The Detective Prince

Chapter 120

Results Are In

It was now on the brink of dawn. He found himself heading back into the direction he had come, familiarizing himself with all areas that were passed. He leaned forward in his seat as another bus stop could be seen just up ahead.

"This will be far enough."

The bus came to a complete stop in a short time after. He reached for the bag that was set as his side, sliding it on as he made his way for the exit toward the front of the bus. Upon taking his first step off he stopped, standing there for several moments to come. It wasn't until the bus started up again that he made a move. He took a look from behind, doing the same to the left and right.

"It's clear."

He took a deep breath before marching on. The morning sun could faintly be seen peering through the cracks of the large structures that stood in the clear. He checked his watch as he walked, coming to find it was now ten after six.

"That took longer than I had anticipated."

The same tempo was kept as he pressed on, continuing to monitor the surrounding area as he reached the end of the block. He rested his hands into his jacket at a sudden chill, keeping a casual pace as he continued to stroll. This lasted for minutes to come.

"Almost there."

He picked up in strides, reaching yet another bus stop. It was the location of where he had taken off from the previous night before.

"Now to retrieve those explosives."

Just as he was to make a move a sudden sound from behind sprung to his ears, turning just in time to see someone step out from the side of a light pole.

"Took you long enough, you had me worried."

"Jii," Kaito said more than surprised to see him. "I would have thought you'd have returned to the motel by now."

"I couldn't do that," Konosuke said making a move toward him. "Especially when I was uncertain of your situation."

"Everything went well," Kaito informed. "Not as expected, but works none the less."

"And did you get the information you set out to obtain?"

"Apparently," Kaito said in response. "But clarification will be needed."

"For what?"

"Let's just say Mr. Samlong wasn't as forthcoming as I was anticipating," Kaito replied. "It took an interesting bout before he finally handed over the paper he claims holds the details of the transaction."

"Transaction?"

"For the Networks Pivotal Equalizer of course," Kaito replied. "As we know it was purchased by someone at a recent auction."

"And do you know the name of the person to have done so?"

"Yes, his name is listed in the document," Kaito replied. "Along with the amount he obtained it for."

"What about an address for his residence?"

"That's something we'll have to find out on our own, which won't be hard since we have a full name."

"Which is?"

He held the sheet up for him to see, pointing to the name in bold print.

"Simon E. Lain," Kaito read. "That's the name that has been recorded."

"We'll run a search on him the first thing when we return to the motel," Konosuke said. "We should have an exact address in no time."

"I agree."

"What happens once we do?"

"What do you mean?"

"How do you plan on retrieving it?" Konosuke clarified.

"First we'll need to determine why this Simon guy entered the auction for it."

"Why does that matter?"

"There are several reasons why it could," Kaito replied. "One being that it could be shipped off at any given time."

"What lead to this analogy?"

"Only a hunch, but I can't be certain until we've gained more information on Mr. Simon."

"Why did you leave the perimeter that we set up," Konosuke asked slightly changing the subject. "I strongly have to question that move, you could have severely been hurt or worse."

"That wasn't going to happen."

"And how can you have been certain of that?"

"I was sure to keep a hidden card up my sleeve." Kaito smilingly replied.

"Really now."

"I'll tell you about it later."

"Answer me at least this, how far away was this place that you were taken to?"

"Not far at all," Kaito replied. "Only about a twenty minute drive from here."

"If that is so, what took so long for your return," Konosuke asked. "Were discussions that lengthy?"

"No, the meeting itself didn't even exceed thirty minutes." Kaito replied.

"Not even thirty minutes," Konosuke said surprised to hear. "Then what took you so long?"

"That was due to my suspicions."

"Suspicions?"

"I wanted to assure that I wasn't being followed after I left initially," Kaito replied. "I spent a couple hours at an open diner I came across on my way back."

"And were you being followed at any point?"

"There was one person that kept a steady pace with me for a few blocks," Kaito replied. "But after exiting the diner he was gone."

"And that's when you finally decided to head back here?"

"Yes."

"I see."

"Before we go back to the motel there's one last thing we need to do," Kaito said. "We need to retrieve all the explosives we set out."

"There will be no need," Konosuke said. "I already took the liberty of collecting them myself while you were away."

"Where are they now?"

"In here," Konosuke said pointing out the bag strapped across his chest. "With you leaving the area there was no further need for them to still be set out."

"Good, then there's no need for us to be hanging around," Kaito said. "I assume you haven't left this spot since my departure."

"That is correct."

"How long did you plan on waiting for my return anyway?"

"At least for another hour," Konosuke replied. "If you didn't show by then I would have taken back to the motel."

"Which we will soon enough," Kaito said. "But first there's a stop I'd like to make."

"Where to?"

"Any local store will do," Kaito said in response. "I'm going to need a disposable phone."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Konosuke said. "Especially given the circumstances."

"We're going to need several spare parts."

"What for?"

"I'm going to make one from scratch." Kaito replied.

"Going custom again I see," Konosuke said. "That seems to be your trend as of late."

"Perhaps."

"I'd love to hear the extent of what you intend to do with it."

"I'll let you know as soon as all parts are collected," Kaito said in response. "Come, we've spent enough time standing around as it is."

With that said the two began to walk down the street, heading for the intersection just up ahead. He looked at him as they walked, taking little time for him to notice.

"What is it?"

"There's one last thing I wanted to know."

"…"

"Will you be going back?"

"What's that?"

"The place you were taken to," Konosuke clarified. "Do you plan on returning?"

"Not in the foreseeable future," Kaito replied. "In the process of me leaving I was told not to come back, unless it was asked of me."

"Is that so," Konosuke said with a brief pause. "What was it like?"

"There's not much to say," Kaito replied. "Every room I walked through was dark except for the one, not to mention how short my trip there turned out to be."

"Which is understandable."

"Still, I haven't quite figured out why they called it the out back."

"The out back?"

"Yes," Kaito said. "That was the name of the facility."

They reached the traffic light with the next few steps taken, looking up in wait for the light to change red.

"Did you ask why it was called that?"

"No, but then it doesn't really matter," Kaito said. "I have no reasons for returning, and nor do I plan on."

The traffic light turned red in that instance, giving them the ok to head to the other side. They did just that, not a word coming from either of the two as they did.

"Let's hope that stays the case."

Several minutes had passed since the last he had even flinched an eye. The many sounds of ongoing activity could be heard during the duration of this. He rested his head back, hearing movement from the seat across. He opened his eyes at the sound of this to see him standing to his feet.

"Where are you going?"

"To make a call," Dick replied. "I'm going to let the others know we're roughly twenty minutes away from arrival."

"Sounds good."

"I'll be back shortly."

"I'll be here."

He eased back once again, watching as he took off toward the front of the bus. It was at that given moment that he felt the vibration of his own phone.

"I wonder who that could be."

He removed it from his pocket, pleased to see the number which was visible on screen.

"This couldn't have come at a better time."

He waited no longer, taking the call within that instance.

"Dr. Agasa."

"It's good to hear your voice," Hiroshi said. "How are you feeling?"

"Coming along just fine," Shinichi replied. "Please tell me you've got something for me."

"As a matter a fact I do."

"Great, I'm listening."

"You'll be pleased to hear that it is," Hiroshi said. "I checked into everything you asked of me."

"And?"

"The symptoms, the aftermath," Hiroshi began. "It was just as you had predicted."

"Then it's all connected after all."

"I didn't stop there, I got a little additional information that you might find useful."

"Is that right?"

"When you get the chance check your email," Hiroshi said. "It'll all be there."

"I'll check it first thing when I get the chance," Shinichi said. "I hope I didn't ask too much of you."

"Not at all," Hiroshi assured. "Everything went smoothly."

"Good."

"What about you," Hiroshi questioned. "I hadn't heard from you in the past day, so I could only assume your conditioned has maintained."

"It has," Shinichi confirmed. "I've been doing just fine."

"Any side effects?"

"Not as of yet," Shinichi replied. "Hopefully it stays that way."

"That's surprising," Hiroshi said. "Have you been given the diagnosis of the problem?"

"Not yet," Shinichi replied. "But I'm hoping to receive an answer by today."

"I'd like to know how that goes."

"I'll be sure to call back and let you know."

"There seems to be much jitter in the surrounding area of your location," Hiroshi said. "Where are you anyway?"

"On a train," Shinichi replied. "I'm on my way back to Gotham now."

"On your way back," Hiroshi questioned. "Where are you heading from?"

"Metropolis," Shinichi replied. "We just got done looking into a lead."

"And did anything come of this?"

"We're hoping so, the only thing that remains is to search the uncovered computer that was found at the site."

"You've been busy."

"That's putting it lightly."

"Maybe so."

"What about Haibara," Shinichi asked. "Does she know?"

"About what?"

"The current situation."

"Of course," Hiroshi said. "She was the one who sent you the files I mentioned."

"And what of my current state?"

"I didn't tell her," Hiroshi said. "I felt it'd be more appropriate if you did that yourself."

"Thanks, I was looking to do just that."

"When do you plan on telling her?"

"Soon," Shinichi replied. "First I'd like to find out what caused this, I want an explanation for this just as much as the next guy."

"Understandable."

"What about Yoshida and the others," Shinichi asked. "Have any of them stopped by in the past day or so?"

"No, but I'll be sure to let them know you asked about them the next time they do."

"I'd appreciate that."

"Keep me updated on the situation."

"Will do."

"I have something that requires my attention, I'm going to go ahead and let you go."

"You should hear back from me soon."

"I'll be waiting."

With that their call came to an end. He placed the phone down at his side, looking across just in time to see him returning to his seat.

"How'd your call go?"

"As expected," Dick replied. "We agreed to meet later in the day some time."

"Did you let him know about the computer we uncovered?"

"Yes."

"So what's the deal," Shinichi asked. "You plan on taking the computer to Bruce for him to examine?"

"No, he's got enough on his plate as is."

"That would imply you plan to examine it yourself."

"Not that I couldn't, but it's not one of my strong suites," Dick said. "Which is why I plan on handing it over to Tim."

"That's not a bad idea," Shinichi said. "Have you spoken with him as of today?"

"Not yet, but I did give him a call this morning," Dick informed. "I have yet to receive a response."

"I see."

"What about you," Dick asked. "Who was that you just got off of the phone with?"

"I figured you'd ask," Shinichi said. "I finally received word back from Dr. Agasa on the situation."

"What did he say?"

"He confirmed something for me."

"Which was?"

"It's just as I had thought," Shinichi said. "The results discovered from the reports mirrored that of what we've already seen here."

"The heart attacks?"

"Exactly."

"That gives more weight to our claim," Dick said. "Was there anything else he mentioned, something of importance?"

"No, but I was sent an email."

"Is that so?"

"I'll check it as soon as we get back," Shinichi said. "I was told further information on the situation was sent."

"That's just what we need."

"On another note, was there any mention of the test results?"

"For what?"

"For the blood that was extracted from me." Shinichi replied.

"No," Dick replied. "We'll have to ask Bruce about that."

"I thought he was the one you spoke with."

"He wasn't there," Dick said. "The one to have answered was Alfred."

"Do you think he'll be there by the time we arrive?"

"We have one stop to make before we head there, so I'd imagine so."

"Fine by me."

He eased back into the seat, looking out the window on the right side to see the city buildings sitting in the far distance.

"Steps have been made, but how far are we away from the truth?"

This thought was cemented at the top of his mind, lingering there for a time to come.

He stood at the side of him, looking over his shoulder down at the profile that had been brought up. He leaned in further to read the name that could clearly be seen.

"Simon Emanuel Lain."

"Yes," Kaito said pressing down to the computer mouse. "This is him alright, the man who purchased the Pivotal Equalizer from the bidding affair."

"So, what do we know about him?"

"I'm looking into that now."

The first thing to come to sight was his site of birth along with the year. It was the second line of information that really caught their attention.

"Check out his public record," Kaito pointed out. "This guy's got a history alright."

He quickly came to find Simon had been arrested once in the past five years, continuing down the list to see the several other incidents which were tacked on.

"You're right," Konosuke said. "This Simon character has it going for him."

"Maybe so," Kaito said. "But his record is relatively clean when looking at these past three years."

"Yes, his last run in with the law was over two years ago."

"A misdemeanor." Kaito said taking note of this.

"What's his current status?"

"Let's find out."

He scrolled further down, leading to an additional batch of information to be found on him.

"Shellont Circuit," Kaito read. "That's the name of the place of where he works."

"I've never heard of it."

"Says here it's the name of a restaurant," Kaito said. "Not only that, there's three of them in all across town."

"And Mr. Lain's involvement?"

"Says here he's the vice president of operations."

"This was unexpected."

"In more ways than one." Kaito agreed.

"I think it is safe to assume his position at Shellont Circuit has nothing to do with his reasoning for purchasing the Equalizer."

"Maybe not, but we can't completely write that off just yet."

"Of course."

"It doesn't appear his record will be the determining factor here."

"What do you suggest from here?"

"That we shift our focus," Kaito replied turning to face him. "The main objective is to retrieve the Equalizer."

"Which has been a known fact from the start."

"The only thing left is to pin point an exact location of where the Equalizer is being held."

"You don't think it's being held at his home?"

"Possibly, the only way to confirm that is by paying a visit to his house."

"Do we know his current address?"

"It's not listed here," Kaito replied facing the computer once more. "But that's quite alright; finding out his address isn't something that should be hard to figure."

"Very true."

"Now comes the crucial step," Kaito said standing up from the chair. "Finding an opening of opportunity."

It was one documentation after another, no matter what station that was turned to there was no difference on what was being covered to some degree on each.

"These heart attacks are really catching fire on an attention stand point."

He stood in front of the TV with little to no movement, waiting to see if there was anything new that was unknown to him that had yet to be reported. It was at that given time that the door from behind could be heard, followed by the sound of someone gradually making their way toward him. He turned just as he was a few lengths away from reaching him.

"Master Bruce."

"The results have finally come back on Shinichi's blood that was collected."

"That's good news," Alfred said glad to hear. "So what's the diagnosis?"

"It's worse than I thought it'd be," Bruce replied. "Much worse."

His eyes widened, fearing what was to come.

To Be Continued