Detective Conan and Magic Kaito characters, settings, and ideas do not belong to me but to Aoyama Gōshō.
Warnings: Language, minor violence
TMPD Antics
By Taliya
LXXXVI: Hakuba and Kudou
The ride in the elevator seemed to last for a lifetime, though in reality the ride from the first to thirtieth floor took fifty-eight and sixty-five hundredth seconds. Still, in Shinichi's humble opinion, it was fifty-seven and sixty-five hundredth seconds too damn slow. The contraption dinged pleasantly as it slowed to a halt and announced in a pleasant automated female voice, "Floor thirty." The three detectives were, by now, bouncing on the balls of their feet, clearly anxious to exit. The doors slid back smoothly, and they instantly darted out like bulls from a bullpen.
As one they made their way for the stairwell, the knowledge courtesy of one Kaitou KID having provided the blueprints for the building. As they raced up the steps in strides that skipped every other stair, Saguru recited the plan to the others. "Kudou-kun, you're on point flanking left; Hattori-kun will be on point flanking right. I will provide backup for Hattori-kun, as he is the less accurate shot between the two of you." They reached the top of the stairwell and paused.
"Masks on," Shinichi said, and the three strapped on gas masks that did not cover their eyes. The Tokyoite hefted a secondary handgun that had been modified by the thief and shot pellets full of smokeless knockout gas. "Three shots to cover them completely; wait five seconds before moving in. Use deadly force only as a last resort," he reminded, and the other two nodded solemnly.
"They are on the northwest corner of the building," KID chimed in from where he was at the heist location, presumably doing his best to herd his pursuers off the roof.
"Copy that, KID," Shinichi said. He glanced at his compatriots. "Ready?"
There was a yelp of pain, followed by a hissed, "SHIT!" All three detectives tensed as pandemonium erupted over their earpieces and KID panted, "They've begun shooting, though so far they've hit no one besides me. Please do get a move on, my darling critics…"
"Let's move out!" Shinichi whispered fiercely, and the three quietly eased the door open—easily done over the hum of the large HVAC—and split off to either side of the large unit to catch KID's snipers. There were three men, exactly as the phantom thief had said. "Are you in position?" he murmured.
"In position. Ready when you are," Saguru replied tersely.
Shinichi aimed the modified gun at their feet and fired three times in rapid succession. The capsules hissed and the air distorted with the release of the vapors. The sniper and spotter pair, already low to the ground, both slumped over immediately. Their handler, whose back was to Shinichi, took several moments longer to crumple to the ground. The three waited for KID's recommended five seconds before sprinting in and cuffing their unconscious targets.
"Call it in," Shinichi said right as KID screamed over the earpieces.
"KID?!" the three shouted.
"What's your status?" Heiji demanded.
The magician was panting heavily in their ears. "Got the roof cleared off, but it looks like we missed one," he grunted. "This one came from the northeast."
"Kudou-kun, you take Hattori-kun and find them. I'll watch over these men and try to spot for KID," Saguru said.
Shinichi and Heiji nodded. "Thanks," the two homicide detectives said, and they disappeared down the stairwell.
Saguru grabbed the handler's binoculars and aimed them in the direction the phantom thief had mentioned. "Don't you dare die on me, KID," he whispered.
KID's weak chuckle buzzed in his ear. "Copy that, Tantei-san."
Author's Note: Oh, there was a hole in Shinichi's plan—an oversight, since he is not as familiar with KID's Syndicate—and Kaito(u)'s paying for it. To be fair, they do seem to have gotten smarter. And yes, I will reveal who was Kaito and who was KID—but all in good time, my friends, all in good time. I hope you enjoyed it.
Completed: 20.07.2016