Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ Working On Mysteries Without Many Clues ( Chapter 8 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin's not mine. Fujiko thinks about things after Fabian makes good on his promise to her while Zenigata and Goemon continue to pursue the case.)

Part Eight: Working On Mysteries With Out Many Clues

A/N: I don't hate Fujiko. I know there is some people who think if you put a character in a bad situation that means you hate them. That's not the case with me. I like to name the villains after people who have pissed me off so when the time comes… Well, that you can figure out on your own ^_~

Fujiko felt dirty. It seemed like forever before Fabian just finally left her alone. She had slept with some unsavory characters in the past but that was to reach a goal. She had been beaten and suffered all sorts of things before but this seemed like the worst thing she had to go through.

She had tried to find some way out before Fabian had come to her though she soon realized there wasn't one. Her arms were restrained so she could not even bend them and her legs were chained in a way that made it hard to close them. She had become frustrated when she became conscious that she was in some real trouble and yanked violently at her restrains, the results evident on her wrists and ankles.

Her sweat was starting to make her wounds sting as she tried to find some way that was comfortable to lie. A wave of panic washed over her, a thought creeping into her head that hadn't crossed her mind. ~Nobody knows where I am and maybe no one ever will, ~ the notions made her go cold all over.

She shut her eyes, ~No. I can't think that. Lupin's bound to come when he hears about the money that love potion is pulling in. He'll be here with bells on. ~

She tried to imagine what her rescue would be like once Lupin arrived. She pictured herself tied to the bed but listening carefully to a noise in the air duct overhead. The noise would get louder and louder until finally the grate would clatter to the floor. She fully expected him to be wearing a cat suit or something that wouldn't get caught in such a narrow place as an air duct and she wouldn't be able to see him right away.

The first things to emerge from the duct would be lean, agile legs followed by his torso then he would fall to the floor, crouching like a tiger. She let out a gasp as the vision took a most unexpected turn. When her rescuer rose up from the floor, it was not Lupin at all… it was Goemon. She opened her eyes and frowned, ~Why can't I stop thinking about him? ~

She heard the door open and she flinched, thinking it was Fabian again. Instead, it was another man. She knew who he was the instant he spoke. " The boss wants you to get cleaned up before the clients arrive. "

" You. You're the man from last night, " Fujiko hissed.

He smiled, " Yeah. "

" Don't touch me, " Fujiko pulled away the best she could.

" No can do, " He reached into his pocket and got out a key. " The boss told me to get you cleaned up even if I have to use knock out gas on you. "

" You'll have to or I'll kill you as soon as my hands are free, " Fujiko's tone was not to be reasoned with.

He sighed, " I see. You like things the hard way. "

Fujiko watched as he put his hand back in his pocket and pulled out a small canister she was all too familiar with. She held her breath as he sprayed the gas in her face but she couldn't hold her breath forever. She finally gave in, inhaling and letting the darkness take her away.

**

" Here, " Goemon stopped in front of the alley he had found Fujiko's purse in. Since he had all of her identification, the purse looked like it could have belonged to anyone.

Zenigata gave Goemon a quick warning glance and walked into the alley. He set the large file down on the windowsill next to the purse and quickly turned to face the samurai. " How did you say you got that perfume smell on you? "

" Some woman ran into me, " Goemon said evenly.

" This purse reeks of the same perfume, " Zenigata pointed at the handbag.

" There are probably a million women who reek of that, " Goemon shut his eyes. " I didn't think the purse was the most important part though. Look about four inches to the left. "

Zenigata turned back to the windowsill, his eyes fixing quickly on what was left of the tranquilizer dart. He carefully picked it up by the end with a tissue from the purse. " This looks like a dart. "

" Very good. Would you like a cookie? " Goemon arched an eyebrow.

" Oh shut up, " Zenigata barked. He opened the file and looked scanned a couple of pages. " It says that one of the things the women had in common were that there were darts found during every investigation. "

" Then? " Goemon nodded once to show Zenigata he understood.

" Holy shit. This must be a recent kidnapping scene; " Zenigata took a step back from the window. " Where did you find these things? "

" On the ground, " Goemon shut his eyes. He knew what was coming next. He also knew that if he had left Fujiko's things alone, Zenigata would have jumped to some far-fetched conclusion about him working with her.

" WHAT? " Zenigata shouted. " You MOVED evidence? You idiot! You aren't supposed to tamper with a crime scene! "

Goemon crossed his arms over his chest, " If I had known it was a crime scene, I wouldn't have touched anything. I simply thought perhaps a woman had lost her purse and I was going to have you turn it in. That was before I found the dart. "

" It would have been useless. There doesn't seem to be any identification and only those ruined travelers' cheques… unless… " Zenigata narrowed his eyes.

" Unless what? " Goemon opened his eyes just enough so they were narrowed in return.

" You didn't take anything, did you? " Zenigata motioned to the purse. " You know, like a wallet or a passport? "

" Hmph. Now I see how little you think of me. The purse was probably emptied overnight by someone else. The things on that windowsill are what I found inside of it. "

" Perhaps that is so. No telling how many punks run around here at night, " Zenigata looked down the alley.

Goemon eyed the file folder, " What other things did the women have in common? Does that say? "

" I will have to examine it more closely. Perhaps we can do so over breakfast, " Zenigata looked at Goemon. " You didn't happen to see any restaurants while you were wandering around, did you? "

Goemon sighed, " A couple. "

**

Lupin sat on the deck of the ferry adjusting the satellite antenna on his laptop. Jigen watched as he moved it ever so slowly until he found the spot he wanted. Jigen pulled out a cigarette and lit it. " I was just thinking, " Jigen muttered as he shook out the match.

" What's that? " Lupin asked as he typed in something on the keyboard. Almost instantly, the screen showed his personal browser.

" I look around and see all this supposedly new stuff but I know better. You've been using it for years. Why don't you just start your own gadget company? " Jigen tossed the match overboard.

" Nah. "

" Nah? " Jigen looked at Lupin. " Why not? You'd be a billionaire. "

Lupin didn't look up from the computer as he typed. " Jigen, I am still several years ahead of all of the other companies. Besides, my stuff would be too advanced for normal people. "

Jigen thought for a moment then nodded. " I guess you're right. It took me forever just to figure out those binoculars. I'm glad I did it before this trip. "

" Bingo!!! " Lupin shouted, frightening a group of people that were walking behind him.

" What did you find? " Jigen looked at the screen.

" It's a map of the inside of Calypso's cave, " Lupin looked at it. " Of course, what we are looking for may not be on here but this is a start. "

Jigen nodded, " It's better than nothing. I wonder what Goemon has to go on though? "

" He's probably got everything Pops has, " Lupin saved the map then pulled a small black box out of his suitcase. He flipped a switch on it and hit the 'print' button on the computer keyboard. A few moments later, he held a scaled down version of the map.

" Pops doesn't have what we have though, " Jigen reminded Lupin.

" But you're forgetting something, " Lupin looked at Jigen.

Jigen frowned, " What's that? "

" We're talking about Goemon, " Lupin said as he put his laptop back in his suitcase.

A speaker on the deck crackled to life, Lupin and Jigen looking for where it was located. " This is your captain speaking. We will be arriving in Gozo shortly. Please be prepared to disembark in twenty minutes. All passengers that are driving please be in your vehicles by that time. "

The speaker went quiet and Jigen looked at Lupin, " Do you think we'll be able to find that guy's niece. I mean, he only gave us this picture and told us that she going to the cave with friends. "

" Picture? " Lupin arched an eyebrow. " I haven't seen a picture. "

Jigen sighed and reached into his jacket, " Here. "

Lupin took the photo from Jigen and grinned wolfishly. " Wow! She's hot! "

" Down boy, " Jigen snatched the picture back from Lupin. " Don't forget she's only seventeen. "

Lupin's grin widened, " She old enough to say yes. "

" And you're old enough to know better, " Jigen muttered.

Lupin frowned, " Well at least I still have a healthy interest in girls. "

Jigen flicked his cigarette overboard, " Who said I wasn't interested in girls? I'm just not interested in the kind of girls you bring around. If you want to bother someone about having a healthy interest in girls, bother Goemon. "

Lupin chuckled, " We need to help that poor guy. He still blushes when anyone says the word 'nipple'. "

" I wonder if he even know what to do with a woman? " Jigen mused.

" Maybe we should talk Fujiko into helping him out a bit, " Lupin grinned.

Jigen shook his head, " Hell no. I said I wanted to help him, not give him a heart attack. "

" True. He'd probably pass out before Fujiko gets him out of his kimono, " Lupin said as he pulled out another cigarette.

Jigen nodded, " Probably. "

**

Zenigata scanned each page of the file before passing it across the table to Goemon to read it. It seemed that he had either forgotten he didn't trust Goemon completely or he had decided the samurai was still on his side. Either way, the information didn't seem like much. The figures only contained the basics such as age, address, the time they were reported missing, the last place they were seen, place of employment, a picture of the victim and details about the crime scenes.

" I don't really see a pattern. First, it was only local women but then the kidnappers switched to tourists. If they wanted to keep a low profile, they should have stuck to locals, " Zenigata muttered as he scanned another sheet of paper.

Goemon shut his eyes, " Indeed. "

" I think we're going to have to find a way out to that cave, " Zenigata gathered up the papers and put them back in the file. " Hopefully we can find some clues there. "

" I got the bus schedule while you were in the police station, " Goemon pulled out a pamphlet from his kimono. " This is all the times for the bus that goes out to the cave and comes back. "

Zenigata looked it over, " Great. It says the bus top is close by but we still have time before the bus will be there. "

" Yes. It is still rather early. What do you have in mind to kill the time? " Goemon stood up.

" I think we should check some of these hotels around here before we go, " Zenigata stood up as well. " You know, to see if they had any guests that didn't check in last night. "

" I see, " Goemon silently wondered what name Fujiko made the reservation under. If she had use the name that was on the passport, Zenigata would become suspicious again. The inspector was not stupid but overzealous and easily excitable.

" Which hotel shall we start at? " Zenigata looked up and down the street, scanning it for the first hotel.

" Why don't I do that while you ask around to see if anyone saw anything last night? " Goemon stepped up beside Zenigata.

Zenigata looked at Goemon, " I don't know. You ARE rather intimidating if you haven't noticed. Do you think anyone will answer your questions? "

Goemon arched an eyebrow, " What do you mean 'intimidating'? You mean to say that you are not? "

" How am I intimidating? " Zenigata acted shocked.

" You are an officer of the law. That is enough, " Goemon commented.

" Well at least I don't walk around with a katana on hair trigger, " Zenigata countered.

" One must always be ready for battle, " Goemon said evenly. He looked Zenigata square in the eye, " We shall play for who does what. "

" Play? " Zenigata blinked then shook his head, " No. You don't mean THAT? "

" Indeed I do. I did not wish to resort to this but it seems the only way, " Goemon put out his right fist.

Zenigata put out his left, " What will the winner get to do? "

" The winner will go to the hotels while the loser asks around on the street, " Goemon explained. " Shall we begin? "

" I guess. Let's do best out of three, " Zenigata said.

" No. This is sudden death, " Goemon stated. " Now, prime. "

Zenigata and Goemon threw their fists three times then displayed their choices. Goemon had rock and Zenigata had scissors. Zenigata growled, " I never win. I hate that game. "

" It is rather simple yet complex at all at the same time, " Goemon said. " Now, let's go. "

" Okay but I get the window seat when we get on the bus, " Zenigata muttered before he started down the street.

Goemon waited until Zenigata was a good distance before heading off to the first hotel in sight. He knew Fujiko's tastes and it seemed to fit them perfectly. It seemed rather fancy and was probably quite expensive. He walked up to the check-in counter and rang the bell.

" Yes? " A woman with graying blonde hair came out from behind a pillar but stopped to look Goemon over. " Is there something I can help you with sir? "

" Yes. I wanted to ask you if one of your reserved guests did not show up last night, " Goemon inquired.

" We can't give out that kind of information unless you are a relative or spouse of the person who did not show, " The clerk shook her head. " I'm sorry. "

Goemon arched an eyebrow, " I see. "

" I hope you find who you are looking for though. Things are getting dangerous out here, especially for young women. "

" Yes. I have heard, " Goemon remembered the passport and pulled it out of his kimono. " Can you at least take look at this picture and tell me if you've seen this woman? "

" I can but I won't be able to tell you if she is staying here, " The clerk put on a pair of half-glasses. Goemon could tell by the look on the clerk's face that something looked familiar. " What's your name sir? "

" I am Goemon Ishikawa The Thirteenth. "

" Oh my. That's makes it different then. I am to assume this is your wife? " The clerk pointed at the passport.

Goemon felt a shiver run down his spine at the word 'wife'. He nodded, " Yes. We were separated in Italy and I had to take a later flight. "

" Then how did she get through customs without her passport? " The clerk's tone sounded wary.

" She had it when she arrived. I found this in an alley not too far from here. I am trying to track her down, " Goemon put the passport back in his kimono. " Did she have reservations here? "

The clerk went to the computer and typed something in. Her face suddenly went pale and she looked at Goemon. " Yes but she never showed up. "

" Did she call? " Goemon felt panic nibbling at his composure. He had been hoping his hunch had been wrong but now it was starting look like it was true.

" No she didn't. Her luggage was delivered to her room last night though. Would you like to go upstairs and look through it? " The clerk opened a drawer and pulled out a large key ring with several keys on it.

" You mean you didn't give the room to someone else? " Goemon was surprised.

The clerk shook her head, " No. We aren't that busy so I decided to leave it until the time she reserved it for was up. "

" Oh. I see, " Goemon nodded.

" So, the two of you planned to stay for a week? " The clerk walked out from behind the desk.

" Something like that, " Goemon said. " She made the reservations, I didn't. "

" Ah. Please follow me, " The clerk walked to the stairs. She stopped and looked around, " Where is your luggage? "

" It didn't come with hers? " Goemon feigned bewilderment.

" No. You poor dear, " The clerk sighed and shook her head. " If it isn't here then it was probably lost. "

" It really isn't that important. I think the woman is the important thing at the moment, " Goemon replied.

" The woman? " The clerk arched an eyebrow. " Do you refer to your wife like that often? "

Goemon glared at the clerk, " I believe that is nothing of your concern. "

The clerk was taken aback by Goemon's answer but she attempted to brush it off. " You're right. Now, come along. "

**

Zenigata walked down the street, looking for someone to question but it was still a little too early for a lot of people to be out so he wasn't getting many results. He came to a hotel and looked around. There was no sign of Goemon so he decided to go in and ask if there were any missing guests.

The clerk at the desk was a middle-aged man with brown hair and thick glasses. He looked up when Zenigata approached the desk and shut the book he had been reading. " May I help you? " The clerk asked.

" Yes. I am Inspector Zenigata from ICPO; " Zenigata pulled out his identification wallet and showed it to the man. " I am conducting a very important investigation and I need your help. "

" The ICPO? " The clerk looked at the badge then at Zenigata. " It's about time. "

" What? " Zenigata arched an eyebrow.

" Are you going to do something about these kidnappings? " The clerk stood up.

" I'm going to do my best, " Zenigata took his hat off and put it over his heart. " I swear to you I will not leave this island until it is safe again. "

The clerk was not impressed. He was about to say something when his attention was drawn to the stairs at the other end of the lobby. He rolled his eyes and muttered, " Oh Holy God. Here she comes again. "

" Here who comes again? " Zenigata asked but soon found out.

" Oh! If it isn't the rude man from the police station, " The voice of the fat lady made Zenigata nearly jump out of his skin. She was obviously oblivious of the fact she was indoors. Her volume had been okay in the loud police station but she seemed ten times louder in the hotel lobby.

Zenigata turned around and forced a smile, " Nice to see you again ma'am. "

" Are you here to tell me that you found that floozy? " The woman placed a hand on her hip and arched one of her evidently painted on eyebrows. Her androgynous child clutched her other hand and looked at Zenigata like he was the devil.

Zenigata put a hand up, " No. I'm sorry. That is actually out of my jurisdiction. I work for ICPO and do not investigate petty theft. "

The woman's face turned bright red, " Theft is theft! There is nothing petty about it! "

" I understand but that case is being handled by the local police, " Zenigata knew he was lying but he just wanted the woman to go away.

" I see, " The woman flared her nostrils like an angry pig. She looked down at her child, " Come along, Pat. "

Once the woman and her child were gone, Zenigata let out a sigh of relief. " I can't wait for that woman to leave. She's been a pain in the ass since last night. She's been grabbing all the guests and telling them to watch out for some thief with fake boobs. "

" Okay, " Zenigata nodded. " She seems bent on finding her. She was at the police station earlier. "

" That's doesn't surprise me one bit. Now, what are you here for? " The clerk asked as he sat back down.

Zenigata turned back to the man, " I just wanted to know if you had anyone who reserved a room but didn't show up last night. "

The clerk consulted his computer for a few moments then looked through a logbook. He shook his head, " No. Everyone is accounted for. "

" Oh. Thank you for your trouble, " Zenigata said and walked out of the hotel.