[Replies]
@alexsher99: I too believe that they're not catching the real Origami Killer... Though it was Kuro's fault for running away and making himself look faulty if it really isn't him... And don't worry. Give Blake a punch for both Takamina and I, neh?
@qweakb: I'm glad I made your day again!
@Llyloo: True! Or is he really the killer....?
@Yuki88: LOL, it's okay. I suppose looking it up does make you understand the plotline at least. And I'll be mean and won't tell you anything about it.
@mayuki_daisuki: Haha, a midget for sure but never underestimate her abilities! And thank you for the kind words!
@Wmatsui22: LOL, I hope she punches Blake too (or beat him up to pulps). And thank you for the compliment!
@glassicall: I'm glad you came to read this story and I'll definitely take care of my wrist, thank you very much!
@Railgun96: ROFL! I hope Takamina gives Blake a nice ol' punch squarely in the face.
Hello everyone! I see that you all want to either kill Kuro and/or Blake for Takamina's sake.
Don't worry. I hate them too. So please do that and make a mob. xDAnd since tomorrow is my surgery, I might as well give you all a double update on this story. Hopefully I'll be able to post another update and/or new OS promised for my friends.
Well, I'll see you all in three weeks~
[Chapter 15]
Shelby was seen in his apartment room. Served both as his home and office work where he meets his clients, he was busy doing his own personal businesses. After fallen asleep on top of his desk with a small nap, he went around to clean up a couple of papers laying on his desk. Living in an apartment building alone, he was happy living here without much presence. The room layout was simple. The main room consisted of furniture, hanged paintings and lights, his desk for work and a couple bookshelves. From where he was seated perspective, there was two rooms. Left room contained the kitchen and dining room along with another door leading to the laundry room. The right room is his living room and the single bathroom. Spending a couple of minutes on his own, he suddenly heard the doorbell ring., indicating that there was a client or a person in need of his presence.
The private investigator did not waste any moment walking over to the front, white door and opening it up a crack. Peeking through the small gap, he was surprised to who was standing before him. Opening the door wider, it was shown that Itano Tomomi. She was dressed in a black jacket and skirt, feeling a sense of both professionalism and cuteness.
“You said I could contact you if I remembered anything…” she began, looking down at the ground for a moment before looking back at Shelby. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” he smiled. Letting her in, he first asked her if she wanted a drink.
“Glass of water please, if you don’t mind,” she answered back. “Alright then. Just be seated in front of my desk and I’ll be right back.”
In a couple minutes, the two individuals were sitting across from each other. With the glass of water at hand, Itano stared directly at him with nervousness behind her eyes. “I-I just remembered something. Maybe it’s not important, but a letter arrived in the mail the morning Johnny disappeared.”
“A letter? What kind of letter?”
“It was addressed to Johnny’s father. I don’t know what was inside it, but he read it and then he left. That’s the last time I saw him.”
“And you think there is a connection between that letter and Johnny’s death, is that is?”
A nod. Shelby paused for a short moment before questioning again. “Do you remember anything else about the letter?”
“Well, I don’t know why, but I kept the envelope.” Itano was seen taking out a folded envelope from behind her pocket. She tossed it on top of the desk, which prompted Shelby to take and examine it. Flipping it back and forth, he raised an eyebrow. “Ah… Nothing particular… except… the address.” His eyes squinted when he saw the address.
The girl sitting in front of him looked confused. “The address?”
“It was typed with an old typewriter. Could be a lead, you never know.” Then a smile crossed his face. “Well, thanks for your help, Itano. I’ll let you know if it leads to anything-“
“Wait,” Itano interrupted his sentences, silencing him. “I-I can’t just sit around and do nothing while you’re out there looking for the man who killed my son. Ever since you came around, I’ve been thinking and I… I want to come with you. Help you in your investigation.”
“The answer is NO.” Shelby didn't want to be rude. He was... much of a lone wolf in his investigations. Not one to really need help or a partner following him around for that matter. Itano before him squinted her eyes and scrunched her eyebrows into a frown.
“If you won’t let me help you, I’m keeping the envelope,” she said in a sharp tone as she snatched the envelope away from his grasp. “It’s all or nothing.”
'Looks like this lady is stubborn...' Shelby tried again to persuade her about his work ethic. “I’m sorry, Itano but I work alone-“
“How many clues have you got, Mr. Shelby? This envelope may be your only link to the killer.” That seem to shut his mouth completely. Silencing him. Her words were true. He doesn't have any lead let alone even a single minor clue that would relate toward this Origami Killer. Irritation was seen written all over her face as she shrugged her shoulders. “I understand. It was a stupid idea. Sorry for wasting your time, Mr. Shelby.”
Shelby had his two hands clasped together into a fist. What was he to do now? Working alone is his ideal condition. But he's going to let go of the only evidence, letting it slip right through his fingers. Looking down for a few seconds, he then called out to her. “Wait!” That stopped Itano in her track. Pushing himself away from his desk with his rolling chair, he got out of his comfortable seat. He then walked over to Itano, who was now turned around at his direction. “You’re really somethin’ special, Itano. I’ll give you that.”
“I’m just a mother. A mother who wants to find out who killed her son…” She lifted her left hand up into the air; opened for a handshake. “Are we partners then?”
The detective bit the bottom of his lip but nodded and took her hand, giving it a firm handshake. “We’re partners…”
----------
Itano and Shelby were now standing right outside of Shelby’s car, looking over to their right at the fancy mansion only rich people can afford.
“Maybe you should stay inside the car,” Shelby advised the other girl. He knew that there was a party from within, but who knows what could happen if one wasn’t careful? Especially if it’s in regards to Itano. He worries for her safety, which was another reason why he tried so hard to deny her request to follow along. And she still stayed stubborn. She must really be that dedicated into finding who the Origami Killer is for her son...
“We’re partners, remember? Wherever you go, I go!” Itano responded back confidently.
The private detective couldn’t help but sigh at her words. Guess he doesn’t have much of a choice. As much as he wants to get rid of her, he just can’t seem to shake her off at all. The two then walked up to the front gate. Its black metal gates were already wide open. However, the owner of the property wasn’t stupid at all. There were two bodyguards standing in the front, keeping their eyes sharp for those uninvited to the party.
Shelby stopped right in front of one and showed them the black ticket. The black ticket that represented their invitation to the party. The man that he showed the ticket to bobbed his head in reply before returning back to his guarding position. The two figures then moved inward of the area.
It was huge. The huge built-in concrete street extended out till it came up to the front of the mansion. Lights from the outside were all turned on. Hinting that the party was still on-going at this time. There was a grim expression on Shelby’s face as the two figures walked side-by-side towards their destination.
“So what are we doing here?” Itano questioned.
“We’ve come to see Gordi Kramer.”
“Kramer? The bigwig tycoon from Kramer Construction?”
“His son, yes.”
“You think maybe he’s the Origami Killer?”
“For now, I just have a few questions that needs answers.”
The two soon came up to the front entrance. White luxury doors stood proudly with bright white welcoming lights shining on both sides. Golden handles were seen. Paintings of the exterior building was beautifully done and crafted well with its fancy designs. This truly is what rich individuals in this part of the city own.
Shelby did not hesitate to grab the handle with one hand and push it forth. One of the two doors went forward, suddenly loud bass drums from the selective techno music was heard. It was coming within the house, hinting that the party is far from over. The detective and his ‘partner’ came inside of the house. What awaited them was no surprise.
“What a joint! Kramer must be loaded!” Itano commented loudly, trying to speak to Shelby over the music that was blasting throughout the house. Shelby next to her shrugged his shoulders as he closed the door behind them. “Whatcha think he paid for all this shiny crap?”
“We’ll discuss Kramer’s décor another time, Itano,” he sighed. His eyes trailed around his surrounding, spotting a random European woman in the corner of the entranceway. Drinking to her delight from within the beer bottle. Clearly drunk. Shelby couldn’t help but roll his eyes at such sight. ‘Young adults these days…’
“Are we gonna be here long? This place gives me the creeps…” Shelby glanced over at Itano and saw how nervous she was. Though she was entirely keeping a cool composure, her eyes had hesitations within it. Unsure of whether to trend forth throughout this house or just wait outside in the rain. The house that contains only drunk men and women; all either passed out or those entirely making out blindly. Something that normal citizens would be uncomfortable with in such an atmosphere. Not surprising that Itano doesn't feel right in place as for him. The private detective then rested his left hand on top of her right shoulder for comfort. “I’m gonna go find Gordi Kramer first for the moment. Then we’ll get out of here. Until then, please find a place to stay put for a bit until I come back, okay?”
Itano didn’t seem to object with his request. Bobbing her head, she folded her arms across her chest and answered, “Okay then. Just let me know if you need me for anything.” Then she walked off forward from where he stood, straight into the huge living room.
After she has left, Shelby turned his head towards the right. Seems to be a pool room where one can relax with a quick game. However, a frown was formed on his face when he saw a young Japanese man on top of the game table. His body laid limply with a couple beer bottle just right next to him; all empty from his excessive drinking. And behind him was furniture that had partiers sitting around. Some were making love while others were just drunk, no question asked.
Looking at them strangely, he ignored the gaming room and decided to enter the very room where Itano had just walked in earlier.
The living room was entirely something that one wouldn’t find in common homes. It was huge. So huge that it shouldn’t even be considered a living room. Behind the room was a huge swimming pool fit for a king. Golden bright chandeliers hanging from above; eliminating the area from below. Right smack in the middle was a girl with clothes that strippers would wear. Dancing her way just to entertain either perverts or just the spectators around her. More drunk men and women scattered around.
Shelby saw a nearby drunk man and thought about talking to him for some information on his target.
“Hi, I’m Scott,” he introduced himself.
No reply. He decided to try again, bringing up a conversation.
“Music’s a little loud, isn’t it?” Before he could say any more, the man ignored him and resumed dancing back to the music in the room.
Raising his eyebrow, he couldn’t help but mentally note how drunk the man is. Or how rude if he’s still conscious through the alcohol he consumed. Shelby knew he had to gather information. And the only way to get them is to converse with the people around them. Sad enough though, most were in a drunken state and clearly was not right in their mind. While he went around speaking, he kept on being ignored over and over. For the seventh time that night, he finally got a man to reply back to him.
“Hi! Great party huh?” Shelby began speaking to the man dressed in a white suit in front of him. He was leaning against one of the many pillars built within this room. A drink was in one of his hands as he bobbed his head to the beat of the music. The man in front of him stared at the detective for a bit, squinting his eyes with curiosity. It seems that his vision was blurry due to the drunken state he was in.
“Hi… Ah! Are you new here? I haven’t seen you before,” he replied back in his young manly voice. His eyes widen, showing those bright blue eyes that would capture just about anybody’s attention. He stumbled forth for a bit, blinking and opening his mouth in awe. Shelby quickly thought of a plan and saw a dropped bottle of whiskey next to his feet from where he was standing. Bending down to retrieve the object, he felt that the container had some liquid substance in it. “Well then. Let’s get better acquainted, pal,” he smiled. Shelby had to do just about anything just to gain more information. He was becoming slightly annoyed from how unresponsive the people are in this party. So he popped off the metal lid and poured the drink into the man’s almost-empty glassed wine cup.
The man that he was pouring the drink for seems to be very pleased at Shelby’s action. A big grin stretched from both sides of his face as he closed his eyes. “Oooooh! You’re my kinda guy… I like you my friend! I-I like you a lot!” The stranger’s right arm suddenly rested roughly on top of Shelby’s shoulders. Bringing him at quite an uncomfortable range, it looked as though two bros were having fun with each other. (Or more like the stranger for Shelby’s face is closely equivalent to a brick wall)
Corner of Shelby’s mouth was twitching from what was happening. Being this close to him, he could just smell the alcohol in his breath. ‘Well this man is helpful at my investigation….’ Speaking a couple more words, he then took the man’s arm off of him and gently pushed him away. Sighing loudly, from the corner of his eyes he saw Itano. The young lady was sitting calmly… and impatiently to his right. Sitting alone and isolated from where the lovers were resting around. Shelby then approached to her.
“You doing alright?” he asked, coming in front of her.
Itano scoffed. “I really don’t like this place… Did you find out anything? I wanna get out of here.”
“Not yet. Gordi’s a hard man to meet.” The girl in front of him leaned forth slightly. Two of her hands were clasped together into a fist as she flicked her eyes left and right. Then back at him, raising both of her eyebrows. “I’m going back in, so hang tight Itano,” he made a motion with one hand that he was going to be out again for a bit longer. Itano simply replied with a shrug of her shoulders and impatiently wait for his return.
Walking a couple steps away from where Itano sat, he then was cupping his hands to his mouth. “Hi! I’m looking for Gordi! Do you know where he is?”
Finally, he got a young lady answering his long-awaited question. “I saw him a while back, but you’ll be lucky to see him. He rarely hangs out down here with his guests.” The Japanese lady was young. Probably in her early 20s. But she looked sane enough and wasn’t drunk from what Shelby could tell. So he began questioning her.
“Oh really? Then why bother throwing a party then?”
“Why don’t you go ask him?” she shrugged. It doesn’t seem as though she could answer anymore. At least she bothered telling him what he somewhat needs to know. Even if there’s little information, it’s better than nothing. From where he stood, he saw two big security guards standing in an opened door. Dressed in the same exact style as those who were standing in the front gate, they wore a serious expression. Through the door were stairs that could be seen. Stairs leading upward to the second floor.
“Excuse me,” Shelby began to speak to both of the bulky men. But before he could say anymore, one of the men pushed him roughly backward in one move. “Nobody is allowed upstairs,” the man who pushed the detective warned.
Shelby frowned. Maybe money should do the trick? Some people would take the money. Just look at the situation at hand. Letting a private detective who is sane and in need of merely asking a couple questions to the owner of the mansion going up the stairs for about ten thousand yens? Who wouldn’t take the offer? But as he pulled the money out of his pocket, the same man responded back with a harsher tone.
“You talk so crazy if I shove that wallet down your throat? Beat it. I ain’t for sale.”
With that threat, Shelby knew that he shouldn’t be pushing the button of the young man anymore. So he simply walked away with his hands up in the air in defeat. ‘I need to find a way to get through them…’ Scratching the back of his head with one hand as the other lowered back down to his side, he came up to Itano.
“Did you find him yet?” she asked once more to the detective. He shook his head. “I know where he is, but he’s upstairs. Two big men are blocking the way, so there’s no one way I can get in.”
Then before he knew it, Itano was down on the ground with the two men that was once blocking the doorway with her. She was faking her fainting, trying to get their attention away from their spots. And it worked. They were shaking her shoulders lightly. “Miss? Miss! Are you alright?” No answer from Itano. Shelby did not hesitate to use this chance and sneak past by the guards. He was expecting at least one of them to look back and find him going through the forbidden area for guests. But they were too occupied with the fallen lady at the moment. “Shit, another one’s gonna O.D. on the dance floor…”
Making his way up the stairs, the music began fading away as he distanced himself away from the first floor. Climbing and climbing up the stairs, Shelby found himself soon facing one of the many doors on the second floor. Opening it up, he went inside. It was a theater room. Sofas, posters and high pricey objects and designs were featured within. A young man with short, black hair and wearing a black suit was staring at the flat screen television before him. It was hanging up on the wall, showing a cartoon (disturbing to be exact) show.
Shelby came up to him. He saw how the man was really into the show, smiling like an idiot at the scenes. “Um… Mr. Kramer?”
“SHHHHH!” he hushed Shelby loudly with one hand up in the air to silence the detective. “This is the best part!”
Shelby paid no attention to his wants and continued pushing through his normal introductions. “My name is Scott Shelby. I’m a private detective. I’m investigating the case of the Origami Killer. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
No reply from the other man. All he got in return was a fit of laughter due to the show. Irritated, Shelby stood in front of the screen and spoke once more. “I’d like to know exactly what happened to little Kimoto Kanon.”
That seemed to have annoyed the man. His face instantly changed into an angry expression. “What do you want?”
“A witness saw little Kimoto Kanon getting into your Limousine. That was the last time anybody ever saw her. Now I know you’ve been arrested and interrogated until your father made a little phone call and the file was closed. Now what I want to know is what really happened.” A small pause. “You know. Just so I make sure that you had nothing to do with the Origami Killer. Do I make myself clear?”
“The kid was lost. I just offered to driver her home. The policed arrived, I explained the misunderstanding and I was released. End of story. Nothing to get excited about, right?”
Shelby frowned. He didn’t seem to believe what the man had coming out of his mouth. “I don’t know why, but your story just doesn’t check out! You’re giving me that crap now. Tell me something I can believe.”
The man then smiled. Kramer smiled and got up from this seat. Standing up straight, he walked forward a couple steps before stopping in his track. “Very well. I’m the Origami Killer.” He resumed pacing himself a few more steps in front of Shelby. “I get my victims into my car I drown them in rainwater. Then I dump them on a wasteland with an origami figure in one hand and an orchid on their chests.” Turning his head towards the detective, he chuckled. “I do that because I’m bored, Mr. Shelby. I do that because it’s a creative and entertaining way of having fun.”
Kramer then faced Shelby and came closer to him. “Is that good enough for you or do you want more?” They both got uncomfortably close till they were staring off at each other. His eyebrows were scrunched together, glaring menacingly at the older man. “This interview is over.”
Before he knew it, there were the two guards that he had seen earlier back on the first floor standing a couple feet behind him. “Get rid of this clown,” Kramer ordered and flicked one hand into the air.
The two security guards quickly came to take Shelby away. When he resisted, one of them gave a punch to his stomach. Causing him to bend down and gasp in pain. But that wasn’t enough to knock him out. In one swift move, he swung his left arm violently and tore off their grasp on both of his arms. However, the same man that had punched him gave him another beating on his face. Shelby’s face twisted to the side, bending down again from the recoil. Third punch landed on his face again in hopes of knocking him out.
Shelby may be an old man, but he isn’t one to mess around with. Still standing on his two feet, he prepared himself for a fistfight with these two young men. He fought back at the man that punched at him. Close to making a final strike, the second man grabbed ahold of him from behind. Gripping him in a locked and fixed position. Shelby wasted no time headbutting the man’s chin with his head. In one movement, the man was flipped over to the couch and laid there.
The detective was back into focus with the other attacker. Blocking, dodging and counterattacking was all he was able to do. He was about to be interfered by the same man he flipped over on the furniture. Annoyed, Shelby gave the sofa a violent kick when the security guard was just ready to tackle him. The guard lost his balance and fell backward, landing on top of the table full of glassed bottles of beers and wines. A terrible crash was heard from the landing and broken glasses flew everywhere. His body was then motionless.
Thank god that one man was out. Just one more to go. Shelby pushed the remaining man against the wall. However, he was elbowed on the face and had their positions flipped. Shelby was now pinned against the wall, trying hard to return back to where he was seconds ago. Struggling, he managed to grab ahold of the guard’s back part of the suit and swung him towards the wall right next to him. It worked on getting him off of Shelby and gave him an advantage. Pushing and slamming the man a couple times against the wall, he threw the security guard at the sofa and saw him leaning against it without getting up.
Panting, the detective stared victoriously at Kramer. “It’s a dangerous game you’re playing, Kramer.” The response that he was getting wasn’t what he had expected. There was this smug look on Kramer’s face. Almost as though he was having fun watching the entire fight.
“Do you know who my father is? He only has to lift one finger and you won’t wake up tomorrow morning. You’re the one that should be afraid, Mr. Shelby, not me.”
Shelby didn’t say another word and left the room silently. He knew he was better than to get involved with this man. Better to play it safe than sorry. As he left, laughter was heard from behind; scarring anyone who would hear it.
Topic: How Far Are You Prepared To Go? [Mayuki] - Chapter 25 [Update: 07/16/14] (Read 84094 times)