The Danish cold case (3)

"Looks like my hunch was right," Kaemi stated.

"What hunch?" asked Reiju.

"Oh right, I haven't told you anything. To summarize, the knife wound is indeed a clean strike and likely done by a professional, but it also didn't perfectly pierce the victim's heart. A pro wouldn't mess that up. It's possible the culprit used the knife as a ballistic, but even then, the knife wound would be much deeper. It's like the murderer lacked the strength to properly stab the victim."

"So the guy was stabbed. So who are the suspects?"

"Well, if an assassin truly was involved then it could be anyone. As for who ordered the hit, that's much easier. Mr.Prime suspect was just dragged in. Its obvious the victim was murdered for discovering that hidden room."

"Are those people real?" Chika asked.

"No way to tell now. Though the telling sign will be how the home countries of those guys react."

                                                                              ...

"Well that was eerily fast," Kintaro glared as he stared at a rotund old man that had no hair, save for two thick white eyebrows that nearly covered his eyes.

"Eerie? I was just here already for a political retreat. Coincidence. Coincidence boy," the man laughed.

The man was Senator Max Thrasher of Arizona, the senate majority leader in the US senate. He had been in the senate for countless years and was often the subject of many conspiracy theories because of this.

"You say that's supposed to be President Dixon? Impossible. He was buried. I was also there when his coffin was in the rotunda in DC," Thrasher glared.

"It is quite suspicious though. If this is a hoax, why was someone murdered," Kintaro glared.

"Murdered!? That blurb was real? Thought it was advertisement."

"I doubt it. You can clearly see the police presence and crime scene tape. We only let you in because we assume you are here on behalf of the United States."

"Well ain't that an honor. I'll tell our diplomat you fired him. I truly did just stop by. Though if service can get through, I'll probably be asked by President Shrubb to do some field work. Bastard loves him some elder abuse after all."

"And how old are you? I don't recall there being any images of you that exist with you looking any different than you do now. Even ones from the 70s and 60s."

"Older than dirt boy. Now where's the head researcher? I need to negotiate with him on getting this hoax exposed in an American lab."

"He's in custody for questioning.

"Oh. Well I guess I'll look for the next in charge," Thrasher glared.

"Hmm, Thrasher clearly has some knowledge on this. His timing clearly shows that," Kintaro thought.

He decided to eavesdrop as Thrasher talked with the second in command off in one of the offices.

"Now you listen to me. Claim those are just wax dummies in there if you don't want to wake up lynched under Mt Fuji."

"S- Sir, who exactly are you!?" the nervous researcher asked.

"Senator Max Thrasher of the United States of America." Thrasher replied as he did a hand sign.

"Oh, my apologies sir. Beku-san told me not to listen to anyone's orders other than his own."

"*Tch* Well you're loyal I give you that. Guess I'll have to get that ass released if I want progress. Though why was one of the vats empty?"

"Huh? What do you mean empty?"

"The girl you idiot! Did you not know that room existed either!?"

"N- No sir. I believe Beku-san is the only one that did."

"Come with me. We're going to see Beck."

As the two exited the office, Thrasher scowled and angrily smashed the ground with his cane.

"Damn bugs," he snarled.

"One point for the conspiracy theorists. You're clearly trying to cover up something big," Kintaro thought as he shut down the listening device in his squad car.

He then drove out and around as Thrasher and the researcher exited.

"If I time this right, I can make it appear like I'm just a patrol car passing by and tail them without their knowing. Huh? Whered'd they go. I don't see any missing cars nor a cab. How did they give me the slip!?" Kintaro thought.

                                                                           ...

Mimi stared at the old woman that answered the door.

"Hmm? Who are you dearie?" she asked.

"Mille? Is this one of your disguises?" Mimi asked.

"You know my name? Who are you? My memory's going."

"Mimi, Codename: Laks from Danablu."

"Rocks?"

"Laks with an L. You know like salmon laks."

"Oh Mimi the Laks. Who are you again?"

"Come on Mille, there's no way you're this old. I mean you should be 50 at worst not a 70 year old looking granny," Mimi laughed as she tugged on the old lady's face.

"Ouch."

"It's real. I guess you're not the Mille I was looking for. I'm so sorry!"

"It's alright dearie."

"Well, just in case, are you Codename Millionbøf?"

"*Sigh* Took you long enough to remember my codename," the old lady sighed.

"MILLE!?"

"Sorry Mimi, I was hard on you, but sadly this is how I look now. I look and feel 20 years older thanks to that Crimgulag harpy's torture."

"You remember the countries!?"

"Ah, I suppose you must be confused. Well, turns out a phenomenon occurred where everyone suddenly started calling the countries and cities of the world different names. Everything else remained the same."

"But my Danablu card is still here," Mimi stated as she pulled out her ID card.

Mille's eyes went wide as she stared at the card.

"So it was real," she muttered.

"What's real?"

"A rumor I heard a while back. I forget how far back, but I heard Vivi had you taken here after she found you frozen in Siberia, er Eastern Crimgulag."

"Do you know about the others!?"

"Only Vivi. Heard she's been turtleling in the woods up north. Rarely comes out. Also heard Marzi's been working as a bodyguard for the Danish diplomat. No clue on the others."

"That's plenty. I'll try looking for Marzi first. Wanna come with us?"

"Us?"

"Oh, I met a young spy from this country named Ri. She's got talent. She was able to easily take out my captors and free me."

"I'm too old thanks to Crimgulag. I wish you luck. I'm at least happy I was able to revive some old memories."

"I'll come back when Quadratica all together again," Mimi smiled as she left.

"So what now?" Ri asked.

"We're going to the diplomat's office to see my friend Marzi. Heard she's a bodyguard. Also heard Vivi's in the woods up north," Mimi smiled.

Shiruka's eyes went wide as he witnessed what happened next.

"Huh? What was all that!? And why is she..."