Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Croatian Job ❯ The First Contact ( Chapter 1 )

Dubrovnik, may 2016...

Inspector Koichi Zenigata was sitting in his new office in Dubrovnik and reading files. Recently, his work consisted mainly of it. After his defeat in Italy, Interpol delegated him to a neighboring country, where there was no chance of meeting with Lupin. Even a hint of a chance. Zenigata even heard that they're looking for someone new to this case. As if someone else had abilities to do this!

It's not like that he didn't like Croatia. He liked it and it very much, but, for God's sake, he was a cop! He had to chase Lupin, not enjoy the landscapes!

Speculation interrupted him somewhat insistent knock on the door.

"Come in!" Japanese man growled without looking up from paperwork. The young officer from Croatia slipped into the office. He looked frightened. In trembling hands he held exceptionally bulky briefcase.

"What is it this time? Something is wrong with the assassination of Archduke Franz Frdinand?!" Zenigata narrowed his eyes ominously. Many of the cases that he received bore a date like 1956 or something like that.

"It's already qualifies as a job for historians" youngster grimaced, "Don't worry, this one is my problem. The boss wants to see you, sir. He mentioned something about action in the field."

"If this is another stupid joke..." the man walked out accidentally hitting his elbow in the boy's arm. Already several times, workmates tried to make fool of him, but Zenigata knew such jokes. Even while serving in Tokyo or Paris, other police officers tossed him a false notice of attacks and thefts. He bought something like this only once.

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Cabinet of commandant was small and veiled with cigarette smoke. Commander himself was a short, balding man of French origin; he had as much in common with Croatia as Zenigata with the Daughters of Charity (almost nothing). The man measured the Japanese inspector contemptuous gaze. They worked together even in Paris. And hated each other.

"Have you heard something about Crystal Crown?" he asked. As usual; no courtesy for his subordinates.

"I only know that this is an extremely valuable specimen of Aztec culture" Zenigata shrugged. He was interested in art only for work; better know what could fall victim to Lupin. "For several months it's traveling the museums of archeology and art around the world."

"In two days it will visit the Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik" said the commanding officer stating the folder with the data "While there came no love note, I want you to watch over Crown. Lupin might want to take it"

"Understood, sir," Zenigata saluted and left. On the corridor, He smiled to himself. If Lupin come, the inspector will be able to settle the old score.

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Aztec Crystal Crown resting on a red pillow, under a glass shade. It resembled to some extent the diadem of the Statue of Liberty- hoop with the representation of luminous rays. The rim was inscribed with skull and Aztec symbols. The whole was made of white quartz with blue veins.

"And what do you think, Inspector?" the curator asked, standing behind Zenigata.

"Wonderful" said the police officer. Good material and good crafting, He liked such works of art. "What are the security measures?"

"Especially for this occasion we made a small upgrade of whole system," said the curator pointing the camera at the ceiling "We also asked about the motion sensors, and the windows in whole building have a bullet-proof glass."

"And what with ventilation?" Zenigata looked around. The curator showed a small hatch in the corner. The man can't go in there, but... "Can you equip the security guards in gas masks?"

"I..." custodian was troubled, "I'll try. Anything else?"

"Yeah..." the inspector put his hands in his duster's pockets "Where I can lurk here and eat ramen in peace?"

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For Zenigata, twilight fell quickly. The old city looked even more beautiful in night aura. In fact, the inspector could look at this place forever. It was so quiet and peaceful here...

"But the duty calls" he sighed throwing box after the soup to the bucket and went to the room next to the hall of the Crystal Crown. Guards from museum were already waiting for him, armed with stun guns, live ammunition and gas masks. Anyone who tries to steal the artifact, will have nasty surprise...

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It was already long past midnight, and the condition of the brave guardians of the treasure... caused black despair. Almost everyone was asleep. Perhaps only Zenigata remained conscious, and managed to maintain this state thanks to the superhuman efforts. And hope that his nemesis, however, will come.

However, even the inspector began dozing. Five coffees for a day is not enough to keep him at the right mind for so long. Week of workaholism gave of himself to know.

Then in the next room there was a crash of breaking glass, which immediately aroused Zenigata. Thief! The man quickly pulled out a gun and handcuffs and ran into the room prepared to fight with everything what he'll meet there.

Next to the ripped cabinet stood a ninja warrior in black robes and was packing the crown to a bag on his shoulder. A pair of startled blue eyes were staring at Zenigata. The Inspector was also amazed. The thief didn't look like someone from the Lupin's gang, and they don't recruit new members.

The robber started run towards the window. Zenigata immediately shook off the stupor and leaped forward to catch the ninja's arm, but he easily slipped from a grip and jumped on the windowsill. The distance between the houses was less than two meters.

"Shit, no!" roared menacingly inspector, but the thief was already climbing on the drainpipe of neighboring building. Of course Zenigata jumped after him. After a moment, they both ran after the red, sloping roofs of Dubrovnik.

At some point, the police officer made a truly tiger jump and caught the robber by his waist, knocking him. Both fell from the roof on terrace below. Zenigata felt a terrible pain in his right arm, but using left he grabbed a scarf covering face of Ninja, but didn't remove it. Didin't make it.

"Take your hand" snapped the thief pressed the barrel of the gun to inspector's forehead.

It wasn't any fucking ninja. Rather kunoichi.

"What the…?!" Zenigata frowned, but the woman cocked the weapon, "Okay, okay! I got it."

He let go her shawl, and she took the gun away. She stood up gasping in pain. It looked like something happened to her in the leg, but she coped with it, banging her fist on the knee. There was a nasty crackle, and woman with barely suppressed a scream. Then she took up Zenigata.

"It's gonna hurt," she warned an officer and set his broken arm. Inspector gritted his teeth and tear ran down his cheek, "I'm sorry."

"No problem," rasped Zenigata and then he felt the cold handcuffs on wrist of his healthy hand. Taking this opportunity, the female thief cuffed him to the street light.

"Goodbye, Inspector," kunoichi saluted in the military way and fled into the darkness of the city. Although her leg was in bad condition, she ran really fast.

"Who are you?" whispered astonished Zenigata.