Twice a Day

Chapter 11: The Carmens

The next morning in Lupin's teeny car was much less stilted and awkward than when you'd met him. Though in all honesty, you weren't sure if you quite liked him, and furthermore, you were completely baffled at his friendship with Goemon. It was clear there was more than what you were seeing, obviously years of secrets and learning about each other, but going off brief exposure to personality alone, you didn't know how Goemon handled being around this guy for more than an hour.

"So, not that I was listening through those paper-thin walls or anything--"

"Actually, Lupin, they were quite thick if I remember correctly." Goemon side-eyed the driver's seat.

"Is it true? About the real clock being..." He paused to think. "Real? And in this town?"

You nodded politely from the back seat.

His face lit up and he laughed in delight. "Oh, it's so easy! Just that little doozy of a house? That's all? What's their security like?"

You subconsciously leaned back into your seat, even though he wasn't actually in your face overwhelming you with questions. Goemon took note. "Lupin. I believe most people do not try to break into their neighbor's homes."

"You never know, Goemon!"

"I don't know much about it. They have big dogs, but I think that's just to scare little kids from getting in their yard."

Lupin snorted. "Dogs. Isn't there a saying about guard dogs being man's best friend until they're offered steak?"

"Um... I... I dunno?"

"I could do it right now if I wanted. I really hate that we went through all that trouble, and it seems unfair to not leave a card but this isn't a museum or anything. Plus, if we wait any longer, that grubby-handed group might swipe it first."

You only really understood half of what he said as he continued on, and it sounded more like he was recounting his ideas to himself out loud as he drove.

"I'd need backup, but if we're doing this on a dime we can't go back and pick up Jigen or Fujiko..."

You shivered, remembering how both friendly men were criminals. Despite his cold exterior, Jigen had been polite enough to you. You wondered if he was normally like that to people he robbed, or just people he liked.

"You can drive, yeah?"

You took a minute to realize he was looking at you through the rear-view mirror. "Me? I-- Enough to get around, but everything is so compact here I normally walk."

"But you CAN drive. Problem solved! You're our getaway."

"Oh, alright. I'll-- I'M THE WHAT?!"

Lupin had said no more than 20 minutes. And sure, you had only been sitting in this seat, adjusting it repeatedly and staring obsessively at the clock for 12, but it felt like an hour more. You didn't see why Lupin couldn't have just called one of his friends. It wasn't like they wouldn't have been here by now. Was this his horrible idea of including you in the-- Oh God. You were an accomplice! You were completely an accomplice in an entirely illegal act from the richest family in your town!

You felt pale. You would go to jail for 10... no, 20 years if they had any input on the court! Was it worth it, just for Lupin to get the instant gratification he craved? Goemon must have thought so if he agreed so easily. Or was Goemon just that willing to throw you under the bus now that you'd told him what he wanted?

No, that was silly. Goemon... Well, Goemon was a thief. He'd probably killed more people than you'd interacted with in a month. But there was a sincerity hidden to him that you felt he couldn't hide all that well. In hindsight, there were small tells from the start when he was and wasn't telling the truth. His eyes had darted around before telling you his name, and he was unconvincingly vague about details of his life. But when he promised to help you, he kept his eyes trained firmly on yours. When he was fighting you in the forest, there was a gleam of joy in his small smile. Goemon might've been a hell of a criminal, but his lying left something to be desired. And if Goemon thought you could handle this, you didn't have room to accuse him of lying this time around.

The latch of the front door startled you, and you swung your head towards the house. Goemon and Lupin were literally leaving out the front door. You felt your mouth go dry instantly. What were they doing?!

You heard Lupin's distinct voice through the tinted window, but couldn't make out any real words. Behind him, you saw Mr. Carmen sending him off with a smile. Goemon looked peaceful, but a tiny bit of confusion was present on his face, like he wasn't entirely sure how this had worked out for them either.

Lupin walked around the front of the car to get to the passenger's side, his smile briefly going mischievous as he made eye contact with you. He opened the door, giving one last wave to the man at the door before getting inside.

You waited until the door was closed to even dare opening your mouth. Goemon and Lupin were situated and you had a lot to say. "How--"

"Drive. We can talk during that."

You turned the key and, before you could floor it properly, he whispered, "Casually, like we didn't just rob them."

You did as suggested, and asked again, "How did you do that? Do you have it?"

He lifted the back of his suit jacket to reveal a neat clock tucked away inside it. His smile was wider than it had been before. "We told them there was a termite infestation around town. We're going to be taking care of their precious wooden clock until it boils over."