Chapter 8: False Hope

"24 minutes 53.9 seconds... what happened?"

Kaito sighed. "Good to see you too." He stepped aside and let Hattori in, sitting further away from the group. He really didn't feel he belonged there anymore. Kaito might have, but Kid did not. "In a second, Hakuba-kun."

Saguru looked between the two of them. Kuroba-kun seemed fine but Hattori-kun was much paler than he had been even after hearing whatever he had been ordered to do. "Hattori-kun... are you alright? What did he make you do now?" 'I'm not sure how to deal with Hattori-kun... or if he will let me without Takagi-keiji.'

"It wa...wasn't..." Heiji glanced at the officer still on the floor. He'd promised but... they were getting harder to keep track of. "I'll wait 'til Takagi-keiji is awake. I ain' up ta repeatin' it. I... may need Kuroba... ta help... explain that is..."

Saguru looked back at Kuroba-kun. "Takagi-keiji has yet to awaken. Care to explain why?"

"If he didn't wake when we..." AH, he couldn't get his words out in complete sentences. Best look like he was thinking about it then. "Talking usually works. Cause it didn't- I guess he's just tired." Kaito shrugged, hiding a wince behind closed eyes. He looked at Hattori. "Happened that way with you too."

"But his cell's off... and no lunatic is gonna call 'im 'cause he has 'is friend... only ta order 'im ta..."

"Tsh." Kaito hide pain behind even that simple noise. "Stop it. Do you want it too?" Kaito's eyes hardened and he glared at Hattori. "Don't ever think it can't happen."

Heiji stopped and turned to Kuroba. That wasn't worry about a might... that was experience. "I'd never wish it to... on anyone. I'm seein' why sometimes people go... against convention ta help those they care about. I just look forward to capturing this... manipulative bastard... and letting him enjoy the rest of his time in prison."

Kaito smiled, lightening his mood. He didn't realize how his words had come out until after he'd said them. "Yes, all those like him should." Most of his nightmares that he'd stopped were. One was not. "Sorry, misunderstanding then."

Saguru folded his arms. "Hattori-kun, while the two of you continue your colloquy I suggest you sit before you collapse again. You are far to pale."

Heiji folded his arms. "My side ain't hurtin' much. I'm fine."

Kaito sighed. Were they really going to go through this again? It was the candy bar incident all over. He used the wall to help himself stand, using every ounce of will he had not to show anything while Hakuba was there. "Fine, we'll all stand then."

"Ferget it." Heiji moved past Hakuba, irate that Kuroba would do this to himself again. He stopped just short of pushing him back into the seat, afraid that he'd either flinch or take it as an attempt against him and try to leave. "We sit." He plopped down next to where Kuroba had been, crossing his arms and looking away, not meeting either of their eyes.

Kaito grinned, not really looking forward to having to sit back down again but it was a lot better than getting up. It felt weird having the detective next to him but he wasn't sure if it was weird in a good or bad way.

Saguru watched the Osakan go over and sit... just because Kuroba-kun had stood. He shook his head and walked over. Sitting across from them he reached behind the chair into a box on the floor. "I would really like to know what went on, but if you choose to not speak of it until Takagi-keiji awakens... perhaps you would be willing to go over some of these files that I believe Kuroba-kun brought. We can see what we can find from these."

Kaito reached out with his left hand - He could use both so that wasn't all that suspicious - and evened out his weight as best he could. "I went through a few of them already- and I'm looking into a few other things. Here, gimme some."

Saguru passed him a pile and then held out a few to Hattori-kun. "Here. This one in particular I waited to read. I saw the list of charges on the two criminals and... your having been shot was among them... as well as the attack on Conan-kun. I decided you ought to tell us about that one. It seemed... personal."

Heiji felt a chill... he grabbed the case file and recognized it at once. Yeah, he'd been shot and Kudo... but... this one still haunted him... The first nightmare he'd had that involved Kudo.

Kaito looked at him but went back to his work. If Hattori found out something, great, if not, he wasn't really interested in detective stories.

"I can't go over this one again...ya can do it. Too much alike...but I failed ta act soon enough this time." Heiji closed the folder and dropped it between them before reaching his hand to grab the omamori.

"What are you referring to?"

"I'm referrin' ta the fact I knew he was gonna be in trouble then too. Gave 'im this and it stopped the knife. This time... I didn' get here. An' before ya say it, Takagi-keiji knows that... and told me there was nothin' I coulda done but..."

"Knew?" Kaito tipped his head to the side. "Knew in what way?"

"I...I... don't laugh... but I had dreams... more like nightmares."

"It was likely nothing more than a coincidence. That is all. Simply because he has been staying with a detective would lead to the chances of something happening for one reason or another, however unpleasant. There is nothing scientific to back it up."

"Hm. Science." Kaito laughed. "I believe you." Kaito winked at Hattori, going back to his paper. "Dreams tell us things. We just have to know how to listen. Then again," Kaito laughed, "I dreamt I was a gopher once. The mud tasted like chocolate."

"Yeah... I didn' laugh when I dreamt of Ku-Conan-kun... bleeding from the chest..."

Kaito's eyes turned back, serious. "I hadn't meant it like that. I said I believed you." He wrinkled the papers he was looking at. "Trust me; I see a lot of weird things. What you're describing, for me, seems pretty normal."

"Kuroba-kun... nothing you do is normal."

"Yeah... an' even though the only reason he... he lived was cause I put this on him... an' it stopped the knife... I couldn' bring myself to tell 'im... yesterday... that it happened again."

Kaito stuck his tongue out at Hakuba and turned to Hattori. "Well, would it have worked? Did your dream come in detail? Cause if not, I don't think it would."

Heiji looked to his side at Kuroba. "More than I want... fer the past week... bu' not enough to really help now."

"You two are utterly ridiculous. Dreams as a form of forewarning is a baseless concept."

"No." Kaito played with the papers some more, throwing others aside. "Sometimes it's dreams- sometimes a feeling- sometimes chance... Science can't prove everything."

"Every time he calls... I see it again... 'im being knocked out... lying there... I can't reach 'im... he aims his gun down and..." Heiji drops his head into his hands, hissing quietly before continuing, "I just need this nightmare to end differently... like the others have."

"It will." Kaito grinned. "Didn't see me there, did you?"

Heiji kept his head down but gave a small shake of his head. "That's fer sure. There wasn't anyone else... just me, 'im and... our mystery guy."

"Do you think I'm not gonna be? Course not. Then we've already changed it. The ending is ours, so... can we try to look into this? The guy's here, somewhere, or connected to them."

Heiji took a deep breath, his first real one without needing to wince, and grabbed another file, still avoiding the one he'd refused earlier.

'At least they ceased discussing that nonsense and are continuing with the files.'

"Um," Takagi looked up, halfway sitting. When did he get on the floor and how had they all teleported? "What-what happened?"

"Takagi-keiji... ummm..." Heiji glanced at Kuroba, unsure of how to proceed.

"Oh-oh right, the phone call." Takagi's eyes darted to Kuroba. It didn't take much figuring out. He got to his feet, a bit unsteady and walked over to him, very angry at the teen once again.

Kaito flinched, wincing at the same time and hoping they'd be confused with one another. He backed up as much as he could in the seat, settling on raising the paper in some magic-y-Disney-type-of-miracle shield.

"NO! Don't!" Heiji leaned forward, knowing the teen was hurt and not able to do much for himself. He didn't want Takagi-keiji, who looked really angry, to grab Kuroba so he raised both hands... big mistake.

"Oi, Hattori-kun!" Takagi's thoughts all went into standstill as Hattori was in front of him and obviously hurting himself. "Careful. You're supposed to be taking it easy." He looked at the boy, his worry returning as the distracting anger was momentarily put aside. "What happened?"

"He... he helped..."

"Hattori-kun refused to tell me what the man required of him. He said he was waiting until such time as you were awake as he did not want to repeat it multiple times," Saguru replied, not bothering to stop scanning his current file as Takagi-keiji was already there if Hattori-kun needed assistance.

Takagi nodded. "Hattori-kun, sit down." He went along with him, glaring at Kuroba who looked away, and sat on his other side, a hand on the teen's arm. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

"Not phy-physically... no more 'en... I had been from... last time."

Takagi nodded in understanding, tightening his hold slightly for a moment to give reassurance. "Whatever you had to do, you had to do it right? Don't be ashamed."

"Doesn' make it right... we gotta find 'im... soon. It only got 45 minutes this time... but it was the worse by far."

"Was not," Kaito imputed, only to get glared at by the officer. He went back to the paperwork, ignoring the conversation. Things were about to happen and probably to him. Best not to think about that before they came. He was glad Hattori was between him and the officer. The table separated him from Hakuba but that wouldn't be much of an obstacle.

"Don' lie yerself. Was an' ya know it."

"For you, maybe." Kaito threw some more of the papers aside. "I've had worse." Bruises faded with time, scars lasted far longer.

"But I'd never... I didn' think I'd... to have ta do that... and knowin' that... he had the phone on speaker again... he made 'im listen ta it."

"I said I would- ergo, the choice was mine. And yeah, he probably did. Tell him it was me." Kaito shrugged. "Should make it a little better."

"Doubt that... nothin' would make that better..."

Kaito shrugged again. "I'm here, so are you. No hard feelings. I like it this way better."

Takagi shook his head. "Wait- I'm sorry, Hattori-kun, you lost me again. What exactly happened?"

"He wanted me ta... well... Kuroba offered ta let me... I... had ta..." Heiji couldn't say it. Kid or not, it wouldn't have mattered even if he'd known before. He'd badly hurt the other teen... and he'd taken both blows without hesitation.

"... Hattori-kun." Takagi wanted to say it was fine if he couldn't tell him now but he knew the longer someone had to sit on bad news or a lie, the easier it was to eat it and never let it out again. "When you're ready."

"I'd lie." Kaito turned to Hattori. "Sorry, but I would. I can tell it, but it won't be the truth. And as things stand, I think we're even now. So stop with the guilt. I got you first. This is kinda like payback."

Saguru had just grabbed a file labeled 'Tottori' 'Ironic.' He looked up quickly at Kuroba-kun's words, "Come again?"

"It was far more than that. I... basically used ya ta... get time... both times... an' they know it wasn't you then already."

"And you were happy- and I felt guilty. Now it's the opposite. I'd worry about it, if I had time." Kaito laughed. "Either way, it's not different for me. You remember what I said, back then. This way is better, like last time."

"Just glad he let me stop after the second time... not sure I could have brought myself to do it a third..." Heiji glanced at Kuroba. "I know you offered but...I didn't have to be that rough. Gomen."

"Yeah it did. It was what he wanted." Kaito discarded another one, getting annoyed with these. Even though he was finding names they didn't seem to be of any importance. And really... he was just doing it so he didn't think of other things. This was better than him having to cut himself or something, but it had done its job of wounding Hattori. He'd told him he didn't care. He'd heal. And, right now, that was all he could do.

Saguru shook his head. "If the two of you chose to continue ignoring me I'll leave it at that."

Kaito turned to him. "What did you want?"

"Please, just say it, what happened?"

"He wanted me ta... well... Sorta...just... hurt...another person." Heiji whispered.

Takagi looked between Hattori and Kuroba, sitting there with some sheets of paper and looking like he hadn't a care in the world. Takagi was tempted to say, 'Well, you didn't do a very good job,' but held his tongue, remaining silent. It had still hurt Hattori.

Saguru had just opened the file when he heard that. His head snapped up. "Kuroba-kun... is that accurate?"

"Yeah. Doesn't matter though."

"It does matter. You made sure Hattori-kun was checked even when he appeared less injured than you to us at first. What was the result of these 'two' of what Hattori-kun did to you. What are you hiding this time?"

"I'm not hiding anything. It's me. I'm fine."

"With the 'I'm fine.' line the two of you keep using, we might as well just play a recording of it on repeat for all the accuracy it provides." He drops the open file on the table and stood, leaning across the table and grabbing at Kuroba-kun's sleeve.

Kaito pulled back on instinct, getting away from the detective. It hurt. He could pretend all he wanted when he prepared himself but he'd thought Hakuba would have given him the time to do it. Since he didn't, Kaito couldn't help the cry that escaped his lips, freeing himself and standing so the detective couldn't grab him again. "If you touch me... again, I will dye your... hair SO pink... it will last... your whole life!"

"AHOU...STOP MOVIN'!"

Kaito's breathing had sped up again and he could feel his shoulders shake with tension but he wasn't going to sit down again.

"Ya guilted me before... so... I guess turnabouts fair play." Heiji went to stand, leaning forward to use the table only to spot the open file that Hakuba had put down. Between Hakuba and Kuroba's movements the papers had stirred... and a photo was showing. A blond male. "Robert Taylor..."

"Huh?" Kaito winced, automatically putting a hand to his side. Damn.

"Takagi-keiji, ya said the most ya had... was a vague description. Could that have just as easily fit someone like this?" Heiji grabbed the photo and held it up for the officer to see.

Takagi looked at the picture and shrugged. It was a man and he was blond, but that could be just about anyone. He had to guess that the man's hair wasn't all too long, or the woman would have mistaken it for another female from behind. "Could be..." Takagi shrugged. "She really wasn't paying that much attention to him. We don't have all that much to go on."

Best thing to a lead yet. Kaito started texting Jii when his phone rang; making his heart stop for a moment before he realized it was playing carnival music. He'd set Jii's number to that for irony's sake- it just seemed fun. He picked up, trying to ignore the others in the room. "Yeah?" After a few words Kaito smiled. Not perfect, but better than nothing. "Thanks." He hung up before his breathing got the better of him and smiled to Hattori. "It's not the best lead... but I've got something small. At least it... cancels out most... of the population."

"What? Are you sure?"

"Phone signals... there's a way to... disrupt them. The guy did. That doesn't mean... they don't leave a trace. If he wanted them... to come in clear... the trail they... leave." Ah, Kaito sighed. How could Hattori stand to talk like that? "Well, it has to leave... a mark on either... a nearby tower... or satellite. Here, and there. Reception works... both ways." Kaito grinned. "Can't tell you... exactly where... but the guy's... in Tokyo still."

"Really? So he's still somewhere nearby..." Heiji sighed. "Any chance we can...narrow it down- Wait. With that call... I forgot we were goin' ta Hakase's ta find 'is spare glasses."

"You were?" Kaito shrugged. "I wondered why... you just left."

"Yeah. OK. I'm headin' ta Hakase's to find those glasses. Keep checking fer other possibilities." Heiji looked at the picture again before dropping it and heading toward the door.

"Ah, wait. I'm coming too." Takagi got up. Kuroba was already out of his seat so it was easy to get past him. He still didn't like him and was glad that he wasn't face to face or he might have been tempted to say or do something he would rather not. He followed Hattori, heading over to the professor's.

Kaito looked after them, deciding if it was better to go with the known danger than the unknown. He sat back down, picking up the photo that had caught Hattori's attention. He'd meant what he said before. Dreams had a way of telling things if you knew how to listen- and so did chance. He got back on the phone with Jii, giving him the guy's information and seeing if the call could be traced with any more accuracy.

Saguru had looked up to offer a parting word but they were already gone and Kuroba-kun had just started talking on the phone. Not wishing to be rude, he merely nodded in their direction and continued looking through the next file he'd pulled out.


"Thanks fer comin'. I... didn' think ya'd wan' ta... with the last call and all..." Heiji addressed the officer once they reached the sidewalk and he had to stop for a quick breath.

Takagi smiled, putting a hand on the teen's shoulder while he rested. "I told you, Hattori-kun, I understand. Doesn't make me happy with it, but I understand."

"It's just that... when the call came in... ya didn'- I didn' see... so I figured that it was..."

"I was right behind you. Kuroba-kun... kinda rubs me the wrong way." He smiled, not having the words to describe it. "I'll be right behind you through all of this, so don't worry."

"I guess I shoulda trusted. I just... when he told me ta... I wasn' thinkin'..."

"I could put the cuffs back on if you want." Takagi laughed. "I mean it... sorry if that sounds weird. And I know how personal this is for you- and that you want to take care of it yourself, so I get it. Your afraid, really, I do get it."

"I'm not afraid. I'm more...hmm. I guess... terrified." Heiji swallowed and tried to get everything out in a rush. "I winded him pretty badly with the first strike and... he heard it and just said 'I can do much worse,' 'cause if he wasn' satisfied... it woulda been Kudo. I don'... I don' think I could take hearin' 'im again... not like that..." Heiji pushed off the side of the building and started walking down the sidewalk.

Takagi felt helpless. He'd become a police officer to stop things like this and here he was and he couldn't do anything. He really hadn't done anything either, at least, nothing that couldn't be done by someone else. Hattori and Kudo were so close... he'd noticed the partnership the two had, but never how deep it ran. He followed after the teen in sullen silence.

'I can' believe this... I gotta try ta...' Heiji walked, completely lost in thought, barely aware of the officer's footsteps behind him, just enough to register he was there. He continued on autopilot, almost passing Hakase's house.

Ai noticed when a certain teen almost ran into her. She lifted her eyes lazily at him before her shoulders let out the tension and she smiled somewhat at him, eyes still half closed. "I see." She'd wondered where Kudo-kun had been off to. It didn't really surprise her that he'd missed his last day at school before break because of a case- small wonder he didn't pick up his cell. She walked past Hattori, opening the gate outside the professor's house and went in, ignoring the Kansai boy.

Takagi watched as Hattori almost ran into the girl that he'd heard lived with the professor. When she went around him as if it were nothing and Hattori didn't stop, he reached out and grabbed Hattori's shoulder on his good side. "Hattori-kun, I think you're passing it."

Heiji stopped and looked up for the first time since setting off from the Agency. "Oh... good... let's go."

Takagi sighed and grabbed Hattori's arm before he could get anywhere. "Not like that. We don't want to worry the professor if we don't have to. There's the girl too. I don't want any of..." He was about to say Kudo's friends but that sounded absolutely ridiculous in his head. "I don't want the children to worry."

"Right... We can just say we need the spare glasses ta help on a case. It's true... an' shouldn't worry them."

"I'm not worried about the reason. Hattori-kun... you don't look very good."

Heiji shrugged. "I...I'm not sure I can... just ask for Kudo's spare glasses. They'll know where a pair is... Hakase made 'em."

"Here." Takagi shrugged off his coat, putting it around the teen's shoulders. "I'll go ask where they are. Wait here for just a second." He opened the gate the little girl had closed, following the path she took.

"Ah, Ai-kun... could you get the door?" Agasa looked up from his latest project toward the girl when he heard someone at the door.

Ai sighed, putting down the papers that she had just taken out of her book bag. "I got it." She went to answer the door, gilded eyes wandering up to the policemen. She stared behind him at the gate where the Kansai boy was. "Can I help you?"

"Ah... Can I speak with the professor?"

The officer looked as if he were avoiding eye contact with her. How strange. "This way," she ushered Takagi-keiji in, closing the door behind him as she folded her hands behind her back and led the way. Task done, she went back over to her bag and grabbed her things, heading for the lab downstairs.

"Um, Hakase?" Takagi looked at the man as he messed with several things that he couldn't identify. "Could I have a minute?"

"Ah... oh, Takagi-keiji... I-oops" A fortunately small explosion sent up a black cloud of smoke. "Hmmm. I have to alter the ratio of those. That was off by a bit."

Takagi jumped back, not really up to having his heart stopped at the moment. "Ah... It- it should only take a second, really."

"Oh, right," Agasa set down the tubes and swiveled around on his stool. "What can I do for you?"

"Conan-kun asked me to do him a favor. Mouri-san was helping us with something and Conan-kun accidently broke his glasses. He told me you had a spare. Things were pretty quiet over there and I said I'd pick them up." Takagi scratched the back of his head out of nervous habit. He hadn't planned on lying but the truth would take time and he hadn't seen where the girl went. He didn't want her to hear.

"Ah, right. Sh...he could have just called and I would have brought them. One moment." Agasa stood and left the room, finding the glasses right where they'd been left and heading back to the officer.

Takagi sighed, waiting for the man to return. It was better that he went in. Hattori and gone off and worried Ran as it was... and he had only just thought about that. Kudo... and Ran. It hit him hard what that meant now. He'd noticed the two had a thing for one another. You don't really fly across the country alone together if you didn't... Did she know?

"Here we go. Have Sh-someone bring the other pair by. His glasses are... a special prescription so I prefer to repair them myself."

"Of course," Takagi agreed to immediately, taking the glasses and heading out. "I can let myself out." He closed the door behind him, heading back towards Hattori and making sure the gate was closed behind him as well. He held out the glasses but pulled them back before Hattori could touch them. "I have a question. Does Ran-san... know about Kudo-kun?"

Heiji reached for the glasses but they were pulled away. The question hit him. He opened his mouth to answer but couldn't. He just looked down and away.

The look on the girl's face took on a whole new meaning when Hattori remained silent. Conan was a child, and living with her. It was natural to be upset. But she was more than that... and Hattori's words took on a harsher reality. He'd told her the truth- he'd worried her so much more- because it wasn't just Conan. He didn't mean what he said but he couldn't stop his words from coming out. "How could you do that to her?"

"Like I said... I couldn't... too dangerous for her to know... Kudo doesn't want her ta worry 'bout 'im too... but it's safer that way... so long as she doesn't know... he thinks she'll be ignored by Them." Heiji never looked up but he could feel the man's eyes. "Can I see 'em now?"

Takagi handed them over, taken aback. So she didn't know? But she had... Takagi kept those thoughts to himself. "Sure. I have no idea how to work them."

Heiji grabbed them and put his finger over the switch and activated them. He took a breath and put them on, his eye searching the screen for the signal...

Takagi watched, trying to ignore the fact that Hattori looked downright hilarious with the orange-striped hair, the glasses, and his coat still over him. It was easy enough to do when as he watched Hattori's expression

"Nothing- not in range... maybe back near where he took 'im... might have been because it was closer..." Heiji turned back the way they had come and took off, not quite running, more... a fast jog. "Come on... come on..."

Takagi followed after him, wishing that Hattori had given him the chance to take Chiba's car again. He still had the keys in his pocket so all it was doing was sitting there. He sighed. He didn't mind the running but Hattori was still hurt. "Maybe we should call a cab. I've got some money on me and it would be faster."

Heiji stopped and looked back. "That... would let us... cover more ground... faster..."

Takagi nodded, turning on his phone for a minute before noticing that he'd had maybe a dozen missed calls. "Eh." It wasn't that he was ignoring Sato... he just wasn't going to drag her into this. He called up the taxi company, looking at the address they had stopped in front of and waiting. "Should take a few minutes." He made sure to turn off his phone again once he was done.

Heiji nodded, trying to avoid the urge to lean against the wall. Still nothing on the glasses.

Takagi had nothing to talk about and Hattori seemed anxious. When the taxi showed up he let the teen in first, getting in behind him and closing the door, motioning Hattori to tell the cab driver wherever it was he wanted to go.

"Head... anywhere. Just drive. Go." Heiji stared at the glasses, hoping for the signal to show up. "Come on... where ar' ya... where ar' ya... where ar' ya."

Takagi nodded at the cab driver for reassurance, watching out the window while they drove through the suburbs.

It wasn't until they got closer to the shopping center that Heiji suddenly sat forward. On the top left of the lenses was a red flash. He wasn't sure at first if it was his imagination or not and the split second before the next flash, he didn't want to hope falsely... but that didn't stop the sharp intake of air when he got a second blip.

Hattori had been just sitting there, watching nothing in front of him, as they drove. Then suddenly his eyes widened as he sat up. "Found something...?" He didn't dare to hope but maybe they could find this guy. There were only two of them but he was an officer and he still had his handcuffs. He could make the arrest on his own.

"TURN LEFT HERE... THEN RIGHT! NOW!"

Their taxi driver was either good or shocked into the action. The car pulled hard to the left, pushing him into the door. Hattori didn't seem to care as he leaned forward more and directed the man where to take them.

"OK, STOP HERE!"

Takagi braced himself as the taxi driver stopped, his wallet already out as he'd been watching the meter, handing the man the money and running out the door after Hattori. "Thanks!"

Heiji's heart dropped when he found himself heading down an alleyway. 'No way.. .Kudo... no... these things say he's right here...' Heiji looked at the dumpster beside him and, ignoring his side, jumped up and leaned over the side.

Takagi slowed down, putting a hand up against the wall while he caught his breath. He stared after Hattori, his shoulders slumping as he watched. There was no one here. Only one of two things could be and he found himself praying that it wasn't the one he feared the most.

Heiji moved stuff around- desperate- scared... not wanting this to be right. 'Maybe it's just one of the trackers that Kudo put on someone.. .a different case.. .recent... but not his... please.' His hand grabbed a plastic bag that was tied off but something inside him... he felt his stomach clench. 'No...' He dropped back, taking the bag with him but placing it on the ground with himself between it and the officer... he didn't want this to just be something that Kudo had tagged and worry the officer... He started to open it... fingers trembling...

Takagi bent low, placing a hand on the teen's shoulder while he shook. He could just see over Hattori's shoulder where his fingers were fumbling with the knot.

Heiji hadn't wanted the officer to see yet but he still took the comfort and strength that was being offered. He freed the last knot and waited a moment before deciding that opening it fast would get him over the worry. There was a variety of items... soft... hard... heavy... It had to be someone's junk. He opted for pulling it open, so quickly and desperately that it tore, allowing everything inside to spread out. "NO, THAT BASTARD... HE..." Heiji leaned back until he overbalanced and fell backwards from his crouch, against the legs of the man behind him, giving the officer the ability to see exactly what had been inside the bag.

Takagi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He took a step back with one foot, going to his knee so that Hattori wouldn't fall backwards when he moved. He put his other hand on the boy's shoulder, talking to him seriously as his heart rate slowed. "It's okay, Hattori-kun. We'll find another way."

"That-... it's not just the trackers... Everything of his is in here... Not just the inventions and stuff either... Look..." Heiji pointed among the clothes. Jacket, bowtie, socks, shirt...

Takagi had looked, thinking vaguely how strange it was that all of Kudo's stuff was there. Then again, if something had happened or if the man had to get rid of it or something was dropped later, it could have led back to him. His hands on Hattori tightened. There had to be another way. Missing people were mostly found because they'd either been released or exchanged. That wasn't going to work now. If the guy was willing to give him up, he would have. So they were pretty much already attempting the impossible. He shouldn't have been so surprised that they were running into snags. "Hattori-kun, we knew this would be hard. The glasses were just idea. We'll find some other way to find this guy."

"He'd betta hope he hasn' don' anything... or I'm gonna..." Heiji rolled forward onto his hands and knees and reached forward gathering everything back together and clutching it to himself. "Let's... head back... ta the others..."

Takagi stayed down, holding the teen with him. He was older and, while he wasn't sure how good he'd be at taking Hattori on, he was well and he did know the basics of defending himself. "No, you're... you need a second to rest. You've been under too much stress and this isn't going to help us." That...and the teen had likely thrown his hopes into this.

"But I... I gotta get back... by now... and knowing that that man- that Kudo's stuff... all off it... is here... I need ta make sure... that he hasn'... that that... BASTARD..."

"Then a minute or two while I call another cab." Takagi took out his phone, his hand never leaving the teen. "Just calm down."

'Kudo… Why didn't ya tell me... hint at it… let me know... So help me that guy will be needing ta be dragged inta his cell 'cause I'll break his legs.' Heiji clung tighter to the bag, trembling, and tried to stand despite the hand on his shoulder.

Takagi held him down. "The least you can do is wait for the cab. Getting up now and tiring yourself for no good reason is the work of an idiot. Now sit still." He turned off his phone, slipping it back into his pocket so he could grab Hattori if he needed to. "You're tired and sick and emotionally drained right now. I'd almost let Kuroba-kun knock you out again next time if I didn't think you'd kill me. So just do this much at least."

Heiji stilled and looked over at the officer. "I..." Heiji sighed and dropped back to his knees, hunching over. "Just make sure we get there fer the call... I gotta talk ta Kudo again... I need ta..."

"I know that. And don't worry, we will." Takagi closed his eyes, thinking. "This time... I don't want to be in the dark. I don't know why it keeps happening, and I'm sure that Kuroba-kun is the one to blame this time for the secrets, but I'm not going to be left out again."

"I can't... We can't risk one of ya reactin'... if he hears any a ya- No... I won' risk it... I can't..." Heiji remained hunched over, fearing what would happen to Kudo if the guy realized he wasn't the only one who knew about the calls... that he hadn't already done to him, the screams and even just the whimpers drifting through his head. "I won't let 'im… have another reason… ta hurt 'im."

"I won't talk. I swear. Half the time I can't even tell what's going on because I can only hear your side of things. I'll stand back if you want but I won't be left in the dark. You made a promise and I'm holding you to it."

"Yeah... but I couldn't explain last time until after... He... he set a time limit. What if he does again? I'm certain he ain' gonna stop these... 'generous deals' of his."

Takagi hadn't heard anything about that, but it didn't matter. Hattori was either misunderstanding him or taking his meaning too literally. "Okay, well then after the time limit is up, you were back to hesitating about telling me what happened... though you seemed willing enough when it was Hakuba-kun and Kuroba-kun." Takagi paused for a moment, pointing a finger at himself. "Is it me?"

Heiji paused. "No... I just... well... ya know him too. Sure Hakuba's… done some cases wi' 'im... mostly Kid stuff... and Kuroba... a bit from Kid stuff... but... I know the two a ya were workin' together even when he was Kudo... and then as Conan long 'fore I showed up. I was... worried that... ya might try ta... replace me."

"Hattori-kun," Takagi sighed, trying to make the teen think on his words. "When this was an official case for us, when I knew you were getting the calls and should have been the one in charge or reporting it, I didn't. I had your phone. I could have taken it from you. I didn't. Why would I start doing it now?" Takagi's voice quieted. "He's like your partner, or friend or whatever you guys are. I know." He thought back to Sato. If something had happened to her, he wouldn't have been the one put on the case but he would have stopped at nothing to help her. "I have someone like that too."

"And if you were telling a few people what was happening... would ya talk to ones that slightly know that person... or someone who is really close ta that person too... who might go try to help the person themself an' get 'emself hurt too when it's you they want?"

"Honestly?" Takagi shook his head. If something happened to Sato he'd likely talk to the Inspector, Shiratori, Chiba and probably Yumi. And he would talk to them, because it would give him a better chance at helping her. If one of them got hurt doing it, he'd feel bad, because he'd asked them, but that wouldn't stop him or them. Keeping it a secret would only have hurt those who were trying to make a difference. "Hattori-kun, we're your friends. We'd help you and Kudo-kun no matter what. I'm not going to try and push you away from this- ever. If I get hurt, well then it's my fault and I'll be happy I did it because I was helping you two."

"Kuroba said almost the same thing when he made me use 'im for the guy's last request... but I won' let that happen again... not ta 'im... an' 'specially not ta y..."

"Hattori-kun," Takagi put a hand to his face, feeling like an idiot. "I'm supposed to be helping you calm down, not making it worse... How about we switch this scenario around then. What if you were one of the hapless helpers in this case, pushed aside at every turn. How would you feel about it then?"

Heiji sat upright and faced the officer. "I'D MAKE SURE THAT... that... oh..." He looked down at the bundle in his heads. What if he hadn't got the call...what if it had been directed at one of the officers instead of him? "I guess I'd be doin' what you ar'... and I'd even admit that… 'm sure I wouldn' be… half as calm as you at it."

Takagi had been mostly worrying about Hattori through a lot of this that he hadn't found much time to worry about Kudo. It wasn't any favoring; Hattori was just in front of him, and being put through all of it. Kudo was too though, and Takagi had to admit, there wasn't much he wouldn't do for either of them at this point. Beyond as anger and as worried at he was, he knew what his job had to be. "Thanks but, I'm sorry to say that comes with experience." Takagi smiled. "I wouldn't be half as calm as I am now if I were still your age, though I don't really think age has anything to do with it ether..." Takagi thought for a moment. "I'm not really sure what it is." The cab pulled up as he was speaking. "Doesn't matter though. It's who you are."

"Then let's live up to it. Am I allowed ta get up now... the cab's here?" Heiji tipped his head toward the road.

"Yeah, sorry." Takagi let go, getting to his feet and stretching out his legs on which he'd been putting all his weight. He followed Hattori into the cab, hoping he had enough money to keep this up. He never carried much on him to begin with. He didn't think they'd wait for him to stop at the bank before they rescued Kudo.

"Mouri Detective Agency... a-and hurry." Heiji said as soon as they were in the cab. He held the bag, scenario after scenario running through his head. Was the guy just being careful... taking everything off Kudo... or had the guy figured that he had stuff like the tracking devices... had he known... or was it just because... No. Heiji shook his head. He had to hope it was just precaution.


Kaito spoke, voice holding an accent his normally didn't and lower than it should have been. Jii had found some information and his phone was... special. Odds were the man they were after was using the same type of network he had and that almost made him angry enough to stop, but he needed the information and damned if Hakuba was in the room or not. He hung up on the woman, memorizing her voice. "Time?" He called over to the detective. He wanted to make sure he wasn't on the phone as it got close.

"5 minutes 24.7 seconds... that is if he calls at the end of the given time. The third call was later then the time Hattori-kun was told... it is possible that he will call later."

"I know, but I don't want to risk it." Kaito had time for another one, dialing in a number and swallowing as he prepared himself to duplicate the woman. Before the call went through, in his own voice, he spoke to Hakuba, eyes clear. "What do you think a… guy like this would do… if we missed his call?"

"I..." Saguru paused, recalling everything Hattori-kun had told him concerning the man, his attitude, his demands, and shivered. "I would strongly advice against it. I do not want to chance the possibility of his having an adverse reaction to failing to reach Hattori-kun. Not with how... sadistic his requests are becoming. I will continue to keep you informed of the time."

Kaito nodded, looking away as the man on the phone pick up and he spoke back to him in the woman's voice that he had just called. It was like playing phone-identity tag and it was becoming more annoying than it was fun. He'd already been run in circles with all the fake names he'd been given.

Heiji walked in and heard a woman's voice. His thought jumped from Neechan or her friend to Sato-keiji until he realized he didn't recognize the voice. He looked around and saw Hakuba still with files in front of him, but with that pocket watch of his open on the table and he was looking at that more than the files. Kuroba had his phone to his ear... Ah, Kid... that explained it. He stepped further in but remained out of his sight with the bag still clutched to his chest, not wanting to interrupt the phone call.

Kaito smiled. Men were so much more open to women. Now he had a few venues to test out, several looked a lot more promising than what he'd had before the last phone call. If his luck held, this would be the last one. He hung up, dropped the part of the jilted girlfriend, and looked back over at Hakuba. "Time?"

"2 minutes and 54.9 se...conds. Ah, Hattori-kun." Saguru spotted the Osakan teen hovering behind Kuroba, clinging to a bag like it was..."What is..."

Kaito heard the rustling behind him that the phone had masked. Well, time to see if he had any luck on his end. "Where'd you end up?"

"A...a du..." Heiji glanced around for Takagi-keiji. He knew he'd need some support.

Takagi put a hand on the teen's shoulder. He didn't like the other boy but he wasn't going to sit there while Hattori tried to answer his question. "A dumpster. We found some of his clothes and a few other things but they look like they were discarded on purpose."

Kaito nodded. He figured if they'd found anything, back to them wasn't the first place they'd go.

Saguru looked back at the bundle Hattori was holding. That explained it. He could not help but wonder "What condition were they in?"

Takagi looked over at the other teen now. Hakuba he was starting to like. "They seem fine. I didn't see any stains or tears. I looked like he just took everything Conan-kun had from him."

"So they were removed early... and intentionally..." Saguru suddenly recalled Hattori-kun looks when he was reliving the first phone call, and his own horrible thoughts. "I am certain he was prepared with something for him... a separate set of clothes that did not have possible trackers or tricks."

"How could he- what would give 'im- maybe some but... EVERYTHING HE WAS WEARING IS IN MY ARMS! What da ya think the reason was..." Hattori stared at Hakuba. "Sure, some of the guys might wonder what happened... after the fact... but it ain't like they know that he has these things..."

"Precaution," Kaito said dully. "I'm no bad guy," he waved a hand over his shoulder at Hattori to show he didn't mean it that way and he should shut his mouth, "but I would have done... the same."

"Really?" Heiji walked forward and stood right in front of Kuroba, allowing him to see the size of the bag and a few of the items of clothes that poked through the slits. "As in EVERYTHING? That's just not right an' I don' buy it." Hattori shook his head, wrapping his arms tighter around the bag.

"I'm saying me- if I wanted to, 'cause I've seen you. I don't know about you, but detectives and cops... swarm around the kid like... flies. Things have happened to... him before. If it were me, and I had even an... ounce of self-preservation... and knowledge enough... to pick up a paper or... turn on the TV and... see the guy then..." Kaito stared hard at Hattori. "Yes, I'd toss everything... and anything... that could connect him... to me."

Heiji took a breath. "Granted. Like what ya did ta me... when I had the green clothes ya put on me earlier... he'd better hope that's what he did..." Heiji stepped past him but ignored the seat and settled on the floor, crossing his legs in front of him and settling the bundle there.

Saguru glanced between them before looking back at his watch. The time that Hattori-kun and Kuroba-kun had 'earned' for Conan-kun and Kudo-kun had passed but he was unsure if he wanted to mention it out loud so he merely reached forward and picked up his watch, snapping it shut and tucking it away. He looked at Kuroba-kun, wondering if the teen would hear and notice the action.

Kaito was already looking over at the table as Hakuba moved when his phone started to ring. He hadn't given any of the callers his number. He glanced at Hattori, shooing his hand at it. "It's for you." Kaito slipped the earpiece in, thinking he really should change his ringtone for unknown numbers. He hadn't thought to do it before and it seemed vaguely inappropriate, even for him.

Takagi followed Hattori, kneeling down beside the teen and just sitting there, holding to his promise of silence.

Heiji reached forward and grabbed the phone. As soon as he hit accept he put the phone to his ear. "Wha... is he..."

"Ah, Hattori-san, so many times now... I told you, manners. That's a very impolite way to greet me. I shall wait until you do it properly."

"How..." Heiji closed his eyes. 'Kudo.' "Hai... Hattori speaking." 'Happy?'

"Much better. Now was that so difficult?"

"Ar' ya seri-"

"If you're just going to speak in gibberish I could hang up right now. Your little friend is awake and I'm sure he wouldn't mind missing your call- seeing as he will have other things on his mind."

"NO! WAIT! I... yes... let me speak ta 'im..."

The man put the phone on speaker, setting it next to the child. He was getting used to this routine and as much as it bored him, the fun part came after.

"Hattori," Conan spoke into the phone, clouded somewhere between physically worn out and angry. "Stop doing what this guy says."

"Tell me ya wouldn't do it fer me... an' be honest."

Conan clenched his teeth but let out a sigh. "Fair enough."

"By the way... the stuff ya... left behind last time... I found 'em... just so ya know. I'll keep 'em with me an'... ya can get 'em when I find ya."

Conan looked down at the shirt. It was long enough to reach past his knees but not overly big in the waist... and kind of made him feel like he was wearing a dress, though he hadn't really thought much about his attire before. "Arigato. I don't really like my new stuff."

"What... did she get ya something with a cartoon on it this time or what?"

Conan laughed, it hurt his chest but he couldn't help it. Why did Hattori want to know what he was wearing? "Yeah, a goldfish in the ocean."

"Maybe I'll get her ta let me get ya something... no more wearing things ya don' like... just make sure... that ya don't ruin them."

"Um," Conan looked at the phone. Was Hattori going off the deep end? "I guess that's... okay. Hattori, seriously though," he voice dropped a few octaves. "These requests. I can take a few of them myself. I'm..." he didn't want to lie but he didn't know what else to do. He was hurt. He could feel bones give where they shouldn't have, his skin was raw and burnt in places and he was bleeding here and there, though they'd always been small. Lots of pain and little damage where those marks were concerned. "I'm not perfect, but I'm not a lost cause."

"I never said ya were... but I aim ta keep ya that way. Ya've taken enough."

"And I have nothing to do but sit here, Hattori. I don't have to be able to do anything." Conan was serious. He wanted to stop being used against him. If Hattori could find him, that was great. This man wouldn't kill him, not yet. He knew that by how this had played out so far and Hattori had to know that too.

"Yeah... well... I've had ta sit around an' not do anythin' too. But... I know ya hate this... but pointin' out the obvious... I kin take mor'en you."

"How much more?" He'd been listening to Hattori's calls with as much precision as he could and he'd noticed Hattori's voice change, his word fall short of understandable even with his accent, and he was seeing his friend start to lose himself... "I'm better off than you in other ways."

"So I keep hearin'..." 'Maybe I can pass on the helpers list...' "Ya enjoy pointin' that out ta everyone. At the Koushien... when I took tha' spill from my moto'cycle an' couldn' finish the chase... even when ya called me from the airship an' told me about the bay... I was with some of yer other friends then in the copter and he heard ya over the phone. I'd ratha' ya keep yer chin up and let me find ya... got it? I can take more."

It took Conan a minute to understand what it was that Hattori was trying to get across to him. When he did, he was mildly surprised. "I get how you were wrong on that last case, the other two you had nothing to do with."

'Yes...wait...' "Hey, why ya supporting him... he still uses your nickname fer me... next time... just don'."

Conan smiled, not daring to laugh. "It wasn't meant to be something negative."

"Enough of this boys," the man took the phone, keeping it on speaker as he did last time. "I have some words of my own."

"What?"

"This deal will be different than the others and a bit more complicated so I'm going to need you to listen closely. I am going to tell you what to do, hang up, and give you thirty minutes to do it, then I will call back. After it's done I will not only have given him the half an hour of time but I will add on to it another half hour. Does that seem fair?"

'A half hour... plus the next half... not ta mention it'll let me pass on what I need ta do.' "What da ya wan' this time?"

"I'm growing tired of just hearing this. I want to see it." The man grinned to himself. He'd been eager for the chance at this. "I hear you practice Kendo. I don't think I want you to do that anymore. You'll need a camera and internet access- I'm not letting you trace me so any public domain site will do after that. What I want, Hattori-san, is to stop you from doing what you love, though I do need you to answer my calls, so your dominant hand will do. I hardly think your thumb is necessary but I want to see you break the fingers on your right hand. It's you- or it's the child, and I don't need the child to answer my calls. Put it on the web when you are finished. I'll call back in half an hour." The man grinned, watching the pained look in the child's face and the fear there. He could only imagine what the boy on the receiving end of the call looked like. "And I do want to see both you and the act. Hide either from me or make me think you're faking it and you know what will happen- or can't you do it?"

The phone slipped from his grasp and hit the floor. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't even look anywhere...

Kaito shook his head, trying to get Hattori's attention. "Don't," he whispered, trying to make sure the man wouldn't pick up his voice. "Please, just not this time." Kaito was already hurt and he could admit it to himself. They needed Hattori. "Let him take this one."

Saguru had been watching and when Hattori-kun actually dropped the phone and made no reaction to it. He saw Kuroba-kun shaking his head out of the corner of his eye. What was worse than the previous requests?

Takagi looked at the phone and then at Hattori numbly. He said nothing though he wanted so badly to know what was wrong. He put his hand on Hattori's shoulder but the teen didn't seem to looking at him or anything really. He shook him a little, not risking words.

Heiji took a deep breath and numbly reached for the phone again but couldn't quite get a grip on it with his shaking hands. He resigned himself to the risk and pressed the speaker button. "Can' 'old it ta my ear... but... a... a 'alf hour... fer that... right?"

"Yes, I am giving you time enough to accomplish this-" The man had to stop, the child shouting far too loud and close to his ear. He got up and moved away, word like 'Don't do it!' and the like following after him. "And I am giving you the duration of my second call plus a half an hour after it ends."

"Yeah... I jus' need... ta know... how... where ya want it..."

"Anywhere is fine with me. The scenery is of your choosing as long as I'm able to see you do it. You or the child. I'm getting tired of your stalling. I think the rest is self-explanatory."

Heiji sighed. "...Fine..."

The man ended the call, along with ending the boy's cries. Hattori and the child were a mystery to him but he didn't mind exploiting them. Whatever connection they may have held it was exactly what he had been looking for.

Kaito walked over, grabbing Hattori by the hair since Takagi was in front of him and he couldn't bend at an angle good enough to grab his arm. "So help me... I'm not letting you."

"Kuroba-kun, what are you doing!" Saguru was slower to react to Kuroba-kun than usual because this had really surprised him... and he thought he would no longer be able to be. He stood and started around the table to try to separate the two of them, but certain that Takagi-keiji would beat him to it.

Takagi grabbed Kuroba's wrist, digging his fingers in tight enough to hurt the boy but he didn't let up his grip. He heard the phone call end and nothing was going to stop him speaking now. "Let go of him! What's the matter with you?"

Kaito just glared down at Hattori, ignoring the pain. "Ask him. This idiot just agreed… to something and he is not… getting away with it this time."

Takagi ignored Kuroba's words, trying to get him off Hattori. The boy was stronger than he looked. "Just let him go!"

Saguru reached over and grabbed both Takagi-keiji and Kuroba-kun by their wrists. "Both of you let go. We are all on the same side."

Kaito shook his head, holding on still. "I can't. Hakuba-kun," Kaito's eyes were hard and he switched focus to Hakuba. "You didn't hear... Hattori-kun is not doing this. I'm not letting him." Even injuring himself, along with him- he'd hated that. This would be both painful and maybe permanent. In the end it was Tantei-kun or Hattori-kun. He didn't need the little detective right now to help save himself and he wasn't going to let one of his only leads to him do it instead.

Takagi didn't even bother shaking his head. He wasn't going to let up until Kuroba let go.

"Takagi-keiji... Kuroba... just... let go... please."

"Can't," Kaito said with resolution. "You're gonna have to... fight me on this one."

Takagi let go at Hattori's words though. If he needed his help, all he had to do was ask for it.

"I... I kinda need... ta figure out... how ta do this..." Heiji raised his left hand to support his head, not really caring about the hair he was sure he would lose if he had dropped his head. He raised his right hand in front of him and moved his fingers. "Huh... I guess if I can't do Kendo anymore... Maybe Kazuha kin teach me some Aikido..."

Kaito's arm was shaking and he knew it wasn't only from the pressure of holding Hattori at an angle on bruised ribs. He palmed something into his hand, something small and harmless looking. "I could stop you. It wouldn't be your fault then."

"Ya know if ya do that... it'll be 'im that suffers the condition... ya willin' ta do that?"

That was why Kaito had warned him and not just knocked Hattori out. Was he willing to hurt Tantei-kun for this? Kaito's shoulders sagged. "What if I don't like either option?"

"I think he enjoys it 'cause that's the case." Heiji sighed. "Takagi-keiji... I said I wouldn't keep it from ya... I have a half hour ta carry out his... request for a further half hour after... he wants ta... see it this time."

Takagi nodded, bending back down so he was closer to Hattori. "I understand. What do you have to do?"

Kaito let out a breath, hand falling to his side in defeat. He couldn't choose one over the other when it came down to it. His mind could, but his heart couldn't.

Heiji felt the grip loosen and looked up to meet Takagi-keiji's eyes. "He wants me to post... on the internet... myself... breaking..."

Saguru was relieved when the others released their respective grips but Hattori-kun's words... cutting off like that. "Does he want you to break into someplace?"

Heiji just shook his head.

Kaito laughed. "I could do that... if he did." He didn't really care about the accusations the blond would through at him after that comment. His mind was somewhere else.

"Then what? You seem to know... you tell us. Hattori-kun seems unable to at the moment." He motioned to the teen still sitting cross-legged between them.

It took Kaito a moment to put the masks up necessary for this. He couldn't say it any easier than Hattori could. When he was sure they were in place he turned to Hakuba, raising his right hand. "He wants to see Hattori-kun... break his own fingers."

Saguru had expected a few possibilities but that was not one of them. He looked back at Hattori-kun and the way he was still staring at his fingers. "You... you cannot be serious... and if he does not comply then that man will break Conan-kun's... That is a problem."

"No problem... we just gotta find someplace with internet access."

Takagi stared numbly on as the conversation progressed, unsure of what to say or what to do. He wasn't even sure if he was seeing the room correctly.

"Not necessarily. You just need... a digital camera." Kaito shrugged, not trying to be helpful. "I have one somewhere... don't know where. Not lying either. Never had to use it before."

"Good... let's get this over with..." Heiji curled his fingers into a fist and, wrapping his left arm around the bundle in his lap, he stood.

"I'm not taping it." Kaito walked away towards the door. "And that's assuming... I find it. It was dad's. There's a lot of... his stuff lying around."

"Hattori-kun, wait." Takagi stood up, legs unsteady. He didn't know what to say besides 'wait' and his hand fell where he'd instinctively reached out for the teen.

Kaito looked over at Hakuba as he passed him. "I can't stop this. And my stuff is kinda old. Thought you might have... something better."

"I didn't 'xactly pack for a sightseein' vacation an' I hadn't thought ta bring a camera." Heiji looked back at the others. "It's... not really that big a deal... it's not like it will be completely permanent... I could even train left-handed if I need ta."

"Hattori-kun... for one thing, he was addressing me, not you, and to answer that... I do, actually have some equipment at my home, but considering I am a fugitive I do not believe we can get in to use it. As to your statement Hattori-kun, perhaps there is some way to get around this..."

"NO! He warned against attemptin' to trick him or fakin' it... it has to be done... he needs ta see me an' the... the actual act... or he'll do it to 'im."

Kaito turned to his part-time friend, part-time enemy with the same sad realization that Hattori had. There wasn't any way around this. "If you've got something... it would be easier to... snatch it from your place... then tear mine apart... looking for it."