Chapter 1: Seeing Red

Inspector Zenigata, the well known Interpol inspector in charge of the ever on going Lupin the third case was at his desk filling out paper work. He tapped his foot and fidgeted in his seat as he tried to focus. When Lupin rested, Zenigata was stuck with the paper work that he often let build up to ridiculous amounts. He was paying for it now. It kept him busy, but it was still boring. He was much more a man of action. Then his salvation came running thru his office door.
"Inspector! This just showed up." The young officer set down a letter addressed to Zenigata, no address or post mark, but he knew right away it was a new challenge from his rival and he was happy to step up to it, standing with a determined look in his dark eyes.

Later that night Inspector Zenigata found himself staring at a brilliant red gem called 'The Heart of Mars'. The largest uncut ruby to be found to date. It wasn't much to look at without all the facets of a cut and policed gem, but still impressive non the less. And it made a nice addition to the museume's gemology exhibit, at least wile it's fate was being decided. He looked at his watch as he awaited the time Lupin indicated in his note, but something was off. Zenigata thought he herd something in another part of the museum, and he was the only security inside the building. He followed the sound to the ancient artifacts exhibit. The ceiling of this aria was made up of many large sun-lights. This let the light from the risen moon pour in and cast shadows that darkened and faded with the passing clouds. But one red tinted shadow was obviously no trick of the light.

Without hesitation Zenigata snuck up on the tall elegant shadow. It seemed to not notice him or could simply not be bothered with him. That was until he was close enough to swing out his cuffs from around a corner, and have them clamp around a red coat sleeve. The shadow stopped and pulled on the cuffs to find them to be real. With this Zenigata stepped around the corner with a confident smile and a hearty laugh.
"Got ya Lupin." As he spoke the clouds moved letting the full moon shine down upon the two. Inspector Zenigata stood more then a little dumb founded at what or rather who he saw. Instead of the monkey faced thief Lupin, it was a beautiful young woman, she wore a long red coat and matching hat. He had thought that was just the shadows of the exhibits before.

"I'm afraid you have the wrong thief Inspector." She spoke calmly her annoyed expression turning to more of a teasing one as she stepped closer to him. A coy smirk spread across her red lips. Zenigata froze, he had faced Fujiko Mine before but that didn't make her actions any less uncomfortable. "If you don't hurry you might miss him." And with that she turned and walked away her heels clicking lightly as the carpet transitioned to linoleum as she faded back into the shadows. Zenigata was going to try and stop her till he noticed he was caught in the cuffs that had previously been on her, how and when did she do that?
He didn't have time to think as he was brought back to the present by a loud crash.

"LUPIN!" And with that he ran back to the ruby exhibit. Said thief was already on his way out.

"Oh hey Pops.I thought you mighta slept in." Lupin joked at the inspector's expense. "You losing your touch?" And with that he was out a window and up the fire escape, but not with out Zenigata close on his heels.
Once on the roof Lupin looked for his escape, seeing the other's waiting in a barely restrained hot air balloon on the far side on the building, he made a dash for it just as Zenigat got to the roof.

"Lupin..." He growled again giving chase once more. Jigen let the rope go making Lupin jump for the one left dangling so as not to be left behind. Lupin just barely caught the rope with a sigh, and when Zenigata did the same Lupin pulled his legs up causing the inspector to miss and fall. Unfortunately with the balloon having been so close to the roofs edge Zenigata flew over the edge just barely snagging the gutter of the adjacent building.

"See ya later Pops have fun." Lupin laughed from the balloon basket as he and his partners drifted away.
"Damn you Lupin." He whimpered as the gutter started to give way under his weight. He closed his eyes as he waited for the fall, but something made him open them again, and when he did he saw a black gloved hand held out to him. He looked up to see the woman thief from earlier. "Carmen Sandiego." He breathed finally conforming to himself it was indeed her as she smiled. Their gazes locked for what seemed an eternity only to be broken by her voice.

"I don't have all night to stand here wile you ponder the ethical ramifications of accepting help from a thief Inspector." The gutter creaked and bent ready to give up. "And neither do you." Zenigata didn't trust her but it seemed as he would fall either way, so he shot his hand out to take her's.

With a strong grip typical of someone with her resume Carmen took Zenigata's hand and started to pull him up and onto the roof top with her. He was surprised that she was indeed helping him, and the strength she possessed. Not only did she get him back on solid ground but pulled him to his feet as well. Zenigata blinked at the lady in red as she pull her hand back. As he stepped away from the ledge he tripped on a roof tile and fell toward Carmen electing a small sound of surprise as they collided. And because of her height, clearing 6'2" in heels he landed with his face in her chest. A dark pink spread across Carmen's face being stunned if only for a moment.

"You can get off me now Inspector." She said calmly. Zenigata pushed himself up and blushed bright red realizing the compromising position he was in. Although she was blushing Carmen was far more composed then the inspector and he quickly scooted back off her.

"I-I'm sorry." He avoided her gaze.
"Don't worry about it." She said as she stood and straitened her coat, by now her blush had faded. Zenigata got to his feet looking down rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"What say we call it a night? I spared you hospital time so you can spare me jail time. I don't feel like running right now." Carmen said bringing Zenigata back from his embarrassment.

"Uh, sure." He replied noticing she was favoring her right leg. Had she hurt it helping him up? Or was it when he fell on her?

"Good night Inspector." Turning and slowly walking away with a slight limp she waved back at him. Zenigata stared at her retreating form till she disappeared from his view.