A/N: HELLO! Alright, I have something to say about this chap. There's going to be a lot of P.O.V's to let u kno. Darien's going to hav one and so isn't Conan and Tess as well. I kinda set this up as like… a feeling type chapter you know? Well, I hope u enjoy it! And it's going to be long as well. BUH BYE:-)! ENJOY!
In Today's Case: Stalking Business
Tess's P.O.V
I couldn't stop working. I had to get more information about Jack. I needed to know what he was up to. After him killing my parents and kidnapping Jimmy I know he's no normal mob man. He has everything planned out more carefully as if he use to be in the military or an ex-CIA agent. Whatever he is, I have to find out.
I never liked my job. Someone was always hurt. But, that person was never me. It was always someone else. Sometimes I would get hurt but not seriously. Yeah I was drugged, but I'm still here aren't I? My job is a rugged one. I didn't sign myself up. Maybe I did helping the U.S Government track down terrorists when I was only 10. Maybe that's what I did wrong. Maybe if… I never helped the government I wouldn't be where I am now.
My parents are dead because of me. Even with my job or not I still had the ability to force my father to pay back the money he owed. But no, I just watched it play out. And soon… my parents were killed because of it. They were killed on the last day of my vacation that I earned from killing my brother Zach, the mass murderer. Even Zach was a victim, but he brought his own death apon himself.
Jimmy, he was innocent in all of this. The only thing he was guilty of was meeting me. I'm a dangerous one. I'm what you can say a walking time bomb ready to explode on someone. Jimmy only wanted to help and he was kidnapped for it. Luckily, I got him back before I lost him just like I lost my parents. That's another thing Jimmy was guilty of. He was guilty of wanting to help me. But if I let him get dragged in any farther then he already is he would soon end up dead and I would be the cause. And I wouldn't be able to have the heart to tell Rachel what had happened to him. She would freak out just knowing he was really Conan Edogawa.
Rachel and Uncle Richard, also innocent. I walked into their lives about a year ago when I was sent here to find my brother. But, they grew on me considering they were the only family I had. My mom was an only child and the only sibling my father had was Richard. I came to them looking for shelter this year. But I know sooner or later one of them is going to get hurt. Jack knows they are my family. He knows where I am living. And he knows that I care for them deeply. I wouldn't be able to live if something happened to Rachel and Richard…
Darien. Innocent as well. An old time friend who stuck by my side for as long as I can remember. But I cannot let him get into my business with the New York Mob. If he even found out what I'm in… he would help and there would be no stopping him. Darien was stubborn like that. He was always stubborn. More stubborn then me and that's a fact. Darien had lost his mother because of me. My old gang leader escaped from jail and was hired by Jack to kill Darien… but Darien survived and it was his mother who was killed. He doesn't talk about it but I know he's hurting. His mother was killed because of me… all because of me.
It seems no matter where I turn there's always going to be someone close to me being hurt. Jimmy, Darien, Rachel, and Richard were all innocent. If I was brought forth in front of a judge I would plead guilty and send me off to jail. Everyone only wants to help but I can't let them. For I know if I do they would be hurt. And I cannot have that. Jimmy was already hurt and so wasn't Darien. The only two who ever wanted to help me in all of my mess that I call life. My life is something that wouldn't be missed. My life is the cause of it all. Of all the pain, of all the sorrow, of all the hatred. It was my life, my existents of being here was a cause.
And it will never stop… the war has already begun and it won't stop till Jack sees that I am dead.
Normal P.O.V
Tess sat in an office in the police station. Inspector Maguire allowed her to use it. Tess searched on the Internet looking for all that she can about what she didn't know of the New York mob. Soon enough she came across Jack. But the only information they had on him was something she didn't need. But Tess always thought that the littlest information may help you out of anything.
She wrote down on what she could find and soon went into the crime files of Tokyo Japan. She searched through for Jack's little helper in all of this mess that was created. She pulled the file up about Dojoma Ushi. Other then she was hit woman there must be something else about her that Tess skipped over. Something that could be put into use.
Tess signed back onto the Internet going to Google searching up Dojoma Ushi. Come to find out there was a bunch of trash about her. But nothing useful, still Tess took it down. The only thing that was useful was that she was an ex-con woman. A smart one at that. She was hooked to the underground which could become very useful to Jack. And with Dojoma as Jack's partner they could access the underground for anything they need like a safe house, guns, anything they needed to bring Tess down.
With the simple fact of them being hooked to the underground they must have a team along side of them. The thought of this made Tess get an uneasy feeling. Tess continued to do her work. Then there was a knock at the door. Tess looked up to see the outline of Inspector Maguire at the window.
"Come on in Inspector." Tess said looking back at the computer screen. Inspector Maguire opened the door.
"Tess." He called. Tess nodded his head acknowledging his existents at the door. "Rachel had just called for you."
"Yeah?" Tess said taking her eyes off of the screen.
"She would like you to pick up Conan after school considering she and Sirena have to go to the library." He stated. Tess sighed as she nodded her head. She looked at the digital clock on the desk she was at to see she had about 10 minutes to get to Conan's school and pick him up. "May I ask something?" he asked her. Tess nodded.
"Yeah? What is it?" she asked.
"What's so important that you had to miss school and that you need an office to do work?" Inspector Maguire asked. Tess hesitated her answer. What was she going to do? She had nothing to tell him.
"Um…" Tess said searching for something. "I'm looking up some information about some kidnappers we need to acknowledge." She answered.
"Like who?" he asked.
"Well… I haven't found any yet." Tess answered standing up and staking her notes into a neat pile and them sticking them into her backpack. "Well I better be off to pick up Conan. I'll be back." She said exiting. Inspector Maguire closed the door as he followed through the aisles of cubical desks.
"Are you going to bring him back here?" he asked. Tess nodded her head.
"Yeah. I can't leave him home by himself or Rachel will freak. Unless Darien decides to stay home for once maybe not." Tess said pushing open the door to the police station. "See you later Inspector." Tess said waving.
"Bye Tess." He replied. Tess walked out of the police station and towards conan school. Inspector Maguire turned back around and entered her office. Considering that she was not an officer at his police station he had the right to go through what she had left on the computer screen… or did he?
He took a seat at the computer desk. He looked at the Internet screen to see that the page was about Dojoma Ushi. Inspector Maguire didn't quick get why Tess didn't say anything to him about Dojoma Ushi. Why didn't she tell him? Dojoma Ushi is on the top ten wanted list. He then noticed another Internet screen. He placed his hand onto the mouse and clicked on it bringing it into view. This one was about a New York mobster named Jack last name unknown. Inspector Maguire wondered why Tess was doing this kind of work. Soon he noticed that Tess had got into the crime files and she was in Dojoma's file. None of this made sense to him. But he felt like he should tell Richard about Tess snooping around in someone's backyard. Sooner or later she's going to get hurt.
Tess stopped in front of Conan's school gate. The gate was opened but none of the kids were anywhere to be found. She sighed as she looked at her watch 2:15. School had been out for about 15 minutes now. Then a bus pulled up right behind Tess. She turned around to see Conan sitting in it next to Ai with Ami, George, and Mitch in the seats in front of them. Conan noticed her and smiled. Ai smiled at her as well. Mitch and George waved franticly and Ami looked away. They exited the bus and walked over to them.
"How are you Tess?" George asked looking up at her. Tess smiled as she looked at him placing her hand onto his head.
"I'm fine thanks for asking." Tess said.
"I've heard that you rescued Conan from some kidnappers." Mitch stated standing next to her. Tess removed her hand from George's head as she looked at Mitch. She got onto her knees and smiled at him.
"Yeah I did. But I had some help as well." Tess said.
"By who?" George and Mitch asked at the same time.
"By one of your buddies. She was very brave." Tess answered. George and Mitch knew who it was and they looked at Ai.
"Ai, you helped her out?" Mitch asked. Ai nodded her head.
"Yeah." She answered. Soon Mitch and George were all over Ai asking her all kinds of questions.
"How are you Conan?" Tess asked rustling up his hair. Conan swatted her hand away and fixed his own hair.
"I'm fine you?" he asked kind of annoyed by her rustling up his hair.
"I'm alright." Tess replied smiling. She looked at Ami. "How are you today Ami?" Tess asked her. Ami crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked away.
"Fine!" She answered with an attitude. Tess blinked a few times as she shrugged her shoulders. She stood upright and looked down at Conan.
"Ready to go home?" She asked him. Conan nodded his head.
"Yeah, I'm pretty tired from our field trip." He answered her. Tess smiled.
"I forgot about that. Did you have fun?" She asked. He nodded his head. Then Mitch and George were all over Tess again saying that they didn't want her to leave and that they wanted her to stay and met their parents. Tess didn't think it was a good idea considering she's been on the news a lot and in the newspaper so she refused. Conan and Tess begun to walk away waving goodbye to the little ones.
Tess looked at Conan. "What's wrong with Ami?" she asked.
"I don't know. I think she's jealous of you." Conan said to her. Tess rose an eyebrow.
"Jealous? Why?" she asked. Conan shrugged his shoulders as he stuck his hands into his pockets.
"I don't know. I think it's because you're always hanging around me. You'll have to ask her why because I'm not really sure." He told her. Tess shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh well." she said. She looked up and then bumped into someone on the street. She knocked the person down as she stumbled backwards. She rubbed her head considering she felt their heads collide. "I'm so sorry." Tess said looking down at man that looked like to be in his 20's. She helped him up as he wiped himself off of any snow.
"It's alright." He said.
"I wasn't watching where I was going." Tess said. The man stared at her oddly. Tess looked to her left and then to her right and then at Conan who just shrugged.
"You're… you're Tess Moore…" he said shocked.
"And…?" Tess asked. It's not really a big deal to be Tess Moore is it? He begun to shake her hand as he smiled.
"I'm Jacob and I'm a really big fan of you and your uncle." He said with a smile.
"Ah…" Tess blinked a few times not knowing what to say to Jacob. To her, he was just a normal man that she knocked down on accident.
"I'm so glad to meet you." he said with joy. Conan rose an eyebrow as Tess placed a nervous look on her face as she laughed nervously as well.
"Yes well um…" Tess pulled her hand away as Jacob blinked. "It's ah… nice to meet you too Jacob." Tess said placing a fake smile on her face. She was getting annoyed by this guy. Its not usual she bumps into someone whose a big fan of her and her uncle. Whose a fan of Richard anyway? Jimmy solves all of the cases the people just don't know it.
"You are? Really?" he asked her. Tess blinked again as she took a step back from him.
"Um… sure…" Tess said to him with a fake smile on her face. Conan decided to do something.
"Tess! I want to go to the zoo!" Conan whined as he grabbed her hand and shook it. 'Great… this is how I'm going to save Tess from this weird man… by whining! She'll never let this one go.' Conan thought. Tess looked at Conan and smiled.
"Alright, but we first have to stop by Richard's office and tell him." Tess said. She looked at Jacob and smiled. "Well, I got to go. I promise Conan I would take him to the zoo today. Bye Jacob." Tess added as they walked around Jacob.
"Oh please let me meet your uncle!" he shouted grabbing onto her other free hand. Tess was pulled into a stop as she turned her head to look at Jacob.
"Maybe some other time Jacob. I really need to get going." Tess said a little annoyed. She pulled her hand away. She and Conan pressed onward as Jacob shouted goodbye. Tess glanced back seeing that he was gone. She sighed in relief and looked at Conan. "Thanks Jimmy." She said.
"Don't mention it… really." he said. Tess smiled.
" 'Tess! I want to go to the zoo!'." Tess mimicked. Conan growled softly.
"Hey! If it wasn't for me you would still be talking to him." Conan pointed out. Tess nodded her head as she looked back and then forward.
"Yeah I know… was it me or… was that guy kind of… weird…?" Tess asked looking at Conan.
"Oh it wasn't just you Tess… he's weird." Conan replied nodding his head. Tess nodded her head as well.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed." Tess said. She then snapped her fingers.
"What?" Conan asked.
"I wonder if Darien's home." Tess said to herself.
"Why?"
"Because I'm doing some work at the police station and I want to know if he'll watch you because if I leave you home alone Rachel will flip." Tess answered.
Conan and Tess got home to find out Darien was home. He was reading Tess's book… the one she didn't finish yet. He looked over his shoulder to see them.
"Oh. Sorry Tess I just wanted to see how this book was since you were so into it yesterday." Darien said placing the bookmark back where he had found it and then placed it onto the coffee table.
"It's alright I don't mind Darien. Hey um… do you think you can stay home today and watch Jimmy?" Tess asked. Darien raised and eyebrow.
"Why? He's old enough to watch himself." Darien said.
"Well, not Rachel he's not." Tess said placing her backpack onto the floor and her hands onto her hips.
"True." Darien said. "Where are you going?" he then asked her.
"I'm going to the police station to do some work." Tess said.
"Like what?" he then asked.
"Yeah, I would like to know that as well." Conan said crossing his arms. Tess looked at the two boys. She was never going to get out of this one. Of course she could tell Conan the truth since he knows why she's here but… she doesn't want to drag him any farther into her problem. So she decided to tell them what she told Inspector Maguire.
"I'm looking up some kidnappers that we should be aware of." Tess answered picking up her backpack.
"Are you doing that because I was kidnapped?" Conan asked crossing his arms.
"Maybe." Tess answered. "Well, bye guys." She then walked out the door. Darien shook his head as he sighed.
"She always has something going on ever since I've met her." Darien said to himself. Conan nodded his head.
"Yeah… same here." Conan said seating himself down on the couch across from Darien.
"How long have you known her?" Darien asked.
"Almost two years now." Conan said. He took his backpack that was laying next to him on the floor. He sighed swinging it over his shoulder. "Well, I have things to do I'll talk to you later I guess." Conan walked away.
Darien's P.O.V
I watched Jimmy walk away. He's only known her for almost two years? I've known her for all of my life and she doesn't feel for me the way she feels for him. I mean, sure Tess is a good friend but I want to be more then that for her… I guess you can say I want to be her boyfriend.
Tess has known me for as long as I remember. There's a possibility that she does have something forming for me but I doubt it. She moved to America at the age of nine. I'm pretty sure she's lost whatever feeling she had for me. She's my best friend… and I guess she'll always will be.
Plus, she's in love with Jimmy Kudo I can tell. The way she looks at him and picks on him gives it away. For Jimmy being as smart as he is he must've picked up on that. Maybe he's not good when it came to that kind of thing. But… the way he looks at her is the same exact way she looks at him. I can't describe how they look at each other but it's obvious that they like each other.
I never understand my own feelings, that's pretty sad. But I know for one thing that I do love Tess. When I see her I get such joy. Her eyes glitter in the sun… her hair shines… I'm getting a little to serious with all of this. Tess is my friend and that won't change I know it. For one thing, she loves Jimmy and Jimmy loves her. But, what about Rachel? I know that Jimmy had a thing going on with Rachel. I never went to school with Jimmy or Rachel but I've known Rachel just as long as I known Tess. And Jimmy, when he was little, he always gave Rachel that look that he gives Tess now. Is it that possible to jump from loving one person to love the next?
What am I saying? Of course it is. Love is blind is what they say isn't it? Maybe I'll find someone… other then Tess. You never know. But I doubt it. The feelings I have for her is greater then I had with any other girl I've dated or met. It's strange how she just walked right back into my life. It's kind of funny at the same time. Seeing her in that diner that day was really cool. I mean, I thought I was dreaming when I saw her in the newspapers a year back. When I saw her in that diner I knew I had to see if she remembered me. It took her awhile but she did. Tess is the greatest. Maybe not the best memory but she's the best, if you knew Tess the way I know her… you would understand.
Jimmy's P.O.V
I entered the guest room. I set my backpack on the floor and shut the door behind me. Sitting on my bed… I came to the conclusion that I had something for Tess. I don't know what it is but it's there. I can also tell that Darien adores her as well… more then me.
Darien's known her for like he said his whole life. It's most likely that she would fall for him then me. But… what about Rachel? I can't go back to normal and tell her I'm in love with Tess… she'll start asking how I know her and everything and then I would have to come clean about me being Conan Edogawa… and I know that's not going to go well.
She's going to start yelling saying 'WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!' and everything. I know Rachel almost better then anyone. I've known Rachel my whole life just like Darien and Tess. Soon… our friendship grew into, for me, grew into love for her. But then Tess walked in. And the love I felt for Rachel started too fade away slightly. When Tess left for America again my love grew back and here she is. Tess is back in my life. And the feeling is growing. I'm caught in between two girls of the same blood. Rachel Moore and Tess Moore.
But the one thing I need to set my eyes on is the end of the year. Where I can go back to normal. I rather be Jimmy Kudo then Conan Edogawa. But it's only once that you get to be a kid. For me and Ai, we got the chance a second time. What will I tell Mitch, George, and Ami when I go back to my normal body? I remember meeting them that day I was given that poison. They were sneaking into one of the roller coasters that I happened to get on. But still…. I think I'll miss them. People grow on you.
I rather be me then Conan Edogawa. I can't be myself or Rachel will start expecting things. I remember a year ago and maybe now. Rachel thought there was something that me and Tess were keeping from her. She'll never know… at least that's what I keep on telling myself. I have to tell her at one point don't I? Yeah I do. I have to tell her. I'll tell her, once I get the antidote and get to my normal self. I can see her face now with me telling her. Like I said she'll start yelling and everything. I can't wait to see what she does to Tess. Or course we'll both have to tell her but… maybe not so soon. But we will. We have too.
Tess's P.O.V
I walked on down the street toward the police station. I should be arriving there any minute now. I need to get back to my work. I need to get the scoop about Dojoma Ushi and Jack. Like how did Jack know to go to her? She must've came from his past some how I know it. I'll figure it out sooner or later.
I entered the police station and walked to the office I was renting… well not really I guess you can something that I was using. I went to place my hand onto the door knob and went to enter when I heard Inspector Maguire on the other side. I stopped and pressed my ear against the window.
"Yeah… she's got information about the New York mob and Dojoma Ushi… she told me that she was looking up for some kidnappers that we need to take notice of… yeah that's what she said… it seems like she's always doing something here… last year it was hunting down her brother Zach. Yeah I'll keep an eye on her but she mustn't know about us…"
That's when I entered. I can't believe he would do that! I ask for some privacy and he comes in and snoops! I gripped the doorknob on the door tightly watching Inspector Maguire. I can see he froze.
"Oh… hey Tess…" he said to me. I walked forward and slammed my hand onto the tab of the phone making him hang up on Richard. I looked at him in eye.
"What do you think you're doing?" I asked him.
"I was on the phone with my ah… chief of police." He answered trying to lie to me. What he doesn't know was that I heard the whole thing and he's not a very good liar either. I removed my hand pulling the phone off of his ear and slamming it down.
"I asked to do some work and next thing I know you're on the phone with my uncle telling him what I'm doing! Do you see me doing that to you! No! GET OUT!" I shouted pointing at the door. Inspector Maguire nodded his head and he felt. I slammed the door behind him. I growled and seated myself onto the chair. I set my backpack on the floor and pulled out my notes. I checked to make sure everything I had was there and it was. It looked like as if nothing was touched on the computer but I know he was looking at it. As I begun to work… all I could think of was Darien and… Jimmy.
Why am I thinking of them? Why? There just some boys in my life who seem to know everything… maybe… maybe I'm caught in between my emotions. I often did that. But Darien's been a friend all my life. I doubt he even thinks of me. And Jimmy… only known him for two years. But, me Jimmy can connect. I know how much he wants to get back to his body. He needs my help. He needs me. And Darien… I was the cause of his mother's death what does that tell you? I can't get close to either of them. I have to keep my distance so that either one of them gets hurt… yeah, I'm going to distance myself from them.
Normal P.O.V
Tess begun looking up for information. The one thing she needed to know was how these two hooked up. She needed to know. Soon the phone begun to ring. She knew that it was Richard calling Inspector Maguire back. She went to answer it when it stopped ringing. She pulled her hand away and continued to work taking down information as much as she needed on the two who wanted her dead.
It's been an hour and Tess kept herself locked up in the small office. Soon there was a knock at the door. She looked up to see a shadow that she assumed was Inspector Maguire.
"Not right now Inspector!" She shouted still angry.
"Who said we were Inspector Maguire?" Tess knew that voice. It was Darien. She looked up to see him standing there at the door with it open. Conan was standing next to him. She smiled at them both as they came in. Darien held a box of donuts and Conan carried a Pepsi bottle.
"We thought you might want some food considering you've been down here for an hour." Conan said. Tess smiled.
"Thanks." She said turning back to her computer. They seated themselves on the chairs in front of the desk as Darien opened the box. He leaned forward and Tess picked out a chocolate glazed donut. Conan handed her the Pepsi and she smiled at him.
"What are you researching?" Darien asked.
"I already told you." Tess answered typing franticly to change the website. Darien nodded his head.
"Yeah I know. But you might be looking up something else." Darien said. Tess turned the chair away from the computer. She folded her arms on her desk and looked at them.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Like… you being on a game site." Tess turned to see Conan standing next to her. Her eyebrow twitched slightly and her fist came down onto his head.
"Do you mind!" She shouted. Conan fell to the floor rubbing his head and Darien tried not to laugh. Tess leaned over the chair to lift him up when she came to a stop. She stood up and opened her jacket. She looked at holster. She stomped her foot.
"CRAP!" She shouted. Conan stood up as did Darien.
"What?" Conan and Darien asked.
"My gun is missing. I know I had it on me." Tess said. She picked up her bag placing it on her notes hiding them from the two boys. She searched through it. "Where did it go…?" she asked herself. Conan then remember when she bumped into that Jacob guy on the street.
"Jacob." Conan said. Darien and Tess looked at him weirdly.
"Jacob?" Darien repeated.
"Yeah. Tess remember the guy you bumped into on the streets." Conan said. Tess nodded her head.
"Yeah! I remember him!" she shouted. "I have to find him." Then there was a slight knock at the door. The three of them looked to see that Jacob was standing right there.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully.
"Hi…" Tess said back placing that nervous look on her face. Conan and Darien felt her discomfort.
"I saw you walk in here about an hour ago. I came to see if you were still here." Jacob said.
"Oh I am. Just doing some work." Tess stated to him.
"You called my name and I heard you. Is there anything you need?" he asked her.
"Yeah um… when I bumped into on the street."
"I said it's alright."
"No, I think my gun fell out of my holster when it happened. Did you happen to pick it up?" She asked him. Jacob looked up as if he was thinking. He then looked at her and shook his head.
"Nope." He answered. "Sorry."
"It's alright." Tess said sighing. "I have to find it." She said to herself quietly. Darien walked up to Jacob. He turned him around.
"Well uh… Tess needs to do some work right now so she'll see you later." Darien said pushing him out.
"Um… alright. Tess don't forget that you owe me that visit with your uncle.
"Heh… heh… yeah that." Tess said nervously. Darien shut the door before Jacob could say anymore. Tess through herself into the chair sighing. "He's so weird." She said.
"I agree… I got a slight… discomfort around him." Darien said. Tess and Conan nodded his head agreeing with him.
Soon night had fallen. Tess was the last one left within the station. She stood up shutting down the computer and picking up her stuff. She loaded her backpack and she threw it over her shoulder. She left the office locking it and taking the key with her. She walked toward the door when she heard something behind her. She turned and saw nothing. She shifted her eyes around searching the room. She shrugged the noise off and opened the door then left. She headed down the street with her hands in her pockets. She walked looking at the ground.
She seemed to be confused. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't find anything out on Jack or Dojoma and how they were connected. Maybe someone directed him to her. But there must be more then that. They seem to know what they were doing. Did they have this all planned out before her parents' murder? Or were they working it out? So many questions came into her mind with no answer to them. She knew the police computers weren't going to do anything for her. Again, tomorrow, she would return the key and miss school again. She will go to the library and do search there. She's bound to find something there.
Tess kept on walking. She didn't even notice something following her. She didn't pass anyone on the street considering how late it was at night. She didn't think no one would be out. But she was wrong.
Tess came to a stop. She whipped around to see someone standing there. She pulled a flashlight out and shined it into their eyes.
"Ah!" they said lifted up their right arm shielding their eyes from the light. She noticed it was Jacob. She sighed and lowered the flashlight.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I saw you walking so I decide to walk with you." he answered.
"Without asking?" she asked and Jacob didn't respond. "Geez, you made me think you were a stalker." Tess said turning around and walking away. Jacob fast walked and followed Tess.
"I'm sorry." He said to her. Tess raised her right hand.
"It's alright." She said. Tess then came to her house. She turned to Jacob. "Goodbye."
"Wow… so this is where the famous Richard Moore lives?" he asked. She nodded her head.
"Yup. But don't bother to come up at this hour. He probably got drunk and fell asleep at his desk. Goodnight." Tess said walking up the stairs. Tess entered the office. She looked out the window to see Jacob looking around. He then turned around and walked away. Tess noticed something in his back pocket. It was hat that was covering something. She decided not to care. She entered her room to see Rachel sitting up in her bed reading. Rachel looked over at her.
"Why didn't you show up for school?" Rachel asked her.
"I had to do some work." Tess said placing her bag on the floor. Rachel nodded her head.
"What about coming home late?" Rachel asked.
"Worked late." Tess answered changing out of her clothes. "Hey, do you know if Richard has any… fans…?" Tess asked her cousin. Rachel placed her bookmark into her book and closed it.
"Yeah, he has many." Rachel answered. Tess nodded her head as she slipped off her shirt.
"Do you know if he has any by the name of Jacob?" Tess then asked walking around the room in her bra and summer shorts looking for her nightshirt.
"Jacob…?" Rachel asked gesturing her to give her Jacob's last name. Tess continued to search the room.
"I don't know his last name." Tess answered. Rachel stood up and picked up her nightshirt from the corner of the room. She walked over to her and handed it to her. Tess smiled. "Thanks."
"You're welcome… I don't think my dad has any fans named Jacob. At least, none that I know of." Rachel said to her. Tess nodded her head as she slipped on her nightshirt. "Why?"
"Because I bumped into this man named Jacob on the streets. He says he's a big fan of me and Richard…" Tess answered, "he's kind of… odd… he walked me home."
"Awww, that's sweet." Rachel said with a smile.
"No, its not. The guy is like 25." Tess said climbing into bed. Rachel and Tess got underneath the covers at the same time.
"How old are you?" Rachel asked.
"16 turning 17." Tess said.
"Well, he's not that much older then you." Rachel said to her resting her head onto her pillow. Tess looked at her cousin as she laid down.
"There must be something seriously wrong with you." Tess said rolling onto her side. Rachel got up resting on her elbow.
"Why do you say that?" Rachel asked. Tess rolled over looking at her.
"For one thing, he's older then me, and two… he's weird." Tess said rolling back onto her side again. Rachel shrugged her shoulders.
"Nothing wrong with that." Rachel mumbled but Tess heard.
"Yes there is." She said. Rachel shook her head. She then turned off the lamp on the nightstand that separated Tess and Rachel's beds.
"Goodnight Tess."
"Goodnight Rachel."
The next morning Tess was up early. She was dressed and out the door with her backpack. She walked to the library. She passed millions of people on the streets who were rushing to get to work on time. She was pushed a few times but didn't mind it at all. She was also too tired to do any yelling. Tess crossed the main road and walked up the library stairs. She went to walk in when she noticed the library was closed. She sighed. She set her backpack onto the stone wall. She jumped up and sat on it waiting for the hour where the library was going to be open.
"Tess?" someone called from behind her. Tess turned to see Jacob standing there with that funky hat she saw last night on his head.
"Hi… Jacob." Tess said. Jacob walked up the stairs to the library.
"What are you doing here?" Jacob asked her walking to the doors of the library.
"The doors are locked." Tess said pointing at the doors skipping over his question. He pulled out some keys. He looked down flipping through them.
"I know. I'm the librarian here." He answered. Tess rolled her eyes and set her head backwards as Jacob unlocked the doors. He let Tess in. "So, why aren't you at school?" he asked.
"Well… I have to do some work." Tess said. Jacob nodded his head.
"Are you doing the same work you were doing at the police station yesterday?" he then asked her. Tess looked at him.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"A lot of cops who seemed to be lost deep in their work often come here to use the computers." He answered her.
"Well I'm no co-…"
"I know, you're an FBI agent from New York." He said. Tess looked at him oddly. The newspaper never said anything about that and she knew that none of that information was out. She wanted to know where this guy did his homework. "Well, the computers are in there and I'll be rearranging books over there if you need me." Jacob said pointing the directions out.
"Alright." She said. They both went their separate ways. Tess placed her backpack at the end of her chair as she took a seat. Tess turned on the computer and begun to do her work. She wrote down notes that she was able to find on these computers then on the Police Station computers.
Soon two o'clock rolled around; and Tess was still working. Jacob was here and there around her placing books into the places on the shelves and once in a while he would look at her, but when she notices and looks at him he smiles.
Conan and Darien entered the library looking around for her. Rachel was worried that she didn't go to school again today so she sent both of them out. But they didn't show up themselves, Richard also followed. He said he had to talk to her about something but he waited outside for them.
They spotted her and walked over. Tess had her chin in her hand resting. It looked like her eyes were fixed on the computer screen. Whatever she was doing, she was really focused on it.
"Tess?" Conan and Darien asked unison. Tess jerked up she then turned her head to look at them and smiled.
"Hey guys." She said. Darien adjusted his heavy backpack on his shoulder.
"Rachel sent us to find you." Darien said to her. Tess sighed.
"She's worried about you." Conan added. Tess nodded her head turning back to the computer screen.
"Figured much, considering I got up with her to leave for school." Tess said.
"Why didn't you go to school?" Darien asked. Tess glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She then turned fully around to face both of her friends.
"Because I have work to do." Tess said to him.
"Work is more important that your education?" Conan then asked. Tess looked at him.
"Yeah it is." She answered him. She then sighed. "Look Jimmy, I basically put my work before anything else." She added.
"We can see that." Darien said. "Look um… Richard's outside. He wants to talk to you about something." Darien said nudging to the door. Tess groaned as she turned facing the computer screen again. She knew what he wanted. He wanted to talk about what Inspector Maguire had discovered yesterday… or he could've forgotten and want to talk to her about why she didn't go to school.
"Do you know why?" Tess asked rubbing her forehead.
"Nope." Darien answered. She continued to rub her head.
"Richard's here?" came an excited voice. Darien, Conan, and Tess turned to see Jacob standing there with book in his hands. "Richard Moore is here!" he asked again.
"Ah…" they all said in unison.
"Yeah… he's here." Tess said standing up. "But he needs to talk to me probably about something really important. So… you'll have to talk to him later. I'll introduce you two later alright?" Tess asked.
"Alright." Jacob answered with a slight pout. Tess nodded her head. She closed everything down on the computer so no one would look. She then exited the library. Darien and Conan stayed inside with Jacob. Both of them knew that he was weird… but why did he show up everywhere where Tess was? Conan tugged at Darien's pants. Darien blinked as he looked down. Conan waved to him calling him closer to him as he watched Jacob walk away.
"Is it me… or is Jacob popping up everywhere Tess is?" he asked. Darien nodded his head agreeing with the short one.
"I noticed. He's everywhere… odd… I never saw him before in my life." Darien said to Conan.
"There are a lot of people who we don't know who live here." Conan said. "And he probably just moved here."
"But… if he's a die hard fan… then why hasn't he tried to talk to Richard?" Darien then asked. Conan nodded his head.
"Good point." Conan said. "Maybe he's stalking her." he added.
"Yeah… maybe… but Tess would know." He said to him. Conan shook his head as he placed his fingers onto his chin.
"No, no she wouldn't. She's been to caught up in her work to notice anything right now. Maybe she doesn't know."
"But she should have some kind of sense."
"Maybe… but from what Tess just said to me… she puts her work basically before everything else. So maybe she's put her work in front of her for so long that she never noticed him stalking her." he said to him. Conan had a point and Darien couldn't argue. As much as he wanted to her didn't because he knew he was right. "And with her gun missing… if she got into any trouble she wouldn't be able to get herself out of it."
"But she can fight." Darien pointed out.
"Maybe so but… what if he drugs her, or pulls a gun? She has no defense over a gun without her own." Conan said to him. He also had a point there. Darien didn't know what to say. It was like Jimmy, the kid she's known for about 2 years knew Tess better then him. Maybe he looked at it differently. Maybe he was looking at it from Tess's point of view. It was possible.
"Good point there." Darien sighed, "what are we going to do?"
"Protect her." he said.
"How? You said yourself if he pulls a gun on her she wouldn't have any defense. What are we going to do against a gun?" Darien asked Conan standing up right.
"I have my stun gun." He said. Darien raised an eyebrow. Conan showed him his stun gun watch. Darien nodded his head.
"Oh yeah, like a stun gun is going to help. What if he shoots when he gets hit with it?" Darien asked.
"We'll have to make a plan before that." Conan said to him. Darien sighed. He didn't really get this kid. He has one point and makes another that sometimes made no sense.
Darien's P.O.V
"We'll have to make a plan before that." He said. I never really got Jimmy. He can be so smart at one point and then be so dumb. Come on? Honestly, do you really think a stun gun is going to work against a man? Well… it works against Richard. But Richard doesn't even have a brain!
Jimmy Kudo. How can he be so smart and yet be so dumb the next? He's supposed to be like… the smartest detective. But now, what he just said to me it makes him look dumb and full of stupidity. Come on, not even a real detective would say something like that. I know I wouldn't but that's me. But… I'll do anything to protect Tess. She's being stalked and she didn't even have a clue about it. How could she have done that?
Whatever work she's doing it must be pretty important. I know Tess. And I know her well. She knows what she is doing… but sometimes she doesn't. She doesn't think clearly when she rushes into things or when she's doing work. But I know that she's not going to believe me and Jimmy when we tell her that she's being stalked. Should we even tell her? If we tell her that Jacob might be stalking her then… she might go off on him. It might not be a good idea to tell her.
But I love Tess. If you love someone you need to tell them what's going on right? Well, this has something to do with her so I think we should tell her. Not only on my behalf but on hers as well. If she knows she's being stalked maybe she'll keep her eye out and Jimmy and I won't have to do anything. Love can make you do things you don't want to do.
Jimmy's P.O.V
Darien gave me that look like I was crazy. There was nothing else I could think of. He was right. How are we going to deal with a man who possibly has Tess's gun and all we got is a stun gun watch? I guess Darien has the right to give me that look. But I want to help Tess just as much as he does.
He's not the only one who cares about her. I care about her as well. and I want to protect her just as much as he does. We both basically are the same when he comes to Tess. But I know something he doesn't. I know that Tess came here to Japan to track done her parents' killer. And that's the work she's probably working on right now. I wouldn't put it past her.
I know that Darien doesn't like me much. He probably thinks that I'm dumb or something for what I just said. He has the right. I would think the same thing about someone else. But, I know that we'll figure out something to get on step in front of this stalker. Jacob. I wonder why he's stalking her. Maybe he's connected to Tess's parents' killer. Maybe… just maybe. We'll figure that out as well when it comes around.
Normal P.O.V
Tess exited the library. She looked to her left to see Richard standing there. He was leaning on the stone wall connected to the stairs with his arms crossed. He looked at Tess furiously. He knows something. And Tess knew what it was. Tess looked at him as he spoke.
"Inspector Maguire called me yesterday." He said to her, "he informed me that you were supposedly looking up information on kidnappers we should be aware of."
"I was." Tess said to him.
"Don't be to quick to speak." He said to her. "But Inspector Maguire saw links to websites that have to do with the New York mob and Dojoma Ushi. What are you hiding Tess?" Richard asked. Tess rolled her eyes.
"I'm not hiding anything." Tess said to him. He looked at her.
"You're lying to me." He knew she was lying. He didn't have a doubt in his mind that she was lying. She lied to him a year ago when she first came here. She was sent here to find her brother, the mass murderer. There's not doubt in his mind that she's here for something else.
"Why do you think I'm lying to you?" Tess asked.
"Because a year ago you were here to find your brother and stop him. You didn't come here to visit us that year." Richard said to her.
Tess crossed her arms, "okay." She paused. "I was keeping up-to-date with what was going on in New York. Before I decided to come here and tell you about what had happened I was on a major case to bring down a drug lord in the New York mob."
"And what about Dojoma Ushi?" Richard then asked.
"What about her?"
"Why were you looking up information about her?" he then asked.
Tess sighed, "because she had escaped from jail and it was one of the files I came a cross in the crime files that looked interesting and to come to find out, she was an ex-con woman and everything." Tess answered. Richard eyed her funny. He then sighed and decided to drop it.
"Alright Tess. I hope you're telling me the truth this time." He said. He then walked down the stairs and towards his office with his hands in his pockets not sure if she was telling the truth. Tess sighed in relief. She was glad that he decided to agree with her and not keep fighting because she might have to tell him. She entered the library again to see Darien and Conan talking. She decided to go back to her computer. She seated herself down and begun to work again.
"Tess." She turned her head to see Jacob. "Do you think you can take me to see Richard today?" he asked her.
"Um… sure." She answered. Jacob smiled and walked away. Tess turned back to the computer and continued to work. Darien and Conan then walked over.
"Hey um… Tess?" Darien said to her. Tess rolled her eyes annoyed by the interruptions.
"Yeah?" she asked turning her head to look at them both.
"Um… we think that your being stalked." Darien said. Tess rose an eyebrow.
"By who?" She then asked.
"By Jacob." Conan answered. "He pops up everywhere you go. Don't you think that's odd?" he asked.
"Well… that is kind of odd and everything but I don't think he's stalking me. A stalker would be like watching me through my window or in the bathroom or something."
"Or following you around and trying to be nice to cover up whatever he's doing." Darien said adjusting his backpack. Tess shook her head.
"No, Jacob isn't stalking me… he's just… a little over being to kind." Tess stated turning back to the computer.
"Believe what you want Tess, but Jacob is stalking you." Conan announced. Tess looked at him. She saw that seriousness in his eye when he has figured out a murder or when he knows that she's hiding something. Tess sighed.
"At least… humor us and be careful." Darien said. Tess bowed her head. She then lifted it up and nodded.
"Yeah. I'll be careful." She said to them. Conan and Darien nodded their heads and left. They walked on down the street.
Tess looked in the direction where Jacob was working. They did have a good point. He did show up wherever she goes. That's a little odd. But she still didn't believe that he was a stalker. He didn't fit that profile. But in yet… there are a lot of people who wouldn't fit a murderer profile and they have committed murder. Tess was going to be careful like she had told Darien and Conan.
That night, around eight o'clock; Tess begun to pack her things. Jacob was nowhere to be found. Tess looked around as she packed up and swung her backpack over her shoulder. She walked toward the door and placed her hand onto the handle when she heard a crash. She turned and looked to see books on the floor. Tess rose an eyebrow as she removed her hand from the handle and turned around walking toward the books that had fallen.
"Jacob?" Tess called out.
No answer.
"Jacob… you there?" she called out again.
No answer.
She walked up to the books and picked one up. From inside the book a piece of paper had fallen out. It looked like a page within the book. She picked it up and went to read it. Her eyes widened from what she saw:
Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore. Tess Moore.
Her name went on and on. She flipped it over on the back and it continued from there. She opened the book and searched through it for more of those papers. Soon enough she came across all of them in the back. Then, something fell onto her shoulder and rolled in front of her hitting the floor. She looked. She reached down and picked it up to see it was Jacob's hat. Her eyes widened even further. She looked around as she stood upright slowly. She turned around and faced the door to see a figure standing there. She took a step back as the figure lifted up his head to reveal Jacob.
"Your friends were right you know." He said to her. Tess dropped her backpack knowing it was going to be to much weight to carry for her to run.
"What do you mean?" she then asked.
"I am stalking you. Wait, more like I'm obsessed with you!" He ran towards her. Tess went to reach for her gun when she grabbed nothing. She had forgotten that she had lost her gun when she bumped into this man on the streets. She turned around and ran off into the aisles and aisles of books. "Tess Moore! There's nowhere you can hide! I know this library like the back of my hand!" He then began to shoot right where Tess was hiding. She dropped to the floor covering her head as the bullets flew by. She looked underneath the shelf to see his shoes. Then his knees. And then his hands that held her gun. And then… she saw his face. "Found you." Tess jumped to her feet and ran running past Jacob as he followed her.
She reached into her pocket grabbing her cell phone. She flipped it open and called Jimmy. ON the black screen in green letters it said "Searching for signal." She growled. But then Jacob began to shoot at her as she continued to run.
Jimmy sat in the guest room doing homework when one of his lenses broke into view of Tess. His eyes widened as he saw her sweating and huffing and puffing. She was leaning up against a bookshelf with the cell phone on her ear.
"Jimmy! Jimmy can you hear me!" She yelled.
"Yeah! Tess I can hear you. What's wrong?" he asked standing up.
"It's… it's Jacob." Tess said gasping for air in between her words. "You and Darien were right. He was stalking me and now I think he wants to-…"
"FOUND YOU!" came Jacob's voice. Conan then heard gun shots and the screen fuzzed out. Conan's eyes widened as he stood up and ran out of his room. He came to the office where Darien was sitting doing his homework.
"Darien!" he shouted. "We have to go to the library! Now!" he shouted at him. Darien looked up confused.
"Why?" he asked.
"Tess is in trouble!" He answered running out of the office. Darien through down his pencil and followed him down the stairs and down the street.
Tess laid on the floor on her stomach as Jacob stood over her. He held her gun in her hands. He didn't shoot her. He shot her cell phone out of her hands and hit her in the head with the end of the gun. He reached down grabbing onto the back of her jacket. He dragged her across the floor leaving a little trail of blood from her head. He dragged her to his desk and tossed her onto it. Tess gave a little groan as her head rolled to the right and then to the left. Jacob reached over his desk and grabbed onto a needle. He ripped the cap off and held onto Tess's arms tightly as he went to drug her.
Tess opened her eyes to see what was going on. She began to struggle and scream. Jacob placed his hand over her mouth. But then. Tess bit onto his hand to the point where she tasted his blood enter her mouth. Jacob screamed and ripped his hand away. Tess kicked his stomach and then the needle in his hand. She stood up spitting out some of his skin that she had torn off. She ran toward the door grabbing onto the handles about to pull open the doors. But then Jacob grabbed onto her with his bloody hand. Tess felt her body being tugged away from the door but she held on tightly.
"TEESS!" She heard someone call. She looked to see Darien and Conan running over.
"JIMMY! DARIEN!" She screamed but then she was ripped away from the door and flung onto the floor. Conan knelt down pressing the button on his shoe. He then found and rock and kicked it. The rock went through the door and hit Jacob in the back of his head dropping him onto the floor onto Tess. Darien stuck his hand through to the broke glass of the door and opened it. Then they both entered and ran toward Tess as she pushed Jacob's body off of her. Darien dragged her away and then helped her to her feet.
"You alright?" he asked. Tess nodded her head as she leaned up against his desk.
"Yeah… I'm… I'm fine." She answered him. Since Darien's back was turned to Jacob he felt a tight grip on his arm. Then he was pulled away from Tess and Conan and brought to someone's chest. Tess's eyes widened as Conan's did as well. Darien heard the click of a hammer and then he felt a gun pressing up against his temple as he felt an arm wrap around his neck. "Darien!" She shouted.
"Shut up! And don't move!" Jacob yelled holding onto Darien tightly. Darien grabbed onto his arm trying to rip it away but it failed. "Stay back!" Jacob then yelled. Tess stood there clenching her fists as she watched Jacob back away towards the door. His target then changed directions. The gun was now pointing at Tess and Conan as he walked away. He opened the door and walked backwards down the stairs. Then… he was gone and so wasn't Darien. Tess ran to the door and looked around.
"DARIEN! DARIEN!"
No answer. He was gone, along with Tess's stalker.
Next Time on Case Closed: "Darien was kidnapped!" Tess and Conan raced to the police station to report what had just happened. Darien was kidnapped by a crazy man and they had no leads to where he could be. What's going to happen to Darien if they don't get to him in time to save him?
Next Time: Darien's Capture
Next Conan's Hint: Darien's Shirt