Chapter 14: Changing Tides
Kaito got off the man's back when the water was shallow enough to stand in. He was panting hard again. It had hurt... more than he'd admit to the others- enough to make him forget about the stupid fish. He needed painkillers or something, though he was sure they wouldn't help. What he really wanted more than anything was a nice warm bed and some dry clothes. Kaito ignored those thoughts and pushed for the opposite shore, having to wait for Takagi again when he reached it... unfortunately needing a hand up the other embankment.
Heiji had been gazing up the embankment, wanting so badly to just go up and keep going... but he had promised to wait. 'Wha's taking so long?' Heiji looked back and was startled to see Kuroba reach the embankment just behind Hakuba... but stop. "Oi... come on... Let's go."
Takagi caught up to them, more tired than he thought he would be. He shook it off, climbing up the steeper rocks and offering Kuroba-kun his hand once he had, helping the teen make it the rest of the way up until they were on semi-steady ground. Once the teen was settled, though the boy looked a bit pale, he walked back over towards Hattori-kun, hearing the teen follow in his footsteps.
"OK... I'm guessin' that wa... Kuroba... ya'lright?"
"If we're... telling the... truth. No." Kaito still couldn't get his breath back and he felt terrible. At least before he'd been at the agency or had time to rest in the car, even walking was fine. This had been pain and for an extended period of time, on top of which he'd wasted all his energy and he could feel his body start to shake and his face heat up. It was cold out and the stupid wind wasn't making anything better. "It doesn't... matter. Come on." Kaito ignored his failing vision and uneven steps. He didn't want the help, even if it was Hakuba. It made him feel angry and he didn't know why.
Saguru shook his head. 'And I thought Hattori-kun was the stubborn one... Kuroba seems to be attempting to disprove that.' Saguru followed both, maintaining equidistance to each teen should one of them need help... either preventing one from running ahead... or from falling to the ground.
Heiji was walking almost directly beside Kuroba, glancing at the teen on occasion but also looking at their surroundings... especially at what was lying ahead that could be possible places that this man was holding his friend.
Kaito walked along the rocks, half in a daze and trying to ignore worldly problems. Five minutes, ten- he'd turned and followed the road to the right, still keeping to the shore. At least fifteen or more minutes must have passed, but he stopped trying to keep track. Great. What awesome help he'd be. If he was lucky, the adrenaline would wake him up- if he was right and this was the place to begin with. Kaito looked up as they came close, only with his eyes. If the other's looked, they did it of their own accord. There was a white tarp on half the building that was standing a few feet above the road of some mix of sand and dirt. The other half of the house had splotches of this or that, showing that the thing was clearly under construction. There was a private property notice close to the road and a forklift off to the side. A very nice disguise, if that's what it was. Kaito stopped dead in his tracks. "It would... be better... if we... looked around... first."
Heiji saw the building and was ready to go for it when Kuroba voiced his suggestion. If the man had a way to see out... and saw them... him... coming toward him... Kudo was as good as dead. He felt a grip on his arm... both arms... at the same time he had stopped.
Saguru spotted the place and saw Hattori taking another step. He reached out and grabbed the teen's left arm to keep him from going further on his own. Not even needing to speak as the teen not only came to a quick stop... but he saw someone else's arm to his right grab Hattori's right arm, much more gently, but no less firmly.
"Hattori-kun, I haven't seen any people over here. If we walk up there now, and he is in there, it could be dangerous." Looking around the house, at least at a distance, was the first thing they had to do.
Heiji took a deep breath and nodded, knowing that no matter what, if Kudo was inside with this guy, they had to make sure that nothing alerted him to their presence until it was too late for him to grab Kudo and use him in any way. "Right. Fan out... Meet on the opposite side... That work?"
"Nope," Kaito said without even thinking about it. "I'm going... with you."
Takagi had nodded at Hattori's suggestion though. He trusted him enough by now to know that he wouldn't rush in there... not without help and not if it could help Kudo-kun.
Saguru looked between the two of them and over at Takagi-keiji. The officer had seemed fine with Hattori-kun's suggestion but he was not certain about Hattori-kun and Kuroba being paired up. "How about we proceed in groups of two... however, Takagi-keiji and I are going to be paired with one of you. We are the least... injured, after all. It would be more practical than the two of you going off. If something happened either of you would be hard pressed to assist the other."
"I said no… I meant no." Kaito reached out his hand, now clean, and grabbed Hattori's wrist. "I'm not... going to get... hurt again... and if...something... happens... I will... take care... of it."
Heiji looked up at Kuroba and down at his wrist, glad he'd put the jacket back on. "Don' worry Hakuba... I won't let 'im get hurt. See ya on the other side." Heiji shook off the hands on his arms and nodded at Kuroba. "Let's go."
"No... Wait...what are-"
Kaito was gone, talking a few quick steps that would draw him away from Hakuba and any immediate pursuit. Kaito grinned over at Hattori. "Well now... that's the first... time you... agreed with... me. But Hattori-kun... seriously... I wanted to... know how bad... you're still hurt." Kaito looked over at him as they walked, eyes questioning. He wanted to be able to judge how this was going to play out as best he could.
"No worries. My leg wound stopped bleedin' and I have only a slight twinge from it, no doubt from the dip we took. Plus, I kin breath much better now... I think i' was mostly due to the repeated strain on it... not to mention my... 'frequent inability ta breath properly'." Heiji finished with an attempt at soundin' like Hakuba.
Kaito laughed, his own breathing problems a minor thing as long as he let out short phrases. He could move just fine- which probably meant there was just some bruising around his lung. That would heal easily. So his only main handicap was his arm. Kaito looked around the building, noticing the complete lack of windows. That he was unsure about. It could mean that there was no way to see in or out, or the man had a peephole somewhere if this was his hideout. "I know... I don't look... it, but don't... worry." Kaito nodded, sure of the fact. "I can... take care of... myself. We have... to be ready... for anything. If I can... get close enough... maybe I can... get a bug in... before our... time's up."
Heiji nodded, slowing a tad as he turned to make like he was looking at the building. He flipped up the lid of the watch... Kudo's watch. 'I promised Hakuba that Kuroba wouldn' get hurt...Time ta keep that.' He poised his finger and raised his arms, bringing the crosshairs to the other teen's neck and firing. He saw the small thin dart hit its mark. "Gomen, Kuroba..." He reached forward to catch the teen.
Kaito looked over at Hattori, putting his hand up to his neck. The pain had caught his attention first but the words were quick to follow. When he turned and saw that stupid watch Tantei-kun always carried around, he realized what had just happened and felt his body sway and fail him for a whole new reason. "Kuso," he swore lightly. Not even Tantei-kun had gotten him with that yet... how had he let-. Then he was falling, the world fading around him and he had just one question. With the last bit of air and strands of consciousness, he asked. "Why?"
Heiji grabbed the teen carefully as he dropped. "I know I ain't ta blame for Kudo... but I can't let ya go in there, not in yer condition... Ya helped a lot... Thanks. Now... it's me makin' you rest... an' ya need it." Heiji lowered the teen to the ground, placing yet another of Kudo's tracking stickers on him. He got up to a crouch and swallowed. He had gotten that feeling again... He knew they were at the right place... without a doubt. Heiji rose from where he had been stooped beside the teen and moved to the side. Both Hakuba and Takagi-keiji had a pair of the glasses; he just hoped they put them on soon. He knew he would need back-up but he also knew that time was short. 'Maybe Kudo and Hakuba are right... I am pretty hot-blooded.'
Takagi went around the house, pulling the cap down further on his head. He was happy it had survived his swim though he had a feeling because of Kuroba there may be blood stains on it. He'd replace it for Ran. Taking in the house at a distance, Takagi started the opposite way that Hattori had gone. There was a tarp across this side of the house and Takagi didn't know what was under it. They could be being watching at this very moment... He and Hakuba-kun could pass for renegade visitors, but he wasn't sure what would happen with Hattori-kun. Kuroba-kun was with him so he was hoping he wouldn't have to worry about that... He didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth but there was something strange about what that teen could pull off.
Saguru felt uneasy about the pairings but remained with Takagi-keiji and followed him around the building. Keeping his voice low so it would not carry easily he turned toward the officer. "Are you sure it was wise to allow them to go off together?"
"Don't worry about it. Hattori-kun is fine. I know... I know what he was like and he finally sees it too. He can take care of himself. He seemed okay going with Kuroba-kun and, I don't really know him, but you trust him, right? And Hattori-kun seems too. They both should be fine, so I didn't really see any reason to fight about it."
Saguru sighed. "If you believe Hattori-kun is alright I will take your word for it. It just seemed that something was... preoccupying him. He readily agreed to accompanying Kuroba... I would have thought he would have, well, preferred you." Saguru shrugged and resumed scanning the building and the surrounding area.
Takagi couldn't see how they thought he was anything special. He'd been the one who had glued himself to Hattori, not the other way around. Hattori had all the right to do what he wanted, now that he understood. Hattori was a lot closer to the person that he'd met before now then he had been acting, and Hakuba probably just wasn't used to that yet. They were all there to achieve the same thing so Takagi didn't really care who followed who. Just seeing Hattori smile the way he had... for some reason made him think everything would be okay. Maybe because he was used to Kudo-kun in the same way. Whenever Kudo-kun smiled like that, it wasn't long before the case was solved.
When he reached the exact opposite side of the building, Saguru began to wonder again as he scanned the area from which Kuroba and Hattori-kun would have come. "Should they not have reached here before us? They did set off before we did?"
Takagi felt a stab of fear at that. Even if they had beaten the other two, he expected to be able to see them coming. If they'd walked far enough away that they couldn't be seen... they wouldn't be able to get a good enough look at the house. "Maybe... something got their attention."
"Let's start that way... If they did then they may be watching it still."
Takagi nodded, trying his best to keep his distance from the house and his pace slow. If he ran he'd be making himself too noticeable and if he cut across the stretch of grass that separated him from the adjacent side, it would only do the same thing, and he didn't want to endanger the other two if someone caught notice of him because he was worried and acting like an idiot.
Saguru walked beside Takagi-keiji, keeping one eye on the building and another on the area in front of him. He saw no sign of anyone walking toward them. "How far could they have gone?"
"I don't know." Takagi was trying his best to look around as discreetly as possible. "Maybe we should go back to the road and see if they went there. We can look for them on the way."
"Hold on. Those glasses. They found Hattori-kun last time..." Saguru grabbed the glasses and hit the button, activating them. "Let's see..."
Takagi padded his shirt pocket, realizing that he'd lost the pair that he'd been given. He settled next to Hakuba, looking at the teen. "Where is he?"
"It's... odd. Must be an echo signal. There is a signal from that way... not moving..." Saguru motioned in the direction of the signal he had locked onto.
Takagi looked at the basic direction they were heading in. "It looks like they stopped for some reason then. We should go look."
Saguru nodded and began moving directly toward the reading. It had remained still... but the other one was moving too. 'Must be a reflection from the building. Something is causing a conflicting signal.' He shifted his focus from the lens to the area in front of him, wondering where the other two teens were... and what had caught their attention to make Hattori-kun duck and remain there for so long. "They should be just ahead..."
Takagi kept his focus all around him. He didn't have the glasses and only had Hakuba-kun's basic direction as reference. He turned his head back to the front... seeing something... or someone... and if it was a someone. They were alone and blending in well enough with the dead foliage. Then he saw Hattori's hat and his footsteps sped up a lot more, though he kept himself from running. He'd forgotten until he'd gotten close that Kuroba was wearing it, bending down and, on reflex, checking the teen's pulse when he didn't seem to be conscious.
Saguru followed after Takagi-keiji when he picked up his pace and reached his side in time to see the officer place his fingers to Kuroba's neck. "What the...is he..." Saguru crouched down but was conflicted as to whether he wanted to check the teen himself or not.
"He's fine." Kuroba-kun's heartbeat was a little fast but all the blood on his arm was reason enough for that. "I don't know why but... I think he's just sleeping."
"Sleeping? I knew he was tired but there is no way he would just fall asleep on his own... and Hattori-kun would not have just left... him..." Saguru reached forward and touched a small yellow circle on the other teen's shirt. "What is this?"
Takagi was still checking the boy, though with the way he was laying it was clear that he wasn't knocked out. He didn't feel any wounds on the boy's head and his breathing seemed steady. Once he was satisfied he looked over at Hakuba and the little yellow sticker. "I don't know." Takagi looked around, some of Hakuba's words coming back to him as if in an echo. Hattori wouldn't have just left him... So either he had left on his own or someone had taken him. Takagi's eyes shot towards the house, ready to dart for it. Hakuba-kun was the one who had given him the idea, so he had to have figured it out as well. "What do we do?" Takagi was doing everything in his power to hold himself back.
Saguru dropped fully to his knees and reached out for Kuroba's good shoulder and gave it a shake. "Kuroba... Kuroba..." Saguru glanced over at Takagi-keiji before leaning closer, not knowing what possessed him to try it, and whispered in Kuroba's ear. "Gotcha Kid."
Kaito twitched, several things hitting his brain at once that told him he needed to be aware of them, and now. The first was Hakuba's voice in his ear. He wasn't used to it and it sent a shiver down his body. The second was the name 'Kid', said as a name. That required immediate looking into. The third thing was that Hakuba's voice was the one that said 'gotcha' for the third time in such a short period. Kaito winced, opening an eye to stare at the reason he was currently very on guard and very tired and not wanting to be. "You wish..." he said, still mostly out of it.
"Kuroba... what happened? Are you alright?" Saguru reached his hand out to behind Kuroba's head to help him sit up if he was up to it.
Kaito didn't need the help, the sleep numbing most of his movements from causing him pain for a few seconds more while he got to his feet, a bit unsteady, and glared at the house. "Baka," he spat the word, not waiting or explaining as he went at the house at the angle he was currently at, pressing himself against the wood finish and hoping he hadn't been spotted. Hakuba and Takagi had found him. How long had he been out while Hattori was free to be an idiot all by himself? Now how fair was that?
Saguru quickly followed Kuroba and leaned against the outer wall beside him. "Kuroba... What. Happened?"
"Hattori happened." He didn't think he needed to explain further than that and the numbness was starting to fade. "No real... point in... hiding anymore... though maybe... it would be best... if we didn't bust... down the door... or anything right now."
Takagi followed the other two; angry that Kuroba-kun had ran up there without making sure they were safe like they were supposed to. He stopped just as he heard Kuroba-kun start to speak. 'Hattori happened.' So... Hattori had been the one who... Takagi looked at the house, angry now at the other teen and forgiving Kuroba all the times that he had knocked him out. He didn't know Kuroba-kun and the teen knew what he was doing, even if he didn't seem like he did. Hattori... Hattori knew better than to go in there alone. Takagi went off for the front instead of skulking around if they'd already been given away.
"Hey. Didn't I just... say no breaking... down the door?" Kaito sighed, looking at Hakuba. "Shall we?"
Heiji felt bad enough leaving Kuroba out cold on the ground but he didn't want to risk him getting hurt further. Kid or not... he needed to stay back so he wasn't hurt more. He circled the rest of the building and came to the only door into the place. 'OK... nice and slow...' Heiji took the handle of the door and eased it open. Not seeing anyone, he slipped in and let the door close again. As soon as his eyes adjusted, he saw a door at the opposite corner and headed there; staying low he leaned against the wall beside the door. 'Don' worry Kudo... I'm comin'...'
The man looked at his cell phone, rather astonished. Hattori had gotten here far sooner than he'd anticipated. This was why you never let your guard down. The man moved to stand near the two-way mirror, flipping on the light in the other room to check.
Heiji pressed himself flat to the wall and the floor when the lights came on. 'Damn... wha' just happened...? I didn' even touch a switch or... crap... the door... timer... or does he know...' Heiji remained motionless as his eyes roamed the now lit room. 'Two mirrors near the ceilin'...and one big one behind me...notgoodnotgoodnotgood...'
The man closed his phone and the automated message he'd received when the alarm was tripped. He grinned, taking a small wireless-transmitter off of the desk, the speaker hooked up in the other room. "Hattori-san," he said into it clearly. "You certainly found me quickly, didn't you? Now that we're here, I'm rather curious. Might I ask how?"
'Damn... Does he really know or is he just tryin' ta lure me out...' Heiji remained still, not budging. He looked all around, trying to figure out if the guy was bluffing or really had spotted him. He could see him but that didn't mean much.
The man took the chair he'd been sitting in and was moving it to better have this conversation, staring out at the teenager who looked like some wild animal trapped in a cage. He looked down at the child as he passed, bending over and putting the communicator towards the boy as he pushed him to the side with his foot and stepping on the boy enough to make him yelp. "Hattori-san," the man said as he brought the device back towards himself. "I asked you a question. I won't have you ignore me and watch you blend into a white wall, which for you is rather impossible, so I'd stop trying if I were you."
'NO... KUDO!' Heiji rose halfway and looked toward the mirror. 'Damn... just like the interrogation rooms... Gotta be a two-way... Means he's got a clear view in here with the lights on.' He nodded, figuring if he was seen, the man would take that as an acceptance... still not willing to speak just yet.
"Well now," the man raised an eyebrow as he was watching Hattori. "Seems you've been playing a game of your own- that, or you've taken on the power of a god and can heal wounds." The man's eyes narrowed as he fixed the seat in place, looking back towards the boy. "I believe I kept up my part of our agreement. I'm a bit disappointed that you have not."
"HA... easy ta cover injuries... if ya keep prepared. Never let it be said... make-up's just fer girls. Comes in handy..." Heiji raised his left hand to his cheek while focusing on continuing to keep his right hand still and his sentences broken, like breathing was hard still. "...don' it? Now... ya gonna... invite me in... or am I gonna... crash the... little party... ya got in ther'?"
'Hattori?'
The man went over to the switches, turning on several of them. One made a timer appear on the other side of the room. Twenty minutes. That should be enough. The other turned on the lights in the room he was held up in. He grabbed the boy by the back of the shirt, hearing him whimper, and sat in the chair where he'd positioned it on the other side of the mirror, smiling at Hattori. "No. If this is a party then I am the host and you are much earlier than I thought, so I won't be letting you in."
Heiji saw the light come on and stood up enough to look in and get his first glimpse of the man that took Kudo... and of Kudo himself in a while... what he saw caused his stomach to roll. 'Kudo...' "Ku... kuso..." He looked... beyond terrible... weak... bruised... cut... wearing nothing but a large shirt that showed further injuries and was covered in blood... and his left ear... or lack of one. Heiji tore his eyes away and reached for the door handle, twisting it with all his might... but still remembering to use just his left hand.
"You know what? You've failed to answer any of my questions. And stop bothering with that door already - even a semi would have to put up a good fight. Now," Christian gestured in front of him. "Let's talk. I think we can come to some type of agreement." He pointed up. "But you see that? You walk out that door or that timer runs out, and I will not hesitate in killing the child." He put the transceiver down and pulled out the same knife he'd used earlier, the boy halfway leaning against the chair in front of him as he held the back of the shirt. "And don't put it past me. You should know by now, I do not lie."
Conan winced, trying and failing to stand on his own with the way his feet were taped together. He looked up at Hattori as he tried to get inside. This was the first Conan was really seeing of the room around him and its makeup. He focused on the one on the other side as well. Even the smallest detail could be important. When he was done, he settled his eyes on Hattori. Make-up. A believable excuse if you knew how to put it on as well as his mom did. Hattori, against everything he'd seen and had thought, was fine. That let him relax a little while his mind went to work trying to figure a way out of this.
"Ya ain' gotta worry... 'bout that. I ain'... leavin'... without 'im. Yer the one... whose time is... all but up." Heiji slammed his left fist against the mirrored barrier. Watching the man and Kudo, but also skimming the other room... and noticing Kudo doin' the same. 'He ain't gonna beat us now...'
Christian tilted his head to the side in an interested kind of manner. "You say that like you actually believe it." He grabbed more of the back of the shirt then the collar, lifting the boy up so that the child was resting on his lap as he drew the blade in close to the boy's face. "Our games are clearly over. What makes you think that I'm letting him go? I do not appreciate threats and I've already warned you once about that." He watched the glass in front of him, the child turning away until he couldn't anymore and the knife just pricked his skin. He kept the blade there.
"Tell ya what. Ya leave 'im alone... jus' let me in. 'm sure ya... ya wanted me too... right...? Here's yer chance..." 'Damn... I need this ta work... Think like I was before... shaky... scared... guilt-ridden...' Heiji took a breath and made sure it shook as it came out. "P-please."
"No, Hattori-san, I never wanted you. I want to use you, yes, but I never wanted you, yourself. I'm sure I didn't need to say that out loud." The man smiled, leaning in front of the boy a bit. "What I like, Hattori-san, is to see you fail. I enjoy that. It makes for much better entertainment than if I were to have taken you instead of the child. And I have noticed what makes you feel like you've failed the most... is this child's pain." Christian slipped the knife into his pocket. The boy was turned away from him but it was easy to face him back, pushing hard against the wound and feeling the blood stain his fingers through the cloth, all the while watching his teenage witness. Of course the child screamed... it had taken time, but the boy's threshold for pain was nearly non-existent now.
'OK... reverse tactic... fast.' "But I ain't failed... I know that... he reminded me of that. Yer the one 'urtin' 'im... not me." Heiji brought his head back up and looked straight at the man, eyes hard and fixed firmly on his. "Keep diggin' that hole... I look forward ta... seein' it... when ya can't get out..."
Christian grinned. "Yes, I'm the one doing it. And you're the helpless one not ten feet from me who can't stop your own friend, and a child at that, from getting injured. Tell me that's not failing." He let go of the child's face and went to the boy's arm, twisting it hard the wrong direction until he screamed again, shaking. "I am doing what I want, and I am not failing. You are the one who should be protecting him, and no matter how you twist it around to make yourself feel better, you are the one failing him."
"No..." Conan managed to get out, panting after the sudden pain. "He-... you're not." He managed to look at Hattori for a moment before biting back when the man twisted again.
"So you say." Christian turned to Hattori. "You're a smart kid. Try and defy my logic. Tell me... how then, if you are not failing him by watching him get hurt, are you succeeding in helping him by standing there and ignoring his pain?"
"Ain't ignoring it... Keepin' it in mind... fer when I git in ther'." Heiji glanced up at the clock overhead. "So... wha' happens when that finally hits zero." 'Damn... that's killin' me... but I CAN'T let it show... I gotta get 'im ta wan' me in ther'... soon.'
"I told you. Either when that stops or if you walk out that door I will kill the child. Until then... maybe I can make a deal with you- for his life of course. Because- either way- you're either going to leave or that clock is going to stop."
"An' I already told ya... I ain' leavin'..." Heiji let his eyes drift to Kudo before looking back at the man holding him. "What kinda deal?"
"Oh," the man looked up at the same timer on his side of the room, still about sixteen minutes left. "You won't have to worry about it for a while. We still have plenty of time and I've been really looking forward to showing you some of the things you've only been able to hear. Whether you're ignoring it like I think you are or you're blocking it out, I'm sure the child will be hurt not only by me but by you standing there as if nothing were happening." His stuff was in the corner but he had an idea. He stood, holding the boy up under his legs along with the hold on the child's shirt. And then he left him fall from about shoulder height to the ground, unable to brace himself. The child didn't scream for fear of falling but he did whine and curl up on himself after he hit the ground and that was good enough until he got some of him more interesting toys out of the corner.
As soon as the man's attention was diverted and he headed to the side of the room, Heiji reached into his pocket. 'DAMN HIM... LIKE I'M REALLY JUST GONNA WAIT HERE. NOT! A! CHANCE! Glad I checked Kuroba's pockets... I just hope this works like it's suppose ta.' Heiji slid the cutter between the window and the frame, working away at the area at the lower corner for a moment and keeping an eye on the man, stashing it back in his pocket when Kudo caught his attention.
Glass cutter... nice option if this doesn't work out. Conan watched Hattori back off, sure he had the other's attention. He let his eyes grow as serious as they could in the half-fog that was still obscuring his vision. He nodded sharply; you better play along with me Hattori. Turning to the man, Conan looked up at him at an angle and started to cry. "Stop... please..." He let that cloudiness soak into his words and his expression until he all but seemed to be falling asleep. His tears were silent, not wanting to act too out of character- but he was a child. He let his head fall to the floor, strewing his hair about as he moved drunkenly, his hands in motion behind his back.
'Damn... If I didn' know from that look that he's fakin'... but I have ta make it real too.' Heiji placed his left palm flat on the glass and swallowed. He had to balance a stoic, not-his-fault attitude with the reaction of seeing a child crying in pain. 'Here's hopin' he buys it... good luck, Kudo.'
Christian turned back at the noise. He didn't like leaving the child unattended. When he noticed his hostage was almost unconscious again he sighed and walked back over, dragging the boy to his feet by the hair as he sat down again. "Very well then, it seems that neither of you are up for very much more." He smiled at the teenager across from him with his head down. "Our deal then, since we have a little under fifteen minutes. It's very simple." The man took out the larger knife that he had set on the table and had brought back over with him. "You're life or his. Do you care more about yourself, or your friend? I'll even be kind enough to provide you with the necessary equipment. As you may be aware, this window has bullet-proof glass, so don't go trying to kill me. Over in the far inside corner you will find a drawer. The only drawer. There is a gun inside. All you need to do..." Christian grinned as he helped the knife closer to the boy's throat. "Is pull the trigger. I'm not asking for you to suffer."
Conan tried to shift before the man had grabbed him. He hadn't acted quickly enough and he bared his teeth against the self-inflicted pain. There was probably blood running down his back now, but it hadn't been that deep. The man had allowed him to stand, alleviating some of it. Conan only wished Hattori knew that it was just him being an idiot. He'd only get one shot, if Hattori could pull off anything with the cutter, this would make it easier. If not... he'd have to hope that luck was on his side because he was going to start gambling. Then there was a knife at his throat and the man's words nearly made his heart stop. What?
Heiji's head snapped up. He glanced over at the corner and back at the man with the knife to Kudo's throat before walking over and running his hand along the wall at chest height. "How can I be sure... that ya'll keep ya word... an' let 'im go? He needs medical 'tention... fast... an' without me... whose gonna take 'im?" Heiji continued touching along the wall while he waited for the answer.
"I can only give you my word, but I do believe I've proven it to be only good. I am fully aware of the crimes I've been committing and, as long as I see that you do as I've asked, I'll surrender to them. I believe the police can get the boy to the hospital the fastest. I can give you no better than that. The drawer, Hattori-san, is near the far corner. You are looking too high." Christian relaxed. This wasn't the scenario he wanted, but he could accept it.
Heiji moved to corner and knelt, still taking his time and running his fingers slowly lower. 'Come on Kudo... I don' wanna trust him... but... if it does come down to it... 'Kudo' may be my friend and equal... but 'Conan-kun'... my otouto.' Heiji felt an area move slightly and swallowed... knowing he'd found it.
Conan didn't have the time he needed. Hattori was so distracting that... well- he'd gotten halfway through with his plan. Now he was up, somewhat on his feet again and in no position to do what he needed. It was still a one-shot deal but better than... than that. Conan struggled against the man's grip. Any pain now was almost meaningless. He hadn't broken. Now he and Hattori both had their chances and this bastard wasn't going to push either of them. "Let go!" Conan whined, forcing his hair back painfully but enough that the man wouldn't be able to hold onto him for long.
The child was proving difficult and he wanted to deal with Hattori. There was no more room in his plans for the boy and whether he lived or not was of no interest to him. The child had been quiet enough on the floor earlier so he let the boy go, pushing a bit harder than he had to, to make the child fall, then stepping on the boy's leg. "Play time is over. I'm trying to have a conversation or do you want to start up the game we had been playing before?" The child shook his head, letting out little whimpers as he tried to draw his feet away. He let the boy go, focusing on Hattori now that he had found the gun. "So, as a detective, I have been driven to want to know whose life you find more important- if you do find life important at all anymore. I am starting to doubt that you do. Unless it's someone close to you... I find it extremely unlikely you would have gone to any such extremes for a stranger. Hattori-san, I really must tell you something. You spent all of a few hours looking for me when I left no hints to my location- and yet you've succeeded. Why then, could you not figure out something as simple as my brother's own plan before it was too late? I might have given you the wrong impression. I am not here because you helped arrest him, he deserved it." Christian's eyes hardened on the teenager, letting him feel the anger that he'd kept locked away through all his planning. "I'm here because you didn't stop him before it happened."
"Yer brother..." 'Do I admit knowin' who he's talkin' about or let 'im talk... At least he put Kudo down...' "Unfortunately... many guys that get caught... ar' caught after the fact. They plan an' carry out their murders so that others don' know 'bout it 'til after. I have tried ta stop them... took a bullet ta the gut once ta keep a murderer from killin' hi..." Heiji stopped and shook his head. He wasn't intending on letting Kudo know about that. "Anyway... if I coulda stopped a murder 'fore it took place, I woulda."
"Hattori-san, do not play games with me anymore. You are standing before me right now because you know exactly who I am and, I can only guess through some chance of fate, where I decided to lay low. I also know that you are more intelligent than most give you credit for. I have no doubt that you remember my brother perfectly. I didn't give it a second's thought or care about letting him do as he would, whether it be rot in jail or go gallivanting across the country. No, but I did learn you were there long before he killed anyone, and that you were there specifically on the case. But you came with this boy and that female companion, who I have no doubt that they took away some of your concentration. With all you've done to find me... admit to me then you did you're best and looked into every possibility before my brother took fate into his own hands?"
"He left with her and another shortly after we arrived... We had only ate prior... as it was… he had been there... some days before us... an' had planned it all out. There was no way... fer us ta have known that his leavin' ta go... pay 'is respects... would be a way ta commit murder. He wasn' there... an' both people that left wi' 'im vouched that he was wi' 'em the entire time. Now... kin ya tell me that ya'd figure it out over a meal that when a guy leaves ta visit a gravesite, ya'd stop 'im an' accuse 'im of plannin' a murder?"
"Planning a murder is a far softer crime. You knew you were looking for anything suspicious, and I find it hard to believe that you didn't even look around. Everything could have been avoided if you tried as hard as you have now to get this child back. You can lie to me and tell me you don't think there was, but I don't think you'll be able to lie to yourself about it forever when you know I'm right. Just a little look around- that was it... too challenging a job when one of your friends isn't involved though. You see, I'm a lawyer. I've looked into this case for a long time now and I know the truth just as well as you do. Now, taking those pervious words to heart, you said you would do anything to stop a murder. You have the gun and about seven minutes left- I was even nice enough to make the victim your friend so that this would be easier. Hattori-san, show me that you're willing to die to stop a murder happening before your eyes."
Yes. Conan finished with the last of it. Now to think. The door... The man was confident, meaning that it was going to be hard or impossible to open. The other door was the only option then... and if he couldn't get far enough in time Hattori had the glass cutter and could break in. He just needed one more thing... a distraction.
Heiji looked down at the gun in his left hand, not wanting to give the man anymore reason to hurt Kudo. "We never had the chance ta look around... and yer brother had met us on the road sayin' he had just shown up... The others were surprised at 'is appearance there... so it pretty much told us they hadn't seen 'im." Heiji shook his head. "If ya pass a man on a street and he smells like a gas station but isn't carrying anythin' or appear wet... would you stop him and accuse 'im of arson... or, as bad as it sounds, do ya walk on by only ta find he later burned down a buildin'... killin' someone in the process?" Heiji looks back up at the man.
"And what if the person he killed was a friend of yours," Christian said quietly, fingers intertwined as he leaned forward and watched the teenager- the source of all his hate. "Don't tell me you wouldn't feel differently."
"Either way I'd feel badly... I'd offer a prayer fer the one lost... but I would recognize that there was no way I could've known ahead of time ta prevent it. If it was a friend... yes my grief would be worse... but I still would not hold guilt... I would simply make sure the man was caught." Heiji tightened the hold on the butt of the gun but refrained from placing his finger on the trigger just yet. "What 'bout you? Would ya take the blame... or leave it on the criminal that committed the crime itself?"
"If I had failed to notice an obvious hint in my line of work?" Christian shook his head. "I would gladly take the blame for it. There are oversights that are acceptable... and there are ones that cost too much. You know, Hattori-san," Christian smiled, not at all as vindictively as before. "If the circumstances were different... I might actually like you. You're a bit naive, but I like your outlook. Maybe I've just seen too many people get away with things they shouldn't. You just happened to be that one last straw."
'Come on Kudo... Ya gotta do somethin'... Wha' ar' ya waitin'... fer? Fine... if ya need wha' I think ya do...' Heiji shook his head and looked down at Kudo. "Could I... at least...say a few words ta 'im... privately... just... There's some'in'... I gotta say... an' I haven' yet..."
Christian looked up at the clock, 'five minutes or less now', then at the child and picked him up by the shirt again, watching the child's hand's come free. "Well now, aren't we a tricky one." The boy struggled a bit before he had him in his arms, his larger knife against the boy's throat. "I have a question for you, Hattori-san. Please answer it. You two are my only targets. I'm not aiming for anyone else and I would like to know... you did find me rather fast. Do you have any friends in the area? I can only give you my word that I will do my utmost from harming them. I'm simply curious." His eyes were half closed and he was finding little amusement in this and, for some strange reason, he wanted to know the answer. He'd already planned on turning himself into the police if that's how it was to be.
"I did have some help... I admit that... As ta if he is awake or not..." Heiji shrugged. "He wouldn'ta let me come alone. That doesn't matter... can I tell 'im... wha' I need ta... before I..." Heiji lifted the gun up again.
"You'll die anyway," Christian sighed. "I believe, Hattori-san, that I have sorely misjudged you. You are far different from the opponent I expected." He pulled the knife away from the child. It was the only way he could have been sure of an answer. "Had I watched you on more than just a regular basis, or had I taken the time to talk to you... It seems we all have our regrets. What you wish to say to the child, you may. You can put the gun down if you would like. I do not intend to do either of you further harm."
Heiji's hand dropped to his side and he slide down to place it on the floor. "Ya kin hear me... right... damn... course ya can... I just-... I first met ya... ya were just a kid that got in my way... then... we... ya know... started becomin'... friends... but... oh hell... with everythin' we've been through... ya know... if I... if I still had ta... I woulda..." Heiji felt tears again but looked up to meet Kudo's eye, ignoring the man holding him. "I've come ta see ya as... less of just a friend... or even a close friend... I... Conan-kun... I see ya as... as my otouto... an' no matter what... I will always be there fer ya... in everything... ya understand."
Conan had been so angry. He'd almost gotten away... then- what had he missed? He ignored all the confusion and focused solely on Hattori... and his words. He didn't need them- he'd realized when the phone calls started how much Hattori was willing to go through for him... and it made him sad beyond belief... but not a bad kind of sad. "Told you before," he felt a tear run down his face, whether it be from the words or from the situation. "Works both ways."
Christian cleared his throat. "I- do not mean to ruin your little moment but I think I failed to tell you the extent of what that clock up there does. There is enough explosives in this building to clear a hundred meters- easily. I truly cannot open the door but if I have your word that you will remain here while I let the child safely out, I will do so. I am not asking for you to stay and die, just for you to wait upon my return before running off... time is short and that help you mentioned- if they are near enough- will be in danger as well."
Heiji had been about ta smile when he heard that and his gaze shot to the man. "What the...I AIN' ABOUT TA WAIT FER YA TA COME BACK...YA'D DIE...WE ALL LEAVE AT ONCE! NONE OF US HAVE TA DIE!"
"No, Hattori-san, though I do believe you would wish that. The oversight here was my own and the child cannot get out of the other exit without my assistance. Tick tock, my friend."
"Why can't ya get out too...an' stay out?"
"Because there is living, and there is living with yourself." Christian looked from the teen to the small child in his arms, as if waking from a bad dream. "I can do neither."
"Any life is better than none. I'll find a way ta drag ya out myself if I hafta. Don't leave either of us with that... He already had one person kill himself in front of him... don't be another... don't put that on him." 'Gomen fer bringing that up, Kudo.'
Christian turned, a smile on his face. "How do you not want to see me dead? No, of course not. That would be the easy way, am I right? Forgive me, Hattori-san, but time is short. You do what you must but I will not be leaving here." He looked at the small child in his arms. "Though I wish you would let me allow him to."
"Get him out...now..."
"And you will stay? Hattori-san, I've seen you break your word before. If you do not stay here, I will not be able to tell you where the other exit is and in his condition the boy will not be able to get away on his own. Know that." The child didn't fight him as he turned to leave the room, shutting the door behind him. Hattori would be stuck in that room in any case until the child was free. It didn't take him long, and he sprinted as much as he could through the clutter of boxes and desks that housed his last resort. Kidnapping and assault on a minor, most likely two counts of that last one. With the severity, he'd be in jail for years. But that wasn't the issue. There were tears running down his face. He'd... he'd wanted-... he didn't want this. If only he and his brother weren't so foolish.
Heiji turned his sight up to the counter... or... countdown... and backed to the door. He could leave now...but he needed two things... Kudo's location... and another attempt at getting the guy to come with him. He pulled out the cutter and set to work on the glass. As soon as he had some space he pulled out Kudo's suspenders and hooked one end to the far side of the glass and the other to the doorknob that connected the two rooms. One would have to give... and soon.
Conan waited until they came to a trap door after going down a flight of stairs and up a ladder. The man pushed opened what looked kind of like a sewer cover, though embedded too far into the ground to be lifted from the outside. Specks of dirt flew into his hair as it was shoved aside. He tired his hardest to hold onto the man's shirt as he was pushed away, wincing.
"Child," Christian sighted, slipping off his shirt to get out of the hold. He had a t-shirt underneath. "Keep it. It's cold out." Then he was gone, sprinting back and hoping- no, knowing the child had enough sense to come back and open the other door. When he entered his little sanctuary, he was panting, looking up to see the peculiar things that Hattori seemed to be doing in the other room.
Heiji turned and ducked as the dividing glass finally cracked and shattered. "YES!" 'Hakase's stuff is pretty handy.' Seeing the man return he nodded. "Told ya... I did wait. Anythin' I didn't do was because I was prevented from doin' so... not ta say I didn't try ta. But I ain't gonna land 'im with the guilt of another suicide because he couldn't prevent it... I will."
Christian backed up, a few of the things laying around usable as weapon, though he prevented himself from doing so. "Hattori-san, there's a minute or so left and the child isn't the only one in danger. I wouldn't be worrying about me."
"Ya ain't got a choice..." Heiji fingered the belt. He had had to get creative... but had managed to loop it over his own and tie it off where it didn't reach. He just had to hope that the water hadn't ruined it. He pushed the button and hoped that he could get a lucky shot. "He's better than I am...but…" Heiji kicked the newly formed soccer ball and let it sail, following it toward the man as he was hit in the gut. However much he wanted to pummel the guy for what he'd done to Kudo, letting him die was not going to be something he would allow. He grabbed him and yanked him toward the window, pulling him through and reaching for the door knob. "Let's get outta here and ya can tell me where ya dropped Ku...Conan-kun."
"Fine. Fine. Fine. Fine." Christian raised his hands at the sound, blocking his face. He'd expected Hattori to strike him. He wasn't sure what the teenager was intending... but... he had a debt owed to him. One he could repay. Hattori really was an intelligent child, but there was something else about him, maybe a drive, that reminded Christian of what his brother used to be like. And he had put the child through so much, both of the children. And Hattori... had done something he never thought would be possible. He hadn't stopped his brother from committing murder... but somehow he'd kept him from making the identical mistake.
Ow, his feet hurt. Conan threw the clean black shirt over himself, shivering. Standing was painful but he didn't know where he was and the first thing to do was to get back to Hattori. It was dark out, sometime after twilight if he was judging the light right... how long... Conan shook his head, taking a few steps. The ground was soft under his bare feet but it was his body itself that was hurting. He got to the front door, reaching up and wincing, drawing back towards himself.
Kaito looked down at the boy after coming from around the house, laughing and pointing at him. "Look who... we got here?" Tantei-kun fell over backwards on the one step, staring up at him as if he'd seen a ghost. Kaito grinned back, looking at the door. "So... what happened?"
"Good." Heiji said, taking the knob and turning... only for it not to turn. "What the... It's locked anyway... so ya did mean fer us both ta die... At least he's safe... right?"
"No, Hattori-san. That was not my intention. The child should be able to open the door, it's not far." Christian looked back as the minutes were now seconds. "I told you I didn't intend you further harm and I have now agreed to go with you. When he lets us out, grab the child. I will not be far behind. The best bet is to go for the water. We cannot run far enough to escape the explosion."
"Ya expect him ta be able ta... in his condition... I honestly don't think he can even reach these. He's gotta stand on tiptoes as it is when he's fine... with those injuries... I hope he ran... but I know he didn'... damn..." Heiji looked at the door and hoped that Kudo could hear him. "THERE'S NO TIME... RUN FER IT BEFORE IT BLOWS!"
Takagi looked down at Kudo-kun then opened the door when he heard Hattori scream something, though it was hard to hear through the metal. "Hattori-"
As soon as the door cracked open Heiji shoved out. "KU-GOTCHA." He dropped to a crouch and drew Conan to him in a swift motion, pulling him against himself and making for the water at a full sprint. "GIT MOVIN'...TO THE WATER...BOMB!"
As soon as Hattori sprinted out, Christian was all for keeping his word... then he noticed the other two young people by the door and someone closer to his brother's age pushed aside and rubbing his face... all looking after Hattori. He didn't know if it was because the boy looked like his brother or not, but he grabbed the blond one's arm, pulling him towards the water. He had never intended to kill anyone... at least... not outright... The bombs... those were for him, always were. He regretted involving Hattori; these two young ones were no exception. If anything, it looked like he was taking off with the boy. That might be enough to get the other's to follow... though he didn't really wish to be attacked for that reason. "The place is going to explode!" He yelled back over his shoulder with more clarity than Hattori had giving them, though he hardly thought they'd be taking him at his word.
Saguru was shocked when a blond male grabbed him and took off, dragging him along. Hearing the man's words he tried to glance behind him but the man had a pretty good grip. "Ku...Kuroba! Takagi-keiji!"
The minute Kaito saw the man run out of the building after Hattori, Kaito had backed up. Then he'd grabbed Hakuba and to hell if he was letting that happen. Kaito took off after them, catching the words on the wind. When Hattori had first shouted 'bomb'... he'd thought he'd been joking or something. Kaito looked back at the house, turning forward and quickly forgetting about it as he struggled to maintain Hakuba's pace. "Here," Kaito winked, not caring at all about his own pains right now. Fighting with the man would slow them down and if they were serious...
Takagi looked back at the others as they all ran off. That was twice now and the right side of his face was in pain. But they were all running... and there was a bomb... and whatever had happened, it could probably wait until he got the heck out of there, so he pushed off as fast as he could, hoping to gain some ground.
Heiji hit the water's edge and kept going, curling his arms around Kudo and pressing the left side of his head to him, knowing it would hurt but knowing he had to try and keep the water out it as he leaned forward and tried to get far enough to submerge them both in time with the explosion, not wanting to keep Kudo under longer, especially with all the open wounds.
Conan didn't even have time to catch his breath before Hattori pushed them into the water- that didn't mean he couldn't hold what he had but... it had hurt and the cold water felt like falling into glass shards. He clenched his teeth, trying to hold the oxygen in.
Christian watched Hattori submerge himself, nodding. That was exactly what they should do. He pulled the younger boy along with him, pushing him ahead of him once the water got deeper to try and-... Why was he trying to protect him? It didn't matter. "Get under!" Christian pulled on the boy's arm, going under himself, knowing that the seconds were in the single digits right now.
Saguru barely got a full breath as the man pulled him under the water. Not having quite been ready, some of the air had been expelled upon impact but he managed to maintain some and hoped the others were safe. He noted the grip the man had on his arm had not lessened and he was unable to use that arm at all to aid himself in anyway.
Kaito watched Hakuba vanish into the deeper water and cringed, holding onto his arm. 'If Tantei-kun can do it, so can I.' Kaito took a breath, trying to aim towards Hakuba, and grabbed onto his shirt in the dark water, ignoring the beyond stinging pain of the water contact on his arm.
Takagi watched everyone vanish under the water, feeling dread come upon him. Sato would bring him back from the grave and kill him again if he died in an explosion... Even though it was shallow, he got himself into the water. The shockwave from the explosion hit like a wave, shaking the very water underneath the surface. Takagi close his eyes when it happened, not really sure of anything but the loud rush of power and noise.
Heiji curled closer, doing what he could to shield Kudo when the shockwave hit. He hadn't been as far under as he would have liked with Kudo under him and didn't want to risk him hitting anything on the seabed. Instead, he felt himself be shifted on his right and shoved down. The pain that had been all but forgotten sprung back and he couldn't keep himself from crying out...releasing the air he'd had while still underwater. He opened his eyes briefly to look down at Kudo before the pain and now lack of air caused him to start blacking out. 'He's safe... that's wha'... I ... pro... mis...'
Christian took in a breath of air as he came back to the surface, hauling the other boy afloat with him. He watched as a second boy he hadn't seen started sputtering and clinging to the blond as if blind. "Are you both all right?"
"Ku...Kuroba..." Saguru reached out a hand to steady the other teen. "Are you alright? Can you breathe properly?"
Kaito shook his head. "Ow... ow... just don't... move... it's not... the air." Kaito used his good arm to hang around Hakuba's neck, trying to breath and keep his arm out of the water and still. Even with all the excitement... he'd lost too much blood and there was only so much pain he could put up with...
Saguru wanted to shake his head but didn't want to dislodge the teen. "You should have kept that bag on your arm. Oh well. Just breathe. I gotcha...don't even..."
"I'm not... going any... where," Kaito said groggily, resting on Hakuba's shoulder. "Sorry... I'm... probably... hurting your... back."
"It is fine...I told you...do not concern yourself with it. Let's get you back to shore." Saguru was unsure about proceeding with the other man still clinging to one of his arms.
Christian nodded, letting the two boys take care of one another. He had... he had to make sure the child was alright. He'd-... he hadn't been gentle. Hattori was nothing like what he had pictured at all. Christian looked around, just seeing something floating on the surface. He swam over to it, sure Hattori had gone in that direction, only to find the child half turned in the water and struggling to breath. He looked around but couldn't find the child's caretaker. Holding the boy as best he could out of the water, the child too out of it to notice much, he went back over to the blond boy before he got too far. "Do you think you can hold him for a few moments?"
Saguru was shocked at the first real look he had received of Conan-kun... Kudo-kun. Kuroba had been hovering near him at first and then Hattori-kun and come out the door and grabbed him. He looked worse than any of them, Kuroba included. "Kuroba... can you hold on to me on your own?" Saguru reached one hand out but really wanted both to be able to support the child that was being offered to him.
"Idiot..." Kaito moved around, making Hakuba let him go and holding onto his shoulder with his one good arm to try and keep as out of the water as he could. He could hold on just fine but he'd be like a lead weight in the water. "Sorry... maybe you... should get... him... first. I can... wait."
Saguru cautiously took the child, who should actually be his age, in his arms and carefully held him close before touching the hand on his shoulder with his chin. "You hold on and just stay with me... If you stop, I will." Saguru set off at a slow pace, unable to look behind him now, for fear of Kuroba losing his grip and tumbling into the water.
After the blond accepted the child, Christian swam back over to where he'd spotted him, diving under and looking for Hattori. Something must have gone wrong... After a few moments of fruitless searching he found him, dragging the boy back to the surface of the water. The boy didn't seem to be conscious... and on further inspection... he didn't seem to be breathing. Christian swam as well as he could while he held him, making for the shore. They had drifted a ways off and he had to carry the boy like a child when the rocks got in the way. Dragging him up on the sandier part of the beach, he started giving him CPR. While he'd never had to use it before, his ex-girlfriend had made him get a license before they'd gone on vacation.