Escape 101: Lesson 2 Part 1
"What do you do when you are captured? You should never try to break free. Always let them have the advantage they think they have. And when they let their guard down, seize the opportunity and escape."
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"This will be a mess and I am sure of it, Kiku." Arthur says. He couldn't take his eyes off the television, as if he would miss something vital.
The call hasn't ended yet. Both of the people from either side of the phone are busy contemplating what could happen in this kind of scenario. Even before Arthur had the chance to talk to Alfred, he is already caught into the kidnapping already. Arthur run his hand through his hair again, then he sighs.
A little shuffle can be heard from the other line. Another slight pause before the brit can hear the Japanese again. "I am sure it will be. Oh, and I am afraid that the police have taken this case, Kirkrand-san. They won't be calling for your help, so it would seem."
"What!? Alfred's case is mine! And they won't call? How absurd! They can't solve something like this!" Arthur replied; a bit angered at the idea that someone had taken his case for themselves. When he had taken the case, it is now his. Had he mentioned that he likes working alone?
The television is still running. Arthur had noticed that the reporter had returned after the small footage. She is saying something along the lines that were almost similar to what another channel had narrated. This is one of the reasons why he didn't like working for the police. Kidnapping like this goes big with the sudden entrance of media. They always go and describe things as if everything is going to spiral out of control, which isn't what he likes at all. Sure, he likes challenges but if the mess goes big because of these media, he will just let them take care of their problems. Being a detective sure had his perks.
"They didn't get your case. All they took was that whole case there. No worries. All we can do is watch them try and solve the case for themselves." Kiku replied. "And it would seem that they weren't aware of the fact that Arfred Jones is inside the building, which means is that you are slightly ahead than them. Nor do they know the fact that-" A small beep can be heard from between their conversation. "…Excuse me, Kirkrand-san. There is someone calling me. I have to take this call. I'll be calling you back later." He said. After that, all the brit heard is the sound of the dial tone.
The detective furrowed his brows and flopped on his sofa. He cannot do anything at that case, at least, for now. He cannot interfere because no one from their side, or the police' side had called for his help. He can't just go and barge in, saying that he would take care of it and he might show off, subconsciously, again. Even if he wants to without the call, media gets on his nerves and he didn't want to be filmed with their cameras inches away from his face, especially when he saw the others that had that situation at times. Nope, he would stay here, until everything is settled and no police would interfere with his case.
A sound of printing caught him out of his reverie. He stood up from his position at the sofa and tried to remember who would be sending him something via fax. Only two people came into mind: Matthew Williams or his friend, Kiku Honda. 1907 hours since Arthur had last checked the time. He silently cursed and wondered why he had forgotten his food. He knew that there will be a long reading session for him. Past experience told him so. He glance one final time at the news to make sure that he wouldn't miss anything if ever he is gone for a small while. Afterwards, he went to the kitchen to get his food and then went to his room to check at the details that was sent to him.
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The first fax was sent by Matthew. The papers, that contain information sent to him, are almost as detailed as Kiku's. Arthur is impressed. For someone who looks shy and timid such as him, he sure knew how to give him something that he needs. Maybe he would ask him to work with him as well, just as Kiku has.
He read the details with enough concentration. He would glance at the news for a small while before going back to his reading. Nothing interesting came from that. From his point of view, the police are taking way too long to respond. If they wanted to solve the case, they had to go out of their way to do so. They shouldn't wait. For some reason, they are way too slow than the other countries' authorities and Arthur is glad, once again, that he didn't join their forces and stayed as a detective that works alone.
It didn't take him any longer to finish reading the five-page details that Matthew had sent. Not too long through his reading, Kiku had also sent him something. His dinner is long gone as the container is left without a waste at the coffee table in front of him.
He is now reading what Kiku had sent. It was some of the details that he had found about Matthew and Alfred's almost sibling-like relationship. The two were almost inseparable since childhood and they are still close. There are a lot more details within it that Kiku knew Arthur needs for his own investigation and clue finding. That is why Arthur and Kiku solve cases together for years now. They both knew what the other can contribute to better the other. One is calm, and the other may be reckless; one is for the details that already exist while the other will acquire what is needed; in other words, they balance each other out. That is how it is. It is what is needed and Arthur is glad that he had met Kiku all those years ago.
He glanced at his phone to see that Kiku hasn't called back yet. He may be doing some researches like he always do when Arthur takes a case. He leaves no details unturned. If he knows that it will benefit Arthur's investigations, it won't be out of his report. So, it didn't really make Arthur wonder what the Japanese had in his hands right now. He would patiently wait, because that is what he can do at the moment.
News was still going on in only one channel and that is where Arthur's television is at. The other channels had programs that are after the news reports after all. He has his eyes narrowed at the report of the same reporter earlier. The pace of the kidnapping is slow. He couldn't believe that when the police took this, it will take this long. He clicked his tongue and went back to reading.
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Arthur has finally done reading every paper that he has at hand. The paperwork that he needs to do is placed under the table, along with some of the newspaper that may be days, or weeks old. He will have to hand that in late. He is too caught up in this new case to care.
The ringing of a phone pulled Arthur into alertness. The call is from an unknown number. He silently contemplated to answer it before pressing the green button and putting it in loudspeaker. Then, he placed his phone on the table. He cracks his knuckles and he sighs at the satisfaction of hearing the bones pop back on place. He lies on the sofa and he says a greeting. "Hello?"
"Arthur, sir." A timid voice answered. It almost made the brit think of who is calling him. But then he remembered one person. It is no doubt Matthew Williams, Arthur's client on the case he took.
Arthur turned to the phone on his coffee table, where he had placed it after lying down. He stretched his limbs. "Ah, Matthew, right lad? Is there anything you need?"
A pause. "Oui, this is Matthew. I…actually, I do need something." Matthew says with a small hesitation. Arthur raised an eyebrow as he listens. "It is about Al. I know you saw the news. Al is back at his parent's house right now. He passed by here like nothing happened. His parent's paid the ransom…"
"Oh, did they?" Arthur replied with a small sigh. Of course he already saw this because he was multi-tasking between reading and watching the telly. "I apologize. You only told me this afternoon and I wasn't able to-"
"Ah non." Matthew cuts him. "It is not about that. Actually, I have a small request to you… But if you are talking about the kidnapping earlier, I am not blaming you that you weren't able to do anything, eh? I just told you this morning and Media is about everywhere nowadays. A kidnapping with that kind of scale is something I know you won't be able to do work efficiently. So, there is no problem with that."
Arthur sat on his sofa and glanced at the time. 2243 hours. The television is not on anymore. It was turned off when the kidnapping from the news is finally resolved. It was said that the relatives paid the ransom. But the police weren't able to catch the culprits. They were able to keep pursuit but they came back, empty-handed. He wasn't surprised but he won't say that he wasn't mad and disappointed.
Arthur decided to listen. "What is the request?" The brit asks. There is no harm done. All he had to do was to go through one request. He knows that it wouldn't have any problems. Matthew likes everything arranged in order like him anyway. He won't have a problem in hearing what he wants to be done. He is sure that there will be no complications, right?
Hesitation from the other line is unmistakable. The detective wonders what the Canadian is hesitating for. He had already approached him with this case. There is no reason for him to hold back. He knew that he will do his best to make sure that it will be done.
But little did he know that the acceptance of hearing the request of his client will change every course of action he will have in mind. The fact that the investigation to be done with the request… This will make things different and a lot more dangerous.
"I request for you to save Al at the clutches of the kidnappers along with you investigating, eh? But you can't make him know that it is you. Is it okay? I didn't tell about what I am planning to make you do so this is the only way to cover for it. It is only a small request of mine. I am sure there will be no problems, right…?"
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Escape 101: Lesson 2 Part 2
"Make sure that you will be ready when they have their composure in check. Keep calm at all times."
A/N: Hello? ^^" In response to the first review of the 2nd Chapter, I apologize. I know the chapter 2 took more than half a year. School was crap and it still is *^* It got me way too busy with two thesis in one year. With projects in between. This is a story that made me unlock the writer's block so I am updating this. I'll try my best to update everything and I wish I won't be making this kind of author's notes anymore. I don't want to disrupt the story's flow. But thank you for going out of your way in spreading the news! Thank you very much! 3