[006]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies arrives lying on the ground somewhere in the middle of the Plane. she's breathing hard, looking rather horrified and a little pale. she quickly sits up, looking down at herself in apparent confusion. then she starts to pat herself down, as though checking for injuries] All right... No gunshot. Fine now, then. Sure.

[taking a deep breath, she pulls herself to her feet, still looking completely frazzled. after a moment's thought, she takes hold of the ID badge that hangs around her neck. pulling it out, she briskly runs the edge of it along the back of one her hands, creating a small cut. she winces but watches with apparent interest as the cut bleeds red] And not dead. [she breathes a sigh of relief] First thing that's gone right all day... [she replaces her ID card before looking around, her expression uncharacteristically uncertain. she still looks pale and out of breath, and she clearly has no idea what to do now] Maybe this is payback for pissing off Ray.

[ooc: Menzies is in the middle of major trouble back home! See my OOC post for details.]

Comments

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is!] Go on--you brought her 'ome.

[holmes_fanatic]

Well, I needed the bathroom, so I went straight away. And when I came out, Kashitsuka-san was about to head out the door ... so I decided I'd better go with her.

[grip_on_reality]

So you walked right into it. [she's probably enjoying this too much--but at least it's taking her mind off her own predicament?]

[holmes_fanatic]

Well ... technically, she never wanted to kidnap me! I just insisted on going with her. And when she gave me the juice, I realised the top had been taken off and so I didn't drink all of it ... I spilt it on the car floor when she wasn't looking.

[grip_on_reality]

And you pretended to be kidnapped. [wow, this just gets better and better] You know, by your age, you probably should've grown out of that recklessness. [by which, of course, she's not referring to the age of seven]

[holmes_fanatic]

[Conan's got the distinct feeling he is fighting a losing battle.]

I suggested Ran-neechan come too, but Kashitsuka-san didn't want to wait! And I think it would have been more irresponsible to let her go off on her own ...

My age, Inspector Menzies?

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles] Anything to solve the case? [admittedly, in a situation like that, she probably would have done something similar] So then what?

Yeah. Your age. [you know what she means, Conan. but she's also aware that he's not going to confirm anything on the Plane--which is really rather annoying since it's clearly even more dangerous to discuss it in his world, and currently she can't go to hers]

[holmes_fanatic]

[The look Conan gives Menzies is genuinely confused.] You wouldn't let a woman you were pretty sure had killed twice already wander off alone into Tokyo, would you?

Um ... well, we drove around until she ran out of gas and while she was in the gas station I checked her wallet and found out her real name and that she was trying to find the last member of the robber group, so when she came back, I told her I had a plan to figure it out if she'd let me help.

[grip_on_reality]

[okay, you've got her] I didn't say that. [but she's also not meant to be a little kid--not to mention it's her job]

[well, that's surprising] You offered to help 'er find the last robber to kill?

[holmes_fanatic]

[Conan is a responsible citizen, Menzies.]

Well, obviously I wasn't going to let her do the last part. Anyway, it worked! We knew from the security camera footage from the bank robbery that the final robber was left handed and also that in order to use what they'd kept of the stolen cash, they were feeding it into automated machines -- in this robber's case, the automated payment system of her neighbourhood take-out ramen shop! But I told Kashitsuka-san that I knew she was planning to kill herself and wasn't going to help her 'cause I didn't want her to die. That shook her and she agreed to turn herself in and leave the last robber to the police -- except ... [And here's where it gets embarrassing.]

[grip_on_reality]

[and a reckless one]

Except she didn't mean it? Or someone else got involved?

[holmes_fanatic]

Well -- I assumed that all three of the guns used in the robbery were taken back to the head robber's apartment and that Kashitsuka had them all except the one used in the Agency murder -- well, one of them was a replica. The real gun had been given to the last robber who was paranoid enough to follow us back to the car and ... well ... she kind of took me hostage for real.

[grip_on_reality]

[she stares at him--and snorts. although this wouldn't be funny if she didn't already know it turns out all right] ...well. Judging by the paper, you worked that one out somehow. But twice in one day. That must be some sort of a record!

[holmes_fanatic]

Three different sets of friends showed up to rescue me at the same time. It was ... well, I guess you could say they know me.

[Sob. Conan would love to argue that -- but he knows it's true.]

[grip_on_reality]

[okay, she laughs now] Sounds like you've gotten yourself quite the reputation.

[holmes_fanatic]

Maybe a little ... And I had to spend the entire next day in police questioning ... more like lecturing ...

[grip_on_reality]

[smirking] Can't say I blame 'em.

So the article was right? That other girl and the robber--they both made it into police custody?

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah -- I guess so! Kashitsuka-san was knocked out by the air-bag when our car collided with Anro-san's car, and Sera-neesan disarmed the robber.

[grip_on_reality]

Not a bad way for things to turn out, then. All things considered.

[which is about as much of a compliment as Menzies is liable to give]

[holmes_fanatic]

I guess it wasn't the worst case I've been involved in ...

[grip_on_reality]

[she chuckles] Yeah? I hope you don't make it a habit to get kidnapped by dangerous criminals.

[not that she should be talking, mind you]

[holmes_fanatic]

It's not like it happens regularly ...

Anyway, we should be concentrating on your situation!

[grip_on_reality]

[she was wondering when he'd get back to that. she sighs, taking another drink of her coffee] But there's not much for it, is there? I'll see if I can find the Doctor, and if not, I'll drop 'im a letter. Other than that, about all I can do is find someone 'round 'ere to bring back with me.

[holmes_fanatic]

Ah -- you might be right there.

Good luck, Menzies-san.

[grip_on_reality]

[it's strange to hear him use her name without the title. she supposes there's probably some sort of cultural meaning there, but in any case, she understands the sentiment] Thanks, kid. I'll, uh, keep you posted.

[hopefully the next time they meet, she'll have some good news--and then maybe she can find out more about him]