One Step Closer

By Raining Dreams ("Bunny")

Uh-oh: I'm not very happy. They cancelled the Snicket thing. Very mad am I. Oh well... I'm not as upset as I should be, I guess. I dunno. I really wanted to see him, but it's not the end of the world, I suppose. I'm also cranky with my reviewers. I only got SEVEN reviews this chaper. Some fans you are. It's a very fine day here. It's nice and cool outside. I do wish it was a bit cloudier outside, though. I have a thing about the sun. It's nice to have a sunny day and all, I just like it when It's a bit overcast. I guess it's because I burn easily. Anyways. I'll quit ranting about the weather and write. After I go "YAY" over the next bit of news. My two best friends (Well. The ones that live nearby o.o; I have like, 5 best friends XD) and I are making a website. Well. Elisha is making it. Me and Allison are just going to use it. It'll be a shared blog along with an art post for the lot of us. ... YAY... mmk. Now I write.

Vickiicky: I know XD Those are always the best episodes, in my opinion. And Mr. Mitimo wasn't retired, dearheart. But you were correct in assuming he is the one dead. -clap- good job!

Crystle: Thank you. But Harley and Rache? Ewwww XD Harley has Kazuha. He dun need Rachel...

Claddagh Ring: Meh. You are slow, aren't cha? Oh well. I love you anyways. And that's good. You aren't s'posed to know.

Lady Starlight2: EE!! STICKY NOTE!!! Smashing!! (Smashing is my newest word)

Ember Mage: I know... he wouldn't harass her as much as I make him. But he's so fun to do that with... An' thanks for the info an' stuff.

MyImaginaryInuYasha: Smashing!!! I'm loved!

Nikoru: -point- Conan is here...

Brandon Rice: I'm sorry!! I'll fix that right away. Dunno what made me thing Brian... And I loved having Conan drunk!! Haha... -hem- And...brilliant??? -blushes furiously- Someone give me an ice-pack. My head is swelling.

Otaku: O.o; -points at this chapter- seeeee? He's a good guy!!!

XSRX: Meh. Maybe I'm just incapable, then o.o; Figures. I could understand my mother's nursing school textbooks at seven but can't work the stupid VCR. Yep. That's me.

Kitsune55: EW. No. Harley has Kazuha!!! And -points- AND in the sequel to this (I'm making this a 3 part series) I'ma have Jimmy get a cure an' stuff.

Disclaimer: I still do not own Detective Conan. If you happen to own it and don't want it anymore, I'd be happy to take them off your hands!

One Step Closer: File 3

"Crime scene?? What... get your hands off me!" Rachel babbled, wriggling from the boy's grasp and walking to the doorway to take a look. She gasped, hands flying over her mouth to stifle the scream that bubbled up in her throat. Inside the room was Mr. Mitimo, and he had a knife sticking erect from his throat. Blood was EVERYWHERE. She backed up, wide eyed.

"I told you." he murmured. The sound of hurried footsteps rushing up the stairs introduced the adults before they got there. Detective Moore braced his daughter, who was swooning dangerously. Seeing your child like that is uncanny for making one sober.

"What's going on here?!" he demanded, looking around. Mrs. Mitimo peered into the room and nearly fainted, gaping as if to say something, but unable. The friends of the family, a man and a woman, both looked in and gasped, though words seemed to fail them as well. The Mitimo's daughter, an eleven-year-old named Sasha, emerged from her bedroom across the hall, rubbing her eyes.

"What's all the commotion out here over?" she inquired. No one could stop her. Time seemed to freeze... The child's eyes got wide. "DADDY!!" she shrieked, running to him. This caused everyone else to run over to, in attempts to pry the sobbing girl away from her parent.

"Sasha, baby. Get away... you're getting all bloody..." her mother said hoarsely, as if about to cry, but refusing to do so. The friends of the family, Miki Hoshima and Joseph Cunningham, rushed over to help as well. Harley walked up, concentrating hard on the corpse. The man's eyes were wide, so he had been very shocked at his time of death. The knife was the one missing from the case downstairs; it was the proper size and had the same handle. It had severed his main artery and windpipe, along with being jammed deeply into the man's spine. The brainstem, to be more exact. Poor devil died instantly. He picked up a paper tissue from the night stand, pulling out the knife with a sickening 'squelch', examining it closely. Mrs. Mitimo gasped, covering Sasha's ears and eyes, leading her from the room. Ms. Hosimo clasped a hand to her mouth as if she'd be sick, and Joseph looked too stunned to do anything. Harley put two tissues on the night stand, carefully laying the weapon on them. He carefully prodded at the victim's hand. Standing back up and ushering the others grimly from the room, he sighed.

"This man was killed within the last hour. My guess is within the last thirty minutes, actually. That leaves the people here as the only suspects. Rachel was asleep with Conan in the next room, and Sasha was sleeping across the hall, so we know they're innocent. Detective Moore had no reason to kill this man, so he's out too. That leaves Mrs. Mitimo, Mr. Cunningham, and Ms. Hoshima." he pointed an accusing finger at all three of them. Mrs. Mitimo looked very taken aback.

"Why would I kill my husband?! The love of my life the...the father of my child!"

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I can't rule out anyone who had a possible motive."

Meanwhile...

Conan's eyes fluttered open, his head swimming. What had happened? All he could remember was being laid on the bed and Rachel singing something to him. Oh. I remember now. Harley gave me punch with some sort of alcohol in it. That's right. Ugh. That jerk gave me a hangover... That's what this is. He attempted to get up to see what all the ruckus was over outside, but found it difficult and painful to move. He didn't think much of it. It was probably people just rip-roaring drunk. He blinked. It was like the last time Harley was here. His everything hurt, and he felt like his chest would explode. His eyes felt heavy again, and he smiled. Maybe he was turning into Jimmy again. That would be great. he thought to himself as he closed his eyes, making himself breathe slowly to encourage sleep. After all. The sooner he went to sleep, the sooner he'd wake and be able to see if his theory was correct.

Back out in the hall...

There was a positive uproar amongst the three suspects. Each was yelling at Harley over how they could POSSIBLY think that they'd killed Mr. Mitimo. A crack of thunder outside only added to this; there was supposed to be a nasty thunderstorm tonight...

"Calm down everyone!!" he finally yelled over them. "We have a killer on our hands! Now let me ask some questions so I can figure out who did it!" he snapped. Upon getting silence as a response, he took a deep breath, momentarily surveying all of them. "Ms. Hishima, Mr. Cunningham. Are either of you married?" Ms. Hishima shook her head no.

"Of course." Mr. Cunningham responded, raising a hand to show off his gold wedding band. Harley's eyes narrowed. I think I have a new top suspect.

"Alright. Everyone, kindly go downstairs to the parlor while I take a look around the crime scene. Someone should call the police, as well." he walked calmly into the room, looking around. Blood was on the night stand to the right of the bed, signifying he'd been stabbed sitting up. The murderer had surprised him and began a conversation. He looked at the knife. He wouldn't be able to just do prints. Who knew who all had touched it.

Harley stared, carefully opening the night stand. Inside was a series of books..and photo albums. He glanced at some of the photos, and with a smile, placed it back. Had they REALLY thought they'd get away with this? Pfft. Not while Harley Hartwell was around. He descended the stairs dramatically.

Rachel piped up at the sight of him. "The police couldn't come tonight, Harley. The storm is too bad outside."

"No need, Rachel. I know who did it!"

Detective Moore stood. "What?! I'm not even sober enough to investigate yet! How can you know who did it?!" Harley ignored this, clearing his throat to build suspense.

"It was simple to figure out that you did it," he pointed accusingly. "Ms. Hoshima!" The woman stood, looking outraged.

"I did not!! I'd NEVER kill George!!!"

"She's right, you know." came a voice none of them had expected. Rachel joined the group who were standing, her eyes wide, lips parted slightly. With a casual flip of the light switch behind himself, it became apparent who this someone was...

"Jimmy..." she whispered.

"Kudo!!" Harley hissed, whirling around so he could face his counterpart.

ooc: Yes. It's really, REALLY short. I feel that I rushed it. But if I let Harley figure out any more, it'd be too obvious! And trust me, there will be one VERY big plot twist none of you can guess is coming. It's not over until Jimmy Kudo sings. Which might be pretty bad, considering just how tone deaf he is... That was really corny. Too bad.