Case Closed AU
By: FunahoMisaki
(A/N: I own nothing and read last chapter)
It's been a few months since then and Irene and Richards fame grew quickly between the cases and movies… and somehow the mystery lover Nancy from the tour ended up joining the rather ragtag group of women who adored and followed around Irene. The two mysteries Irene said she would never be able to solve was 1. How she managed to attract cases (usually murder as several people pointed out repeatedly) no matter where she went, and 2. How she somehow managed to meet completely random women on cases and they ended up joining her and having some secret abilities or skills that most women didn't have.
"What do you mean Irene-chan?" Sato asked looking at the girl confused when she brought this up once when they had asked her what the hardest cases she ever encountered where.
"Let's start with kaa-chan, er my kaa-chan as Jimmy not Irene. Mistress of disguise, actress and a good shot with almost any handgun although she hates to use them. Then we have my kaa-chan as Irene, karate expert and used to mysteries thanks to Jimmy-tou-san and Richard-jiji. Then there's Eva-baa-chan who is a judo expert, the Queen of the Court Room, and can scare the crap out of almost everyone especially males. Then we have Seiko-nee who learned boxing, turns out to own a corporate industry, and is a skilled hacker. Then there's you, Sato-nee who is an excellent hand to hand fighter, a skilled detective, and can ensnare pretty much every straight guy and gay women in her web. Next is Yumi-nee who can drive almost any vehicle, is adept in several forms of fighting thanks to the others, mainly Sato-nee, and can speak four different languages fluently." Irene had began as she ticked them off of her fingers causing the women so far mentioned to grin slightly sheepishly since that was true and seemed obvious when said like that.
"If we add Amy-chan then she is an adept detective, pretty good at soccer, and has a mean kick to the legs for anyone taller than her. Then there's Jessie-tou-san who is a producer, screenwriter, actress, can speak three different languages, ones that Yumi-nee can't speak at that, and is proficient in Judo. Next is Karen-nee who is a dentist and forensic expert, and a former track star, and knows Kendo. Then there are the 'unofficial' women in the group like Camellia –who is not only skilled in diplomacy but also in mental sciences-, Jasmine – a highly skilled nurse that can easily be qualified as a doctor or surgeon and knows how to use multiple throwing weapons -, Fonke- who is also a business woman, knows two languages the other two don't know, knows Tai-Kwan-Do, and seems to have adopted me- and there's also Reika – an heiress with a keen business sense, has learned how to do basic jujitsu. Now there's also Nancy-san who is a skilled detective as well, has an encyclopedia knowledge of a variety of fields, can get information easily due to her job as a librarian, and picked up some wrestling moves and kendo moves from some of the books in the library. The chances of me finding women like you all and somehow managing to be lucky enough to have you all help me on my cases….yeah that's so low on the odds that it's ridiculous." Irene finished up blankly causing the women around her, which were all of the ones named except Jessica, Amy, and Reika as they didn't come to the picnic, to grin at this. That was one hell of a mystery alright.
"Eh?! Sato-san! What are you doing here?" Rachel asked spotting the detective as she and Yumi were boarding the plane, causing Irene to snap out of her flashback and look up at the two female officers who looked at them and blinked.
"Eh? Rachel-san, Detective Moore, Irene-chan what are you three going to Osaka for?" Sato asked looking at the three as she walked over to them.
"Harley-nii-san invited us to Osaka to see the sights since he's heard I've never been there before!" Irene said smiling widely.
"Hmm…I wonder… did he truly want to show off Osaka… or does he want some more help…" Sato murmured thoughtfully as she took the aisle seat the row over from Irene, Yumi claiming the seat next to her best friend nervously.
"Help? With the wallet murders Nancy-san and Camilla-san informed me of? He never even mentioned it…" Irene said frowning thoughtfully as she remember what the two women had told her about the serial murder case.
"So many friends with so many different ways of gathering Intel gives you one heck of a spy network kind of thing huh? Hate to see what would happen if you became a criminal Irene-chan. No doubt the others would follow you without question…I know I probably would." Sato said with a wary chuckle, very aware of the very real possibility.
"Good thing I'm a detective instead of criminal huh?" Irene asked grinning before blinking at how pale and unusually quite Yumi was as the plane was taking off, to be fair Richard was pale and had his eyes screwed shut as well as gripping his arm rests hard enough to crack them.
"Ne? Are you afraid of heights like Jiji is Yumi-nee?" Irene asked looking at the pale woman who was currently being soothed by Sato.
"She doesn't mind heights, not with all the rollercoasters she goes onto. She was in an accident when she was little and was left with a fear of planes however. It's alright Yu-chan. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise." Sato said as the plane steadied out and they could undo their seatbelts. Sato had immediately undone both of theirs and gathered Yumi in her arms as the long haired woman trembled and focused on her breathing.
"If she's scared of planes why is she going to Osaka by one?" Rachel asked confused.
"The Osaka division requested for some help but it would look suspicious to the perpetrator if two detectives were suddenly sent to Osaka. So they sent Yumi with me as backup instead. The helicopter was being used for another case and we couldn't go by boat or car so we were left with a plane ride… Poor Yu-chan. Don't worry I've got you…I'm not letting you go until we land alright?" Sato said softly to her friend who nodded into her shoulder slowly. Irene looked at Yumi and Sato for a minute longer before getting out of her seat and walking up to a flight attendant.
"Here Yumi-nee! This will help!" Irene said holding a glass of water and pill out to the terrified woman a minute later.
"What's that for Irene-chan?" Sato asked blinking at the girl curiously.
"Since Yumi-nee can't stand plane rides I asked the flight attendant lady for a sleeping pill, that way Yumi-nee can relax and sleep through the whole ride to Osaka!" Irene said smiling as she held the pill and water out to Yumi who was looking at her in relief.
"Thank you." Yumi said softly as she took the pill and water from Irene, quickly downing them both as she leaned heavily against Sato.
"Promise to be here when I wake up?" Yumi asked, the sleeping pill working quickly on her adrenaline and fear fuelled body.
"Always Yu-chan." Sato said kissing the top of Yumi's forehead as Yumi yawned. Irene yawned too and crawled into Yumi's lap, laying her head on the other woman's chest while Yumi's arms wrapped around her on reflex. In five minutes the two had dozed off together, causing others to chuckle at the cute picture as Sato yawned and wrapped her arms around both of them before joining them in dream land.
The three weren't woken up until Rachel woke them up just before the plane was about to land.
"So what's your cover story for both of you going to Osaka?" Irene asked yawning as she let Rachel carry her back to her seat and buckle her in. Sato blushed while Yumi gave a drowsy giggle.
"The guys at the station are perverts. Inspector McGuire let them come up with the cover story, so now the two of us are pretending to be a happy couple on vacation, or a second honeymoon as they put it." Sato said blushing deeper as she avoided eye contact with everyone.
"Don't see why you're embarrassed Sato-nee. You and Yumi-nee are already together…you're wearing matching wedding bands on a necklace, which is usually hiding under your shirts." Irene said with another yawn causing the two woman's hands to immediately touch their necklaces as they both blushed brightly when they glanced at each other.
"I've seen the necklaces come out from under your shirts lots of times when you were doing strenuous activities, plus I caught you two making out in the wooded area of the park the other day." Irene said blinking at them with sleep still in her eyes as they turned even redder.
"Should I help in your cover by pretending to be your kid? It makes more sense for you two to have an adoptive daughter along for a family vacation since a family usually means you have at least one kid along as well." Irene blearily asked causing the two to turn even redder, Irene later learned that it was because they were thinking about adopting a child of their own as soon as they came out with their relationship to the other officers in the first division.
"There you are! The rest of the welcoming committee should be here with our ride soon!" Harley said grinning as he walked up to the group, who was laughing as Sato playfully chased Irene around for her comments. Irene glanced up and grinned as she dived down, sliding baseball style between Sato's legs before jumping up and running to hug Harley as Sato twisted around and tried to grab Irene but missed.
"Hi Harley-nii-san!" Irene said cheerfully as she jumped up and hugged Harley around the neck.
"Hey kiddo. What's Sato-san chasing you around for?" Harley asked making Irene squeal when he threw her into the air before catching her easily.
"She was embarrassed when I said how I could dress up as her and Yumi-nee's daughter to help with their cover of being on a family vacation." Irene said grinning as Harley paused for a second before busting out laughing.
"You're horrible imouto-chan." Harley said hoisting Irene onto his shoulders as a shout earned their attention.
"Oi! What are you all doing here?" Seiko asked as she ran over to the group.
"Seiko-nee! Harley-onii-san invited Jiji, kaa-chan, and me here to visit. Sato-nee and Yumi-nee were sent here to help with the serial killer going around. Are you here for a business meeting Seiko-nee?" Irene asked from atop Harley's shoulders where she was holding onto his head.
"Yep. The branch in Osaka has been suffering some major losses lately and can't tell the other CEOs why, so instead of sending one of them I'm coming in person. That oughta get some answers out of them, especially since no one from the Osaka branch knows what I look like or that I'm coming." Seiko said smirking and causing Irene to giggle.
"Don't make me investigate their heart attacks Seiko-nee! The police might rule it as a murder on your part." Irene said causing Seiko to chuckle slightly.
"Don't worry Irene-chan. Hanging around so many cases with you taught me multiple ways to kill someone and not leave any evidence behind. If they die the cops won't be able to point me out as the criminal." Seiko said smirking and causing Sato to smirk at her.
"Is that a challenge?" Sato asked smirking and causing the other woman to laugh.
"We'll just have to see." Seiko said grinning as a man in a suit ran up to them. Irene teased immediately when the man got close. There was that feeling again. The feeling she always got around someone before they either committed murder or attempted to murder someone.
"Don't trust him Harley-onii-chan. He feels bad." Irene muttered into Harley's ear causing him to tense and signal the others discreetly.
"Hey Harley! I got the special car you wanted." The guy said causing Harley to give him a very convincing fake grin.
"Thanks!" Harley said making sure the guy didn't realize how tense he was around him. Noticing how tense Harley and Irene were the others tensed as well, especially at the discreet signal that Harley gave them. Irene said he felt bad…it's likely he's a criminal.
The ladies and Harley inwardly vowed to keep a close eye on the young man who was chatting with Richard.