Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ Misconceptions ( Chapter 7 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin doesn't belong to me and I'm not making any money from this. A few clues are taken the wrong way, provoking tensions to rise between Goemon and Zenigata.)

Part Seven: Misconceptions

Jigen and Lupin waited at the pick-up point for the ferry, the car doors open so they could put their feet on the ground. Lupin ground his jaw as he tapped at the ground with his foot, obviously unhappy. He was resisting the urge to shred the tickets into tiny pieces because he had found out the hotel offered a free service out to Gozo. The tickets were virtually useless but Jigen had talked him into keeping them in case they needed them.

Jigen was leaning against the seat, thinking about the situation. When he had come back from getting coffee and some breakfast, Lupin told him he was missing a whole dynamite stick's worth of M-80's and a couple of flash bombs. That information combined with the pictures of Goemon heading out to Gozo with Zenigata was enough to make Lupin think the samurai was getting ready to double-cross them. " Maybe you're jumping to the wrong conclusions, " Jigen said as he pulled a cigarette out of his jacket and lit it.

" All Goemon was using us for was a ride out here. He's probably been planning this since he walked through the wall back in Sicily, " Lupin leaned against his seat.

" I thought we had decided he had come through the ceiling back there, " Jigen glanced across the pier. " Why the hell are we here an hour early? "

" Because I want to be on that ferry first, " Lupin crossed his arms. " Then, we're going to hunt down Goemon and find out what he's up to. "

" What about Pops? " Jigen twitched the corner of his mouth, sending a cone of ashes tumbling down to the pier under his feet.

" We'll have to distract him somehow, " Lupin got a cigarette of his own and lit it.

Jigen looked over his shoulder, " And then there's Fujiko to worry about too. "

" Yeah, " Lupin nodded. " We may have to go after her first then wait to cross paths with Goemon. "

" I think the bitch should be top on our list of priorities, " Jigen flicked some more ashes from his cigarette. " We know she's going to get in our way. I'm still not sure about Goemon though. "

" He's got plans of his own, " Lupin glanced over his shoulder at Jigen. " That's about all I'm sure of though. "

**

" Wake up, " Goemon nudged Zenigata with Zantetsuken's handle.

Zenigata sat up and looked around. " Are we there yet? " He asked even though it was obvious they were in a town.

" Yes, " Goemon jumped out of the truck bed. He walked to the cab of the truck and looked at Manu. " Is she still out? "

" I apologize, " Manu shook his head. " I don't know what got into her. "

" It's alright, " Goemon glanced over at Calypso. She was hog-tied and unconscious in her seat. She had knocked herself out trying to head-butt through the rear window to get closer to Goemon. " I hope she isn't harmed. "

" She will be fine, " Manu looked down at the ground. " She either breaks the window or she knocks herself out. She's a stubborn girl. "

" She does have a very strong will, " Goemon agreed.

Zenigata came up to the cab, " Can you tell me where the police station is in this town? "

Manu pointed to a row of large buildings, " It is that way. You cannot miss it. "

Zenigata nodded, " I see. Thank you. "

" No, thank you. Here, " Manu grabbed a scrap piece of paper out of the glove compartment. He took a pen from his shirt pocket and scribbled something on the paper. He handed it to Zenigata, " If you gentlemen find anything out at all, please don't hesitate to call me. "

" We'll try to keep you post as long at it doesn't compromise the situation, " Zenigata tucked the paper inside of his jacket. " We'd better get going. "

" Si, " Manu nodded. " Good luck. "

" Thank you, " Zenigata patted Manu on the shoulder. " You hang in there. We'll do everything we can to get your daughter back. "

Zenigata took a step back and Manu drove away. " He's got to be going crazy inside, " Goemon commented.

" He's trying to stay strong, " Zenigata watched as the truck vanished around a corner. " You can see it in his eyes. "

Goemon took a step in the direction of the police station. " Shall we go? " He glanced at Zenigata.

" Yeah but I think it would be a good idea for you to keep you distance once we get closer. I don't think it would look good if the police saw you, " Zenigata looked around. " Why don't you take a walk and I'll find you after I'm finished. "

" Sure, " Goemon nodded. " I won't go too far. "

" You better not. You said you were going to help and I'll hold you to that, " Zenigata's tone became serious.

" I always keep my word, " Goemon narrowed his eyes at Zenigata.

Zenigata took a step back, " I was just saying… "

Goemon looked straight ahead, " I'll will go now. "

Zenigata watched as Goemon walked in the opposite direction of the police station. He sighed and headed for his destination, wondering if it was such a good idea to let him go off on his own after all.

**

Lupin and Jigen had dozed off in the car but a thud on the hood woke them both up with a start. Lupin looked around, his eyes still blurred by sleep. He blinked a couple of times and saw it was a man dressed in a hotel uniform. " Are you here for the ferry? " He asked.

" Yes sir, " Lupin sat up.

Jigen straightened his fedora, " Is it going to start running soon? "

" In a little while, " The man nodded.

Lupin spotted the man's nametag, " Are you the captain, Christophe? "

" Si, signore. I can let you on now if you don't mind waiting on the boat. My crew and I still have to do the safety checks, " Christophe cocked his head to the side when he realized Jigen and Lupin were both staring at him intently.

" Say, " Jigen stood up. " You haven't seen a samurai around here, have you? "

" Or an ICPO officer? " Lupin stood up as well.

Christophe went pale, his eyes darting back and forth between the two men. " I don't know what you're talking about… "

Lupin reached into his jacket and pulled out the binoculars. " Oh, I think you do. Just look here, " Lupin put the binoculars in front of Christophe's eyes.

Christophe looked inside and began to shake. " I just gave them a ride out to Gozo. Please don't hurt me! "

Lupin put the binoculars back in his jacket, " I'm not going to hurt you… unless you keep lying to us. "

" We just want to know where they went, " Jigen came around the back of the car.

" I… " Christophe looked between Lupin and Jigen as he stuttered.

Lupin reached into his jacket again. " Just settle down. Do you smoke? " He asked and offered Christophe a cigarette.

" No, " Christophe shook his head. " Why… why do you want to know about those men? "

" The quiet guy with the sword is our partner, " Lupin put the cigarette between his lips and lit it. " But it seems he has plans of his own. We just want to find him and find out what he is doing. "

" Signore, I don't think I can tell you that, " Christophe shook his head.

" It must be something important for you to give them a ride out long before the ferry started, " Jigen leaned against the car. It was obvious Christophe was unnerved by the fact he couldn't see his eyes. " Come on, old man. If you cooperate, everything will be just fine. "

" You can trust us, old man. We just want to find our partner, " Lupin spoke quietly.

Christophe looked around nervously, " I can't tell you out here. There will be too many people soon. I will take you on board only if you swear to me you will not hurt me. "

" On my father's grave, " Lupin put his hands up.

" On my mother's grave, " Jigen put his hands up as well.

Christophe pointed to the boat, " I will put out the ramp so you can drive on to the ferry. We will talk there. "

Lupin and Jigen watched as Christophe boarded the boat. They waited until the ramp started to move then got into the car. Lupin started it and drove slowly towards the ramp. Jigen gave him a sideways glance, " Why is that guy so damn jumpy? "

" I don't know, " Lupin shrugged. " He must think we're hit men going after Goemon and Zenigata. "

Lupin drove the car along the ramp and to a parking spot on the deck. He turned off the engine then he and Jigen got out of the car. " Get down! " Jigen shouted just as a gunshot rang out from what appeared to be the control room.

" Fucking shit, " Lupin muttered. " I hate it when I'm right. "

" So do I, " Jigen grabbed his gun and scanned the area. He spotted Christophe just as he was about to squeeze off another shot. ~Aim for the gun… aim for the gun, ~ Jigen thought as he pointed the combat revolver in Christophe's direction.

" Don't shoot him! " Lupin shouted.

" I'm not, " Jigen fired three times.

" Then what the hell was that? " Lupin pulled out the Walther P .38.

" I'm trying to get him to drop the gun, " Jigen covered his head as Christophe fired again. By the looks of things, Christophe wasn't aiming very well. " He's still shaking… I can hear it in the bullets. "

" Keep his attention. I'm going to slip up on him, " Lupin said and crawled behind a crate that was next to the car.

~He better not take too long. One of those bullets is bound to hit if he keeps firing like that, ~ Jigen thought. He watched as Lupin crawled out from behind another crate on the other side of the deck and into the control room. Within seconds he was behind Christophe and had the Walther pointed at his head.

" Stop it, " Lupin said.

Christophe dropped the small revolver he had been firing and put his violently shaking hands up in the air. Jigen dashed across the deck and put the .22 inside of his jacket. " I'll hang onto this. "

" What do you want from me? " Christophe sounded like he was starting to cry as he asked the question. " I have done nothing wrong. "

" We didn't say you did anything wrong, " Lupin said calmly but didn't lower his gun. " Why were you firing at us? "

" I don't want you to hurt those men, " Christophe sobbed. " They are helping me. "

" Helping you? " Jigen lowered his gun.

" I asked them to help me find my niece, nothing more. If I had known they had something to do with the mafia, I would have never asked them to help. "

" The mafia? " Lupin looked at Jigen.

" We don't have anything to do with the mafia, " Jigen shook his head.

" We told you, " Lupin lowered the Walther but kept his guard up. " The samurai is our partner. "

" Yeah, " Jigen put the revolver away. " We just want to know where he went. He was supposed to be keeping that inspector distracted. "

" Who are you? " Christophe looked over his shoulder at Lupin. " Why do you need to keep Signore Zenigata distracted? "

" Let's just say it's the way things are. Tell us why you took them out to Gozo. That's all we ask, " Lupin put the Walther away. " Look, no gun. I promise not to pull it out again unless you try to shoot us again. "

Christophe leaned forward, gripping the rail in front of him. " I… I asked them to help find my niece. She was kidnapped. "

Jigen looked at Lupin, " I should have guess a damsel in distress was involved. "

" Goemon's got a soft spot in his heart for those, " Lupin smirked. " Luckily, so do I, old man. I'll help if you still trust me. "

" I guess I'll help out as well, " Jigen shook his head.

" Come with me as I check the ship, " Christophe looked at Jigen then Lupin. " I will tell you the whole story. "

**

Goemon walked down the street, taking in the uniqueness of Marsalforn when a faint scent made his heart jump. ~That can't be… ~ He sniffed the air again. He could detect the smell of Fujiko's perfume and it was getting stronger as he walked down the street. ~Maybe she isn't in danger after all… ~

He walked faster as he followed the scent but it started to become weaker after he passed an alleyway just outside a public restroom. He backed up to the passage, scanning the area as he walked cautiously. The scent was very strong just a few feet in and he found it was coming from a dropped handbag. It seemed like it was saturated with the perfume and the smell was quite strong.

He picked the purse up and emptied it out on a windowsill. Inside he found a passport in a plastic pouch, a broken bottle of perfume, a hairbrush, a wallet and several ruined travelers' cheques. He carefully plucked out the passport out of it's sleeve and opened it, finding it was contained a picture of Fujiko but the name was fictitious. He frowned as he read the name to himself.

" Megumi Ishikawa… " He narrowed his eyes. ~Does that woman have no shame or respect whatsoever? ~

He decided to take the passport since it didn't get inundated with as much perfume as the rest of the items in the purse. He checked Fujiko's wallet and took the money from it as well as her debit cards. He wanted to at least keep those out of the wrong hands even if they reeked of her. As he pulled out the last card, something fell out from behind it.

He reached down and picked it up, finding it was a business-sized card bearing a picture of the nymph Calypso. ~Perhaps this is a clue, ~ He thought, tucking it and everything else into Fujiko's bogus passport then put it inside of his kimono. He took a step towards the exit of the alley and felt something crunch beneath his sandal. He looked down to find what looked like a broken tranquilizer dart.

He carefully picked it up, finding it was only one end, the needle end missing. He decided it wasn't of much use to him and put it on the windowsill with the rest of Fujiko's ruined belongings. ~I think I had better find Zenigata now, ~ He walked out of the passage and headed towards the police station. He would wait nearby until the inspector came out.

**

" Ah, " The police commander said as Zenigata stood in his office. " We've been expecting you, Inspector Zenigata. "

" Then you know why I am here, " Zenigata said.

" Indeed I do, " The commander stood up. " Kidnapping has plagued our peaceful island and you are here to help us put a stop to it. "

" I will do best to help stop it, sir. "

" Very good, " The commander walked to the door. " Come with me. I will introduce you to the officer that had been investigating the case. "

Zenigata followed the commander out to a room with several desks, an officer at each one working. At the last desk, an officer was taking a report from a rather large lady with blonde hair and a small child sitting in a chair next to her. " We can't really do anything about your travelers' cheques, " The officer at the desk told the lady.

" I know. I have already had them replaced but I want you to know there is a thief running loose on this island. I want to do my duty and protect others from her menace, " The lady said in a very annoyed tone.

The commander tapped the officer on the shoulder " Excuse me. "

" Pardon me ma'am, " The officer said and stood to salute his commanding officer. " What is it, sir? "

" I would like you to introduce you to Inspector Zenigata of the ICPO. He will be helping you out on your main assignment, " The commander said.

" Oh! It's nice to meet you. I am Andrew Giuliani, " The young man put his hand out to Zenigata.

" Good to meet you too, " Zenigata said.

" Let me finish this report and I'll be right with you, " Andrew said.

" Make it quick, " The commander said. " There's lots of work to be done. "

" Hello! I'm still here! " The fat lady said in a rather rude tone.

Andrew quickly took his seat again, " I'm sorry. Now, could you please start with a description of the lady you say stole your travelers' cheques? "

Zenigata tapped Andrew on the shoulder, " I'll just pull up a chair and wait right here. "

Andrew waved his hand, " Yeah. Go ahead. "

The fat lady let out a low growl as Zenigata drug a chair across the floor and sat down next to Andrew. " Are you finished interrupting me? " She scowled at Zenigata.

" Yes ma'am, " Zenigata replied.

" Then keep your mouth shut until I'm done! " She said sharply.

" The description ma'am? " Andrew sounded more scared than he did polite.

" Let me think. She had long fluffy brown hair, brown eyes and a great big chest. She had a slightly pointy small nose and she was dressed like a slut, " The lady said.

Zenigata felt a chill run down his spine. If he hadn't known better, he would have sworn the lady had described Fujiko Mine. Of course, he wouldn't have been quite a crass about it. " Were there any identifying marks? " Andrew wrote down what the lady told him.

" Besides her obviously fake breasts, not really. She looks like your average conniving gold-digger black widow type, " The lady gave a smile. " Nothing like a good, God-fearing person like myself. "

" I'll say, " Zenigata muttered.

" What was that? " The lady screeched.

" Nothing. Nothing at all, " Zenigata put his hands up.

Andrew looked down at the report, " I guess this is all I need. If you see her again, contact us immediately. "

" I'll bring her in myself if I see her again. She may be in pieces though, " The woman stood up. " Come along, Pat. "

The lady's androgynous-looking child got up from its seat and took its mother's hand. As they walked out, it asked, " Do you think they'll find the bad lady? "

" Probably not, " The lady said shortly and left.

Andrew waited four beats before crumpling up the report and throwing it in the trash. " Damn, I really hate tourists. "

" What did you do that for? " Zenigata reached for the report but Andrew stopped him.

" That lady is a bitch, plain and simple. " Andrew pulled out a cigarette and lit it. " I might have filed that report if she had been nice. Besides, we have a hard time catching pickpockets. The lady she says robbed her is probably well on her way somewhere else by now. "

" What kind of cop are you? " Zenigata stood to his feet.

" What's wrong with you, Pops? " Andrew stood up.

" I am disgusted, " Zenigata pointed to the trashcan. " Get that report out of there right now or I'm telling your commander. "

Andrew shrugged, " He knows I have better things to do. We haven't got time to track down insignificant little bugs. Now, do you want to discuss the kidnappings or tell me how to be cop some more? "

" I don't know. How do I know you are taking that seriously? " Zenigata crossed his arms.

" I don't have to. It's your problem now… " Andrew smirked. He opened up a desk drawer and took out a huge file. " I hope you have fun because I sure didn't. "

**

Goemon sat on the edge of short wall just within view of the police station. After about twenty minutes of waiting, Zenigata walked out with a huge file stuffed under his arm. He stepped out to where Zenigata could see him. Zenigata walked over, " Did you find anything out? " Goemon asked.

" Not very much, " Zenigata motioned to the file under his arm. " This is everything on the girls that were kidnapped. I am now officially in charge of the entire case. "

" Didn't they have an officer working on it? " Goemon asked, surprised at the news.

" Yes but he didn't give a flying fuck about it, " Zenigata muttered. " No wonder these girls haven't been found. "

" Then I guess it really is up to us, " Goemon shook his head. He looked at Zenigata and found the inspector was staring at him. " What? "

" Why do you smell like a girl? " Zenigata narrowed his eyes.

" Some woman ran into me while I was walking, " Goemon shut his eyes. " She was wearing enough perfume to smother a horse. "

" I see, " Zenigata said sharply. ~That cinches it. He's working with Fujiko on something. He smells just like her. ~

Goemon looked at the file, " Where are we going to go to look that over? "

" I will look it over. "

" What do you mean? " Goemon arched an eyebrow. " You and are working together, remember? "

" I remember, " Zenigata replied. " I just hope you don't forget it. "

Goemon growled in frustration. Whatever had happened in the police station had obviously put Zenigata in a terrible mood and he wasn't making much sense. " I found some clues, " Goemon muttered finally.

" Really now? " Zenigata arched an eyebrow. " Do you care to share them with me? "

" I wouldn't have said anything otherwise, " Goemon strode ahead of Zenigata.

" Where are you going? " Zenigata shouted.

" I'm taking you to the clues, you idiot. Now come on, " Goemon said over his shoulder.

Zenigata muttered something under his breath and followed Goemon cautiously. ~Fujiko and him probably have some sort of ambush planned, ~ He thought as he followed the samurai.