Notes:
Yay! I finished another chapter. That should make up for the shortness of the other (although this one might be kind of short). :) Right? :0
I already got reviews on the last chapter from foreverandeveralone and mochiusagi. Thanks guys! :D You motived me to get a move on! Also, thanks to luckynumberblack who helps me figure out how to move my story along. You better read this, Black.
My characters (who are not my characters) have decided to swear occasionally it seems (Moore, and earlier, ooc KID). . . . Should I change the rating?
*Carl von Denin. How did he fit in?
KID had a crush on Jimmy Kudo? What did that mean?
*Only too well.
Was he joking?
*He was not -
Shut up, book. Just shut up. Conan tossed aside his copy of N or M. He really and truly couldn't focus on it. Besides, KID could have been joking. What did Agatha Christie know?
Ding dong!
The doorbell. Conan get off the coach to see Rachel answer the door.
"Hi," Rachel said, "You're Hakuba, right?"
A blond teen in a deerstalker nodded, "That's right, Ms. Moore. I'm working on the capture of Kaito KID." Conan's heart decided the mention of KID's name was a good reason to take up gymnastics. Hakuba continued, oblivious to Conan's inner athlete, "If I may speak with your father regarding the previous case?"
"Of course," Rachel smile nicely and opened the door further, "Come in. I'll go get him."
She walked to the coach, near where Conan had been reading and leaned over, "DAD, SOMEONE'S TO SEE YOU!"
Moore jumped from the coach, "Wha-what happened!?"
With her father now awake, Rachel used a polite indoor voice, "Someone's here to see you about KID," she said, indicating Hakuba who had remained a calm gentlemen through the spectacle.
Hakuba offered his hand.
Moore shook it grumpily, "Whattaya want?"
"As you know, I'm on KID's case. I was unable to attend his latest heist, however. I've come to record the details you've gathered about KID."
Moore rolled his eyes, "Read the newspaper, kid."
Conan and Hakuba both snorted. Conan, though, from Moore's use of the word "kid" when referring to the detective.
"The news leaves out vital details," Hakuba said, curtly.
"Fine," Moore said, "Just make it quick."
Hakuba pulled out a small notebook, "Summarize your observations of KID."
"Huh?
"Did he act odd?"
"He's always weird."
"Did he appear to be morose?"
"Did he have more what?"
Hakuba's voice was strained, "Was he sad?"
Moore scratched his chin, "How the hell would I know?"
"Ob-ser-vat-ion," Hakuba said, slowly, "This is a waste of-"
"He was definitely off," Conan said, more to himself than to Hakuba, "His tricks, his note; they were all half-hearted."
Three people started at Conan, but he didn't notice.
Hakuba immediately lost interest in Moore. He bent over to Conan, "That fits my prior deduction of KID's identity. Did you notice anything else?"
"You know who KID is!?" Suddenly Conan really wanted to know. He wanted to find him and then – and then. . . Tell him something! Anything. This thing with KID didn't feel finished. He didn't know where it was going or what it was or if it was a thing, it was just. . . Not over.
"I have my suspicions, but my evidence is inconclusive, so I won't be pointing fingers," he paused, suddenly realizing he was speaking to a child, "That is to say, um, I'm not sure he's the bad guy," he paused again, trying to think of more small words, "It seems pretty, ur, well. . . It really seems like he is the bad guy, though."
"Wh-Who is he!?" Conan said, feeling impulsive and certain he looked like an over-excited child.
"As I've said, I'm not going to. . . tell on him. Not until-"
"You want info on KID, right? Let's exchange."
Hakuba raised his brow in that what-could-a-kid-possibly-know way.
Moore grunted, "That load? He doesn't know anything."
"Dad!" Rachel said, "Conan's not a load and he's really bright."
"So," Hakuba said to Moore, "You're set against it?"
"Kid's not smart."
The young detective turned back to Conan, "Deal. But no, um, telling."
After his conversation with Conan, Hakuba made a note, "Etc; Children have more relevant information, than the average officer or detective - learn child vocabulary."
*Passage from "N or M?" by Agatha Christie.