The Detective Prince

Chapter 126

Taking Steps Back

"Alright then," Heiji said stepping forward. "Where are the exact locations for the intersections that you mentioned?"

"We'll start with the route going south," Bruce began. "No matter where you go from there you'll have to pass through Robinson Park."

"And you're positive of this?"

"No doubt," Bruce replied. "The van was found on the west side of the reservoir, going south from that position will lead directly to the park."

"Where one of the largest intersections in that area is located." Dick added.

"Where would they have ended up in the case that they headed north," Shinichi asked. "What would be the point of focus?"

"In the case of that, they would have had to have passed by the Wayne garden," Bruce replied. "A site in town which has made for great sightseeing for many spectators."

"With installed security no doubt."

"Yes," Bruce confirmed. "Not just for the premises, but for the surrounding roads as well."

"That leaves further west of where the van was found," Heiji said. "I've been down that side once when at the City Hall, I don't recall seeing any major cross intersections down in that area."

"Not as noteworthy as any of the others," Bruce said. "But that whole area covers the City Hall district, there's plenty of surveillance outside of what I've set up."

"So would I be right in saying there was no surveillance covering the area where the van was discovered?"

"Unfortunately," Bruce answered. "The spot where the van was found was secluded from the usual visiting points around the reservoir."

"I see."

"Regardless, it's still too early to jump to any conclusions," Dick said. "It's still not confirmed there was in fact three additional vehicles involved in a second hand escape."

"Which is why I plan on heading there tonight to have a closer look." Bruce said.

"Wouldn't it be best if we went now," Dick questioned. "The way I see it, the sooner the better."

"That makes two of us." Heiji agreed.

"Perhaps so," Bruce said. "But like I pointed out before the scene is bound to be filled with security… not to mention the curious bystanders, which is why I've elected to go tonight instead."

"Leaving only the tapes for us to examine." Dick said.

"Not just that, there's plenty more that needs to be taken care of."

"How long do you think this search of yours will take?"

"There's no telling," Bruce replied. "But a good run down should be nothing short of an hour."

"I had planned on waiting around for the results," Heiji said. "But it seems this may take longer than I was anticipating."

"There's no need in sticking around if you don't want to," Dick said. "If something important comes up he'll be sure to contact you if something is learned."

"You plan on leaving as well?"

"There's very little we can accomplish waiting for results to come back, there's something else I'd like to tackle in the meantime." Dick said.

"I just noticed the absence of Tim," Bruce said. "Is he still around?"

"Don't expect him back anytime soon," Dick said in response. "He returned home to further examine that computer found at the apartment complex."

"I'll have to contact him about his findings later."

"Well if there's nothing further, I'm going to go ahead and step out," Dick said. "I'd like to get started right away."

"Where do you plan on going?" Heiji asked.

"I'm returning to Mount Zomoph," Dick replied. "I'd like to further examine the park."

"The surface, or the grounds below?" Shinichi asked.

"Both," Dick replied. "It's the only way we're truly going to get any answers for what happened the day of the explosion."

"I was thinking of that case this morning, we've yet to gain any real ground since then."

"Tim's been handling it for the most part, I asked him about his progress last night."

"Anything new?"

"He said there wasn't anything of importance to report," Dick replied. "But even then.. I could tell something was bothering him on the matter."

"Did you ask what?"

"Of course, and he assured me everything was ok," Dick said. "But I could tell something was nagging at him."

"It's clear," Bruce said gaining. "He's simply worried by the fact no move has been made since the latest incident."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't forget the fact that both Shinichi and Tim were caught on tape by the man they were chasing after." Bruce reminded.

"You don't mean," Dick said with a pause. "Does he believe this guy is going to make an attempt on his life?"

"If you were the bomb man wouldn't you consider that option," Bruce asked. "A tracer was planted on the trigger man after all, the fact they were able to discover this before their whereabouts was uncovered speaks volumes."

"He's right," Shinichi said. "What we were able to see on the surveillance tape we found in that alley was clear footage of each of us, there's no mistaking it… they know who we are."

"Not by name, but face," Bruce stated. "And with that known fact it shouldn't be too hard for someone who's familiar with the bigger names and faces of Gotham to recognize Tim."

"It does make sense now that you put it that way." Dick said

"It's been awhile since their last move," Bruce said. "First the group of men who were found gunned down in the streets, then the more recent incident at Mount Zomoph."

"Speaking of which, was a background check run on the man who fell victim to the explosion?" Shinichi asked.

"The results came back last night," Dick confirmed. "Though Tim has yet to send them to me, I'll have to remind him to do so."

"He seems to have a pretty good work load himself." Heiji stated.

"Perhaps, no different than the rest of us," Shinichi said. "But I think there's one important thing we can take away from this."

"And what's that?" Dick asked

"About the culprit," Shinichi clarified. "If the culprit truly was able to place who Tim is and doesn't plan to make a move that could mean only one of two things."

"Are you suggesting this guy might know him on a personal level?"

"A small possibility, but not what I was aiming for," Shinichi replied. "I was thinking more on the lines of intent, our guy is obviously going off of some set schedule… all people who have been killed by the culprit thus far have been linked in some kind of way, pending what the results will reveal about the man at Mount Zomoph."

"I guess you'd have a better understanding," Dick said. "After all you've run into this guy on more on two occasions if I'm not mistaken."

"Wasn't a sketch of this guy supposed to be whipped up?" Heiji asked.

"Yes," Shinichi replied. "We just never got around to it."

"Makes you wonder." Dick remarked.

"What?" Heiji asked

"What if the two are connected in some way," Dick said. "… The man at the theme park, the mystery person who showed up at our door step, could it be the same person?"

"Are you basing this off of the captured footage that was recorded of Tim and I?" Shinichi asked.

"Yes," Dick replied. "Though it might be pushing it, I defiantly think it's something to consider."

"I don't know about that one," Heiji said. "That leaves too many unanswered questions."

"Which is why I said it'd be a long shot," Dick said. "I'm fully aware of the details surrounding each situation."

"I too find that theory to be unlikely," Shinichi said. "Let's say this man did recognize him, why not go after him directly… the sense of him showing up here wouldn't fit, not to mention Bruce was the one they wished to see."

"Bruce, what do you think?" Dick asked facing him.

"Cementing any conclusion now would be premature," Bruce replied. "But for now I'd have to agree with what's been said, the likelihood of the individuals being one in the same seems highly unlikely."

"It's still something to keep in mind."

"Perhaps so."

Silence took over for those next seconds. He checked the time during the duration of this, facing him after doing so.

"We had better get going," Dick said. "Mount Zomoph opens up in about forty minutes from now."

"I'm ready when you are." Heiji said.

"I'm curious as to what you plan on finding when you return to Mount Zomoph." Shinichi said.

"For one I'd like to double check the surveillance I set up the last trip around," Dick said. "Down in the depths of where that bomb was found in the wall."

"I didn't know you had taken the situation to that level," Shinichi admitted. "What's the catch, hoping the person who put it there would return?"

"Unfortunately the camera's set in place have yet to record anyone," Dick confirmed. "I was hoping whoever planted that bomb in the wall would return at some point."

"It's never that simple with the complex ones." Heiji remarked.

"That just leaves more work for us."

"Try not to stand out while down there," Bruce warned. "Security has amped up since the incident."

"Thanks for the heads up," Dick replied. "Not that I'm surprised."

"It's to be expected." Heiji said.

"We've held out long enough, we had better head out," Dick said. "I'd like to get there before two, that's usually when you see a spike in attendance."

"And what's wrong with that," Heiji questioned. "That could actually be considered an advantage don't you think?"

"It does leave security to keep an eye on a larger crowd," Dick agreed. "But I'd still like to get in before the rush, which includes the traffic down in that area."

"Where do you plan on going first?" Shinichi asked.

"The grounds of Mount Zomoph," Dick replied. "Once that is taken care of I'll head down to the sewer."

"Well since there's two of us I was thinking we could do both." Heiji said.

"What do you mean?"

"While I check the surface you can go and revisit the site underground," Heiji said. "Once you've finished up there we can regroup."

"That might not be a bad idea."

"In the case of that there's one thing I'd like to know," Heiji said. "The location, what side of the park did the explosion occur?"

"South-East," Shinichi answered. "Which will be to your right after passing the entry point."

"Chances are that area's still blocked off." Dick said

"In all likelihood," Heiji agreed. "But it's not always where the scene unraveled where your focus should be… I have a feeling there is more to what happened than we're currently aware of."

"And you believe we'll find answers throughout the park itself?"

"Possibly," Heiji replied. "It sounds as if this guy we've been trying to track had this planned for some time now, that would explain the maintenance uniform he was spotted sporting at the time of the crime, if I'm not mistaking."

"That may very well be true but I wouldn't hold too much hope up in regards to that," Shinichi said. "If this guy was also responsible for those street shootings his record would showcase a high degree of his cover up."

"He's right," Dick agreed. "In each case there hasn't been much evidence left behind linking anyone specific to the crime."

"Which is why I've come to the assumption that this could possibly be a group, or even organization of some kind," Bruce said. "There's only a select few I know of who could have pulled off the first spree of killings, based from the form how it was done."

"Any chance it's any of the individuals you have in mind?" Shinichi asked.

"Doubtful," Bruce replied. "I've been keeping tabs not only on them, but on a wide margin of people who have had uninvited business here in Gotham over the years."

"If it's not someone you've accounted for then this person must be someone new altogether."

"It sure is looking that way." Dick said

"We'll have to worry about further possibilities later," Heiji said. "The only thing we have to follow is what we have right in front of us, with any luck something will come of a return trip to Mount Zomoph."

"That's our best bet at this point," Dick said making a move for the door. "We'll be back with an update as soon as we can."

"If I'm not here if you do in fact return give all details to Alfred," Bruce said. "Same goes if you plan on calling."

"Of course."

With that he followed through to the other side, walking out past the door with nothing further said.

"Later, Kudo." Heiji said before following in his footsteps. "You'll be one of the first to know if anything turns up."

"I'll be waiting."

He nodded, walking out of the room as well. A period of silence followed in the wake of this. After hearing the close of the front door in the next room he slowly turned back to the desk to see he had begun typing.

"What do you think," Shinichi asked. "Honestly?"

"It depends on what you mean by that." Bruce said in response with his eyes still set to the computer monitor set before him.

"The unsub, do you really think it's someone you've encountered before?"

"That was the case," Bruce admitted. "But only at first, now… I'm not so sure."

"Leaving us the task to figure out the who… and why."

"Until we've figured out the complexity of your situation I'd like to keep you grounded here, is that alright with you?"

"Unraveling things from the side line can be as important as on the field."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"So let's say we get a lead on the men who got away with those weapons earlier today," Shinichi asked. "What then, do you plan on going directly after them?"

"Not necessarily," Bruce replied. "Knowing what they plan on doing with those weapons is the main objective."

"Makes sense."

"And if we're able to figure that, finding out how many parties are involved would be the next base to cover."

"I think it's safe to assume that's the case here," Shinichi said. "It's not often you have an incident like the one that occurred today without additional involvement from outside interest."

"That seems to be a common theme."

"The way I see it, getting these guys off of the streets is as important as retrieving the stolen goods," Shinichi said. "It's the only way preventing future incidents such as this from occurring again… a seemingly never ending cycle."

He turned at the sound of someone entering from behind, coming to find it was only Alfred.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all," Bruce assured. "We were simply going over the fine details of this morning's burglary."

"I was just coming to inform you of a call received by Wayne enterprises."

"Are they on the line now?"

"No, I told them you'd call back at your earliest convenience." Alfred replied.

"Was it said what they wished to speak with me about."

"Yes, something about a business proposition."

"From whom?"

"That is unknown to me, nor did I ask."

He stood up from where he sat, pushing the chair back into place after doing so.

"I had better go and give them a call back."

He headed for the door, stopping a few feet shy of reaching it. He turned back, looking his way once more.

"We'll see to that sample when I return."

"I'll be here."

With that he stepped out with Alfred following from close behind. This left him to stand alone, looking out the window on the left side as one thought came to mind. It had started as a speculation like in most cases, but that common question of interest was now growing… a sense of responsibility and determination, something that only centered in his cautious when challenged on levels beyond the mystery itself.

"It feels as if there's a connection," Shinichi thought. "We first crossed paths unknowingly on that bus, then by some twisted chance at a theme park that had come to our radar… but nothing stands above the question we've all asked, the character of the man behind the cap?"

Everything was wide open from the amount of evidence that had been collected, yet.. so empty of the who, or the reason for his actions. It was now clear any answer wasn't going to come without a self-driven time of investigation, something that could be felt from the beginning.

"I'll find you," Shinichi promised himself with his eyes falling from the view of the window. "No matter the occupation, brand of apparel, or name you choose to hide behind next… there' one thing that always proves absolute, truth.. and it will prevail."

To Be Continued