Author's Note: Again, sorry for the wait! Here's File 6...it's not as good, since I had been rushing in it, but hope you enjoy it! I'll try to update more!

File 6 – Preparation

"AAAAARGH!"

Both Kaito and Aoko were taken back when they walked right into Nakamori-keibu's scream. They had just arrived at Aoko's house with Kaito's arms loaded with groceries (Aoko usually did the shopping with Kaito while her father was busy with other stuffs). Both had sweat drops as Nakamori-keibu stormed into the hallway, looking very furious.

"Dou shita no, Otou-san?" Aoko asked as Kaito stumbled towards the kitchen with the groceries and out of ear shot.

"Kiddo sent another stupid cipher! He's going to steal something on Sunday night, and I can't figure it out!" Nakamori-keibu said angrily, thrusting out the creased paper.

Aoko took it and read it. " 'During the 25th from the 20th of 17th 8th, I will take the crystalline. But tomorrow night one person will rest in peace, before it is actually released. So keep a close watch, for the white eagle has arrived'. It sounds as if he's going to kill someone," she said with a frown. "And what's with this---ace?" She pointed at the drawing of a poker card valued ace. "I thought he'll put his name like usual."

"He's just trying to fool us! I'm going to the station," Nakamori-keibu muttered, and stormed out of the house.

Kaito emerged from the kitchen with a can of soda in his hand. "What's all the fuss about?" he asked.

"Otou-san just received another message from Kiddo, who's going to do something tonight," Aoko replied.

"Oh, that's cool," Kaito remarked as he drank his soda. He paused for less than a second before spitting it out. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" he exclaimed in bewilderment, scaring Aoko.

While Aoko stood stunned, Kaito snatched the paper from Aoko. I didn't send anything, so who could it be? His eyes widened when he saw the signature. Is---is this what that girl said...A?! 25th from the 20th of 17th 8th...what does that mean?

"Kaito, what is it with you?" Aoko asked, having recovered from her daze.

"Ehh? Nothing," Kaito said, laughing awkwardly. "Er, here's the note back...I think I'll go now, see you later!" He thrust the note back to Aoko before running out. She just stood there, blinking.

When Kaito got home, he immediately got out a paper, sat down at his desk and started writing. It shouldn't be too hard to solve a cipher...I've created a few myself, after all. And besides, we're both thieves! Let's see...

Having a clear memory of the note, he wrote the cipher down on the paper. Then he studied it, thinking hard. 25th from the 20th...17th 8th...if I were to put 25th as hour---but there's only 24 hours in a day! Come on, you're a thief too...think...

He lit up. A smile formed on his face. I know when you're coming, mysterious A! Well, two can play this game. He took another paper and quickly wrote a cipher as well. It only took him five minutes before he was satisfied with it. This is great! I'm going to meet a guy like me. But wait...

He looked further down the note. White eagle? What does he mean? Could it be---no, it couldn't, he thought, biting his lip. Hang on...'one person will rest in peace'... His eyes grew wide. No way.

Not even I will do that! he thought in frustration. I have to warn them... He snatched back his own cipher and started the correction.

---

"OHAYOO!"

Shinichi and Heiji let out a yell of surprise, both falling off their chairs. Kazuha and Ang burst into giggles, looking down at them. Dr. Agasa was standing at the doorway of the library with Shiho, laughing. Shinichi got up first, looking groggy and cranky. "W-will you stop doing that?!" he demanded. "Professor, you let them in again!" he whined as Heiji got up and rubbed his ears.

"You should be happy, because we brought breakfast," Kazuha said, holding up some bags.

"What are you doing in the library anyway, Shinichi?" Dr. Agasa asked as Ang started to circle the large library, reading every book title with great interest.

"What does it look like?" Shinichi said, gesturing at the books on the table. "We stayed up discussing detective novels and deductions."

Kazuha showed a bored look. "Since when are you into detective novels too?" she asked Heiji.

"Recently. Why, is it a crime?" Heiji retorted, turning red a little.

"Oh my gosh, Kudo Yuusaku's original novels!" Ang suddenly exclaimed in excitement, running over the shelves filled with novels. "How did you get these?"

Shinichi rolled his eyes. "Well, of course, those are my father's."

"You mean your Otou-san is Kudo Yuusaku? Wow! He's my most favorite mystery novelist of all time!" she said gleefully.

"I'll let him know that," Shinichi replied as he started digging in the bags. "So what do you want to do? It's a Saturday."

"I need to go to the museum where the crystalline with be displayed," Ang replied, looking away from the books momentarily. "I have to talk with a few people there...AND make sure A doesn't do anything..."

"What, do you think he'll actually turn up before stealing?" Heiji asked.

"Of course...and in the cipher, he said he was going to kill three persons before he actually stole it. Today, he's going to kill someone."

Everyone stopped what they were doing. "Y-you're kidding, right?" Dr. Agasa asked in fear. "But who's he going to kill?"

"I don't know...that's why I'm going to find out," Ang said, tipping down her cap. "Will the museum be open tonight?"

"Yeah, because there's going to be a short presentation there if I'm wrong," Shinichi said, looking thoughtful.

"Ah, I'm guessing you'll be very sorry if you are," Heiji teased.

Shinichi ignored him. "Ran and I were thinking of going there anyway, you can come with us. Besides, if you really think he's going to attack someone tonight, I will never miss it for the world." He grinned.

"Me too!" Heiji added. Kazuha glared at him. "What? If you don't want to go, then don't." She sighed and gave in.

Ang looked as if she did not approve, but she let out a sigh. "Fine, but you must be very careful. A doesn't just target one person---he targets anybody and it doesn't matter to him at all."

Kazuha looked worried. "That doesn't sound safe. Heiji, I think you should drop the idea."

Heiji gave her a teasing look. "Oh, I guess you're a coward then. Come on, it's like he would actually target us!"

"Ahou, I'm only concerned about you! You'll stand out in the crowd with that skin of yours and he could target you!"

Heiji's vein throbbed and Kazuha immediately took a step back with a sweat drop. Even everyone else was looking at him as if expecting a thunderstorm. "Haha, VERY FUNNY!" he snapped with a very much forced heated laugh.

Shiho leaned over to Shinichi. "You have a very amusing group of friends, Kudo," she told him with a small smile.

"Haha...thanks, I think," Shinichi replied with an awkward laugh. He hung his head with a sigh. Just my luck, too.

---

The museum was packed that night. Most of them had headed for the theater where the presentation was going to be held. Kaito stood at the side of the theater, preparing himself. He was glad that Aoko didn't come, or it would be hard to finish his job.

He took out a pair of binoculars from inside his jacket and scanned the theater through it. Everyone looked busy and innocent. None of them were wearing white either.

Just then, he spotted Kayton Alex emerging from the entrance of the theater. Eh? What's he doing here? he wondered, watching as the American boy looked around.

Suddenly, someone bumped into him, and he almost dropped the binoculars. "Sumimasen!" a girl said quickly to him before continuing forward. Kaito scratched his head before putting the binoculars to his eyes again. Darn. Alex was gone.