Case Closed Fan Fiction ❯ Going Down ❯ Bottom Of The Bottle ( Chapter 4 )

Going Down

Disclaimers: I do not own Case Closed/ Detective Conan. Whoo boy. Never thought I would say that, did ya?

It's been a bit of a time between updates. That's mostly because school is coming and this chapter was rather difficult to sort out. Since I have to successively capture the essence of a drunk… I need it to flow in a certain way so that I don't leave too many things out but don't give too much away either.

And if you haven't already noticed I am writing another DC story titled Vindicated. I know I said I wouldn't until this story was finished… but I couldn't resist. ::insert grin:: I needed to do some Rachel + Conan fluff. It was driving me crazy.

In route to that I need to research a lot on the later portions of the series. I would greatly appreciate it if people can give me as much information as they can on the Black Syndicate. I also would like to know more about Heiji Hattori (Harley Hartwell) and Haibara Ai. I plan for all of them to be a major addition to the next story. An email would suffice. I don't want this story to be called an interactive fiction again. ::glares at ff.net admin::

Someone also mentioned about hospital records… That was a good point. I intend to patch that little hole the next chapter if I can. But indeed, a good point. Conan Edogawa doesn't exist. So neither should his records.

People keep driving me mad with the question about Conan's wound. Yes, no one has noticed it. And no, I did not forget that it was there. ::sigh:: Don't get me wrong. I don't mind people inquiring about it… it's just that no one trusts me in this story. I promise I will cross the hill when we get there.

And no, Conan is not dead. ::vampire smile:: Not yet anyway.

xXxLAST TIME ON GOING DOWNxXx

It had almost been a full forty-eight hours since Conan was awake.

Is it really that hopeless?

A tear fell- muted by the constant bleeping of an artificial heart.

"What now, Jimmy? What now?"

"Is something wrong, Doctor?"

"The truth is… Conan's very sick…"

Who said that Conan wouldn't wake up anyway?

"He will now that he knows we're waiting."

My little patches….

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Chapter 4:

Bottom Of The Bottle

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"Choice has always been a privilege of those who could afford to pay for it."

-Ellen Frankfort

xxx

Ice rattled at the bottom of the jar as the man clutched and drunk. In one swift motion, the glass was slammed back down onto the bar table ready to be filled again.

Japan didn't usually have many drunks but they did have Mr. Moore. He made up for their absences.

"You're that famous detective! Richard Moore, was it?"

The Irish accent was appealing to the drunk man's ears. He wobbled a bit on his stool before making up his mind on which way to face.

"No need to be so formal," The drunken detective replied. "Just call me Richard."

"Alright then, Richard," The bartender smiled, giving the counter another sweep of his cloth. "What brings a famous detective to a bar? Not on a stakeout, I suppose?"

"Stakeout? Hardly," snorted Richard.

He leaned closer, making a poor attempt to whisper in the bartender's ear.

"My daughter doesn't approve of me drinking at home," He gave a loud chortle and took another swig of his drink before continuing the thought. "I decided to come out into the public eye to indulge myself. Rachel won't be home for hours!"

"Aye to that man," The bartender winked kindly. "My wife doesn't take to kindly to my career either."

"My wife left because of my career!" Richard bragged, thrusting his cup into the air.

"Oh… I'm sorry, sir."

"Don't be, sirrrr…" Richard played the word of his lips before continuing. "She was always nagging me anyway."

He cuffed his hand in the shape of a duck and made silly noises to the movements of it's mouth.

"Home by eight, Richard. Set the table, Richard. You're such a moron, Richard."

The duck held the cup while he took another chug. He paused to take his breath- eyeing the wooden surface beneath his glass.

"Damn. I miss the witch."

The bartender paused between a stroke and eyed the drunk before him.

"Regret can be our hardest teacher," He smiled humbly.

Richard shrugged half heartedly in response and took another swing before raising himself clumsily off the stool.

"Now if you could be so kind… I must get to my horse so I can solve the brat's case. He gets far too uppity if I'm late. Stiffs," He shrugged uncaringly. "I don't think I'll ever understand. Until I become one, of course."

Holding back a chuckle, Richard gripped the counter. It was perhaps a good thing he did. His balance wasn't the best when drunk.

"Now it's just up past England..."

Richard gave his head a little shake and then corrected himself, "Scotland… I think I only need one or two men to help me mount the fellow."

"Hn?" The bartender smirked, "I think you're a bit too drunk for any horse back riding, sir."

"Look…" Richard pointed- leaning almost forward enough to poke the man in the eye. "I'm very busy. The elevator must be apprehended before he gets away!"

"Of course, sir. How about we give your daughter call first?"

"No," Richard protested. "She'll steal my horse."

"Alright. Then how about a friend?"

xxx

"Lord, Richard. Could you have chosen a finer night to get drunk?" Meguire grunted heaving the man to his car.

Richard only giggled childishly toppling into the seat face first. The bottle, still clutched in his hand, sloshed with a contents half full. Luckily the cork saved the Inspector's seat cushions.

Meguire rolled his eyes- and then attempted to upright the man. It took several minutes but finally Richard was buckled up. His redden face and dulled eyes reminded the inspector of a donkey. But he decided not to mention it.

Besides, what would be the point to mention that to a drunk man anyway?

"You'd think you'd take this case a bit more seriously. I was surprised you even left the house. You locked yourself in your office for the past three days."

Richard only chuckled in response, whistling the theme for 'Oscar Meyer Wieners'.

Meguire shook his head disapprovingly- sticking the key the ignition. The engine quickly started. They backed out of the assumed parking spot and onto open road. Tokyo seemed strangely quiet that night. Which was not like her at all. It left them alone and silent in the car.

Meguire only hoped his sanity wouldn't be hindered by Richard's intoxication.

"Richard… Why were you in that bar tonight, anyhow?"

He knew it useless to promote conversation with a drunken man, but for Richard sober came in spurts. The man never had a hangover in his life. It was sickening really.

Which was worse? His lack of hangovers or my knowledge of his lack of hangovers?

"Richard?"

Meguire removed his eyes from the road briefly to see if the detective had passed out. Richard was awake- but his attention was on the distant night sky.

"Hey Richard."

"What is it, Meguire?"

Ah good. Meguire smiled softly. He's mostly back. At least he is recognizing his surroundings.

"I was just wondering what caused you to drink tonight," Meguire stated suggestively.

"Tonight? Does a man need a reason?" came the reply.

"No. But you usually do… have one, I mean."

There was an awkward silence hanging between them. Meguire felt compelled to fill it but he wanted Richard's answer more. Out of the corner of his eye, Richard was frowning at him.

"I was worried about the case, is all."

His gaze was back out the window. Meguire tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"So you heard about Tokiko San…" He began.

"Tokiko San…" Richard chimed while rubbing his chin. "Ah yes. 23 year old young married woman. She was the one that was taking young Naoki around that day. Somewhat of an eerie composition. Yes. I've heard about her."

"She's dead, Richard."

"Yes. I heard that too."

The silence was more painful this time. Meguire dare not leave it open.

"That means Conan is the only witness left," Meguire frowned. "Is that why you went out to drink tonight, Richard?"

Richard dove around the question, for obvious reasons.

"So far the victims have been employers of the Kasei company with an expectation of young master Naoki and Conan, of course. Seven in all I believe," He counted the number off on his fingers.

"There was Mister Timon Amou. A rather old employer who worked the night shifts. Mister Amou died instantly from a combination of heart failure and a bad blow to the lower portion of his skull. His job was his life quite literally. He had no remaining family members and his lack of social skills left him no friends. But no enemies either.

"Kaname Errigasha was a 39 year old shrewd business man with no family. He lived in a rather cozy pent house in the western part of Tokyo. He died from broken ribs, a fractured skull, and punctured lungs. I'm sure the smoke and fire didn't help either. Medical attention didn't get to him fast enough. Ones that knew him, practically partied at the news of his death. Needless to say, no one missed this one.

"Tai Ritani was the man we ran into just as we were leaving. He had an appointment with Mr. Kasei. Apparently he made it to the elevator though. He died on route to the ER suffering from a broken back, jaw, and concussion. He had a family of three. A wife and two kids. They were already informed.

"Sakura Ikuba was the only other woman save from Tokiko. She was a 19 year old intern currently engaged to a Mister Yuba Nagashii. She suffered a broken neck and crushed spine.

"Naoki Kasei was only sixteen years old. He came to visit his father Mr. Kasei and, under the guidance of Tokiko, he entered the elevator to wait for his father in the lobby. He died instantly from a fatal blow to his head.

"Then there was of course, Ms. Tokiko San. Who was still alive when they reached the hospital. She only suffered from minor cuts and bruises and a concussion. I also believe she acquired a broken leg from the fall although I can't be certain. She went into hysteria last night and quite frankly… she shut herself down.

"And then there's Conan…" Richard paused- his throat somewhat dry. "And we have our list of senseless murder."

Richard cast his gaze upward before continuing, "The only motives and suspects I've been unable to unearth were basic ones. Kaname had it in for Mr. Kasei so there was tension there that could have been acted on. There was also the angry unemployed Mr. Jirashii. Mr. Tai also had that suspicious meeting with Mr. Kasei. And then of course, Mr. Kasei himself."

"You suspect Mr. Kasei?" Meguire asked incredibility.

Richard tossed his head lazily in the inspector's direction, "Why not?"

"Naoki was his son! Why would he kill his own son?"

"Meguire…" Richard sighed, ticking off his fingers. "I've seen mother's kill daughters. Daughters kill mothers. Sons kill fathers. Brother kill brother. Sister kill sister. This is no different."

"I guess…"

"I'm not letting anyone off the hook for this case, Meguire. To me… everyone is a suspect."

There was a sudden chill in the car, even though Meguire was sure his air conditioner was nonexistent.

In spite of himself, Meguire refused eye-contact with the detective. He needn't to though. Richard was far too occupied with the fiery little hells a thousand miles away.

"So when do you plan on contacting the surviving suspects?"

There was no response.

"How about searching the crime scene? Have you done that yet?"

Again- he was silent.

The inspector, being true to the traffic laws, pulled to a stop at the intersection. And albeit there was not a single car in sight, he used the law as an excuse to interrogate his passenger.

When he turned to demand an answer, his jaw wired shut. Richard was sober and leaning against the window with his forehead in his palm. His eyes looked drained- so blank.

He looked tired.

"Richard."

Meguire kind of choked on the name. He wasn't anticipating a response. Richard's eyes trailed over his direction.

He was risking his job- his career for this. If this investigation proves to be an accident- or if Conan dies… Everything… Meguire took a deep breath and held it down. Everything would have been for naught.

What causes someone to risk so much?

What makes someone so blind?

"Do you miss him?"

There was a painful lack of oxygen in the car- the only sound being the rhythmic hum beneath their feet.

Richard closed his eyes and exhaled.

"Who, Meguire?"

A horn blared in agony. The inspector turned his attention back to the car and road- but not before hearing something else follow Richard's blatant reply. Meguire could not translate it; it being a muffled name intended for unresponsive ears. The word died before it left the mouth. The name of a living corpse burning unremorsefully in the pits of a drunken and sober man.

Regret can be the hardest teacher.

And perhaps if it had been heard, someone would have been offended. But it wasn't intended for just someone…

It was meant for Conan. And Conan was honored.

"Hm. My bottle's empty." Richard frowned suddenly, tipping it to one side.

Meguire laughed.

"Always drunk, Richard. You're always drunk."

And the conversation was left at that.

To Be Continued…

Please R & R!

Since the last chapter was all about Rachel and the Detective Boys, I thought I would go more into Richard this chapter. If you are wondering why it's taking so long for the case to progress- it's mostly because Richard's doing it. That and the fact that he's pulling a lot of strings to do so.

And I know I'll get the question- "What did Richard say?" My response will be the thumping of my head against the wall. So before I cause myself a concussion, I'll just say- You're not really supposed to know what he said. All you were supposed to hear was his response of the bottle being empty.

One more thing before I end this author note- if you wish to read any hints or future clips from my stories please check out my live journal. Links are no longer allowed so instead I'll just direct your attention to my profile. The web page link is actually a link to my live journal. I update nearly every day. It's there you'll get ideas on when I'll update and what I'll update. ::insert smile::

Alright! Another file finished. So that means that I have to end it with the typical phrase,

With a keen eye for detail, one truth prevails.

Please review! Your patronage is very much appreciated.

xXx EDIT: Since ff.net is now taking away my dividers… again… I have to repost this different. With Xs in the spaces instead. Sorry for the inconvenience. xXx