The next thing that came up in Ranran's mind as they were swimming in the lake was, "I am beginning to think that the Titanic scene between Jack and Rose was a bust."

"Why?"Shinichi turned to her, rolling his eyes as he wonders what he gonna hear next from his unpredictable partner-in-crime under such dire situation.

"In the movie, there are floating objects everywhere to cling to. Here, we have a freaking sinking boat, and yet, nothing to cling on."

"You do realize that the Titanic is a luxury ship with tons of furniture before it sank, right?!"He blasted at her.

Suddenly, the boat they were in earlier resurface. It was upside down and looked like the hump of a white whale. They could see the jagged holes around the waterline."Speaking of the devil!"Ranran pointed at it as the Kudo twins swam toward it and clutched the edges.

"You think we can turn it over?" gasped Ranran, the cold seeping into his bones.

"It's too heavy," Shinichi grunted. "Anyhow, it'd only sink again." A steady splashing sound was growing louder somewhere behind them.

They turned their heads to see Junko slicing through the water toward them."Is that Junko?!"Ranran suddenly recognizes her from afar thanks to her glasses.

"It sure is!"Then Shinichi broke into a grin."You know, it's good that we have her around in Tantei association."

Ranran shivered. "Why?"

"Aside from us alone, if Majima were in our shoes, she could save him," Shinichi pointed out.

Ranran stared at him blankly." Seriously?"

Shinichi rolled his eyes and laughed despite the chill that crept through his body, "I mean face it, we are all too young to save Michio in case he drowned."

But as they watched Junko swim closer she suddenly disappeared beneath the surface.

"Oh shit, "Ranran and Shinichi grew their eyes wide in horror when they realize what had happened they cursed in unison.

"Please don't tell me she drowned?!"Ranran had fear written all over her face.

"Very likely so!"Shinichi began to panic at that thought.

Meanwhile, Michio and Takuma were horrified as the boys watched Junko grow smaller and smaller."You sure Junko can swim?"Takuma worriedly asks Michio.

"She should be. Though I ain't sure if she could pull this through."Michio admitted.

"But isn't she the no.1 strongest swimmer in our school?"Takuma probed.

"Well yeah, but the reason she learn swimming was to show off to the other kids our age in the local pool."Michio shrugs.

"Wait, how many rounds was she able to swim max?!"Takuma confronted.

"One."

"One?!" Takuma's jaw dropped in horror, "Then how were you supposed to expect her to be able to swim to Ranran and Shinichi's side!?"

"Well, what was I supposed to do?! I can't swim! Could you?!"Michio turned to Takuma.

"No. I can swim, but not the way Junko does."Takuma ashamedly admit.

At first, Junko's strokes had been fast. Soon, they were slower and getting lower by the minute.

Something was wrong.

Then Michio screamed in horror when she disappeared completely."That does it! It's time I call Emiko to find a way to contact Genzo!"

Michio then pulled out his phone and desperately punched in numbers, making attempts to call Emiko or Ran for help since they warn Ran not to leave the association and that Emiko will ensure this.

However, much to his surprise, neither girl answered.

Desperately, he punched in more numbers. So did Takuma as he tried to contact Ran, but no such luck.

.....

Emiko's phone shrilled back at the tavern, but the figure with the gun snapped an order "Don't answer it!"

Then the shadowy form stepped into a shaft of light beaming through the shutters. Then, the girls recognized who it was. It was the woman who drove the grey car."You were here yesterday weren't you" the woman asked harshly

Ran's jaw dropped. "How did you know?"

The woman shrugged. "You all triggered a secret alarm I set it on my smartphone. By the time I got here, you were all gone. But I knew you all will be back." Her smile carried no warmth."Did you find what you were looking for?"

Emiko had taken an instant dislike to their captor. She faced her defiantly, arms folded.

"The movie you stole? Yes, we found it. But where is Namba?" she demanded. "Or should we say...Muniko's brother?"For a moment, Emiko enjoyed seeing the hazel haired woman's face frozen in shock. Then the gun jerked up as Ran screeched in horror.

"You're a very clever girl. How did you find out?"

Emiko held the woman's gaze. "The nose. Even though he changed his surname of that sort."

"That's true, the Muniko family are well known for the nose."The woman nodded slyly. "He changed his name to protect himself."

"Because he stole all that money from all those investors and spent lavishly to himself, deshou?" Emiko wanted to know.

"The million yen?" The woman's eyes flashed."What I admit is Namba did steal and use it on his own. It wasn't for what you think."

"I mean it was a Ponzi scheme."Ran pointed out."What else would one use for?"

"It is, but not what you assumed. It was for his mother. Plus, that half-brother of his deserved it."The hazel haired woman corrected.

"What? Why?"Ran couldn't help but ask."Does his mother badly need that much money?"

"Yeah, she was."The woman sighed before deciding the two meant no harm, "You see, his biological father, Muniko Hiroshi, who I also call him as Uncle Hiroshi, was a married man who had an affair with his biological mother. After Namba was born...his biological dad actually will his half of the family fortune to him. Namba planned to use that money for his mom's heart surgery."

"Really?"Ran and Emiko was surprised by this revelation, the two blinked as Emiko proceeded to wonder, "It's unusual, given that he was illegitimate. I would've thought his dad would pretend he didn't exist."

"I thought all the tv drama I watch, illegitimate kids will never get the money from the will."Ran frowned.

"Also, I thought Namba was adopted after giving away 14 days of being born into this world?"Emiko inquired.

"That's drama world, not reality. As for the adoption part...you ain't wrong about it actually,"The woman wondered what on earth kids have been watching on tv lately."His biological mom, the one I know of as (Auntie) Kamiko Obaasan, later fell for another man, then became his legal father, later taking after his step-father's surname, Seto. I guess that must be the reason you girls must have heard from. At least that is what Namba told me."

"Is it?"Emiko scratch her chin a little in confusion,"Is this the same woman we are talking about regarding his mom? That this auntie you claimed to be his real mom, Kamiko, is actually Tadashi Sora?"

"Tadashi Sora? Why did you bring up my employer's name?"The woman reacted in surprise with her brows raised,"Also, who told you Sora is his mom? She is his benefactor for him and I. It's the woman who had been raising him his whole life is his real mom, Auntie Kamiko."

"Are you sure...? Did Ranran got the intel wrong then?" Ran's words trailed off, still wondering if there is something contradicting those words.

"Anyway, his biological dad rarely gets to meet him in person as that high and mighty wife of his forbid him by pulling all the stops, thanks to their affair and his mental illness. Still, he knew of his existence and often email him using his private secretary's personal Email account."

"Did they ever meet?"Emiko probed.

"They do, secretly. But it wasn't easy as that horrid wife of his dad often sent people to spy on them. Talking about this sometimes really make my blood boil, ugh."

"You see to know a lot about Namba's life."Ran commented.

"That's because I knew him since middle school before getting engaged."The hazel haired woman pointed at the ring on her finger.

"Eh?! So you are his fiancé?! That makes sense."Ran stared in awe at the ring, wondering if she would ever get a ring like that from Shinichi if they become official.

"Anyway, when Ojisan(Uncle) Hiroshi started having some troubling symptoms, he felt like his end was near. So he let him know to have the inheritance transferred to him because of Kamiko Obaasan failing health. However..." the woman's hands curled in anger, "That bloody half brother of his is equally worst than his mother, as he later produced a fake will to wipe out Namba's share of the inheritance he was entitled to. Because of this...his mom later passed away."

"No way....that's sad."Ran couldn't help but sympathize with Namba's situation.

"Were there any proof? His dad could've changed the will at the last minute if he and his son had a falling out. At least that is what I know from dramas."Emiko suggested before adding, "How did Namba know his half brother, Tomio, tampered with a fake will? Did he tell him upfront?"

"No, "The woman admitted as she shook her head," However, Namba and his father were close leading up to his death, and I know Hiroshi Ojisan enough to know he ain't the type to go back on his words, let alone, towards Namba of all people. Also, he heard all of this through that woman when the will was read out by their family lawyer."

"Did he ever try to contest him for his rights?"Emiko asked.

"Namba had no proof, he didn't live under the same roof as them," the woman told her "Anyhow, how can you fight the Muniko family? That family had gangsters under their payroll. That's why whenever Namba stormed over to confront the family for what they have done, they threw him out!"

"What about the police?" Emiko suggested.

"That woman threatened to have him killed if he did anything like that! Also...a lot has happened later on." The woman sounded defeated."There was nothing Namba could do."

"So when the Ponzi scheme took place, was it before or after his mother had passed away?"Ran inquired.

"Before, as there were complications regarding his mother health before she passed away. On top of it was his company suffered a lawsuit due to the movie tribute he made had set out crossfire on the victim's family. That inheritance would've settled tons of the debts he was facing at that time."

"Where is he now?" asked Emiko.

The woman stared at her suspiciously "That's what you'd like to know, isn't it? I saw you going to his half-brother's house the night aftеr one of your members met him in the theatre. You're both working for him, aren't you?"

"Wait, we're you at the theatre that day?"Ran suddenly notices this.

"Yeah. I was. It was my fault, I wanted to watch a romantic movie with him to celebrate our aniversary, had I known, I wouldn't had ask for this."The woman admitted, "When that movie played out. Namba was horrified when he saw himself in there since the filming took place nearby where he was hiding, even more so when that bloody Muniko stood up, so he had to rush over to erase the damn film."

"We ain't technically working for Tomio officially, to say the least. Rather...we are trying to look into some issues regarding the case from both sides."

"Issues?"The woman blinked in confusion.

"It's this," Emiko recollect what she can find from memory, "You see, my founder: Ranran and her apprentice Shinichi had a conversation with a Tadashi family member not long ago, and Muniko sent a car to drive them there. Before we even know what had happened, his driver was out to kill them."

"So I was right!"

"I ain't done yet," Emiko stopped her as she continued, "Before they were kidnapped, they hide out and let us know that Muniko's actual driver is missing while the fraud took over. So they have reason to believe that someone intentionally wanted to frame Muniko for the shooting. If Muniko was truly behind it, he would've easily ordered the driver to take them straight to the quarry and ended their lives."

"You say what now?" the woman gasped in genuine surprise."Are you saying that idiot who always been hurting Namba...was framed?! Then what, do you girls think that Namba...was behind framing his brother?"

"But then we also discovered another problem." Emiko thinks of this in seriousness,"Ranran thinks it wouldn't make sense for Namba to simply put out a hit on the two, given that your fiancé has been trying to keep everything low profile for so many years just so his existence won't be exposed. The gunman chase in Shibuya was all over the place, that would've not fit his motto on keeping his fake death a secret."

"The worst part was when one of our members were forcefully drowned in a swimming pool, but she was fortunate to have survived. Ranran was so furious she scolded Mr Tomio and that's is how we found out about Namba being the half-sibling."Ran explained. "Anyway, as detectives, after everything we manage to gather, we feel like someone is messing around the two, but we have no idea who."

"So Ranran and Shinichi believe perhaps your employer is instructing you, her right-hand woman, to scheme all of this." said Emiko.

"Mrs Tadashi sent me...to do all of this?! Nooo! That can't be!"The woman frowned at the two in denial, "I may have worked for her for around 2-3 years plus, but I ain't that obedient despite her volatile temper. At least the one good thing about her is that she hired women in their film company."

"Eh? Hired...women?" Something doesn't sit right with Emiko, "What do you mean by that statement?"

"You may not be aware of this, but the Tadashi company in the movie industry don't support females working there, said it brings bad luck to their fortune."

"Seriously!? What is with women-bring bad luck to the movie industry!?" Ran became very riled up by those comment, and so did Emiko.

"Beats me, idiot mindset. " The woman shrugged, "It was fortunate that shortly after Tadashi Sora's husband died that she started hiring female to the workforce and broke tradition. Plus, why would she want to do all the things to Namba? I mean if was her who stepped in to settle his family debt."

"Family debt?"Ran's eyebrows raised, "What do you mean?"

"Before Namba was exposed for stealing the money, she was the one who supplied him the script to the movie 'Boy in the Mirror' and the movie raked in box office profits for him. Also, she even gave me a job as her secretary."

"Is it?"Emiko said in disbelief, wondering what is with the confusion going on with this case, "I got word from the Tadashi family's adopted son, the CEO, that Namba is her biological son."

"What!? There is no way!"The woman was in denial," Namba insisted that his late mother is his real mother. But now that you mentioned it..."The woman suddenly recalled some unpleasant memories as her face turned sour,"I do recall a woman claiming to be his 'biological mother'."

"Eh!?" Both of the little girls reacted in unison before Emiko pressed,"Was it Miss Sora?"

"I have no clue as I never seen her in person, but there were episodes to suggest she has been pestering him throughout his life."She tries to recollect from their past,"When Namba's mother was alive, she told me about this woman who lost a child around Namba's age. They met at a kindergarten when that woman drove pass the route one day, and it was a ill-fated meeting."The little girls silently listen to the woman's laments,"Because Namba's appearance reminded the woman of the dead child, she kept on insisting he is her child since."

"How awful. At the same time, that is sad."Ran sympathizes.

"Has Namba ever met her in person before?"Emiko inquire further.

"Not that I know off."The woman confirmed,"Only his adopted father and biological mother did. The impression she made onto their family based on the stories she told me were...awful."

"...how awful do you mean by that?"Ran questioned.

"There was this one time during New Year, we had a family gathering at his place when we were both 12 years old. His adopted dad passed away at that time around 3 days prior due to a hit-and-run accident, then the phone rang in the living room. When he answered it and realize it was from her...he threatened that he refused to meet her. Even asked how she got his number, she was dilly-dallying."

"They could've just blocked the number, right?"Emiko suggested.

"I did suggest them, but then she would always find a way to search for the damn number."

"Why didn't they just move out then?"Ran asked.

"They were severely in debt at that time. Apparently, his late adopted father was threatened when someone signed for a loan under his name to the loansharks, despite him protesting he had never once took loan from them. My guessing is it must be that damn woman."The hazel haired woman deeply frowns," Anyway, it grew worst. One time, during our graduation ceremony when we were both 15, she tricked the school guard to try and see him. She made a huge commotion outside the school, demanding to meet him as she was entitled to since she gave birth to him and wanting to take him away from this so-called 'poor life' he was living in, so many of us gather to see it. But then the principal later reassured us that she was escorted to the police department and the ceremony went on. He only learns of this later after I drop by his place and met up with his mom."

"Jesus..."Emiko mused, before pressing further."Aside from that, why were you asking the old janitor where Namba is?"

"I lost contact with him a couple of days after the movie date we had, cause he has been telling me someone has been making threats to expose his death as a fraud. So I headed to his former place where he used to live before the fake death situation, hoping he would be there." the woman admitted."I was trying to do everything I could to protect Namba after everything he had been through in his life. I wanted to find out if anyone had been there recently looking for him, asking questions about him. But I got there too early it seems..."

The woman slowly lowered her gun"There is so much don't know," she began. "My name is Ohta Bunko. I'm sorry if scared both of you. But after what Namba has been through as I mentioned earlier, I just didn't know if there I could trust anymore." she studied them, her head on one side."Where are your other friends?"

"Well, Ranran and Shinichi were kidnapped by a fraud driver pretending to be Mr Muniko's driver, "Ran told her, "So the rest of them went out on a rescue mission to the quarry where your fiance faked his death."

It was then Bunko's face had drained of colour. A shudder of fear coursed through her body. Emiko reached and clutched her hand. "What is it? What's the matter?"

"I think they've walked into a trap," Bunko replied in a hollow voice. She slipped the gun into her bag."I think we should go and see Namba. before it's too late"

....

Junko forced herself to the surface again. Her strength was rapidly failing. If only she could reach the boat and the kids, she could work out a way to save their lives. Work out what her exhausted mind asked. Her body was numb with cold and she struggled for breath.

Something smacked against her body and she screamed. She looked down and discovered a fat, black-tie wallowing beneath the surface. It was weighed down with reeds and rubbish.

It was her last hope.

If she could make it lighter it would float.

She filled her lungs with air and dived down the air and dived down to the tire. She grasped it with one hand and grasped the rubbish with the other. Her fingers desperately clawed at the surface of the tangled reed.At last, she could cling to something and save her energy

And that was when she thought her imagination was playing tricks on her she could have sworn she'd heard a powerful motor drawing closer and closer. She lifted her head and found herself staring at a sleek, metal-hulled boat that was streaking across the water toward her. The fast-powered craft churned the lake into a fury. Junko waved wildly. The engine cut speed and the steel hull drifted closer. Arms reached over the side and hauled Junko on board.

She fell onto a seat, shivering uncontrollably and gasping for breath.

"There's a blanket beside you," said a man's voice"Wrap yourself up quickly and get warm."

She struggled to drape the blanket around her. Only then did she look at the man who sat behind the wheel, the sun gleaming on his bald head.

"Namba Katsumi!" she screamed.

The man grinned. "I heard you were looking for me. Now, let's pick up your friends!"

The engine roared a the boat skimmed across to where Ranran and Shinichi were bobbing in the freezing water. That's when Ranran stared in shock."Hey, isn't that the guy we have been looking for?!" she cried.

Shinichi's jaw dropped. He grasped the steel hull, his eyes never leaving the man at the wheel." So he was alive!" he spluttered.

"I wouldn't be if my brother had his way!"Namba grunted and helped them on board.

Ranran sat beside Junko, before saying, "Honestly, don't do that again if you know the chances are low. You could've drowned," she whispered.

Her lips were blue and tembing as Ranran couldn't hear what she said.

"Hang on tight," Namba called "We'll go across and pick up your other friend, and then we'll head for cover. I don't want to stay out on the lake too long in case those gangsters come back."

When the boat reached the other two boys, Michio splashed out and jumped in beside Shinichi. "I thought you died for God Sakes," he cried out."I kept trying to call Emiko to send help, but she didn't answer I didn't know what to do!"

"Well, you don't have to do anything now," Shinichi grinned. "We've found Namba," he said.

"Or at least, he's found us!"Ranran pointed out

Takuma shot Namba an excited smile. "Yes, I'd know that nose anywhere!"

"Of course, I guess it must be from the Muniko family."Shinichi figures.

Namba looked startled. "How did you kids know-"

Ranran tapped her nose. "Detective work. During a period of the lack of trust, we stumble upon it by accident upon seeing a hallway of Muniko male family members in Mr Tomio's mansion, and then Tomio later admit you were his half brother."

"As expected from my dad, this nose is too recognizable."Namba ran his fingers curiously along with his curved nose.

Then he shrugged, spun the wheel, and the boat sped back across the lake. The old quarry road vanished behind them as they made for the trees on the furthest shore.

THE boat idled alongside the lip of the crater and slipped neatly beneath some overhanging trees. Their branches, touched the water forming a natural boathouse.

"Nobody can spot the boat from the other side, "He tossed a rope around a tree stump as he hauled on it. The boat nudged the shoreline as he tightened the rope." But be careful," he warned. "It's very deep here. Straight down, all the way" when the boat was secured, he stepped on solid ground and everyone followed. He pushed through a grove of bushes and spindly trees and led them into a small clearing A rough shed had been built from sheets of rusted iron and old pieces of wood. It nestled in the shadow of the trees.

Shinichi stared in amazement. "Is this where you have been living so far?"

Namba nodded. "I figured nobody would ever think of looking for me at this Lake." He gave a grim smile, "After all, it's where the Muniko family tried to kill me."

"Is it because of the money you stole?"Michio questioned.

"No, though I admit it is part of the reason why."The man denied shaking his head as he explained, "When I stole the money from Muniko and his friends, it was because they didn't let me claim my inheritance for my ailing mother who later died."

"Inheritance?"Ranran blinked in confusion.

"Yes. You see...my biological dad, Muniko Hiroshi, had an affair with my biological mother, who later had me. He was married to someone else, and my mother later married my late step-father. When I met my dad in person around the age of 4, he was a very warm person.  When he promised me half the family fortune, I think...that is when the trouble began, cause later on, my step-father was killed in a hit and run."

"What!?" Heads turned to Michio in shock,"That's awful!"

Majima Michio was no stranger to having lose a love one in an accident, his late father died in a road accident when he lost control of his motorbike. Though it was fortunate he didn't die from a hit-and-run, he knows how agonizing one would feel if it was a hit-and-run, with malice in it, life can never be the same again.

And Junko could tell, as she pet his shoulder for reassurance that she will be there for him.

"Your biological mother...you mean Tadashi Sora?"Ranran found herself asking him in scepticism.

"Sora? How did you know my benefactor?" Namba's expression contorted to confusion.

"Benefactor?!"Michio and the rest became a little more perplexed about how things were turning out, "Ain't she your real mother?"Shinichi began to prod.

"No, who told you this? My real mother is named Kamiko, she died years ago due to her ailing health."

The kids observed his sad expression as he went on.

"Before my step-father passed away, some idiot out there forged his signature with loan sharks, so the family was heavily in debt. By the time I turned 18, my sister for some reason 'committed suicide' thanks to a love that never bore fruit while her beloved fled to another country.  Adding further suffering was when my mother began to experience a downturn in her health. That same time, tousan, or my fiance often call him as 'Hiroshi Ojisan', later suffered the same fate. He made plans to have my claim quickly for my mother. However...after he died, his so-called pretentious wife of his tampered with the will, making me unable to claim the money. Long story short....my mother died later on."

"Eeeeh?! That's cruel! Why would they do that?!" Junko became furious.

"Because I am a reminder that her husband cheated on my mother. That's why."

"Even so, isn't this overkill?!"Takuma spat out his disgust.

"So I am assuming it was thanks to that, you had to flee later on." Shinichi asked, "And then they decided to end your life?"

"Yes," Namba replied bitterly "They rolled my car down the road while I was inside. It was a miracle I escaped. It was night, and they didn't sее me swim away in the dark. Ever since then, I've hidden out here. There are some friends in the entertainment industry I used to work with who would help me. They brought me the boat, and they deliver my food. But it's too dangerous for me to leave the lake in case somebody recognizes me. Even in a wig," he added.

"But rather than moving out of the country to hide, you remained here, why?" Ranran asked him

"Even with the money I had gathered, I felt wronged with what they had done to my film company, and I wanted to prove to the world that the Munikos played dirty with my company."

"Eh? You mean Namba pictures?"Michio suddenly brought up, before he became puzzled,"What is wrong with your company? The last we checked online, it's still there."

"Well...the second trigger that made me go after my half brother, Tomio," Namba sighed, "My film company did well when I was handed over a script to be made by Mrs Tadashi, called 'Boy in the window'. Although it earned me many recognition and awards, the real-life little boy's family found out about it overseas and with the claim that I had made the movie on their dead son while I profited from it all, they sued."

"Really?"Takuma was shocked.

"Yes." the man admitted with a forlorn look," But as always, as it was a small movie studio, I was not prepared for a legal battle. It wasn't easy trying to keep the press quiet, but I had too many problems to deal with and emotions over my mother who was about to die at that time...I ended up resorting to doing a Ponzi scheme to earn the money in settling the lawyer fees, and the company's debt, as a family. But the debt was far too great, so I ended up shutting down the production of the tribute film and the rest...you know what happened next."

All of the kids observed his expression.

"So I couldn't afford to fly out. The only solace I had was that my late biological father bought a property with the tavern given to me on the document. So I resided there once a while whenever I have things to do in the city."

"But according to the cops, the building was still owned by your brother for some reason."Michio pointed out.

"When Tousan handed me the keys, my elder sister from my step-father's side and me was forced to sell their home to pay up for my mother's surgery, so he tell me to move the family there and live as long as I want. Also, again, the hauty bloody madam of the Muniko family tampered that the building would be assigned to her son instead of me."

"Don't get me wrong, but aren't you risking yourself getting exposed? I mean regardless, the document legally claims your brother owns it."Shinichi said.

"Tomio often travels a lot overseas as he is a prominent businessman in the movie industry, he rarely comes by a downtown here according to our late father since there is no luxury goods around the area. So I didn't think much of it at that time. But you are probably right, as that would later be my biggest mistake," Namba admitted."When I saw a movie camera outside my second residence, I hoped they hadn't filmed me. But they had and I knew that sooner or later everyone would find out I was still alive."

"Is that why you decided to steal that movie from the film company?"Junko wanted to know.

"Me?" He shook his head. "No, that was actually my fiance, she was trying to protect me after our date went wrong, so she made a grab for my jacket, mask and hat before proceeding to knocking the guy out and made a run with the film."

"Fiance?!"Ranran then snapped her fingers. "The woman who drives the grey car, deshou?"

"You know about her?" Namba tried to cover his shock. His eyes narrowed. "Have you spoken to her! What did she say? When was the last time you saw her?"

"She was seen spying on your half-brother's house the other day," Shinichi replied."And then we saw her entering your tavern house downtown. We found the film there."

"I thought she was supposed to visit her mother in Kyoto the other day? You saw her enter my second apartment!?"Namba stared at them in amazement.

"Yes!"All of them answered.

"Oh My God, Mrs Tadashi must have tipped her off, considering she is worried about me."Namba groaned, "Sometimes I swear that woman acts more like our mom than benefactor."

"You mentioned she is your benefactor..."Shinichi became intrigued, "How did the both of you meet?"

"During my stuntman days, when I was busy discussing with a director on how does one transition to becoming a film company owner, she overheard me as she came by the set to visit a friend and offer me that script," Namba explained to the sceptical kids.

"Don't get me wrong, but...a woman from a wealthy family offering you a script to direct in despite you only having a stuntman background."Ranran ponder at this questionable angle, "Do you not suspect her?"

"Honestly, at that time I didn't since she too despise the Muniko family." Namba smiled as he elaborate further, "She told me about how they robbed her true love, then forcefully gave away her first born son and that. Also, she is the mother of my late sister's boyfriend, so why should I doubt her?" Namba decided as he frowns worryingly," Right now I'm very worried about that fiancé of mine getting into this mess. Stay here while I make some phone calls. Don't wander off far, ok?"

While Nambe stalked off to make his calls, Ranran looked around their surroundings before wandering across to where a trail led into the trees.

"I wonder...is he really not aware that his benefactor is his real mother?" she asked no one idly.

"Neh Ranran, I need to talk to you about something."Ranran turned to Shinichi after calling out to her a few moments later, a strange expression on his face."Do you not find it odd that he never asks why are we here today? Let alone...how he located us?"Shinichi wondered aloud.

"Yes, I do find that odd," Ranran raised an eyebrow. "I mean...ideally I suspect his friends were involved. Aside from his fiance."

"Especially that woman who is cautious around Namba," Shinichi said forcefully, "Why didn't she tell him that she is his real mother? Based on what we know so far, she wants to see her firstborn son more than anything!"

"Is there a possibility that she may not know that this is her real son?" Ranran profoundly frowns.

"I doubt it, a wealthy woman like her to simply hand over a script that is bound to grant a random man with no background in film-making wealth? That is 1% chance in my opinion. Keep in mind that the Tadashi family has been in this movie industry long enough to simply hand a script with awards written all over it. She could've just handed it over to a film company with better film-making skills."Shinichi challenged his mentor's suggestion.

Ranran frowned. "I don't like this, Shinichi. I feel like there is more to this. But it doesn't sound like Namba is the mastermind."

"True, but I wouldn't completely clear him of the suspicion list."Shinichi insist before he shared his suspicions, "His living area, the shed, isn't far from where we hung out during the shooting at the quarry. I am pretty sure he could've heard it when it took place. Why didn't he ask us if we were here the other day? I mean he is still legally a wanted fugitive. He should be asking, given that his life is on the line with the authorities."

"True," Ranran nodded in agreement, before pressing further, "Also the fact how he knew we were working for Mr Muniko. How did he know? Unless...did Mr Tomio our client let him know?"

"I doubt it, given their bad blood," Shinichi shrugged, lost for words before he guessed, "Maybe he had a spy planted in the Muniko family."

"A spy?"Ranran decided her apprentice must be right."But who?"

"I think you two are thinking too much. Maybe Namba didn't hear it, or was somewhere else when it took place..."Junko suddenly scowled at the two children, as she went back after them and angrily stamped her foot. "Honestly, you two are being ungrateful! Namba saved both of your life, so you both ought to be grateful!"

"There is nothing to be grateful for unless one figure of their true intentions, Junko."Ranran pointed out.

Before Junko could object, Michio could be heard yelling from afar, "Neh guys! How long are you all going to talk!? We wouldn't want to get lost, you know?"

"Got it Michio!"The glasses girl yelled back before turning to the two of them,"Seriously you two, be grateful towards your saviour for God Sakes!"

She mumbled before chasing back to the waiting kids plus adult as Ranran and Shinichi soon followed suit. A long silence took place as they walked before Ranran kept on noticing Shinichi kept glancing at her before staring around him surroundings.

"Shinichi?"The detective boy raised his eyes as his mentor was looking at him, "Is there anything else you wanted to say?"

Shinichi stared at those eyes for a moment before deciding he should say it, "You were right." Shinichi said eventually.

"Excuse me?" Ranran asked.

"The test we said to secretly carry, within the members of Tantei Association. "Shinichi reminded her, "We made a mistake letting Ran become member. She isn't suitable. She...violated the rules, even though you pretended to break the rules."

There was a silence.

"Ran is gullible, but I didn't think she would be ignorant to a point to endanger us all."

"Should I have said that I faked breaking the rules? To test whether she let emotions and prejudice towards me....justify the things she did?"

"I don't punish anyone who break the rules without proper reasoning. But Ran...she has no plan before deciding to leave the HQ. As for Emiko, I am sure she has it in the first place before doing so. And no," he shook his head at her, "I don't plan on telling her till she realizes it later on."

"By what...telling her parents?" Ranran told him quietly.

"If I don't teach her a lesson, one will never grow out of it."

Ranran didn't answer.