Hey there, Yu-Gi-Oh fans, welcome to another chapter of 'Anime Shenanigans'. In the last chapter, David began to suspect that someone else may be after the Nakamura treasure. Who else could be after it and might this perhaps have something to do with that strange conversation that David overheard with that one Cloudcon member earlier? Hold on to your seats readers. Anime Shenanigans continues now.
Disclaimer: All canon Yu-Gi-Oh characters are declared to be the property of Kazuki Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for a while but will put them away when done. David cardigan and all original characters in this saga are strictly my property.
David and the others in the room were sitting when the convention head walked into the room. The man said, "Mr. Cardigan, I must admit I was surprised you called me. I…hope I'm not in any trouble or anything?"
After introductions were made David assured him. "Not you in particular, sir. We have reason to believe that someone on your convention staff may be involved with the attack that occurred yesterday."
The head of Cloudcon paled in horror. "One of the staff involved in the attack, how?"
David explained the incident with the phone call leaving out his use of magic. The man's face furrowed as he answered, "That sounds like Shindo."
"Shindo?" David asked.
The man explained, "Joe Shindo, he's one of my staff. He's been with us since we started this last year."
Captain Moyers asked, "Can you tell us more about him?"
The head of Cloudcon nodded. "Sure can, he and his cousin came up here from San Francisco five years ago. He's really savvy with technical equipment. He's kept our gear from going to pieces." Then a thought crossed the man's face. "Although, I think I heard him say this was going to be his last year. He mentioned something about he and his cousin suddenly coming into some money and they were planning to move on to do something else."
David raised an eyebrow, "Really? Did he ever mention his cousin and what he does?"
"Yes he did actually. His cousin as I understand it is an assistant to a Portland art museum curator."
David managed to school his face to remain calm. But mentally he practically yelped, The location of the Japanese art exhibit that's about to take place?
David asked, "Who is his cousin?"
The Cloudcon convention chairman thought for a long moment then brightened as he answered, "Ah, Shiro that's it, Yamitsu Shiro."
Captain Moyers nodded and said, "Thank you for your cooperation, sir. You've been a big help to us. We may need you again."
The man nodded. "Anything I can do to help."
The head of the convention left. David checked his program schedule. "Okay, we've got between now and 5 p.m. to make some head way on this case." He stated.
"What's happening at five, David?" captain Moyers asked.
"A VIP Dinner with the guests of honor, of which I'm one, is going on here at the convention. VIPs and folks who pay for tickets get the chance to have some one on one time. Since I am a Guest of Honor I have to be there. I'd hate to disappoint my fans. And you know me, when I make a promise I keep it."
Captain Moyers chuckled and said, "This whole dueling thing has turned you into a regular celebrity, David."
David chuckled sheepishly and replied, "I know, Captain Moyers. And this is a spot I never expected to be in, I guess it really is true life throws you all kinds of curve balls."
Tyrell snorted in laughter and said, "I know David, believe me, I know."
David said, "I think…we should go pay a visit to the Portland art museum."
The Portland art museum was bustling with activity that day. Attendees were running everywhere while people were looking at the various pictures on the walls. David, Captain Moyers, and Sergeant Anderson entered the lobby. An attendee noted them and walked up. The balding, mustached, pale-skinned American man with black hair and wearing a pair of bulky glasses said, "Good afternoon, officers…" He then looked at David and his eyes widened. "Oh my, David Cardigan, sorry, I'm a bit of a fantasy enthusiast and you're a favorite author of mine. What can I do for you gentleman today?"
David said, "We'd like to talk to whoever is in charge of the Japanese art exhibit here at the museum and if it's at all possible to view the exhibit." David looked around before he continued then whispered to the man. "We have reason to believe there might be an art exhibit that's related to a series of robberies, and to the long lost possessions of a formerly prominent noble family of ancient Japan."
The man's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, "Oh, my goodness! This sounds serious indeed, please come with me."
The man lead them into the main area and up a couple sets of stairs. On the third floor they came to a portion of the museum with doors that were locked and an advertisement for the upcoming Japanese art exhibit. The man pulled out some keys and opened the door. He slid open the door and led them in. Inside a number of people were taking great care in the handling of various pictures and even scrolls with Japanese kanji on them. A Japanese man who looked to be in his mid-fifties with a pencil thin mustache was barking out orders in Japanese at the workers pointing out where he wanted them to go. The attendee said, "Gentleman the man over there giving orders is Kiro Mizamuki."
The man spotted the officers and walked up and pointed to the attendee as he said in an angry tone, "Watson, why have you let these people into the exhibit when it's not finished yet?"
David stepped forward and said going into Japanese. "Begging your pardon Mizamuki-sama, we did not mean any disrespect by our intrusion. We're actually investigating a case that is connected with this. I am David Cardigan, and these are my associates Captain Darren Moyers, and Sergeant Tyrell Anderson."
The man's eyes widened in surprise, and pleasure. "That is very good Japanese that you speak Cardigan-sama. It's a pleasure to see someone who can speak the language of my homeland so well. Were you born there?"
David shook his head. "No, sir, I was not. But I was born in a place just as good, Domino City, California."
The man's smile grew broader. "A California city I have had the pleasure of visiting several times, one rich with Japanese culture. Please forgive my rudeness of earlier, with the opening of the Japanese exhibit so close I do forget my manners sometimes. Although my wife is unafraid to put me in my place when the need arises."
The two men laughed before the fiftyish man turned to the two offices and said, "As I was saying to Mr. Cardigan here, please forgive my rudeness. I am rather eager for this exhibit to be a success and occasionally forget my manners. What can I do for you today?"
Captain Moyers explained, "A few nights ago a young lady had her pendant stolen. From what we've been able to gather there have been a series of robberies around the West Coast. From what her father, Katsu Nakamura, has told us it has something to do, he thinks anyway, with a treasure his family has been looking for."
The middle-aged Japanese man's face brightened. "Wait a moment, did you say Nakamura? As in the Nakamura family that had their lands stolen by the Matsukumo family near the end of the Japanese civil war?"
David nodded. "Yeah, that's them. But how did you know?"
Eagerness glimmered in the man's eyes. "When one is looking for ancient pieces of Japanese culture, researching history is a must. And if there's Nakamura family members still alive then perhaps I still have a chance to fulfill my own dream."
He looked around. "But this is not the best place to discuss this. Perhaps, in my office would be better."
David nodded and said, "Lead the way."
The fifty-something Japanese looked at Watson and said, "You can go back to what you were doing Watson, I shall take over from here. Lock up when you leave, please."
The attendee nodded and answered, "Yes, sir."
David saw the man turn and walk away before he turned and followed the Japanese man down the corridors and hallways of the exhibit aea. And finally to a door with a sign that that read, 'Art exhibit head only'. Kiro Mizamuki led them into his office and sat them all down. Before he went over to a little instant coffeemaker and asked, "Would, any of you care for some tea?"
The three thanked him but said no. The man made his own tea and sat down with a tea cup in hand. He casually sipped it and said, "Now, as for why I brought you in here was because I could use your help Cardigan-sama. Based on the fact you're helping the police with the investigation you are a detective of some note. I need you to contact the Nakamuras for me. I need to talk to them. You see there's a certain book that I've been after which they might know the location of."
"And what is it?" David asked genuinely curious.
"It is a book. But not just any book, but a book published by Katsuhito Nakamura, the head of the Nakamura family at the time of the civil war."
David looked surprised at this. "This is quite surprising, Mizumuki-sama." David answered. "Katsu Nakamura told me his ancestor was quite conservative."
The Japanese man nodded and answered, "And this is true, this is very true. He was staunchly loyal to the old Emperor. Although at times he held many of the Royalists ideas in contempt. Katsuhito Nakamura was a rare and very fortunate man. He was blessed with the good fortune of being betrothed to and marrying a woman he was deeply in love with and who loved him as much. So, it was very shocking to the nobility that he chose to let his own children find their own happiness. Even more shocking that he encouraged literacy among his people and the arts."
David looked surprised, "How did you learn all this, sir? The historian I talked to never told me that."
Mizumuki sighed and shook his head sadly. "Historians only go for a broad outline of a man. I however in my visits to Japan met families that had members who knew Katsuhito Nakamura. He was quite the patron of the arts. And this is where I need your help. As well as being a well-trained Samurai warrior he was also well-versed in writing. He loved to write fiction and haiku. He even had a book published containing his short stories and traditional haiku. Some of those Haiku were even love letters to his wife. This is why I need your help, Mr. Cardigan. I believe through the Nakamuras I can find the lost work of Katsuhito Nakamura. If I could find a copy, the haiku and stories from that work would help enrich the culture of my people here in America and back home."
David nodded. "I can contact them and I'll see what can be done to help. In the meantime, can you tell me anything about a fellow named Yamitsu Shiro?"
The man grunted and nodded, "I do know of him. He's been fairly helpful in setting up this exhibit. He always stays extra late. I always figured it was to do some extra work." The man's face paled. "You don't think that he's been robbing from it? I've looked over everything and all the exhibits are still here and…"
David raised a hand and shook his head. "No sir, I don't think he means to steal any of the exhibits, but…I think he and his cousin may have an interest in one of the exhibits here. One which may be connected to the Nakamura treasure. Why this is so I don't know."
Mizumuki asked, "What did the Nakanmuras tell you about their lost treasure?"
David explained, "Well it was in the form of a riddle." He then laid out the riddle.
The head of the Japanese exhibit closed his eyes. His face contorted in deep thought. Then his eyes opened, "The rising sun, hmm, you know we have an exhibit by that name. And as I recall the artist who created it was a favorite of the Nakamura family until they were deposed."
David felt his own excitement building. "Could we see this exhibit? Please this is very important."
The man said, "Under normal circumstances I'd insist you wait to see it with everyone else but since this is a series of robberies we're talking about, I don't see what harm it could do."
The man got up. David and the others proceeding to do so also. Mizumuki lead them out of the office. However just as they reached the door David stopped them all. It was faint but he heard the sounds of footsteps moving away from the door. "What's wrong Cardigan-sama?" Mizumuki asked.
David listened for a long moment then answered, "Someone has overheard us!"
They opened the door and looked around. Mizumuki's face wrinkled in puzzlement, "I didn't hear anything."
Then captain Moyers said, "Whoa there just a minute folks."
The four exited the room. Captain Moyers, sergeant Anderson, and David made their way to a corner of the room a short distance from the office. The three bent over to examine the object the policemen had seen. David said, "It looks like a pen."
Tyrell put on some latex gloves and picked it up. "This is evidence someone was listening to us."
David nodded and pulled out a finger print kit from his coat. Thank you Captain Moyers for bringing along some detective gear, the writer thought. Dusting the door David mentally swore. "If someone was listening their fingerprints have been mixed with dozens of sets of fingerprints."
The two police men got to their feet. "Well, this pen is a sure sign someone was spying on us."
And I have a pretty good idea who, David thought sourly.
David said, "I apologize for that Mizumuki-sama. But we can't be too careful."
The puzzled head of the Japanese exhibit nodded and said, "Very well, follow me please."
The three were lead by the middle aged Japanese man through several rooms bustling with people. Finally they came to a large chamber in the exhibit that held a carving of a gigantic sun. What stood out was a bunch of small carvings with what looked like holes in them. Twelve were along the outer rim of the iris and a thirteenth was at the center of the carving. David asked, "So, this is the Rising Sun huh?"
The Japanese man nodded. "It was the last piece of art created by the artist. The strange thing is…it did not come out until well after the Nakamura's fall."
David thought about what Mizumuki had said. His mind raced as he put what he knew of the Nakamura riddle with what he'd just heard. The answer came to him in a flash of inspiration. David turned towards the two cops as he said, "That's it, that's the connection!"
Tyrell asked, "You got somethin', David?"
David nodded and said, "If I'm right, one way or another this case is going to be solved tonight. I do believe that the Nakamura treasure has been under everyone's noses all along."
The Japanese man who had been overhearing was surprised, "The Nakamura's family fortune is here!? How?"
David said, "Everything will become clear in time, Mizumuki-sama. In the meantime I must ask your full cooperation with the police. Captain Moyers, sergeant Anderson I'll need squadron 51's help. I've got the beginning of an idea!"
Moyers nodded, "We'll do what we can. But in the meantime Mr. Mizumuki could we please speak with your employee, Yamitsu Shiro please."
The man nodded and said, "Of course Captain Moyers, I shall fetch him right away."
A few minutes later the Japanese man walked in. David noted he had taken time to school his expression into one of surprise. Captain Moyers approached the man and asked, "Yamitsu Shiro?"
"Uh, yes?" the man asked looking puzzled.
"Captain Darren Moyers of the Portland police. We'd like to talk to you about your work here at the museum. Also we understand you have a cousin who works for Cloudcon. A Joe Shindo."
The man's face furrowed. "It's true Joe Shindo is my cousin. But we don't speak all that often. Though I wish we did. I knew he was doing Cloudcon but I don't know what else."
David nodded and introduced himself. "Mr. Shiro, what exactly do you do here at the museum?"
The man shrugged and answered, "Well I've been helping Mizumuki-san with preparations for the Japanese exhibits. He can be quite the perfectionist when it comes to making this exhibit a success."
David answered. "I noticed. Tell me what do you know about the Rising Sun exhibit?"
Shiro answered, "An interesting piece of abstract art from my family's homeland. Although I can't tell you exactly how to describe it."
David was to ask more when Darren's Moyers' phone rang. The police captain picked it up and answered, "Moyers…" the man paused as he listened. "Tanya, Tanya easy what's happened?"
David felt an icy cold surge of panic race through him. He suddenly had the sinking feeling something had gone horribly wrong. "What!?" Darren Moyers said getting to his feet. "How long ago did it happen?" There was a pause as Tanya explained. Captain Moyers nodded and answered. "I see. Okay keep that young lady safe. We'll be back at the Doubletree right away!"
Captain Moyers shut off his phone and said, "Mr. Shiro, we apologize for wasting your time. Something's come up, thank you for your cooperation. Come on, David and Tyrell, there's trouble brewing!"
David and sergeant Tyrell were on their feet and running for the exit. "What's going on?" David asked.
"Tanya just let me know, the protection I sent to that art dealer's house found her place trashed. And from what Tanya's told me her daughter at Cloudcon has her on the phone and she sounds like she's in trouble."
"Oh hell, I think our resident priest of Loki is making a move," David figured.
"Does anyone besides me think that this may be just a distraction? This did come up just as we were interviewing Mr. Shiro," Anderson observed.
"On that count you'd be right on Sergeant Anderson." David noted. "But I'm afraid we'll have to bite. A woman's life is on the line, and priests of Loki aren't known for showing mercy or quick deaths."
The three raced down some steps and out of the museum. 10 seconds later a police car with David, Sgt. Anderson, and Captain Moyers at the wheel pulled out and raced down the streets of Portland as the car's sirens blared. David asked, "So where are we off to?"
"The woman managed to slip away from the Priest of Loki and is in the neighborhood of Benson High School." Moyers told David.
David's eyes widened, "Then she's close to the hotel?"
David speed dialed Tanya. The African American woman answered, "Hello?"
"Yeah Tanya, it's David, I'm with Captain Moyers. Do you still have the woman on the line?"
The African American police officer answered, "Sure do, why?"
David told her, "Try and steer the woman to the park across the street from the hotel. Get the police to evacuate the park at once. I'll handle the perp chasing her."
David mentally saw Tanya's nod, "Got it, I'll do that. Be careful, David."
"Understood and thanks." David answered before he hung up.
Captain Moyers said, "No need to even ask David, we're heading to the Doubletree."
David called forth his magical power. David then thought to himself, I only hope I'm not too late.
Uh-oh, it sounds like trouble's brewing back at the Doubletree. Will David be able to reach the hotel in time? Will he and the police be able to even stop the priest of Loki from whatever he has in store? And what dirty little secret are the cousins hiding? For the answers to these questions and much more come back soon for Part 5 of 'Anime shenanigans'. Until next time read and review. And have a nice day.
