Lightest of Nights: A Deck of Minds
Chapter 9
A Stare into a Window of Uncertainty
He finally returned. But the mission was far from complete. As it stood there were more questions left to be answered then what was known. He pulled into position soon after, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop before jumping out. He paved way toward the computer. Once there he found himself in the company of someone else who sat at the chair.
"Alfred?"
The one sitting in the seat directly in front of the super computer turned in their position to greet him. "Turning in so early?"
"Dick," Batman said stepping forward. He was certainly not expecting to see him upon his return "What are you doing here?"
He huffed, loosening his shoulders before looking back at the monitor. "Checking in," Dick replied. "Why else would I be here?"
"How did you.." Batman began only to be cut off.
"I was the one to summon Master Grayson." A voice spoke from behind.
He turned to find his trusty butler descending from the staircase a short distance away. "Alfred?"
"I take it you gained insight on the Ghost Dragons unexpected emergence?"
"No progress," Batman admitted. "There was ongoing activity, but by the time I arrived at the scene they were already gone."
"And you weren't able to determine where they went?" Dick asked.
"There wasn't much to go off of," Batman conveyed. "One moment they were there, then the next.. gone."
"Like a ghost." Alfred remarked pointing to the irony behind it all.
"Alfred," Batman said facing him. "What about the museum, did Batgirl turn up anything in her search?"
"She did travel there as instructed by you," Alfred confirmed. "However her searches amounted to very little I'm afraid. By the time she arrived whoever broke in was gone, leaving no trace to who they are."
"This means we can't be certain that Kid was involved. Was anything taken?" Bruce asked.
"That might not entirely be true. At least not according to witness reports. I also read through the police report just a few minutes ago," Dick informed. In saying this he opened a new window on the computer, bringing up information detailing the situation. "What was taken from the Gotham museum was two rare statues. They're two of a rare bunch."
He looked up at the screen himself.
"They're from a six piece collection known as the Revenant Warriors. These warrior statues are all the same in stance and mold, each being made out of gold," Dick continued. "Furthermore they are all anthropomorphic in form, being that all of them display the head of a different species. The pair that was on display at the Gotham museum was the Revenant Snake and Dragon, besides those two that leaves four others; the Bear, Bird, Elephant, and the Cat. All which are being set on display elsewhere."
"You did your research." Batman noted.
"Unfortunately by the time Batgirl arrived at the scene the perpetrator responsible for taking the miniature statues was already gone, but even so there was something to take away from all of this."
After hearing this he looked back down at him, waiting for him to continue.
He returned the favor by facing him as well. "At the museum Batgirl discovered two separate break in points," Dick informed. "Both which were from different windows overlooking the exhibit. What does this tell us, it's simple; we're dealing with more than one thief."
He contemplated on the possibility. "Maybe.." The uncertainty on his face was noticed immediately.
"You don't look convinced." Dick noted.
He looked back to the computer monitor as a cloud of thought rushed in. There was something missing, there had to be. He could feel it inside. "I'm going to the museum myself," declared Batman. "If there is something to find, I will find it."
That moment brought the sound of something plowing down to the ground with a loud thump. "My lord!" Alfred exclaimed startled by this.
The three of them turned to see it was a black duffel bag that had caused the uproar. But where had it fallen from? There was one who believed he knew just that, shifting in the chair as a grin came to his face. "I was wondering how long you were planning on hiding up there." Dick called. Following his words someone dropped down from the dark ceiling above, landing within inches of the bag. "So nice of you to join us Robin."
"I was merely waiting for fathers return Grayson," Robin stated.
His eyes dropped from him to the bag at his side. "What's inside?" Batman inquired.
He moved forward, grabbing hold of the bag's strap as he did. He didn't stop until coming within range of him. "While you were on patrol Pennyworth informed me of your desire for me to keep a look out on things from here," said Robin before handing over the bag for him to take. "When the alarm was sounded off at the museum I traveled there immediately."
There was a new look expressed on his face after learning this. "I had specifically assigned Batgirl to investigate the situation at the museum, not you."
"In all fairness," protested Alfred as he stepped forward. "Master Damian was already absent by the time you called. I had no idea where he went; which left me to assume you contacted him before hand with an assignment of your own to give."
"Take a look inside," Robin said. He crossed his arms over his chest in wait. "I wasn't sure what to make of it, but perhaps you will be able to in some capacity."
Not wasting another moment he lifted the bag, grabbing hold of the zipper before forcing it wide. What was discovered inside was certainly a surprise. "Kaitou Kid," Batman spoke softly. What was inside was all of Kid's worn apparel. A white top hat, a cape, slacks, jacket, and everything else Kid had been known to sport. He then directed his sights to the one who had made the discovery. "Robin, where did you find all of this?"
"Directly behind the display case where the miniature Revenant statues resided," answered Robin as he uncrossed his arms. "Everything was scattered out along the ground as if someone had just tossed it there. I gathered everything I found during my brief investigation and stuck it in the bag."
"So Kid was the one at the Gotham Museum after all," Alfred said in light of this. "But why leave a replica of his own worn décor?"
"It seems the witness reports were accurate after all. Perhaps this is a sign for what he plans to do next. Even the way in which the clothes were placed could draw meaning," Dick hypothesized. "But still, I'm surprised Babs missed something like that on her trip there."
"Which is understandable since I entered and exited before she even arrived," Robin informed. "My given mission or not, I will not detract myself to being reliant on people who can't meet necessary time standards when it comes to handling a task."
He couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Just don't let her know you said that." Dick smilingly warned.
Reaching into his utility belt he had one last thing to share. "Father, before placing that hat into the bag I came across this," showcased Robin. It was a mini zip lock bag, inside.. a single strand of hair. "Perhaps it belongs to the thief?"
He reached out for the bag, looking over the evidence for a second before stashing it away in one of his utility belt pouches. "What about the security surveillance?" Batman questioned turning back to face him.
"About that," Dick began. "I already tried hacking into the feed earlier but it appears it had been disabled. Meaning without a visual for the events that occurred, we'll have to piece it all together ourselves."
"I will see to it."
"So what now?"
"Patch into the police radio," Batman replied turning for the other side. "If the Ghost Dragons make any further moves we'll know firsthand."
"What about you," Dick called. "Where are you going?"
"Out." Batman answered.
"I'll go with you?" Robin stated.
"No, you won't." Batman shot down. He pressed on with not another word to give.
Once the Batmobile was reached he took off with a cloud of exhaust left in his leave. This left just the three of them. With a turn in motion he walked toward the stairs across the way. "If there is nothing more, I will be returning to the upper levels."
Smiling he turned to face him. "Thanks Alfred, we'll be fine."
"Very well."
His eyes traveled back to the monitor as he eased back in the chair. His thoughts soon took over, attempting to decipher everything that had just been brought to the light. However his current position would be interrupted.
"Grayson, where do you think he has gone?" asked Robin.
Admittedly he didn't know himself. But he did know his mentor well enough to know what his state of mind was just before departing. "Where he is going I'm not sure. But I do know he has a hunch on something he was uncertain about," Dick replied. "I'd imagine he is looking into that very thing now."
"What about you," Robin asked. "What do you think about all of this?"
"Me," He paused at the thought. "I don't know Damian.. I truly don't know."
…
Even after a night's rest and further assessment of everything he had gathered to this point he was still no closer to finding out the truth behind this new drug that now plagued the streets of Tokyo. There was a burning intent that resided within his eyes; one that could not be denied if any looked into them. His trance of thoughts however would be shattered by the drift of her voice.
"Kudo-kun.."
Startled, his shoulders jumped at the sudden mention of his name. He shrugged this off before facing the one who walked at his side. "Did you say something?"
"By the look on your face I thought you might have figured something out."
To her disappointment he shook his head. "Not yet. There's still too much that's left unaccounted for Haibara."
Something she was aware of. "And how do you plan on obtaining the answers you do not have?"
"I'm hoping the Doc's searches bring up a connection," replied Conan. "Something we can work with off of what we already know."
"And that is what you have been thinking about this whole time?"
He looked ahead once more. "But of everything we know Tanakai-san's case is the most telling."
A questioning look came upon her face after hearing the mention of this. "Tanakai-san," She paused after speaking the name. After a moments blur it all became clear. "Isn't that the name of the man who was found dead yesterday?"
He nodded in confirmation.
"What of him," asked Haibara. "Did you learn something more about the circumstances surrounding his death?
"I overheard Kogoro-Ojisan this morning talking to the inspector over the phone."
"And?"
"We now know where Tanakai-san was before his death," Conan conveyed just as the two of them reached the end of the block. This prompted the both of them to stop. He turned to face her as he delivered the final detail. "The place Tanakai-san was traveling from before his death was his school, Ekoda High."
After learning this the expected was asked. "Was he a student there?"
"He was," confirmed Conan. "A fact that could very well prove key to the investigation."
She too knew this was an intrical detail. But even still she wanted to hear his thought process behind it. "How so?"
Before he had the chance to respond someone called out from behind. "Conan, Haibara!" Even before turning the two of them knew who approached.
"Genta," Conan called in response as he along with their other friends came trotting along. "Hey, what took you guys? Usually we run into one another sooner."
"We were waiting for Mitsuhiko-kun," explained Ayumi. "That's what took us so long."
"Sorry," Mitsuhiko apologized. "There was something I had to finish before leaving the house."
"It's not a big deal anyway," Genta said. "We've got plenty of time before school starts."
With the roadway clear of traffic the five of them made their way to the other side in short time. With no warning of its wake a light wind opposed them, blowing in the opposite direction of where they walked. Given the warm weather it was a welcomed addition. The five of them carried on with casual conversation as they continued onward. They arrived within range of Teitan Elementary soon after. But what they came to find left them in absolute shock.
"Why are so many patrol cars at our school?!" Ayumi exclaimed.
Surrounding the entire premises was a swat of about eight patrol cars in all, sending a shiver of uncertainty down his spine.
"What the hell is going on?"
He was determined to learn just that. Before making a move he checked to make sure the road was clear of any traffic before darting across. He made it past the first line of defense where few officers stood beside the patrol cars. His move toward the school itself would however be cut off by someone stepping in front of his path. He stopped immediately, leveling his sights up to lock eyes with him.
"Officer Takagi, what's going on?" Conan asked with general concern in voice.
A questioning look arose on his face in light of the asked. "Conan-kun didn't you and your friends receive the call before coming here today?"
In return an inquiring look was to be expressed on his face. "What call?"
"I see, you must be one of the few who didn't get the message not to come here," continued Wataru. "Teitan Elementary is closed for the day."
"Closed," His eyes subtly narrowed. "Why is it closed?"
He was hesitant on if he should say or not. He looked around to find that no one was in hearing distance of the two of them. "I really shouldn't, but since it's you I'll share with you the bit of information that was relayed to me when I arrived about ten minutes ago," He stopped, rechecking to make sure no one was near. He exhaled softly before looking back down at him. "One of the elementary instructors teaching here was found earlier this morning, he.. from early signs it appears he had been infected."
His heart began to race. "Infected.. you don't mean?"
"Yes, the same drug that has been the story of the month," Wataru confirmed.
The pounding of his heart now raced to his ear. He knew the answer to the next question he was going to ask would be very telling. "Where was he found?"
"Inside the school," replied Wataru. "Which is strange, because according to his brother who saw him this morning before he arrived at the school, he claimed he was fine."
There were many things to consider in this regard, but he pointed to the obvious. "Is it possible that he came in contact with the drug while in the school?"
"They're looking into that very scenario as we speak," Wataru assured.
After giving this bit of information the two were approached, joined by another police officer. "What's going on?" He asked.
Wataru gulped, turning to face him as he explained the situation.
"I was just letting this young boy know that school is closed for today and that he needs to return home."
The officer then looked down at him. "You heard the man, return home. When the situation has been cleared your parents will be informed."
He smiled while nodding his head. "Ok," His expression completely changed to one of disappointment when he turned back for the street side. "And I only had one more question I wanted to ask."
He looked up ahead to see his friends still across the street. But it wasn't just them, they were with two officers who were now in the process of heading back his way. There was only one thing to make of this. "That would explain why they never joined me, they must have been escorted back to the other side when they attempted to cross."
After making sure the roadway was clear of traffic he made the trip back to the other side, crossing paths with the officers who smiled down at him. He waved in turn giving his biggest smile.
"Conan, did you find out what is going on," Genta asked just as Conan stepped up onto the sidewalk. "Those two only told us that school is closed for the day, they wouldn't give a reason for why."
"The police withholding information from you guys is understandable, after all we're only kids," reminded Conan. "Even if we are the Detective Boys."
"What about you," Haibara asked looking him directly in the eyes. "Did you have any better luck?"
He grinningly nodded. "Fortunately I ran into Officer Takagi who is working the case."
His friends looked to one another, then back at him. "So there is a case after all." Mitsuhiko said pleased to have this confirmed.
"Yes, and according to Officer Takagi it has something to do with that new drug that has been getting covered on the news this whole week," Conan revealed. He paused before giving the next bit of information. "One of the teachers here at Teitan Elementary was infected somehow."
They gasped at the learned
"How bad is it, what is their current condition?" Mitsuhiko asked.
"It isn't Kobayashi-sensei is it?!" Ayumi followed.
Conan immediately shook his head. "Officer Takagi referred to the teacher in question as 'he', so it can't be Kobayashi-sensei. I wasn't given the teachers name nor the state of his condition," Conan said. "We were joined by another police officer before I had the opportunity to find out any of that."
"So what do we do now?" Ayumi asked.
"What we always do," Genta declared raising his hand high. "We the Detective Boys are going to get to the bottom of this!"
"Yeea!" Chanted both Ayumi and Mitsuhiko who both pumped their fists into the air. They followed this up by marching off proudly.
"Do you guys even have a clue as to where we're going to start," inquired Conan. His words were ignored completely, which left him to shake his head. "Hey, hey.."
"I guess it can't be helped," Haibara said. She gave a half smile, before turning and following the others.
"This case is becoming more complex by the day," He looked back at the school once more. "There is still a lot I don't know. And there is not much I can do until I get certain things answered."
There was no getting around this, without gaining more knowledge on the situation he simply did not have a means for locking onto the source of the problem. His clutter of thoughts would be invaded by the enter of a voice.
"Are you coming?"
He looked her way, standing there for several silent moments before shaking his head. "I'm going to return to the agency. I'll regroup with you guys later."
The look on his face said it all. He was planning something, what that was however was an uncertainty. She chose not to ask, opting instead to follow after the others. "If you need anything you know where to find me," Haibara said.
It took little time for her to catch up with the others; it also didn't take long for them to notice someone was missing. "Ai-chan, is Conan-kun not coming as well?"
"He has something important he needs to do," Haibara replied. She glanced back to find he was already gone. "And once he completes whatever that may be I'm sure he'll rejoin us."
"You're probably right."
Nothing more was said on the matter. But even as they walked she couldn't help but think about what was going to happen next. "Shinichi, just what do you plan on doing?"
….
He had been on it for hours. The given message needed to convey one of uncertainty, the details surrounding its merits needed to be a perfect picture held in front of a mirror. Months had passed since beginning of this project, and now it was finally complete. His left hand swayed through the air in tune with the techno beat that played on the music box that sat upon the desk where all his working materials resided.
His eye took an interest to something he saw displayed on the TV a short distance away. The headline read, "Breaking News". He instantly stopped what he was working on. Wasting no time he turned off the music box before reaching for the remote to the television to turn up the volume.
"What do we have here?"
"We now bring Breaking News to the citizens Gotham City," reported a news anchor who was now on screen. "There was a break in at Gotham museum tonight, and according to witness reports a man in a whole suit of white was spotted. That's right folks, according to several witnesses it appears we've been visited by none other than the infamous Kaitou Kid himself!"
For those who hadn't heard of him a picture of him was displayed on TV for all to see. "We have not yet been given the details for what was taken, when that information becomes available we will share that with you. They call him the greatest thief of Japan, he could also very well be the sharpest master mind Gotham has ever seen.. ok so that last bit is debatable," the anchor woman admitted. "I guess I can't hide my inner fan girl!"
The TV screen was met with a flying wrench, shattering the screen completely as he shot up from where he sat. Now infuriated he clutched his fists in disgust. "Sharpest mind Gotham has ever seen! Oh we shall see about that, they will come to detest the day that thought ever came to mind!"
They laughed hysterically as their head flung back. "Oh yess, soon the world will see who the true greatest master mind is!"
…..
He returned early from his night stroll, spending only minutes down in the cave before heading to the upper floors. Now in a tank top and a pair of jeans he found way to the study. Once there he had a seat at the desk, leaning back in the chair as he looked out the window to spot the moon in the clear.
"Back so soon Master Bruce. I presume you found what you were looking for?"
Bruce shifted in the chair to see him standing in the doorway. "The Ghost Dragons that evaded me earlier, I know how they escaped," Bruce began. "That bullet I found was just a few feet away from a manhole, and when I took a look inside I found evidence that it had just been used recently."
"Are you suggesting the Ghost Dragons base of operations is down in the sewers?"
"I spent the last hour looking into that possibility, but it doesn't appear that is the case," Bruce replied. "Though I do believe the sewers might be a frequent traveling option for them, so I'll keep that in mind with any future confrontations."
"I'll be sure the others gain traction of this bit of information."
"That's not all Alfred," Bruce said pulling out a mobile device which he then laid focus on. "I just learned of two incidents that occurred in Tokyo in the last hour. Crane's toxin was used again, the victims this time was a teacher and a student. Both cases are not directly linked, for each incident occurred at different schools."
"Not that this situation wasn't already out of hand, but how does Crane's toxin end up at schools?"
"There's a lot still unanswered Alfred. I'm done being reactive," Bruce declared fiddling with the device in hand. "It is time we tried a more proactive approach."
"Master Bruce, what are you doing?"
"Billing a ticket for the next plane to Tokyo, Japan," replied Bruce. "Whatever operation Scarecrow has running is going to be shut down, that I can assure."
"So you plan on returning to Japan?"
He looked over at him as he shook his head. "No, there are too many important matters here in Gotham I need to take care of. But rest assured this will all soon be resolved." Bruce assured.
Though he didn't know the details of his plan he chose not to question it. Instead he looked to another matter that had found its way to their door step. "What about the strand of hair uncovered at the museum?"
"I ran a scan on it before I came up," Bruce replied. "It will be a time before the results come back. Until then it is a wait and see approach with Kid. I'm still uncertain of what his ultimate plan is. The particular museum he infiltrated was not backed by Wayne security, so that completely negates my earlier deduction of what I believed to be his goal. Furthermore I haven't figured out why he chose the Revenant Statues of all things to take."
"This Kid thief is quite the mystery."
"One that will unravel itself in due time," Bruce said certain of this. "For now I'll focus on Scarecrow and the Ghost Dragons, they are of the highest priority."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
He eased back in the seat once more, pausing for a moment before speaking. "Go and find Damian. There is something I need to discuss with him."
Alfred nodded before turning for the door. "Will do sir."
…..
The morning paper was held in one hand with a can of beer tightly gripped in the other. His eyes surveyed over the many articles, ranging from sports news to job listings. But above all there was one single article on this particular day that graced his undivided interest. And it had nothing to do with the article per say, but rather the picture of several women in bathing suits headlining the article. He puffed his cheeks, exhaling with a release of excitement.
However all would be swatted away by the sound of the door opening across the room. His eyes fired that way, watching just as he walked in past the door. "Oh, it's only you," Kogoro noted before looking back at the paper. A matter of seconds was all it took before he realized. He lowered the paper as he stared over at him once again. "What are you doing back from school so soon?"
He looked to him as well with a direct answer to give. "School is closed for the day." Conan informed.
"Is that right?" The look on his face turned to one of suspicion. The phone rang in that instance which prevented him from inquiring further on the matter. He answered the phone to see who was calling. He didn't speak a single word, only listening to what was being conveyed from the end. After roughly twenty seconds he hanged up the phone before having all focus drag back to the paper.
Seeing this sudden change in demeanor he couldn't help but question him. "Kogoro-no-Ojisan; who was that?"
Still surveying over the contents of the paper he responded. "That was a recorded message from your school saying they're closed for the day due to a disturbance."
"Gee, talk about a delay."
After traveling half way across the room he was stopped once more. "Hey free loader, while you were up at the school did you happen find out the details surrounding this 'disturbance'?"
He looked over at him before nodding. "Yes. Officer Takagi was there, so he told me the little that he knew before sending me home."
"And what was it he told you?" Kogoro asked dropping the paper in hand completely.
Before he had the chance to reply detective Mouri's cell phone buzzed from in his jacket. He pulled it out, looking down at the number to see who was calling before taking the call. Conan stood in wait. The call lasted for over a minute. Once finished he placed the phone on top of the desk before sitting back with a deep breath.
"Who was that?" Conan asked.
"Inspector Megure," replied Kogoro. "He told me everything that happened at Teitan Elementary, at least what is known as of now. The good news is Eilji-san is in stable condition."
"Eilji-san?"
"That's the name of the instructor who came in contact with the drug," Kogoro informed. "When he awakes I'm going up to the hospital to have a word with him. It is time this case got put to a rest."
Conan couldn't be more pleased to learn that the victim was in stable condition. "Good. And when he awakes maybe I'll gain the essential key to solving this case."
To Be Continued
