There is a time to play, a time to work.

The members of Tantei Association's virtual interaction with Emiko's cat was more of a morale boost in their work ethics, as they all sat in front of their computers looking for private zoos and travelling circuses around Japan. Searching, on the other hand, is easier said than done.

For once, social media search engines ain't user friendly nor good at giving up suggestions. Even if there are, the results tend to be redundant at times.

"Found anything?"Shinichi questions everyone with seriousness in his tone.

"To be honest, no. I can't find a private zoo, let alone, a travelling circus with all of the googling."Ranran let out an audible sigh in front of the camera, as she browsed on the net, "I think the worst-case scenario is that those places are illegal. That is why we can't find it."

"Does it matter if it is illegal?"Takuma can't help but ask quizzically in front of the camera.

"It does," Emiko said unexpectedly while she was surfing social media, "Usually these types of businesses would keep it low-key to illegally transport the animals everywhere without alerting authorities. They either use a private group on social media or handmade fliers to encourage others to attend."

"If what Emiko said is true, then we have our work cut out for us."Michio moans at that possibility, his eyes remain on the screen browsing one after another with his mouse, "We don't even have an animal to go about. Let alone a location, I mean sure...we know what it is, but where?"

"Worst come to worst, we call the police since all of us lack resources to do so. What do you think?"Ran proposes her suggestion.

"I agree."Shinichi settles with the decision, as he flips through the stack of newspapers while browsing his search on the PC, "We ain't getting anywhere, to be honest."

"Neh guys, do you think Junko is going to be alright?"Michio can't help but worry, "It's been hours since she was kidnapped."

"What is there to worry about her? She is a blackbelt after all."Ranran scoffs.

"I agree, I won't miss her even if she is gone."Takuma nods in agreement.

"Though you got to admit the dog chase was hilarious."Emiko points out.

"Oh yeah, I agree."Ran nodded to them, "I ain't completely siding Ranran, but she is right about Fuyuko-san as a nasty girl."

The other students agreed as Michio grimaced, "Look, everyone, I know you don't think much of her behaviour after the commotion she created in the association. I grew up with her for 5 years; she may appear as an ill-mannered girl, but she can be sensible at times," Michio says as he skims newspapers at his side.

"Sensible? I have my doubts." Shinichi frowns as he wonders why Michio is so dismissive of her character "She exploited your father's death as an excuse to prey on your mother's emotions to get to you. That's not rational; it's manipulative and cold-blooded."

"Agree!" Shinichi's remarks were shared by all of the children.

Michio believes it is best not to dispute with them because they still have a negative opinion of her. At the same time, he realised Ranran wasn't being deliberately impolite. She was stating the facts. He decides not to worry about it too much and continues to do his duties to divert himself.

Meanwhile, Ranran suddenly realizes something, "Neh guys...I think we should consider not searching for private zoos."

"Eh!? Why!?"The rest of them halted on what they were doing, staring at Ranran's face on their monitor.

"Junko typed elephant on her text, deshou?"Ranran reminded them.

"Yeah?"Sometimes Ranran is certain if they were not running a detective agency, they could be running an orchestra with their synchronized response.

"How does one hear an elephant trumpeting?" Ranran posed a question.

Is she dumb or what? Shinichi couldn't help but think as he answers, "It just happens, Ranran."

"No no no, it doesn't make any sense."She shook her head at Shinichi, insisting he is in the wrong.

"What doesn't?" Shinichi arches his brow.

"I think it ain't possible for her to hear that in a zoo."

"Why not?"Ran pressed.

"When I was younger, I used to go to this zoo, it was a large place filled with all kinds of animals."

"So?"Emiko folded her arms.

"Unlike wild animals, they are kept secure in cages and are fed regularly by zookeepers. When they are content with their life, they do not make noise. I've been there before. If you people live in a life of luxury, such as living in a huge mansion, getting to watch tv or play computer games 24/7, as well as eating the food you enjoy regularly, you won't complain to anybody, right?" Ranran said, agitated.

"You mean like Shinichi?"Takuma teased.

"Hey! I'm not a zoo animal!" Shinichi roared in displeasure as the other kids burst out laughing, then rubbed his chin in a contemplative motion "Ranran has a point. If Junko was taken to a zoo, even if she left out a couple of other animals she may have heard as she was threatened by her captors...it would've been difficult to distinguish an elephant's sound had her captors' vehicle driven into the zone, given there were other wild animals besides an elephant, especially in a zoo with over 20 different animals."

"So we're left with a travelling circus, deshou? After all, they have portable cages with animals where you can move them as far apart as you like, "Ran's eyes widened in delight, "Now, due to Ranran, our process of elimination has narrowed a lot!"

"But where will we locate a travelling circus? There are legal and illegal ones...it may be either," Emiko yawns as she stretches her arm.

"If I were Echis, I think I would strike for the illegal one."Shinichi believes.

"Why?"Ran asks as all attention is on him.

"He already had enough on his plate having to break Watanabe out of prison; if he was going to use Watanabe without drawing attention, an illegal circus would suffice because the ones in charge can't rely on the police since they are afraid of being arrested. The only thing we need is the location," Shinichi responds, focusing his gaze on the members on his monitor.

While the other kids were busy chatting, Michio was opening one newspaper after another from his desk when a pamphlet slipped out. Curious, he took it up, only to have his jaw drop as he saw what was on it. He then shows the poster to his camera "Guys, have a look! I discovered a circus!"

As if it were a domino effect, all of their expressions were priceless as soon as they realised what it was. "Duke Kramer's Circus Olympia?" Ranran reads it aloud before realising, "Hey, isn't that a travelling circus back in my hometown!?"

"Say what now!?"Shinichi burst in response.

Before reporting to the members, Ranran scrutinised the poster's details "Yes, it is! What a nostalgic feeling! When I was younger, we used to call it the Bengal circus since it was the only circus full with Bengal Tigers performing cool tricks," Ranran says, her eyes lighting up and her mouth wide open.

"Bengal tigers huh....?"Emiko thinks of this, "You know tigers are considered to be close to extinct, even elephants as well."

"Do they have elephants back then?"Ran asked Ranran.

"No, only tigers." "She shook her head at them,"A friend of mine who used to work there. She would show me how those tigers perform stunts like balancing on a ball, walking on two paws, and even riding on it like a horse," Ranran recounted.

"Woah! You can ride a tiger?!" Takuma was intrigued by her stories, commenting, "That's cool! I want to ride on a tiger!"

"A friend?!"This arose Shinichi into firing one question after another, "Do you have a name? A contact of his or her? If you do, ask them for the details, location and how long will there be here."Shinichi fire one question after another.

"Woah, Shinichi! Slow down!"Ranran tried to calm him down, before reasoning with him, "It's been a long time since I last saw her-"

At the funeral.

Ranran quickly halted herself from saying those 3 words before responding, "She left school to join the troupe when I was around 4 and she was 7, that was when we lost contact. Her name is Amelia, Amelia Francis Dixen."

"Did you recall whether the circus was legal?"Shinichi pressed.

"It was till I was four." Ranran was having difficulty recollecting, "I don't remember much because I was younger back then, but she said something about powerful people in our nation making their circus illegal there. As a result, the circus is forced to leave as she follows them."

"Powerful people...ah, I guess she's referring to the government." Shinichi moved the cursor to the browser's search engine before typing 'Are Circus UK legal?' then press the enter key. "Yup, that same year when you were four years old, although the government did not make it illegal...the restrictions are ludicrous to the point that even running a circus is impossible."

"Really?"Emiko wondered, "How ridiculous would you define it?"

"I'll give you an example, alright? Wild animals cannot be exhibited or used in a performance as part of a travelling circus-" Shinichi began.

"What!? How do you expect to run a circus without wild animals!?"Michio scrunched at that thought.

"Another one," Shinichi chuckles at the laws' absurdity, "If you're the owner or manager of a travelling circus containing wild animals, you must make every effort to keep the public from viewing the animals-"

"How in the world one is to make a living making all of these dumb laws?"Ranran huffs, "No wonder the circus move out, even if one has some company backing them. Such a killjoy."

"Why do they do that I wonder?" Michio frowns listening to this, "it's robbing all of the fun."

"I believe it is to conserve those animals; after all, they are on their way to extinction. Hang on, does this make their circus legal here in Japan then?" Ran wonders.

"Technically, there is no rule that states you can't operate a travelling circus in Japan, so it is legal," Emiko researches, the findings staring back at her, "Japan has plenty of circuses, so I won't be shocked if they were able to sneak through the loophole of the laws and do their bidding."

"So does this make it unlawful then?"Takuma demands impatiently.

"It's both, which makes it vulnerable for criminals."Ranran cross both of her hands with her elbows planted on the table, in deep thought, "Echis probably is familiar with this, which is why he targeted this circus in the first place. Anyway, Majima, any specifics about the site or how long has the circus been running here?"

Michio flips the page and there it was! The answer was staring him in the face, "It's been running since last week, they still have 3 nights left including today."Micho commented.

"Since last week?"Takuma was in disbelief," It's no wonder they couldn't afford to wait 3 months for Watanabe to leave, the circus won't be around here for much longer by then."

"But that's odd...Watanabe supposedly broke out of prison 3 weeks ago. Ain't that too early for someone planning to rob a circus that only arrive last week?"Shinichi suddenly noticed.

"I think there was a schedule change. Here, "Ranran shared the link to everyone," According to their Fb page, there were supposed to arrive around the same week Watanabe escaped. However, due to private circumstances, they postpone it to last week."

"Ugh, talk about bad timing."Emiko rolls her eyes.

"Anyway, now that we know where it is, let's go! We need to get Junko out of there!" cried Michio.

"I agree!"Emiko stood up.

"Yeah, let's!"Ranran and Shinichi were delighted with their investigation progress, so is Takuma.

"Wait!" Ran came to a halt with her voice," Before we go there, we need to call the cops! We can't simply go there and confront her kidnappers! We're children, and they're grownups! If they find out, they will easily overpower us. Also, do you think our parents will let us go out in the middle of the night chasing men with guns!?"

"You have a point."Takuma gulp at that thought.

"Wait, what if Junko ain't there? What if they get tip-off or ended up alerted by 6 of us heading together? They might move her away or kill her by the time police arrive, then the police will accuse us of lying."Reality dawned on the other kids as Ranran's words made sense.

"How about one of our heads there and investigate?" Shinichi proposes, "Since we are kids, it will not alert them. In addition, if someone finds Junko, we will leave it to the cops."

"Good idea!"Takuma offers, "I'll go!"

"No, I'll go using my father's gun!" Ranran interjects, "It's far too risky. Also, it's almost nightfall; if your mother discovers you slip away, she'll murder you, Tak-san."

"Wait a minute, gun!" Michio looks at her in awe, as do the other kids, Michio asks her, "You know how to operate one!?"

"Who says I don't?"What is with these kids not knowing how to use a gun? Do their parents not teach them things as basic as this? My parents did at least. Ranran wonders, before she decided to tell them about the break-in where she uses the gun on Shinichi, "I can remember that one time when I used the gun on-"

"Ranran, both of our parents aren't working right now; doing so would arouse suspicion." Shinichi cuts her off before she can spill the beans because he didn't want anybody to know about the break-in as he's too embarrassed.

"Damn it, "Ranran curse as she smashes the table.

"I can't either, my Tousan is still awake."Ran sighs.

"Me neither, my mom will blow the gasket if she finds out."Emiko huffs.

"I'll volunteer as tribute!" an unexpected voice says after hearing all of the children's grumblings.

All of the kids turned to look at the monitor, their eyes widening with terror as they realised who had spoken. The first thing Ranran said in response was, "You realise this ain't The Hunger Games, right? Anything goes wrong, you're dead."

"Exactly as Ranran says! Are you sure about this?"Takuma asks, "Also, what about your mom? Ain't she at home right now?"

"My mom is working late tonight, so I have all the freedom right now," Michio clarifies.

"Are you sure? What if she returns home early to find out what you're doing?"Takuma poses the thought.

"She knows I got out at night whenever I ain't around."

"Majima, do you know how to fight? If you don't, don't do it. Also, your mom will go after us the first thing she finds out."Ran tries to dissuade him.

"Exactly, you didn't fair out well when a robber beat you up while breaking into your mom's store. What makes this any different?"Shinichi discourages him.

"Yeah Majima, don't do it. No one is forcing you."Emiko joins in.

"But if I don't go, what is going to happen if Junko dies because of this?"Michio contends.

"Then let me handle it, "Ranran volunteers, "As I said earlier, I'll wait till they are asleep, take my dad's gun then go."

"No, I'll go! My parents won't punish me severely if they find out anyway. Also, Ranran, you already got into serious trouble the other day with the gun! "Shinichi lectures her.

"Shinichi! You barely even had any experience in punching people, let alone, attack anyone with a gun!"Ran became horrified at the expect of Shinichi getting shot by those people, "I'll go instead since I can fight! Now should be the time where my Tousan starts drinking, he'll go back to sleep in a couple of minutes."

"I'll go instead."Takuma steps up to the plate, "I am certain if I beg my mother by claiming I left something back at school, she will let me go. Also, I have experience beating people with baseball bats."

"Hikari-san, I don't know if that is dumb bravado of yours, but a bat is going to lose to a gun! I'll go!"Emiko expressed with intensity.

"Guys, just let me go myself, alright?"Michio reasons with them.

"NO!"

As a result, the kids argued for about 5 minutes about who should go. Ranran rolls her eyes after a while and mutes her PC system before removing her headphones. Shinichi, who has observed Ranran behaving so, wonders what she is up to.

At first, he was going to ask. However, after that gun episode, he feared the worst.

So, when the other kids were bickering, he, too, immediately removed his headphones. Ranran pulls from her drawer to put on earplugs before switching on her smartphone to watch a video. As soon as she did, she pointed her smartphone speaker at the microphone and cranked up the volume, booming out familiar lyrics that hushed everyone.

"BABY SHARK, DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO!"

Every single child hastily removed their headphones before clamping their hands over their ears, except for Shinichi, who was quick to notice."What the heck, Ranran!?" Takuma sank, elbows planted on the desk.

"Why play that stupid song of all things!? Switch it off!"Emiko's voice was slightly more high pitched than it normally would have been.

"Oh, God, please save us all!" Michio rolled his eyes to the ceiling; he'd heard this song way too many zillion times throughout his babysitting job, to the point that he was sick of it.

"Baby Shark song, thank God I notice it," said Shinichi as he folded his arms, listening to the faint melody of Baby Shark song coming out of his headphone while amused at Ranran's methods of keeping everyone from bickering. Shinichi knew the entire school despised this song to the point of aggravation, so it's no wonder Ranran played it.

Even Ran, who has a certain amount of patience when dealing with unreasonable situations, had had enough after listening to this one day at a family clinic for 12 hours. "Turn it off, Ranran!" Mouri Ran said with his jaws tightened. Her patience was wearing thin. The annoying music continued to play in the background, making the other kids scream in dread.

Meanwhile, Ranran's fingers remained on her desk until Shinichi snapped, setting the microphone without wearing the headset "SHUT IT DOWN, RANRAN! WE STILL HAVE A CASE TO SOLVE!"

Though Ranran is unable to hear, her eyes notice Shinichi waving violently for attention on the monitor was enough to stop her smartphone, not before unplugging her earplugs and setting everything back the way was before. After everyone put their headphones back, Ranran goes, "Are you guys finally done?"

All of them silently nodded as Michio returned his focus to the smaller kids and spoke calmly, "Listen, I know you're all concerned about my well-being in light of the robbery issue. However, none of you is in a position to leave right now, or otherwise, this investigation will fall into the hands of incompetent police officers. That is why I am pleading with all of you members to kindly let me handle this." Michio argues that he didn't care if it meant risking his life to save her because it was his fault.

They finally reached an agreement when there was nothing else to discuss. "That's fine, but Majima, please call us within an hour. We'll contact the cops if you don't." Shinichi unwillingly coincides with the other children.

"Also, whatever you can find about the circus, dig any intel. Ok?"Ranran tells Michio as he nodded back in response.

And so, Majima Michio took the pamphlet and raced out of his house. He then hailed a taxi and read the address to the driver.

.....

Ranran was right, some people are interested in heading to the circus despite the legality of this.

The circus was located on the other side of the city. The evening traffic was heavy and it took an hour before he caught sight of the big top looming high above a vast field of small tents, trailers, caravans, and cages. The performance was due to start soon and people streamed through the gates.

Michio directed the driver to pull over farther down the street. He wasn't going to risk anything. A neighbourhood park was across the street from the circus. Michio paid the driver and dashed into the trees for cover. He stayed in the park's shadows, making his way back to the circus gate. The crowd had thinned down, and music had begun to play in the big top. Figures could be seen wandering about, guiding animals inside the big top. Two clowns emerged from a trailer and waved at a horseback rider. A lion roared out in the distance. A moment later, he heard an elephant trumpeting.

His skin tingled. The members' hunch had been right. Junko was somewhere in the circus!

Michio crouched behind a huge tree, staring into the circus compound. He did not foresee the place to be enormous. Junko could be anywhere. How could he find her alone?

He needed Ranran and Shinichi to help him. He reached for his phone but froze. A long, black car was cruising along the street, it look like a Jaguar. For some reason, it kept making that buzzing wrrrr noise in low volumes, like a spaceship. It pulled up a few meters from where he was hiding. A man got out from Michio's side and walked towards Michio's direction before giving a soft whistle.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from behind a nearby tree not far from where Michio was, as the figure walked out to meet the man. Michio caught his breath. If he had used his phone to make a call, the man hiding in the park would have heard him! Michio crouched even lower, watching the two men. Their voices carried in the night air.

"There's been no sign of Watanabe Ikeda?" asked the man who had just arrived.

"Nothing," said the man who had been hiding in the trees. "I saw them take that little girl inside. My guess is....that Rupert must be questioning her to find out what she knows."

"We had better contact, Ikeda," said his companion.

They headed for the Jaguar, leaving Michio puzzled in the shadows. Suddenly, everything seemed more complicated. For starters, the car that fled the scene was a Toyota, not a Jaguar. Therefore, the two men earlier couldn't have been the kidnapper who had kidnapped Junko.

It was somebody else, somebody called Rupert, who worked in the circus that is responsible.

When both men drove off in the black car, Majima made a quick decision.

Junko was somewhere in the circus, and he was determined to find her. He sprinted across the road, through the gate, and dived into the shadows beside a trailer. When he was sure he had not been seen, he crept further into the circus. He edged past a tent, careful not to trip over the ropes and pegs. Some men were standing in a pool of light beside a cage. He circled silently, ducking behind the bulk of another tent.

"Hello, where do you think you're going?"

Michio spun around at the sound of the girl's voice. Her face was suspended just above the ground in the darkness. Her bare feet seemed to be growing out of her ears. Then, her face moved, rolling from side to side, until it was upside down, laughing at him.

Michio choked back a shout of horror. His flesh was crawling with fear.

"Well, you haven't answered me." The girl grinned and poked out her tongue. She looked to be his age.

Then, she moved into the light, and Michio could see that she was walking on her hands while her legs were wrapped around her head. She resembled a weird kind of human ball. Suddenly, she sprang to her feet and stood beside him. She was glad in a black leotard. Her short-cropped hair framed a beautiful Caucasian face."Did I shock you?" she asked.

"Yes, you did give me a huge shock walking like that. Also, I am surprised you can speak Japanese."Michio sighs before asking, "Why are you walking like that?"

"I'm going to be a contortionist."

"I am sorry?"

"A contortionist? A performer who can bend their body beyond a normal person?"The girl gave him an odd look, "I want to be just like my parents, that is why."She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, much to his surprise as she giggled. "You look shocked, Michio. I'm a circus girl, and we circus people are always bolder than ordinary people."

"What is with you doing that!?"Michio blushed.

"It's how we greet people in Switzerland, my dad is Swedish."She chuckled at his blushing face."So what brings you here? Where are your parents by the way?"

"I arrive here alone," he admitted.

"What's your name?" she wanted to know.

"Michio, Majima Michio from Tantei association," he told her, deciding that she meant no harm, considering she was that bold to greet him that way. He handed her their tantei association card, one that Emiko made not long after joining them as the girl quietly reads while he explains. "I am looking for someone by the name of Amelia Francis Dixen"

The strange girl jumped in response and returned to her normal position. "Why are you looking for her?" she asks cautiously.

"Eh?" What's the deal with her reaction? "Our leader believes she knows a lot about this circus, so-"

"Wait, you say, leader? May I ask who your leader is?" Curiosity got the better of the contortionist, wondered who knew so much about her.

"It's Ranran, Kudo Ranran."

Amelia's eyes widen as she recalls the person behind that name.

When 'The Boy' brought her to the circus, the 3-year-old girl would enthusiastically run-up to her. Amelia used to keep her entertained with all of her stunts. Amelia would always save a box of caramel popcorn for the little one on every visit, knowing the 3-year-old had a penchant for popcorn despite its potential choking hazard. Then followed the sorrowful, terrible recollections of her leaving Amelia with a haunting expression on a gloomy rainy day.

The same day Amelia was departing, she could've thought she saw the 4-year-eyes old's become cold and murderous on the other kids at the funeral, although the two girls had parted ways with a warm farewell. Amelia didn't think much of it at first until Majima suddenly deliver such mind-blowing news. "I'm sorry, but why is she involved in your agency? Is she in any trouble?" Amelia became ill with worry at the prospect of Ranran being put in perilous situations.

Because the last time Ranran did it, the four-year-old narrowly survived and lost her right eye.

Michio, who had been monitoring Amelia's motionless expression, wonders what she was thinking before waving his hand in front of her. Only then does she come back to reality."Ranran is your...leader...what!?" Amelia was too shocked to process the news, and her palm trembled in surprise as she questioned Michio, "Is this the same Ranran we've been talking about? If that's the case, what's her middle name?"

"You mean her maiden name? It's Watson," Michio answers.

"There's no way...she..." Amelia repeated herself because she couldn't shake the notion that there was something wrong with this revelation. The Ranran who loves making people happy by coming up with various show ideas would never go about pursuing down dangerous individuals. Perhaps Amelia is overthinking things. Perhaps there is someone else with the same name as Ranran out there. Amelia tries not to think about it too much, "What does she want?"

"A lot, but since we don't have much time," Majima begins before moving on to the next question, "Let's start with Rupert."

Amelia's face fell as she realised this was a serious situation. "Mr Rupert Austin, our ringmaster?" she shuddered. "What is she after with him?"

Michio picked his words with caution. "Our friend went missing, and we suspect this Austin guy knows something about it."

Amelia stepped closer and touched his arm. "Let me warn you all about Rupert," she whispered. "He's very cruel and nobody trusts him."

"Yeah. We foresee this."Michio nodded understandingly.

"We get it? I don't think you guys do. "Amelia repeated his words as she shook her head at him, for she is certain they are not aware how dangerous the situation is, especially Ranran."If he is behind this, the chance that your friend is alive is close to zero. I mean this is the same man who had killed many wild animals in our circus with a crack whip!"

"Yes, Ranran told us to keep an eye on such individuals. I kinda was expecting this."

Is he even in his right mind!? Amelia thought about this before proceeding to ask, "Is Ranran aware of how dangerous things are?"

"Yes."Michio nodded to her, "She has been doing this for a long time even before-"

"A long time!? How long is a long time!?"All of this news had hit Amelia like a ton of bricks at Michio's revelation, "How old is she now? 6 years old, right?"

"Yes. She has been doing this for almost a year plus-"

"A year!? That meant she would've been around...what? 5 years old!?"Again Amelia did not take the news well, "And is...what? Running a detective agency!? Does this make any sense to you here?"

"Believe me, there are many things she did in school that never made sense if you studied there."Michio sighs, scratching his head nervously.

After a long pause, "I can't bring you to see Mr Rupert, but if you want me to show you his van to check, I will."

"That will do." He trailed the circus girl across the field till they came to a row of cages. Lions paced up and down inside them, restlessly. Michio inquired, "Who lives there?" after noticing a red trailer parked next to them.

"Oh, that?" Amelia pointed to a red trailer parked beside them. "That's Mr Rupert's trailer."

"Ah, so there is where he lives."Michio stares at the red trailer, "Why is his trailer parked there?"

"He is paranoid of his animals getting smuggled out of his circus, which happened before," Amelia admitted. 

"Couldn't you guys just hire security or something?"Michio couldn't help but suggest.

"The last time they did...Mr Rupert stated they were selling off animals one by one when they went missing."

Ouch. Exploitive adults everywhere."So many assholes."Michio frowns as he considers this, before wondering, "Why did you choose to work for a circus with a horrible ringmaster? Couldn't you have wait till you grow older?"

"Well, did your leader bother to wait till she gets older when she decided to run her detective agency?"

"Hmmm,"Michio hummed before shaking his head,"Nope."

"There you go, we just don't want to miss the opportunity slip through our hands."She studied Michio's face. "Also, he is a fierce animal trainer. Tons of animals died whenever they don't obey him. That's why neither of us dares to enter his trailer, cause if we do...you be certain you'll be killed by him."

By this point, Michio gulped at that thought.

.....................

"The miracle has finally happened! Both of our parents had to make an urgent foreign trip for work! That means we can go right now!"

Shinichi informed the remaining three children through Skype with Ranran, who all smiled. Meanwhile, the other three were relieved that their parents were asleep. "Is anyone able to reach Majima right now?" Ranran inquires.

"I've been trying this for half-hour and have had no luck so far." Emiko attempted phoning Michio again to check if he had heard from Junko, but he didn't answer the phone. "I'm still not receiving calls from Michio."

Ranran's phone started ringing as soon as Emiko informed Shinichi. She grabbed it up before anybody could hear and became inquisitive, thinking it was Micho "Michio, is that you? Did you manage to locate her? "

"Hello, I'm not sure if you remember me," a scratchy voice remarked. "However, my name is Watanabe Ikeda. Your acquaintance, who was fishing at the time, gave me your phone number."

"Mr Watanabe...!" Ranran stood bolt upright while Shinichi's eyes widened upon her words, her fingers tightening around the phone. "Daijoubu (Are you alright)?!"

Watanabe made a snorting noise. "I don't know. People are looking for me everywhere. When can I meet you?"

Ranran's mind was reeling, "Are you free today? We can talk over the phone now if you want."

However, Watanabe laughed harshly. "I could, but there are eyes anywhere kiddo. I want to see you in person. I know where your HQ is. We'll meet there in an hour."

Watanabe hung up before Ranran could say anything as Shinichi pressed for answers, "He called, didn't he? The fugitive!? He'd want to meet you? When?!"

"Tonight, Shinichi," Cold sweat ran down her face.

"Watanabe? He called!? Where is he!?"Was the first thing Takuma asks.

"No clue," Ranran told Takuma, "But wants to meet us at headquarters in an hour. The one at the jewellery shop."

"Wait, now!? But Majima's mom is still working there! If you do so, she is going to find out her son is missing and be mad at you!"Ran pointed out.

"Ran is right! Also, I think you better call Mr Yokoyama," Emiko insisted. "We can't meet Ikeda alone. It could be a trap to lure you guys out."

Emiko has a point.

"But if the police come, Watanabe will flee, and we may lose track of where Junko is. We need trust right now, regardless of his 'motives.' For the time being. We'll enter through the bookshelf door, so it won't alert Majima's mom." Shinichi disputed.

Emiko considered it. "I propose that we all go together in case something goes wrong. However, I am still unable to contact Michio; have you had any luck?"

"I tried too, but I don't know where he is, "Ran admitted.

"I guess we are going to have to go without Majima, otherwise, we going to miss out on the clue."Takuma groaned.

..........

Michio and Amelia had settled down to wait behind a stack of boxes near Rupert's trailer. The sounds of the circus show drifted across the field. People screamed, laughed and cheered. A team of men hooked the lion cages behind a tractor and they were hauled off towards the big top.

Minutes later, a huge man with a cruel face stepped down from the red trailer. His scarlet cape swirled majestically. The light from the doorway fell on his gold circus costume. He carried a long whip and Michio caught a glimpse of a large ring hanging from one ear.

"That's him," whispered Amelia.

The man called Rupert looked around to make sure no one was watching. He strode across to a smaller trailer nearby, loosened a bolt and went inside. Moments later, a terrified scream shattered the silence. Michio covered his mouth in shock but realized the danger Junko might be in and jumped to his feet, but Amelia pulled him down.

"But my friend is in there!" he protested.

"The last time someone did the way you do, he died and never return alive! So please don't do anything foolish!" Amelia hissed.

Michio was stung by the seriousness in her voice, at the same time, is rather curious who is this friend she mention of. But before he could ask, Rupert stepped out of the small trailer and bolted the door behind him. He headed off to the big top, cracking his whip.

Michio leapt up. "Yosh, now's our chance!"

Amelia didn't move. "I'm not going in there. If Rupert catches me, he'll kill me." She grabbed Michio's arm."I think you should do the same for your friend's sake."

He shook himself free. "If I do, it'll be too late."

"Fine, I won't force you." Amelia then warns Michio, "But heed my words, Majima. I meant what I said when my friend died. Even if you got lucky now, doesn't mean you or Ranran will be lucky the next time."

And with that, she vanished into the shadows.

~~

The Kudo twins were waiting at the HQ when Ran, Emiko and Takuma arrived through the other door. Though Michio ain't arrive, they were able to use the room through the duplicate spare key Michio made for them.

Takuma looked around sleepily. "Are you sure he's coming?" he moaned, dropping into a chair. "Why couldn't he wait till the morning?"

Before anyone could reply, they all jumped when they heard a soft tap on the window. Shinichi reached the door first and flung it open. Watanabe Ikeda stumbled inside, his face pale and haunted, his eyes wild with fear.

"You've got to help me," he began, slumping into a chair.

"Mr Watanabe, we'll do everything we can," Ranran told him. "But this case is getting very serious. Two of our members have disappeared, and we have to involve the police."

"Not yet," begged Watanabe. "If the police send me back to jail, there are people who'll kill me, especially Botan." He dropped his voice. "I've found out who tried to kill me. Have you heard of the Karasus (Crows)?"

Everyone looked at him blankly, except Shinichi. He nodded and reached for a box file. "They're a gang of Yakuzas who been haunting the streets here for about 2 years."

"But if the Karasus(Crows) got you out of jail, why are they trying to kill you?"Shinichi questioned the man.

"That's just it," Watanabe Ikeda said wearily. "They had nothing to do with my escape. When...I was taken into that Toyota, I learned from the Toyota driver didn't break me out of prison! It was their Aniki(boss)!"

"Somebody else...?Who?"Ran's jaw dropped at that revelation.

"It's by that Itchy guy right?"Takuma brought him up.

"It's Echis!"Ranran and Shinichi corrected him.

"So wait, are we dealing with two different criminal gangs then?"Emiko couldn't help but notice.

"You kids are right, however, we call him by another name," Watanabe Ikeda looked around the room and shuddered. "Because all of us kept mispronouncing his name, we address him as The Snake."

Takuma made a strange swallowing sound, "The Snake you say?"

Shinichi frowned. "The one who builds his empire within a year, right?"

"That's right. It was him."Watanabe Ikeda shot her a fearful look as her eyes widened, "Not many people are aware of his real identity, but he is said to have an odd kind of accent that lets you know he ain't from here."

An accent? "What kind?"Ran pressed.

"I think Australian, but I am certain he has a British accent."

"British?"Ranran repeated as her eyes blinked.

"He has that accent that tells you he ain't from here, a bit on the posh side even though he speaks in Japanese."

"And how would you know that?"Emiko prompted for answers.

"You will figure things out if you work in this field and encounter a diverse crowd. Before my nephew was unexpectedly born for over 3 years, I used to work part-time at a prominent amusement park and met people from all over the world." Ikeda Watanabe affirmed: "The Snake would plan all kinds of atrocities, but would always have others carry them out. That is why he has never been apprehended by the police."

"Does The Snake know where you are?" Shinichi asked him.

"Boy, he knows everything!" Watanabe Ikeda answered tremblingly, wiping sweat from his brow. "After discovering that he had also placed a hit on me, I sought refuge in an abandoned building. I assumed I'd be safe there. I fell slept for a few hours, but when I awoke, there was a message taped to the wall next to me. It stated I had to meet him down at the docks, Ikkaku pier, at lunchtime afternoon."

"Did he tell you why?" Shinichi demanded."Also, why would he want to put a hit on you?"

"I don't know, that's why it didn't make sense," Ikeda shook his head. "There were just two words on the message. Operation Tiger."

Tiger? That intrigued Ranran.

"It sounds like a codename for some top-secret mission," Takuma gasped, then scratched his head. "Unless he wants you to steal a tiger," he said with a laugh.

"I don't know what it means..." Watanabe Ikeda leaned forward, a desperate look on his haggard face. "But I don't want to go down there alone. Will you come with me? Can you make sure I leave there alive? Please help me," the old criminal persisted.

"But we aren't the police," Ran argued before the others could promise anything. "We don't have guns or anything. And we don't even know what The Snake looks like!"

"Nobody does," Ikeda told Ran, "Nobody's ever seen his face. Nobody knows his real name. Nobody even knows where to find him!"Ikeda staggered to his feet and reached the door."I'd better go. I've got to find a new place to hide in case somebody followed me here." He stared the girl in the eye. "I'll see you, little tantei-san, at Ikkaku pier by midday... I'm counting on you!"

And the bookshelf door shut behind him, leaving the 4 kids on their own.