The Detective Prince
Chapter 140
Enter the Birds Den
There was an optimism to be felt, one which was completely centered on an unknown at the highest of levels. There was no hint at what circumstances would bring in the coming moments, mentally preparing for anything that came to mind. His inner cycle of thoughts were cut to a close soon after at the sound of steps from before closing in further.
A few yards, a couple feet? There was no way of truly knowing the gap in distance, each step locked with an echo that spanned throughout the walls on all sides. It didn't matter either way, for it was only a matter of time before an appearance was to be made. It was with his last line of thoughts that two dark figures appeared before the cell he found himself locked away within. Both stood tall in stature with notable bulky attire each had on. Were they wearing armor of some kind? There was no real way of knowing with the darkness that filled the room.
"Step up to the bars and hold out your hands."
This demand came without warning, something that caught him by surprise. He was frozen for the moment, one which quickly came to pass as he began moving forward in compliance with what had been instructed.
"Make sure those palms are open." The same voice spoke once more.
He was more than skeptical of this but did as asked, knowing his current position left him with very limited options in approach. The steel bars were reached in little time, holding out his hands with the open of his palms just as planned. It was with this move to make that the steel bars were unlocked. The man on the left leaned forward with something clearly in hand; there was no telling what it was at first glance. This of course was answered soon after with the feel of the cold metal clamping down to both of his wrists.
".. Handcuffs."
There was no secret to it, he was more than sure.
"Come," The man standing right of him spoke. "Follow us, it's time."
There was no telling for where they would be going, knowing the next seconds would be crucial in getting himself in a position to set things into his corner. But before he could do that assessment would be required, something which was launched as they began their way down a dark long narrow hall.
Fortunately small cracks in the wall every few feet down provided for just the visual he needed. His eyes slowly peered from left to right, examining both men who were now escorting him down the hall. It was just as he expected, finding both to have armored chest pieces of some kind. This wasn't even the most alarming detail of all, quickly coming to discover that both were armed with firearms, strapped in place on different parts of their bodies. He faded to the left side at the sight of this, making contact with one of the armed men who pushed him back with rough retaliation.
"What the hell are you doing?!" He bellowed angrily.
"My legs, they're tired." Kaito enunciated.
"Don't stagger again or I'll give you more than just a shove the next time," He guaranteed. "I'm sure a guy like you can manage; besides we don't have much further to go."
"You got it boss man." Kaito jested in a humored matter.
This was an attempt to push at the button further so to speak, one which didn't amount to a response like he had been predicting. No further words were exchanged as they continued the walk through the darkness, growingly finding himself becoming more interested in where it was they were going.
"I'm certain any questions I ask of these two are bound to be shot down, which means I'll have to play the patient card for now."
This was the best move to play for the time being. To his delight they came upon a fleet of stairs soon after, an indication they may not be too far off from reaching the destined location. The man standing on the right side of him was the first to begin the walk up the stairs before feeling a light push from behind.
"Get moving."
The instructions were clear, heading forward with yet another witty remark to pass.
"Aye master, your command has been received in full clarity."
The top was reached in little time which now brought them in range of a large wooden door. It was pushed aside with moderate difficulty by the man who still held his position in the front. This in turn brought a light which made it to where he could now clearly see everything that resided around him. There was no stopping there, continuing forward which brought them into a large room.
The area was massive in size, something you would associate with a foyer or ballroom through his eyes. There was another set of stairs a ways ahead that lead to yet another floor.
"How far down are we?" Kaito thought upon noting this.
His eyes then fell from the stairs to what could clearly be seen lying in the center of the room.
"What is that?"
He couldn't tell what it was from the current gap in distance, only closing in with every step taken. What lied there became all too apparent after closing in within feet, feeling his heart rate increase in speed at the sight of it.
"A body," Kaito thought with a pause. "But whom?"
They came to a stop after a couple steps more, gazing down at the motionless body to make a gut wrenching discovery.
"That's… that's Simon Lain."
There was no denying it, this was the same man he had been finding himself trailing for the past couple days. It was clear from the inflicted wounds that he endured some form of torcher, only making him wonder exactly he had been out.
"Now you've seen it for yourself," The man to the right stated. "Now if you don't want to end up like your friend you had better tell us everything we want to know."
".. My friend?" Kaito questioned.
"What's that?"
"You called the deceased my friend," Kaito replied looking his way. "How can that be so when I've never seen this man before?"
"You're lying, you were there when we started firing last night."
"So it was your bullets that pieced me, I see," Kaito said with a pause. "But I should let you know I was only on my way to the library on that street, which by your statement makes it sound as if I was caught up in the crossfire."
"What?!"
"Dammit Lovob, I told you he was nothing more than a bystander." The other man spoke.
"Quiet Twharne, you know as well as I we couldn't have taken the chance that he wasn't."
"Now what?"
"We'll do the only thing that we can, we'll have to kill this guy as well," Lovob replied. "We all know the drill, no loose ends."
"The boss won't be too happy when he finds out about this."
"Maybe not but either way we need to take care of this now, the sooner we get this done the better off."
The sound of a what appeared to be a shot gun interjected their conversation, all eyes immediately looking toward the large staircase in the clear. It was there that the two of them laid eyes on him, immediately dropping to their knees almost immediately after.
"Boss." Twharne said at the sight of him.
Neither dare made a move as the man in a three piece suit and top hat gradually made his way down the towering set of stairs. It seemed as if an eternity passed before he finally reached the bottom, heading straight for Kaito who gazed down at the man who fell short of him in height by more than just an inch.
"Who the hell are you?" Kaito inquired in an almost a welcoming matter.
This only provoked a smile from the newcomer.
"How dare you speak to our boss that." Twharne began only to be cut off.
"Silence," The man who had joined them all spat. "You've said enough."
With that taken care of he immediately turned back to give his full undivided attention to the person of interest.
"You're a unique one aren't you," The man in the suit of black began. "One of the few who chooses to be one curve ahead of the game and all players."
"I'm sorry," Kaito said shifting his body completely to align with him. "But were those statements directed at me?"
"You've got quite the rampant mouth, but what do you say we drop the clueless lamb act and get to the point?"
These statements were followed up with him walking up to him, once there he reached into the left side of Kaito's jacket to reveal a gun.
"Dammit.. how did he know?"
"He had a gun," Lovob questioned. "I swear when we checked him earlier he was unarmed."
"That's because he relieved you of one of your own firearms when he leaned on you while you were escorting him here you damned imbecile, I witnessed it all on the security room."
"What?"
"If there's anything I despise more than a bad situation, it is consistent incompetence," He continued on. "Something you two display better than anyone else."
Feeling he had made his point he turned back to see the look in his eyes from before had maintained, even with the change in circumstance there was still a look of confidence to the highest of level to see.
"You seemed less than affected by the shift in condition, I can only assume that's because you're planning your next move to play."
"Aren't we always?" Kaito said in response to this.
"A green end response, I'm actually starting to favor your life," He said now pointing the seized weapon at him. "Here's the deal, you've got two choices."
"Either serve under you or die?"
"You catch on quickly, I could use someone of your reflexive intellect," He stated. "Perhaps you could change the primitive nature of how most of the other guys think around here."
He knew there wasn't much choice at this point, going ahead with the only choice that made sense.
"I'm willing to give your offer a chance under a condition." Kaito announced.
"Oh yea, and what's that?"
"Only that you relive me of these forsaken handcuffs," Kaito replied holding out his hands. "They make me feel claustrophobic in some strange way."
He couldn't help but find himself humored by this claim which resulted in a genuine laugh, pulling out a key from his pocket which he then used to unlock the cuffs.
"Much better." Kaito said as he watched the man in the top hat turn back for the stairs.
"Follow me." He instructed.
"Sure thing… wait," Kaito said taking a step forward. "How would you like me to address you?"
He stopped at the question posed, turning back to face him with a clear response to give.
"Oswald Cobblepot," He answered with the tip of his hat. "But as the street requires, you can call me Penguin."
To Be Continued