The Detective Prince

Chapter 136

Blind Shot

The course of the day brought about much planning as much as it did promise. But with the door of opportunity closing in with each passing minute would the chips fall into place as planned? There was no doubt in his mind that this would come to be, checking the time on the watch strapped to his wrist to find only twenty minutes remained. This was more than enough time. He placed his hand to the seat in front, tapping it to get the attention of the driver.

"Is something wrong?"

"This will be far enough."

They nodded in compliance, immediately turning back for the road ahead. They pulled up to an empty spot along the right side before turning back to face him.

"Will this be ok?"

"Perfect."

He exited as soon as he tipped the driver, taking those first moments to scour the area as a whole as he walked. The buildings came next, finding everything to be clear from that view as well.

"It doesn't appear I'm being watched or followed, good."

After traveling for another couple yards he came upon a newsstand, finding this to be an ideal place to set up for what was to come next. He reached down into the left pocket of the worn jacket, grabbing hold of the only thing that could be felt inside.

It was that of a phone. He took the next second to check the time once more before making another move.

"It's closing in on fifteen minutes."

The wait would continue, keeping the phone tight in hand as he peaked around the corner from where he stood, looking directly to the entrance several yards away further up the street. Many could be seen exiting, very few could be seen going in as opposed to those walking out. This was a high pointer, letting him know the time was nearing.

But with the wait coming to an end a strange feeling crept in, almost as if something unexpected was to come. Whether it be good or bad was unknown. This raised his awareness, finding his focus at the top of his limits as the wait continued.

The night was now taking form by this time. With darkness crawling in this called for him to bring light to the room with the flip of the switch. The outlook was the same as when the day had begun, a standstill. No matter how long spent in one area or what angle tested it all seemed to fall back to where it began.

It wasn't just the mystery of the where, but the test in itself of figuring out the when and why. Had they been taken, or did they leave the site on their own free will? At this point all possibilities now had to be considered. Regardless of the end may bring he was determined to figuring out where the missing pair had gone.

It was in the thought of this that the presence of someone entering the room could be felt, glimpsing up from all gathered evidence atop the desk to see him standing just feet away from where he sat.

"It's not often you leave the door open while you're working sir," Alfred said quick to point out. "Well at least not lately."

"It doesn't make sense Alfred."

"What's that?"

"The disappearance of Danielle Walden and his daughter." Bruce replied.

"What is it that doesn't make sense?"

"The scenario which most have pointed to," Bruce replied. "Abduction."

"Are you saying you don't believe they were abducted?"

"According to evidence, yes."

"Perhaps a runaway?"

"Doubtful," Bruce replied. "Danielle and his former wife Kalien, and the mother of their daughter Mera does not see that as a high possibility."

"And you agree?"

"Given the circumstances, yes," Bruce replied. "On a personal level Kalien and Danielle seemed to have been on good terms."

"And legally?"

"Joined custody," Bruce informed. "And being that Kalien had their daughter for only weekends, Danielle running off with her wouldn't make much sense, especially since she stayed with him the majority of the time as the two had agreed upon."

"Even with that being the case, I for one still wouldn't rule out the possibility of Mr. Walden taking off with the girl."

"I've checked all his cards, if he had skipped town I'm sure a transaction in the last week would have been made to one of the two banks he's linked with," Bruce said. "There were also no large withdraws made from any of his accounts, this only adds more weight to why it's unlikely he left town along with his daughter."

"With all the facts presented I can't disagree."

"That still doesn't rule out the possibility completely," Bruce said standing up from the chair. "At this given time there's no telling what conspired up until the day of their disappearance."

He stepped from around the desk, heading over to the far left of the room where the window could be found. He stopped after reaching it, staring into the arrived night with several things in mind. This only brought about a silence, one which spanned over the next several moments. There was no movement in his stance during this time, bringing a raising concern from his perspective.

"Master Bruce.. ?"

Seconds more ticked away before a response was given.

"Alfred, bring Shinichi to me," Bruce instructed. "It's time."

Not another word needed to be said, immediately turning for the door upon hearing his request. The night was young and still had long to go. But by its end he hoped with the dawn of light would bring a much needed light on the case at hand.

After a day's plotting and the fall of the sun past the length of the horizon, the time had finally come. The full view of the moon could now be seen, only slightly covered by few clouds that drifted by. The phone was still firmly held in hand, raising it as he watched a car came to a stop at the front entrance of the location he had his sights set on.

"That's the fourth vehicle in the last minute, they must be arriving."

He continued to keep a look out as the phone held down at his side released a subtle vibration.

"Right on schedule."

The phone was brought to their ear, taking the call with no hesitation.

"Master Kuroba, what's the situation?"

"Standing outside of the library now," Kaito replied. "From the recent activity I'd say the guests have arrived."

"Have they gone in?"

"That's the strange part, of the automobiles that have pulled up alongside the road in the past minutes no one has yet to exit."

"That is strange if I must say," Konosuke agreed. "What will you do?"

"I've waited for long enough," Kaito replied. "I'm getting ready to make the next move."

"I understand."

"Do you have the flyers set as planned?"

"Of course, everything is a go," Konosuke replied. "The rest is up to you."

"If all goes well I'll see you in approximately an hour," Kaito replied. "If you call and I don't answer don't stress it, it only means the task is underway."

"I would assume that much," Konosuke said. "But let it be known I'll only contact if need be."

"For the best," Kaito said. "Remember, don't roll in until the signal is given."

"You have my word."

Their talk came to an end with that final exchange, both feeling positive on the plan that had been set. There was only one thing that remained, execution. He chose not to move from his current position, continuing to watch the vehicles which had recently parked aside the street.

"I don't understand, why hasn't anyone ascended?"

This thought remained on his mind for another minute. After the short time past he adjusted his eyes to the car nearest him, catching a vague visual of someone on the passenger side.

"A phone… could they be talking to someone?"

This brought up another possibility in his mind, could everyone be waiting for someone… or something? This very thought only gained weight with every passing moment. Given the distance between him and the darkened figure within the car there was no way of confirming they were in contact with someone. It was at that moment that the decision was made.

"I'll have to get in closer."

It now became about posture and approach, tucking both hands into his pocket as he watched a young pair walk right past.

"The timing couldn't have been any better."

Taking advantage of this he casually followed along, dampening his view with the decision to lower the cap above his eyes. This move was made to keep his appearance shielded, at least for the time being. He inched in with every step taken, slightly glimpsing up to see the car a mere few yards away.

"Almost there."

It was with the next step that all would take a major turn to the unexpected, hearing an earthshattering sound that sent a stunning shock throughout his body. All fell numb, feeling as if a substantial amount of his energy had been drained from his body. Without warning he fell forward, unable to find the strength to keep himself from doing so. It was only then that he saw, the sight of a glaring wound which stared back at him.

"I've been … shot."

His mind became clouded, who could have done this… and why? He quickly reached into his pocket to grab hold of his phone with a burst of energy. There was no control to be had, almost immediately losing control of it just before making impact with the ground. All fell completely blank from there, nothing but a complete darkness to be found. Had the end of the road been reached?

To Be Continued