Part 3: Kudo
LOCATION: Beika Prefecture Community Theater
In the back of the theater Heiji, Shiho, and Kid (still dressed as a woman in the clothes he'd "borrowed" from Shiho) sat with Saguru, wincing and staring in mortification at the theatrical disaster that was happening on stage. A young man that looked to be around their age was reciting some Shakespearean monologue as he auditioned for a musical play. To say he was awful was an understatement. His movements were over the top and his speech was loud and all over the place. When he was asked to sing the three thieves all clamped their hands over their ears. A pair of cats squalling in an alleyway would have sounded more pleasant. Saguru, however, watched the performer intently, a small smile appearing when the director shouted for the man to stop singing – if it could be called that.
"He is very awful," Heiji cringed, watching the performer bow and leave the stage.
"Is he injured? In the head?" Kid whined, hands still clamped over his ears.
"You have got to be joking, Hakuba-san," Shiho said, rubbing her forehead where a migraine was forming. "He has got to be the worst actor I have ever seen."
"This is not his stage," Saguru smirked, rising from his seat. The other three traded apprehensive and skeptical looks before hurrying after him.
Outside the theater they parked their car at the end of the back alley and waited near the door that performers and stage crews usually used as an exit to avoid the crowds on performance nights. Why Saguru thought this guy would exit the building here instead of at the main entrance was anybody's guess, but sure enough the horrible actor from the auditions exited the building, his focus on his phone.
"No. I vote no," Heiji hissed.
"Kid's right, though," Saguru said softly. "Takahashi knows us and we need a fresh face. Back at the hospital you guys said you trusted me. If that's still the case, than trust that I know what I'm doing."
They traded skeptical looks again, but didn't comment further. With a nod, Saguru stepped forward a few paces, clapping and gaining the other's attention.
Shinichi Kudo startled in surprise twice; once at the sudden slow and very sarcastic sounding applause, and again upon recognizing Saguru. He hadn't seen the half-Brit in over a year. They had attended school together senior year at Cambridge University studying law and criminal justice. After graduation they had been partners for a brief period of time at U.N.I.S. until Shinichi grew bored with living on the straight and narrow path. So when the grifter life and his parents – who'd ran into some trouble on a con – called him back to the life of crime he'd led before university, he left, sparking a bitter and intense rivalry with his former best friend.
"Oh bravo, Kudo," Saguru smirked. "I think you cracked every window and light fixture on that last note. And your monologue from King Leer was simply divine. You had me believing that you really were mad. I'm about ready to lock you away in a mental institution myself."
"If it isn't my only fan," Shinichi said, equally sarcastic and came closer until he stood only a meter away from Saguru. "I see you're still a bastard critic, old friend, but you're wasting your time. I'm a citizen now. Honest. Have been for the last year."
"I'm not," Saguru said casually, shrugging with a small grin.
Shinichi blinked in surprise. "You…you're playing my side now?" He looked past Saguru and noticed the other three, recognizing the hacker, Shiho Miyano, and hitter, Heiji Hattori, but not the other woman. She was fidgety though and Shinichi's grifter instincts pegged her as a thief. Then he looked back at Saguru and grinned. "I always thought you had it in you."
"I'm sure," Saguru sighed, before leveling a serious stare at the other. "So are you in?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare miss this," Shinichi grinned, clapping his hands together, looking so excited and happy, you'd think that the Tokyo Spirits had just won the Emperor's Cup.
"All right then," Saguru said, looking satisfied, but feeling a bit uncomfortable and conflicted. He wasn't supposed to be enjoying this. "Lets, uh, go break the law one more time."
"One more time?" Shinichi repeated as he followed the group into their car and claimed shotgun. "Just what have you been up to recently, Hakuba?"
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
Everybody was gathered back at Shiho's apartment loft, and after a good night's sleep, everybody was ready and waiting for the debriefing to begin. Kid was still dressed as a woman (in his own clothes this time) when they gathered in the living room, and had been very flirty with Shinichi all morning. Shinichi had been flirting back a bit, so when Heiji got a chance right before the meeting he had taken great delight in informing the grifter that Kid was male. Kid had winked at Shinichi, snickering when he saw the other's gob-smacked expression. Then he plopped down on the couch between Saguru and Shiho.
While all of that had been going on, Shiho had hooked her laptop computer up to her large flat screen TV and had images of their mark on the display.
"Takahashi Toubi," Shiho stated once everyone was ready and she'd received the "go-ahead" from Saguru. "One of the main heads and project managers at Microtech's office here in Tokyo and was put in charge of promotion and product development for new game app and console devices. Rich man, old family ties, attended various prestigious technical colleges in both Japan and the U.S., has degrees in business and engineering, yada, yada."
"Right," Saguru said, standing up and taking over. "Now Microtech is more of a general consumer electronics company in comparison to Niindento which is, for the most part, a gaming company. They have the most popular gaming consoles on the market. Microtech tried to get in on the home-gaming console bandwagon with the H-Box after Saga products lost popularity in the 90s, and while it's successful and popular worldwide, it's got nothing on the GameStation and Vii systems. They've been trying to make more headway in that department, but the public still associates them more with PC computers, games, and office software."
"Can we use that?" Kid asked.
"Maybe," Shiho said. "Takahashi is mainly in charge of their commercial gaming business. Games that can be played on a PC or laptop computer are still very popular, especially when one factors in today's internet capabilities and extension packages, but a lot of gamers still prefer to play on handheld devices and on gaming consoles that are already equipped with those kinds of upgrades and built in internet connections."
Saguru turned back around to face Shiho. "I know that when you sent Takahashi the designs you weren't supposed to make any copies."
"No, I promised. It would have been very wrong to do so," she said innocently.
"Show me your copies," Saguru said, not quite smiling, but the skin around his eyes crinkled just a bit in amusement.
Shiho actually chuckled and pulled up the copies on the screen.
"Whoa," Kid stared, sitting up. "Is that…?"
"These are plans for a series of virtual reality arcade game simulator pods," Saguru said, examining the plans. "Yeah, gaming companies and programmers in Japan, China, the U.S. and the U.K. have been trying to develop the first fully developed virtual reality simulator game system for years. The first company to accomplish and mass-produce this kind of system for arcade and at-home use would make a fortune in stock and patents. What gamer doesn't want to interact inside of their favorite games? It's why the Dance-Dance, Band Hero, and the Vii system were so sensational when they first came out. Games with motion sense and interactive app. technologies are always big because they can engage the player."
The other four stared at him in surprise.
"You pick up things here and there," Saguru shrugged.
"You pick up a lot of things," Shiho said, looking amused.
"You never struck me as the gamer type, Tantei-san," Kid snickered.
"I've dabbled," Saguru said with another shrug. "You tend to when you have a kid."
It got quiet for a moment, but Shiho didn't let it faze her and pulled up photos of Takahashi and a businesswoman.
"Check this out. Takahashi has been pushing to promote the H-Box gaming products so that they sell on the same level as Niindento's. He's been going head to head for the last five years with Niindento GameStation's head product manager, Doumine Rumiko in terms of gaming technology development. Every time they both put out something new, their systems trade back and forth the title for best selling gaming product in Japan. But Niindento's got the edge, being a Japanese company with a long standing reputation for their quality gaming products, and as a result, Takahashi has had to work harder to promote his American products."
"So he's got a rival," Saguru mused. "He's got competition and a rival that pisses him off so much that he hired us to steal their gaming designs. This is good."
"What are you thinking, Hakuba?" Shinichi asked.
"I'm thinking Koreans. Yeah, Koreans will do nicely," Saguru smirked as he walked away.
The others looked at Shinichi in confusion, hoping for a translation since he seemed to know Saguru better than they did. No such luck.
"Well, he hasn't changed a bit," was all Shinichi said, chuckling, and made a few notes in his notebook.
One Week Later
LOCATION: Microtech HQ – Takahashi's Office
Toubi Takahashi was sipping his morning coffee that he got from the machine in the lounge, grimacing at the taste when he got out of the elevator on his floor and passed his secretary's desk.
"Ah, Sir? Your 9 o'clock is here."
That made him pause. He didn't remember seeing a 9 o'clock meeting on his schedule. "My…?" Turning around, he saw a young man in a sharp professional business suit; hair combed back and neat, except for a tiny cowlick that stuck up in the back. The man rose to his feet, pulling out a business card from inside his suit jacket.
"Takahashi-san, I am Kang Ye-jun from K.C.E. Incorporated."
Takahashi accepted the card and looked back up at Kang who had spoken flawless Japanese, but his accent held a touch of Korean.
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
Shiho sat down at her bank of computer monitors, pulling up what she needed and began recording the feed from Shinichi's mic the moment Takahashi had arrived at his office. Saguru was watching the proceedings behind her. Kid and Heiji had already checked in, confirming their positions and waiting for their cue inside Microtech.
"I sure hope Kudo doesn't blow this," Shiho frowned.
LOCATION: Takahashi's Office
"Are you with the board or some international gaming commission?" Takahashi asked, leading the way into his office.
"Oh no," Kang shook his head, following. "Private business consortium. We're looking to encourage infrastructure development and economic renewal."
"…I have no idea what that means in Japanese." Takahashi admitted. "What does it mean?"
"Korean Consumer Electronics Incorporated's goal is to create jobs, consumer goods and trade in Korea. Keep the graft and the stealing manageable," Kang elaborated.
"I don't see how I can help you with that. Sorry," Takahashi said, shrugging. Just why was this young man here?
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
"He's not bad," Shiho said with some surprise showing in her voice and expression.
"This is his stage," Saguru told her. "Kudo Shinichi is the finest actor you've ever seen… when he's breaking the law."
"Does that mean he can actually sing if it's for a con?" Shiho asked.
"Ah… No. No, Kudo is genuinely tone deaf," Saguru sighed, smiling at the chuckles coming from Heiji and Kid over the comm. lines at the news.
"Come with me," Shinichi was saying. "Why don't we go and talk somewhere a little less formal. Get some fresh air, yes?"
"What? Uh, no, uh, sir? Look, I… Sir?"
"Just come with me. I'll buy you a coffee that doesn't taste like it's been maturing in a vat and then you can hear my business proposal. I promise to let you go in time for your 10 o'clock appointment."
"Ok, that did it. Kudo's getting him out of the office," Saguru said, watching the hacked feed from Microtech's security cameras, as Shinichi lead Takahashi out of the office and into the elevator. Apparently Takahashi couldn't resist a good cup of coffee. It was a taste he'd acquired when he went to school in America. "Okay… Now, Miyano-san."
Shiho hit a few keys on her console and the secretary's computer crashed, the Blue Screen of Death appearing on her screen.
LOCATION: Microtech Tokyo HQ Offices
Takahashi's secretary, Kagome Higurashi looked up at her computer and groaned. She began to frantically hit buttons on her keyboard and the computer, trying to unfreeze her screen. After a few minutes she picked up her phone and put in a call to IT.
Kid was waiting in the interior ducts on Takahashi's office floor and answered the rerouted call with a phone he had hooked into the wiring. "Hello, IT."
"Yes, this is Takahashi Toubi's office secretary. My computer just completely crashed."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you try turning it on and off again?" Kid asked.
"Yes, nothing seems to be working."
"Well I have some good news!" Kid chirped. "We've got someone on your floor already. He just finished a job fixing the main printer and is on his way now."
"Thank you," Higurashi sighed in relief, hanging up. A minute later a tall dark skinned man entered the office wearing tan slacks, a white button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, large round-framed glasses, and suspenders.
"Somebody call IT?" Heiji asked with a cheesy grin.
LOCATION: Outside Stardollar
Takahashi took a sip from his Stardollar coffee that "Kang" had bought him, enjoying the rich taste and aroma of good import coffee. They were roughly a block away from Microtech Offices. Shinichi led him to a seat at an outdoor table and allowed Takahashi a moment before continuing with the con.
"I represent a group of investors who are looking to start a gaming division in our company."
"In Seoul?" Takahashi asked.
"Okay, Kudo, he's testing you. You want Daejeon," Saguru's voice said over the comms.
"No, we keep away from the main media hubs. We have an office in Seoul, sure, but our main headquarters is in Daejeon," Kudo told Takahashi. "Better research and development facilities there. They don't call it "Asia's Silicon Valley" or the "High Technological City" for nothing, ne?"
"Perfect."
"I thought most of South Korea's technological advancements were focused on high speed Internet and putting out the latest and greatest cellphones on the market."
"Ah, been there, done that. What the consumers want is better product. Better interactive experiences through new and better game technology."
"Uh huh. I don't recall saying anything about new gaming technology," Takahashi said, eyes narrowing. Shinichi had his full and undivided attention.
"Takahashi-san," Shinichi said, a shark's smile appearing that was all teeth. "Both you and your head programmer are scheduled to speak at your shareholder's meeting and the media has been abuzz with news of a revolutionary gaming project."
"You seem to know a lot more about my business that I do, Kang-san."
"I've done my homework," Shinichi said, toning his smile down a notch.
LOCATION: Takahashi's Office
Kid made his way through the air vents and stopped above Takahashi's office. He could hear Heiji talking and flirting with the secretary. He lifted aside a ceiling tile and carefully lowered himself into the office.
Heiji spotted Kid through the glass wall and doors to Takahashi's office and was quick to direct Higurashi's attention back to her "crashed" computer. Why did corporate heads insist on having glass and see-through walls?
"Here, let me show you how to reconnect with the network," he said.
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
"Shouldn't I be playing the computer tech?" Shiho asked.
"No," Saguru sighed. "I want you to actually be the computer tech."
LOCATION: Takahashi's Office
Kid smirked, hearing the chatter that was going on over his ear mic. He moved behind Takahashi's desk and turned it on, taking out the flash drive that Shiho had given him earlier and plugged it into the USB port. While the drive was copying all of the files on the computer's hard drive, Kid poked around the office, planting a couple little techno gadget bugs that Shiho and Saguru wanted installed in the office. He put one in particular under the desk like he'd been asked.
Outside the office with the secretary, Heiji put his hand over Higurashi's on the mouse and guided her through the reboot process, with Shiho instructing him.
"Voila," Heiji grinned when the screen returned to normal, revealing a picture of Higurashi and a younger boy grinning in front of a shrine.
Higurashi smiled back, attention drawn to the tech guy's muscular arms. "You are strong for a computer guy."
"Why thank you!" Heiji beamed. "I like to work out and try to stay big 'cause I love dressing up like a Super Saiyan and going to all those anime and gaming conventions, you know. Kaio-ken!"
"Ah!" Higurashi gasped in surprise at the sudden outburst, but laughed.
"Sorry," Heiji said, ducking his head sheepishly.
"It's okay," Higurashi giggled. "My little brother loves that sort of thing so I end up taking him to those kinds of conventions."
"Seriously, Hattori? The geeky nerd otaku stereotype? Not everyone involved with computers and programming is like that! You and I are going to have a serious conversation when you get back," Shiho's voice hissed in Heiji's ear. He held back a wince and continued flirting with the pretty secretary while trying to avoid thinking about a certain small and angry hacker.
Kid snickered as he removed the flash drive from Takahashi's computer and climbed back up into the ductwork.
LOCATION: Outside Stardollar
Takahashi sighed, gazing at the young man before him.
"Kang-san, how does this sound? If we announce a new product then you and your company can order as many as you want."
"Okay, you know what to do," Saguru's voice murmured in Shinichi's ear. "Hit him."
"We'd also like to manufacture and build the products. More jobs. Less outsourcing to China. Build the game products in Korea, promote them in Korea and sell the rest around the world."
"Well, that is very ambitious. Do you have the manufacturing facilities to do all of that?"
"Of course! And if not, we can always raise the money to build more if we know for certain we're going to get the contracts and copyrights for the technology. We could help each other, Takahashi-san."
"Kang-san," Takahashi sighed. "I'm really sorry, but I can't help you."
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
Shiho sighed. "Well, it was a nice try, Hakuba."
"Wait for it," Saguru smirked. "Let Kudo do what he does best."
LOCATION: Outside Stardollar
"I understand," Shinichi said, shaking Takahashi's hand and raising to his feet.
"Sorry, and I really do have-" Takahashi started, but Shinichi cut him off.
"I'll just have to take my proposal to Niindento," Shinichi sighed.
"Niindento?" Takahashi repeated, blinking in surprise. Then a dark look flickered over his features before he composed himself again. "Oh, sure. Go ahead. Niindento is a great company. I don't think they can help you, but…"
"Oh sure they can," Shinichi said, letting the tiniest hint of a smirk play on his lips. "They have a reputation for long-term investments. They're innovators in the gaming industry. Yeah, it probably is a better fit."
Takahashi scowled for a moment.
"I know… I am aware that you are manipulating me, Kang-san."
"Well I should hope so," Shinichi said, his shark grin back. "Think about it, though. I'm offering you quite the opportunity here. Hundreds of millions of yen in new patents. A lot of good press. All at your door. Together our companies could revolutionize the gaming industry. We know tech and you know games. What do you say?"
Takahashi's scowl disappeared, replaced with a look of contemplation.
"All right. I'll take the meeting," he said, going to shake Shinichi's hand again, but Shinichi ignored it and walked past him.
"I'll have my office contact you," Shinichi said as he walked away.
"What? Uh, yeah. Yes," Takahashi nodded, watching Shinichi.
"Day after tomorrow?" Shinichi called over his shoulder, not looking back.
"Uh, Yes! Looking forward to doing business… with… you…" Takahashi trailed off as Shinichi disappeared among the other pedestrians.
"Good job, Kudo," Saguru said, making Shinichi grin. That had been fun. And this was only the beginning.
LOCATION: Shiho's Loft
The next evening Shiho was on her computer looking through the files that Kid had copied off of Takahashi's hard drive the previous day while Heiji was playing a game of pool in the back space of the main room near the windows. Her loft's open floor plan meant that her computer room, living room, and kitchenette were all visible and made up one huge and open space. She didn't play billiards herself, but the table, balls, and cues were expensive and high quality so she'd bought the set just for the heck of it and to fill in some of her apartment's empty space.
"Hakuba-san, I got all of Takahashi's financials and passwords off his hard drive," she reported when the leader-man was passing her.
"Good," Saguru nodded, taking a look at the screen. He smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Great job."
Shiho smiled to herself when he left to rejoin Heiji at the pool table. It was nice to hear that someone appreciated what she did. It didn't hurt that Heiji had been trying to avoid her all day after the scolding and lecture she'd given him when he'd returned from Microtech with Kid. Speaking of Kid, though, where was that bastard? Shinichi was in the kitchen fiddling with one of her earpieces, Heiji and Saguru were playing pool, but Kid wasn't anywhere to be seen. He'd better not be going through her wardrobe again.
"Your shot," Heiji said, offering Saguru an Asahi beer.
"No thanks," Hakuba said, picking up a pool cue and lined up his shot. "Five corner."
"Ya know, you look better than ya did when we started," Heiji commented, watching Saguru sink his shot flawlessly. Damn. Guy was good.
"Yeah?" Saguru said absently, lining up another shot.
"Yeah," Heiji nodded. "And that bothers ya, huh?"
Kid slipped into the room from wherever he'd been hiding, sitting himself on the back of the couch to watch the pool game and conversation, ignoring the glare Shiho sent him but even she had stopped typing to listen in.
Saguru missed his shot, not expecting the topic in conversation. "I, uh, well… This… isn't suppose to feel…" Saguru stammered, looking away.
"Good? It's not that hard ta figure out," Heiji said. "Takahashi screwed ya. He cheated by stealin' from that other company and yer good guy brain sees 'im as tha bad guy. Yer conscience is clear."
Saguru's expression shut down. He did not like hearing that he was easy to figure out. Especially from Heiji Hattori. The man didn't know him. None of them did. "Your turn. You want to take your shot?"
"Listen," Heiji sighed. "I'm sorry about yer kid."
"You don't know anything about that," Saguru said stiffly.
"Everybody knows," Heiji told him, glancing over at Kid and Shiho before addressing Saguru again. "When a guy like you goes off tha street, a lotta people notice. And it was a bad story too. How did they justify that, huh? Yer insurance company refusing ta pay fer yer daughter's treatment? She was really sick, right?"
Saguru swallowed, images from those long horrible months flashing through his mind of his daughter slowly wasting away in her hospital bed until she finally passed away.
"Yeah. She had a rare form of Leukemia. The doctors did everything they could. Had even recommended this new treatment that may have saved her… But U.N.I.S. claimed that it was experimental."
They all watched as grief and sadness played out over the former insurance investigator's face, seeing for the first time just how broken the man they considered to be one of their greatest adversaries had become.
"Ya know, ya should have kept one of those Monets ya found," Heiji said after a long moment of silence. "Ya fence one 'a those-"
"Hattori," Saguru said sharply, cutting the other off. "You and I are not friends."
"Right," Heiji said, blinking in surprise at Saguru's harsh tone. "Right… Because ya have so many of 'em." Then he noticed Shinichi heading their way. "Incomin'."
Heiji walked away to join Kid over by the couch to turn the TV on or something.
"Too soon, moron," Shiho said softly as he passed her. "It hasn't even been a full year yet. The wound is still fresh. And that comment about fencing stolen artwork? What did you expect his reaction to be? He's not a thief like we are."
"Not yet," Heiji mused. "But he's well on 'is way ta being one a' us."
"Hey," Shinichi said as he approached Saguru. "Can you help me with this earpiece? It's more high-tech than I'm used to and I can't put it in right. It keeps falling out."
"Why don't you ask Miyano-san? She made it," Saguru sighed, not in the mood to really talk with anyone at the moment.
"Are you kidding?" Shinichi asked, glancing apprehensively at the computer genius. She was currently chewing Heiji and Kid out for something again. "The woman makes angry grizzly bears look like Winnie the Pooh."
Saguru let out a breathy chuckle, watching with amusement as their lone female companion chased Kid out of the room, yelling something about respecting one's personal space and underwear drawer.
"Give it here," he said finally, taking the earpiece from Shinichi and showed him the right way to slide it into place in the ear.
"Thanks," Shinichi smiled. "It feels good working with you again, Saguru. I miss those days at U.N.I.S."
"Liar," Saguru huffed. "You hated working for U.N.I.S. Especially when it came to all the paperwork involved."
Shinichi sighed. "I meant our partnership, and you know it. We were a great team."
"Yeah," Saguru said softly. "But that's the key word, isn't it, Shinichi? We were a good team."
"Still are, if this afternoon was any indication. Though, I think I like this current team roster even better than any of the teams we had with U.N.I.S.," Shinichi shrugged. "They're an interesting bunch."
"Of course you like this team better," Saguru scoffed. "They're all thieves, like yourself."
"That's not the real issue here, though, is it? You're allowed to enjoy yourself, you know," Shinichi said softly. "Just because we're thieves, and we're running a game on Takahashi, doesn't mean that what we're doing is wrong. This guy is clearly corrupt and tried to have you all killed. And who's to say that he hasn't done something like this before in the past to someone else? This isn't just about getting revenge, is it? Not for you at least. It's about justice and making sure that this bastard gets what he has coming to him."
Saguru was quiet and didn't speak.
"If you're enjoying this, it's not a crime, Saguru," Shinichi continued. "It's not a bad thing. Putting people like him away and in their place is what you do best. It's what you do. It's what you've always done. If you need a reason, think of what we're doing as… picking up where the law leaves off. No one knows what he's doing, but we do. And isn't it our civic duty to stop him?"
Without another word, Shinichi left his old friend to his thoughts, hoping that his words – or at least some of them – had reached him.