"And I'm positive that someone's behind this accident Kudo," Heiji said.
"Huh?" Conan was startled by the young Osakan's affirmative tone.
"That package was sent to this hospital for me a single day before this accident," he said, waving his hand towards the corner of the room. There was a single open box. Conan stepped forward to examine the contents of the box closely. Conan immediately understood why the phone call from Heiji had been so urgent. The box was filled with pictures of himself in regular size, child form, and the high school detective Saguru Hakuba, most of them off centered and a little blurred. There was no doubt that these pictures where taken secretly, and upon further examination, he saw that his own pictures were stacked alternatively.
"Whoever it is knew that I was going to get injured, and they also know about you, Kudo."
"What do you propose we do about this?"
"I don't really know. Just be careful and lookout for anything strange. For now, I had the forensics people check out the remains of my motorbike, but they said that there was nothing wrong with it. But I know Kudo, that whoever it was wanted me injured, and they're after you too…"
"Hattori, I know you might not like the idea of this, but I really think that it might be good to have Hakuba Saguru working with us."
Heiji sighed and looked out the window. "As much as I hate him, I can't let somebody go injured, especially after what's happened to me."
"By the way, what exactly happened out there? When you got injured, I mean."
"I don't really remember. Fortunately, nobody else was involved, but it seems like I lost consciousness for the most part. The doctor said that the bike actually sort of crushed my spine right below the ribcage. The involuntary organs are functioning properly though."
"Do you remember any time when you left your bike unattended?"
"There are plenty of times like that. I always park it outside at home, and I was out questioning people for this case today…"
"Hattori-kun?" Ran poked her head inside. "Are you alright? Conan-kun, it's already been fifteen minutes since you went in there. I think Hattori-kun needs to rest a bit…"
"Okay Ran-neechan!" Conan hopped toward the door. "Heiji-niichan. If you ever need anything, call us okay?" Conan waved and followed Ran out the door. Kazuha was outside with her.
"Conan-kun, what did you and Hattori-kun talk about for fifteen minutes?"
"Oh… uh…" Conan wasn't very prepared for this question. What could an injured person want with a little first grader for fifteen minutes? "He just seemed like he wanted something to cheer hum up! And he asked me to tell Shinichi-niichan something. I really don't understand what the words mean because it's in code, but he didn't want Kazuha-neechan and you to hear it!"
"Oh, really?" Ran said, sounding interested.
"Conan-kun, Ran-chan, you want to go get something from the vending machines in the lobby?" Kazuha asked.
"Sure," Conan said. "But I need to go to the restrooms right now. You guys can go ahead, Ran-neechan!" Conan rushed to the nearby restrooms and quickly pulled out his cellphone and called Agasa-hakase. It didn't take long for the professor to pick up.
"Oh, Shinichi-kun. Did something happen?"
"Hakase, sorry for calling so suddenly, but can you please find out where Hakuba Saguru lives? You know, that blond high school detective who's the son of…"
The continuous beeping sound coming from his phone interrupted him.
"Hakase? Hakase? Hello?"
His phone began to ring. Conan quickly pressed the small green button.
"Hakase? What happened?"
"Sorry Shinichi-kun. My hand slipped and I accidentally ended the call. You want Hakuba Saguru's address? Okay, I think I can manage that."
"Thanks Hakase." Conan cut the phone and put it back into his pocket.
"Absinthe. Kir's waiting."
The young girl waved a hand from her chair. "Send her in. I have another job for you, Madeira, to keep you busy. Just go to the Kuroba house today. Here are your instructions. Throw that in the fire along with his hands once you're done with it."
Her brother left without a word. Kir stepped in a moment later.
"Welcome to my office, Kir," Absinth stated calmly. She swiveled her chair around to face her visitor.
It was clear that Kir was taken aback by the girl's appearance. She smirked. "It is an honor to see the well rumored, second youngest organization member."
"Oh, I hope I'm not as rumored as you say I am. Information about me is quite confidential." She paused for a moment. "I can quite clearly tell that you are surprised by my condition."
"And what could you possible have with me?" Kir asked calmly.
"This," Absinthe answered, tossing a large file folder towards Kir. She caught it, and opened the cover.
"Th-this…" She could hardly say anything. The entire folder was filled with all her papers and contracts as a CIA agent.
"My, my, my. You didn't notice the numerous mount of times I snuck into your apartment?" Absinthe sneered.
Kir seemed to regain her stance. "And? I don't believe that you, who works so close to Anokata would allow me to stay alive and well like this."
"Of course, I have a small job for you: Applying information to your little FBI friends about me."
"What?..."
"Of course, not every little detail, but just enough for them to sense danger and pass on what you tell them to a particular Edogawa Conan." Absinthe saw the expression on Kir's face. "And I'm sure you'd be very willing to cooperate," she said, holding up a picture of Hondou Eisuke.
Kir gasped slightly, then said calmly, "Alright. Could you please tell me just one thing?"
"Why I am doing this?"
Kir nodded.
"Simple. To send these four," Absinthe held up pictures of Kudo Shinichi, Hattori Heiji, Hakuba Saguru, and Kuroba Kaito for her to see. "…straight down to hell. The same hell that Anokata went through…"
"The same hell?"
Absinthe chuckled. "You really don't know a thing about Anokata do you? Even about his father's abuse towards him…"
"Abuse? You mean our former boss?"
"That was his foster father. His mother died at childbirth, and his real father physically abused him, even when he got the same disease as I did." She patted the small lumps on her back, covered by the cloth of her shirt. "This brace is something that we both have to keep on for most of the day. His movements are a lot more restricted than mine are, and I don't have to keep it on as often as he does. Well, that's enough talk. You may leave already, and keep in mind that you'll see your precious little brother of yours covered in blood if you do anything... unnecessary."
I finally have it,
Conan thought, as he clutched the small red and white pill in his hand. With this, I'll become Kudo Shinichi again. His conversation with Haibara ran through his mind once again."Kudo-kun. I hope you understand that there is absolutely no turning back once you become your old self."
"C'mon Haibara. I don't even want to be Conan okay?"
"What I mean is, if you ever fail to use the right dose of shots, you'll never be able to turn back to Kudo Shinichi, or you'll die on the spot."
Conan felt himself hesitate a moment. "I'll be alright."
"Now according to my calculations, you'll have less than ten minutes until you begin to turn back to Conan, so I'll have this ready," she said, showing Conan a syringe containing a clear liquid inside.. "This is another drug I developed with the antidote. It should stop the effects of APTX 4869. If I can get the calculations right, I'll be able to extend the amount of time it takes each time until you need this again."
Conan quickly stuck the small capsule into his mouth and down his throat. The effects began immediately.
A minute later, Shinichi came out of the bathroom, fully dressed. "Haibara?" He called.
"I'm right over here!" The young scientist said. She was in the living room. She eyed Shinichi's clothes. "You are not going to school right now," she told him firmly. "I still need to stay by you for the first few times you use that drug. We still don't know exactly when or how much you need every time."
Shinichi sighed. "Alright."
The room was dark. Two figures sat on the chair, the smaller one sitting across the other's lap, legs crossed. She wore a black dress and black, 10 centimeter high heels. She had her arms around his shoulders, face close to his. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Absinthe," the one holding her whispered.
She put a finger on his lips. "I told you to call me by name Ritsu. I can't stay like this for very long, and i'm using my very limited amount of time for you. Right now, you aren't my boss. You are my best friend and," she put her face nearer. "... my lover."
"Touri…"
"Now that's better." Touri rand her hand down his spine. "Ritsu, something's bothering you…"
"How did you know?"
"I always know Ritsu. Ever since we met, we've shared every pain and joy between us. That was something Saa-nii never did for me." She put her hand on his chest. "I told you remember? When our former boss died, I would be your family for you. Now tell me what's bothering you."
"I told you there's nothing…"
"Yes there is. I know that those lips are bothering you now…" She gently brought her face forward and kissed Ritsu warmly. She chuckled, kicked off her shoes, and curled up her legs onto his lap. She held him closer. "Ritsu…"
Okay, I feel very sorry for both Kaito and Heiji now... And Shinichi too...