All right we are finally getting to Bourbon! Well closer to him anyway. Sorry it took so long, which I feel like is all of my Author Notes. Ah well. This is episodes 578-581.

It was a simple evening, and I had just been out and about, gathering supplies for me cooking dinner tonight, when I received an email. I flipped open my phone and saw it was from the Boya. We had exchanged numbers when I first moved into the house, in case of emergencies, and we both promised not to use it often because people could find out the link between us, so the fact he was contacting me was odd.

I opened it and froze, reading the message over.

Have you been going out without your disguise?

How was I supposed to answer that? Of course I haven't. That's like suicide for me and Kir. I quickly type back a reply.

No, why what happened?

What made him ask me that? Did he see me? Or someone that looked like me? His reply was just as quick.

The Detective Boys saw 'you' at a bank robbery not long ago. Jodie was there too and acted strange. No confirmation, but I'm sure she saw 'you' too.

I hadn't been in a bank recently, and definitely not as myself. I had been careful. If it wasn't me, and if Jodie was there, it was only one explanation.

Another reply from the Boya.

Be careful. Someone is investigating your death. Probably checking with FBI.

Yeah, it was probably a Black Organization member, more than likely Vermouth. I will have to verify this claim. I shoot back.

You too. Let me know if you find something.

I flip my phone close and hurriedly check out. I need to investigate this, or maybe I should stay as far away from them as possible. I can't have them figuring out my identity by getting too close. What to do. Wait a moment.

Could this be an ambush? If the Black Organization is dressing up as me, could they be trying to lead the FBI into a trap? I know Jodie would leap at the chance to verify that I am alive, and would be so eager to find out she would be careless. All it takes is a few snipers.

Either way, it spells bad news for the FBI, whether it is the Black Organization investigating my death, or leading them into a trap, and even if I am technically 'dead' they are still my comrades in arms. I have every right to try to protect them. Besides, this is my identity I was talking about. I had a right to my imposter as well.

My best course of action was to tail Jodie and Camel, since they are the two that are in Japan at the moment and investigating the organization. Follow them, and I will run into my imposter eventually. I flip open my phone and call James.

"Hello?"

"James, it's me."

He didn't seem surprised at me calling.

"Ah, yes. Why are you calling me?"

I cut right to the chase.

"I need you to update me on Jodie's and Camel's whereabouts, at least for the next week or so."

There was a pause on the other end.

"They are going to Beika Department store tomorrow. Jodie said to check out something."

Hmm, check out something related to the mysterious imposter perhaps? I nod.

"All right thanks James. Be alert. They are on the move."

I hang up and walk briskly down the street, back to the Kudo's house. It will be strange, seeing Jodie and Camel again, especially since it is not as myself and I haven't seen them since my 'death'. I hope they are doing ok. I cannot fraternize with them, unless I want to be discovered. I have to just limit myself to tracking them. Now though, I was going home to review this robbery the Boya described, maybe check out the news feeds on it.

The next morning I set out, planning on getting there early to scout out the area, maybe see some crows while I was at it. I didn't see any at the moment, but that didn't mean they weren't there. I even checked in with the bank next door, the one that Jodie was in the robbery for, asking questions, and nothing turned up. I decided to call my search fruitless, and go to the department store.

I was loitering around the entrance when I finally saw them, Jodie leading Camel, and it looked like she was on a mission, stamping forward towards the sport section. I toss my black coffee immediately and follow at a safe distance. I had always been able to track Jodie and Camel without them noticing so, this shouldn't be too hard.

I follow them discreetly. They didn't do much, Jodie mostly browsing the store selection of hats, while Camel followed behind like a loyal dog. Why hats though? Jodie was never a hat person. Unless did my imposter wear it and she is trying to track him down? Possibly. She walks up to a store clerk and starts asking questions. I stay far enough away that I can't eavesdrop, but I can tell by the body language that the lady doesn't understand Jodie's questions, and Jodie is just getting more frustrated.

She went to several different clerks, asking the same questions, and apparently getting the same answer. I would ask the clerks what they had been asked, but I couldn't without drawing attention to myself.

Wait, Boya is here? Along with Mouri Ran, and what looks like her father, the famous 'Sleeping' Mouri Kogoro. Hmm, the man I saved from being sniped. I wonder what kind of man he is. I had not met him in person, and wonder how he is, especially after rising to fame recently. Could the Boya have something to do with it? He might have. I refuse to believe that the Boya sat back and let someone else solve everything. Maybe he gives the man hints? Did the man know of his real identity?

In any case Jodie and Camel look a little off guard at seeing the family. They bumbled their way through the greetings and made a hasty exit. I start forward, noticing the Boya talking to the lady they were previously interrogating. So he is investigating. Not that I would expect anything less from him. Finally he too was pulled away by Mouri Ran, and I step up. This poor clerk is going to be tired of saying the same things over and over.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

The clerk turned towards me. I put forward my pleasant Okiya personality, trying to lower her guard.

"That seemed quite the commotion. What were they talking about?"

The clerk explained calmly, even though she still looked confused.

"The foreign lady just asked who had bought this hat that we sell only at this store, if a man with a burn scar on his face had bought it. No one of that description did. I believe I would have recalled such a memorable man."

Ah, a burn mark, to raise suspicion about the explosion. It would be easy to fabricate that I barely escaped with my life, and got horribly injured in the process. All right, so they didn't wear the disguise to pick up the hat.

"Can you tell me if a foreign woman with blond hair has bought the hat?"

The clerk shook her head.

"No sorry, doesn't ring any bells."

So not Vermouth then. It must be the imposter then, and since I don't know what they really look like, I am back to square one. I thank the clerk for her time, before hurrying after Jodie and Camel.

This was getting dangerous. I had a horrible gut feeling something was going to happen today. I don't know if the imposter is targeting the FBI specifically and if it is just them, or if the whole organization is in on it. I have to warn them somehow. It will probably backfire in the way that they will think the imposter warned them and trust them more, and it could lead to me being discovered, but I can't sit by and let them run head long into danger carelessly. As they are now, the imposter is playing mind games with them, and they are unsettled. A surprise attack now with their guard down would annihilate them. I can at least tell them to be careful and on their guard. Ok, so I was going to warn them. How, I don't know. I will just have to wait until my chance comes.

I follow them into a cute little café on the lower level of the department store for lunch. Jodie seems off, and Camel looks concerned. It seems Jodie hasn't shared her theory about me being alive yet. Probably thinking she is insane. I mean she was there, from what James told me, to get the fingerprints news. She heard proof that I was dead, and now she is thinking she is seeing my ghost or something. I can tell how agitated she is, perks of knowing her forever. She is really upset about this.

I want to tell them so badly, that I am alive, and I am safe, and not to trust this new Akai. It hurts to be so close yet so far.

Camel excused himself, probably to go to the bathroom and Jodie received a call a few seconds later, leaving the café to take the call. My chance.

I take my coaster of my black coffee and scribble on the back with pen. I need to get them to leave. My instincts weren't happy at the moment, raising the hair on the back of my neck. A storm was coming, and I needed them out of the line of fire. I couldn't trust them, to not give some sort of information or to mess up the plan we worked on. I decided on: 'Run, this place is dangerous.' That had to get them back to James. I bent the corner of it so Jodie would notice it, wiped my prints off of it, just in case Jodie decided to check it, and move toward their table.

I slide Jodie's coaster out from under her tea, and place mine underneath, yet I hesitated to draw my hand away. Should I do this? I could mess up the whole plan, everything the Boya and I worked on with this stunt. This would give Jodie and Camel a false hope about me being alive, and could possibly do more harm than good. Was it worth it? If I do this, I have to prove that the imposter is fake, possibly giving myself away in the process. I didn't have time for this. Jodie would be back any second and I definitely can't be found here. I sigh as I let go of the coaster and stride back to my seat. I sit down, placing Jodie's coaster under my coffee just as Jodie walked back into the Café.

I watch her carefully out of the corner of my eye as she sits back down, calmly sipping her tea. Come on Jodie, notice. Use your investigative skills. Find the clue. Finally she looked down, and her eyes focused in a way. She pulled up the coaster and her eyes widened in surprise, like she had seen a ghost. Pity and guilt washed over me as she looked around the café, hoping, praying for a glimpse of me. I want to Jodie, but I can't. There are more lives on the line then my own at this point. I quickly pay for my coffee, and head out the door, leaving my former colleague behind, hurriedly escaping to the floor above.

I narrowed my eyes at the commotion at one end of the floor. What was happening? There seemed to be a lot of people gathered by the elevator. I step forward, blending into the crowd easily as I hear an unknown man say.

"The man said that he also put the paper bags in front of all stairs and escalators and threatened to blow up everything if I didn't do as he said."

Instantly I am alert and focused on the problem in front of me. Bombs? Was this the bad feeling I felt earlier? I lean forward, trying to gauge the situation.

Up front is a man with a trench coat, covering bombs that are strapped to his chest a blue duffel bag, and looking very panicked. So he is not the criminal, but rather he was put up by another. There beside him was Mouri Ran, Mouri Kogoro, and the Boya. Of course he was. Why am I not surprised he is right in the middle of this?

"At any rate, let's call the police."

Mouri Kogoro hurriedly pulled out his phone. The man interrupted.

"Don't. He said he would blow it up if the police even approach the building. He also said that if anyone escaped this floor it would be the end."

Why was this happening? What is the motive of a criminal taking an entire floor of a department store hostage?

"Well, what does the man want?"

My thoughts exactly. The man sat, handing over the duffel bag.

"Inside this bag. He said the sender of the thirteen red shirts must be located at any cost."

Thirteen red shirts? What did that mean? It must have meant something to the Mouris, because they all looked like they recognized it, and the Boya looked shocked. Something else was going on here.

"The sender is definitely on this floor he said."

Ah, the reason for the hostages. What a roundabout way of doing it. I readjust my glasses easily. How interesting. I could possibly see how Mouri Kogoro works. Could this be Imposter-san's work? Or the black organizations? No too sloppy and way too many witnesses.

"I don't care why you did it but if you did send the shirts, if you are here come out."

Hmm, straightforward, although the possibility of it working is next to zero. And it could cause a panic.

Sure enough, as soon as the rest of the customers realized they were trapped here they started scurrying to and fro, trying to leave. I step back as not to get trampled and noticed the bags start to emit smoke. I blink and examine the bag. A smoke bomb, in an ordinary bomb? What could the purpose of that be? Unless these bombs are just a bluff. I wasn't going to take the chance.

I will let the Boya handle this. He seems to have more information than I do, not to mention I wonder how he works with Mouri Kogoro. Should I offer my services to disable the bombs? No I don't know if the bomber is here watching us or not, and one false move could lead to my identity being discovered, and the other customers dying, which is not an ideal situation. I watch quietly as the Boya and the great detective start going through the red shirts, looking for clues. Yes I will just observe this one. Who knows who could be watching?

Mouri Kogoro was led off, probably to the store that sold the shirts in the first place, taking one of the receipts with him. Why was it ripped like that? I understand to hide the store, but what was on the right side that was also ripped off? The Boya stayed, and I watched as Mouri Ran slowly folded the shirt strangely. Suddenly that spark caught in the Boya's eyes and he started folding the shirts carefully. Ah, he has found something interesting it seems. I can't tell exactly what it was from my perspective hidden behind rows of curious people, but I knew that he was close to solving the mystery.

Suddenly Mouri Kogoro was back and immediately grabbed the Boya sharply by the ear, making him wince.

"Honestly, I take my eyes off you for a minute and this is what happens."

I blink in surprise. I thought the Boya helped Mouri in his deductions. Could it be that the man didn't know his true abilities? That didn't make sense. Why would the Boya keep quiet about his skill toward someone that could help him? Mouri Ran was quick to jump to his rescue.

"But Conan-kun said that by folding along the creases a code might form."

Ah a code, it might explain the strange way they were folded. Mouri Kogoro knelt down.

"A code? It can't possibly be. There is no way to tell when those creases were made."

I narrow my eyes. That defied logic. A good detective would exercise all possibilities, especially as something as strange as creases in the clothes that were out of the ordinary. Were the rumors about the 'Great' Mouri Kogoro false? Or was there a connection between him and the Boya as I suspected. But if that was the case, why did the man berate the Boya for working in the crime scene? The Boya rubbed his ear absentmindedly, giving the man a dead pan look. It looked like he was used to this treatment.

Wait; was it originally worse than I thought? I had assumed that the Boya interjected in his usual helpful way, like the past crime scenes I had seen with him, pointing toward the right deductions smoothly without any opposition. What if those instances weren't the norm? Did this Boya really have to deal with people who doubted his ideas and didn't believe that he could give good ideas since he was a child? I didn't even consider that, even though it does make sense. If that is the case, the Boya had it more rough then I thought.

Of course, a child genius, especially if he was a certain shrunken detective, would catch the attention of the organization. I understand him hiding in the shadows. However, how does he get anything done with a man telling him to not to do anything at a crime scene? The Boya is very flexible.

The more I watch, the more I realize the rumors were indeed false. This man is not a great detective at all. I decide to go and check out more clues on my own, see if I could help the Boya somehow. He seems to have scurried off somewhere. I know he is at a disadvantage here, and can use any help that he could get. I guess I should go inspect the rest of the bombs.

I walk around the floor casually, observing the brightly colored bags. They aren't see through, and I doubt I can get close enough to check it out without the bomber seeing. Something tells me this is an amateur job. The Bomber isn't here, didn't order the man to take cellphones or anything, but I doubt he is just sitting at home sipping tea. He is here somewhere, watching, whether it is in person, or using cameras, and I don't want to risk it. Well nothing I can do on this end. Maybe I should try looking at the shirts myself.

I stroll back to the crowd around the shirts, and politely push myself to the front. Finally I can look at the shirts without my view blocked.

The shirts…are they folded into the signals that flags use? Not to mention this shirt is mostly used in the winter as thermal, or used by skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts. There must be some clue there. If I read these signals correctly then…I see. It must have been a snowy mountain, the receipt. Flags are usually used in the sea and mountains, but considering the message, it must be the latter. The Boya has already figured it out, but isn't acting on it for some reason. Is the deduction incomplete somehow? In any case, I should look up possible case descriptions of this.

I pull out my phone, typing into the search bar when I something caught my attention. A hat, one identical to the one Jodie was fussing about earlier, on a man with dark skin and short black hair.

I freeze, staring at him for a few moments. My imposter. It has to be.

Suddenly he whipped his head towards me. I disappeared into the crowd on reflex, gliding to the back of the crowd easily. He looks around for me, and I can't help but smirk. Found you, and before you could cause more trouble too. The Boya could take care of the case. Another more interesting one has caught my eye.

I stay near the back, giving him subtle glances. He was too tall to be Vermouth, so it must be someone else. It does indeed look like me; however I can tell the eyes are a little bit wrong, since it is my face.

Suddenly I notice the Boya fiddling with his watch. What is that for? I watch as he slowly brings it up, just as Mouri Kogoro looked at his phone to see a message. The Boya pushed something on the watch and I see a projectile shoot out, catching the man in the neck. He stumbles back against the wall, sliding down and dead asleep.

Hold on a second. Did Boya just…tranquilize the man? A sudden image, of when I first met Boya, on the bus highjacking, when the man I was about to knock out myself, fell over asleep, and the Boya lowering the watch. That is probably one of Agasa Hakase's little toys. Very useful, if not a little abrupt and a bit wrong. Now I know why people call him the 'Sleeping' Kogoro. The Boya has disappeared in the two seconds that I was watching the man fall asleep, and suddenly, Mouri Kogoro's voice came from behind him.

"That's fine, I won't let the bombs explode, in the name of the Great Detective, Mouri Kogoro."

I glance over the man's shoulder to see a potted plant, and just behind that, a small cowlick. Ah, the voice changer. So this is the way Boya solves crimes, using Mouri Kogoro as a mouthpiece to give deductions. It makes a whole lot of sense. From what I could see, the correlation between Kudo Shinichi's disappearance, Edogawa Conan's appearance, and Mouri Kogoro's rise to fame all happened around the same time. Interesting Boya. It looks like you have this handled. You don't need me, and I have watched this song and dance routine before. I will trust you to take care of the bomber. I am going to keep a close eye on Imposter-san, and investigate some other things. I step back, fading into the crowd.

I walked into a café, going over to the window to see if the police had been mobilized yet and something glinted in the sun, catching my attention. I stepped forward, looking down and swallowed hard. A black Porsche was sitting right at the entrance of the store, light reflecting off the windshield. Gin. It had to be. What was he doing here though? My attention was drawn just above him. A sniper, and by the red hair, it must be Chianti. Well crap. I immediately went in to full alert mode, until I saw my reflection staring back at me through the glass. Right. I wasn't Akai at the moment. I was just Okiya Subaru, who was not involved with some evil organization. Relax. Instead I grin. I had no idea I would see my dearly beloved rival so soon.

In any case, they could be here for the other FBI agents. I have to warn them somehow. I was lucky in the fact Imposter-san was stuck up here with me so I could keep an eye on him, and he can't lead them into the obvious ambush.

Wait, could it be the other way around? Could the Black Organization be fooled by my imposter as well, think I am alive, and setting up this trap for him instead? No, surely not, although if so I am not going to complain. If they take one of their own out I have no problems with it. Although if that is the case…Kir could be in danger. Gin would assume that this is the real Akai and think she tricked him, and cause him to possibly to figure out our plan. I tsk my tongue silently. This Fake Akai is really messing up lives, with just his presence. What a head ache.

Although, in all reality it felt…nice, being back in action. I had missed the organization, well fighting them, and I see the purpose of Okiya Subaru, but Akai is dying to go hunting crows again.

"Um sir?"

I glance behind me at a sales clerk. I smile politely at her.

"Oh pardon me, I will be going now. I just wanted to see what was going on outside. Besides, this floor is occupied by bombs, I don't feel like drinking anything."

I walk forward, smirking. How foolish, they were sitting there waiting for 'Akai' to appear, while he was trapped in here.

"However, for those holding their breath, waiting for their prey in this heat, I would like to treat them to some hot bitter coffee."

I smirk as I walk off, just the thought of me dumping a pot of hot coffee on Gin would keep me entertained for hours. I make it back just at the tail end of the deduction. Boya was staring at a cellphone, looking perturbed. What happened? I see that the swat team is here, questioning Mouri Kogoro, the culprit, the ordinary citizen, arrested for being the bomber. Everything is wrapped up, so why is he anxious? Unless, did he see the imposter too?

My answer was given to me when he suddenly sprinted off, toward the escalator, ignoring Mouri Ran calling after him. I follow at a lot slower pace and tense when I see Camel and Jodie both at the bottom, Jodie talking to the Boya. Why are they still here? I thought for sure they would be gone with my very urgent message. Dang it Jodie. I step quietly down the stairs, and follow them as they rushed toward the exit. Crap, and I see Imposter-san is up there as well. Jodie will be the most reckless, so I will have to get to her.

I hurriedly skirt through the crowd. I have to take care of him, or Jodie before she sees him. If she walks out onto the street now, she will die.

"Don't Shuu, don't go out. They are targeting you."

Ah crap, she thinks it's me. She is just making a scene here. If they kill him that's fine, but I cannot allow you to die. I come in at an angle, hoping to distract her.

"Shuu."

Hearing my name pouring from her lips so desperately makes me want to tell her everything, but I can't. I instead shove into her roughly, knocking her over. Okiya Subaru extends a hand.

"I am sorry are you all right?"

A side glance tells me that Imposter-san has gotten away. Good. I blurt out, not really thinking.

"But we share fifty fifty responsibility. You are also at fault for not paying attention to your surroundings."

Yes, mostly calling after a fake like a maniac. Wait, the first thing I said; that's not a Subaru phrase. That's an Akai phrase. Crap will she recognize it? No, no recognition flashes in her eyes. In one hand, it will give her insight that I am alive and will stop her from chasing after Imposter-san, however I don't want her to know either. Ah well, if she can't make the connections, then that is on her end not mine. I can just give the clues, but I can't force her to see. I have to stall, makes sure he gets away or something.

"It seems you are looking for someone."

Instantly she seemed to remember her mission and sprinted off before I could stop her. That wasn't good. I go to follow, but I hear a whisper.

"Really?"

"Are you serious?"

"Hurry hurry."

The customers that were first rushing out, were now turned around and were coming back into the department store. I step back against the wall as the stampede rushed past me, chattering loudly in excitement.

"Gift certificates to make up for the bombs."

"Little boy in glasses said."

I smirk, looking up at the ceiling. Amazing again Boya. You never cease to surprise me. It was crude, but there was no time to do anything else, not to mention he already solved two other mysteries today. It got everyone out of sniper fire, and probably allowed the Imposter-san to escape, and saved Jodie and Camel. I can't complain. Speaking of, there he is, hiding in a hallway, and watching his chaos that he created unfold as the customers all raced to the checkout stations. I walk up behind him and comment.

"A gift certificate huh?"

He glanced up at me and I smirked.

"I can't say it's a smart method, but in order to get the customers out of harm's way, you had no choice right?"

He looked up at me, surprised to see me. I explain easily.

"I had some business at the Teito bank next door. After I was done there and left, I tried to catch up an greet you, but I got caught up in the case."

"Who is this guy?"

I turned slightly, inspecting Mouri Kogoro and Mouri Ran, who had snuck up behind us. Yes, I can't see him as the master genius detective everyone says he is. Not that I will ever tell. It is necessary, the Boya solving cases this way. Mouri Ran introduces me courteously.

"For starters he lost his apartment in a fire, and he is currently living at Shinichi's house. His name is Okiya Subaru-san the grad student."

I bowed my head slightly in greeting.

"But what did you mean, that Conan-kun removed the customers from harm's way?"

I smirk. No way I am telling you little lady. You are too innocent for the likes of them. I dismiss the question.

"Ah it's nothing worth asking. Just a trivial tale of a pack of wolves who lost their easy prey."

Honestly, the Black Organization has fallen a little. The fact they couldn't even take care of the Imposter-san, if that was their goal. Ah well. I am not complaining. Their failure is a win in my book.

"Isn't Teito bank kind of far from where you live? Why do you have an account there?"

Ah, maybe I can use this conversation to subtly hint to the Boya what I had found out.

"Ah, no I had other business there."

The Boya perked up, blue eyes flashing.

"What business?"

Ah he has caught on I see. I explain.

"Remember, there was robbery in that bank before. Someone I once knew happened to appear in the follow-up news report. That's why I went there, hoping he used that bank. If he uses it, I might be able to see if he lives around here. I was hoping to get lucky and meet him."

I know about the imposter. I have been investigating him a little bit at a time. I will keep an eye out. Those were the real words, the real message I sent out. I move to leave, when the Boya called after me.

"Does that mean you couldn't find him?"

Did you see the imposter? Ah Boya, way to cut to the chase. I decide to inform him of my findings. He needs to be in the loop.

"Actually, I managed to see him on the floor from earlier. Unfortunately it seems he wasn't who I thought he was, so I didn't talk to him. I've known his face for a very long time, there is no way I could be mistaken."

Yes. I did see him. I didn't engage him, just observed. Not Vermouth. Was Black Organization though. I walk off, leaving the Boya with his adopted family.

My thoughts were that the imposter must be Bourbon. He is the only one on the move at the moment. Almost as soon as I walk outside, and notice the absence of Chianti and the Porsche did I receive a mail.

Bourbon?

I smirk easily, typing back a reply.

Probable. Dissuade Jodie.

No reply, but I bet he is already on it.

Bourbon is on the move, but it is all in the shadows. I can't wait until he comes out in the open so I can easily keep an eye on him. Then he has to deal with both me, and the mastermind behind everything, and something tells me, no matter how good he is, he will lose.