damned_bulletin | [handwriting heavily disguised, with the words written neatly and precisely]

[Folded in half and tacked closed. The main contents are on the inside, but the outside is addressed and features a small caricature wearing a top hat and monocle in the lower right-hand corner.]

To Dr. Landel,

Lately, I have found myself in a position where I have had to relieve your institution of a few items without the means of announcing my intentions beforehand. I hope you will forgive me for not delivering a list of what was taken along with this note, but do know that I sincerely appreciate that said items were made available.

I apologize for any inconvenience the lack of warning may have caused. However, in light of the situation here, I realize that providing such warnings in the future may be impractical. Thus, I ask you to consider this to be an open-ended notice:

Dr. Landel, I may, at any time and in any place during my stay at your fine establishment, take any item I perceive to have a particular value.

[The note is signed "Kaitou Kid ♥", followed by the same caricature from the outside]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Heiji has removed the note ~~AND PLACED IT IN HIS EVIDENCE BAG!~~, and replaced it with the following:]

Well, this is an unpleasant surprise. What the hell are you doing here, Kid?

--服部平次

Unpleasant for you, perhaps, but I'll respectfully disagree.

Hattori Heiji, detective of the west.

It's nice to encounter a familiar name. Maybe this will be more interesting that I thought.

I could say the same thing, considering it sounds to me like you're trapped here same as me with nowhere to run to.

But I could probably say the same about it being nice to see something familiar.

--服部

'Nowhere to run to', you say? Do you really expect that to be a problem for me, detective? If you'll recall, I have a history of slipping away when there's nowhere to run to.

Admittedly, the playing field is... reduced here. I say that just makes it more interesting. Perhaps I'll seek you out to give my regards, or perhaps I already have.

I'd like to see you try. No one's escaped from here before--everyone either vanishes or leaves in a body bag. I'm sure you don't want either of those things to happen.

Thanks for the hint, by the way. It'd be stupid to find me, though. Taunting a predator is never a good idea.

--服部

And who is to say that those that 'vanished' did not merely escape?

I'd almost say like it sounds you're concerned about me. I'm touched. ♥

Because they would have taken the people they cared about with them? Duh. People who were close friends or allies have vanished without any cause or reason. What kind of person (perhaps not you, but someone else) would leave their friends and comrades to a situation like this and not even look back once?

I'm a very hungry wolf, Kid. No telling what I'll do if I see an opportunity.

--服部

And I am the most elusive prey you'll ever hunt.

Catch me if you can.

No need to tell me that, I've read all the papers.

The world may be your playground, Kid, but things are significantly more limited here. Of course, I'm interested to see how you fair with the limited materials available to you. You ever think of using your talent to benefit the people stuck here?

--服部

[There is an ink blot at the beginning, as if the pen was left against the paper for a moment.]

Yes, I have.

Well, well. A human response. I'm impressed.

And? What made you decide not to?

--服部

I do so aim to please. ♥

That's quite an assumption, detective. My reasons are my own, as is my decision. I have no obligation to share either with you.

Hm, I think I touched a nerve somewhere.

Sure you're not obligated or anything, but it's a fair enough question. You seem rather loathe to answer, though, which I find intriguing. Second thoughts?

No second thoughts, my good detective; merely private ones! You'll understand, I hope.

Sometimes there's no difference between second thoughts and private ones. But I'll take your word for it.

--服部

[handwriting heavily disguised, with the words written neatly and precisely]

no subject

[same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]

Re: [same disguised handwriting]