Hey everybody! Chapter 2, ready to go!!!! I would have posted it yesterday, but something weird was going on, and the document manager didn't accept the file. Thank you all so much for your reviews, I think it's the most I've ever gotten in such a short period of time :)
I'd like to set a few things straight before I get started: first of all, this is not my actual first fanfiction, just my first Detective Conan fanfiction... and for good measure, I still don't own any of it except this particular story.
Second, I'm sorry to anyone who is unfamiliar with the characters' Japanese names. When I learn about name changes, I have a very strong tendency towards authenticity, so I'll more often than not use the original names. Here is a quick glossary:
English / Japanese
Jimmy / Shinichi
Rachel / Ran
Amy / Ayumi
George / Genta
Mitch / Mitsuhiko
Richard / Kogoro
Booker / Yusaku
Vivian / Yukiko
Third (and this is directed at one particular review), I'm doing things this way for a reason. In order to have the proper angst level, it needs to be set up :)
Okay, enough of me talking!
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Chapter 2: The Set Up
Professor Agasa opened his front door for Conan. "Oh, Shinichi, how was your day?"
"Alright, I guess. I'm worried, though. I saw Ran this afternoon before coming over, and I had to tell her a partial truth. I don't know, but there's a possibility she might come over later."
"As long as you didn't seem too jumpy, everything should go according to your plan."
"I hope so." Conan looked down at his watch, and then out the windows. The sky was turning orange, and the clouds were becoming mere silhouettes, shadows of themselves. The sun sank low into a bright red circle. "The others should be here soon; Ayumi said to meet at sunset."
Agasa stood up. "Let's go see if they're here, then."
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Ayumi stood at the gate with a full backpack and her hands on her hips. "You came early," she pointed out while looking him up and down. "And you didn't bring anything again."
Genta and Mitsuhiko arrived just in time to hear the end of the rant. It only took Genta a second to feel the need to interfere. "Hey, Conan, if you're making Ayumi upset, I'm gonna have to do something about it."
Conan looked up at the 'towering' bulk standing beside him. He smiled. "I didn't say anything. She's upset that I was here early, and that I didn't bring anything."
"With good reason," Mitsuhiko interjected. "You know, you should really try to be more considerate."
"But...!"
Professor Agasa wouldn't let the argument go any farther. "Let's go inside. I have some snacks ready, and you guys can discuss your plan."
Ayumi looked pleadingly at the older man. "Can't we just go inside already? We don't need to talk about it; we already have a plan, right Conan?" She turned her head to smile sweetly at him.
This caught Conan off guard. He had a plan, but they didn't. He frantically looked back and forth between his four friends. "I... uh..."
"I, for one, would like to just get going."
'Good old Mitsuhiko,' Shinichi thought. 'The sooner we get this over with, the better. I do appreciate your trying to divert them, Professor, but now you see what's really going on here.' He looked up at the scientist and nodded.
"Are you sure," Agasa asked, implying both intended messages. Conan nodded again; and he received a resounding "yes" from the other three.
"Okay, then. Follow me."
They walked a few yards to the next gate. The latch in the wrought iron was still too high for the young detectives, so Agasa opened it for them. Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko took a few careful steps into the front yard and turned around to make sure Conan was following them. He was deep in conversation with the professor.
"Come on, what's the holdup," Genta asked.
Once again, Conan was forced to tell a partial truth. "I was reminding Professor Agasa that he can't go yet, because the front door is probably locked too."
They moved up to the porch, and Agasa opened the front door. The ruse nearly fell apart when they got inside.
"Hey, wait a minute," Mitsuhiko said. "Why do you have a key to this house?"
"Yeah, and why did we come straight in through the front door," Ayumi added.
Genta looked straight at Conan. "Something seems a little fishy, and I think there's something you're not telling us."
Conan started to sweat, and took a step backwards right into the mass that was his friend the professor. Luckily, the older man had a quick response. "I am good friends with the people who live here," he said in a hushed voice. "We came in through the front because, to the best of my knowledge, there is no one else here right now." He winked at Conan, while the others looked around the spacious foyer.
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Mitsuhiko came back first. "So... who used to live here?"
Agasa looked at Conan, who gave a subtle nod. "It was Yusaku and Yukiko Kudo, and their son Shinichi." This revelation got the expected response, so he continued the story. "Yusaku writes mystery books, and Yukiko is an actress. When Shinichi was fourteen, the two of them went to America."
"So, the story I heard was true – there was a boy living here by himself..." Ayumi was listening intently by this point.
"Yes, but about a month and a half ago, he disappeared. Most people think he died. Only three people really know the whole story."
They would not be deterred. "Are you one of the people, Professor?"
Now it was Agasa's turn to show surprise. "No. I was only told the things that were not confidential."
"Then how do you know how many people know the story?"
"The person who told me let it slip. Now, if you don't mind, I need to get back to my lab. Could I speak to you for a moment please, Conan?" The pair went back towards the door.
"Okay," Ayumi said to Mitsuhiko and Genta. "I figured out a plan – maybe there's some clues in this house to explain what happened to that famous high school detective!"
Conan and Agasa were deep in their own conversation, so they didn't hear the other one. Agasa wanted to know that the boy was fully prepared. "Are you sure about your plan, Shinichi?"
"Yeah, I got it all under control. After you leave, I'll go unplug the answering machine. That way, I'll be able to count the number of rings according to the emergency code I gave you. I'll also go grab a flashlight from the kitchen. I don't want to turn any lights on, just in case; and then I can also use it as my signal to you."
"Good luck, and please be careful. You have smart friends."
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End Chapter 2
A/N: I don't feel like there's anything to say this time, so catch ya later!