𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 054 | a challenge to the detectives

"Yes."

After Kogoro handed over the keys, Takada led the group into the hotel and into one of the large conference rooms on the top floor.

"Please, this way," Takada said, opening the double doors to the room.

The kids gasped excitedly as they ran into the room.

"Awesome!"

Mitsuhiko pointed at the windows with a grin. "You can see all of Miracle Land from over there!"

They began to run over to look out the windows when Takada called out to them.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Please sit and wait in these seats," he said.

"C'mon, be quiet and sit down," Kogoro agreed as he walked over to take a seat.

"Well then, please wait a moment." Takada left, shutting the doors behind him.

~ — — — ~

"What's wrong, Suzume?" Ran murmured, seeing her girlfriend staring at the armrest of the chair with a frown.

"The chairs don't match the room," Suzume commented, rubbing her fingers over the smooth part of the armrest not covered in cloth.

"Come to think of it, that's true," Ran agreed, looking around.

"Maybe they ran outta money!" Genta suggested.

"There's no way that's true," Mitsuhiko denied with a frown. "It's a high class hotel after all."

Ran tried to laugh with the group but found it hard as the pensive look remained on Suzume's face as she continued to stare at the chair.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Takada said, re-entering the room with a cart. "These are why we asked the children to come along too." Moving around the table, he set down a watch-like device in front of everyone.

"What exactly is this?" Mitsuhiko asked, picking his up.

"These are Miracle Land's Free Pass IDs," Takada answered, making the kids gasp excitedly. "While Mouri-san is working, we thought it'd be nice to let you kids have fun at Miracle Land."

"Could it be that the client is the owner of this place?" Kogoro asked.

"No, it's nothing like that. We're renting this suite on an annual basis."

"Wow, that's pretty impressive."

Suzume's lips twitched upward slightly at the smirk Ai gave her, trying to ignore the bad feeling the IDs were giving her.

"Alright, everyone, please put them on your wrist," Takada requested. "Tightly, so they don't fall off. If you lose any of them, we can't issue you another one." He watched as everyone but Kogoro put on the IDs. "Mouri-san, go ahead."

"It's okay, I'm not going to the amusement park," he tried to excuse himself.

"Don't say that. If you finish your work early, you'll be able to have fun with everyone."

"I guess so." Kogoro put on his ID.

"These IDs can only be used today until 10 PM, Miracle Land's closing time," Takada informed them. "All meals and drinks are free. Please have as much as you'd like."

"Alright!" Genta cheered, throwing his hands up.

Ran stood up. "Thank you very much. Let's go, Suzume."

She nodded as she went to get up but tensed as Takada put a hand on her shoulder.

"We would please like you to stay," he told her, ignoring the dangerous look in her brown eyes and the stone cold expression on her face.