yay! i got three reviews! from a favorite author, no less! i'm so happy! i expected everyone to hit me with hate mail for this story, actually. my first story turned out better than i ever hoped! thanks!
disclaimer:again, i don't own Detective School Q.
Chapter 4: The Phantom has struck!
The next morning, Class Q was on their way again to Mr Hashimoto's house. They would be there this time to take a look at the library, where the possible crime had been occurring.
Mr. Hashimoto had been waiting for them expectantly. "The ghost has struck again," he told them in a worried tone. "More books were scattered on the floor, this time. I fear that some are either destroyed, torn, or even stolen."
"Have you put them back in order?" asked Kyu.
"No, I haven't. I wanted you detectives to see the state it was in. I asked Yuriko not to touch them either."
Class Q entered the house with Mr. Hashimoto. He led them to a door on the right, where a shiny lock gleamed.
"Excuse me, but when was that lock installed?" asked Ryuu.
"When I began living here. Why?" Mr Hashimoto asked.
"It looks newer than the other fixtures," replied Ryuu.
"Well, I didn't bring much into this house. I kept it the way it was when I got it. I didn't change much."
Taking out a small key, he inserted it into the padlock and turned it. The door opened.
Inside, a mess of iIl-assorted books were scattered all over the floor. Those that remained on the shelves were either lopsided or returned quite untidily.
Class Q took in the messy sight. "Strange," said Kyu, carefully stepping around the the disorganized piles of books. "After going through a lot of trouble to go in and out without getting noticed, he decides to go and make a mess here."
"Which means that this may all be a distraction," said Ryuu. He looked down at the floor. "Uh?"
He bent down to pick something up.
He held up a hundred-yen bill. "Did you keep money in this library, Mr. Hashimoto?"
"Why, yes. But only small amounts. Not enough to get burglarized for."
Shizuko, however, was staring at the mantel over the fireplace with a meaningful look in her eye.
Kinta called from across the room. "Hey, look what I found!"
Everyone turned around. "What is it, Kinta?" asked Kazuma.
Kinta grinned. "Take a guess what's behind this painting."
"A safe," Shizuko answered immediately.
Kinta's face fell. "Yeah. How'd you know?"
"I would have thought that was obvious."
Kinta moved the painting aside to reveal a heavy-doored safe. "What's in here?"
"A few valuables. Old jewelry, some family heirlooms, my coin collection," replied Mr. Hashimoto.
"Why don't you put them in a bank? Surely they'd be much safer there," said Meg.
"I thought they were pretty safe here. And besides, I like to take out the coins once in a while and look at them."
"Who knows the combination to this safe?" asked Ryuu.
"Only I do, and there is no written record of it in the house."
"Will you please take out the items inside and check if there is anything missing?"
"Of course." Mr Hashimoto went over to the safe. The knob had a series of numbers on it, and it was set to zero.
"Do you mind turning around while I put in the combination?"
"Not at all," said Ryuu. He motioned to the others to turn around.
Everyone turned around while Mr. Hashimoto twirled the knob on the safe. A series of clicks were heard, then the sound of the safe opening.
"Okay, you can turn back around, now."
Class Q turned back around as Mr. Hashimoto began taking out his his collector's books, and several small chests of jewelry. He laid everything out on a nearby table. As he opened the books, Class Q watched carefully.
Kyu whispered to Meg, "Can you memorize all the coins on the pages, just in case? Mr. Hashimoto may not notice if there's anything missing, but maybe you can."
"Of, course, Kyu. No problem," Meg whispered back.
"Well, everything seems to be in order, I guess. I don't think it's been touched," said mr. Hashimoto.
"Did you ever try to sell these coins, sir?" Shizuko asked suddenly.
"Not really. I've only tried to sell one or two. Why?"
Shizuko looked alarmed. "May I see the book again, sir?"
Bewildered, he handed her the book.
Shizuko began turning the pages. "Here."
"What?" Kyu asked.
She showed them the book and pointed out a round indentation in one of the pages. "I think that this used to contain a coin. If Mr. Hashimoto had sold only one or two, then I would have only seen one or two of these. But I saw quite a number of them!"
"What! But that's not possible!" cried Mr. Hashimoto.
"I'm afraid it has happened, sir."
Mr Hashimoto sank into a nearby chair and buried his face in his hands.
"So he was after the safe," Kinta said.
"And the scattered books were just a diversion so that the safe wouldn't look like it had been touched," Kazuma said.
"I don't think so," Ryuu interjected.
"Huh?" said Kyu, Kinta , Kazuma and Meg.
Shizuko had been thinking as well. "The safe couldn't have been the only target."
"Think about it," continued Ryuu. "If he had been after the safe all along, the burglar wouldn't have bothered to take only a few things at a time. Rather, after he had cracked the combination, he would have taken everything at once, and avoid the complication of coming back and getting caught."
"Yeah, I was thinking about that, too," said Kyu.
"I think that we should report any missing items to the police first. Then we decide what else to do," said Ryuu.
"Right. I'll do it," Kinta volunteered, walking out of the library.
The rest of Class Q looked at each other. How was it possible that someone could enter the library without using the door? Mr Hashimoto had said that the whole place was locked and bolted every night. And here was someone who could come and go as he pleased. How was it possible?
A yell from the living room brought them all back to their senses.
"What the heck?" said Kyu.
They ran to the living room to find Kinta gripping a young man by the arm, struggling to get free.
"Kinta!" said Kyu.
"Let him go," said Mr Hashimoto. "That's Toya. He does some odd jobs for me. He should have been done around now."
"Yeah, I was about to leave," said the young man.
"Oh," said Kinta, releasing the guy. "But then, why was he eavesdropping, huh?"
"I-I wasn't!" protested Toya. "I just happened to hear you placing the call and wondered what you were doing!"
"What's going on?" a timid voice asked.
A girl wearing a maid's uniform entered the room.
"It's nothing, Yuriko. Just a misunderstanding, that's all," said Mr. Hashimoto.
The girl bowed respectfully and left the room.
So, that's the maid, thought Kyu.
Kyu's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. The police had arrived to get a statement from Mr Hashimoto. After he had told them everything that had happened, and explained the theft of the coins, the police were shocked to hear that the safe had been broken into. Hearing that DDS was on the case, though, they decided not to interfere. Bidding Mr. Hashimoto a good day, they left.
Toya had left as well, after Kinta had (grudgingly) apologized to him.
Mr. Hashimoto sighed heavily. "This has been a really hectic morning for me. "
"Sir, if you don't mind, is it okay if we search the whole house for anything we might have missed?" asked Kyu.
"Sure, it wouldn't be a problem. I have to go to town for awhile, anyway. If you need any help, I'll ask Yuriko to help you in anyway she can."
"Thank you very much, sir," said Kyu.
rants: so this is where the real work begins. by the way, i won't be making this story too long, 'cause, let's face it, Class Q solves mysteries pretty fast. i wouldn't want them to stay stuck in one precarious situation and let Class A take over!
chapter 5: The Secret Door
ugh...i think i just gave away how the burglar got in...gulps
