"Hasake, I'm coming over." Conan breathed into the phone.
"Sure, Shin'ichi. But why? Is something the matter?"
"I'll explain later. Ja!" he hung up quickly, and turned to Kogoro. "I'm going to hasake's!"
"Ehh! What about shopping! We were going to go, remember!" Ran cried.
"Oh, uhm, I'm sorry, Ran-neechan!" Conan smiled, then rushed out the door.
"Ungrateful brat." Kogoro buried his face into a newspaper, and Ran sighed.
"Don't be like that, Otou-san."
"Hmph. Hey, speaking of ungrateful brats, look at this. Isn't this your friend?"
"Hmm? Let me see." Ran grabbed the newspaper and smiled. " Ahh! It's about Shinichi!" Ran read the article quickly, her eyes bobbing over the words. "Well, lots of people think he's been killed on a case. But according to someone they interviewed, they have a conformation he is alive. Well, I didn't need to know that. We just saw him a while ago. Really. I wonder how these stupid rumors start." Ran handed the paper back to her father. "I'm leaving now. Don't drink to much while I'm out!" she smiled as she walked out the door. As she started down the steps, she saw a a black car pull up.
"Is this Mouri Detective's Agency?" a voice asked from inside the car.
"Yup!" Ran sighed. It was in huge letters across the window.
"Is Mouri in?"
"Yes, he is. Do you have an appointment." Ran asked, glancing at her watch. She was meeting Sonoko in 10 minutes.
"No, but I don't think he'll mind. Goodbye, Mouri Ran."
Ran glanced up. How did he know her name? She stared at the man again. His green eyes seemed to pierce through her. He seemed familiar, but she couldn't remember. "I have to go." Ran said, and ran away quickly. Who was he?
&&&&&&&&&&
Conan burst in the door. "Haibara! Where are you?"
"Stop yelling. I'm here. What is it?" she replied cooly as she walked down the stairs.
"I think they organization is related to a recent crime spree, and I think they are using APTX 4869! See?" He thrust a newspaper into her hands. "Right there. Chemists, scientist, computer programmers, all dying without a cause of death! They just die!"
"You make it seem like it is something new. The organization always is killing. And they are probably using APTX 4869. It is very effective. And it doesn't leave a trace."
"But what if someone shrinks. Then we will be in danger."
"Thats true. We need to keep a low profile." she glanced at Conan. "That is impossible with you, though. Just avoid cases."
"Like I can do that."
"Well, you can do that, or you can have everyone you know killed horribly. Which one is it? Wha-" she stopped suddenly as she flipped through the paper. "Kudo-kun, we need to go. Now."
"Eh? What is it?" he asked, leaning over her shoulder. "'Kudo Shinichi Alive!' What!" he grabbed the paper, speechless. Haibara called Agasa.
&&&&&&&&&&
"Aieee! This blouse is completely adorable on me! Admit it Ran-chan!" Sonoko turned, admiring herself in the mirror. "I should be a model, with this body. And imagine Makoto-san! He'd be so jealous!"
Ran nodded, obviously lost in thought. Where had she seen that cold face before?
"Ran, are you okay?" Sonoko asked as she sat next to her friend.
"It's nothing. I just say a face, and it is kind of familiar. I can't remember where, though."
"Hmm. That weird. Sonoko put he hand to her face. "Oh well! Come on, try on this!" Sonoko giggled.
"Sonoko, why are you dressed so nicely today? And your makeup?"
"Ahh! you noticed! Makoto-kun and I are going on a date! It will be wonderful! I'm going to get some jewelry to match my new earrings! See, they are pearl!" Sonoko gushed.
Pearl!
Ran remembered him now. How could she have forgotten? That murder. The first one she witnessed. Shinichi... that... that was right before he left! She could remember it now. Him running off into the bushes. Running to his house, not even to find him. But something else happened...
What was it?
"Ran-neechan!"
She spun around. Conan was staring up at her. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he panted. Ai and Agasa followed behind him.
"We need to go."
She gasped.
That was the night Conan came.