[HIATUS] The Scarlet Memories [Detective Conan OC] (English)

Chapter 46

I go back to the café. Zero is at the counter.

- T...Tooru! I have something to show you...

He turns to me.

- Yes? What is it?

I show him the paper.

- What do you think? It's not a simple printing error, right?

He takes the paper in his hands and asks me.

- Where did you find this?

- I-It was stuck under Taii's collar...

- Have you noticed anything different today?

I take two seconds to think.

- His fur was colder than usual...

- Colder ?

He looks at the paper again and smiles.

- Among those knowing that Taii is coming here, there's that Edogawa Conan, right?

- Uh... Yes I think so...

- I see.

He takes off his apron and goes to say a few words to Azusa-san, before walking past me on the way out.

- W-Wait!

I follow him and he stops when he hears my voice.

- Explain it to me. It was Conan who left that message with the cat, right? Do you know where he is?

He puts his hand on my shoulder with a smile.

- It's okay, I'll take care of it.

- That's not what I asked.

He meets my gaze then sighs.

- Follow me, I'll explain on the way.

°°°

- The license plate is also mentioned on the paper?!

He nods.

- He must have found himself locked in a refrigerated truck with the cat, found a corpse and used this receipt to alert me.

- Isn't it a bit too far-fetched as a story? Like he would've magically found himself by chance stuck in a delivery truck with a cat, a corpse and a receipt which could include the license plate of said truck?

Zero laughs at my remark.

- Everything is possible when he's around.

- And then why would he ask you for help in particular?

- Even if he takes me for an merciless criminal, he knew that I would understand the code if the cat came to the café. I must've been his only choice...

He must be in really bad situation to call on Zero like that...

- It's that truck.

I look in the direction he points. Looks like a classic delivery truck.

How can we be sure that Conan is locked inside...?

We follow the truck until it stops for a delivery. We stop behind. Zero smiles and turns to me.

- You wanted to help, right?

I don't like where it's going...