Chapter 4: Tinker Tailor

Grassy Knoll Hobby Shop Remains

Barely anything remained of Oolong's shop save for the now exposed foundation as smoke from the explosion filled the air. Gohan, Videl, and Oolong lied on the ground still reeling from the effects caused by the blast. After a few more moments of lying on the ground, Gohan slowly stood up, followed by Videl and Oolong respectively.

"Phew, that was a close call!" Gohan shouted as he brushed shards of glass off his clothes.

"What!?" Videl exclaimed.

"I said, that was a...You know what, I should probably wait for

the ringing in our ears to go down! I forget not everyone can read lips!"

"What!?"

A little over a minute later.

"My shop..." Oolong muttered "My home..."

"How did you know the building was going to explode?" Videl inquired to Gohan.

"I always keep my eyes and ears open." Gohan replied. "Well, in this case, in this case, it was more like ears and nose."

"Gohan!" A voice suddenly rang out from behind Gohan.

Gohan turned around to see Trunks running towards him.

"Gohan, what happened here?" Trunks inquired as he finished approaching.

"The building exploded." Gohan replied.

"...I see that." Trunks replied as he fought the urge to slam his palm against his forehead. "I meant why? How?"

"I believe the Saiyan Society has deemed me a threat." Gohan replied before walking over to the remains The Grassy Knoll Hobby. Gohan stepped over a small piece of wall as he began to look around. Gohan walked over to a busted pipe. Near the busted pipe was traces of exposed wiring. The ground near the pipe and wire was singed more than rest of the charred ground. 'This is where the fire originated.' Gohan examined the pipe further and noticed rust around the edges. 'It's rusted but...something's not quite right.' Gohan stared intensely at the rusted pipe as he focused his eyes. Gohan quickly noticed traces of moisture on the rusted pipe. Got brought his face slightly closer to the pipe before giving it a slight sniff. 'Sharp...Slightly irritating...Hmm.' Gohan reached into his front left pocket and pulled out a small container. Gohan opened the container which contained several different colored litmus strips. Gohan took out a blue litmus strip and placed on the rusted pipe. The strip slowly absorbed the remaining moisture on the pipe before causing the strip to turn red. 'Just as I thought. It's a hydrochloric acid based solution. Rusty Pipe...Faulty wiring...Blast originated from this location...Hydrochloric solution. This was made to look like an accident.'

Gohan closed the litmus strip case and placed it back into his pocket before returning to Trunk's, Videl, and Oolong.

"Did you discover anything?" Trunks inquired.

"Whoever did this made damn sure it looked like an accident." Gohan replied.

"Let me guess you found something that suggests otherwise."

"Of course. Did Bulma finish the fabric test?"

"Yeah. The results showed the fibers were a blend of Silk and a high-density polyester. A very particular blend that can only be found at one location in Satan City..."

"Baba's Wares?"

"Yep."

"Baba's Wares? Ain't that the shmancy fancy tailor plaque?" Oolong inquired.

"Correct." Gohan replied. "Also, I believe you have a concussion."

"What are you talkin about? You're crazy, and so are you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and..."

"I'll take him to the hospital." Trunks stated.

"I'll do it." Videl spoke up.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I think my shoulder may have been thrown out of place." Videl replied as she rubbed her left shoulder. "So I think have I'll have it checked out while I'm at it."

"If you insist."

'Interesting...' Gohan thought as he observed Videl. "Be careful, Videl. We don't know if the Saiyan Society is just targeting me or not."

"I will. You have my number call me if you find anything."

"Let's go, Trunks."

"Right."

Baba's Wares 12:00 PM

"Here we are, 1964 Fortune Drive. That'll be 20 bucks." The taxi driver stated.

"Pay the man, Trunks." Gohan stated as he exited the cab.

"Seriously, stop forgetting your wallet." Trunks replied as he handed the driver a twenty.

"I see she's added a bit more flair to the place." Gohan stated as he and Trunks walked towards a building in the style of a small Indian palace.

Gohan and Trunks entered through the open entrance way which had a sign above it that read. 'Baba's Wares. Fortune favors the boldly dressed.'

"Baba always has had a flair for the dramatic." Trunks stated as The duo continued to the waiting area where a sharply dressed but pale and ghastly looking man stood behind a desk.

"Welcome Baba's wares." The ghastly man greeted. "Men's wares are through that door. Women's wares are through that door and specialty wares are through that door."

"Actually, we would like to speak with Baba herself." Gohan replied.

"Meetings with Baba are by appointment only. Do you have one?"

"No, but tell her Gohan is here to see her."

"As you wish." The ghastly man replied before turning and exiting through a door directly behind him.

30 minutes later

"Maybe, we should have told him it was an urgent matter." Trunks stated

"No, Baba would have just made us wait longer." Gohan replied.

"Yeah, good point."

After a few more minutes of waiting, the door opened up and a short wrinkly old woman with bright pink hair, wearing a black dress and black sunhat with a red rim, came out riding a rascal scooter with a small crystal ball ornament decorating the center console.

"Ah, Gohan, Trunks, It's been far too long." Baba greeted.

"Hello, Baba." Gohan greeted.

"Hey, Baba." Trunks greeted. "How ya been?"

"Busy, wringing every penny out of the rich socialites who just slobber over my designs, but I can't say I blame theme my work is the best."

"Humble as always." Trunks replied.

"Speaking of my work, I see the jacket has seen better days."

"Sorry, I had to sort of jump out of an exploding building earlier."

"Things must have been relatively tame for a while. It's been a minute since you've brought it in for repairs. I remember how often your father would..."

"Actually, I'm not here to have the jacket fixed. We're here on an investigation.

"Oh really? And do pray tell what sort of help can I provide?"

"We're investigating the death of Yamcha." Trunks replied.

"Oh...That poor soul."

"You know what happened?" Gohan replied.

"Yes, news of his passing had reached my ears. I should have figured you two were on the case, but what does this have to do with me?"

"We found some fibers at Yamcha's place." Trunks replied. "They were black and composed of a silk and polyester blend."

"Do you have them with you?"

"Uh, yes I do." Trunks replied as he took a baggie out containing several joints. "Oh sorry, wrong bag. That was a 'gift' from my mother. She wouldn't let me leave unless I took it."

Trunks put the baggie back in his pocket and pulled out the baggie containing the fibers and handed it to Baba.

"Hmm, yes. This most certainly came from my shop."

"How many outfits do you use this particular blend for?" Gohan inquired.

"Oh, not too many. This particular blend and color I've only used a handful of times."

"My clients are confidential."

"I can make it worth your while." Gohan replied as he took out a small tin and opened it up to reveal green licorice.

"Is...that Shenlong licorice..."

"Correct. A candy so rare it can only be found on the highest peak of Mount Kami where monks hand make it only once a year."

"...I'll print you out a list." Baba replied as she snatched the tin from Gohan's hand.

"Thank you, Baba."

"Thanks." Trunks stated.

"You two wait right here."

5 minutes later

"Here you go." Baba stated as she hand Trunks the printout. "Gohan, please do make sure to come back sometime so I can repair your coat. I can't stand the thought of it being in that state."

"Will do." Gohan replied. "Let's head back to the apartment and look over the list."

"Right." Trunks replied.

221b Mountain Street – Living Room – 1:00 PM

"There are 10 names on the list." Trunks stated.

"Look them up online and see how much information you can find out about them."

"On it." Trunks replied as he cracked his fingers and opened his laptop.

30 seconds later

"Done."

"Thirty point three five seconds, Getting a little slow there, Trunks."

"Hey, cut me some slack. I'm still feeling the effects of visiting my mother."

"Gohan, I'm here." Videl stated as she knocked on the door.

"Come on in, Videl." Gohan replied.

"Hey, have you guys found anything?"

"We were just going over the information now." Trunks replied.

"I've ruled out 8 out of the 10 names." Gohan stated as he glanced at the information.

"You really figured that out that fast?" An Amazed Videl inquired.

"It was fairly simple."

"Show off..." Trunks coughed.

"What was that?" Gohan inquired.

"I said, what are the two names?"

"Chappa King and Launch Yang."

"I can question one while you question the other." Trunks stated.

"Good idea." Gohan replied.

"Mind if I tag along with you?" Videl inquired.

"No, I don't mind at a..." Gohan began to reply before being interrupted by another knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" Trunks wondered as went to answer the door.

Trunks opened the door to reveal Baba still on her Rascal.

"Hey, Baba, what brings you by?"

"There was a name on the I accidentally left off the list and I...Oh, Hello Miss Satan. I was not expecting to see you here."

A/N

Sorry I let this series fall by the wayside again. I got so wrapped up in other projects I just never got around to finishing the next chapter but I refuse to let a story die. I'll try not go another entire year without updating again. Anyway, hope you liked the chapter. Let me know your thoughts and as always have a great day ~TheUlitmateMystic