[002]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is leaning against the information kiosk, a pad of paper in one hand and a pen in the other. this investigation just got serious, but she's ready for it--and to interview anyone who might be passing by, regardless of whether they want to be interviewed or not]

[when she speaks, she's addressing anyone in the area. she has a feeling they'll all know what she's talking about, at least. if they don't, they must be exceptionally lucky] There's been a development in the missing persons cases. You could say someone lent us a hand--or more like they didn't. [her expression is grim]

The higher ups here had some thoughts on the graffiti. Has anyone talked to them about the disappearances? And has anything been found in other worlds? Or maybe Manchester just won the special jackpot. [she gives a dark, wry smile. she wouldn't put it past Jed, considering how he sounded in his letter]

Anything you know, you'd best come out with it now. We'll never get to the bottom of this otherwise--and I don't think I'm being too dramatic when I say that working this out is starting to look like a matter of life and death.

So what have you seen in your worlds?

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

[Someone's six or seven by now!]

People are missing?

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is tempted to bury her face in her hands. more children? really? is no one in this place over the age of 14?]

They were. [but a child that age really doesn't need to know the details about them being found]

[speaking of, there's something oddly familiar about this kid...] Hang on. Have I seen you before? [she narrows her eyes at him]

ITT I am a retard.

[lamb_of_gold]

Mm, I don't think so, Miss.

[grip_on_reality]

[that hair... not to mention the style of dress. there's definitely a relation there] Do you know someone named Mu?

[lamb_of_gold]

Ah! That's my name!

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[That's a professional detective for you. Conan nods as Menzies directs her spiel at the people passing by. He waits until he can see she's not busy before waving and calling out to her.]

Inspector Menzies!

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies spots him and smiles. it's nice to have....well, colleagues that you can rely on, so to speak] Hey, kid! I take it you've found something new?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[Conan pulls a wry face as he joins the Detective.]

Not found something -- I guess you could say the opposite!

[grip_on_reality]

[so he's lost something? that makes it sound like there might not be a correlation across worlds...]

What do you mean? What's missing?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

Two more people. One police officer -- Sato Nobuaki. He joined the force after Uncle left so they didn't know each at all -- but Officer Takagi knew him, and Takagi often works on cases that Uncle gets called in on. Also, Uncle's former commanding officer is head of the investigation, and Uncle's been consulted about it -- he's as stumped as anyone!

[Granted Mouri was usually stumped, but if Conan couldn't figure anything out ...]

The other is a friend of our neighbour -- a really old friend, from his University days. Agasa-hakase lives alone with his niece and she also comes here sometimes -- she told me about it first. The friend was planning to come visit -- and didn't.

[darkercalling]

[Riku steps forward, arms crossed, frowning.]

I haven't seen for myself... but there are rumors of missing people, yes. And just today, other rumors began. That they've been found, but missing... hands. [He pauses.] So it's happening everywhere?

[grip_on_reality]

[oh my god, they're all kids, aren't they?]

I suppose it depends on your definition of "everywhere." That's at least two places. But it's only a rumour? You haven't seen anything--and you didn't know any of the missing people?

[darkercalling]

[He shakes his head.] I didn't know them, no. But where I'm from, rumors can be trusted. [Especially when they spread between worlds - worlds that should be completely shut off from one another in the first place.]

I could always take a look for myself if you think I should. [Tone says: "You know, if you won't just take my word for it."]

[grip_on_reality]

[she smiles, amused by that attitude. really, the kids around here are something else] Nope, no need. Just looking for patterns--and that doesn't fit it.

So what do you know about these missing people? Any connections?

[darkercalling]

It doesn't? Strange.

No noticeable connections. Not at first glance. Some were important figures, others were just important to the people who knew them. [Still important to someone, of course. That's what matters.]

What patterns and connections have you found?

[most_feared]

[A thankfully wingless Kay would like to throw in his two cents.] We couldn't find any evidence around the grafitti. Security cameras didn't even catch anyone in the area. Forensics turned up absolutely nothing, and when you have access to the team we do that's pretty damn weird.

...But you're saying that other people have been losing hands?

[Oh, they were thinking it was the organ stealers again, but with a personal grudge against Bee.] Might I ask for more information?

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies can't resist the opportunity to comment] Done being a butterfly, I see. [but considering the graffiti she saw turned up in her flat, that's a bit curious to hear] I can't say I'm surprised. But just where was the graffiti on your world? And what did it say?

"Other people"? [she raises an eyebrow] So people are losing hands where you're from, too?

You can ask, but unfortunately, there's not much I can tell you. Some people went missing, no evidence, no leads. And then they turned up again--well. In a way. And not exactly the way we were hoping for, either. [she frowns grimly. no one should have to die like that]

[most_feared]

Thankfully, yes. Which makes getting dressed a hell of a lot easier. [But, onto more serious things.] Agent B turned up with a hand missing.

The grafitti said "The Children Will Play". And it was located in a very high security and well trafficked facility. [Near the coffee lounge. The worms had not liked.]

[grip_on_reality]

I'm guessing you don't mean he was still alive?

[okay, that's a surprise] Really? 'Cause the same message turned up--in my flat, maybe a couple months ago. Somehow I doubt anyone working in your "high security facility" would've had much interest in paying it a visit.

[most_feared]

No. Not still alive. [Grimly.]

Seen any guys dressed like me from Cardiff? [Because that's all she would remember if she did, probably.]

[ex_fatalist246]

[Satoshi isn't looking more emotional than usual, but he is certainly troubled.] The bodies turned up without hands?

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods] Yeah. Seems like someone's a fan of symbolism.

Have you seen anything similar?

[ex_fatalist246]

It happened to five of the missing persons cases. The ones without any evidence or information.

[grip_on_reality]

As in, the ones whose disappearance probably had to do with this place. Lovely.

There were four in Manchester--same story. The only other disappearance with no obvious evidence was a bloke with teleport capabilities, and I think it's safe to chalk that one up to other causes.

[ex_fatalist246]

[He has given up on being startled by the weird things in other worlds.] It could be a message. Or it could have a purpose.