Mafioso, No More (Book 2)

05

3rd POV

After recounting the troublesome event that had transpired during the encounter with the French Illusionist (with the courtesy of the greatest detective as the story teller), the people in the room wore undescribable expressions all over their faces.

The lady doctor for once just facepalmed and heaved a long sigh while the former math teacher readjusted his glasses and momentarily closed his eyes undecided whether to tell his real judgement about the matter.

The youngsters were especially uneasy and reluctant to express their honest opinions about the subject.

As far as every members of the Armed Detective Agency is concern, miscalculation never occured on the job of the beret hat detective whenever he's in a middle of handling cases.

So why did he commit such mistake that created an opportunity for the magician to escape?

The other genius, who was attentively listening to the recollection of events, raised his hand as if telling everybody that he fully understood what had caused the unusual error.

"Now~ Now, everyone~ Even the greatest and brilliant minds do err and make faults. No one is perfect as they say~" He made a side glanced to the unbothered food lover and smirked. "It's just that Ranpo-san has a high regard and confidence to his partner. He had a strong faith that Mr. Houdin will be trapped inside the book of Poe-san." The beanpole wittingly explained.

"When it comes to 'partnership' I don't think you're the right person to lecture us about the matter." The bob-haired lady grimaced and made her snide comment.

The brunet detective cleared his throat dismissing the remark and stood up. He clapped his hands twice making sure to get everyone's attention.

"Since no one wants to step in to clear things about what happened, I'll do the honor to start the discussion." Dazai glanced once again to the munching detective, who waved his hands lazily, allowing the beanpole to initiate whatever he has in mind. "Now that I have our brilliant detective's permission. I'll state what I have extracted." He begun. "For our starting point. I must say that our enemy is indeed a brilliant magician. He has a lot of tricks hidden in his pocket. He's able to pinpoint his target's location and has a heightened awareness of his surroundings, I'm presuming he's a sensory type ability user.  In addition to that, he has a pair of 'sharp' ears..."

"I'll relay the details on that, if you don't mind." The greatest detective cut in.

"Sure~ Sure, go ahead~" The beanpole acknowledged.

"That trickster has a talent for lip-reading. He does not possess such keen ears, Dazai." Ranpo corrected. "You guessed quite well that he's a sensory type ability user. This ability is not only useful to observe and perceive his environment, it also comes pretty handy in analyzing one's thought and actions."

The genius detective nodded understandingly. "By actions, non-verbal cues--body languages such as lip movement, dilation of pupils, frantic gestures fall into that category. "

"You hit the mark." The beret had detective accorded. "More so, being an ability user that specializes in casting illusions and magic. As much as I don't want to admit, we may had fallen into his snare when Poe and I stepped out to reveal ourselves to him."

"He truly lives up to his name! Such dedication!~" The beanpole exclaimed.

"I kinda understand now." The orangehead suddenly chimed in. "I read his profile before. On the note, it specifically stated that direct eye contact should be avoided. "

"Well that's his pathway to see and read your thoughts." Dazai stated nonchalantly.

"But I still failed though. Just as you guys speculated, his senses are beyond extraordinary. He managed to feel my presence. He was able to break in from my projected screens and shattered them completely with just a snap of his fingers." Tanizaki said dejectedly.