Author's Note: The shortest chapter…sort of. Sorry about that, but there isn't much to write on. I promise something will happen in the next chapter! Also, thanks for the reviews again!

Part 10

"You're free to go."

Shinichi was skeptical. He was barely in prison for two nights, and the police officer was already opening the door for him. He stood there, speechless, until the officer spoke up gruffly. "Or do you prefer to stay in there forever?"

Without anymore hesitation, Shinichi rushed out of the cell. He was escorted out of the place, but his next stop had been the inspector's office---Nakamori's office.

Nakamori-keibu was not the only one there. Megure-keibu, Mouri Kogoro, and---to Shinichi's astonishment---Ran were all waiting for him. Ran's eyes were bloodshot, most likely from lack of sleep and crying. She got up as Shinichi approached them, but instead of a hug or anything else, he received a punch in the stomach.

"W-why did you do that for!" he choked.

"Baka! I had been so worried about you! Why did you go and pretend that you're Kid and get yourself arrested? You're a big idiot!"

Tears were forming in Ran's eyes as she said. Shinichi's eyes widened, and guilt filled him. "Gomen, Ran. I didn't mean to make you worried…"

Nakamori-keibu cleared his throat loudly to attract their attention. "Kudo, I just like to let you know that due to certain events, your name has been cleared and you're free to go. I'm sorry."

"Certain events?" Shinichi pressed.

"Well, apparently the real Kaitou Kid appeared last night." His voice was low but audible. "I can recognize that cockiness in his voice any day," he muttered. "And since you've been in jail during the whole incident, it's obvious that you aren't Kaitou Kid."

"But what happened to Kid?"

"He disappeared, that's it."

Shinichi was about to ask some more when Mouri cut him off. "It's our turn to question you, so be honest now! Why were you pretending to be Kid?" he demanded.

Shinichi froze for a short moment. Then, he loosened his tension and replied calmly, "I'm investigating the case of attempted murders on Kid."

It was not a lie. He just didn't give out the whole truth. It wasn't wrong anyway. Everyone else in the room looked at each other. Megure-keibu stood up with a frown. "And you pretended to be Kid just for that? You must be out of your mind! You could have been killed! If you want to investigate it so badly, why don't you ask us for assistance?"

Shinichi shrugged. "It's not that I don't trust you though," he noted.

"To tell you the truth, Kudo, I'm bothered about the murder attempts too," Nakamori told him firmly, "and I like you to leave it to us. Your life will cost the whole of Japan, I guarantee that. So please keep out of this."

"Nakamori is right, Kudo," Megure agreed. "We can handle this. Don't protest now," he added before Shinichi could open his mouth. "It's a case closed for you. Be on your way."

Shinichi shut his mouth reluctantly. He turned to go, but stopped. "Er, where did the 'incident' happen?"

"At the Kiyota building, close to central Tokyo," Nakamori replied, lighting a cigarette.

"Did you scout the place for Kid?"

Nakamori grunted. "We didn't have time to do that. If we did, you'll only be let out tomorrow morning. Now scat!"

Shinichi did as he was told, followed by Ran and Mouri. They had only reached outside when Shinichi turned to Ran. "I have to go somewhere, Ran. I'll be right back."

Ran was surprised. "W-where are you going?"

"Just somewhere. Don't worry, I'll call you once I get back. Bye!"

He was off, leaving Ran with a frustrated look on her face. Mouri scoffed. "That boy's always disappearing off…goodness knows what he's doing. Let's go, Ran."

Shinichi hopped off the cab when he had reached his destination. After paying the cab driver, he looked up at the Kiyota building in front of him. It was after midnight, and the building was dark and lonesome. He walked around it until he found the fire escape. It took him a while to take the flights of stairs up to the highest floor, then another few seconds to get in and head up to the roof. He flung the door open, and the first thing he saw almost made him faint.

A figure of white was lying near the edge, red liquid stained on it.

He walked up to it gingerly, staring at it all the time. When he was a foot from it, it didn't take long for him to figure out that it was Kaitou Kid. He bent down next to the body, still trying to convince himself that it was a dream. With his teeth grinding his lower lip, he put a firm hand over the shoulder of the body and turned it.

Surprise crossed his face.

The face of a Kid-dummy smiled up at him.

Across the city, glass shattered.

Red pieces of glass were all over the rocks. Along with them was a little piece of paper. The cheeky signature of Kid grinned on it.

"You were tricked…AGAIN!" the rich man roared in anger. "How could you have made this mistake! You let that darned rat, Kid go again! How could you have done it! Answer me, Jackal!"

Jackal bit his lip. "I'm very sorry, sir! It won't happen again!"

"It better not, or I'll kill you with my own hands! Get out of here! You will only return with the REAL Pandora gem! GO!"

Bowing, Jackal turned and ran out quickly. At the same time, he mumbled curses under his breath. "I'll kill him…I'll surely do…"