Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Daddy's Girl ❯ Narrow Miss ( Chapter 19 )

Daddy's Girl

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Investigator Ranma goes to the factory to question Nick Chambers after he drops Fujiko off at the safe house.)

Part Nineteen: Narrow Miss

" We're here, " Ranma looked at Fujiko as he pulled the police car to stop in front of a nondescript looking apartment house in downtown Yokohama. " I want you to relax and make yourself comfortable. My boss decided it would be best if you stay here for a week. "

" A week? " Fujiko's eyes went wide. " I can't stay here that long. "

" Why not? " Ranma arched an eyebrow.

Fujiko stuttered then said, " I have things I need to do. I have people I need to call and let them know I'm okay. "

" Give me their phone numbers and I'll let them know you're okay. We can't risk letting this Daisuke Jigen person find you. He works with Lupin The Third so he is going to be one hard bastard to catch. I take it you've heard of Lupin The Third, right? "

Fujiko looked puzzled, " Who's that? "

" He's one of the greatest thieves in the world but he's screwed up big time by sending Daisuke Jigen to kill that diplomat, " Ranma said. " That's the conclusion anyway. All of that doesn't concern you though. We need to figure out why he kidnapped you. I need to ask you a few more questions once we get inside. "

" Sure, " Fujiko sighed and waited as Ranma got out of the car. He walked around to her side, opening the door so she could get out. He walked her to the door and rang the doorbell. She was starting to feel bad because Lupin had been implicated when his plan was to let the diplomat live.

" The diplomat, " Fujiko muttered.

" What was that? " Ranma looked at her.

" I heard about him… " Fujiko recalled Ranma had mentioned him at the hospital.

Ranma sighed, " That was such a waste. You know what happened to him, right? "

" I've been in a crate for awhile so no, " Fujiko replied with a strained chuckle.

Ranma nodded once, " The man killed himself this morning. "

Fujiko gasped, " Oh my. "

" Yeah, " Ranma looked at his watch then rang the bell again. " Where is the guard? I know it's two in the morning but he still needs to answer the door. "

A second later, the door swung open. " I'm sorry about that, " the guard was a woman about Fujiko's age. " This must be Lucy Demeanor. "

" Yeah, " Ranma said. " We need to get inside. I still have to ask her a few questions then she's all yours. "

The woman looked Fujiko over; " I'll get you some real clothes while you talk to Investigator Tsukino. What sizes do you wear? "

Fujiko leaned into the lady's ear and whispered her sizes into her ear then took a step back. She glanced at Ranma, " Sorry. I like to keep that kind of stuff private. "

" No problem, " Ranma put his hands up. " Now, let's get inside. "

**

" Ouch! " Chamberlain hissed as he shaved off the last of his beard. He hadn't shaved in years but it was necessary now. He had cut his hair as well and now sported a somewhat messy short haircut.

Finally, he had a smooth face but at the price of cutting himself several times. He washed his face then washed out the sink to get rid of the hair in it. He dabbed at the blood on his face with a clean washcloth as he gathered up his hair clippings from the counter and disposed of them in the shaft that led to the factory's incinerator. It was usually used to destroy the trash the factory generated and unneeded files so he figured it could handle a little bit of hair.

He sighed once the blood stopped flowing from his nicks and threw the washcloth into the incinerator as well. He walked into his office and sat down to get some paperwork finished when there was a knock at the door. " Who is it? " He called out.

" It's Fuyumi, " It was the new secretary on the nightshift. " There's man downstairs that wants to see you, Mr. Chambers. "

Chamberlain looked at the clock on the wall and wondered who would be visiting at two forty five in the morning. " Be a dear and show them in Fuyumi, " He replied. He was certain it wasn't the cops again but he still wanted to look like the diligent businessman he pretended to be.

" He says he'll see you now, " Fuyumi told the visitor.

" Thank you, " A male voice came from the other side of the door as Fuyumi opened it.

" Good evening, " Chamberlain stood as a handsome man in his early thirties with dark hair and dark eyes came towards the desk. He wore a suit and trench coat like Zenigata but he was in all black instead of shades of brown. His dress shirt and tie were black as well.

" That depends on your perspective, " The man replied stiffly. " I'm surprised to see someone like you smiling. "

" Come again? " Chamberlain arched an eyebrow. " Just who are you? "

" My name is Ranma Tsukino. I'm from the Yokohama Police Department. I've been assigned to the case involving your warehouse Mr. Chambers. "

" It's about that again? " Chamberlain let out a heavy pretend sigh. " It's such a shame. How is the girl? "

" She's fine but that isn't my concern. My concern was that she was found in your warehouse. "

" I told those other officers everything I could, " Chamberlain shook his head. " I don't have anything else for you if that's what you've come for. "

" I see, " Ranma reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He opened it up and held it out to Chamberlain. " Does this man look familiar to you? "

Chamberlain took it and inhaled sharply. It was a sketch of him with long hair and the beard. " Isn't this the man that shot the police officer last night? " He said.

" Yes. This is the sketch of the description the kidnapped woman gave us, " Ranma looked at Chamberlain intently. He had noticed the man had paled at the sight of the sketch.

" Are you saying he is the one that put that poor woman in my warehouse? " Chamberlain looked at Ranma.

" You tell me, " Ranma took the picture back. " It must have been someone who knew the place pretty well because of those traps that were set up. "

" Traps? " Chamberlain acted surprised.

" Yes, " Ranma nodded, his eyes still fixed on Chamberlain's face.

Chamberlain arched an eyebrow, " Is there something wrong? "

" Nothing at all. Does this man look the least bit familiar to you? " Ranma pointed to the picture.

" Good heavens no! " Chamberlain shoved the paper back into Ranma's hand.

" Well, could I put this up somewhere here in the factory so if anyone here has seen him? " Ranma held the picture out again. " Do you have a water cooler or maybe a cafeteria where the employees take their breaks? "

" All of my employees either bring their food or go out to eat for their breaks, Investigator. There will be no need to leave that picture here. "

Ranma nodded, " I see then. I noticed you have some nicks on your face. "

" I got them when I was shaving. Don't all men nick themselves occasionally? " Chamberlain felt like Ranma was suspicious.

" Yes, " Ranma nodded. " I cut myself every time I shave. You must have shaved recently though. You are still bleeding a bit. "

" The other officers woke me up and I just got the chance to shave a little bit before you came, " Chamberlain pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at his face.

" I see, " Ranma nodded once.

" Is there anything else? "

Ranma narrowed his eyes, " Did I tell you there were traps set up in the warehouse? "

" Yes you mentioned it but I have idea how they got there. Perhaps that man set them up after he broke in for some reason. "

Ranma chuckled, " Yes. It would have been hard for him to set them up before he broke in. "

" Are you mocking me? " Chamberlain said.

" Not at all. Forgive me, " Ranma put his hands up. " I just want to catch this man before he kills again. I hate to think what he may have had in mind for that poor girl. "

Chamberlain arched an eyebrow, " As do I. Are you quite finished? "

Ranma looked around the office then sighed, " I guess so but I'm going to have to ask you to remain in Yokohama for the time being. "

" Are you saying I'm a suspect? " Chamberlain said.

" No. You need to stay in town so I can find you if I have any more questions, " Ranma said.

" I have no more answers so why would you ask me more questions? " Chamberlain crossed his arms over his chest.

Ranma walked towards the door, " Oh. You never know. "

Chamberlain watched as Ranma let himself out. He waited two beats before flopping down in his office chair and snatching up the telephone.

**

Ranma got into the police car and radioed the two officers that had been to the factory earlier. " Yes sir? " One of them called back. " Officer Yamamoto here. "

" Yeah, Yami. Could you and Officer Wantanabe keep a close eye on Nick Chambers and his factory? There's something I don't like about that guy. Matter of fact, can I meet you two down the street from the factory so we can compare notes? "

" That's a negative sir, " Yamamoto called back. " We're waiting for back up. We found a man washed up on the shore not too far from the factory. "

" Really now? " Ranma asked. " Is he alive? "

" Barely, " Yamamoto replied. " He's lacerated severely and looks like he's lost a lot of blood. "

" Have you called an ambulance? "

" Yes sir, " Yamamoto said. " Are you coming? "

" Yeah, " Ranma said. " Let me make my night a little more interesting. "

**

Jigen woke up to the sound of Toshiko talking in her sleep. He felt like he had just nodded off when she started muttering into his chest. At first, he couldn't understand what she was saying but her words soon became clear. It seemed she was having a nightmare about her stepfather.

" No! You aren't my father! Stop hitting me! " Toshiko started to strike out as if she were fighting him.

Jigen grabbed her arms as he sat up, " Toshiko… wake up. "

" Let me go or I'll tell mom about everything you've done to me! " She said, her volume getting steadily louder. " Ryousuke! Stop! "

" Wake up! " Jigen growled. He lost his grip on one of her arms but grabbed them before she struck him in the face as she started to flail wildly. He pushed her down to the futon and held her down as she fought him.

" Ryousuke! Let go! " She cried out as tears formed in her eyes. She started wailing and sobbing.

" Toshiko! Wake up! " Jigen looked towards the door. She was making enough noise to wake the dead. " You're going to wake Goemon and Lupin! "

Toshiko trembled and sobbed, still fighting weakly against Jigen. " No! " she sniffled, " No… "

Jigen heard the sound of running footsteps and knew that things looked bad. He couldn't let go of Toshiko though or he would risk bodily harm. The girl was strong and had given him a workout just trying to restrain her. Goemon's shadow fell on the door and Jigen could tell from the silhouette that he was wearing only his loincloth.

" Goemon! " Lupin said as his shadow fell next to Goemon's. " Just calm down! "

" It's my duty as a warrior! " Goemon unsheathed Zantetsuken and flung the door open. He narrowed his eyes at Jigen, " Unhand her this instant! "

" It's not what it looks like! " Jigen replied. " She's having a nightmare and she started beating the Hell out of me. "

Lupin shoved Goemon aside, " Go get some clothes on. I'll handle this. "

" I could say the same to you, " Goemon glared at Lupin's red and white striped boxers.

" Huh? " Toshiko muttered as she opened her eyes slowly while she gasped for air. She looked confused for a second then her gaze fixed on Goemon and Lupin. " Oh my! " She blushed and covered her eyes with her hands.

" Never mind them, " Jigen pulled Toshiko's hands away from her face and made her face him. " Are you okay? "

Toshiko shut her eyes, " I'm sorry. "

" What happened? " Lupin took a step forward.

Goemon was blushing as he said, " Yes. I would like to know as well. "

" I have these nightmares. I forgot to tell you, " Toshiko said. She glanced at Lupin and Goemon again then back at Jigen. " I have them and it's like its really happening again. "

" What do you mean again? " Lupin knelt down and took one of Toshiko's hands in both of his. " What are you talking about? "

Toshiko's lower lip started to tremble and she looked at Jigen. " I can't, " She whispered as fresh tears started to fill her eyes. " I can't tell him, Mr. Jigen. "

Jigen brought a hand up and wiped her tears away. " Is it okay if I tell them? " He asked gently.

" Please? " Toshiko sniffled.

Jigen sighed, " I'll try to keep it short for your sake. "

" Thank you, " Toshiko leaned against Jigen's chest.

" Her stepfather punishes her when she does something that makes him mad, " Jigen said evenly although he could feel his anger rising. He wanted the three of them to find out where the bastard lived so they could pay him back. He couldn't bring himself to say how severely she had been beaten for he knew it would make him angrier.

Lupin was stroking Toshiko's hand. " Was he disciplining you or was it abuse? " He was afraid to hear the answer.

" Babe, " Jigen whispered. " I can't put it into words. Can you show him? I won't let them see anything else. "

" Promise? " Toshiko glanced up at Jigen.

" I promise. "

" Okay, " Toshiko pulled her hand away from Lupin's and unwrapped the arm she had around Jigen. Lupin glanced at Jigen then Goemon as the girl unbuttoned her top. Jigen shielded her chest with his arm as she slipped her pajama top off and turned her back to Lupin.

Goemon took a step forward, " How horrendous… "

" Oh my God, " Lupin whispered. He ran his fingertips over the scars. Toshiko shivered so he stopped. " How? "

" He did it with a belt, " Jigen said as Toshiko pulled her shirt back up. " It was eight months ago. "

" We cannot let her go back to her mother, " Goemon intoned solemnly.

" Mom doesn't even know, " Toshiko whispered as she buttoned the buttons.

Goemon looked down at Lupin then at Jigen. " What would your mother do if she knew? " He asked quietly.

Toshiko sniffled, " She'd divorce him and probably press charges. He'd deny it though. He'd say they were scars from when I… "

" Do you want me to tell them babe? " Jigen said.

Toshiko nodded but Lupin interjected, " When she tried to kill herself? "

" Yeah, " Jigen nodded. " She got pretty messed up on her first attempt. "

" That explains the scars on her arms, " Lupin muttered.

" What will we do? " Goemon knelt down next to Lupin.

Lupin looked at Goemon then Jigen, " I think we're going to have an extra person at my house for a while. "

Toshiko looked at Lupin, " I can stay? Really? "

Lupin nodded, " It looks like the only thing we can do for now. "

" Thanks, " Toshiko said. " I'll try not to be a bother. "

Lupin ruffled Toshiko's hair, " You're not a bother. You're just a pretty girl that needs our help and we will do whatever we can. "

Toshiko was quiet for a few moments then looked at Lupin, " Can you help me get a letter to my mom? She and I have kept in contact since I ran away but she's kept my location hidden from my stepfather. She only tells him I'm living with friends. "

" We'll work on it in the morning, " Lupin glanced at the clock. " Well, let me rephrase that. We'll discuss it later. It's three forty five right now. "

Goemon got to his feet and looked towards the door. " I think I just heard a car. "

**

Fujiko's hands were shaking as she put the car in park. She had escaped from the safe house as soon as the guard finally stopped bothering her and found a car rental place. She didn't exactly rent the car but she would make sure it got back to them all the same. She had drove well above the speed limit the whole way to find Lupin's house empty.

She panicked, afraid they had left for Yokohama after all then she thought of Goemon's. She decided it was worth a shot to try there before she gave up hope. She became excited when her headlights glinted off the Benz and the classic Indian motorcycle as she pulled into Goemon's drive. She tried to steady her nerves before getting out of the car but didn't have a chance.

" Who's there? " Lupin shouted from front doorway, the Walther pointed at the passenger side window the only thing visible. Fujiko knew Jigen was on the other side with the Magnum ready. " Get out with your hands up and answer me! "

Fujiko took a breath and got out of the car, her hands above her head. She glared at the doorway, " What a fine way to greet me! " She shouted.

" Fujiko? " Lupin peeked out. " Holy shit! Fujiko! "

" What the fuck? " Jigen poked his head around the door then frowned. " Don't scare us like that! "

" Baby! Come here and give me a hug! " Lupin said after he handed the Walther to Jigen.

Fujiko looked down at the ground, " I can't move. "

" Okay then, " Lupin dashed out on the drive.

" Lupin! " Fujiko gasped. She was slightly horrified to see he was only wearing his boxers but remembered whom she was dealing with.

He snatched her up in a big hug, " I was so worried! "

Fujiko clung to Lupin, finally allowing herself to cry. " It was horrible! " She sobbed against his bare shoulder.

" How the hell did you escape? " Jigen had walked up behind them in spite of the fact their displays of affection made him want to wretch.

Fujiko didn't look at Jigen as she spoke, " All I know is he put me in a crate in a warehouse. Some cops rescued me after an anonymous tip. "

Lupin smiled, " Now I wonder just gave the police that tip? "

Fujiko looked at Lupin, " Yeah. I wonder. "

" Is that the phone call you had to make? " Jigen arched an eyebrow.

Lupin glanced at Jigen, " I made a few actually. Let's just say Chamberlain isn't going to be a problem for us. "

" What do you mean? " Jigen narrowed his eyes.

" We'll talk about it in the morning, " Lupin smirked.