This occurs after chapter two, but still about a week (i haven't quite decided) before the events in chapter one, Missing.
Takagi Wataru was just getting off his shift one week after Conan's disappearance when Hattori Heiji burst into the Beika police station, demanding to be let in on the investigation. Remembering how close the teen was with Conan (Hattori-kun seemed to work with Conan easily when they were involved with a case) Takagi was only surprised it hadn't happened sooner. He'd seen the teen in enough cases that Takagi knew the receptionist's efforts to turn him away would be utterly futile when faced with Hattori's sheer stubbornness.
So Takagi took pity on the poor man and went to placate the teen detective. "Hattori-kun! You're talking about Conan-kun's case, yes? Sato-san and I aren't officially on the case, but Megure-keibu's been keeping us updated. I'm just off shift, so I can give you a summary."
"Thanks, Takagi-san," Hattori managed a strained smile as he followed Takagi deeper into the station. The promise of information kept Hattori quiet as they made their way to an unoccupied meeting room, where Takagi waved the teen inside.
"From what K—the kid's Neechan said, it's bein' investigated as kidnappin'?"
Takagi nodded, "Based on the evidence discovered by Hakuba-kun, it seems likely; Conan-kun's shoes and watch were found on the rooftop, and his belt was discovered in the stairwell's trashcan."
Hattori frowned, "Why bother dumpin' his belt in the trash when they just left his shoes and watch lyin' on the roof?"
"Hakuba-kun," Takagi decided to ignore Hattori's grimace at the second mention of the other teen, "theorized that the shoes and watch are instantly recognizable to anyone who knows Conan-kun. If they had been spotted with Conan's shoes or watch it would be very suspicious; it would have been less of a risk to keep Conan's belt and other clothing to get rid of elsewhere. Unfortunately we haven't been able to find where the rest of the clothing was left, and forensics hasn't been able to get anything useful in terms of fingerprints from what we have."
"So, ya know the kid's missin', but got nothin' at all on who took him?"
"Nakamori-keibu had his men run a check of the security footage during the heist, and they identified two suspicious figures, but again, we haven't been able to get a match on any distinctive features since their faces were hidden; the best estimate we have is one was tall wearing a long black coat, and the other shorter and bulky like a security guard. One of Nakamori-keibu's men found footage of them leaving, and the large man was carrying a bag that would have been big enough to fit Conan-kun."
"Any chance I could take a look at the security tapes?"
"You'd have to ask down in forensics, Hattori-kun, I don't have access to the official evidence."
"Right. Is there anythin' else ya can tell me?"
Takagi sighed, "Nothing else has been found, and there's been no contact from the kidnappers, so ransom kidnapping has been ruled out at this point."
Hattori noticed the officer's hesitation and prodded, "Any ideas ya got could be useful, Takagi-san."
"Well, half of Division Two is convinced that the Kaitou KID is the kidnapper, or in league with them, since Conan-kun disappeared while he was chasing the thief." Seeing Hattori's doubtful look, Takagi added, "It's preferable to the most likely outcome at this point."
He felt bad for mentioning it when the teen detective's face went grim, "I know that, Takagi-san, but K—Conan-kun is a smart guy. Until I see the body myself, I'm not gonna stop believin' he found a way ta survive."
As Hattori left the room, Takagi found himself wishing that the teenage detectives could find something the police hadn't been able to, because the longer they went with no leads, the less likely it was that Conan-kun would be alright when they found him.
I'm curious to hear what y'all think is going on. Have my hints been too obvious?
