Chapter 28

Shinichi opened her eyes. She squinted at the clock on the bed side table.

6:45am

Pandora had retreated back into its jewel. Shinichi could hear it mumbling to itself in its sleep. It stirred for a moment, and then settled back down.

Shinichi stared glumly at the ceiling.

Maybe, she thought reluctantly, I overestimated KID. Maybe it was stupid of me to think he would easily be able to solve the mystery of Christie with so little information.
I've let the game go on for too long. I've actually won now, so what's the point of it?
I know why I did it. It's because I wanted someone I could trust with my secret. I wanted someone with the power to find it out themselves, in order to prove themselves worthy of knowing it. If he could find it out himself, he would be a suitable person to share it with. And if he couldn't, then there would be no point in him knowing it.
But there really isn't any point in him knowing it now. He might not even
want to know it, once he learns of the danger that lies within it. There really is no point to it anymore.

I'm an idiot.

Shinichi felt tears pool in her eyes, and she reached up to wipe at them as they spilled down her cheeks. The movement dislodged something on top of her head and it slipped over one eye. She picked it up and looked at it in the faint light of dawn.

A crown. A crown made of white roses, their stems threaded together to form a soft, fragrant circlet. Sometime during the night, KID had made a crown of pure white flowers and placed it on her head.

Shinichi gave it a watery smile.


Takamoto watched Nakamori lose his temper for the fifth time that day. He slammed his fists down onto his table repeatedly while roaring at the taskforce to GET THEIR HEADS IN THE GAME AND CATCH THAT DAMN THIEF!

The reason? Another heist note had just been found on his desk, with no one having any clue about how it had found its way there. It contained a riddle, and a mocking message specifically to Nakamori.

Takamoto absently ducked under an ugly vase that Nakamori's energetically flailing arms had sent his way and frowned over the message. KID had wound Nakamori up to the point of no return, and now Nakamori had decided to include Shinichi in the heist. Apparently, she was healing at a much faster rate than expected, and Nakamori took that as a clear sign that she was ready to help them again.

Takamoto was concerned about Shinichi. They had become really close friends, and she hadn't seemed to mind that he and Ran had started going out, despite their previous 'romance' as Sonoko had so charmingly put it. Getting shot had to be traumatic, yet she didn't display any signs of trauma. But she refused to leave the house once getting discharged from the hospital. Granted, the reporters that would undoubtedly dog her every move lest she leave the house would put a bit of a damper on things, but surely it wasn't healthy to stay cooped up for so long?

He and Ran had visited her a few days prior. Shinichi had welcomed them warmly, but spent some time anxiously scanning the street during their visit, in intervals where she felt they would not be looking. On their second visit, Shinichi had left the room for a brief phone conversation from someone she called 'Jodie-sensei', and came back smiling. After that, she no longer watched the streets from her window.

Takamoto found the noise level in the office was getting too high, and left before anyone could launch anymore makeshift missiles at him. What was KID planning? Following advice Shinichi had given him some time before, he tried to think like KID, but to no avail. He wasn't KID, and found it near-impossible to approach his state of mind.

"You okay? You look a little... upset." A member of the taskforce Takamoto couldn't remember seeing before had sauntered over and was leaning against the wall next to him. Violet eyes gazed out from underneath a cap he wore over unruly dark hair.

"I'm okay", Takamoto sighed, rubbing his eyes again.

"What's up?", the stranger said sympathetically. "Is it about KID?"

"Well", Takamoto began. "I was encouraged by Shin- I mean, Angel, to think like KID to predict his next movements. I was trying to use that advice to get inside his head."

"Oh? And how is that working out for you?"

"Not very well, I'm afraid", Takamoto admitted. "I think I'd better leave this stuff to Sh- Angel. I'm not any good at it. I've only succeeded in depressing myself."

"You think Angel's good at thinking like KID, then?"

"That girl", Takamoto said admiringly, "Could think her way through a corkscrew without having to bend. I don't know how she does it." Actually, Takamoto had his suspicions. He had glimpsed, every now and then, Shinichi wearing a wicked smile that belonged on her face more than her usual smiles did. Takamoto suspected that the reason the detective was so good at thinking like KID was because there was a tiny, hidden part of her that was a little like KID.

"So... why were you trying to get into KID's head?"

"I was just wondering why he sent a note that would inevitably drag an injured seventeen-year-old out of her house. I last saw her a few days ago- she can't go anywhere without her pain medication, and can barely walk because of the side effects. And some stupid thief, whose life she saved, has now wound Nakamori up to the point of dragging an injured girl into another crazy heist."

"I'm... pretty sure she can walk", the stranger said after a moment. There was a slightly worried tone in his voice, which Takamoto was too absorbed to notice.

Takamoto gave a mirthless laugh. "You obviously haven't seen her have you? Actually, most of the taskforce went to visit her in hospital- Nakamori himself actually took time off to see her. We all saw how she was- I'm not the only one angry at KID right now. Didn't you see her?"

"I'm new to the force, so I didn't get to go", the stranger said hastily. "Anyway, what was that you were saying about Angel's walking?"

"Right, yeah. She got given new pain meds because the old ones weren't suitable for her wounds at that stage. The new ones make her drowsy, and they make her feel ill. She said the whole time she's on them, which is most of the time, she feels like the walls and floor are pitching like waves. She can't stand up in case she falls over. I haven't the slightest clue how she's gonna survive the night."

The stranger now looked distinctly worried, a fact that Takamoto was continuing to miss. Then, his face cleared. "You're forgetting about KID's rule: no one gets hurt. I'm sure KID won't let anything happen to her- and he'll definitely be extra vigilant after her getting shot. Plus, a world-famous thief wouldn't be stupid enough to make Angel run around after him during a heist. There's no need to worry- besides I doubt anything will happen at the heist. There's been no indication of danger, and that Snake person is gone."

Takamoto's expression didn't change. "I know. But there's no guarantee that nothing will happen. It's impossible to predict the future."


A phone rang. Shinichi's eyes snapped open. She was on her back in her bed, lying like she was in a coffin. The reason for this was Pandora, who had, for reasons best known to itself, conjured up a body in the middle of the night, and now lay face-to-face with her, all limbs wrapped around her.

Shinichi fought to extract herself as the phone continued to ring. Pandora mumbled in its sleep and tightened its grip.

"Get off of me you stupid-", Shinichi grunted. She managed to get one arm free and pressed down on Pandora's head, trying to wake it up. Its snores turned to whistles as the direction of its windpipe was changed.

"What a lovely sight to see, meitantei-chan."

Shinichi looked up, craning her neck. KID was perched on her window sill, framed in the afternoon sun. Shinichi thought about how weird her jerking and bucking in the bed must seem to him, seeing as he couldn't see Pandora. Then, she realized that KID was holding Pandora's jewel in his bare hand.

"Give that back!", she demanded, reaching her free hand out as though she could reach him.

KID tipped his head to one side, then walked up to sit next to her and Pandora on the bed. "Why in bed so early, meitantei-chan?"

"The painkillers make me tired. Will you please give that back now?"

"Aaw, my favorite detective reduced to begging. But no. I'm kind of enjoying the view right now."

The phone continued to ring. KID picked it up and listened to the voice at the other end. "It's for you", he said. He held the phone to her ear.

"Hello?", Shinichi said, still trying to push Pandora off her with her free hand.

"Shinichi-chan? It's Takamoto. KID's sent another heist note. Nakamori wants you to attend. I'm sorry about this, but Nakamori is hell-bent on catching him."

Shinichi glared at KID, who gave her one of his insane smiles.

"I... I guess I'll be there."

"Could we send the heist note over to you?"

"Send it by email."

"Sure."

"And send someone to pick me up. I don't think I can make the journey by myself."

"Of course. See you, Shinichi-chan. Ran says hi."

How sweet. Shinichi smiled. "Tell her I said hi back."

"Is it really so bad you can't make the journey?", KID asked, placing the phone back onto the bed side table.

"It's the meds", Shinichi said wretchedly. "If it weren't for the side-effects, I'd be okay with making the journey alone. Get off of me!" This last remark was directed at the comatose Pandora.

KID grinned, and Shinichi's expression became wary.

"What? What is it? What are you planning?"

"Calm down, meitaintei-chan!", KID laughed.

"Don't tell me to calm down! You have that look you get before you throw a glitter bomb at someone!"

"I'm not going to throw a glitter bomb at you."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking something." Just thinking how cute you looked all trussed up in a ghostly copy of yourself, not that I'm ever going to say that to you.

But why not? He was KID, after all.

"It's just that you look so cute like that."

"Cu-"

"Adorable, in fact."

Shinichi's cheeks went pink. "Very funny. Hilarious."

"I'm not kidding, if you'll excuse the pun."

Pandora opened its eyes. Who are you talking to- oh. It sat up and looked at KID. I could always trip him up, Shinichi, it said enthusiastically. Or I could go downstairs and get those new gadgets the Agase got us. Shinichi? Are you still asleep? Shinichi? Do you want me to do anything? I could get those handcuffs.

"Handcuffs?!", KID blurted. Shinichi placed a hand over her face.

Whoa. That was weird. Shinichi, is he psychic? Shinichi? Why are you both- It stopped as it saw its jewel in KID's hand.

"KID can see you", Shinichi said, sitting up.

KI-KI-KI-KI-

"KI?"

KID'S HOLDING ME!, Pandora squealed.

KID shot Shinichi a slightly alarmed look. Shinichi gave him a grin that had echoes of his usual insane smile.

Can I hug you?, Pandora asked him breathlessly.

"Regrettably, dear lady, I'm afraid I must depart for now", he said hastily. He got to his feet and tossed Shinichi the stone. Pandora vanished from his sight the moment it left his fingers. "I'll see you at the heist?", he asked Shinichi.

She put on the necklace, for some reason unable to look him in the eyes. "I suppose so."

KID smiled and departed.


Shinichi sat hunched over on the seat, her breathing shallow. She was at KID's heist. Before she left the house, she had taken a few painkillers, and the side-effects were already beginning to effect her. The floor moved like a granite-coloured sea, and the walls were beginning to bend towards her. Shinichi squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. There. All back to normal. For now.

Someone knocked on the door of the cubicle. "Shi- Angel?" It was Takamoto, sounding mortified at having to come into the woman's toilets.

"I'll be out in a minute", Shinichi called. "Go wait for me at the display case."

She heard Takamoto leave, and concentrated on steadying herself. It would be okay. She would be okay.


KID saw Shinichi enter the hall just before he started his heist. She was swaying slightly as she walked, and her breathing was quick and shallow. Her face was hidden beneath her hood to protect herself from the crowds and the numerous camera crews that were also in the room.

KID bit his lip as Shinichi leaned against the far wall at the back of the crowd instead of mingling with the members of the public like she usually did. Poor Shinichi.

Stupid Nakamori-keibu. KID would deal with him soon.

KID made his appearance.


Shinichi looked up as KID appeared in a cloud of white smoke several meters above the display case. The display case itself shattered, exploding outwards, the jewel disappearing in a cloud of smoke and somehow appearing again in KID's gloved palm. The shards of glass stopped as though freeze-framed and hung motionless in the air, catching the light. Then, they all collapsed to the ground, as though whatever invisible strings that had been holding them up had been cut.

Shinichi felt a wave of nausea roll over her and held still until it had passed. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.

"GET HIM!", Nakamori ordered, and the taskforce charged.

Shinichi shook her head. Stupid, so stupid. When had that plan ever worked? She looked up and made eye contact with KID. They shared a moment exasperation at the taskforce's idiocy before they reached him. He dropped from the sky into the crowd of them and was off, leaping, spinning, using their heads and spring boards to reach the edge of the taskforce crowd. The usual chaos ensued- smoke bombs, glitter, feathers, before KID reached the edge of the crowd and dove into the mass of civilians.

Shinichi sighed in relief. Looked like the heist was over without her actually having to do anything. She felt a presence at her shoulder, and turned to see a boy with violet eyes and unruly hair standing beside her.

"Hi", Kaito Kuroba said cheerfully.

Shinichi smiled. "Hello. I'd be saying what a surprise it is to see you here, but then I'd be lying."

"Would you", he said good-naturedly. "Would you really."

They looked at the taskforce scrum in silence for a few minutes.

"It's actually quite relaxing, seeing them like this", Shinichi said after a while. "They're always so loud and... vigorous. It's nice seeing them all shell-shocked and slumped on the floor."

"Especially Nakamori-keibu", Kaito agreed. He'd had a private word with him during the confusion, and now wondered if he'd maybe overdone it.

Kaito became aware that Shinichi was panting quietly, her hand over her stomach. He went to point it out, then stopped, knowing that she wouldn't appreciate attention being drawn to it.

Instead, he said, "Would you like to go get a takeaway or something?"

"That would be nice", Shinichi said gratefully.

They turned and left.


Here's another chapter for your enjoyment ^.^

I'm trying to think of a fluffy scene. Was this fluffy enough? It's too late at night for me to tell. I suspect the fluffyness was a figment of my imagination.

I'll start another chapter tomorrow.

Night night :)