T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 25 - Heart to Heart talk

"What do you mean by 'relatively safe'?" Michio demanded, his grip on the phone tightening. He exchanged quick glances with his friends, all of whom were now listening intently to the conversation.

"Just a little insurance, my dear detective," Adeline purred, her voice dripping with mischief. 

Michio meanwhile squirmed in the police car as Adeline's voice on his smartphone was so loud he was sure everyone in the car could hear every word. He pressed the phone even closer to his ear, "Adeline," he blurted out her name before he could stop himself "What do you want!?"

"Michio, is that all you can say?" she purred."I've missed you. I know you think I'm a bad girl, but now I have a chance to prove that I'm not." 

"You lunatic girl! What have you done with those two!" Junko snapped over Michio's phone as he winced at her loud volume.

"Oh, don't worry about them too much, dear Junko. They're alive, for now." Adeline's laughter echoed through the phone, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.

Takuma, Emiko, and Junko exchanged worried glances, their anxiety growing with each passing second of the call.

"What do you want from us, Adeline?" Emiko's voice was firm, her determination evident.

"I would've wanted to play a little game with all of you," Adeline replied, her tone sugary sweet. "But sadly, I have plans that would need to put those games in a back seat."

"Enough with your games, Adeline!" Michio's patience was wearing thin. "Tell us where they are!"

Besides Michio, Junko fought down her jealousy towards Adeline.

Adeline's laughter tinkled on the other end of the line. "Ah, the urgency in your voice, Michio. It's quite charming. But before we get to the location of your precious friends, I thought we could have a little chat. A friendly exchange of information, shall we say?"

"What could you possibly want to chat about?" Takuma's voice was laced with scepticism.

"Oh, you know, detective stuff," Adeline replied casually. "Tell me, who is the real founder of Tantei Association?"

The question hung in the air like a heavy fog, the tension within the police car palpable. The young detectives exchanged wary glances, their minds racing as they tried to navigate the dangerous game Adeline was playing.

"Why do you want to know about the founder of Tantei Association?" Emiko's voice was steady, though her suspicion was clear.

"Because it is clear-cut that Michio isn't the one," Adeline chuckled, her voice dripping with amusement. "One of you who kept on sabotaging my Tousan's plans is a very smart cunning child, and that child is clearly using Michio as a shield. So rather than any of you lying, I figure it is better to set the record straight by asking the association members themselves?"

Emiko's eyes narrowed as she weighed the options. "And what assurance do we have that you'll keep your end of the bargain?"

"Oh, you have my word as a Snake," Adeline purred, her voice dripping with honeyed promises. "I'm a girl of honour, after all. Once you provide me with the information I seek, I'll tell you where your friends are. Simple as that."

Michio glanced around the car, gauging the expressions of the other members, Takuma shook his head violently at the eldest member, warning him not to reveal Ranran's name.

As he took a deep breath, his mind racing while attempting to navigate this treacherous conversation.  Meanwhile, Junko was about to blurt out Ranran's name before Emiko made a grab onto her shoulder, giving her a warning glare.