The Detective Prince

Chapter 124

A Move of Action

It was subtle, yet he could still hear the sound of it. He slightly tilted his head to the window side, listening to which direction it was traveling. It had been a quiet ride most of the trip through.

"You see something out there?"

He turned to face him after hearing his voice.

"What's that?"

"Just wondering if something caught your attention," Dick said in response. "You haven't spoken in over twenty minutes."

"Nothing," Shinichi said. "I was only listening."

"For what?"

"Nothing in particular," Shinichi replied. "Just something I could hear coming from the distance."

"Happens all the time."

He then refocused his sights back to the road just in time to see the manor falling into view.

"That didn't take long."

"Not at all."

He finally sat up from where he leaned, straightening himself in the seat.

"Any idea if anyone is there?"

"I did leave a message, so someone should be."

He then turned his attention to the bag set out next to his seat.

"Do you think this will work," Shinichi asked. "What if the computer we uncovered is rigged and corrupts the other we plan on extracting the data to?"

"A possibility," Dick noted. "Which is why we'll need to be careful with how the transfer is handled after everything is set up."

"Still unlikely," Shinichi said. "If I'm not mistaking I'd say this guy wanted us to find the computer, everything that has happened to this point would seem to indicate this."

"I'm inclined to agree," Dick said. "The only thing now left to figure is how things fall into place in the grand scheme of things."

"Determining that won't be easy, especially since we don't have any clue as to what his intent is."

"Something I'm sure we're to learn soon enough."

"Let's hope."

Silence came between the two in the moments that passed, both with the same thing on their mind, the computer. Neither was sure what they would come to find, only becoming more and more anxious the longer this thought lingered on. They arrived at the front gate of the manor shortly after, taking only moments for it to slide off to the side upon their arrival.

"Good, they know we're here."

He wasted no time, immediately passing by. The gate closed soon after, taking little time for him to find a spot at the side of the house.

"Here we are."

"Want me to carry something?"

"Don't bother," Dick said in response. "I'll take care of the accessories."

"Your call."

With that the two exited the car, locking the doors in the process. They headed straight for the stairs, watching as the front door slid open about halfway up.

"We've been expecting you."

"Alfred," Dick said pleased to see him. "Who's all here besides you?"

"Timothy along with Heiji came in not too long ago," Alfred replied. "They're all currently in the study."

"We'll go ahead and join them."

"Good," Alfred said stepping aside. "They're waiting."

The two walked in past him, listening to the close of the door moments after.

"I take it your journey to Metropolis amounted to something, more than just that computer I was told of?"

"Let's hope that is the case," Dick said in response. "We won't truly know until we give the computer a thurl examination."

"I see."

"The only thing we really have to worry about at this point is any kind of planted virus within the computer itself."

"Did you check for any potential explosive?" Alfred asked.

"That was our first concerns," Dick said. "But was quickly ruled out upon our first search, though it's not completely clear."

"What makes you say that?"

"Since getting ahold of the computer we have yet to actually open it."

"In short there could be something inside that could be triggered off if opened." Shinichi finished.

"And Master Bruce, have you told him of this?"

"I gave him a vague description, nothing too in depth," Dick said in response. "I told him I'd give him the full run down once we arrived."

"Then I had better let you head in," Alfred said. "If you need me for anything you know where to find me."

"Of course."

With that the two headed for the door. They only took a couple steps before coming to a stop at the sound of his voice.

"Oh, and one last thing," Alfred said looking his way. "You received a call, a call from the Mouri residents."

"I guess that should come as no surprise, I haven't checked in for the past couple days," Shinichi said not in the least bit surprised. "Was a message left?"

"Nothing in particular," Alfred replied. "Just that you call back at your earliest convenience."

"I'll be sure to do that," Shinichi said. "What about the test results?"

"Pardon?"

"The scan ran on the blood that was extracted from me." Shinichi clarified.

"Oh yes, the results are complete," Alfred said in response. "I'll leave it to Master Wayne to go over that with you."

"Come on," Dick said with the turn of his head. "I think we've kept them waiting long enough."

He followed in agreement, both heading straight for the door where the study was. With the given circumstances he chose not to knock, simply walking in to find the others standing on the other side of the room.

"Well look who finally showed." Heiji said being the first to speak.

"Looks like most everyone is here," Dick said. "Except for Damian that is."

"He left a little bit ago," Tim informed. "He should still be down stairs."

"What's he doing down there?"

"Hanging around in the armory," Tim replied. "I can only assume he's working on improving his craft with some of the weaponry."

"No doubt, I'll have to go down and see him before I leave," Dick said. "Anyway, I have something for you."

He removed the bag which had been strapped across his shoulder, pulling the zipper off to the side which revealed what was lying inside.

"This must be the computer I was told the two of you uncovered."

"This would be the one." Dick confirmed.

He then reached into the bag once again to pull out yet another computer.

"What's this," Tim said surprised by this. "I thought it was only the one you found."

"It was," Dick said. "This will only serve as the guinea pig."

"Guinea pig?"

"Yes," Dick replied. "As a security procedure we will link this computer with the one found to transfer the data."

"For what reason?"

"We have yet to view the contents or even turn on the computer for that matter," Shinichi said in response. "The possibility of the computer being rigged in some way is still a possibility."

"Something we've both agreed on," Dick said. "Being the fact we've yet to really examine it thoroughly."

"In the message you left you said that computer was found in a secluded area," Bruce spoke dragging attention his way. "What exactly lead you to where it was discovered?"

"It was the wireless signal we picked up from a computer at the library."

"From the computer that was previously used by the man who had been in disguise." Shinichi added."

"I don't quite understand the dynamics," Tim said. "Do you think you could go into more detail on what lead you to this signal?"

"Well of course," Shinichi said. "It starts and ends with those documents that were given to me after reaching Metropolis, after all that was the reason for the trip in the first place."

"As I was told."

"It wasn't until we arrived at that library that the documents surrounding the victims who suffered the heart attacks were given to me."

"And where were the documents being held?" Bruce asked.

"On a hard drive he claimed was at his home," Shinichi replied. "By using one of the computers in the library he was able to access the file which had all the information which was then sent here for you to examine."

"And with that known fact you traced that same signal back to where it originated?"

"Yes," Dick confirmed. "Not until the following day of course."

"But that wasn't it," Shinichi said. "There's more to it than that."

"What do you mean?" Tim asked.

"It's when he pulled up those records," Shinichi said. "There was a certain computer he chose."

"Did it really matter which one he used?"

"That's what you would have thought," Shinichi said. "But he made it clear that the only computer that could be used to access the records was the last computer located on the left side of the room."

"How many computers were there in all?" Bruce asked.

"Six."

"Did this man specify why that particular computer needed to be used?"

"According to him it was somehow linked to his own."

"Which turned out to be the one we found," Dick said. "Something they had probably planned from the beginning."

"That answers one thing, but where exactly did you find it," Tim asked. "That might be important to know, pending there being a further meaning to the choice of location."

"We discovered it at an apartment complex." Shinichi answered.

"That was unexpected."

"From what I was able to gather at the scene it was clear that no one had been living in that apartment."

"You guys went inside?"

"No," Shinichi replied. "It was found outside a couple feet away from the front door, hidden beneath a box."

"Interesting," Tim said with a pause. "Don't know what you really can take away from that."

""It's one thing for us to uncover what's on this computer," Dick said. "But most importantly, we need to find out who this mystery person is, and their intent."

"Agreed."

"One thing is clear," Dick continued. "And that's the fact this individual knows us in some kind of way."

"Based from your trip would you say you have a good feel for who this person might be?" Tim questioned.

"Not as of now," Dick replied. "He went completely dark after the first day spent with Shinichi here."

".. He is not a given," Bruce stated. "The person in question could very well be a woman, some of the best disguisers I've come across have been."

"You're right; it's too early to jump to any conclusion."

"Can't argue that." Tim agreed.

"What about possibilities," Heiji questioned. "I know there is little to go off of, but any ideas?"

"The list is limited," Bruce said in response. "But to find out whom, is to first figure what their intent is."

"Something I haven't been able to figure up to this point." Dick admitted.

"Not even myself." Shinichi said.

"It's only a matter of time before that mystery person makes another move," Dick said. "I'm almost sure of it."

"Not to side track, but I was told the results came in," Shinichi said looking his way. "From the blood sample you took the other day."

"Yes," Bruce confirmed. "The test has been completed."

"And?"

"I'm going to be honest with you," Bruce said standing up from the chair. "What I found isn't concrete."

"What do you mean?"

"Your condition, how should I put it… is erratic."

"Erratic," Shinichi questioned. "I don't understand."

"In other words, the data as of now is inclusive to what could happen."

"And what exactly could happen?"

"To be straight forward, it doesn't look good."

"How severe are we talking?" Heiji asked.

"I can't answer that right now," Bruce replied. "Like I said before, his condition falls under the category of erratic."

"Could you elaborate further on that?" Shinichi asked.

"Yes, of course," Bruce replied. "For starters it's clear there's been a slight change in the density of your blood in comparison to normal standards."

"On what level?"

"Nothing too major, at least not yet."

"I'm assuming that's only touching the surface," Shinichi said. "What else is there to know?"

"Another noticeable change I was able to pick up was a difference in your metabolism level," Bruce continued. "It was lower than it should be."

"Am I right and saying that's not all?"

"Yes," Bruce replied. "What concerns me most is the poison, it has only spread further since your transformation."

"How radically?"

"By an estimation of at least .025 percent," Bruce replied. "That may not sound like much, but if that is to continue the results could be threatening."

"What is the poison doing exactly?"

"I'm going to need to run a deeper examination of you to figure that out," Bruce replied. "But one thing is for sure, the poison in question has not only been latching onto your blood cells but an unknown substance in your body."

"Unknown substance?"

"I can only assume this to be the APTX drug you spoke of."

"So this poison that entered my body is now intertwined in with the drug that is causing some kind of chain reaction?"

"That is correct."

"If this does continue to escalate, are you at least aware of what symptoms that I could expect to feel?"

"Not completely," Bruce replied. "But I do know if things do continue to head this way you could be looking to suffer a noticeable rise in body temperature, I wouldn't even rule out sharp pains in your chest."

"From your brief run down a heart attack wouldn't be too farfetched either."

"I figured you'd be able to diagnose that."

"We obviously know what the problem is," Heiji said. "So how do we stop it?"

"That has yet to be determined," Bruce replied. "The sooner I learn about the connection between the APTX and the poison that have linked the sooner I'll be able to whip up a cure, or antibiotics to at least strain the process."

"You mentioned running further tests," Shinichi said. "Does that mean getting further blood samples?"

"That's only one step," Bruce replied. "I'd like to take it a little further if you don't mind, getting an answer how to reverse the affects may depend on it."

"I have no problem with that."

"Then it's settled."

"When would you like to begin testing?"

"No later than tomorrow morning," Bruce replied. "We would have begun today, but I have some other things I have to attend to before nightfall."

"I understand."

"Though we're going to hold off on the examination, I'd still like to get another sample of your blood," Bruce said. "That way we'll have an updated version."

"Of course."

"I don't quite get it." Heiji said.

"What is it you don't get?" Shinichi asked turning to face him.

"It's one thing that this individual didn't bring the files along with them, but why lead you to Metropolis," Heiji began. "Why the disguise… if they wanted us to investigate the situation why not just give us the records?"

"I asked him that very question when we first met," Shinichi recalled. "They said it had something to do with security, which was obviously a cover up."

"Which leaves that as the question of the hour." Dick stated

"And I doubt the contents of the computer uncovered will lead us any closer to finding this person," Shinichi said. "They've been pretty careful up until this point."

"If there's another thing we can take away from this, its patience," Dick said. "This was obviously something this person has been planning for a time now."

"Their timing and execution has been key to their success up till this point."

"If we're unable to learn anything from the computer, we'll just have to focus in on what we know." Tim said.

"For now that's our only option." Dick agreed.

"Since we're all here I think now would be a good time to discuss another important matter."

"Which is?"

"The events that unfolded at the Futures Building," Heiji replied. "Since then we've yet to gain any ground on Kaitou Kid's whereabouts, or what he plans to do next for that matter."

"I've been keeping up with that." Bruce assured.

"Any luck?"

"No, but the point has been focusing strictly on the G3 Power Emitter."

"How does that help in our search for Kid?"

"The direct approach isn't always the fastest way to your target," Bruce said in response. "By limiting my focus to the G3 Emitter I've learned much more about it, specifically about its flexible nature."

"What do you mean?"

"The G3 can serve as more than a power source," Bruce informed before having a seat once again. "It can also be used as a discharger."

"Is that right?"

"That just adds another possibility of why it might have been taken." Dick said.

"That opens up several more possible scenarios," Heiji commented. "There's just one thing, we don't know what Kid hopes to achieve."

"First the diamonds, and now this," Tim said. "Perhaps if we find a connection between the two we'll have a better idea."

"Maybe then we'll know if he truly is caught up in something." Shinichi said.

"What do you mean," Dick questioned. "Are you saying this isn't a set agenda of his own?"

"I think that's been clear for some time now," Shinichi said in response. "As someone who has dealt with him on several occasions it's clear tendencies have subtly changed."

"How so?"

"He's usually more forthcoming with the public on what he plans to do," Shinichi added. "And let's not shy away from his latest interest, stemming away from high priced jewelry as usually seen to a unique electronic device, two very different fields."

"Maybe so," Bruce said. "But at the end of the day they both amount to one common thing… money."

Things became quiet in the wake of this. During this time he took one last look at the computer screen he made a move to sit up from the chair.

"Going somewhere?" Dick questioned.

"No, but it's time we had this discussion," Bruce replied. "About what's going to happen moving forward."

"What do you mean?"

"a trap," Bruce replied. "One which we're going to set."

To Be Continued