'Thoughts'
"Speaking"
Chapter 19
"So Haibara, Conan, are you two excited to see the home in Hokkaido?"
"Yup" Smiled Haibara. Conan nodded his head looking the other way.
"so Conan how did you know I was innocent?" Takeshi Hatamoto asked.
"yeah...I just knew... er-I got to go to the toilet!" I rush leaving them confused in their seats. Only haibara gave a small shake of her head in disapproval of my actions.
I rush to the restroom door my thoughts busy in concentration on our cover story and how difficult it is to act like a normal kid. I'm repeatedly told by Haibara that my elocution is too flawless for a child my age and my diction is unusual and far too advance for a kid. Yet, when I follow her advice I sound like an idiot.
It is nothing like the missions where I went undercover. I know how to act like a spoiled brat, a quiet girl (those missions I abhorred), and a snobby kid. However, that is all. I can't act rambunctious, or even speak like a child very well. I was able to pass by due to the identities I had were all from high society and therefore people not surprise by the formal way I spoke. Of course I was taught by Vermouth some phrase which were code that could be mistaken a child speaking.
I was about to open the door back to the train cart when my body tensed up, unease shook my body; I immediately sense one of Them: the Syndicate. The door slides open and I began to feel light headed. My pulse quickens and my breaths became shallow and rapid. Standing before me was the people who raised me, the people who trained me, and the people who caged me. Never have they seem as large and powerful as they do right now in front of me. Gin and Vodka.
'It's them.' My eyes I imagine must be wide and a drop of sweat starts to trickle down my back. I felt my fears screaming at me to move, to run away, to jump out of the moving train, but instead I stood there paralyzed.
The tall daunting figure of the duo were the only thing I could see and at that moment they moved their eyes towards me.
"Oy" Vodka steps forward with a sneer, yet I was unable to hear it against the thumping of my heart. If I wasn't able to read his lips I wouldn't have even understood what he said.
"Move! Get outta the way!" Vodka swipes his hand towards me. I step back automatically dogging as if it was a practice fighting session. Gin ignores Vodka's yell, never taking his eyes away from the phone in his hand. He then shifts his attention to where Vodka is standing and walk away towards a booth.
"Tch! Stupid brat..." Vodka mutters. I stay still at the same spot. After a couple of seconds I notice an uncomfortable pain in my chest. I inhale air back into my protesting lungs and squeeze my hands to put some feeling into them. I take a hesitant step forward and slowly return to my seat where I fortunately (or unfortunately) had a great view of where they sat.
My gaze moves away from them to the pale, shivering Haibara, who did not even dare herself to take a peek at who from the syndicate decided to accompany us on the train ride.
Natuse Hatamoto turns her head towards us. Her brow scrunches and she puts her hand on Haibara shoulder "Are you two alright?"
"We're fine!" I quickly replied. My voice to my surprise did not betray the fear and unease I felt. I turn my eyes back to the duo. I take a deep breath and steady my shaking hands. I sit up straight, lift my chin up from my chest and move my shoulder back. I need to detach myself from my fears and emotions. I have to observe the situation logically and force myself to keep my mind from falling into hysterias.
'I'm okay. Breathe.
Report analysis;
Fact one:
Vodka clearly did not recognized me. Irritation was obviously real due to the twitch on his forehead and he is not known for his acting ability therefore crossing out the possibility of my new identity being compromised. It is possible that the hat I have on successfully obscured my face and therfore hid my identity.
Fact two:
Gin and Vodka are known for "cleaning up" and never will leave base for anything that is not related to the syndicate. Since the shoes on them were lightly scratched and appearing new it showed that they just left base and therefore most likely are going to conduct an transaction on the train instead of using the train as a mode of transportation. Support for this is the suitcase. Now the suitcase itself offers information: It is a black, new, has no marking for brand, and in quality condition made up of cowhide different than normal usage of metal. This shows that the content in the suitcase is not seen as valuable to the syndicate. It has a combination on the top of the case yet it was custom made due to lock being buttons instead of rolling it like the typical suitcases locks so the syndicate modified it.
Fact three:
Suitcase will contain papers or cash. Most likely papers since cash is always done in metal to make it difficult to be seen in security to catch. This can make the meeting to be anything from blackmail to trading information.
Fact four:
The syndicate sent Gin which means they can not trust someone to be loyal for the mission or it is possible that the mission is not a diplomatic one and that he is sent this mission so someone could die. I am starting to think it is the later.
Fact five:
This mission is recently thought of. Support is the file for the transaction was not mention in their database when I check at the hotel so long ago. It can be possible that the bust caused bigger problems in the Japanese base. I wonder if they are in need of money due to the earlier order of the robbery of the Billion Yen.
All this passed through my head in the span of a minute. I blinked as I watch them both rise up from their seats. I slid down from my seat quietly and was prepared to follow where they had headed but stop. 'Why do I care? I am perfectly unknown to them. As an ex-member it is death to bring their attention myself? Does it bother me if they kill a person? rob them? or destroy them? Right now I have safe cover but if I follow them then I put not only myself, but I unnecessarily put the Hatamotos and Haibara in danger. Yet, despite all the illogicalities feelings I have to follow them why do I have a sense of dread if I chose not to?'
I continue to take a step towards the door they left. "Conan-kun! Why did you leave your seat? Come on let's head back." Takeshi Hatamoto chides, he grabs my shoulder pulling me back to my seat.
"Er.."My mind was blank.'why did I leave my seat? was it because wherever they go destruction follows.'
I slid in my seat thinking of all the appalling possibilities of why they could even be here. The door slides open after what seem like seconds which most likely could have been minutes. Once again Gin and Vodka enter the cart . I gathered my courage and ignore my fear as I strain to read Vodka's lips:
"Finally I can take a smoke...Pretty slick transaction eh Aniki?...Nahh, no one is listening." He takes out a cigarette. "Haha, careful as always eh Gin? 400 million just for returning that black suitcase...what the heck was in the thing?"
After a while he said nothing, I began to worry 'Please let Vodka be an ignoramus and repeat what he said. Yes! he is opening his mouth.'
"Gold? If it gets used well, than 400 million isn't anything. I see that would explain the excitement then."
'What a transaction of information? Then They wouldn't have sent Gin on the mission unless they want to make sure they shut up.'
"Their last view?"
'Their last view?their death? What does the view have to do with anything?' Irritation flickered across my face. Annoyed by how I could only learn half of the conversation.
"But what if they drop it or something?"
'Why is he worried if they drop it?'
"It's a time bomb!"
My eyes widen. It seem that I have been lucky enough catch what Gin and Vodka purpose was on this task. I take a glance at the newly weds Hatamotos who are still recovering from the tragedy. To think everyone on the train besides the syndicate duo is at a risk of being blown up without even knowing it.
"Oh he's here?"was the last thing I could read from Vodka. Soon after a female voice on the intercom stated "Nagoya, Nagoya all disembarking passengers" getting up from their seats the duo members did a subtle quick swipe of DNA evidence.
"Hey you're holding us up" Gin snapped at Vodka for taking too long to gather the suitcase. As they walk pass our seats, Haibara was currently wearing a hat I gave her to hid her face,while I decided to bend down and look like I was tying my shoe. Gin stopped and stared at the air. It took all my control not to twitch under his presence.
"Come on aniki"
"Feels like another 'friend' will be joining our partner at 3:10."I just know his lips curved into a feral smirk. Moments later only the silent steps indicated his walk towards the exit. Together they left the train disappearing into the crowd as if they never existed living up to the syndicate nickname of the phantom organization.
I look to the corner of my eye, pleased at seeing the Hatamotos oblivious to what happened continuing their talk. I lean forward and whisper in English "Haibara, Gin and Vodka left a bomb on this train to one of the passengers. It is to explode at 3:10. We have exactly 24 minutes before it will explode."
"Shit." she then whispered "What do you want me to do? I don't know what they were talking about or who exactly is holding onto the bomb." I look away from her thinking.
"But I can help your search since you are currently in trouble for wandering around. Where do you think the person who has the bomb is?"
I lean back focusing on remembering the conversation of the duo. "Finally I can smoke." I lifted my head Vodka's deep voice when he enter the train cart gave enough information to get a lead. "Haibara, on this train they enter a dining cart that was non-smoking and the bomb is currently in a black leather suitcase because the suitcase changed in style when they returned and is not the original that they left with."
"Natuse-san how many train cars are smoking area like this one? Haibara interrupted the Hatamotos conversation.
"Well, there are 8 carts that are non-smoking but it is just our luck that all of them were already booked and they were unwilling to change our seats to non-smoking even with children and the offer to double the amount."
"Now, now Natuse, we did buy our tickets moments before entering..." Takeshi-san continue to speak however I zone out their idle chatter.
'If there are 8 carts it is still too much to cover for Haibara. What else am I missing?'-"there last view"
I look to Haibara patiently waiting for my conclusion, leaning forward I whisper to her "they were on the second floor of the train in the non-smoking cart where they can see the only view of the mountains. The mountains are the only thing worth viewing. I want you to find a person with a black suitcase and an electronic that could set off a bomb.
A small nod was given, she pushed herself off the seat and ask the Hatamotos "Can I have some money to buy candy from the person on the train? But first I need to go to the bathroom."
"I will go with you Haibara-" Natsue began to say
"No! I'm a big girl! I can go by myself. Please?"
"Oh..Okay, just don't wander like your brother did alright?"
"Hai!"
'heh mark myself as a troublemaker already huh? I hope Haibara is able to figure out. Only 20 minutes left.' I look at the window and then to the clock on the wall. Haibara returns after 10 minutes taking out a candy bar she brought and promptly took a bite. She was scold for taking too long and that if she was wandering like I did then she would be punish etcetera,etcetera by Takeshi. Once the talking to ended she mouthed the information of what she gathered from her 'trip to the restroom' and only paused when one of the Hatamotos would turn their attention towards us. I once again looked at the clock when she finished.
'five more minutes until the explosion. If we do not figure out who has the bomb then this whole train will be blown up with everybody in it. It's funny how ironic it is that I would be foiling one of the plans of the syndicate when I am usually the one to plan it out, but I never consider all the innocent people that were killed.'"Argh!" I massage the temple of my forehead to stop the growing headache.
"Still unable to figure it out, Conan-Kun?"
"Yeah, the people you described who had the black suitcase were an old man with a walkman, a business woman with a smartphone, a man with a laptop looking at stocks, and an average yakuza.
"We can cross out the Yakuza because he had no electronic out with him and the old man."
"Why the old man? The syndicate has made deals with older people before."
"Trust me this man would never have been able to talk to Gin if he couldn't even hear half the things I said to him"
"Are you sure he wasn't acting?"
"Are you doubting my abilities? I practically turned his walkman to the highest volume and barely any reaction."
"Okay so cross him out. Now either it is the business man or the business woman."
"All I know is that the man had a horrible attitude when I asked him what game he was playing on his laptop."
"What are you two whispering about?" I turn my head to see the curious eyes of the Natsue and Takeshi Hatamotos.
From the intercom came the interruption of "For your information all passengers who wish to use their cell phones are asked to please step outside on the cart so as not to disturb the other passengers..."
"That's it!" I exclaim in English. I jump from my seat looking at Haibara with bright wide eyes ignore the startled reaction of the Hatamotos and passengers around us. In rapid English I inform her "It's highly unlikely for someone to press the correct key or word on a laptop at a certain time but not for a cell phone!" I run towards the door ignoring the cries of Natuse and Takeshi
I look to the clock two minutes left.
"Damn why is the cart she's in so far away!" I yell sprinting fast as I can.
I hit the wall, to stop and startle the business woman from her mid dial I can guess is the one Haibara was talking about.
'No! She already dialed' I felt my chest tighten in panic.
"Are you alright boy?"
Beep. Beep. Beep. The sound came from the suitcase. Sweat starts to trickle down my face.
"open the door! The suitcase is a bomb!" I scream at her.
"What?!" Her eyebrows crinkle and a frown appeared on her lips. Confusion could be seen on her face but it was far from naive innocent confusion. The eye and twitch of her fingers showed suspicion and worry of her dealing but all I can feel is anger and frustration at how she overlooked the fact that I said the word bomb and was more focus on keeping her innocent act.
"Hurray!" was scream out my throat.
Maybe it was the murderous look I gave her or the words finally registered in her mind but whatever it was the woman ran and threw the door she opened the door signaling the alarm I rush forward pushing the suitcase as hard as I can out into the air, out of the train.
BOOM
I sheltered my eyes from the explosion grabbing hold onto the metal pipe to my left. The train shifted from the explosion pushing it off the track. Screams were heard and debris came into the train. Minutes after the explosion I cough hearing the yells of 'Conan' in the distance. Coughing I get up shakily saying "I'm here."
After the explosion the train was stopped put on an emergency halt, the police came and helicopters arrive to take the heavily injured to the hospital. Luckily there was no deaths and the Hatamotos, Haibara, and I all came out in one piece, but I still wince at seeing the dried blood on Natsue face and the head wrap on Takeshi.
I learned later on from hacking into the police files that the reason the woman used the phone was because Gin and Vodka had promise to tell her on the phone the code to the suitcase to open it. Of course it was part of a trap to eliminate a mysterious someone that was also on the train along with her. The woman told the police everything she knew but the connection to the organization was weak and hardly counted as a connection whatsoever. However, it brought a truth to Haibara and I. I turn around and stare at the fading image of Natsue and Takeshi hugging, and reacting to the letter we left in our place as Haibara and I vanish into the deep fog of mystery.
woo hoo! 3,114words.
such a long chapter. Finally some action!
also looking for a beta, I need the help if i am to post every week.
review please.