Worth More Than a Sapphire

Chapter 12: Literally Illegal

Time moved quickly after the meeting. Zenigata took you home, insisting he be the one to do it even though Lupin obviously knew your address. He made sure no one was going to break in again, and, albeit with a little guilt, left you for the first time in the past day. You slept, woke up, ate... All routine. Walking to Lupin's hideout was a little less so.

You did your best to retrace his steps from the day prior, but most of the empty shops looked the same, and as the windows were boarded, it was hard to guess which was right. You would approach the door, try the knob and, as expected of an abandoned building, the door wouldn't budge. Or worse, part of the door would fall apart in your hand.

By the fourth try, you were ready to just give up and tell Zenigata to call Lupin.

To your surprise, the lock clicked, and the old wooden door opened. You turned to the sky and let out a breath. About time. You pushed it open, and took two steps in--

Before something small zipped past the side of your head, lodging into the wall behind you. You didn't move a muscle, unsure of what just happened.

"Oh, my bad," Jigen said. He put something back on the nearest table.

"Did-- Did you just try to shoo--"

"She's here!" Jigen called out. Everyone else must've had an easier time returning to the building, because all five were here except you.

Zenigata was the first to approach you as you expected, his face brightening before he looked concerned. "You look pale. Did something happen on the way here?"

"Not on the way," you breathed.

Jigen snickered.

Lupin came in with a zipped bag. "You look cute, but you're going to have to change."

"Oh, I know, I just went for something unassuming here, I'll-- What the hell is that."

Lupin had unzipped the bag to reveal a black catsuit. You made a face at the mass of fabric.

"I know you've heard bad things about me, but honest, this is just so your hair doesn't accidentally trip a wire. It's the same type I'm gonna wear, if it's any consolation. It's one piece, and the zipper tucks in at the top--"

"I know how morph suits work, Lupin."

"It's n-- Morph suit?"

"Crime morph suit," Fujiko muttered.

"Wait," Zenigata broke in. He didn't break eye contact with Lupin, but pointed aside to you. "The suit's for her? I thought Fujiko was helping you!"

"No," Fujiko said. "I'm with Goemon in tech."

"WHY IS GOEMON IN TECH?!"

"He can cut the wires I can't figure out."

"ANYONE COULD DO THAT!!"

"I told you, you and Jigen were standing guard," Lupin reminded him. "It just makes sense!"

"No it doesn't!"

You didn't want to join in on the argument because unfortunately, tragically, you agreed with Lupin. If Jigen and Zenigata alone could handle that crowd, then them blending in and maybe taking out a few guys would be easy. Plus, you could sure pick a fight if you needed too, but not one like that. You knew nothing about computers beyond how to get around the firewalls at work. While you were no master thief, Lupin assigning you a role like that made sense after you'd kept the sapphire so long.

"Where else would I be?" you asked Zenigata.

"WITH-- With..." he stuttered.

"With you?" Goemon stated, no emotion in his voice.