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

XCVIII: Kudou and Hakuba

Saguru knew the moment KID had appeared, mainly because Shinichi's relaxed posture straightened and his eyes began to rove intently across faces. He himself began to glance about, his gaze wary and alert. There was still three minutes left until KID's scheduled appearance time, but if his friend's behavior was any indication, then KID was already here and disguised.

The blond sidled next to the homicide detective, aware that Heiji was also roving the floor of the museum, also on the prowl. "Guesses as to who he is disguised as?" he asked as he gave in to the obligatory cheek pinch from the Tokyoite. He knew it was of no use to try the same to Shinichi, as KID had a nearly identical face and could superficially pass off as the Modern-Day Holmes with complete ease.

Shinichi shook his head. "I can't tell just yet, but he has to be one of the officers clustered over there." He discretely gestured to a group of Nakamori's men who were gathered in a rough clump and chatting casually.

Saguru's eyes narrowed suspiciously on the men, absently rubbing his stinging cheek. "Is that so? Why do you think one of them?"

"I can't really describe it," Shinichi answered with a frown. "It's just… ever since I was poisoned, I've for the most part become extremely paranoid about having anyone's eyes on me, and therefore seemed to have developed a near preternatural sense regarding someone watching. That, and you just have to look for the little tells that indicate there is a disguise." He was now eying one officer in particular, a tall, burly man in full riot gear facing the both of them. "Like him, for example—see the way he constantly seems to shift on his feet? He's uncomfortable, and it could be from a variety of things: standing too long, working out too hard several days ago… perhaps even wearing lifts in his shoes."

Saguru gazed at Shinichi's suspected disguised KID with new eyes, indeed noting how gingerly the man stood. From this distance, it was impossible to tell exactly what caused the officer's discomfort.

"Or perhaps it's the one two to his left," Shinichi suggested. The man he referred to stood at an angle to where if he shifted his eyes, he could likely see the detectives in his focal vision and not merely in his peripheral vision. "He's been particularly tense and shifty-eyed since he arrived."

There was silence as Saguru studied Shinichi's other suspected KID. But as he stood slightly before the homicide detective, he unfortunately did not see the wide, cocky grin that normally found residence on Kaitou KID's face.

Author's Note: So the big question becomes: Where's Shinichi? Two… I hope you enjoyed it.

Completed: 30.09.2016