Chapter Deux

When he finally pulled back from his dazed state, he almost leapt in fear of who was sitting across from him. Tanned skin, overly long stubble, the disgruntled mask permanently etched into his face, no doubt about it. Vergier. The accused slid his eyes over to face him, and after a moment of silence, he snapped his fingers in front of his glasses.

"Oi… Oi! Hello? Earth to dreamer boy?" He sneered, eyes suddenly hardening when he acknowledged that his opponent was aware of him. "It's nice to have you back with us today, monsieur. Care to eat what is in front of you? Or did I waste my money on a moron who cannot even lift a fork?"

He struggled to get his thoughts in order, before picking up the aforementioned silverware and snapping up a piece of shortcake. It was probably very delicious, but his tongue tasted too much like fear to tell. He then gathered up all his remaining strength and greeted the other man. "Hello, my name is Raphael-"

"I know that. How else do you think I got the invite to you? Guessing? Flipping a coin? Choosing the stupidest apartment and shoving the memo through their mailbox? Believe me, the latter is pretty close to what I would have done, had I not known, and I still would have gotten it right."

"Well, um, why am I here exactly?"

"Take a wild guess, I've got time."

Raphael thought for a bit. "You think I have the hots for your daughter?"

"Nah."

"You…r'e lonely?"

"Hah-ha. No."

"You think I'm cute?"

"…That is absolutely disgusting. I am contemplating leaving just for that comment."

He sheepishly smiled, "Worth a try…Well, why did you call me here, then?"

"Come on, a success such as you should be able to solve such a puzzle. You had no problem with the other one I had set up."

No. He couldn't be. He could not be implying-

Vergier sighed, "Look, I've narrowed it down. Your hair, your face, your dog, your act all together. You are Phantom R, the Rhythm Thief, non? Actually, don't even try to deny it, it's you. I am positive."

A cold sweat ran down the boy's neck. Oh god, he was going to be arrested, sent to rot in prison, given the death sentence, what will happen to Fondue he can't just be left there by himself oh dear god.

When he looked up, Vergier rolled his eyes. "Relax, Phantom R. I'm off duty today. I could care less if Jacques Mesrine popped up right in front of me this very second, not that this is any different."

"But," R questioned, "If not to arrest me, why call me here?"

"Look, Raphael," he said. "You're a good boy. Charlotte and I both agree on that. The question is, why? Why would you turn to this life of crime? Why would you repeatedly run away and get into more trouble? What drives you to do so?" The inspector stared at Raphael intently, refusing to let go until he got his answers. "This is just to satisfy my own human curiosity, none of this will go into record, and I swear it." He added on, trying to dilute the tension floating over cold coffee and half-eaten cakes.

Raphael's fear did not lessen, but there were questions to be answered. He cleared his throat. "I'm looking for my father, that is the main reason."

"Feh, what is this, one of Charlotte's novels?"

"I'm serious"

He glared, "I know."

There was a silence, broken by a quiet mumble on the boy's part. "He was the one who stole everything and replaced them with forgeries y'know… I only take what will help me find him."

Vergier slammed his hand on the table before looking up, flabbergasted, "Wait,wait, wait, backpedal for a second there; you are telling me that those paintings, in the Louvre, are all fakes?!"

"Well not the recent additions but-"

"This is unbelievable, how could I have missed them?!"

"You're causing people to stare Inspec-"

"Why?! Why would someone do this?!"

"For me, dammit!"

The café chatter halted, and all eyes were on him. The Inspector's mouth was agape, brow twisted, eyes focused.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked slowly, as he was carefully avoiding another explosion.

Raphael fell back into his chair, and waited for the chatter to continue before whispering. "I was very sick, you know, and I will leave it at that."

"Wh-? No, wait! Raphael!"

And on that note, Phantom R was stiffly walking down the street back to his apartment, eyes red, and hoping the inspector following close behind would lose his way.