Sorry this took so long. I was kind of caught up with rewatching all my favorite Conan episodes and you all know that there are a lot so… here we are haha. This is the robber kidnapping case 671-673. It will be split up in several chapters. Not sure how many yet. I am so glad you all like this series so much. I will continue to update as quickly as I can.

It had been a few days since I had gotten hired as a part timer at the Poirot. I was enjoying it so far; the atmosphere was refreshing and calming. Azusa-san was always a joy to work with, and I had brushed up on some of my cooking skills because I wanted to make sure the small family owned café succeeded. It also opened my schedule up more since I was working part time and allowed for doing other important things, like playing organization or PSB agent.

I had had no luck in the Sherry department, but that wasn't exactly too fair, considering I haven't even gotten started on my investigation yet. I know Mouri-san didn't exactly trust me like a close friend yet, so I couldn't just come out and ask him about her. He wasn't really my focus right now either.

After spending a few days simply observing the famous detective, he was very easy to read. No poker face, and all of his emotions were plainly on his face. He was a loud and boisterous man, overly arrogant in his abilities, loved booze, Yoko, women, and horseracing, but all in all, not a terrible guy. I mean he was a saint compared to Gin or that Akai bastard.

The thing that got me from my previous encounters with him though, both at the department store and at the other restaurant was his lack of, well, detective skills. He just didn't have that vibe about him, and yet, he continued to make stellar deductions. No, I had observed him enough, at least for right now. The other person that has piqued my interest was Edogawa Conan.

He had been avoiding me these past few days. Not actively, but I hadn't seen him when I had gone up to visit Mouri-san. Something about him just seemed to catch my focus, but then also again make him slip under the radar unnoticed at the same time. Maybe the fact he was so low key was suspicious in my mind. I had vowed the next time there was a big case I was going to focus my lens on him instead, see how he deals with a crisis.

I smirk as I notice the platter of leftover sandwiches that I had made for lunch. I couldn't do this too often without being suspicious, but I hadn't done it since my greeting a few days ago. The best thing for trust would be to give a peace offering of sorts. I had just finished my shift and was going to take up these sandwiches before bailing out for the day. There were only a few women finishing brunch and they were not exactly high maintenance. Azusa-san definitely had it covered. I called over to her cheerfully.

"I am taking these up to the Mouri's Azusa-san. My shift is done, so I am heading out."

The waitress waved in acknowledgment as she sidled up to the ladies, asking if there was anything she could do for them. I take the platter of sandwiches and climb the stairs to the second floor. I hear Conan talking.

"I don't think he stood up to them. According to the customers that were at the bank during the incident he seemed to be trying to calm them down by raising both hands in the air saying 'ok, please stop already'."

Ah, were they talking about that robber case that has been on the news all day? I hadn't really been keeping up with the story considering I had been at work, but I had heard it when I had been eating breakfast this morning. Mouri-san butted in.

"Same thing, since instead he just made them mad and ended up getting shot."

Luckily for us, there was a pretty good system in place. I smirk as I step through the door. I see Ran-san turn to face me as I commented.

"But they won't get away with their crime. Most of the 200 million yen that they stole were fresh banknotes that had just been received from the head office, so their serial numbers were all registered."

Hopefully that means they will be caught relatively soon. That man's murderer needs to be brough to justice. Mouri-san took a long drag on his cigarette that he had just lit not really realizing I was there.

"Yeah, they got a bunch of money they can't use. So it is just a matter of time until the robbers get caught."

See it is this awareness that really makes me doubt his authenticity as an amazing detective.

"Hey what are you doing here?"

Ah, finally my presence has been noticed. I pasted on that kind smile of Amuro Touru. Right, respectful, even though I am a way better detective then you.

"I brought sandwiches for your lunch, Mouri Sensei, as you are taking care of me. It is my treat, of course."

Ran-san clapped her hands with delight.

"Can we have some too?"

"Well of course."

Ran's smile brightened by about a hundred watts.

"Thank you very much."

"Not at all. It's the least I can do for Mouri Sensei."

I glance at Conan to see that he was giving me a disbelieving look. Does he suspect me of something? No that wasn't it, was it? I lean down comfortably against the couch taking in Mouri's appearance. He looks clean shaven, and tidy for once which means…I smile excitedly as I ask.

"And, what kind of case will the client who's coming today be bringing?"

Mouri-san jumped.

"How do you know about that?"

I tense slightly. Ah crap. I shouldn't exactly explain I have been stalking or anything, but maybe it will be considered endearing as I am trying to learn all about my mentor and want to be a better detective by studying him? I go ahead and take a risk explaining calmly.

"On days off, you're usually clenching a horse-racing newspaper and lazing about Sensei. But today you shaved your stubble and neatly tied your necktie, the marks of someone who's waiting for a visit."

Ran-san called from where she was bringing over cups of tea.

"You're amazing Amuro-san. You don't need to be Dad's apprentice."

I smile warmly at her.

"That's not true, this is merely the result of Mouri Sensei's teachings."

I can't let them catch on that I am the more formidable detective here. To make someone be vulnerable, you first have to be vulnerable yourself. Mouri-san turned to me praising me gruffly.

"You're doing great Amuro-kun."

I let the praise wash over me.

"Thank you very much."

I decide to add another tidbit.

"And to add another reason, Yoko Okino's live show is on air right now. Given that you're ignoring it and are still serious, it must be a fairly important case, right?"

Inside I was starting to get excited. Finally, another case where I can soak up more information about the two I had had my eye on. The lull was killing me. Immediately Mouri-san leapt up, letting out a shocked yell, startling me. Wait…did he not know about that? He threw on a pink kimono, tied on a headband and switched on the television, cheering on his idol. I sweat dropped. Well there goes that theory. Maybe it wasn't an important case?

"Um…what's…"

I was speechless. I turned slightly to Ran, who was giving her father a disapproving glare. She explained.

"He delayed the meeting time with the client just so that he could watch this show live."

Oh I see. I turned back to the supposed great detective, shouting without a care in the world for his idol. I sighed. Oh well.

Ran-san handed me a glass of tea.

"Would you like to stay until it is over Amuro-san? I think it is only about thirty minutes."

I pause, taking the small cup she offered. My shift was over in Poirot anyway, and the only thing I wanted to do today would take longer then thirty minutes, and I wanted to be here to hear the client's case. It felt good to go back into police like work, after working so long in the shadows. It was nostalgic of times from the police academy, times that would never happen again because both of my partners were no longer in this world.

No, focus on the positive here. I sit down in one of the chairs.

"Sure Ran-san. I will stay with you all, if you will have me."

Ran-san set herself down on the couch next to her father.

"Of course Amuro-san."

What has this world come too? I am sitting on a couch, watching a Japanese idol with a detective and his daughter and adopted son. If only times were always this peaceful. I glance over the assembly.

Mouri-san was of course engrossed with his show, infatuated with his precious Yoko. Ran-san was sitting and focused on doing some high school homework. Conan-kun was sitting on the floor, perusing articles on his phone, it looked like the ones about the armed robbery.

I raise my eyebrows slightly. Interesting that a six-year-old was concerned with a robbery and crime like that. He was that way in the department store, and at the restaurant as well. He was a child; he shouldn't even be allowed into crime scenes let alone enjoy them, yet here he was, reading news articles he shouldn't be able to read yet. Weird kid.

"Did you hear about this too Amuro-san?"

I started. Conan was glancing up at me, blue eyes curious, and fake. Ah, so he caught me looking at him. That was odd; I wasn't being intimidating and was trying to be stealthy. Was he just extra paranoid? If so why? I nodded.

"Yes, but I am sure they are going to be caught."

Conan nodded, looking abnormally serious for a child.

"Yes. I hope with no more casualties."

I nodded in agreement. He snapped his phone shut and turned to look up at me.

"Amuro-san, what other cases have you done?"

I raised my eyebrow. Why would he care about my cases? Ran-san seemed to hear my question as she commented.

"Ah, Conan-kun likes to play detective. He likes to follow Dad at investigations."

Ah, I see. I smirked as I bent closer to the boy.

"So, you were already an apprentice to the great Mouri Kogoro huh? Sorry for taking your spot."

I see the mask wrinkle slightly in irritation before it smoothed down again into the childish mask I was used to seeing on him. He gave an affirming noise, childish and high pitched.

"Uh-huh. Oji-san doesn't let me into crime scenes though."

Well, he doesn't exactly try very hard considering you were highly involved in both cases I had seen. I turn as I hear that the Yoko show was ending. I finish my tea, standing up to stretch and circling around behind Mouri-san again. He switched off the television with a satisfied sigh.

"Um, I was right about you waiting for a client, right?"

I wasn't wrong in my deduction, was I? Mouri-san confirmed easily.

"Yeah, but I don't know what kind of person is coming."

I widen my eyes in surprise. How could he not know who the client is? That was kind of sketchy not going to lie. Mouri-san glanced toward the computer.

"It's the first time I've had a client request via the internet."

I step around the desk to glance at the webpage. Oh, that makes more sense.

"Oh? So you put your detective agency on the internet? As expected of Mouri Sensei. You even have a website."

Mouri-san chuckled sheepishly.

"Well, I figured I should try to get online and adapt to the globalized world."

Oh…really now, because it doesn't sound like he made this, not that I doubt his ability, but just the way he said it sounded like someone else put the thought in his head. One glance at a thoughtful look on Conan's face, I could almost picture who really made the website. Mouri-san muttered to himself.

"Now then, the live show is over so the client should be coming anytime now."

His phone started to ring and I perked up. The client?

"An email?"

I stepped closer, listening as he read it aloud absentmindedly.

"Let's see. 'This is Kei Kashitsuka, who arranged to see you today, but given some circumstances, I'd like to move the meeting to the Columbo restaurant. It should be close to you, so I believe we can meet there at the arranged time. I am waiting to hear from you to know whether or not it is ok.' Geez, what a pain. Maybe I should say no."

That was kind of odd. Why set up a meeting and then move a meeting place at the last minute? I take a deep breath to calm me. Right, this isn't the organization world, where everything has a dark motive to it. This is the normal everyday world, where mild inconveniences happen all the time. Maybe something innocent came up where they couldn't make it all the way here. Ran-san grabbed at her dad's phone before he could send any message.

"You can't do that, Dad. This is a valuable customer. Besides Conan-kun and I haven't had lunch yet so we should just eat at Columbo."

Mouri-san looked down at the sandwiches I brought up.

"Then what are we going to do about these sandwiches?"

Ran-san picked up the tray.

"We can put them in the fridge for dinner."

She carried them carefully to the kitchen. Mouri-san huffed.

"Geez, sandwiches for dinner?"

Ran-san called.

"Dad, your cigarette ash is about to fall."

She called just a little too late as his ash hit the table. Ran-san lectured.

"Dad, be careful, what if you start a fire? Though since somebody doesn't want to work, our family finances are about to go down in flames."

Mouri-san laughed sheepishly.

"Well that's funny."

It looks like Azusa-san was right; Ran-san had her hands full with being the voice of reason in this household. It was hard to see who the parent was and who was the child. I step forward.

"Do you mind if I join you for the meeting with the client Mouri Sensei? My shift at the Poirot ended at noon today."

It would be a good chance to gain more reconnaissance on my targets. Besides, a good case was exactly what the doctor ordered to help relieve some stress that had been building up. Mouri-san affirmed easily.

"Yeah, I don't really mind. But if you want to join us, you have to pay the tuition fee."

Right, I forgot that was part of my apprenticeship. I smile warmly.

"Well naturally."

I follow them downstairs.

"Well then, Mouri-Sensei. You go on ahead. I need to grab my jacket and meet you there."

"Sounds good."

The family trundled up the street. I bowed slightly before racing back inside Poirot to grab my stuff and was quick to follow.

We had a relatively calm lunch with delicious food and relaxing conversation. I had already had a lunch of sorts at Poirot, so I just got a cup of coffee to enjoy. I finally asked what the case was about, and I was only more confused when I realized that it was a simple find the coin locker that went to the lost key, and they were paying him an exorbitant amount for it too. It was suspicious to say the least. What could possibly be in the coin locker if it cost three hundred thousand yen to find? Mouri-Sensei was right though, if they wanted to pay that much then that was their problem. If it gave the man closure after his brother's death anyway.

As the meal passed by, the lack of the client was getting more and more worrisome. Something prickled my gut instincts, telling me something was wrong, but I just couldn't say what it was. First it was moving it to Columbo instead of the office, and now this supposed no show. Why would they bother to change the place if they weren't going to show up anyway? Mouri-san didn't seem too fazed as he continued to eat, but I didn't exactly expect him to.

I glance across the table at my other interest and instantly honed in on the boy. Conan's eyes seemed to sharpen slightly as time passed. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat several times. Sipping his drink and his eyes trained on the door, he was ready for someone to come in, but no one came. His gaze flickered over to me and I glanced back to Mouri-san. I couldn't exactly let on that I was watching him. The family had finished lunch and we were just finishing our drinks and still, the client was absent. Conan set down his juice and asked plainly.

"The client is not coming, is he?"

I was inclined to agree. I try to play devil's advocate.

"Maybe there is another Columbo Restaurant in the vicinity?"

Mouri-san responded gruffly.

"There isn't any."

I narrow my eyes, trying to make another connection; anything was better than the darker thoughts that preoccupied my mind at the moment.

"You replied ok to the email asking to move the meeting here, right?"

"Yeah, right away. And I also sent emails saying, 'I'm here waiting for you' but there hasn't been a response."

That is worrying. Why would the client, the one who is paying so much, which means he really cares about this case, back out so suddenly? I take another sip of coffee.

"I see."

Mouir raised an eyebrow.

"The email addresses the client used last night and today are different."

I am careful not to react but inwardly I instantly go into identity impersonation. As a spy who has done it multiple times, pretending to be someone I wasn't, I could see the signs. I couldn't exactly say that out loud though; they would question how I know that. I decide to keep quiet about it for now.

"Maybe his phone is charging or something, so he borrowed a friend's phone in a rush to send today's email?"

That wasn't a bad idea. Maybe I was jumping to conclusion's here. I sigh softly; my Bourbon mask is affecting my mind. I really didn't want to see the worst in the world, but when a third of my life is living that darkness, and another third was battling that darkness, it was difficult to say the least. I commented on Ran-san's theory.

"And maybe that friend turned off his phone."

Mouri's face panicked slightly.

"Hey, the one I sent the 'OK' response to was today's address."

Conan replied, deadpanned.

"Then without knowing you said 'OK', he might still be waiting as originally agreed, back at the agency."

I almost facepalm. How on earth has this bumbling detective gained so much fame?


"There's nobody here."

We walk into the office, and sure enough, it was as empty as we left it. No one was waiting outside the door for us either. I step forward and stop in the doorway glancing around. That was odd. Why would he not contact us again, or at the very least be here frustrated why we didn't show up at the time of the appointment? There were more and more questions piling up at this client's strange behavior. Strange behavior usually indicated a crime taking place, and my gut instincts were back writhing like snakes.

"Just in case, I sent an email to the first address, saying I'll be right back."

Suddenly, I see Conan step toward the table and instantly something changed in his posture. He was the perfect picture of casual until just now as he straightened barely. His eyes sharpened in a way I hadn't seen before. Something caught his attention and I wanted to know what it was. Mouri-san hadn't noticed, but I had. What did you see Conan?

Conan turned away, following Mouri-san to the bathroom. I step forward looking down at the table, and I instantly see what had caught the young boy's eye. The ashes from where Mouri-san had dropped his cigarette were gone, swept up or thrown away. I know for sure none of us had cleaned it up.

Someone else had been in this office.

I knew it wasn't just as easy as his phone was charging. It was probably this client, since they knew we were going to be out, and not anyone dastardlier, at least I hope so. Well if they left one clue, the probably left more than one. I need to find them to discover what they were doing in here.

"Ran-san, if you're making tea, then I can help."

I follow her to the kitchen, eyes open and very observant, looking for signs now of an intruder. I had no idea if the person had left yet or not, and I didn't want Ran-santo stumble onto a bad guy and not have something to protect her.

"Then could you take out the teacups?"

"With pleasure."

I opened the cabinet and pulled out the first available one and flipped it out, eyes narrowing instantly. The cup was still wet, like it had just been used, cleaned, and then hurriedly put up. So, this was recent, like the intruder just left. It didn't have time to dry, and it didn't seem to be in Ran's nature to leave a cup wet like this.

So did the client actually come here as intended? Then my original theory of identity theft was probably correct. Pretending to be the client, the intruder summoned Mouri-san away and played staff to the real client, serving them tea and cleaning up the cigarette ashes. For what purpose I am not sure, and where they were now was a mystery as well.

I heard a ding in the other room, from Mouri-san's phone.

"The client just replied. He says, "I just got to Columbo, please come.'"

I pause, a shiver trickling down my spine, the kind I only got when someone was near that shouldn't be.

Ran-san replied urgently.

"Then we should hurry up and go."

I glance over to where Mouri-san was standing right next to the bathroom. That was almost too perfect timing, when Mouri-san was about to walk into the bathroom. Wait…was the intruder still here? I wanted to test the theory when an overly childish voice spoke up.

"Then I will come with you too, just wait a second. I need to use the toilet first."

I raise an eyebrow. Did he have the same thought as I did? He definitely knew that someone else was here because he noticed the ashes, right? He was testing whether the person was still here…right?

No, calm down. This was a six-year-old. It could be a coincidence.

In any case, his question paid off because immediately another email pinged through.

"Another email from the client. He says, 'hurry and come all together."

That proved it. That response was timed to well, and the fact they included 'all' in their email meant they were listening. They didn't want use to go into the bathroom because they were still hiding in there.

I see Conan's eyes narrow, childish mask cracking easily. He knew exactly what he was doing when he asked that question, provoking the intruder to make a move in desperation. Interesting.

"All together, does he mean us?"

"Is there anyone else here?"

This called for a tactical retreat of sorts. Let's go along with their ruse, make them think they have the upper hand, and then strike.

"Then let's go to Columbo all together again."

I start toward the door and I notice absentmindedly that Conan was right at my heels.

"Come on everyone, hurry up."

Conan chirruped, gesturing urgently.

"Come on, if we don't hurry up, the client with get tired of waiting and leave."

Oh, so he caught on to my strategy. Remarkable indeed. Mouri-san seems completely oblivious to the fact that there was something amiss as he grumbled.

"Geez I am not enough anymore?"

I smile charmingly, practically shoving them out the door.

"Now Now."

"He wants us to come all together right?"

Conan affirmed, stopping at the top of the stairs, not even pretending to leave. I shut the door loudly, hoping our little eavesdropper heard our exit. As I gripped the handle, I felt the uneven surface and glanced down, seeing another piece of evidence. It looked like some amateur lock picking work to me with all the scratches around the keyhole. I hold up my finger to my lips, smug smirk present on my lips.

"Everybody please keep quiet."

Mouri-san and Ran-san turn around, looking at me puzzled. I give my deduction quietly.

"This is probably what is going on: Somebody doesn't want the client to meet up with Mouri-san. He drove him away using a fake email moving the meeting and met up with the client at the empty agency acting as part of its staff. "

Mouri-san and Ran-san exclaimed in surprise. I notice Conan looking up at me with unbridled focus in his cerulean eyes, not shocked in the least. I continue, glancing toward the handle.

"As proof of that, the keyhole has traces of being picked open, and there was a slightly wet tea cup in the cupboard in the kitchen. Considering Ran-san's personality, you wouldn't put a wet cup back into the cupboard as it is, right?"

Ran-san confirmed softly.

"Right."

Conan piped up, his voice unnaturally serious.

"Not to mention, the cigarette ash that Oji-san dropped before we left was completely wiped off. That means someone wiped it while we were out, right?"

Ah, so he did notice, like I suspected. He still looked innocent enough, but his words didn't match his disposition. I think for a second, before continuing my deduction.

"So basically, this means someone invited the client in while Sensei was out, wiped off the table, and welcomed him by serving him tea, and since he put the tea cup back in the cupboard without drying it properly, it was still wet."

Ran-san protested softly.

"But why would someone do that? He just came here to ask you to find a coin operated locker."

I am guessing this case is not all that it seems. Mouri-san seemed to have the same thought.

"Maybe there is something really important in that locker?"

I sigh.

"Who knows?"

I smirk, shoving the door open again.

"Why don't we ask the person directly?"

Ran-san asked questioningly.

"Ask the person directly?"

"Don't tell me…"

I train my eyes on the door to the bathroom. There was no sound or movement from within, but I bet our little intruder is shaking in their boots right now. I explain.

"The reply came just when Sensei tried to go in the toilet, right? And another came when Conan-kun tried to go too."

I glanced down at the grade schooler. He looked up at me with a calm expression and remarked.

"And there were some marks that look like something was dragged across the floor in front of the toilet."

Ho, I hadn't noticed that. I glanced back and sure enough, there were the marks that he had observed. Dang, this is kid was more like a detective then his guardian. I could dwell more on that later. I realize the direness of the situation as I turned back to the bathroom.

"For some reason, that person has dragged the client inside, and is still hiding inside the toilet."

If this turned bad, I had full confidence in my boxer's right hook to completely decimate any enemies in my way. Our intruder was about to get the shock of his life.

Abruptly the sound of a sharp crack permeated the air. It took me a second too long to recognize the dreaded sound; a gunshot. In that second Conan had darted forward, throwing open the door. Holy crap how was the kid so fast? Now that I remember, the last case he had been the first to the scene of that crime too. I was a second slower, coming in behind him as he paused in the doorway, taking stock of the situation. Once assessing that there wasn't an immediate threat, he raced forward and I followed, a few steps behind him when I heard his curse.

"What the—"

I pause and take in the scene as neutrally as possible. There was the woman gagged and tied up with duct tape, kneeling in the doorway, with a coat fallen off behind her. There was a man, an apparent suicide victim as the blood spray and pistol in his hand indicated. It looks like he blew out his brains quite spectacularly.

"O-tousan, what happened?"

Conan turned toward the doorway we had come from, eyes widening as Ran-san tried to walk inside. He ordered sternly.

"No Ran, stay out."

Now…that was interesting. Was he trying to protect her from the grisly scene? Mouri-san seemed to jump back into gear as he walked back toward the doorway.

"Ran grab a knife from the kitchen. We have to cut this lady loose."

I knelt next to the woman asking urgently.

"Are you ok? Did you get hurt?"

I didn't see any blood on her body or anything, and she looked more terrified then anything physical. She shook her head and I relaxed slightly. As least we didn't have two victims.

I glance over to see how Conan was reacting to all this and was fascinated in an instant. There was for once no mask on his face, nothing childish, innocent, or anything of his supposed real personality. Now his eyes darted around the scene with practiced ease, gears clicking into place behind his flinty steel cool eyes. Not just concentration, but unbridled frustration and anguish filled his face, for not being able to stop this I am guessing? Not sure. I haven't been able to get a complete read on him yet.

I freeze in place. This was no child; I was sure of it now. It was like I wasn't even here. It was just him, and this crime scene. It was actually quite creepy how calm he was. Another thing, usually he had noticed me looking at him by now, but he had had no reaction to my gaze as normal. I say softly, trying to gage what to do.

"Conan-kun?"

Instantly the spell was broken. Mask slammed back into place faster than even me with my experience as he looked over at me, eyes wide and void of any of the intensity I just saw.

"Amuro-san, we should call the police."

I nod as I slip out my phone, already intent on calling law enforcement.

Was it my imagination? That this kid could do a one eighty like that so quickly like it wasn't even there to begin with? No, that wasn't it at all. I had been 'imagining' stuff about this boy since I met him. This was all adding up to be fact and not imagination or coincidences. This boy was not what he seemed, simple as that.

That was only even more terrifying. If Conan had that kind of a mask, then what was the extent of what he was hiding? I had already seen that he had a keen observance to details, the reaction speed of an Olympic sprinter, and the passion to dissect a crime scene, or at least look like he was, in the span of three minutes. He was acting like a detective, and I would usually say living with a detective would let him pick up on those skills, but considering Mouri-san is the detective in question, I doubt it. No this wasn't just practice or learned. He had turned it into instinct. The way he moved toward the crime and the started instantly trying to put pieces together proved that he had been at more crime scenes than any other kid in the world.

Maybe as this case progressed, I can see more of what this kid was capable of. I knew from experience; masks didn't stay on all the time, and it seemed the secret to popping off this kid's mask was a crime scene. I step away from the scene and give Conan a small glance. I was now completely done with Mouri-san, unless of course he did something that caught my interest. My new objective was to get Conan to remove his mask as many times as I could and figure out what was hiding in this child's body. A challenge to be sure, but I was an adult, and this was a child. How hard could it be?