If the Shoe Fits…Part 6
Jinpei called the number from the news broadcast. He waited anxiously for the police to answer. Ken stood nearby, listening intently as he dressed a dummy in Jun's clothes.
Ryu and Joe were already in birdstyle, waiting for the signal to rendezvous when they were needed.
"Hello. Utoland Police Department, this is Sergeant West speaking…"
"Hello, there sir, I'm calling about the girl who's been robbing banks recently. My brother and I think we've caught her. Where should I bring her?" Jinpei struggled to sound "official" on the phone.
"How old are you son?" The voice on the other end asked.
"Does it really matter? And my name's Jinpei, not son…" Jinpei was losing his cool. "Now do you want the girl or not? My brother and I are gonna bring her to ya. By the way, is there a reward?" Jinpei grinned mischievously. Ken stopped stuffing the dummy into Jun's clothes for a minute and thunked Jinpei on the head. "I mean…" Jinpei shrugged as he continued speaking. "…we don't have to have a reward…we're just trying to be good citizens…"
The Sergeant replied, "Oh, you'll get your reward, son, just be patient. Bring her to the amphitheatre on the western edge of town. We don't want to attract any more media attention to the Police station than we already have. We'll meet you there in thirty minutes."
Jinpei hung up the phone.
"Well…" Ken probed.
"They're going to meet us at the amphitheatre on the western edge of town in thirty minutes…" Jinpei began, "…something's definitely fishy about this. It's weird he didn't want me to go to the police station…"
"I'll tell the others to be at the amphitheatre in half an hour. Help me stuff 'Jun' into this burlap sack." Ken chuckled.
Jun arrived at the town of Danya, excited to see her sensei again.
"Madiana!" She ran up and hugged the old woman.
"Jun…you've grown into such a beautiful young woman…" Madiana's eyes wrinkled as she smiled at her former student.
"Sensei…I've… run into a bit of trouble…Katse may have found out my identity…" Her head drooped as she spoke. "I was hoping to stay here for a while…maybe relax and meditate…try to figure out what to do about this."
"Of course, come in, child, let's talk over tea…" Madiana pulled Jun by the hand and led her into her house.
"Tell me, Jun, how did this happen? Kozuboro Nambu was very careful in keeping your identities a secret." She poured a cup of steaming tea for Jun, and then for herself.
"I lost my shoe…and Katse found it. Using the shoe, he discovered the secret of our birdstyles. Then, he came looking for me…only I decided to become a decoy and get my shoe back…" Jun sipped at the steeping tea.
"Did it work?" The leathery old woman studied Jun's face as she spoke.
"Yes…I got my shoe back. But I think Katse was able to see my face." Jun bowed her head shamefully.
"How do you know, my dear? What makes you so sure Katse has seen you?"
"Well, I wasn't sure at first, but then a news report showed a girl, who looked exactly like me, robbing banks all over Utoland."
The old woman took a sip of tea. "Katse is a master of disguise. He was hoping someone would turn you in for the crime, I assume?"
Jun nodded. "I was endangering the team by staying. If Katse finds me, he could find out the others' identities… by association. That's why I came here. I quit the team…but they don't know it yet."
"Why didn't you tell them, Jun? I'm sure they would understand…"
"I left a note explaining everything…along with my bracelet…on my bed. They'll find out soon enough." Tears filled the Swan's eyes at the thought of losing the only family she knew.