Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this serial caper… especially for the calm one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken.
Moments later…
Chapter 14
The Explanation
"You have questions, Miss Sakamoto?" Sesshoumaru calmly invited once they were all seated.
Sango's eyes remained fixed on the slender figure that stood in the center of the table—a lovely young woman with outstretched arms. "Isn't this the statue that was supposedly stolen last night?" she asked.
"Nigimitama: Soul of Friendship—unfortunately, she is merely a replica," Sesshoumaru supplied. "The thief stole the real one before Mr. Murasaki could make his substitution."
"It took days to have a convincing replica made," Miroku volunteered. "It was a gamble, and it's a shame the effort was wasted."
A thought occurred to Sango, and she glanced guiltily at the man she'd confronted the night before. "You were… late?"
Miroku shrugged nonchalantly. "Even if I hadn't been delayed, I couldn't have made the switch. Our bandit was already backing young Mitzie into a corner by the time Mr. Taisho let me into the gallery late last night."
"We walked in only to find an empty case," Inuyasha growled, baring his fangs.
"Hnn," hummed Sesshoumaru mildly, managing to sound even more dangerous than his brother despite his reserve.
"Sir?" Sango dared to meet Sesshoumaru Taisho's implacable gaze before stating, "You knew from the beginning that the man who kissed me wasn't the real bandit, didn't you."
"I suspected as much," he admitted.
"Why didn't one of you tell me?" she demanded, her voice hard-edged.
"We couldn't," Sesshoumaru replied.
Sango shook her head in frustration. "But… why not?"
"If you'll recall, the police were present when you made your announcement," the elder Mr. Taisho pointed out blandly.
"Well, later then," Sango persisted. "What was the point in making me, Mr. Keisatsu, the police—everyone—think that I'd seen the Kissing Bandit."
Sesshoumaru tapped the table lightly with the tips of his claws. "It would have been inconvenient for the authorities to know of Mr. Murasaki's involvement in the case," he answered carefully.
"No kidding," grumbled Inuyasha. "Keisatsu just about gave me a heart attack when he asked us to produce the girl that had been kissed. When you showed up, claiming to have seen the thief, your timing couldn't have been better. After that, we had to go with your story."
"Really, gentlemen," Miroku chided. "Give me some credit for doing a thorough job."
A light bulb went on in Sango's mind. "The second statue that was stolen—the one from your office—it wasn't?"
"That is correct," Sesshoumaru confirmed.
"And… Inspector Keisatsu doesn't know?"
"Also correct," he said with a firm nod.
Sango glanced into the faces of those around the table. "Why?"
One of Sesshoumaru's shoulders lifted, and he simply replied, "Strategy."
"It's a matter of professional pride for the Kissing Bandit to finish one collection before moving on to another," Ayame interjected. "By secreting away one of the statues, Mr. Taisho gains the advantage. The thief will have to come to us."
"Wouldn't it be better to share this with the authorities? Work together?" Sango ventured.
Miroku shook his head. "Right now, five people know about our little plot. If we bring in Keisatsu, that number with multiply exponentially. To remain in control of the situation, the secret must be kept."
"That wolf is going to be so pissed when he finds out we're messing with his precious investigation," Inuyasha gloated.
"So… you are planning to tell him? Eventually, I mean?" Sango asked.
"Oh, Keisatsu will find out eventually," the hanyou smirked, "when we catch the Kissing Bandit for him."
End Note: This story owes much of its structure to the Live Journal community 30(underscore)lies, where I have a claim on Miroku. Lie #10, Lie Detector/Truth Serum. 578 words.