This took a little more thought then my previous chapters because a lot of stuff was off screen and I had to pretend to be Gosho for a little bit of it, and thinking like a genius is hard for us ordinary folks. It is hard to fit some of the pieces together, especially the timing of things. I hope I do it justice. Enjoy. Episodes 502-504.

I knew when I woke up something was wrong. It wasn't an immediate threat like there was an intruder, but my instincts honed after years in the field were yelling at me that something wasn't right. Uneasy restless paranoia settled over me as I slowly climbed out of bed, going to go brush my teeth. I glance at the calendar on the way to the bathroom and I grimace. Oh the irony; it was Friday the thirteenth.

Yesterday we had pulled off the successful loss of Mizunashi Rena, and Camel, Conan, and I all got put through the ringer, mostly by Jodie, for lying to the other agents but after we had explained everything they went from very irritated to understanding. So we were off the hook it seemed.

The boy had left, understandably needing to get back to his own life. He shook my hand, whispered good luck to me, and skipped outside to the yellow Volkswagen he spoke of. I will probably not see him again until after all this is over.

I had come home early, intent on catching up on my sleep that I had missed out the previous night, to see a package waiting for me. When I opened it there were five bags of a mysterious red liquid that were all wired to a remote. Each bag had a number that corresponded with one on the remote, and there was detailed instructions saying that each button was linked to a different bag. So four on my chest probably in case she decides to shoot me there first and one for under my hat to make it seem like I got shot in the head.

I brush my teeth, pondering the situation. The boy said that if Gin was going to order her to kill me, today would be the day. What if he didn't though and all of this was for nothing? No, Gin was too smart for that. But would he target me, instead of another agent? Is that why my instincts were on the fritz? The unknown was a terrifying thing, and the only assurance that I could possibly cling too, were the words of a small boy with an IQ higher than average adults.

I sighed as I spit out my toothpaste. I need to calm down. Even if the boy's predictions are wrong, I know I am confident in my own abilities to deal with the unknown; I am not some rookie that just got put on the job. I need to take up the mantle of being the calm collected Akai, not this one that was secretly stressing out.

In any case, I need to go back to Haido general hospital. James wants a wrap up meeting so to speak about the case and our plans of where to go from here. Most of the other agents have left and are currently on their way back to the United States, leaving a skeleton crew here in Japan. I get ready hurriedly, grab a can of black coffee from the vending machine from downstairs, and head out to my truck.

I make it to the hospital just in the nick of time. I walked in the room to see Jodie and James already there.

"Ah Akai-kun you are here."

I nod as I slowly gravitate toward the window, peeking out from behind the curtain, looking for possible snipers. Man I am so paranoid. What is wrong with me?

Before James could even start talking to us, Jodie's phone rang. I didn't pay attention to it as she answered it, until she exclaimed.

"What? Camel is the lead suspect in a murder case?"

I glance toward her. Who was she talking to? Although if I had to take a guess, not many people knew Camel was in Japan, knew he was a FBI agent, and had Jodie's phone number. I would bet my sniper rifle it was the boy. Wait a minute, Camel was a suspect? Well at least we know that he isn't the murderer.

"Training on the hotel's stairway?"

I smirked at that. Looks like that fitness freak is still the same as he was two years ago. He was obsessed with it then too. Good to see he hasn't changed too much.

"That's just like that muscle training maniac, just like two years ago."

Jodie looked up from her phone conversation.

"Speaking of which, I heard he also came to Japan two years ago. Did something happen then?"

Ah yes, I remember that. That was ancient history, no use bringing it up and reopening healed wounds for both of us.

"No, nothing happened. More importantly, we should focus on rescuing him. You can go now right, to that hotel?"

This gives the boy a chance to give his phone to Jodie. I don't know how he is going pull it off, but he will think of something. Jodie nodded in affirmation. James ordered.

"Make sure they don't find out we are conducting a secret investigation in Japan."

"Yes of course. Ok Conan-kun, I will be right there."

Called it. My eyes scanned the ground below the window carefully. Would they come back today to dispose of the hospital? If she didn't manage to convince them that the hospital wasn't connected, they could be coming back.

"I will be heading out now."

I glance back at her. I don't know if I will see her again, at least if this plan plays out, and maybe not as myself, or not at all if I end up getting killed. Not to mention, they might come after more agents. We shouldn't drop our guard just because we 'lost' our lead and think we have won this round.

"Jodie."

She pauses by the door. I bite my lip slightly. What do I say to her?

"Be careful. I have a bad feeling about today."

They could come out and attack her if she wasn't aware of the dangers. They know where we are, and they could strike at any time.

"Because it is Friday the thirteenth right?"

I glance over at her. I couldn't exactly tell her that this was the day I could die, could I?

"I don't really believe in those things."

She left. I mused aloud.

"Is that so?"

Am I being suspicious for no reason? No, there was always a reason, and an experienced agent was a fool for not listening to their instincts. I shut the curtains with a sigh. In any case, I have to prepare for tonight.

"James, maybe we can talk about this later. I have some errands to run."

"Hai Akai-kun, you also be careful."

I stick a cigarette in my mouth as I walk out the door, lighting it as I walk out to my truck. Now, what do I need for tonight, if everything works out? I had already bought a cover for my truck bed, for when I have to transport the corpse. He was now in the hospital morgue for now, scheduled to be buried in the next few days. He will be a little decomposed, but it doesn't matter if he is going to burn anyway. It's gross, but essential.

Another thing I need to take care of is transportation. Sadly, I will be blowing up my only vehicle, which is depressing because I really like that truck, however if Kir is going to try to kill me, it will be a location that is in the middle of nowhere. I can't exactly walk back, and riding with her is not an option. There could be cameras, wireless taps, all sorts of things that could incriminate her, as well as the fact that I will be covered in blood, fake blood, but if they discover the stains in the car seat they will get suspicious. No I needed my own way back.

So I went out to a nearby bike shop that rented motorbikes. I found the quietest one that cost the least amount of money, rented it for a week, and bought a helmet. That could hide my face in the already dark night, which was if she called me out at night. I put it in the bed of my truck and shut the tailgate.

It was still early in the afternoon, so I decided to eat lunch, and try to take it easy. As the day progressed my nerves slowly grew. My instincts which were just casually yelling at me were now screaming bloody murder that I should get out of Japan. I took a deep breath as I sipped some of the coffee that came with my sandwich. I had everything prepared. The only thing now was if they even go through the plan in the first place. I was sure doing a lot of work for something that might not even happen, but it was better to be prepared then to not be.

I think I should probably head back to my apartment. I still need to think some things out. I look up to the sky as I walk back to my truck. I wonder how the crime scene is progressing. I also wonder if the boy ever got his chance to switch his phone with Jodie's. I wouldn't put it past him to solve the crime and pull off the switch without too much of a problem.

It was amazing really, how much faith I had in the boy. After all, he is more than twenty years younger than me, and I was basically putting my life in his hands, giving everything to the plan he came up with. It shouldn't be logical, but there was something about him that even though there was some risk involved, made me believe this would succeed, if it played out. Maybe while I am protected Shi-no Haibara, I can find out more about him. I might as well start calling her that now.

I walk into my apartment and look around. I will have to abandon this place, however I can't do it now. An amateur investigator could figure out that if I cancelled the contract the day I died they would get suspicious. I grab the blood packages and place them in my truck. Now to go buy flame resistant clothes and an identical wardrobe for Kusada. I guess I can go change him now too.

It doesn't take much shopping time for me to get the needed items, although the flame resistant pants were a little harder to find, and more conspicuous, but a little white lie that said I was working with fireworks for an upcoming festival and I got the pants without complaint.

It was almost five when I finally returned to the hospital. It didn't take very long to sneak into the morgue and change Kusada into all black clothes. I would keep him here for the moment. He was starting to rot, and I couldn't let other find him in my truck bed. I sighed, going back to my truck. It looked like Jodie and Camel weren't back yet so our meeting would be postponed for a little bit. I decided to take a little nap. I didn't know when I would sleep again, and I still was out of whack from the lack of sleep from the past few days.

"FBI? Dai-kun is?"

Stay focused. Act indifferent. Don't care.

"Yes I will be putting an end to it tomorrow."

"Don't be silly. If you are trying to fool me, think of something better than this."

She is hurting. It's painful to watch. Comfort her. Can't.

"Otherwise I won't be surprised at all."

Crap, tears. Abort mission? No stay the course. Wait.

"You knew? If you knew why didn't you leave me? You knew I was using you."

Not logical. Didn't make sense.

"Can you not tell without asking?"

No. I used her. I was terrible to her. I took her love and threw it aside just to get close. She can't love someone like that. But her kindness. Her tears. God I love her.

"Akai-kun. Akai-kun."

James, and an obnoxious ringing dissipated the terrible memory I was trapped in. I blinked my eyes open. Why did I have that dream now? Because of the recent activity with the organization? I glance over at James.

"Your phone has been ringing for quite a while now."

Ah, the obnoxious ringing.

"Sorry."

I pull out the object, and opened it up to see an unknown number. That was strange I don't remember giving my phone number to strangers. Maybe a prank caller? I answered it cordially.

"Yes?"

"It's me."

It takes a lot of effort not to stiffen. Mizunashi Rena. So did that mean our other plan was underway? It was actually happening? I can't jump to conclusions though. She might just be calling to tell me it was cancelled. But how did she get my number? I didn't give it to her. I bet the organization still held my old phone number from when I worked with them.

"Mizunashi Rena. Is it ok to talk? Anyone around?"

Ah, there was slight wobble of fear in her voice. Was Gin there? Probably threatening her to make the call if I had to take a guess. I swallowed hard in anticipation. James interjected.

"Who is—"

I hold up my finger silencing him. I can't have him give himself away in this situation.

"Yeah, I am alone."

I turn my attention back to my cellphone as she spoke again.

"I bet you are surprised, aren't you? That I would contact you so soon after returning to the organization."

I didn't really, surprised it took her so long actually, but the clueless me didn't know that.

"More or less. Explain what you mean?"

Clueless Akai would be curious as to why she was calling me in the first place. What kind of lie would she feed me?

"Actually, it has become difficult to stay in the organization. I want your help to leave and fly out of here."

Wait, was this Kir, or the CIA agent talking? Was her identity compromised and this was real?

"Or course I will offer any information the FBI wants. Can we meet now, just the two of us?"

No, that wasn't the case. She was actually doing it. She was leading me into a fake trap. This was our plan. Which meant that the boy accurately predicted Gin's moves. Hiding a grin, I agree readily.

"Yes, it won't be a problem as long as you are alone."

Make sure no one else is there so we can pull this off. It will be infinitely more difficult to do if Gin decides to tag along with her. She needs to convince him to let her do it alone, if she hasn't already done it.

"All right I will mail you the time and place after this call."

Maybe she will give me a clue in the email, although I doubt it if Gin is there; he will check for hints.

"Yeah."

I hear her hang up and I closed my phone. Now just to wait for the email.

I can't believe this is actually happening. There were so many possibilities, and yet this boy had picked this one. I doubt she was the one to draw attention to the fact either. This was all Gin's, and possibly the boss's, ideas and actions. It would look suspicious if she was the one to propose a test of loyalty. How? The boy's genius is terrifying. Although I am celebrating way too quickly. This plan just started and if the other plan had a hundred different paths, this one has a thousand. I can't get my hopes up just yet.

"That was Mizunashi Rena right?"

Ah crap, how was I going to get rid of James without telling him and causing him to worry? It's obvious this is a trap and he will try to force me not to go.

"Yes, she asked if we could meet in private."

"A private meeting with her could be a trap. It would be more prudent not to go."

No, it would be meaningless if I didn't. How can I get rid of him without telling him the plan?

"Yeah, except if it is a trap and I don't show, seven or eight times out of nine she will be killed. The organization must have forced her to do it."

Maybe that will allow me to go? I give him a reassuring smile.

"It's fine. I am confident my sixth sense will work. She may just be CIA but I believe she has a clever plan to get us out of this."

Well I know for a fact that is the case. Maybe this will be enough to convince James to trust me on this one. Turns out my hopes were dashed as he pulled out his phone.

"In any case, let me call Jodie and us FBI can—"

I reach out without thinking, grabbing the phone, stilling his hand. The last thing I want is reinforcements.

"Akai-kun? What are you doing?"

He asks questioningly. Then I see the distinct glance at my fingers and his eyes widen.

"What on earth?"

Ah crap, I forgot that I still had glue on my fingers. I decided to keep it on just in case Jodie remembered I picked up something in the hospital and decided to use that instead of the phone. It looks like the jig is up. I had hoped not to tell anyone, but it can't be helped anymore. The fact that he has discovered glue on my fingers might mean he will mess up the plan later. Besides, James is sensible; he won't give away the fact that I am alive, and if he really needs me to interfere in something, he can contact me. I take a deep breath.

"There is a plan in place James, between me and her."

He narrowed his eyes in confusion. I open the door of my truck, stepping out.

"This trap was predicted before she even left our custody. I am going now to fake my death with her. This will allow me to work behind the scenes without the organization knowing, and it drops suspicion off of her if they suspected her of being a double agent. It kills two birds with one stone."

James raised an eyebrow as I slowly walk toward the morgue, explaining our master plan in as much detail as I can. I finished right when we got back to the truck, with me carrying Kusada Rikumichi and putting him in the backseat of the truck, for easy access when i need to switch the corpses.

"Akai-kun, will that work?"

I nodded as I climbed back in my truck. I narrow my eyes.

"It's not a matter of will anymore, it has to work. Now James, you cannot tell the others about this. Just like yesterday when we didn't tell you about them retrieving her, we can't tell the other agents now. We have to make this believable. More lives are at stake here."

James sighed.

"It will be a hard blow, but I understand. I won't tell anyone else."

I relax slightly. This will probably be good in the long run, but I still feel uneasy.

"Oh, one more thing. If Jodie doesn't already have it, remind her that my fingerprints are on the boy's phone. He should be giving it to her at some point today but if it doesn't happen you will need to make that happen. The fingerprints have to be compared to that and nothing else."

His eyes widened.

"I will do my best. Wait does Conan-kun know about this?"

I smirked in response. I couldn't say the boy came up with the plan; it would probably give the man even more anxiety. After all, he had only seen a little bit of Conan-kun's intelligence, and still only thinks him as a child. I think of him as a hunter.

"Oh yes, I will be getting a new phone in a few days. I will call you so you can save my number in case of emergency."

He sighed.

"Fine, but you didn't answer my question."

Suddenly my phone dings, indicating I had an email. I flicked it open and smirk.

"Tonight at 1900 hours, the seventh left curve along the Raiha pass. On that pass so late, there will be only a few cars passing by. It would be ideal for a clandestine meeting."

"But is this really all right?"

I can tell he is worried, and I don't blame him. I am essentially walking unarmed into what could be a real trap. I glance at the clock. It was currently 6:30, so if I wanted to make it early to scope it out, I would need to leave now.

"Yeah, have some faith in me, and of course in her."

We will pull this off, the greatest fake death ever.

"Akai-kun."

He sounded like he wanted to say millions of things to me. I glance over at him.

"As for what happens afterwards, I am counting on you."

"Ri..right."

I pulled down on the gearshift, and pulled away, leaving my boss in that parking garage, looking like a worried old man, but I didn't dare look back. I had a job to do.

As I drive, the remnants of my dream keep playing back, thoughts of Akemi. I sighed inwardly. Would it have been different if I had not been in the organization? Gone to America? Could I have kept her from being killed? Well, I might meet her again tonight, who knows, if this plan fails.

I go and count the turns and find the one which she is talking about. I see that there is a cutout in the rock, where she can park her car. I don't know if Gin is here or not, but if I park across from her my truck can shield me from possible snipers in the mountains across the way. I hadn't seen any signs of an ambush coming from Haido, but it didn't hurt to go further down the road this way. Besides, Gin will expect me to be suspicious of a trap.

After driving a few more kilometers I pull off to the side of the road. I pull out the blood packages from underneath my passenger seat and shrug off my jacket and pull off my shirt. The blood bags came with several rolls of tape that could secure them to my body. I roll the remote around in my fingers. Should I test it, just to make sure it works? I glance at the instructions, to see a small note at the bottom.

Don't worry. These have been tested many times by me and Hakase. Good luck.-EC

I smirked. The boy thought of everything hasn't he? He is even predicting me now. I tape the blood carefully, securing them to my torso. The last one, for my hat, I just tuck it under the cap, not seeing a need to tie it. I just can't move around too much, otherwise they will fall off and give us away. I replace my clothes, and lean back, closing my eyes.

Am I forgetting something? Kusada Rikumichi is in my backseat, dressed like me in flame resistant pants and ready to be moved. I have a motorbike to get away, with a helmet. I have the blood and remote control in my right pocket. I grip my steering wheel tightly. It was now 19:10.

It was time to go die. Boya, I hope you are right.

It was simple to do a u-turn on the deserted highway and drive back to our meeting place. I see an unfamiliar car occupying the part that was empty earlier, with a figure leaning against it. So she is here. I skidded to a stop against the guardrail across the highway from her. I take a deep breath as I survey her car warily. It looks like she really did come alone. Well it wouldn't count as a test of loyalty if she let others kill me for her after all.

I slowly turn the truck off, scoot over to my passenger side, and slowly get out as she approaches me. I lean against the door, keeping it open. It would make it look like I was ready to escape, when instead it would just make it easier for me to fall back into the cab when she shoots me.

"Oh, is something wrong? You came from the opposite direction."

I smirked faintly, despite my nerves. Calm down. Relax, this is just like any other mission. Keep your right hand in your pocket. That's all you need.

"I arrived ahead of you, to scout out the area."

"I see, and were the results correct? That I really did come alone?"

That sounded highly suspicious that we weren't alone here. I can see by her fancy collar that she had a camera on her; did she have a bug as well? Probably. Although, I was surprised Gin wasn't here. I thought he would want a front row seat and some popcorn for my execution.

I looked to both sides, maybe expecting a black Porsche to come racing out of the darkness.

"Yes, it seems so."

For now. I swallowed as I asked, going along with the farce she proposed.

"So, as for your offer, in exchange for help escaping, let me hear what information you have."

She bowed her head.

"Yeah, as far as what I can offer you—"

I see the pistol in her hand, I see it pointed at me, and my body is trying to take the flight option in the fight or flight package, but I stay completely still. I have to time this just right. She is aiming at my right chest, which should be blood pack 3. My fingers scrabble over the remote in the blindness of my pocket, counting the buttons until I find three. Time slows down as I see her pull the trigger.

Gunshot permeates the air. I press the button only a second later.

I give a small gasp in shock, biting my lip hard to produce real blood, letting it trickle down my chin to add to the illusion. Crap I was slightly late because she did it so suddenly, but I can make up for it with acting. I grunt, trying to act the part. I need to be able to get an Oscar for this. My left hand instinctively comes up to where the blood pack is to cradle the fake wound, when in fact I am pressing on the bag, trying to get the blood to come out faster. The blood flow is far too slow.

I lean up against my truck, wheezing and struggling to stay upright. Thankfully, I have had a punctured lung before on another case, and I remember the pain well, and how I acted then. I look up at her, and see her eyes flicker up, over my head at something. I turn slightly, looking up at a road across the way on the other side. There was a familiar black car.

A Porsche 356A. So that's how it is.

I smirk. Of course he would be nearby to pick up the camera and the bugs signal. He wanted to be here personally, but not close enough that I would detect it, and not close enough that Kir would have him as a fall back. Well done, my old arch rival.

Oh, I was supposed to be acting like I was dying. I groaned in pain, eyes close, face tensed. I hope this is working, because I feel like I am overdramatizing it.

Now for the final piece. She needs to shoot me in the head. If the body in the truck has a head shot when Akai Shuichi doesn't, then we will be figured out. However if she was playing the reluctant operative, then this needs to be Gin's idea, or it would be out of character. We need to play hard to get so to speak, that way Gin feels like he is in control, let him have his sick fantasies of driving the bullet home himself. Nevertheless, if she doesn't give me a headshot, all of this will have been for nothing.

Suddenly I hear her talking.

"But, I shot out his lung. Even if we leave him, he won't last thirty minutes."

There was a pause, probably Gin giving her orders.

"Roger."

She steps forward, heels clicking against the ground. I watch her warily as she slowly raises the gun, pointing it directly at my forehead.

For a moment I am stunned. The boy. He did all of this. He predicted this, from start to finish, accurately. Not once had they been off. In the delta of timelines, he had followed this riverlet, when there had been millions of other things that could have happened. What kind of being was he? I am leaning toward an oracle, because his power to foresee the future like this was supernatural. No person, let alone child should be able to do this. To say that I was astounded was an understatement. The boy had outsmarted Gin for God's sake. That was a feat I didn't know anyone besides me could accomplish.

I had to tell someone, what I thought his genius, and I had to make it seem like something else, but surely she would understand. She had seen it too, in her hospital room, when we first outlined this plan from the start. I couldn't keep this thought, this admiration to myself. I smirk at her.

"To think, that you would go this far."

In your predictions Boya. I finished in my mind. I see her eyes widen a fraction and she smiled at me in understanding. To Gin and Vodka, to the FBI agents, to anyone else in the world, this would be normal for a dying man to say. However, between her and me, we were sharing our own private chat, an inside joke no one will never know about, about a boy that was forever destined in the the shadows.

"Yes, I am surprised myself, that it has worked out this well."

The plan that we worked on has succeeded so well, and we couldn't have done it by ourselves. We had to thank our little benefactor. We had both had our doubts on how this plan would go. It was risky with both of our lives and work on the line. Two experienced agents had relied, listened, and complied to a plan created by a young child. We took the gamble, even though we were skeptical and it was dangerous However, through it all and the boy's guidance we made it through up to this point. All that was left was for her to pull the trigger.

I searched for number five, the one for under my hat. She gave me one last look, and was nice enough to wait until I was ready before she pulled the trigger. I pressed the button and threw myself back, eyes closed as I let out a pained groan. I flopped limply in the seat, resisting the urge to wipe the liquid currently covering my face and dribbling into my seat. I lay perfectly still, not even daring to breathe in the silence of the night.

Suddenly I hear police sirens. That was a stroke of bad and good luck. It will be harder to get away like this; however it will be quicker for them to get the investigation of my murder underway.

"Roger."

I hear her say and then I feel her place something next to me, and it was ticking softly. She taps my leg, probably as a signal that Gin is gone, and that she had placed the bomb. I open my eyes to see her walking back to her car. Turning my head, I see the bomb quickly counting down from thirty seconds. Man she didn't give me a lot of time did she?

I haul Kusada out of the backseat as quietly as possible. I didn't know if that bug that she could have was still active or not. I glance up to the rise across to see that Gin's Porsche is gone. Good. I position Kusada quickly and leap out of the cab. She was looking at me out of the corner of her eye I mimed the phone symbol next to my ear. I will contact you later. She didn't spare me a second glance.

Twenty seconds, and the police were coming around the bends. I needed to be gone before then. I yank the motorbike out of the bed, throw on the helmet, and speed off just as the police come around that turn to see my truck sitting there and they didn't see me disappear. I whizzed down the highway and sure enough I heard a small boom a few seconds later.

I let out the breath that I had been holding and let out a small chuckle. It worked. Holy crap it worked. The next time I see the boy I am shaking his hand. He had just saved my life and did it with a bold and daring style that required acting skills I wasn't sure I had. The boy just continues to impress me.

Now, I do believe my next stop is in Beika. Time to go meet these associates the boy spoke of. I wonder who they could be.