Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan/Case Closed.
Pairing: KaitoxShinichi
Lure
Chapter 2 - The First Attempt
"Kudo-san!"
Shinichi froze with his hand on the doorknob to his own front door and fought back the urge to groan. Reluctant to face the speaker but not wanting to be rude, he turned around slowly. "Hakuba-san. What brings you to Beika so late in the evening?"
The blond detective came to a stop in front of him. "I wanted to ask you a few more questions. I came by earlier but you weren't home."
"I see. So how can I help you?" asked Shinichi, though what he really wanted to say was "Didn't you ask enough questions last time?".
"At that heist, KID said that you two had been "seeing each other" for the last four years. What did he mean?"
"Er, well, I guess the first heist I ever attended was around that long ago," Shinichi said as his mind raced. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.
The blond looked unimpressed. "I know. However, you did not attend another until about a year ago. And yet his choice of words suggests that you have been in contact between those two points in time." Brown eyes stared intently into Shinichi's. "I've been wondering, Kudo-san, where exactly were you in that time?"
Shinichi opened his mouth then closed it again. He couldn't exactly say he'd been shrunk and gone into hiding as a grade-schooler. He didn't want to give Hakuba the impression that he'd lost his mind, but he didn't want to explain the whole Conan thing either. It was still a rather sensitive topic for him. It was—personal. His time as Conan had taught him many things and shown him much both about himself and the world. All of that would stay with him even now that he was Shinichi again. But despite the fact that he'd accepted this, he still wasn't truly comfortable sharing about it.
He had to say something though or who knew what sorts of conclusions Hakuba would come up with. Judging from the way the blond was looking at him, he would probably start accusing Shinichi of being KID's assistant soon.
"I was working on an international case with the FBI," he said finally. It was true, after all. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you any more than that." Less true, but it would have to do.
Hakuba didn't look entirely satisfied with the answer, but he chose not to press the issue for the time being. Instead, he thanked Shinichi and took his leave.
The blue-eyed detective watched him go, not sure if he should be relieved or worried. Hakuba, he'd learned, tended to hang on to his ideas with a dogged determination that would make any terrier proud. He would have to watch his step around the blond from now on. Sighing, he headed inside to make himself more coffee.
And there, grinning up at him from the bottom of a white card on his dining table, was KID's signature caricature. It was a heist notice accompanied by one of the now familiar roses.
This time Shinichi really did smack himself on the forehead. It was a good thing Hakuba had declined his courtesy-induced invitation to come inside.
He remembered every encounter he'd ever had with the Kaitou KID. Looking back, it was funny to think that he hadn't even known KID's name—er, pseudonym—that first time at the clock tower. And yet the meeting had left an impression nonetheless. Back then, he'd found it interesting and a touch surprising that a thief would go to all that trouble just to protect an old clock tower from being taken away. Obviously the place had sentimental value to the thief. And it was nice, in some ways, to see that even criminals had things they cared about for reasons not involving wealth or personal gain.
Their second meeting had been where it had really all begun. There on the hotel roof with the wind whipping about them and the flashing police lights in the distance, that mysterious, all-knowing smirk stretched across the phantom thief's face and his unwavering confidence had left the moment and the thief's image deeply engrained in Shinichi's memories. He had been an enigma wrapped in riddles and smoke yet somehow vivid and larger than life. He had even been a little intimidating at times, though Shinichi had never been the kind to let such things get to him for long.
It hadn't taken long for Shinichi to realize that the thief was one of the most incredible people he'd ever met—a true genius in his own right and a worthy adversary that Shinichi could actually look forward to meeting because he could trust the thief not to kill anyone. Of course KID could be insufferably arrogant at times, but over time that had stopped bothering Shinichi. Now it was just another part of what made KID the person that he was right alongside his ingenuity and charisma. They had both competed against each other and worked together, and sometimes Shinichi found himself wondering if they could be considered friends. It would be…nice, but it was probably wistful thinking. Friendly rivals was probably the best way to describe their relationship.
Lately though, he wasn't so sure anymore.
The first time he'd realized something was wrong was when he'd still been Conan. It was at the end of the whole blimp fiasco when he'd caught KID groping Ran. He'd been livid, naturally, and if the thief had hung around any longer than that he would have definitely had soccer balls galore all flying for his face. The nerve!
The scene replayed over and over inside Shinichi's head for weeks afterward. The anger at the thief for doing such a disrespectful thing to his best friend was still there, but he'd noticed another feeling mixed in with it. It took him all those weeks to analyze it and realize what it was.
He'd actually been jealous of Ran—but not about the groping! He hadn't lost that much of his good senses. Or at least he dearly hoped he hadn't. It was just that first instant when he'd spotted the two of them standing together from a distance, all bathed in moonlight. They'd been so close and looking so…well, like a scene out of some sappy romantic novel (though he still didn't know why Ran had gone seeking the thief out. She never did tell him). It had looked like they were about to kiss.
He sighed again and picked up the rose. This one could go in the living room vase. The dining room one was too full.
Why couldn't his life ever be simple?
-0-
This was it, Nakamori thought to himself as he surveyed his men. It was time for a new approach to catching KID. Instead of running blindly after the thief, they were going to wait for the thief to come to them. No, it wasn't the same as standing around the jewel and waiting for the thief to come and steal it. The inspector would admit that it sounded similar, but it wasn't. Why? It was simple.
When they were all focused on waiting for the thief to make his appearance and steal the jewel, it often turned out that the jewel had already been stolen long before the thief's actual appearance. That or the thief would have already slipped in unnoticed to rig everything so that he could take the jewel with ease and humiliate his task force while he was at it. Why did this happen? Nakamori reasoned that it happened because jewels were objects. Expensive objects at that. They tended to be placed in display cases or safes or some other secure container, couldn't think for themselves, couldn't speak to tell you something was wrong, and couldn't run from someone trying to steal them. The problem with the aforementioned safe places was that they were predictable. They either couldn't be moved, were hard to move, or needed to be carried around by human hands. When the objects in question were known to be the targets of internationally wanted criminals, their owners and the people around them started to try to be cautious and find even more 'secure' places to hide them or show them or whatever. But KID was a magician. He was a master of deception, and therefore—loathe as Nakamori was to admit it—always ten steps ahead in this game of hide and seek.
But back to the new plan.
Tonight, Nakamori had declared, they wouldn't be watching the jewel. They would only be pretending to watch the jewel. The real focus of the night was going to be one Kudo Shinichi.
They knew that Kaitou KID always made a point these days to approach the detective at least once. There was always a rose involved too, whatever else the thief had planned. This meant they had some idea of signs to look out for. But the police needed to be subtle. They couldn't make it too obvious to KID that their tactics were changing.
"Sensui, you are going to shadow Kudo-kun. Stick to him like glue and examine everyone who comes near him. If any of them are the least bit suspicious, I want you to arrest them on the spot! Understood?"
Sensui saluted. "Yes, Sir."
"Right. Now you lot," he gestured at the next group of officers. "Split up into groups and take up positions around the building. Keep an eye on Kudo and Sensui, but don't be too overt about it. If you see Sensui give the signal then charge. Don't hesitate!"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused.
"Sensui, make sure you keep Kudo within the sights of at least one of their groups. Got it? Good. The rest of you, I want you to watch the jewel and check all the guests. Remember, this may be a heist, but it's also a birthday celebration. There are going to be some very wealthy and influential individuals attending. They are NOT to be given any exceptions, but you will be polite." He glared around the gathering. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Right then. Let's go catch that damned thief!"
-0-
Shinichi was starting to feel a bit creeped out. All the police were watching him. Okay, so they were making an effort to pretend that they weren't, but he'd always been particularly sensitive to being watched.
It was hard to concentrate on looking for KID when the back of his neck kept prickling.
"Would you like something to eat?" Sensui asked.
Shinichi eyed the officer uncertainly. Sensui had been following him around ever since he'd arrived at the mansion. "That's alright. I'm not hungry. But you can go get something from the buffet table if you want."
"Ah, well, I wasn't really that hungry either," the man answered. Almost immediately afterward, his stomach rumbled. He laughed awkwardly, scratching at the back of his neck. "Er, or I guess maybe I should get something. Why don't you come with me and get something to drink?"
Shinichi raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. This was getting ridiculous. "I still have water."
Sensui fidgeted, brows knitting. "Uh, well…"
"Is there something wrong?" Shinichi prompted. He might have felt sorry for the man if he wasn't annoyed with being left out of the loop. "KID's not supposed to arrive for a few more minutes. I'm sure you can get at least a snack before then."
"Ah, yes, you're right." The officer's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I'll be right back then."
With that he ran off, clearly eager to get the whole thing over with.
Across the ballroom, Shinichi could see Hakuba checking his pocket watch. He started to count down silently in his own mind.
10…9…8…
Blue eys turned to focus on the row of display cases that had been set up next to the dance floor. Each showcased a beautifully designed piece of jewelry. They were all gifts being presented to the birthday girl. In reality though, the gifts were meant to impress the girl's father. After all, there was only so much a five-year-old could appreciate fine jewelry.
3…2…1…
Light flared throughout the room.
-0-
Hakuba cursed. He'd been expecting the room to go dark. Now he had ultraviolet spots dancing before his eyes and couldn't see a damned thing. He could, however, hear Nakamori's bellowed swearing and the general mayhem that was KID making an appearance.
By the time he could see again, the scene that greeted him made him wonder for a moment if there was still something wrong with his eyes. Or maybe KID had gassed them all with some kind of hallucinogen. Wrapping paper boats were sailing serenely over the heads of the delighted crowd accompanied by flapping, bowtie birds. Ribbons danced and wove amongst them like living things. The excited squeals and giggles of the five-year-old birthday girl rang above the chaos. It seemed she liked the show quite a lot more than she'd liked the jewels.
The jewel!
He looked quickly towards the display cases, searching for the pink diamond that was the target for the night's heist.
It was gone.
Next he scanned the crowd for Kudo's distinctive cowlick.
That was gone too.
He cursed.
-0-
Ducking a giant, flying bowtie, Shinichi found himself in one of the lavishly decorated halls outside the ballroom. He could've sworn he'd seen KID's cape disappearing around the corner this way, but now there was no sign of him, and Shinichi had two choices.
"That way!" Sensui cried out, running up behind him. "The main stairs are blocked but the west wing has balconies!"
The two of them headed down the hall at a sprint. Every time they turned a corner, Shinichi thought he saw a flutter of white, but they just couldn't seem to catch up. Then they were crashing into what turned out to be a private gallery that opened out onto the mansion's western balconies.
They came to a stop. There was no sign of anyone anywhere.
Sensui grimaced. "Looks like we lost him."
Shinichi frowned and crossed his arms over his chest as he turned to face the policeman. "You can drop the act. What did you do to the real Sensui?"
The older man blinked in faux confusion before his face broke out into that familiar, shark-like grin. "He's catching up on his beauty sleep upstairs. So when did you realize it was me?"
"Since you suggested searching here. All the other officers have stationed themselves around the house perimeter, the ballroom, or the halls and chambers near it, and they've been watching me all night. I'm pretty sure Nakamori told them to keep an eye on me, so the real Sensui wouldn't have suggested going somewhere the rest of them couldn't see."
The thief's smirk widened as he leaned in towards the detective. "And yet you came anyway. Did you want to be alone with me, Tantei-kun?"
Shinichi blushed and hurried to back away from the man who was suddenly too close for comfort. "No! Don't be ridiculous."
"There's no need to be shy about it," KID admonished, taking a step forward.
Shinichi took a step back. "That's not it at all! I—I wanted to ask you about the Yukimitsu thing."
"You were gorgeous in that dress. It didn't make you look fat at all."
"That's not what I wanted to ask!" Shinichi's blush darkened.
In response, the thief put on an innocent expression that Shinichi didn't buy for a second. "It's not?"
"No." Taking a moment to collect his jittery nerves, Shinichi inhaled deeply then let the breath out slowly. "I wanted to know… Ran seems to think—I mean, why did you…"
"You might want to hurry up a little there, Tantei-kun. Nakamori-keibu and Hakuba are going to be here soon." As if to illustrate his point, the sound of pounding footsteps could be heard growing rapidly louder.
The detective let out a frustrated puff of air. "It's just—I just wanted to know… Why did you set it up so the news people would get that photo of us? A joke is one thing, but Ran says now everyone thinks we're actually d—that you were being serious."
Crossing the distance between them in one stride, KID leaned down to murmur directly into Shinichi's ear before the detective could move away again. "What makes you think I'm not serious?"
Shinichi felt his breath leave him. "What?" But the thief had already gone, leaving behind nothing but a single rose and the fading echo of a laugh.
-TBC-