My Detective Geek (ShinRan - DC)

Chapter 5: Investigate

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It was still dawn when Hattori came with Kazuha behind him. Hattori said that the girl refuses to stay in Osaka. She's firm in tagging along and told Hattori to visit Ran, as an excuse. And for the first time, Kazuha believes that I am not a girl she thought Hattori kept as a secret.

Even if I don't want to admit it, I'm glad Kazuha came with Hattori. I can leave Ran in her care for a moment. While I and Hattori will investigate. I can't wander around freely that's why I need Hattori's help. I can't let the Black Organization see me around. If that happens while Ran is still in the hospital, it will be too dangerous for her.

I kiss Ran goodbye and whispered words I'm not brave enough to say if she's awake. Though I hope she heard what I said. After giving some instructions to Kazuha, Hattori and I made our way to the place where the accident happened.

You can still see the traces of dried blood in the street. Even the screeching from the car's tires is still visible. We examine the crime scene closely. Taking notes on hints we saw, just like how the car stopped at a very close range. It is a straight street and from meters away, you can see anyone besides the street. Then how come the car hit Ran?

Unless the driver is drunk, I won't believe that it was an accident. There's is a reason for everything and I'm gonna find that out. I kneel where the screeches are thick. I put my palm into it and close my eyes, feeling that area. I let everything flow in my mind, the possibilities of that night.

"Something wrong, Kudo?" Hattori asks me. He's standing a little too far.

"It's not an accident, Hattori, I'm sure of it," I said with conviction.

"What made you say so?" He asked while walking towards me in a hurry.

"Look at these traces of the car's tire," I motion him around. "If it was an accident we should see some screeches around but no. There's nothing except here. The car shouldn't move smoothly if the driver is panic losing the break." I pointed in front of me, "This is where the driver suddenly stepped the break and hit Ran."

Hattori looks down and examines the cemented street. He even looked around to check to proved what I said.

"You're right Kudo, there's nothing except here. You know this area, right? Are there CCTV cameras installed around?" He asked while frantically looking side to side.

"Yes, there is. Unfortunately, the cameras are not working. It looks like someone shoots it," I said annoyed.

"And that only proves that it was not an accident after all," Hattori groaned.

I wandered around, making sure that I never miss a thing. I don't think this place changed since the last time I was here, walking with Ran into her house.

I know I've seen a CCTV camera installed by one of the houses somewhere in this area.

I was in deep thought of where I'd seen the camera before. I am sure there is, in one of the houses lined up in here. I passed by a house that look likes no one was living at all. Tall grasses around the corner and in the front yard of the house.

I was about to turn around when I notice something flicker beside the gate behind the thick leaves of a tree. I slowly walk towards the gate and check behind those thick leaves. There, I found a single camera obviously still working. The flicker that I notice comes from that thing.

I look at the house confusedly. By the look of it, you can tell that no one's living there. Then, why is the camera working? I look around the neighborhood frantically. I signaled Hattori that I'm going inside the house. He frowned but follow.