This chapter is really short because it would break up and make the next one too long.
And sorry about the previous chapter. Again, there will be not further chapters like that.

Chapter 37: While Back At…

Kaito was sitting in the car, watching the hospital. Nice car, too. He'd made some conversation about it, but it was mostly to pass time. His attention was never on it. There were a total of four cars that left. One was too soon after for Kaito to want to pursue it, the other was a female and a woman too old - and Kaito had watched to make sure their actions were authentic - for him to want to follow that one, either, though one of the guy's associates had followed. Kaito went for the third car, being informed of a forth later. This one was kinda small for what he was picturing, but they had supposedly come out with someone that Kaito couldn't see through the windows, so that got him interested. He'd had them followed, growling when the man would take them the long way or around, completely passing up the car and risking losing them.

"I know what I'm doing. You're the one following us." The man drove, watching the child next to him. He was all too familiar with tailing someone. You never let yourself be seen. He wouldn't lose them. If he did, the boss would likely have it in for him.

Kaito huffed but had no say in the matter. He was going to keep up the lie that Kid was helping him for as long as he could. They'd taken a lot of turns, Kaito building the map in his head and rerouting every time he saw a shorter way- just to know the way back. The car they'd been following had already pulled up and parked, no one in sight, by the time they got there. Kaito let out an angry breath before getting out of the car, the man grabbing him before he could and then driving down the street.

"You don't know if anyone is watching." The man let the boy go, stopping in front of another house and out of sight.

Kaito let out another angry noise. He should have thought of that, anyway. When he didn't, and this man had to point it out to him, he got even angrier with himself. No being sloppy. He got out, the man following him. Kaito went for the back way, going behind the house next door and checking the area first. He slipped in, tapping the windows and seeing that they were reinforced. He smiled, a relieved breath of air leaving him. He'd been afraid he had the wrong car. He snuck over to the door, trying the handle and finding it locked. He rolled his eyes, grabbing some lock picks out of his pocket and using his left hand, since his right was unsteady. The moment they made contact with the lock, he felt himself get shocked- and it was strong. The man had come up behind him and put a hand over his mouth or he would have screamed. Kaito held his hand close, falling to his knees and hissing in a few breaths.

The man didn't care much about the child, but the boy was left in his care. He took out his phone, calling in the place to the boss while the kid got himself back together.

Kaito saw the guy get on the phone, cursing himself for not remembering before. He took out his own phone, keeping his fingers on his left hand loose and trying not to touch anything. The shock had gone through his whole body and the pain had almost knocked him out. He shook it off, relaying to Jii the address and who to send it to before hanging up, getting back to his feet. He didn't have anything to fight that...

The man watched the boy glare at the door. The boss had told him to get what information he could, so he had to go in anyway. He went back to his car, getting out rubber gloves. They'd run into electrified fences before. This was the same. He went back to the front, getting out some picks much like the boy's and getting the lock.

Kaito watched. He had to remember what he could do; those who had been at it for a lot longer could probably do it better. The lock on the door and the deadbolt was undone in about two or three minutes. He could have done it faster if he had been doing it, but not with the gloves and having both his hands unsteady. His body was still shaking a bit. He tried to get that under control. Then, when the man tried to open the door, it caught again. Kaito had something for that. He moved past him, taking out a wire. With the door open, he wanted to be quiet. Fire or the like would have worked, but Kaito was good. He had to be. He manipulated the thin metal prong, taking out a second to control the first - the more flexible one - once it was inside. It took him longer than it should have with the shaking, but he got the next lock.

The man was more impressed with the boy than he should have been, but it was just a lock. He pushed the door open slowly, drawing his gun as he did. There was no one in the front room.

Kaito watched him, seeing the gleam of metal as his eyes went around the room. "Don't shoot if you don't have to." Once he was sure that no one was there or had heard them, he turned back. "Understand?"

"I don't follow you, I follow the boss. He said any force necessary to eliminate this threat to ourselves. We don't want ours being looking into."

Kaito clenched his fist before hissing and letting his hands fall loose again. Kid was by no means the biggest fish in the pond... Ick. Stupid saying. But it was true. In fact, comparatively, he was like... maybe a trout. Bigger than the minnows but nowhere close to a shark. He had no say, but he'd make sure he put it in there anyway. Kaito slipped off his shoes, walking in. He didn't know where they were and ended up in the kitchen. That gave him an idea, and he grabbed one of the knives off the stand. Obvious weapon. Made people overlook the less obvious. He took it with him, going through the rest of the house with the man at his heels. One door was locked. That set Kaito off. He knelt on the carpet, putting the tool in his hand before dropping it, holding his hand close. He looked at his hand and saw the deep burn marks on his first three fingers, the most sensitive where the metal tool had rested over the webbing by his thumb. He took his other hand and was about to try when the man pulled him back, making him fall over backwards, and did it himself.

The man didn't know if the lock was the same and he wasn't going to have the boy give them away by making any noise. He picked the lock himself, going to open the door before the kid stopped him. It was the first action the boy had used against him since he'd met the child.

"My party or I yell right now and we're toast." Kaito wasn't going to risk Hattori getting hurt. This guy didn't care about that, and he knew he'd likely shoot the other as quickly as he would the guy who had taken him.

He hated working with kids, but if he failed, the boss would have him taken care of. He would let the boy do what he wanted. If the boy got himself killed, at least he'd be able to take care of himself and the rest.

Kaito moved passed the man, looking in. He closed his eyes, hoping he could go about this quickly. He'd learned from the last time- no noise. Dropping some of his bombs that were not so bomb-y, containing knock out gas, he slowly flicked them into the room while no one was looking. It helped that there was carpet now. Then Hattori screamed and Kaito thought, 'forget waiting for them to work'. He threw the rest in, holding his breath as he slammed the door open and did everything he could to get their attention on him. Hattori would kill him when he was knocked out as well, but at least Kaito could stop them this way. He held the knife before him, making himself show every ounce of fear and pain as he wrapped his fingers around it. "Get away from him!"

Shiratori directed officers to find the boy once he'd learned from an inspector from another division that he'd been taken a second time. More were ordered to find the others and protect them, as well. He personally went to find the blond boy, having heard that he was downstairs in the lobby. The guard around the boy was fine and he nodded to his officers, getting on the phone. He would have liked another helicopter in the sky, but he wasn't sure on a time or what the car looked like. Instead, he had the traffic division and any officers still in the area start setting up roadblocks to look for the boy. He'd spent so much time already trying to find ties to the hospital staff, and still they had slipped past him and gotten to the boy.

Saguru had become very impatient but Aoko-san was remaining tight-lipped. When he spotted the very officer that had initially arrested him and drawn him into this entire mess he called out. "Shiratori-keibu, can you provide an update on the situation?" 'Kuroba does seem to have rubbed off on me. I sounded like I knew what happened.'

Shiratori looked at the boy- for a while. He had only just learned that there were only two that needed guarding. He didn't want to have the teenager restrained if he told him just how bleak the situation seemed. "It's none of your concern. The police are handling it. Sit still and make our job easier." He felt a twinge of regret because he still owed this boy something. Something he wasn't very comfortable with. He dropped the forcefulness a bit and looked the teen in the eye. He hadn't deserved it and he could only say he'd done it because the boy had had a connection and he just seemed to fit the profile. "I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't know you weren't involved. I had to look into ever angle, and I wanted answers fast." He didn't know what else to say. He had been a bit off, but he knew he'd had reason. That didn't mean that Hakuba-kun didn't deserve an apology.

Saguru felt a bit upset but then the officer apologized and the reminder of his wrists caused him to look at them again. "They are just fine... and I can understand now. You were driven, desperate. If you had simply provided me with the answers to my own inquires from the beginning I would not have felt as though you were focused only on me... and I had suspected it was a robbery I was being accused of. As it is, we cannot change what has happened, only learn from our mistakes so no further misunderstandings can take place." He held out his hand to the man, hoping that they could put this all behind them.

Shiratori looked at the Hakuba-kun. He hadn't thought his methods were wrong. If he'd had the right person it would have been a great indicator, but he could have spoken to the boy after he'd gotten his statement. He didn't want to hurt the teenager, since he knew he had wounds. He's spent as much time with him as he could and knew his condition better than even the others. He shook the boy's hand. "As long as you don't meddle in the investigation, I can tell you. But I need you to let us do our job."

"Considering Nakamori-keibu has had to carry me the previous few times, I do not believe I can go anywhere... But if I can offer some help or insight then I will not keep silent. This man did enough to my- my friends. I do not intend to let him remain at large to threaten them or anyone else."

Shiratori didn't think much of a teenager's help, but 'but Kudo-kun was well known around the precinct, so he couldn't deny it. That didn't mean the boy would take the facts well. "Only you and Conan-kun are still here. He's in a recovery room where they were planning on taking you. We've had a guard up since we were worried there might be a repeat attempt. Some time before that, either having been taken or slipping past us, we lost track of Kuroba-kun. I wasn't made aware of it until later, but there are people on that now. Sometime while they were moving him, Hattori-kun was taken from my officers. Since that man at large is still very much at large, we're assuming that he's the one responsible for the second kidnapping as well. I've got everyone I can on the streets right now looking for him. You, I need to stay put so that we can focus on finding the other two." Shiratori stated it all, clearly this time. He didn't want the boy to overreact and go off looking for his friends when that would only make him both vulnerable and put more pressure on those watching him.

'Damn it, Kuroba. I know you had to have gone off on your own, because there is no way someone took you... not you.' "Nakamori-keibu roused me outside an elevator prior to bringing us here- we were both moving. We were divided, as well. I believe the doctor that originally abducted me- it is a bit vague because I had been drugged- I believe he mentioned that the place we were taken to had not been the only one- something about not having used it in awhile. However, it is likely that the other place or places are as close if not closer, considering their targets and position."

"I know. I wouldn't have them looking if I didn't think it wasn't close, but the last place was a good twenty minute car ride from here. That leaves a lot of open space. Of course, we had checked the other one first and the officers that were still in the area are on the lookout. There's someone in the surveillance room, checking all the cars that are left. It's strange. It seems there were a lot that were stopped by some man, but we haven't been able to find him or discover what reason he had for stopping the cars." If it had been one of his officers, they would have let him know first.

Saguru nodded. If he had any doubt Kuroba was acting on his own it was dispelled. If he learned of the repeated attempt he would be checking anyone and everyone. "Does Conan-kun know, yet?"

"No. Apparently his condition grew worse and he was taken away. He's fine, or so I'm told, but he'd been taken to the recovery room right after and I've heard he's been unconscious since. I don't think anyone would tell him if he wakes, so don't worry." He was a child and, while Shiratori had seen the boy pull off the spectacular, he wouldn't let one of his officers put that burden on a child- especially one as bad off as Conan-kun was.

Saguru had not heard that and his concern for the one they had rescued – and who had, in turn, helped rescue them – grew. 'He will be worse off if he does not find out as soon as possible. Those two are much too close for him to be left in the dark.' "Is there any chance I can go up there? It will unite the guards and I can keep an eye on Conan-kun... in Hattori's place. Hattori would be worried about him; however, if I can say I was with him, it might help to keep him calmer when you find him."

Shiratori nodded. "We don't have cameras in there, but I was afraid we were worrying some of the other patients down here, or putting them in danger." Shiratori held out his hand to the boy. "I can carry you, too, if you need it. It will be easier to have you both watched. No one is allowed in to see you, but we have one of the staff nurses in with Conan-kun who happened to be there when Hattori-kun was taken. We needed to ask her questions, and she's a bit shaken, so we're watching her as well."

As Saguru took the hand and rose, Aoko-san, having been silent the entire time, stood beside him to hold him steady. "A nurse was with Hattori... was it Shina-san?"

Shiratori nodded his head towards the young girl who he'd seen around. "That was the name I was given."

"She can be trusted. She stepped in when Hattori had relapsed; she was also extremely guarded as to who would be near him after." Saguru was relieved that at least she was fine, but what had happened for her to be shaken and he needed more information than just the word 'officers'. What had happened and how? "How was he able to pull it off? Where was Takagi-keiji? I would find it hard to believe he would have let Hattori out of his sight."

"Takagi-kun and Chiba-kun are both unconscious. They were with him in the elevator with the nurse and a young girl. None of them have regained consciousness yet, but there are marks from a taser on both the girl and Takagi-kun." Chiba-kun was bleeding a bit from a head wound and, while they had retrieved Chiba's firearm, Shiratori's gun that Takagi-kun had asked for earlier was missing. "They aren't otherwise hurt. We'll know more about what happened when one of them wakes up, but Shina-san told us as much. There were shots fired and some blood at the scene, but she said it was one of the perpetrators."

Saguru stopped. "One of? So he had yet another partner. Did she say if it was the security guard that was hurt?"

Shiratori shook his head. "Neither of the descriptions matched the guard's from earlier. He was either in disguise or had more than one accomplice."

Saguru closed his eyes and took a calming breath. Hattori had been taken again and was no doubt still weak from the earlier emergency surgery and everything else. Now, with either two or three men that no doubt had similar intentions as the doctor had had for him... A human body could only take so much.

Shiratori saw the boy, saw how worried he was for his friend and could not find it in him to say more. They would be able to find him through the car, he knew that, but it would take time he didn't think the other boy had to spare. "Here." If the other inspector had been carrying the boy around, he didn't see much trouble doing it as well. It would keep him from running off if he tried, too. "Get on my back. I can take you, or we can get a wheelchair for you." He knelt down, thinking the boy would rather be carried than wheeled around like the patient he was. It also gave him more control to defend the boy if someone tried anything.

Saguru opened his eye but could only nod, even though the man could no longer see, and he reached forward, placing himself on Shiratori-keibu's back just has he had been with Nakamori-keibu. He felt helpless, but he did understand he was in no condition to go out and try to find Hattori, the likeliest result being that he would provide a second opportune target. He could go stay with Conan-kun and make sure the boy was both watched over and restrained.

Shiratori got the kid on his back. "Follow me and stay with him," he told the others around them. He looked towards the girl. "Your father told me what happened. You're staying with me, too."

"Of course, Keibu. I promised both Kaito and my father to keep an eye on Hakuba-kun... I'm not letting him out of my sight." Aoko moved beside the officer.

Once Shiratori had both kids with him, he went for taking the stairs. He didn't have much reason to use it, and he wasn't much of a fighter, but he did have more than enough strength to keep from tiring out. The elevator was still being investigated and the others were being checked for fingerprints, though they'd gotten through with one so that those in the hospital who couldn't walk could go up or down. He went to the room, knocking. One of his officers opened it for him, stepping aside. He went over and put Hakuba-kun down by Conan-kun so he could at least see that one of them was still there.

Saguru saw Conan-kun still out of it and glanced around, letting his eyes rest for a brief moment on each of the Mouris and Shina-san before returning to Conan-kun and reaching out to brush the boy's hair, almost hoping that the contact was close enough to Hattori's earlier actions that he would not notice the lack of the Osakan around should he begin to rouse.

Conan felt so tired. He had to guess why; his memory didn't stretch any further back than telling him he had reason to be tired. He knew people were touching him, more than one and all at different times, and he didn't know what to think of it. He would have been fine if he could see, know who it was- but with the darkness he couldn't do more than assume. That, itself, was hard because everything about him seemed to be locked away behind closed doors while his body took over and did what he had to guess needed to be done. He needed rest, and he had a feeling if he pushed on those doors and let everything come back, he wouldn't be able to do so.

Sato had been relieved when they had moved the three of them over to a room that had been cleared, but she had hoped to get them upstairs. It wouldn't be possible with the elevators needing to be searched and the scene itself needing to remain undisturbed. She had left Chiba-kun and Kazuha-chan on their own beds and remained by Wataru, brushing his hair as she cradled his head. As much as she wanted to hurry out and try to find Hattori-kun, she had to make sure he was OK. "Wataru, come on. You need to wake up. Hattori-kun needs you."

Takagi felt himself twitch. He was tired, but he had to wake up. He didn't remember why, only that it was very important he did. As much as the anxiety was fighting with him to wake, something equally as comforting was trying to keep him there, and they were fighting in a way that left him confused as to what he should be doing.

Sato felt him shift on his own and moved her hand to the side of his face, tapping it lightly. "Wataru. Wake up. Hattori-kun was taken again. You need to wake up."

Takagi winced, turning away. Then something got to him and his eyes shot open, pushing himself up as he sat up in... a bed? and quickly looked around. Hattori was gone. Where was he? What happened? He had to go- be somewhere- be doing something. What was it? He had to do it now. He caught Sato in his gaze, keeping his hand steady on the bed while he put his other to his head as the room spun. "What happened? Where is he?"

Sato was startled when he sat up so fast and when he placed his hand to his head, she reached out to steady him. "Wataru, the elevator. It was stopped on the second floor. You and Kazuha-chan were apparently tased, and Chiba-kun was knocked out. Shina-san said two men took Hattori-kun. We haven't found out where any of them are yet."

Takagi's mind flashed back to the faces, to his thoughts and impressions before everything was gone. He had seen them. He knew what at least one of the guys looked like. He got off the bed he was on. "How long ago?" he asked Sato, getting up and leaving.

"Hold on." Sato glanced at the other two before deciding the other officers could keep an eye on them. "We need to make sure the others will be watched and you need to report to Shiratori-kun about what you saw. We need IDs or at least a descent description to go on. Shina-san was still too shaken but said neither looked like Nomu-"

Takagi shook his head. "If I thought either of them was him, I wouldn't have waited." And he had waited too long. He was an officer. He should have been more prepared, more on guard against anyone who wasn't familiar. He had only just opened the door when he ran into the other inspector, which startled him enough that he stopped.

"You're awake," Nakamori said, not all that surprised. He'd been coming to check in on the girl, but this was an opening he wasn't going to pass up. He took the other officer by the front of the shirt and brought him forward. "What the hell did you think you were doing? You go and let these people take the kid and you were worried that we wouldn't be able to look after them?" He'd heard him speak to Mouri, who had a lot more sense about him than this guy. He'd also heard the same doubt when he'd asked him to look after Hakuba-kun.

Takagi froze for a minute, turning angry. He put his hand on the inspector's wrist and looked him in the eye. "I wasn't going to let them near Hattori-kun. I didn't know what they were planning."

Sato was about to step in when Wataru had retaliated himself. Facing down a higher-ranking officer was not something she had expected of him... but she couldn't say the fire in his eyes wasn't enthralling. She still stepped over and went to help whomever really needed it.

Nakamori shook his head, then the man. "Do you think any of us do? You're not a bodyguard, YOU'RE AN OFFICER! Act like one! Put yourself in the front lines and that will only leave whoever you're trying to protect at their mercy when you're gone! Just like now! You DO NOT put yourself danger first. You stand back, and you watch. That is what we have to do. Judge. We do NOT make hasty decisions. We prepare ourselves." Nakamori let the guy go. "Hell, I'm not even dealing with the same people you are, and I know that. Do you're job. You're here to protect. Try doing that next time."

Takagi didn't know what to say, but he didn't care. He had tried, and no matter who told him otherwise, he would have still done the same. If he had backed off, Hattori might have been hurt first, and he could have done nothing if they had him as a hostage. He just glared, waiting for the man to move so he could start looking for Hattori... again.

Sato faced Wataru and tried to get his attention. With the other man there, she had to bring up the officer part. "Takagi-kun. We should go report to Shiratori-kun."

Takagi watched the inspector walk away and turned to Sato when she spoke. "And tell him what? I've had Hattori-kun practically in my hands and, three times now, I've lost him." Takagi felt his shoulders fall a bit. They didn't have a name and for all he knew, there were dozens of others that could match his description, and they'd have a place where they couldn't find him. They'd taken him right in front of officers... they'd be ready. "He almost died the first time, it took him ages to be awake enough to talk, and he was so scared the second. Now... I don't even want to know." Takagi breathed in and let it out. He didn't know where to look, hadn't any of the times. It had always been someone else. Kuroba and Hattori-kun had made all the difference with Kudo-kun. Kudo-kun and Mouri-san got them after that. What had he done? Talked to them? Sure, Takagi knew he'd helped Hattori-kun the first time, but when it had really mattered, he hadn't been able to do anything but scare him. "The man looked common enough, and I don't know if I can talk to Shiratori-san. I just keep failing."

Sato grabbed his shoulders and gave a hard shake. "You have done no such thing. You stayed with him through most of what he had to go through and, besides Conan-kun, you were the one that could reach him. Conan-kun is still far too out of it and barely responding to anyone... even Ran-chan. When- when we get him, if he's anything like last time, you are the best chance at helping him. Anything you can tell us so that we can get descriptions out to the others searching will help especially since... one of them took your gun."

Takagi looked at her hard. What? So, not only had he let them get away, he'd given them a gun? Hattori- damn if they had- if they'd hurt him. And now they could fight back if they did find them. Takagi shook his head, his thoughts a little more focused. He'd failed, no matter what Sato said, but he was going to try and fix it. He wasn't going to let Hattori-kun pay for his mistakes. "Where is Shiratori-san?"

"I know he headed to the stairs after we brought you here. I would say either checking on Hakuba-kun on the first floor or Conan-kun on the third." She thought for a moment. "We can head up first and check in there, that way if he is on the first then we can meet up with him on the way out without backtracking." They had put the others on the second floor where it had happened and if they were on the first they had fewer stairs to still looked doubtful, but she could hope that Hattori-kun was going to be OK, if only for Wataru's sake.

Takagi nodded, heading for the stairs. Whether it was because he didn't want to be in an elevator again or because he didn't want to face whoever would be looking at the scene, he wasn't sure. Again, he didn't care. He heard Sato's footsteps behind his and stopped when he reached the top, not having a room number. He let her lead the way.

Sato moved past and headed to 321. She nodded to the two officers stationed outside and knocked. "Sato-keiji and Takagi-keiji coming in." The door opened and she walked in, stepping to the side to allow Wataru in so the door could be closed.

Takagi didn't think about the others he would have to see, but if Shiratori hadn't been there, he didn't think Sato would have entered. He heard the door close behind him and felt as if he were in a courtroom. His case felt pretty pathetic. There was some part of him that kept him on his feet, kept him moving, kept him looking at them, because he had tried. He didn't know why, but he had seen the others and for some reason, sought out Mouri and Hakuba-kun out of them. He thought Hakuba-kun would have been downstairs, but he must have been moved already. He kept his eyes on the other teen's for a moment, more to see how he was doing than anything else. He hadn't seen him in some time.

Saguru looked over when he felt a new set of eyes on him. "Takagi-keiji. I am glad you are all right." He gave a nod, knowing the officer would have done anything to protect Hattori, but could not manage a smile.

Takagi was glad the boy was all right. They were so close to them... but he was fine and Conan-kun was still there. Takagi could only hope Kuroba-kun was somewhere around, being the same strange person that he was. He couldn't handle it if they were both taken.. because at the time, they had done nothing to try and protect the other teen- well, not nothing, but little. He turned to Shiratori and nodded. "I have a description of one of the men. I didn't get a good look at the other."

Shiratori hadn't had much time, as they had just gotten into the room themselves. He was still in the process of doing what he had started. He slid the chair over to Hakuba-kun. "Sit." Then he looked up at Takagi-kun. "Give it to me. I'll give it to the traffic division and they'll spread it around. I've only had Hattori-kun's description to give them." He listened, getting on the phone and relaying the information over to the other section.

Takagi didn't have much of a statement to give him, but he did hand over the description. Once he was done, he felt like he should be moving, trying to do something, but he didn't have a direction, so it left him torn.

Saguru looked over at the officer briefly. That description wasn't anything like the security guard, unless he was as good with disguises as Kuroba; neither did the other man's description, based on Shina-san's statement. "Sounds like it was two new men, as neither sound like they could have been Nomura." He had not stopped his light brushing of Conan-kun's hair, if only for something to do. Something that let him reassure himself that one of his new friends was still there, still safe.

"Come on," Shiratori urged. Hakuba-kun would be able to see Conan-kun, even if he sat. "Rest. We'll have information from the cameras soon and cars out looking soon after that."

Saguru sat, but broke ever rule of proper posture he had ever been taught and leaned forward, not willing to leave Conan-kun secluded at a time like this. As little as it was, it was something he could do.

Takagi watched those around him, but mostly Hakuba-kun and Kudo-kun. He'd never seen the boy sleep through something like this, even with how hurt he was before. He didn't want to know what type of reaction he'd have when Hattori-kun wasn't there. Still... there was nothing to do but wait near Shiratori-san... because he'd have the information first and he knew Sato would likely be in front of him, not behind, on the way down to the parking lot. Time passed almost painfully slow, but none of them could do anything and that's what made it so painful.

Sato heard the knock at the door and headed over. Not hearing a statement of identification, she moved herself beside the door and nodded that the officer could crack it open. "Who is it? Identify yourself."

"Konosuke Jii," Jii answered the woman's voice on the other side. "Someone passed me in the hall and told me to deliver this letter to a... Takagi-keiji. I was just a few rooms down visiting a friend of mine, and the person said they were in a hurry." Young master, what are you up to? He hadn't been told what Kaito was up to this time, but with all the police around and him having watched this group for a good while now, along with what he'd been picking up, he knew it was important.

That got her attention. "How did you know he would be here? He only just arrived to this room."

"The young man told me." Young master, you are pushing things. Jii knew that this was drawing close, too, but the boy that the young master had with him was watching the front lobby. "I'm sorry, but he said it was important. If you'd like, I could just slide it under the door."

"Open the door a bit." She told the officer. When he complied she looked out and saw an older gentleman standing there and one officer was watching him while the other watched the hall. Both showed no signs of distress, so she nodded and held out her hand. "Give it to me and wait until we know what the contents are. We may need to get a statement from you." She half turned and motioned with her hand for Wataru to come over.

Takagi saw Sato's indication and came over, feeling wary of anyone trying to get near the boys... but this man wasn't. Someone wanted him. That was a first. Takagi stood behind Sato, seeing and old man who he just couldn't find himself to be afraid of.

Jii nodded his head, bending forward and taking off his hat, presenting the letter. Jii had done as the young master asked and written out an address quickly on the note the young master had given him, made out in sprawling handwriting. He had never seen the officer he was asked to look for, so he asked to make sure. "Is someone here Takagi-keiji? The boy was in so much of a rush, I only received a name and a room number. I'm afraid I didn't see much of the boy either. He had a coat and hood over his head. I'm not sure how useful I'll be to you, but I'll be here." Why the young master didn't want to be identified as the person behind this, he wasn't sure. Jii already knew he'd spent some time with the police, and this lie was that- just a lie. The young master had been quite himself when he was given the note and instructions. He did say not to give the police information on him, though. Saying the letter was from someone younger was just a way of them mistrusting him less.

Sato stepped to the side and nodded to Wataru. If it turned out to be from the kidnappers or information on them, he deserved to be able to feel he did something. "Takagi-kun."

Takagi stepped forward and took the letter from the old man. "I'm Takagi. Thank you." It was in an envelope, though it wasn't sealed, so he lifted the top and drew out something the size of a note card. It was white, the handwriting messy but understandable. Sato was over his shoulder, so he figured she could read it as well.

Hi. I'm a note for Takagi-keiji and company.
Below is the address where you can find Hattori Heiji. Good luck and be careful.
- A friend

Takagi choked on the air, his eyes wide. He looked at the old man. "Where did you get this?"

Sato gasped. Whoever it was had this information and must have really not wanted to be identified... if it was real. Wataru's question beat hers, even if it was the same. She looked over at the man, awaiting his answer.

Jii shook his head, looking as innocent as he was. "I'm afraid the young man didn't give me a name. I hadn't assumed it would have been something I needed. He's likely long gone by now. He did say he was in a hurry and I didn't see him very well. Forgive me." Jii bowed slightly. "Do you need anything else?"

Sato looked down at the note in Wataru's hand and back up. No way could the old man know the importance of the contents. "Sir, you're free to go, and if the information on here pans out, just know you may have saved a young man's life. Takagi-kun?"

Takagi heard his name, what she said, and was already going out the door before he stopped, grabbing the frame and pulling himself back into the room. He took a sheet of his police notebook out and wrote down the address off the letter. He handed-... shoved the paper at Shiratori-san before running out the door. "Hattori-kun might be there." And he was gone.

Saguru caught Takagi-keiji's words and looked up, calling out. "You know where Hattori is?"

Sato looked over her shoulder from the door. "We may. We have a lead. Stay with Conan-kun. We'll bring Hattori-kun back."

Saguru watched the woman disappear from the doorway almost as quickly as Kaito could. He looked back down at the boy and moved the bags out of the way. "Hear that? Just keep resting. Hattori will be back soon." 'And if those men have done anything to him...' Saguru did not want to allow himself to finish the thought but his other hand clenched into a fist as he turned his gaze to the inspector. "Shiratori-keibu, how far away is that address?"

Shiratori was familiar with these streets now, even if they weren't near the station. He'd memorized most of them. "About fifteen minutes" He got on the phone. "It's Sato-san. She'll be there in under ten. I just hope they don't act before I can even call for backup. Irrationally, I mean. By all means, I'd love to see a person stand in their way now." It turned into 'their', not Sato's. He'd see Takagi-kun- but he'd never seen him like this. He could only hope Sato-san would make sure things didn't go too far.

"If they have hurt Hattori in any way- No, I honestly can not feel any pity for them. So long as they live to face trial, they do not deserve to get off so easy." And in truth, Saguru believed the doctor had, indeed, received the luckier outcome of the deal. He knew the stories about these types of men. They were viewed as low and demonized even by other murderers.

Takagi was running, slipping down half the stairs, but the railing kept him on his feet. He had no clue how Sato had managed to outpace him, but she was at his side just as he hit the bottom and went for the exit.

Sato had made it a point to be fast on her feet, just so that wouldn't be held against her as a woman. She burst out and raced for the car they had been using. She got in and started the car, pulling out Chiba-kun's gun and feeling glad she'd kept it, holding it out to the passenger side as soon as Wataru got in. "Here."

Takagi took the gun and simultaneously felt grateful and afraid. He didn't want it- and yet he wanted it. He didn't have time to be dealing with himself right now, so he took it. "Arigato."

Sato nodded and buckled up, shifting gears while she gave her partner the time to strap in before she set an all time record. "Here. We. Go."