Chapter 9

Heiji's POV

"Why are we here again?" Frank-san whispered, "Our assignment was to track down Shinichi not chase after show off thieves."

"For one thing Ran said that KID impersonated Shinichi before. Also I guess we figured that he might show up, and if we didn't come tonight we would be suspicious." Joe-san aka KID replied.

"You're right, the last thing we need is for those other detectives to find out we're from ATAC." Frank-san agreed.

The tape ran a little bit longer relaying every sound of the KID heist until Kudo announced that Joe-san was actually KID in disguise. However it was those few sentences that stood out the most.

I was sitting I Agasa-hakase's living room along with Kudo, Hakase, and that chibi-scientist, listening to the tape that KID had been so 'generous' to give Kudo.

I decided to break the silence, "So what's this ATAC, they're talking about?"

Everyone else shrugged, "I know it's not part of the Black Organization. But other then that I don't know," Replied Haibara.

Kudo then rewound the tape back to the beginning

"However, I feel kind of sorry for him," said Hiraita-chan's voice.

"Ehhh?"

"Because, if you pretend to be someone you're not you are likely to loose yourself."

I noticed Kudo had his trademark thinking face come on at those words. "Oi, I know the solution for all this."

They all turned their attention to me.

"You tell Neechan," I stated.

"No," the two chibis immediately vetoed.

"Think about it," I continued. "Neechan is the most likely person to have hired them, if she knows then she can fire them and that'll be the end of this mess. Which is worse, having one person you trust know, or a bunch of people we don't trust know?"

Even the chibi scientist couldn't argue with that.

"I just think it's the best solution," I said standing up. "I have to go, those two asked me to meet them at their apartment. Most likely they plan to interrogate me about you, Kudo."

He shot me a warning look, "Be careful what you say, and make sure to get my names right."

I sweat dropped, "Jeez, Kudo I'm not that bad."

The looks on their faces suggested otherwise

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I wasn't in a good mood when I reached the Hardy's apartment. Kudo had given me a lecture about how important it was that I didn't let anything slip. Teen genius in a grade-schooler's body or not, there is something very humiliating about being told of by someone half your height.

I was still grumbling to myself when the brothers opened the door.

"Umm, are you okay," Asked the younger brother, I think his name was Joe.

"Yeah, fine," I forced a grin, "May I come in."

The brothers stepped aside to let me through, "Please sit down," said Frank-san.

I sat, "So there was something you wanted to ask me about?"

"Yeeaah," Joe-san said still looking worried, "You see, we're investigating the disappearance of Shinichi Kudo. We were wondering if you could tell us anything."

"Ahou, Kudo hasn't disappeared, he's just on a case."

Frank-san looked skeptical, "Can you tell us anything about this case? Maybe we can help?"

I shook my head, "Sorry that's classified information, I only know because I ran into Kudo during a case and I tricked it out of him."

"Where was that?"

'Shit,' "Uhh, I don't remember," I said quickly, "All I remember is that both of us solved the case but he let me have the credit."

It was obvious that they didn't believe me. "Look Heiji, we're just trying to help," said Frank-san calmly. "Can you tell us anything we don't know?"

Now I was very annoyed. "Here's how I know Kudo. It started when I was fed up of always being compared to him so I came here to challenge him to a battle of wits. A case came up and I thought I had solved it, but then Kudo shows up out of nowhere, proves me wrong and solves the case. After a few more run-ins with each other, and him saving my neck more than once, I trust him to watch my back and he trusts me. I don't think I'll betray that trust to some foreigners that I hardly know."

The two had the grace enough to look sheepish. Joe-san then asked "Can you tell me more about Conan?"

I stiffened slightly, but neither American noticed as Frank-san gave Joe-san an exasperated look. "Joe."

Joe-san looked indignant "What? If that kid is normal then I'm the Queen of England."

I laughed nervously, "Well sorry to disappoint you your majesty, the kid might be smart but he's still just your average brat."

Joe-san looked skeptical, "Then why were you hanging around with him at the KID heist."

I was sweating bullets now, "The kid's like a little brother to me, plus he's handled KID before."

I was saved from further questioning thanks to a knock at the door. I watched as Frank-san went to open it.

'SPLAT'

Joe-san and I both jumped at the sound. When Frank-san had opened the door a cream pie flew threw and struck him in the face.

As Frank was wiping off the sticky mess I went over and picked up a card that was on the floor with my name on it.

Pies make good distractions, No

KID

I have no idea how he knew but I took it as my cue to leave. I hurried out of there muttering an excuse about have to go home and meet up with Kazuha.

I couldn't help but grin to myself as I took a taxi to the airport. 'Take that Kudo, I didn't let anything slip.'

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Kaito's POV

I knew I was laughing like a maniac, but I didn't care. I now see why the cream pie gag was so popular.

I have no idea why I'm still helping Tantei-kun, but right now I'm going to enjoy the mystified looks on the two American detectives' faces, very glad I hadn't taken down my spy camera on them.

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Shinichi's POV

'Because, if you pretend to be someone you're not you are likely to loose yourself.'

Hiraita-chan's words kept repeating themselves in my head ever since I'd left Agasa- hakase's house, along with the conversation I had had with Hattori.

When I'd gotten back to the agency I tried to distract myself, but not even my Sherlock Holmes books could capture my concentration.

I let out a defeated sigh and put the book down. My head was swimming with the possibilities. If I told her I wouldn't have to worry about her finding out, and I could be myself around her. But the danger involved, could I risk her safety.

Or was it now even more dangerous to keep silent. I had no idea what this ATAC thing was, a computer search had turned up blank and Jodie-sensei wasn't answering her phone. I briefly wondered what happened to her, she still hadn't called me back.

I was pulled out of my pondering by a call of "Tadaima."

I turned to see Ran enter, "Oh, Conan-kun," She said, "there you are, Tosan is out drinking, so it'll just be the two of us for dinner, Okay."

She then turned towards the kitchen, but not before I saw the last remnants of tears on her face. She had been crying again, and I couldn't comfort her.

I made my decision.

"Ran-neechan, can you keep a secret."

End Chapter 9

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A/N Sorry to pull a cliff-hanger, I know I hate them too. And yes, I'm gonna let Kaito have fun harassing Frank and Joe