13: Day Job

"Ya know Kudo", Hattori Heiji said, "I'm beginnin' ta think that even wit' my lucky charm we really are magnets fer murderers." The Osakan and his companion slid into a booth seat. "I like to think that it's the murderers that are magnets for teen detectives." Was Shinichi's retort.

The two detectives gazed around the fancy bar with unwavering dedication to detail. "That aside, do ya see our guy?" Heiji asked. "Nope", Shinichi answered, "but we know for sure that he's hanging around here, so maybe he has a victim in mind already." Heiji grinned, "so all we nee' ta do is keep an eye out fer someone who fits tha profile." He elaborated; Shinichi nodded.

Across the room from the detectives the curtain drew back across the bar's small stage, revealing a sleek black piano. An elderly man in a light blue suit took a seat at the piano and began to play. From the back of the room, someone began to sing.

Instinctively, the two detectives whipped their heads around to see.

The singer was an alluring woman in a tight strapless blue dress that flared from beneath the hips. Her face was healthily flushed with slightly reddish-brown hair curling down around lively blue eyes. Her voice was a slightly husky alto tone that, matched with her graceful movements, made her the perfect mix of coy and jazzy.

"Brown hair, blue eyes", Shinichi commented, "she fits the profile." Heiji nodded as they watched her glide past each table, hips swaying, as she sang a song in English. Shinichi recognized it as one his mother used to be fond of after a trip to America.

"/Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you/", sang the woman as she approached the detective's table. Her eyes flashed with recognition as she drew closer, "/sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you/." Grinning mischievously, she leaned backwards over Shinichi and slipped a card onto the table before straightening up and leaving with a dramatic spin. "/Stars fading but I linger dear! Still craving your kiss.../"

Heiji sniggered and Shinichi spared him a scathing glance, attention leaving the singer. "Got yerself an admirer?" Heiji joked. Rolling his eyes, Shinichi picked up the card. Immediately his eyes narrowed; noticing this, Heiji instantly sobered. "What's it say?" Shinichi exhaled slowly and read, "Detectives, I have something that will aid you in your present case. Meet me in the furthest changing room after A Song of Night by: Laura Farnell. In the meantime, relax and enjoy the show. Signed Shirohana- obviously a stage name."

Shrugging, the detective of the west indicated that he would follow Shinichi's lead. "She fits the profile and says she has information", Shinichi said as explanation, "it's as good a lead as any." Catching the attention of a waitress, Shinichi ordered some tea and they both settled in to wait.

'Shirohana' sang four more songs, providing plenty of time for the detective's tea to arrive and then grow cold as both neglected it. "/This heart of mine will stop... to hear your song./" Having provided ample proof that she could sing high and clear just as well as low and husky, Shirohana's voice faded away and the room filled with polite soft applause. While the bows were taking place, Shinichi and Heiji stood and clapped as well until she deliberately caught their eyes. Shifting her head slightly, Shirohana passed through a small doorway.

Tossing some cash on their table, The two followed. Showing the singer's card to the bouncer got them through the first door, and the second opened for them even as Heiji was lifting his hand to knock. Beckoning them in Shirohana looked every bit the slightly nervous girl she should be. As soon as the door closed behind them the façade fell away revealing nothing but calm.

"You're chasing a serial murderer with dark hair and dark eyes with a scar on his chin who targets victims who are women with brown hair and blue eyes." Shirohana said bluntly. "How'd ya know all tha'?" Heiji asked in bewilderment. Shirohana glared at him in annoyance, "tch!" She clicked her tongue, "knowledge is power. Besides, it's very useful to have an eye on everyone else, especially possible threats. Also... I noticed him following me to work today."

"What!" Heiji shouted in alarm, "and ya didn' call tha cops!" Shirohana met his gaze evenly before flicking her hair over one shoulder, "I can take care of myself." Tilting his head Shinichi spoke up, "that aside, you said you had information on him." Shirohana's grin was wicked and strangely familiar. "I know exactly where he is." The detectives' eyes widened comically, "what!?" They exclaimed in synchronized surprise. "He's right behind you."

Despite the calm manner in which she said it, both of them whipped around. "A closet", Heiji commented, "yer tellin' me ya took down tha serial killer all alone an' hid 'im in yer closet!" Raising an eyebrow in amusement, Shinichi walked over and opened the paper door. Sure enough, the serial murderer was tied up and unconscious inside.

"Why didn' ya just do ta tha police?" Heiji asked.

Shinichi's head jerked up suddenly, as though a puzzle piece had fallen into place. "Unless you can't go to the cops for some reason." The blue-eyed teen said slyly, smiling at the singer. "I can't believe I didn't realize it before, with a stage name like 'White Flower' it should have been obvious." Heiji frowned, obviously a few steps behind. "Does thieving not pay very well KID-san?"

'Shirohana' scowled and spoke, disconcertingly, in the voice of a young man. "Not with the type of thieving I rejoice in. I spend quite a bit to put on my shows and uphold the health of my equipment, only to return my prizes to their proper owners shortly after." Heiji laughed, "so Kaitou 1412, tha greates' thief in tha world is workin' part time as a bar singer!"

"I am glad that you can admit my talent so easily, tantei-han." 'Shirohana' said, returning to her feminine voice. "Just put that man where he belongs and make sure he gets what he deserves for attempting to prey on helpless little me." She turned around and made to leave. "Where do ya think yer goin'?" Heiji shouted while Shinichi called Inspector Meguire. "Home." 'Shirohana' said tersely, "just tell them I was rather shaken at his attempted murder, so I went home." KID swept out.

"Ya know..." Heiji said, "I never know whether ta call KID a guy or a girl wit' some o' his disguises." Shinichi smirked, "I used to have that problem, I basically ended up figuring that if he's dressed in drag it's easiest just to refer to him as though he really were a girl." Heiji nodded sagely, "one more question... why'd we jus' let 'im go?" Shinichi shrugged, "we have more important problems, like a murderer tied up in a closet and the fact that technically we just let the 'victim' go without getting contact info out of her." Heiji groaned, "dang, Megure-keibu's gonna scold us like amateurs again..."