finding himself a spot two rows away from the last row. He looked out the window as the engine started up once again, leaning to the comfort of the seat with his hands falling to the back of his head.

"I wonder how that meeting went for him," Conan thought. "He's probably returned to the house by now, maybe I'll see him there."

Not much was on his mind as they moved down the side of the road. They drove for minutes to come before making their first stop. He peaked from around the corner of the seat, watching as a small group of three teens took a seat near the front.

"Looks like they're having a good time."

Just as he was to sit back someone else stepped onto the bus.

"Who's this guy?"

They were next to unidentifiable, being the fact of the dark rugged ski cap pulled down to right above his eyes. He watched as they headed back, all the way past him to the final seat on the right side. It was then that he noticed the tight leather gloves upon their hands. There was something that left him uneasy about this person, something he had sensed from their entrance.

"A very sturdy and well polished figure, I'd say this guy spends a good time at the gym," Conan thought. "But what's with the gloves and heavy sweater, the weathers more than acceptable tonight."

It was then that he noticed a small streak of red around the left sleeve of their black jacket.He spun around in attempt not to gain his attention in return after seeing his head slightly raise, leaning back to the seat as the bus began moving along once again.

".. Blood, could that have been blood," Conan thought. "Looks like I might have run into somewhat of a predicament."

A tune played in the back of his mind as he sat in the room of silence, one which he had heard over the radio hours ago over the radio. Something flashed by his left eye, just bright enough to call for his attention. He looked toward the window across the room to see a light flickering on and off for the next couple.

"I wonder what's going on out there?"

He contemplated on whether he should go and have a look. Before coming to a decision the sound of the door from clear across the hall could be heard sliding open.

"Looks like the waits over."

He eased up at the sound of foot steps heading his way, gradually becoming louder as they got closer. He slightly repositioned himself, looking toward  the door to watch it scooch aside moments later.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I'm glad you decided to join me, though I was expecting you'd call to be honest."

"I felt it would be better if I met you in person." Heiji said as he watched him make his way around the desk before having a seat.

"I'd have taken that same route myself, having a direct conversation always results with a more polished transaction," James said resting his hands atop the table. "Now, where to begin."

"I've got all night, any starting point is as good as any other."

"Very well," James said looking directly to him. "Why don't we start with how long you plan on being here for."

"Good question," Heiji said. "A week.. perhaps two even, maybe even a month, can't say to tell you the truth."

"I thought that much."

"Why do you ask?"

"I might have a little something for you to do," James replied. "Would you be interested?"

"Is this about what happened at the city hall building?"

"Not exactly, but it might be something of interest to you."

"Lay it down Commissioner," Heiji said leaning forward. "I'm listening."

"There's been a series of  of theft's across town, a simple task really."

"What's the soul element of these burglaries?"

"Diamonds and high priced pendants," James replied. "I've already got Detective Gates working the case, but with the sharp skills you displayed the other night you could prove to be a valuable asset."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Come again?"

"I mean, why are you offering me an opportunity in all of this," Heiji questioned. "I'm sure there are several others you could have gone to besides me for assistance."

"Upon talking to your father for a second time he recommended I offer you something to do while here."

"That would explain," Heiji said pushing back just a tad. "So, is there anything special or unique about these pendants taken that singles them out from any of the common bunch?"

"I see you've accepted the challenge," James said. "I'll have someone go over the details with you in full soon enough."

"Why not now," Heiji asked. "Do you have somewhere to be?"

"Not that I have somewhere to be, more so to do with what needs to be done here," James replied. "Between looking over some file work and returning a few calls, I've got a lot on my schedule as it is."

"Then I'll let you get to that," Heiji said standing to his feet. "I guess I better give you my number, that way you can reach me if need be."

"Don't bother, I already have it stored to the memory base."

"Staying a step ahead I see."

"Whenever possible."

He turned for the the opposite side of the room, walking straight for the door only to come to a stop after reaching it.

"What's wrong?" James asked upon seeing his delay.

"One question," Heiji said turning back to face him. "If you already had my number, why didn't you call?"

"You coming here was your choice to make," James answered.  "Not mine."

"Thanks for your time," Heiji said with a nod. "Hope to see you soon."

With that he turned for the door, softly closing it on his way out.

It became harder to see with each minute that past, using the street street lights surveying the streets to pin point where each street sign was located. He hadn't payed much my mind to anything else around, still weary of the man sitting two rows from behind. His phone vibrated from his side pocket, checking to see he had received a new message.

"It's from Haibara, unfortunately I don't have time to check it now," Conan thought to himself. "Have to stay focused."

Their voices were low and discrete, some how managing to find its way all the way to the to where he sat. This did more than grab his attention. He looked to the front to see the two men who had been on the bus before his arrival locked in a conversation.

"Why are they whispering to one another," Conan thought. "Especially being the fact they're right next to each other."

It was then that one of them looked to the left side of the bus, a grin coming to his face as he turned back to his comrade who seemed to smile in some kind of agreement. As little as it may have been, it called for concern in his mind. Without drawing any attention he peaked from around the seat yet again, doing his best to see what they could have been possibly looking at just moments prior.

"Don't see anything that calls for suspicion," Conan thought taking back to his seat. "Maybe it was something they saw from outside the window."

He did just that, scooting over to the left to have a look out of the window. They weren't moving all that fast at this point, making it easy to see anything they had previously passed.

"Just a gas station and a couple of business buildings, I doubt their sights were fixated to anything of that matter," Conan thought falling back to give it a seconds thought. "Hold on, maybe.."

He took the time to look around the seat for a second time, keeping his focus to everything directly in front of him.

"That group of teens must have exited off at the last stop when I wasn't looking."

He continued to trail his eyes up each row, coming to a stop after seeing her still sitting to the seat at the very front. That's when it all began to come together, looking over to the two men who were still whispering amongst each other. He watched them for a time to come, seeing if their was any truth to his thought. Not much time went by before all was confirmed, looking on as the two glimpsed over to the left for yet another time. The intent across their smirks was most apparent.

"Now I see, they've been following that woman this whole time... but why," Conan thought. "As if I didn't already have enough on my hands with Mr. sunshine a few rows back."

He looked out the window as they approached a street light, knowing they were just two stops away from completing the bus's scheduled route for the night.

"Only two more to go, which means everyone will be getting off between this next stop and the last," Conan thought to himself. "It's clear what the pair up front are after, but there's no telling with this guy behind."

He looked to the two men sitting toward the front, then to the lone man in the back while plotting out a plan.

"There's a chance they all won't get off at the same time, which means I'll have to make my move first."

To Be Continued


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