Chapter 2 : Dark skies

Ranpo stared nonchalantly at the ceiling. He rocked back and forth in his chair, pushing with his feet. The young woman at his side casted sidelong glances at him, jumping at times when he passed close to fall over. She feared he would use this opportunity to escape. But, the red fabric chair resisted, and the detective was simply bored.

The door opened suddenly. Head tilted back, his chair on two legs, Ranpo watched the newcomer make his entrance. Gin instinctively grabbed one of the legs of the chair with her foot. Then, with a jerk, she forced him to a more suitable sitting position.

"Forgive me for being late," said the all-too-familiar voice of the Port Mafia boss. "I had fires to put out. Chaos still reigns despite the outcome of the last few days.''

The man went behind his desk and pulled out his chair. Disregarding the others in the room, he filed a few documents, put a few signatures, and made two separate piles. Ranpo watched him in silence, motionless. Then, his emergencies taken care of, Mori rested his head in the palm of his left hand. With his other hand, he picked up a scalpel from his desk and seemed to examine it carefully. The detective guessed that the boss of Port Mafia was thinking about how to play his game. He sighed, seemingly uninterested.

"No need to pretend. I know you're happy with the outcome, because you now have a hold against the president. "

Mori raised an eyebrow and replied, "Hmm, that's right." He looked at the window to his right.

Ranpo swung his feet on his chair. His behavior made the young woman uncomfortable. She was surprised by his lack of fear towards the boss. And, his constant agitation forced her to remain vigilant. Mori cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the two people in front of him.

"Port Mafia has suffered greatly from the events of the past few days. We are held responsable for the vampire infection outbreak. Alas, it will be difficult to regain the trust of our allies." Crossing his hands in front of him, he asked, "As an intellectual to another, what do you suggest me, Ranpo-kun?"

Ranpo thought for a moment, a finger under his chin. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked up at the ceiling. Mori watched him in silence. He had no hurry for an answer.

After a few seconds, he finally said, "I'd divert attention. I would create a new emergency. Politicians often do. People tend to forget quickly, especially when faced with uncertainty."

He spoke these words with indifference. The boss invited him to develop his plan. Ranpo exposed the facts and made his suggestions. Gin shuddered to hear the evil remarks presented as one would tell an anecdote. As for himself, Mori was absorbing every single detail of this plan. When silence fell again, the atmosphere was heavy.

"Interesting," confessed Mori before pausing. "Now, about my real concern...Dazai-kun should contact me soon to get you back."

His face clouded over, and at his own words, he smiled sadistically "What are we going to tell him?"

Ranpo nodded several times then shrugged.

He tilted his head to the side and replied, "The truth. I switched places with Fukuzawa-san on my own and I'm ready to face it." He paused. "If you are worried he won't believe you, I can tell him myself."

"Fair enough. But the agency will still try to get you back. Fukuzawa-dono won't let it go easily."

At these words, Ranpo felt a pinch in his heart. He didn't want to hurt his friend. But, it had been the best option to save him and to save the agency.

"Hmmm, you could always negotiate a new deal with them, if you see fit. Something that would benefit you even more."

"Like exchanging you for Dazai-kun?" suggested the boss.

"Hmm..." replied the detective before dismissing the idea with one hand. "That would be a very bad idea. Dazai would never want to return to Port Mafia."

"Never?" Mori asked with a pout.

"Never. And, even if it did, it would be of little help to you. He would try his best to sabotage you. "

"Hum..." the boss was not pleased with this answer. "Well, there are always ways to make someone comply."

Suddenly, Mori's cell phone rang. Without looking at the caller ID, he picked up.

"It's been a long time, Dazai-kun. I'm glad to know you're well." He said in a happy tone.

"I'm sad to hear that you didn't die engulfed by Chuuya's anti-matter." retorted the caller.

Mori opened his eyes wide in offense.

"Give us back Ranpo-san." Dazai threatened.

The Port Mafia boss tilted his head from side to side, feigning hesitation.

He hummed and said "You see..." he began in a sorry voice. "Ranpo came by himself. It would be rude to ask such a great guest to leave, don't you think?"

Dazai didn't answer immediately; he was trying to calm the anger inside him.

"He only came, because Fukuzawa was-"

"You're right. But a deal is a deal." lectured him Mori.

"You did not accept this deal for nothing. What are you up to?"

The pain made Dazai feel impatient. Having to do business with the boss of Port Mafia disgust him.

"Well, since our dear friend Fukuzawa-dono badly wants his assistant back..." He looked the concerned person in the eyes, a smile sent chills down his spine. "I believe we can try to agree on a compromise. Costly for you obviously. You see, I would also like to have my executive back."

Dazai remained silent. He knew which executive Mori was referring to. He wanted his powerful weapon, Chuuya, back. Certainly he reserved an important role for him in the renewed notoriety of the Port Mafia. The idea bothered the brunet. But, he quickly pushed that feeling away.

Mori said "If you could return Chuuya-kun to me, maybe I could look into an arrangement for Ranpo-kun." He knew his words would provoke the ire of the agency. "But, until then, I am to do as I please with him."

"All this trouble for maybe an arrangement. What makes you think we'll accept?"

Obviously, the boss knew where Dazai was coming from; this implied breaking their deal and taking Ranpo back by force.

"Alas, this is my final offer." he said, his face darkening. "Breaking a deal with the Port Mafia would be unwise, Dazai-kun."

Ranpo watched the boss hang up without saying anything else. He was beginning to feel the fear rise within him. He hoped ADA would drop the case. But, he knew it... Fukuzawa was not one to leave a friend behind.