Lightest of Nights: A Deck of Minds
Chapter 33
Reinforcing Bird
The sound of a band of passing motor cycles roared past the border of his conscious, bringing an expected reaction. Damian's eyes shot open, immediately motioning up from where he laid. It all came pouring in at once; the ship, the hanging man, Bane.. Harley Quinn! Only then did his realization kick in.
"Where the hell am I?"
The surroundings were unknown to him. One quick look around the room was all it took; the TV, the closest, the neatly folded towels sitting at the edge of the bed he sat upon, the screen door left of him leading to a balcony. "A hotel? What am I doing in a hotel? Furthermore, how did I end up here?"
Damian made a move forward only to have a sharp pain shrill through his head. Reaching up he came to find a set of bandages wrapped in place. "Just how long was I out?"
Surveying the room for a second time Damian locked eye on something on the nightstand left of him. "My phone." Little time was wasted in reaching for it. Turning it on he made an alarming discovery. "It's Sunday." He blinked, the fact of it sinking in. "I've been out for more than twenty four hours!"
….
At long last it was all coming together. The picture that had been clouded with the unknown was gradually unraveling. The street light sprung green, giving the go ahead spark to press on. Conan sat in the backseat of the taxi, his mind going over every detail learned of the case up till this point.
"Could this last bit of information be what leads to uncovering the truth?" Shifting, Conan looked out the window as the vehicle pressed onward. "Whatever the case; I need to figure this thing out as soon as possible."
With a couple seconds more gliding by Conan the ring of his phone chimed to ear, raising it to eye he took note of who was calling. "It's Genta." He answered without hesitation.
"Conan!" Genta spoke.
"What's up?"
"I talked to professor Agasa a few minutes ago; he said we're still on for the live Kamen Yaiba show tonight!" Genta happily conveyed. "You still coming?"
A couple silent filled moments would pass before Conan would finally respond. "I don't know. I'm a bit occupied at the moment."
"Come on, everyone else is coming," Genta argued. "It wouldn't be the same without you."
"It's not a definite. If I get done what I need to, you can rest assured I will come as well."
"Yahhh! Hey you guys, Conan is going to come as well!"
Before Conan had the chance to speak any further the line between the two was cut. Rolling his eyes he leaned back in his seat. "Of course he told everyone I'm coming." A few moments was all it took for his mind to revert back to the ongoing task. "The toxin that arises fear, the wide spread victims of its cause, the small list of suspects, and Fun Entertainment Inc. It is all starting to come together."
Looking out the window for a second time the Police Headquarters was now in view. They would soon arrive. After exiting the taxi Conan would trail Kogoro who took lead.
"I don't know why you insisted on coming with me. Don't you have friends to hang with or something?" asked Kogoro who briefly glanced back at him.
"They're all busy right now," Conan responded.
"Of course they are," Kogoro muttered under breath.
Neither spoke another word as they moved in past the entrance, that second bringing the most recent detail of the case to mind. "That ship Mitsuhiko was on two nights ago, he called it the 'Sunshine'. He also told me the ship's captain was named 'Aldor'. Together the two make Aldor Sunshine, one of the suspicious names that was on Detective Sato's list for possible suspects in regards to the toxin outbreak. A suspect with that name was never located, hopefully the professor can dig up something useful on Captain Aldor Hirata's past and who knows, maybe we'll find he and the Sunshine are connected in all of this in some capacity."
The truth of it all felt so near.
…..
Over twenty four hours! What happened aboard the Sunshine? Yuriko, Nenjo, Bane, Harley.. the explosion; there was so much unaccounted for. Damian sought answers that he did not have. There was one person to reach out to in his mind, the last person he had spoken to before everything had fallen blank. "Grayson." With his phone still in hand Damian speed dialed his ally. The ring of the phone chimed. "Come on, answer."
Just as he was to hang up Damian heard his voice splash into existence.
"Welcome back sleeping beauty, enjoy your sleeping cruise?" Dick jokingly spoke.
"I want answers! The ship, Bane.. what happened?" Damian got straight to the point.
"Nice to talk to you too buddy."
"I need to know what happened."
"Ok, as you wish ole' great one," Dick said ready to get clarify for him what he sought. "As I'm sure you recall the last we spoke I conveyed to you the importance of getting off of that ship."
"Vaguely."
"I'm sure you have figured there was a good reason for that."
"The soreness of my head can confirm."
"The ship you were on, the Sunshine; it was hit by a single torpedo."
Damian was shocked to learn this. "A torpedo?"
"Yes, from a mini submarine that was submerged beneath the waves," Dick informed. "Now you're probably wondering who and why. While I can't entirely answer the who, I can give you the why. Harley Quinn."
"And here I was thinking Bane was the one behind that little episode," admitted Damian.
"There was one thing Harley wanted and one thing only."
"Which was?"
"The materials used to create Crane's fear gas. Once that was accomplished the submarine was called in at Harley's command," Dick revealed. "After a hole was created in the side of the ship from the explosion, Harley used that opportunity to jump out and enter the awaiting submarine. Not just her, but her accomplice as well."
"Samuel Hamilton.." Damian hissed his name. "I should have known, the moment I crossed that kid in the hall unattended should have been a red flag. Though, all of this blows the door open with a number of questions. Why take the materials, what use would she have for it? Why the disguise and the entire act she put on?"
"All great questions."
"Then there is the submarine. No doubt that would make for not only a great exit but a stealthy one at that. Why instruct for a torpedo to be fired? She could have simply jumped overboard with what she obtained and took off. By the time any of us noticed she would have been long gone," Damian stated. "Why the destructive exit that would bring on unwanted attention? Unless.. unless she wanted the attention?"
"One has to wonder."
"Please tell me we at least have a lock on for where she is or might be?" Damian was hopeful.
"Unfortunately her trail has gone cold after ghosting two nights ago."
"Of course; and Bane?"
"Double wham. The road to where he is or why he was on that cruise, well.. it is just as much of a mystery at this point."
"Not what I was hoping to hear. What about Konya and the cook, Nenjo?" asked Damian shifting gears just a bit.
"Once a backup ship was sent to retrieve everyone who still remained on the Sunshine; as you would imagine both were arrested and taken into custody once shore was reached."
"Revenge led them down a bad path. What of that Oehi girl.. the lone victim to survive their attacks?"
"Recovering just fine from what I've heard. When that torpedo hit you were the only one to take any real notable damage, everyone else walked out pretty ok. At least as ok as they could be with all that happened."
"Finally some good news. You also mentioned that Rosetta Dellmara wasn't who she claimed to be," Damian brought up. "While I was on sleeping leave were you able to determine who she really is?"
"Still a mystery," Dick replied. "Whoever she is, she is exceptional at covering her tracks. Either way that is not my task as of now. Bruce has taken over the case in full. With you being out he's been doing his best to try and locate not only the materials for the gas, but Quinn as well."
"I would expect no less. Before reaching out to you I attempted to call him, if by any chance you cross him anytime soon there is something I want you to ask for me."
Dicks response would come as a surprise. "Ask him yourself."
"Excuse me?"
"He's on his way there," Dick informed. "As a matter of fact he should be touching down in about an hour."
"What?!" Damian was shocked. "He's coming here.. to Tokyo?!"
"That's what I said," Dick confirmed. "Given the circumstances and your condition it only made sense for him to fly down."
"And I suppose father is more up to date with the situation concerning Quinn and the missing materials?"
"That would be accurate to say."
".. Hmm, then I'll save any further enquiries about the situation until his arrival."
"I take it you have nothing further to ask?"
"No.. that will be it for now Grayson. Your given input is well appreciated."
"Guess I'll leave the rest to you three huh? Good luck with the mission. If you need anything else or just want to holler, give me a call."
"Hold on, did you just say three?"
"Excuse me?"
"You said you would leave the rest to us three. There is father and I, who is the third?" asked Damian looking for clarification.
"Oh that's right! Since you were out of commission there was no way you could have known. Anyway, Bruce sent someone to help collaborate with Mr. Suzuki on catching a certain thief, someone you know quite well I might add."
"Suzuki..? As in Suzuki Jirokichi, the man who has failed to apprehend Kaitou Kid in how many attempts?"
"Yep, that'd be the one," Dick confirmed. "We help him catch the prized thief and maybe, just maybe we can lure the Royal Flush gang out into the open all in one hit.Basically a buy one get one free kind of deal."
"Would be a satisfying scenario," said Damian. "Who is it that farther sent as his voice to speak in aide of Mr. Suzuki's cause?"
"Come on if he didn't send me, who do you think?"
Damian's eyes narrowed. "So.. that's who he sent."
…
Police Head Quarters
Conan stood with his eyes staring into the clear, not focused on anything particular. Every detail of it all ran through his mind, from the first case of the toxin all the way to the Sunshine ship Mitsuhiko had mentioned.
"Detective Mouri." Both Conan and Kogoro turned just Miwako Sato panned into view. "Thank you for coming."
It took all but a moment for Miwako to notice him. "And I see you brought Conan-kun with you."
"He insisted," Kogoro felt the need to point out.
Smiling, Conan waved up at her. Miwako did the same in turn. "Well, I hope the two of you haven't been waiting long."
"Not at all, only a couple minutes," Kogoro said. "So tell me, what is it you wanted to discuss?"
"I asked you here in regards to the case I've been working."
"This be the one involving that poisonous toxin?"
Miwako nodded giving confirmation. "Yes."
"I figured that much." Kogoro was not in the least bit surprised. "I can only assume you have some new information to present on the matter?"
"I do," confirmed Miwako who waved the two on. "Right this way."
Conan curiously trotted behind. "Where are we going?"
"To the evidence room," Miwako responded.
Picking up in speed Kogoro managed to pace to her left side. "What do you say we review the details of case? You know, just to refresh my memory on everything you've collected."
"Yes of course." Reaching into her jacket Miwako handed over a folder to Kogoro.
"What's this?"
"All the information we've gathered on this case up till this point; the effects of the toxin, the number of people affected, the locations where the toxin has hit, suspects, and possible destinations from where the toxin is being handled," Miwako ran down. "It is all there."
Kogoro took a look over the written in hand. "Obviously there a number of victims who were affected by this toxin.. one which origin comes from across the globe, Gotham. Then there is the accumulated list of suspects based on who has been traveling in and out of Japan. There were twelve suspects in all, your list was narrowed down to only five; a Lonnie Machin, Aldor Sunshine, Tiasa Herman, Sukia Lemnai, and a Sandra Wu-San." Kogoro's focus dropped to one name in particular. "Of the five it was Aldor Sunshine who enticed you for further investigation."
"That's right," said Miwako as the trio walked along.
Kogoro continued. "It says here Sunshine-san works for a company known as Fun Entertainment Inc. So you visited that facility right?"
"Yes, according to the online profile he operated out of room D-31."
"And when you got there?"
Miwako glanced back at him. "That is where things got interesting."
"Can't wait to hear this."
"There wasn't a room D-31. Just as Takagi-kun and I were to head back to the lobby to inquire about the room we heard a noise," Miwako revealed. "One that came from another room."
"Let me guess, you investigated?"
"We did."
"And your findings?"
"A purple box with a green bow on top."
"Sounds like the find of the century. What was inside?"
"While I could tell, I take it you would rather see it for yourself?"
"You have it here?"
Miwako who looked back at him for a second time nodded in confirmation. Shortly thereafter the three would reach the evidence room to be greeted by another. "Officer Sato," a man in uniform spoke. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to collaborate with detective Mouri on my current case. If you don't mind could you fetch the box containing the case Z106 gathered evidence?"
The young man nodded. "Well of course." Leaving he returned shortly with the sought box. Placing it on one of the many tables he stepped back "And here we are."
Miwako nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."
With nothing more the officer marched on, leaving just the three of them. Kogoro inched closer to the table. "So, let's see it."
Not wanting to drag it anymore Miwako placed on a pair of gloves before reaching in to pull out the purple box she had detailed in the rundown. "Here it is."
After sliding on a set of gloves himself Kogoro accepted the box into hand. "This box, I can only imagine it was dusted for prints. Were there any findings?"
"That would be a no. Whoever left that box there left no hint or indication to who they are."
"You can say that again." Kogoro continued to look over the box when something unexpectedly popped out of it. "Gahhhaaah!"
The box popped out of his hands as a laughing Miwako managed to catch it. "Surprise! It's a 'Jack in the Box'!"
"Gee! A little warning next time would be nice," said Kogoro who collected himself.
"And spare my chance that reaction I just witnessed? I wouldn't trade that for anything," Miwako fired back.
Conan chuckled, clearly humored by the whole ordeal. Miwako would then go on to place the box upon the table. "Outside of that Fun Entertainment Inc. building that I visited there was also a house I checked out, one registered to an Aldor Sunshine here in Tokyo."
"Detective Takagi mentioned this before," Conan recalled.
"And your findings?" asked Kogoro getting straight to the point.
"The outside of the house told a totally different story then what was found inside."
"How do you mean?" Kogoro asked.
"The lawn, the look of the plants even.. everything looked so well refined," Miwako explained.
"Like someone was living there?" Kogoro concluded.
"Yes."
"And the inside?"
"It was pretty much empty like.. like someone had recently packed and moved out," Miwako informed. "There was a single table throughout the entire one floor home. All cabinets and drawers were empty."
"Ok, I get it. There wasn't much inside the house, but did you find anything?"
Miwako nodded. Referring back to the evidence box she reached in and pulled out three different items; an empty milk jug, a single receipt, and a deck of paying cards that were sealed away inside a ziplock bag. "The receipt was found in a trash can beside the table, the jug of milk was found inside the fridge. It was the only item present," Miwako noted.
"The jug is empty now, was there any milk inside when you initially discovered it?" asked Kogoro.
"Filled right to the top," Miwako replied.
Kogoro then turned attention to the receipt sitting upon the table. "A Kamen Yaiba show huh? Looks like it is a performance scheduled for tonight." Briefly glancing over the sealed deck of cards Kogoro looked back at Miwako. "And am I to assume all of these items have been analyzed for finger prints?"
"They have. If there were any, they were wiped clean before any of these items fell in our possession."
"Those cards, when you found them; were they stacked or scattered about?"
"Neatly stacked."
"I see.. Hhhmph. This leaves us at a crossroads of sorts. If there was a hint to uncovering who is behind the spread of that toxin.. well, it was wiped clean."
Miwako nodded. "That seems to be the case."
"I disagree." Both Kogoro and Miwako turned at the sound of Conan's voice to find him holding the receipt and milk jug in hand. "There is definitely a connection to be made."
"What is this kid nagging on now?" Kogoro murmured.
"The expiration date for this milk and the date for the Kamen Yaiba show on the receipt both fall on today," Conan pointed out before holding both items up. "See?"
Miwako took the two items into hand. "I noticed that as well before. Doubtful it really means anything, could just be coincidence."
"We're detectives, any coincidence calls for suspicion," spoke Kogoro in response. "Especially in a case like this. If someone intentionally planted all of this stuff for us to find that means whatever they've got planned is to occur today or tonight and they wanted us to know."
"You really think so?" questioned Miwako.
"I do." Kogoro was almost certain of this.
A grin fell upon Conan's face. "The old timer is really on his game isn't he?"
Kogoro would then turn back to the 'Jack in the Box' still sitting atop the table. "Then we've got this box you discovered at Fun Entertainment Inc. I believe the location for where you found it; along with its function are very telling in what the mystery person behind this wants us to know. It is all connected somehow."
"What could it mean?" Miwako was at a loss.
"AhHa! I found something!" exclaimed Conan.
"What now?!" Kogoro spoke as he glared back at him once more.
"Look Oji-san, this is a standard deck of 52 playing cards," Conan noted.
"A fact we are all aware of," a growingly annoyed Kogoro responded.
"Well.. with every standard deck there is usually an extra, sometimes two?" Conan noted. "There isn't one within this lot?"
"An extra?" Miwako questioned.
Conan gave the confirming nod. "Yes."
"Let me see that!" Kogoro took a hold of the deck himself, counting not only the cards themselves but accounting for each theme upon each.
Miwako stood patiently as he counted. "Well..?"
Kogoro would soon finish. "The kid's right," Kogoro revealed.
"Which one is missing among the lot?"
Kogoro faced her once more. "The 'Joker'."
To Be Continued
