Disclaimer: I do not own Case Closed or its characters.
All That Glitters Is Gold!
The dark tundra glistened in the moonlit sun. The faint scent of blood rose from the air. Dogs howled and grass grew. A shadowy figure staggered on one leg, lumbering about much like a lumberjack does, except instead of an ax, there was the faint figure of something… round… and stupid.
A faint voice called from the ground, "You'll never find the treasure!"
The shadowy figure whipped around, pulled out a gun, pulled the trigger…
… and realized he was out of bullets.
Realizing that it didn't matter and that he was going to die of blood loss anyway, he whipped around again, cackling as he made off into the distance.
-----
Elsewhere, in Tokyo's most famous corn restaurant, Corn City, Conan, Rachel, and Detective Moore were enjoying a plate of Jumbo Corn.
"Dad, why do you always have to take us to stupid places like this?" whined Rachel. "You've been solving cases recently. Can't we afford something a bit better than this?"
"There's nothing wrong with corm, Rachel," said Detective Moore. "It's good for you. Besides, I have a coupon."
Oh, brother, thought Conan. Not this again. He always takes us to the dumbest places because he's so cheap.
The waiter walked up to their table. "Would you like some more corn beer, sir?" he asked Detective Moore.
"Don't mind if I do," replied the detective.
"Dad," protested Rachel, "this'll be your third! Besides, you've already had two entire corn pies!"
Just as Detective Moore opened his mouth to defend himself, a loud shout of protest was heard from the kitchen.
"What's that?" asked Conan. "What's going on?"
Detective Moore glared at Conan with a mixture of surprise, confusion, and total annoyance on his face. "He probably just dropped something on his foot. This is really big corn. Accidents must happen, and who're we to interfere? Just be quiet and eat your corn."
"I think we should go check it out," said Rachel.
They didn't have to, because just then, the manager stormed into the room and announced, "I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but Corn City is now closed. I'm going to have to ask you all to leave immediately."
Conan, Rachel, and Detective Moore, and some other customer they didn't know groaned in unison.
"Is there some sort of problem?" queried Rachel.
"If there wasn't a problem, would I really be closing the restaurant, genius?" snarled the manager.
Well, he's a right little ray of sunshine, thought Conan.
"Now, wait just a minute," coaxed Detective Moore. "Don't be like that. Tell us what's wrong; maybe we can help. I am, after all, the famous Detective Moore."
"You're Detective Moore?" the manager said skeptically. "I thought you'd be taller."
"Never mind about that!" snapped the detective. "Now, do you want my help or don't you?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Forgive me, Mr. Moore," the manager amended hurriedly. "Follow me to my office and I'll explain the situation. It isn't pretty."
And nobody noticed the sinister goldfish swimming in dark circles in the nondescript tank in the background that nobody cares about.
END OF CHAPTER
