Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ Alliances ( Chapter 4 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine but I sure wish Goemon was ^_~. The plot thickens! Exactly what caused that chill to run down Goemon's spine?)

Part Four: Alliances

Goemon sat on the beach, his eyes closed. It hadn't been the air conditioning that made him shiver in the hotel room but something much bigger. He wasn't for sure what exactly though he was pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with Zenigata's ill-timed arrival. He was confident Zenigata didn't believe him about Lupin not being around but he would have to persuade him other wise.

~If I can convince him I am here because of the kidnappings and not with Lupin he might leave me alone, ~ He thought. The word 'kidnappings' made his spine tingle again. He speculated about why the abductions were bothering him so much when one name drifted across his mind. A shiver ran down his spine again but he tried to brush it off.

~I can't ignore this feeling… ~ He thought. ~I can't help but think she's in trouble… ~

**

The phone in Inspector Zenigata's room rang while he was in the process of pulling his undershirt off over his head. He put it on speakerphone on the second ring and continued to undress. " This is Inspector Zenigata, " He said as he finished taking of the shirt.

" Good. I was afraid you would be in bed by now, " It was the Italian ICPO chief, Vittero Capparelli.

Zenigata glanced over at his pajamas that he had put on the bed and his undershirt in his hands. " No. Not yet. What is it, Chief? "

" I have a side assignment for you while you are in Malta, " Vittero said.

" A side assignment? It will take all my time just to track down Lupin! " Zenigata nearly shouted into the phone.

" You're the only investigator close enough to handle the assignment. If we wait for someone else to arrive, the situation might escalate. "

Zenigata sighed, " Tell me what it is then. "

" There has been a dozen kidnappings on the island of Gozo in the last two weeks. Exactly half of the victims are locals while the other half are foreign tourists. ICPO was called in because the police can't find any leads and it may become an international incident if any of the foreign women are murdered. Do you follow me so far? "

" Yes. Have the kidnappers demanded ransoms? " Zenigata asked.

" No. These women have gone to Gozo and just vanished into thin air. No one knows why but they did have a few things in common, " Vittero paused, waiting for Zenigata to ask what he knew he would ask.

Zenigata thought for a moment then said, " They were all young and pretty? "

" Well, that too. The number one thing was that they were all planning to visit Calypso's Cave. "

" Isn't that the cave on the island? " Zenigata asked. He had read everything the chief had sent with him and he had done so twice. He probably knew more about the islands of Comino and Gozo than most tourists bothered to find out before going to the islands.

" We are counting on you, Zenigata. " Vittero said then hung up.

Zenigata took the envelope with the brochures out and opened it. He pulled out one brochure, looking at the breath-taking picture of Calypso's Cave on the front. He had gotten well into reading it again when he realized there was a draft in the room. He looked to see where it was coming from, nearly falling off the bed when he found he was not alone.

" So they gave you another case while you're here? " Goemon asked, acting like he belonged in the detective's room.

" Goemon! " Zenigata stood up. " What the hell are you doing here? "

" I was on my way back to my room when I heard you shouting. I'm surprised you didn't wake up the whole hotel, " Goemon walked over to where the brochure had fallen and picked it up. " This might be useful. "

" Hands off, Goemon! " Zenigata made a snatch for the brochure but quickly found the handle of Zantetsuken pressed against his stomach.

" You'll get it back, " Goemon looked the brochure over as Zenigata took a step back. " Besides, I'm pretty sure you've read it already. "

" Yes I have but I want to read it again. What interest do you have in it anyway? " Zenigata asked after he was a safe distance away from Zantetsuken.

Goemon threw the brochure to Zenigata, " I heard some men talking about the kidnappings earlier. "

" Who were they? " Zenigata's eyes got wide.

" Remember those two men from the elevator? " Goemon pulled Zantetsuken back.

Zenigata scratched the side of his head, " Hmmm. I think so. "

" They were talking about it before you showed up, " Goemon looked at Zenigata with narrowed eyes. " If it weren't for you, I could have learned more. "

" Do you think we can find them again? " Zenigata offered.

" Perhaps, " Goemon shut his eyes.

" I really didn't get a good look at them. Do you recall what they look like? " Zenigata scratched his head.

" I believe they will be the only ones scared when they see us again, " Goemon said. " Now, get dressed. We would do better to find them tonight. "

Zenigata nodded, " I believe you're right. "

Goemon glanced over at Zenigata's pajamas and gave a terse smile. " Teddy bears. How cute. "

" They were a gift from my daughter, " Zenigata said then went pale. " You won't say anything to anyone, right? "

" Your secret is safe with me, " Goemon replied.

**

Lupin clicked through the channels but there really wasn't anything particularly interesting. He turned off the TV and pitched the remote onto the coffee table. He glanced over at Jigen, who was smoking a cigarette and pondering a glass of whisky at the room's mini-bar. " Where the hell is Goemon? "

Jigen put the cigarette out and downed the glass of whisky. He set it down, the ice clinking against the sides of the tumbler. " Your guess is as good as mine, Lupin. "

Lupin let out a frustrated growl, " Do you think he left without us? "

" How would he get to the island? There's no ferry available until morning, " Jigen poured himself some more whisky.

" He's probably skipping across the water to get there, " Lupin put his head down on the table. He slammed his fist down on it repeatedly, " I knew we should have followed him. "

" Calm down. He's probably meditating out on the beach somewhere. Why don't you come over here and have a drink with me? " Jigen held up the whisky bottle.

" I guess so, " Lupin stood up and froze. He heard someone out in the hallway and Jigen heard him or her as well. They both put their hands on their guns, drawing and aiming. They were about to fire when a folded up paper was slid under the door.

" It's a note, " Lupin walked to the door and picked it up. He looked at it and muttered, " I swear that man just is not natural… "

" Let me guess, " Jigen walked over and read the note over Lupin's shoulder.

" Yep. Goemon. It says that Pops is in town and staying at this hotel but doesn't know we're here. He will distract him until we can leave in the morning and he will catch up to us. He also says that Pops has an assignment on Gozo so we'll have to be extra careful, " Lupin crumpled up the letter and threw it away.

" The gang's all here then, " Jigen said, lighting up a fresh cigarette. " I just wonder what Fujiko is up to. "

" You and me both, " Lupin said, his head still on the table.

**

" Is she still asleep? " Fabian stood outside of the room where Fujiko was being kept.

The man inside looked over his shoulder, " Yeah. Guido is dying her hair like you asked. Why'd you want that done to her anyway? "

" Simple, Miguel. We already have blondes and brunettes in our possession but no women with auburn hair. She will look excellent with the shade I have picked for her. Our clientele will shell out even more money to be with her, " Fabian explained. " Besides, that shade of blonde she had her hair dyed really didn't suit her. "

Miguel nodded even though he didn't follow Fabian's logic. " But I thought she was pretty hot. "

" She would be hot if she were bald, Miguel but she wouldn't be very aesthetically pleasing. She is different and the hair color I picked will reflect that. Now, make sure she stays asleep until I am ready for her to be made available. "

Miguel nodded, " Yes sir. "