I don't think I am going to do every case with Akai and Conan, because that would take forever. I would probably just do the ones that pertain to the black organization or times when they worked together really well, but I will take requests if you all want me to write them, just write me a review or PM me. This will be episodes 258 and 259. This one is kind of short too.

I sighed as I took a drag of the cigarette in my hand. So I was right. Akemi was dead. I had spent the past couple of weeks searching for her, looking in all the places that we frequented when we were still dating or places that I knew she liked. No one had seen her. I finally got the irrefutable answer by frequenting a news website, and there was an article about a one million yen robbery, where the third robber committed suicide, or so they say. I knew better though.

I had assumed since Sherry had escaped Akemi had too, but I was foolish. Akemi was probably the thing that set Sherry free, or worse, her death was the reason why she had turned traitor. I was naive to expect everything would have a happy ending.

Grief washed over me as I remembered the sweet girl. Akemi. She was such a gentle soul, who didn't deserve to be in the darkness of that organization. If anyone didn't deserve it, it was her. I suppose it helped me a little; it gave me more motivation for my fight against them. i immediately felt ashamed that her death could have a positive, and I didn't need the extra motivation. They had taken a lot from me, in fact almost everything. Sometimes I felt like I was alone in this fight. They considered me the major threat against them, so they threw everything against me, hoping to kill me, and in turn I tried my best to track them down. This war had dragged on for far too long.

I stepped away from the wall I was leaning on, walking toward my truck. There was something else bothering me though. With the article, there was a picture of the police recovering Akemi's body, and there, in the center of the frame, having no business being there, was Edogawa Conan. What was he doing at a murder scene? He was looking very grave, staring at the body with seriousness not at home on the face of a normal seven year old. Why was he there?

Another theory was forming about the boy. What if he was already a part of the black organization? If he was the one to kill Akemi? He was certainly smart enough to be picked up by them, and it explained why Vermouth was interested in him so much. If he was an agent, she might be looking after him to make sure he was doing well during a training period. From what little research I have done, he seems to be with the famous 'Sleeping Kogoro', and he is already pretty cozy with the police in several divisions and prefectures, but that could just be a clever ruse to infiltrate into the police force and be able to manipulate files. Also, if he was there at crime scenes, he could manipulate evidence and make sure they pick the wrong suspect. If that was the case, this boy was far more terrifying then I originally thought.

But Jesus, the organization is using children now? I wouldn't put it past them; they have done far more dastardly things in the past. they were the type to use anything and anyone as long as they were useful to them, whether it was wanted by the participant or not. This was just a possibility however. It might not even pan out, and I hope it doesn't. All I know is that that boy is not what he seems, and that he was present at Akemi's death. I just hope I am wrong.

I turn the key over in the ignition and step lightly on the gas. I was planning on meeting up with James to discuss future plans against the organization. I feel like I wasn't doing enough. Jodie was still on Vermouth, but there had to be something, anything else I could be doing. Maybe even scoping out this Edogawa boy.

I drove in silence, my head still trying to spin possible hypothesis about Akemi, Sherry, and the boy. Upon arriving at the meeting site, and seeing James's empty car and no sign of the man anywhere, I began to drive around to look for him. That was odd; James was usually punctual about these things. I knew he was at that animal show, but it should have let out ages ago.

I was driving down the street when I saw them. It was the same group of kids from the busjacking, and standing with them was Edogawa Conan and another girl with brown hair. I spared them a small glance before continuing on my search. Hmm, small coincidences. Although, if he was part of the organization, could he have done something to James?

The GPS tracking signal in James's phone led me to a police car. What did the old man do now? I find it hard to believe he did anything that would warrant the police involvement. But one look in the car told me that these weren't cops. Something was wrong with the picture. James was seated in the middle, and it was obvious by the way he was hooded, and the glint of a gun in the seat beside him he was being held hostage. Were the black organization? No, the black organization wouldn't take a risk of being in such a flashy car such as that. I followed them at a distance, not quite sure how I was supposed to proceed from here. I couldn't be hasty, otherwise James could be killed.

I see the flash of lights behind me and smirk. It seems like these guys are already on the police radar. I bet James sent some signal to them to tell of his situation. Ah, a red light. I pull up beside the police car and look over. The driver glances up at me and I couldn't help the grin that crosses my face.

You are so screwed.

The sirens are audible now, and I see the driver visibly pale, whether it was because of the impending doom, or the terrifying look on my face I'm not quite sure. I resist the urge to give an infuriating wave as I mash on the gas pedal, tires squealing as I try to get out of the law enforcement's way. Although, how were they planning on doing this? This was a bit bold for a hostage situation. Ah well, James can handle himself usually.

I see a yellow Volkswagen driving in front of the police cars, instead of pulling over like most cars. That was kind of strange. I roll my window down and I hear shouts of children.

"Help us!"

"Please save us!"

I look in my side mirror and I smirk as I see familiar glasses in front of blue eyes and a cowlick. Ah, that explained the bold plan. Why am I not surprised that Edogawa Conan was involved in the first place? His plans had a certain style to them, a little risky, but efficient. Those children were the same ones from the bus jacking I saw earlier too. Was he like the ring leader of their little gang? I bet the plan was to force the fake cops to go along with a fake case, kidnapping probably, and when they tried to follow the other police cars would surround them. A hostage wouldn't do them any good in that situation.

Suddenly I see him narrow his eyes as he sees me, I quickly look away but as the car passes and I look over, he is turned toward the inside of the car, like he was talking to someone, or hiding them. I narrow my eyes. Was he hiding someone from me? Why? Was he threatened by my presence?

I watched as the police cars expertly boxed in the rogue car and in a very efficient manner surrounded them, placing them under arrest. I parked nearby and watched as James gave the police and the children the slip.

"Sorry, as you can see I had a little trouble."

I leaned forward against the wheel.

"What happened?"

James smirked as he sat in the passenger seat.

"I met Holmes and his irregulars today."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Ho?"

Holmes, did he mean that Edogawa boy? What an interesting nickname. I started to drive as James explained.

"I was mobbed by reporters after the show because they thought I was Hawk-san, when he stepped in and told them I was his and those children's grandfather, just because he determined my accent was British instead of American he concluded that I wasn't Hawk-san. He is very perceptive, this Cool Guy. You met him during that messed up operation to get Vermouth right?"

I nodded. Yes, he was very perceptive. From what Jodie told me later, he had figured out the method the woman used to communicate with the front, by popping her bubble and pulling the bubble of gum toward the troublemaker on the bus, and had determined the watch was the switch since it was always on one o'clock. He was highly observant, but was that observance for the right or dark side of the law?

"And? Who were those fake policemen?"

James looked out the window at the passing buildings and streets.

"Another case of mistaken identity. They thought I was Hawk-san, trying to hold me for ransom. I suspect Edogawa Conan was part of that plan too. I left him a code on a strap, and he figured it out in no time. Then he and the other children pretended to be kidnapped in order for the other officers to lure them into a trap. It was quite masterfully done. Those other children seem like normal children, but I think they put a lot of faith in him and are willing to follow his directions if he gives them. "

Ah so it was as I suspected.

"It's impressive. You only left him a coded message and he did it? When did you discover they weren't normal police officers?"

James removed his glasses, answering calmly.

"It was when they suddenly began speaking Japanese to me. If they were officers, and knew I spoke Japanese, they would have asked for my name. They knew who I was, and only pretended not to know even though they were wrong regardless."

I gently placed a cigarette in my mouth, feeling the filter between my teeth.

"Part of the organization?"

"If they were they were small fries, nothing to worry about, but I doubt we can touch them now that they are in Japanese police custody. We lost another lead, although I doubt they could tell us anything."

James glanced over at me.

"I am surprised though that you cut your long hair that you were so fond of."

I shake my head slightly, feeling the freshness of the lack of weight that came with long hair. Long hair reminded me of Dai Moroboshi, of a past life with bitter sweet memories, and of Akemi. I needed a change because I hated seeing my reflection every day and remembering and missing and now add grieving to that short list of emotions.

"It was to freshen up, since my girlfriend left me."

James replaced the glasses on the bridge of his nose, giving me a sidelong glance.

"And so, you brought me here, to help you get back with her?"

I heard the underlying message. You want to get back into the chase with the black organization? Yes, I was ready again. I had taken way too much time off, and I had regretted it. If i wasn't in America, could I have protected her? It didn't matter now. They needed to pay for killing Akemi. I grinned, letting my enthusiasm and anticipation at chasing Gin and Vodka again leak into my tone.

"Yes. I want her to regret leaving me with bitter tears."

James sighed.

"Akai-kun, I apologize for being unable to protect her."

I bit down harder on the cigarette but didn't answer. It wasn't his fault. It was mostly mine for abandoning her and dragging her through this mess of mine in the first place.

"Just tell me you have a lead for me to follow."

"Not yet, but I can get you one soon."

I wanted to ask about investigating the boy, but bit my tongue. Maybe later, I would discuss with him and Jodie later. Eventually I would get to the bottom of the mystery that was Edogawa Conan.