The Detective Prince

135

Day before the Turn

It was now only hours away, clocking down to when it would begin. All preparations needed had already been made, feeling confident by the day's end everything would roll into their favor. But there was always that outside variable, the one which couldn't be controlled... that of the unknown. This weighed heavily on his mind, trying to calculate everything that could possibly occur come night fall.

It was in the mist of this that he looked to the phone sitting beside him. After little thought he reached down to grab it, immediately heading to where all contacts could be found. There was no delay in what came next, scrolling down to where the name could be found, one which read 'Mom'. He held out a finger to hit dial only to become hesitant. It was at that moment that a strange feeling came over him, almost as if something bad was to come. It was frightening in a way, but pressed down to the send button none the less, only getting the sound of a ring in return. This was short lived, placing the phone back onto the bed just in time to hear the sound of the door swing open from the left side.

"You're back later than expected."

"It couldn't be helped." Konosuke said walking into the room with a bag in hand.

"What's that you've got there?" Kaito asked out of curiosity.

"A little souvenir I think will benefit us both."

Without further ado he removed what was hidden inside, holding it out for him to see.

"Another laptop computer," Kaito said surprised to find. "Don't you think two is enough?"

"Having a variety never hurts," Konosuke said in response. "And I can assure you I purchased this with marginable intentions in mind."

"I have no doubt."

He took that next moment to place the purchased hardware onto the bed nearest to the door before turning back to face him.

"So what have you been doing during the time of my absence?"

"Thinking."

"About what?"

"Everything," Kaito replied before falling back to the bed. "Particularly with how we're going to play thing's tonight."

"Speaking of which, I ran that errand you asked of me."

He had caught himself staring up at the ceiling, barely hearing what had been said.

"What was that?"

"I returned to the library to see if there was an update for tonight's event."

"And?"

"The clerk working the desk at the time was more than helpful," Konosuke replied. "It would appear sometime last night Mr. Lain made a stop in at the library himself."

"For what?" Kaito asked finding himself becoming interested.

"To set the stage if you will, a sign in sheet."

Learning this caused him to push up from where he laid.

"How many people were listed to attend?" Kaito asked looking over at him.

"Twelve in all," Konosuke replied. "Including Lain himself."

"I see," Kaito said bringing a hand to his chin with a long pause. "Tell me, is there anything else planned for tonight?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand your question Master Kuroba," Konosuke said. "Could you possibly elaborate?"

"At the library," Kaito replied standing up from where he sat. "Besides the chess gathering being hosted by Mr. Lain is there anything else being held tonight?"

"No, not to my knowledge."

"Good, that keeps the dynamics into our favor." Kaito said sitting up from the bed.

"How so?"

"The less distractions the better," Kaito replied. "Besides I'd like to study him before we move in, having more space to work with is always a plus."

He was completely lost on what he meant by this but took his word for it.

"And did the scheduled time remain the same?"

He nodded in response.

"Yes," Konosuke replied. "They are still set to begin at five O'clock this evening."

"Good, that means everything is still on schedule," Kaito said pleased to know. "I've held out long enough, it's time I shared with you what the plan is."

From there he looked on, watching as he headed for the dresser directly across. Several seconds past as he watched, surfing through the top drawer for something.

"Found it." Kaito said before re-facing him.

"What's inside?" Konosuke asked taking notice of the plastic bag in hand.

He simply grinned, taking only seconds for him to reveal what was hidden away within the bag.

"Here we are."

He laid his onto what was held up, getting a mixed feeling of what was presented.

"Is that … a flyer?"

"Yes," Kaito confirmed. "It may not make sense now but it will after I explain."

There was no argument with this claim, choosing to let him continue on with no further words spoken.

"Alright," Kaito began. "Listen up."

His full attention was given, more than interested to learn the reasoning behind the flyers that had been brought to his attention.

It had been nothing but silence since the last hour, scouring over one sheet of information to the other. Everything seemed blank on the surface, but deep within it all he knew there had to be something… a lead to find. The longer this went on the more determined he found himself becoming.

The occasional ring of the phone could be heard, echoing its way through the walls to where he sat. This was only followed by the sound of the door, looking up in time just as he entered the room.

"Master Bruce that was yet another call for you," Alfred informed. "That's the third time they've called in the last hour according to the caller ID."

He casually looked back to what was set out in front of him before responding.

"Who were the calls from?" Bruce asked.

"Wayne Enterprises."

"Did you answer the last?"

"No," Alfred replied. "I just happened to step in from outside, but if they do happen to call again I'd be more than willing to take a message for you."

"Don't bother," Bruce said in response. "If they call again I'll answer it myself."

"Very well."

With that he turned back for the hall, only taking a step before looking back at him. This didn't take long for him to notice.

"Is something wrong?" Bruce asked.

"No," Alfred replied. "I was just wondering what it was you've been working on in here for the past hour or so."

"The Walden's case," Bruce replied. "The disappearance of one of Dr. Thompkins patients and his daughter."

"Oh yes, I remember now," Alfred said. "And have you made any progress with that?"

"It's slow going, but it's only a matter of time before a trail is linked."

"I hope you're right," Alfred said. "Is there anything I can do to possibly help?"

"For now, no."

He nodded upon hearing this.

"Very well," Alfred said turning back for the hall. "Then I'll leave it to you."

He left the door open on his way out, making it easier for him to hear if the phone ringed in the coming minutes. But this wasn't what was on his mind, but rather… the mystery surrounding the disappearance or Danielle and Mera Walden. There would be no resting until an answer was found.

The drive had been a long one, seemingly more draining than the first trip around. But that always seemed to be the case, especially when it came to road trips. The amount of time that had passed since the trip had begun had become lost over the duration of the drive. It was soon after that the large 'Welcome' sign aside the road could be seen, letting her know there wasn't too much longer to go.

Little had been said between the two over the course of the drive. There was only one thing on their minds, the case at hand. A street light was reached soon after, giving her the opportunity to peak over to the passenger seat. There was only one thing to be seen, a look of determination. She turned back for the road just as the sound of his voice could be heard.

"Detective Norwich."

This caught her by surprise, immediately turning back to face him in response.

"What is it?"

"I wanted your opinion on something." Heiji replied with his eyes still overlooking the road.

"Alright, what is it you wanted my opinion on?"

"Tell me, what's your outlook on what we've been given thus far?"

She took the next seconds to think up a response, finding it hard to come up with an appropriate answer.

"I don't quite understand the base of the question you pose."

"Two options, one choice," Heiji said. "Half full or half empty, what would you describe our current position on the case as?"

This caught her by surprise, taking several moments to think about the question asked. No matter how long she juggled the two options in her mind she couldn't bring herself to choose between the two. But above all, she didn't understand what difference it would make between choosing either. He could clearly sense the hesitation.

"Take some time to think it over," Heiji said. "Give me your response tomorrow; that should give you more than enough time to distinctively choose between the two."

By this time the street light had reverted back to green, allowing for them to drive on. Silence took over once again, and though the question didn't ring clear it was the only thing on her mind forward.

Hours had passed, showing in the sky which was now beginning to darken. But regardless of the unfolding in time no progress had been made. With every passing minute the further away the truth seemed to sail. A ring could be heard from the phone in the other room, one which barely registered to the mind.

There was only one thing that kept him driving in the face of road blocks, a determination to find the answer. It was a sheer focus which had now taken form. It was because of this that he hadn't noticed that someone had entered the room.

"Master Bruce."

His eyes strayed from the file in front of him as he took the time to face him.

"Sorry I was."

"I understand sir, no need to explain," Alfred said in response. "Now onto the matter, I've come with a message from Wayne Enterprises."

"What is it?"

"It appears you had a visitor the other day," Alfred informed. "Someone who wishes to meet with you in person."

"Probably has something to do with tomorrow's meeting no doubt."

"I'm afraid you're wrong in that regard." Alfred said in response.

His eyes slightly widened after hearing this.

"Were you given information for who wanted to see me?" Bruce asked finding himself becoming more interested.

"Yes, and it's not the usual business associate you would expect," Alfred replied. "An actress, Chris Vineyard."

"The name does sound a little familiar," Bruce said. "But that does raise the question of what her business interest is?"

"What led you to believe this is business related?"

"Only an initial feeling," Bruce replied. "Was it said when she wished to meet?"

"No, which means you have the choice to call her yourself if you so choose to set a time," Alfred replied. "From what the clerk said, I'd say it's something of high importance."

"Was a number given?"

"Yes, I even took the time to jot it down for you," Alfred confirmed before place a notepad onto the desk. "I'll leave that decision to you, if you need me I'll be in the next room."

With that he turned back for the hall, leaving the door open on his way out like he had before. This left him alone once again. He looked down at the number set before him, more than surprised by this development. But it was odd, for some reason he found himself intrigued at what was to come next.

"… Chris Vineyard, where have I heard the name?"

To Be Continued