The Detective Prince
Chapter 132
Broken News
It stayed in place throughout the night, resting in his subconscious even while in sleep. The day had long begun for him, sitting at the edge of the bed with one thing in mind… a faint image.
"Who are you?"
The sketch was sitting beside him, one which he had no need for. The image of his face had been cemented in his mind, from the moment he had first crossed paths with him. He stood up from the bed in those following moments, finding himself thinking on the matter now deeper than before. It wasn't now just the sight of his face, but the thought of all known details. Not only the connection between all those who were killed but how, each method could be a message in itself.
He now found himself covering both sides of the room as he walked, not coming to a realization of this until hearing a sudden knock at the door. His immediate reaction was to walk over and open the door, not surprised to find who stood on the other side after doing.
"I'd take the honor of greeting you a good morning, but it would appear noon is just minutes away."
"Good, I thought I might find you in here," Alfred said pleased to see him. "When I found that you weren't down in the book room I decided to come here."
"I've yet to leave the room for an extended period today." Shinichi admitted.
"That would explain why I hadn't seen you moving about."
"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Oh yes," Alfred said. "Master Bruce has called for you."
He wasn't all too surprised to learn this.
"Where is he now?"
"Last I checked he was in the dining room," Alfred replied. "That was nearly ten minutes ago, there's no telling where he's run off to now."
"Did he say what he wanted to see me about?"
"No," Alfred replied. "Only that it was something of importance."
"I see."
"Would you like for me to go and let him know you'll be on your way down?"
"No need," Shinichi replied with the shake of his head. "I'll go and find him myself."
"Then I'll leave that to you."
With those last words spoken he turned for the right, heading further down the narrow hall. He watched, only for a moment before walking back into the room.
"What could it be," Shinichi thought. "Could he possibly now know who the man in the sketch is?"
This was the very thought on his mind, staying in place as he made his way over to the bed. He stopped soon after, reaching down to grab hold of the drawing which could be found still sitting in place. He held it out at arm's length, the same question coming to his mind as any other time.
"Who are you?"
It was a question that would remain until answered.
It had been a long night, one which had spanned out further than most. The room was silent, only very few sounds making its way into the room. But it wasn't until the sound of three solid knocks at the door did his eyes open, immediately looking over at the clock to find it was already minutes after noon.
He quickly brushed off any tiredness that he might have, daggling himself along as he made his way through the dark room toward the door. He reached it soon after, placing on a shirt before opening it to see her standing there already in full uniform.
"Detective Norwich."
"I see you're not ready to travel to the station."
"Long night," Heiji said in response. "Why to the station, did someone call for us?"
"Yes, but wasn't given all details on the updated situation," Kylane replied. "But it's clear it has to do with yesterday's incident."
"Figures."
"I'm sure we'll learn more on the way there." Kylane said.
"You're right," Heiji agreed. "No doubt one of the local radio stations will be covering the news on the matter."
She then turned, heading for the left side.
"Down stairs to check out," Kylane replied. "Think you can be there in ten?"
"Not a problem at all."
"Then I'll see you then."
With that he said nothing further, fading back into the room with the close of the door.
"Something possibly new found in the case… I wonder what it could be?"
This gave a boost of energy, ready to learn what had been further determined on the matter.
It didn't take long for him to ready himself, finding himself walking down the silent hall toward the large door in the clear. It took a small amount of time for him to reach it, pulling the door aside to now find himself in the front room.
There was no one to be seen at first glance, looking from one side all the way down to the floor below.
"Perhaps he's still in the dining room."
Feeling this to be the case he made a move for the stairs, casually making his way down with his hands finding a place within his pockets. He reached the first floor soon after, immediately turning for the left where the far door could be seen. He stopped roughly halfway across, being that of the call of his name from behind.
"I figured it wouldn't take long to find you, or in this case you coming across me first," Shinichi said turning to face him. "You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes," Bruce replied. "There's something we need to go over."
"Does this relate to that drawing you created?"
"No, but we'll get around to that as well."
"If it isn't the drawing you wanted to discuss then what?"
He didn't respond, simply waving his hand over as he turned for the door.
"Follow me."
He didn't know what to make of this, but did as asked none the less. He reached the front door in no time, stepping out past it after doing so.
"Are we going somewhere?"
"Yes," Bruce replied before closing the door. "On a little stroll."
"A stroll?"
"This won't take long," Bruce said taking the first step down the stairs. "Come."
He didn't know where this would lead, but followed none the less. It wasn't until they reached the bottom that he began to speak once again.
"So tell me," Bruce asked. "How do you feel?"
".. How do I feel?"
"Yes," Bruce replied as he began walking once more. "How have you been feeling?"
He followed him to the right, taking moments to think about the question posed.
"Fine I suppose."
"Any complications?"
"Not since reverting to my normal size, no."
"I see." Bruce said looking away.
"I don't understand," Shinichi said stopping in his tracks. "What's with the left field questions all of a sudden?"
He stopped after taking only another two steps, leaving only a few feet between the two. The fact he didn't immediately respond brought a small sense of concern, slowly beginning to get a feeling for where all of this was coming from.
"This is about that sample isn't it, from the blood you extracted from me?"
There was no need in denying, confirming his belief with a slight nod of the head.
"Yes.. it is."
"What is it," Shinichi asked with a step taken. "What did the results reveal?"
Tension was now at its highest, waiting several moments before a response was given.
"It has progressed to unstable levels."
"Progressed to unstable levels… what, what is that supposed to mean?"
"Shinichi," Bruce said slowly turning back to face him with two final words to deliver. "You're dying."
To Be Continued