[https://i.imgur.com/LNj5yuc.jpg]
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While Deshya was at Linda Park waiting for Raiji Harmony to arrive, she observed the murder of a young girl in the forest nearby. She grabbed her phone and while fleeing, wrote a message and sent it to someone, but unfortunately, she got hit on the head and fainted straight away, leaving her phone switched on and recovered by the culprit. What's more, Deshya has been kidnapped! Moments later, just as Raiji arrives at the park, Gatito receives a call from his daughter's phone, but the voice is not Deshya's: it's the man who kidnapped his daughter and is scrambling his voice so as not to be recognized directly. A ransom demand of 300,000 euros is offered in exchange for Deshya's life, but that's not all: the money must be taken to him by Raiji himself, all in a bag with no transmitter or microphone. Although Gatito refuses to let Raiji take such a risk, the boy, feeling guilty about the kidnapping, agrees to take the money with him and will respect the conditions. Gatito has no choice but to agree and goes to collect the money, leaving Sammy to talk to the suspects. Korone and Raiji join him, as does another policewoman for their safety, but the boy has to leave after chatting with 'Jean Boketsu', the victim's ex boyfriend. Korone stays with Sammy throughout and tries to confuse them by lying a little, but as all three react strangely at every turn, it's impossible to work out who the culprit in the case is.
Jean Boketsu', Claire Dochamps' ex-boyfriend, was in his room at the time of the crime, so he couldn't have gotten to the park and back in time. He was playing on his computer and even answered his mother's phone at one point.
Adam Evans', Jean's ex-boyfriend, was with his friends a few minutes late, but he doesn't have a car or a driver's license. Between the time he arrived to chat with the three of them and the time Claire was killed, he could never have made it back in time and therefore has an alibi that seems valid.
Adam Evans' best friend, 'Tom Loston', went to the gym at around 1:12pm and, after chatting on the phone outside for a while, came back in and worked out for three quarters of an hour before going home. It takes 15 minutes to get from the park to the gym, so he couldn't have committed the crime either.
In short, all three seem to be innocent, but Korone asks Sammy something strange: to return to the home of one of the three suspects to search for the evidence that will prove this young man is the culprit behind Claire Dochamps' murder.
A few minutes earlier, Raiji arrived at the place where Gatito had asked him to join him: the sports hall next to Tetazo school, a few minutes' walk from the town's railway station. There, he is greeted by Gatito and several other people in everyday clothes. Raiji closes the door behind him and stops in front of a bag filled with... money!
- There are…
- 300,000 euros inside, yes.
Gatito closes the bag and stands up before turning to a table where several small objects can be observed. Raiji analyzes the people around him, but as if he can read his mind, Gatito answers his inner questions.
- They're all members of the police force. They're going to follow you discreetly to ensure your safety and find out where the person who kidnapped Deshya is hiding. We're not going to just give him all that money without a fight.
Gatito untangles some threads and turns back to the dark-haired boy.
- Especially since, even if we give him what he wants, he won't let us get Deshya back. Not alive, anyway," he says angrily.
- I'd thought of that too..." admits Raiji.
- Given the message she sent you, she must know who's responsible for Claire Dochamps' death. If he gives her back to us, she'll confess who it is and we'll be able to arrest him directly, so it makes no sense to give her back to us alive. However, since we don't know who's behind all this, or where she's being held, we're obliged to listen to him if we hope to see Deshya alive again. Don't move, please.
Raiji raises his arms as requested and remains motionless. Another policeman approaches him and places something on him, but hides it so that it stays behind his clothes.
- We'll fit you with a few microphones and sensors so we can track you at all times and hear what's going on around you. Although police officers will be following you closely, they can't get too close or all accompany you to where Deshya is, so this will allow us to follow you from a distance while making sure we don't lose you.
Raiji also suspected that they were going to install microphones and sensors on him, but he wondered how Korone had guessed it too. He observes the table and focuses mainly on one of the sensors over there.
- What Korone asked me…
He thinks about it again. He understands the proposal, but finds it strange that a little girl like her should make such a request. After Gatito and the policeman have finished hiding the microphones and sensors under Raji's clothes, he walks over to the table and observes the sensors carefully before turning around and admiring the dark bag with all the ransom money. So much money in one place... He's almost sweating just thinking about having to carry it to the person who kidnapped Deshya and killed Claire Dochamps. Now that he's accepted Korone's request and made his 'plan' possible, he decides to concentrate on Gatito and the cops: he can't afford to screw things up.
- Raiji, let me be very clear.
Gatito touches both the boy's shoulders and stares at him with blazing intensity. Raiji swallows loudly and the policemen feel the pressure exerted by the police inspector.
- Whatever happens, the priority is to save Deshya, but you have to be safe too. If you feel in danger, then you give up. Agreed?" said Gatito.
Raiji's eyes are fixed on the man in front of him, but he ends up smiling.
- I'll bring her back, your daughter. I won't let her die until I've had my rendezvous with her.
CHAPTER 33
⎾The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspicions and Ransom⏌
- Perfect, then.
Gatito lets go of Raiji and looks at his watch.
- There's still time before their call comes, but let's not delay. Before we go to the station, I'll quickly explain what you have to do, Raiji.
The red-haired inspector turns his whole body towards him and shoves his hands in his pockets.
- The bag you're going to take to them is indeed without any microphone or sensor, since it's all on you. When you meet the person who kidnapped Deshya, don't be a hero: you ask for confirmation that Deshya is alive and safe, but if he forces you to give him the money, you accept whether you see him armed or not. Maybe you don't want to risk your life trying to escape and get shot while your back is turned to him," he explains.
- Even if we're not sure Deshya's all right, I'll pass him the bag with the money...?" asks Raiji, surprised.
- That's right. We'll be watching you, so he'll have nowhere to run. It's more likely that he'll let his guard down after receiving the money and will have to return to Deshya at some point. That's when we, the police, will act.
Raiji carries the bag with one eye closed: it's heavier than expected. On the one hand, he's not really surprised: 300,000 euros in cash is a lot of bills. One of the policemen asks him if he'll be okay, but Raiji manages to carry the bag and places the strap on his right shoulder, smiling broadly.
- Less weight than my schoolbag!
He shows his thumb, which makes the policeman laugh. Gatito makes an amused sound, but regains his seriousness immediately afterwards.
- I don't know if you're like my family, but I'd like to remind you just in case: this is real life. This isn't some fictional story where you can have all the fun you want and hope to get away with it. Whatever happens, I'm serious, but your safety is—
- I'm aware of that. I'm not that stupid. I promise I'll do everything I can to get Deshya out of this situation. The disheveled boy turns his gaze solely towards the police man, his expression one of fiery determination.
- I won't let my best friend's best friend die. I won't. Gatito approaches him and pats his shoulder.
- We're counting on you.
- Of course you can.
The inspector turns back to the policemen disguised as normal residents. Some of them are men, others women, and their clothes are all different, although most have a cap on their head.
- I'm going to Tetazo station with Raiji directly, but come gradually. There are five of you, so one of you will arrive a few minutes later, then two of you and two more after that. It's plausible that the suspect is watching us, so it's best to take precautions.
- Yes !
The five policemen answer at the same time, and Raiji holds the bag carefully over his shoulder. He should be able to run while carrying it, but he'll never be as fast as usual. He also needs to be on his guard in case someone tries to steal his bag... He doubts anyone could escape with so much money, especially as the police will be watching him, but he doesn't want to make the slightest mistake on the way. Gatito motions for them to go straight away, and he nods in agreement. Raiji follows the police inspector out of the building and out into daylight.
Much later, at 2:18 p.m., Raiji waits patiently at the station, watched by the five policemen who are disguised as normal inhabitants around him, but scattered in all directions so that the culprit won't suspect a thing in case he's watching the disheveled black-haired boy. Gatito, for his part, checks Raiji's position and listens through his helmet, where he can hear through the microphones hidden on the boy. One of the five police officers watching Raiji more closely has an earpiece that can hear from the second microphone: he's going to be a little further away from the boy and in case they lose track of him for some reason, he'll still be able to know what's being said through his earpiece. Other residents of Tetazo and the surrounding towns are waiting for their trains. They're on track 2, but in reality, Raiji and the police don't know exactly where they're supposed to go, since the kidnapper simply ordered Raiji to come to the station, not a specific place.
- In a minute, he'll call me and give me instructions..." thinks Raiji.
He feels anguish, whether for himself or Deshya, but also a certain excitement that he can't help but can't help loving. He finds himself in a situation that may be complex and dangerous, but that's what he oddly enjoys. He'd rather this hadn't happened, but since he has no choice but to help Deshya, he's more than willing to be the one on the spot.
- On the other hand, I wonder if the culprit is Jean, Claire's ex-boyfriend... I didn't get to meet the other two, but Sammy and Korone should know their alibis by now. I hope they've found something.
He's worried about Deshya, and although he'd love to be the one to offer her ransom, he hopes with all his heart that they catch the culprit before it's too late. If Deshya is seriously injured or even dies today, he'll never be able to forgive himself. He'll never be able to believe that it was his fault she died. That if he hadn't wanted to meet her simply so they could become friends, Deshya could have gone on living. Even if he has to sacrifice his own safety for Deshya's, he will save her. He will take the girl's place and accept the consequences of his actions.
- Sorry, Deshya's dad. I promised I'd do anything to be safe, but I'd go so far as to sacrifice myself to save your daughter. My life isn't worth hers.
He's determined to save her, whatever the cost. While he's deep in thought, the phone he's carrying rings. He grabs it and answers directly.
- He's calling!" shouts Gatito from his room.
He gave Raiji his phone so that he could receive the call on his own and save time: they are certain that if the police had stayed with the boy, the kidnapper would have asked them to stay away from Raiji. Raiji puts the phone next to his ear.
- Hello?
- Ah, Raiji. The police aren't by your side, are they?
- Gatito gave me the bag with 300,000 euros in it and I arrived at the station as planned. I'm on track 2.
- If you're lying to me, you know what's happening to Deshya.
- I'm not lying. You can check the bag if you want, I don't care. I just want to find Deshya.
The person on the other side of the line sneers, which annoys Raiji. However, he keeps his cool and doesn't argue too much so as not to make the slightest mistake. He hesitates to explain to the kidnapper that no microphone or sensor was put in the bag, which is true, but he quickly decides not to say anything: he doesn't want these words to sound like a means of reassurance rather than the truth.
- I like you. Go to track 3 and get on the train that's going to Izambar and has Bexel as its last stop," orders the person on the other side of the line.
- Bexel... The capital?" wondered Raiji inwardly.
Izambar is Tetazo's annex town, just to the north. Bexel is even further north, close to the border, a little lower than Floria. Raiji agrees and the phone cuts out. So off he goes to lane 3, whispering to the microphones hidden on him what he should do, and Gatito orders the five policemen close to Raiji to follow him discreetly to the next lane. Fortunately for them, this is not complicated. Track 3 is right next to track 2, so they don't even have to go down the escalators and walk all the way. Gatito grabs his own phone and calls a certain number.
- ... Ah, it's you. Excuse me, but could you watch out for the train from Tetazo to Bexel? We're doing a ransom deal with someone who kidnapped my daughter. He's talking about going all the way to Bexel, so it's possible that the culprit is heading there. Also, could you notify the Izambar police? The fact that the person mentioned the name of that town tells me that it's possible that Raiji will have to go down to Izambar. I see. Thank you for your cooperation and I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your cooperation.
He hangs up and bites his thumb. Raiji is now on the train, sitting on one of the many empty seats. He places the bag beside him and blows out a breath.
- I've finished what I had to do for Korone... I hope it will be of some interest.
He stretches and cracks his shoulder before letting his head fall against the back of the seat. The train will leave in 2 minutes, but he wonders where he's really going... If the man responsible for Claire Dochamps' death is one of the three suspects the victim's parents have said he is, would he really go that far? If he disappeared from her house, it would be very simple to discover his identity. Raiji moves his tongue gently, feeling a slight discomfort. He thinks about what's going to happen, but his thoughts are quickly cut off: the phone rings again. He grabs it and answers the call from Deshya's phone.
- I'm on the train, what's wrong?
- I'm just warning you that I'll call you again at the next stop to explain where you have to get off. If I don't see the money with you, I won't hesitate to kill Deshya on the spot," the voice replies.
Raiji wants to yell at them, asking them to stop talking about ending Deshya's life, but angering them would be a big mistake. He approves and the person hangs up directly. Raiji whispers again what has been said and Gatito crosses his legs from the room he's in.
- Raiji will surely be asked to sneak out at some stop along the way, probably Izambar which isn't too far from here," he thinks.
If that's the case, they only need three or four policemen following him. With this in mind, Gatito calls Sammy and slowly turns his wheelchair around. A few seconds pass before the police detective finally answers.
- Hello?" says Sammy.
- Oh, Sammy. I've come to see how you're doing.
- I see. We've finished questioning the three suspects and we're heading for Tetazo station for now.
- The station...? Why do you ask?
- Korone asked me to go and get something she thinks she forgot there, but then we go back to the house of one of the three suspects.
- Korone...? But she's never been to the station.
- That would be Raiji having something on him that belonged to Korone. If he noticed it in time, he probably left it at the station, so she wants to vérifier if she can get it back in time. In any case, it's a quick detour.
- No problem. For suspects, if you return to one's home, does that mean you have a potential culprit?
- All three have alibis that hold up, but all three also behaved a little strangely when we talked about Claire or even Deshya. So it's impossible to determine anything from their reactions, however, Korone told me she knows who the criminal was.
Gatito frowns and raises his body.
- Does Korone know...?
Sammy passes the phone to the granddaughter, who holds it with both hands.
- Heyooooooo!
- Korone, is it true what Sammy just said?
- I can't prove it yet, but we're going to his house to verify if I'm right, hihi!
- Who is it?
- First of all, has Raiji already left? Which track?
- Huh...? Yes, he's already on the train, leaving on track 3 for Bexel. Who did it, Korone?
- I'd rather not say, or we'll disturb you. Ah! Here we go! Bye byyyyyeeee!!
- Ko—
Before he can call her, the granddaughter leaves the call, leaving the police inspector speechless. Korone hands the phone back to the driver, who grits his teeth.
- You-You hung up on the inspector?!" exclaims Sammy, tucking his phone away in his trouser pocket.
- We're about to arrive and we don't have time to chat!
- But—
- Quiet, driver!
- Huh?!
Korone starts to laugh, but quickly regains her serious look and squints.
- If I tell Gatito who I think the criminal is, I'm afraid it'll ruin everything. If I get yelled at afterwards, I have to keep it a secret, except from Sammy..." she says to herself.
Sammy stops the car in front of the station and Korone undoes his seatbelt before hastily getting out. The man with the short brown hair asks her to come back soon, which she promises to do. The little girl starts running between the people in the crowd, hoping with all her heart that Raiji has done what she asked. It's not too bad if she hasn't, but the chances of success will go way down without it. Korone is pushed by a young adult rushing between people, but she catches herself on a woman's leg and apologizes. She continues her run before arriving at track 3, where Raiji has taken the train to Bexel. If he's respected their arrangement, then she should be able to find what she's looking for under one of the benches. She looks carefully and quickly finds it. The little girl grabs it and smiles as she admires it. Korone clutches it tightly in her hand and turns on her heels to run out of the station, back to the police detective's car. Sammy opens the door for her and she thanks him with a beautiful smile.
- Did you get back what you owed?" the man asked.
- Yes !
- Let's go to his place, then. Are you sure he did it?
The little girl closes the passenger door and fastens her belt, tucking what she's come to retrieve into the fold of her dress. She turns her face to the man.
- I'm convinced of it!
- ... First, a 16-year-old girl finds the culprit before me, now an 8-year-old…
Sammy sighs as he starts the car. Little Korone gently pats his right shoulder, giggling. So off they go to the house of one of the three suspects, the one Korone thinks is the suspect. What's more…
- If I'm right about how he fabricated his alibi, then... Then…
They finally arrive at their destination and Korone gets out of the car first. Sammy turns off the ignition and follows the little girl, but she turns around and asks him to listen carefully. The man stoops to hear the little girl's whispers. When she finishes, Sammy agrees to follow her plan, hoping it will lead to something. Korone thanks him and starts running for the front door. Sammy remains outside, hiding behind his car. She knocks on the door, unable to reach the bell, and waits patiently. Two seconds later, a young man opens the door.
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- What's up? Ah, you're the little one.
- Hihi, good morning!
- What do you want, kid?
- I lost my little toy when I came! Can I have it back?
- Huuuuuh?
The young man rubs his black hair and begins to grumble. Korone gives him a hangdog look, eyes wide open and lower lip pulled down. The person in front of her is one of the three suspects... Jean Boketsu. The ex-boyfriend of Claire Dochamps, the victim of a murder in the forest next to Linda Park.
- Raaah, make it quick, then," Jean replies.
- Thank you!
Jean pushes himself slightly to the right and watches the granddaughter run into the dining room, the same room where Sammy questioned him. There, she finds Jean's two parents watching television next to each other. Korone doesn't disturb them and pretends to be looking for her 'little toy'. A few seconds later, Korone smiles and turns around. She walks slowly into the dining room and back to the door between this room and the entrance hall. At the end of the latter, Korone sees that Jean is chatting... with Sammy.
- Perfect!
As expected, he listened to her and did as she said. Using this opportunity, Korone slipped into the entrance hall and climbed the stairs with as little noise as possible. She reached the second floor undetected.
- His alibi is that he was in his room when the crime was committed. So, if I want proof that he did it…
The first door she opens is strangely the same room she's looking for: Jean Boketsu's bedroom. She's convinced that this is not his parents' room, given the lack of cleanliness and the very recent computer on the large desk. Korone wonders where she should start looking, but when she thinks about it, she thinks she knows where one of the proofs of her lie lies.
- He must have no idea that I'd come all the way here looking for proof, and it's only been a short time since we questioned him. If he thinks all is well with him…
She opens one of her desk drawers, but finds nothing of interest. Convinced that such an object must be in her room, she doesn't stop rummaging through the drawers. The bottom one, to the left of the desk chair, does not hide the treasure within. Korone grabs the object and quickly figures out how it works. She presses it and smiles when she hears the sound.
- I was right... So, what I thought was…
Korone turns and observes Jean's bedroom window. She jumps onto the bed and looks out from the window. The little girl stoops down and notices a mark on the bottom of the window. She squints, but doesn't touch anything. She looks at what she's stolen from Jean's drawer and wonders if she should take it to Sammy…
- ... I must get back downstairs, quickly.
Korone returned to the bedroom desk and opened the bottom drawer, putting the object back inside. She runs into the hallway and down the steps quickly, without making the slightest noise, and skips down the corridor.
- I found my toy, thank you, sir!!!
Korone passes Jean and returns to Sammy's side. Sammy looks down and admires the little girl.
- Is that all right, then?" he asks.
- Mui!
Korone turns to the dark-haired young man and waves her left hand.
- Bye bye, mister! Oh, also!
She places both hands behind her back.
- If you see Deshyshy, well, Deshya, can you tell her to come back at hoooooome?" she asks.
- Deshya? A-Ah, okay, if I see her.
- Thank you!
Korone bows politely and turns on his heel to return to Sammy's car. The man imitates the little girl and Jean stares at them, clenching her jaw. He violently closes the door behind him. Korone stops in front of the vehicle.
- Did you find what you were looking for?" asks Sammy.
The little girl begins to think, which intrigues Sammy. She finally looks up at him.
- If you go into his room and look in the bottom drawer on the far left, you'll find something that proves his alibi was fabricated," she confesses.
Sammy turns toward the house.
- So—
- Just a moment.
Sammy stops and admires Korone. She gives him a serious look. One that a little girl shouldn't be allowed to show.
- Will you listen to me again?
Korone is convinced that her reasoning is right. In short, she knows who killed Claire Dochamps and who kidnapped Deshya. She knows full well how his alibi was fabricated, but there's still a mystery: where the hell is Deshya?
- Deshya's life is at stake," says Korone.
For his part, Raiji is still on the train whose last stop is Bexel, the capital of Belium. Sitting next to his bag full of money, he approaches the first stop, on the border between Tetazo and Izambar. He has no idea what he'll be asked to do, but he's ready to carry out the orders of whoever took Deshya at any moment. He looks around: he can see two of the five policemen who followed him on the train. It's unlikely that the culprit in this case would know that such people were following him, otherwise…
- Oh, we're already at the first stop?" thinks Raiji out loud.
Indeed, the train slows down more and more and comes to a halt a few moments later. The doors open and one passenger after another steps out. He touches the helmet around his neck and blows out a breath, the pressure starting to get to him.
And then the phone in his pocket rings.
The policemen around him all turn their attention to Raiji. The teenager grabs the phone and answers the call, keeping one hand on the bag at his side.
- What's up?
- You're going to get off this train just before the doors close and run to the field below.
Raiji frowns. Before he can say a word, the person on the other end of the line asks him to keep quiet or he'll cancel the deal. Raiji closes his mouth and agrees to say nothing.
- I see you're not answering anything, perfectly. When the train is about to leave, you get out at the last moment so that the policemen following you can't follow you any further.
- Does he know there are policemen with me?!" exclaims Raiji inwardly.
- You'll see a large field a little further down. You get there as quickly as you can and you'll see a small shed a little further on. That's where you'll go and say nothing. If anyone follows, it's over.
Raiji replies with a simple 'Okay', but says nothing else. The person hangs up and Raiji puts his phone away. Come to think of it, the fact that the culprit knows about the police isn't all that surprising: it's even logical. Anyone who would think of that probability and wish to find a way around the police. Raiji wasn't that far from the train door, but if he wanted to run away at the last moment as the one who'd kidnapped Deshya had ordered, he'd have to get up right now, bag slung over his shoulder. He grabs it and carries it as he moves from his seat.
- I'm going to the toilet quickly," Raiji whispers.
He could confess to the order he's just received on the phone, but he doesn't know whether he's being closely watched or not: if he dares to confess the truth and the culprit hears him, then Deshya will be in great danger. He therefore prefers not to say anything and moves slowly into the carriage, as the train will be closing its doors in a few moments. Raiji isn't necessarily afraid of what's going to happen: there are always microphones and sensors on him. When they notice that he's run away, they'll realize that he's been ordered to do so, and other policemen will come looking for him.
- So it's in a little shed on the edge of a field where he's staying... I see," Raiji thinks.
Raiji arrives in front of the toilet, close to one of the train doors. He waits a few moments and pretends to go in, but there—
He suddenly turns and escapes from the train just as the doors close.
He throws the bag in front of him and rolls to the ground, but suddenly gets up and grabs the container of 300,000 euros. He starts running out of the train, the police officers watching him through the window with shocked expressions.
- Raiji just ran away!" shouts one of them.
- Inspector!
- Calm down!" shouts Gatito. This must be the order given to him by the man who kidnapped Deshya. The Izambar police have already been notified, so I'll just call a friend there and give Raiji's position in real time. Get out at the next stop and come back as soon as possible.
Gatito leans back in his chair: he'd suspected such a scenario, which is why they've installed so many sensors and microphones on the boy. Now all they have to do is find where Deshya is being kept and arrest the criminal. He wonders how far Sammy's investigation has progressed, so he calls him on his mobile... but the detective doesn't answer.
- It's rare..." thinks Gatito.
He puts his phone away and decides not to worry: he must be looking for a lead. Korone is still by his side, but after they've picked up Deshya, Gatito will go straight to her. Although she's allowed to go out as long as she's with someone, he has a lot of fear for her safety. She was the target of a sniper, after all.
- Plus…
He closes his eyes and breathes slowly. First he must concentrate on his daughter's abduction.
- This is it, I suppose…
Raiji looks up at the shed just beyond the field. He runs with his bag in hand, hoping that all will go well for him when he gets there. The weight of the money is growing on him, but he's far from tired. When he reaches the shed, he opens the door and notices that there's hardly anything inside, except a small table with some clothes.
And then the phone Raiji had borrowed rang again.
- Hello?
The boy answers quickly. The call is coming from Deshya's phone, but he's sure it's the same person who kidnapped that girl on the other end of the line.
- You did get to the shed, didn't you?
- It's true. How can you tell?
- You'll undress completely and then change into the clothes in front of you. I bet there are microphones and sensors on you, so you'll quickly do this and get back to the station, track 12.
Raiji frowns and quickly analyzes the room. He notices that in one of the corners of the ceiling, a small webcam is clumsily hidden, filming the interior of the shed.
- So he's looking at me that way... On the train, it's possible he was one of the passengers following me too," Raiji thinks.
However, the boy had one question that wouldn't leave him: how had he planned so much? Clothes in that shed, a webcam to check that Raiji was following orders, such a meticulous plan to receive the ransom... If Deshya had planned to be abducted all along, then he'd understand, but it was only by chance: she saw the criminal and wanted to flee the scene by revealing who was behind the murder of Claire Dochamps, but was caught in time. That's why Raiji received this strange message, the "Killer Gl".
- So how did they plan so much? Even if they thought of this plan just after kidnapping Deshya, driving to Izambar from Tetazo would take at least thirty minutes. Or else…
- Stop thinking and put on the clothes!!! Even your shorts!
- Watching me expose myself... Fucking pervert.
- Speak again and I'll—
- And you kill Deshya, I know. I carry out orders, sorry.
- I prefer it that way. I can hear you from the webcam, so if I see you trying to explain what's going on to the microphones on you, I'm calling off the deal. You go to track 12 and catch the train back to Tetazo. You've got about 15 minutes. Don't screw up.
The person hangs up and Raiji sighs, looking at the clothes in front of him. He thinks he knows who killed Claire Dochamps, but even if he's right, he can't see how he came up with his alibi, or how he planned so many elements. What's more, the message sent by Deshya…
- What's a culprit got to do with a ‘good luck’?
He drops the bag on the floor and undresses as quickly as possible, having to catch the train back to Tetazo on track 12. He doesn't understand the point of coming to Izambar to change and go straight back where he came from, but he assumes it's a plan to get away from the police.
- So complicated for nothing..." he sighed inwardly.
Nevertheless, he has no choice if he is to rescue Deshya. Most likely, the criminal will decide not to let the girl go until he's convinced he can escape with the money, but at least his chances of survival won't be zero. He just has to hope.
Time passes and the police arrive at the shed around the same time that Raiji takes the train back to Tetazo. Wearing a cap on his head that hides his hair and colorful clothes that don't really look like him, he waits patiently on the train with his bag in his hands. The telephone is in front of him, on the small table. Raiji waits for another call from the kidnapper, but at the same time, he listens. For his part, Gatito receives a call from the Izambar police explaining the situation. The police inspector knocks on the desk in front of him and storms out of the room. He thanks his friend, hangs up and heads back to his car. He still has no answer from Sammy and Raiji has just disappeared with the money. Although Gatito is convinced that these are the kidnapper's orders, he had asked the boy not to put himself in danger...! Now they don't know where he's headed and therefore where Deshya is! He's about to call a member of the Tetazo police when his phone rings. He takes the call hastily.
- Hello, Sammy?
He listens and opens his eyes wide.
- Y-You're...!
While Gatito is receiving the call, Raiji has also received one from the man who kidnapped Deshya.
- As soon as the train stops at the first stop, Tetazo, you're going to run out of the station without being noticed by anyone from the police. Then head down the street alongside the park to the abandoned warehouse a little further on.
- The warehouse that's going to be destroyed next week?" asks Raiji.
- Exactly," he confirms.
The boy accepts and the other person hangs up. Raiji tucks the phone away in the pocket of his slightly too tight pants and sighs. This situation gives him adrenaline, but now that the police are no longer on his trail, he's starting to feel a real sense of dread: for himself and for Deshya. Nevertheless, he now knows how the culprit managed to create his alibi, as well as who killed Claire Dochamps. He knows the whole situation and smiles.
- I won't let you kill Deshya. Not in this lifetime.
As ordered, Raiji runs away from the station, avoiding to be seen by anyone, but he's aware that the way he's running with such a big bag looks suspicious. He was able to rest on the train, so he managed to run to the abandoned warehouse and arrived there 20 minutes later. It's nearly 4 p.m. and Raiji has received several calls from his mother. He sent her a message promising that he was all right: if he answered, he was afraid the kidnapper would get angry and think he was cooperating with the police from his own phone. Raiji admires Gatito's phone in his hands and puts it away under his breath.
- I can't believe he left me his personal phone, anyway... He could have just transferred my number to the kidnapper," he thought.
However, he doesn't have time to think about all this, so he decides to move forward into the warehouse courtyard. As he suspected, this place is very quiet and straight out of a movie. This place is about to be demolished and renovated for a large supermarket, which doesn't please the neighbors, but unfortunately they have nothing to say about the situation already chosen by the town council. Raiji enters the main building through the half open door and admires the interior. Large crates are still in some corners of the warehouse, including pieces of wood that will surely be used for future constructions. To his left, a metal staircase leads up to a large platform offering a view of the entire interior. A door is also visible, but Raiji has no idea what's there. He's never been to this warehouse before and doesn't care to know the answer: he just wants to find Deshya. He continues to make his way through the rather dark room, illuminated only by the faint rays of sunlight coming in from outside through the broken windows.
- ... Hm?
Raiji stops as he sees someone emerge from his hiding place behind one of the warehouse's large crates.
- I don't see any policemen around... I guess you really have honored our arrangement, Raiji Harmony.
- Do you even know my last name? I'm only here to give you the ransom, nothing more, so don't come attacking me.
Raiji smiled.
- So put down that gun you're holding, will you?
The young man in front of him, whose head is hidden by a large, dark hood, holds a weapon in his hand, pointing at Raiji's body. He smiles back and even sneers.
- Talking to me like that when I could just shoot you and run, what a strange boy.
Raiji shrugs and raises the bag he's still holding.
- I've got 300,000 euros in cash right here. You can check to make sure there are no sensors in it, no problem.
- Put the bag down a little closer to me and then step back. When I've checked that everything's in order, I'll tell you where Deshya is and we'll never see each other again.
- You're the boss…
Raiji takes a step forward and shows his teeth.
- ... Jean Boketsu.
The young man opposite squints and Raiji stops after a few steps. He puts the bag down and blows out his breath.
- What a heavy bag—
- How do you know it's me?
Jean removes his hood, but continues to point the loaded gun at Raiji.
- But I know how to change my voice," admits the kidnapper.
Raiji takes a step back and touches the brim of his cap.
- I know it was you who killed Claire Dochamps, and I even know how you fabricated your alibi. I know you did it.
Raiji smiles again and looks up at Jean, his eyes illuminated by the few rays entering the warehouse.
- Or rather, that you are THE culprits.