Keigo Higashino [Higashino - The Miracles of the Namiya General Store

Shota was the one who suggested the handy shack.

A handy shack? What the hell are you talking about? Atsuya towered over Shota, looking down at his petite frame and boyish face.

Its handy. You know, convenient, the perfect place for us to lie low? I stumbled on it when I came by to scope things out. Had no idea wed actually have to use it, though.

Sorry, guys. Kohei shrank back, hunching his large body, and cast a longing look at the worn-out Toyota Crown parked beside them. I didnt think the battery would die on us here, of all places. Not in my wildest dreams.

Atsuya sighed. No use thinking about that now.

Seriously, I dont know why. I mean, there werent any warning signs when we were on the road. Its not like we left the lights on or anything.

It was her time to go, Shota said dismissively. You saw the mileage. Well over a hundred thousand miles. This things like a senile old woman. She was on her last legs when we found her, and the trip out here was more than she could take. We should have stolen a newer car if we were gonna steal at all. Just like I told you.

Kohei groaned, crossing his arms. But new cars have all those alarms.

Enough already. Atsuya waved him off. Shota, is this abandoned house or whatever close by?

Shota cocked his head to the side. If we hustle, twenty minutes?

All right, lets get moving, then. Lead the way.

Im down, but what about the car? Are we okay just leaving it here?

Atsuya looked around. They were in a monthly parking lot in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Theyd found an empty spot to park, but the real permit holder was bound to call the cops as soon as they noticed it occupying their space.

Its definitely not okay, but its not like we can move it. You guys havent touched anything, right? As long as we didnt leave any prints, theres no way they can trace us to the car.

Meaning were crossing our fingers.

Like I just said, we dont have a choice.

Just checking. Okay, follow me.

Shota bounced off ahead, leaving Atsuya no choice but to follow. The bag in his right hand weighed him down.

Kohei caught up with them. Hey, Atsuya, what if we grabbed a cab? Theres a busy street up ahead. I bet therell be a bunch of them there.

Atsuya snorted. If three shady dudes hail a cab in this part of town at this hour, the drivers gonna remember us. The second they release a sketch of us, were done.

You think the drivers even gonna get a good look at us?

What if hes a nosy one? What if hes one of those guys with a photographic memory?

Kohei was silent for a few steps before conceding meekly. Sorry.

Drop it. Shut up and walk.

They continued to walk through the neighborhood, high above the rest of the town. It was past two in the morning. The houses were clustered together, all modeled after the same design. Almost all the lights were off, but they couldnt afford to let their guard down. If someone overheard them carrying on, they might call the cops about some seedy guys messing around in the middle of the night. Atsuya wanted the police to think theyd driven away from the sceneassuming the stolen Crown would go unnoticed for the time being.

The road started off on a gentle slope, but as they walked, the incline grew steeper, and the houses began to thin out.

Hey, how far we going? Kohei asked between ragged inhalations.

Shota told them it was only a little farther.

It wasnt much longer before he came to a halt in front of the only house in sighta traditional Japanese home with a store on the ground floor. It was a decent size, and its living quarters were constructed out of wood.

The shutter was barely ten feet wide and pulled all the way down. Other than a mail slot, there wasnt anything else on it. Next to the house was a small storage shed. From the looks of it, it was once used as a garage.

Is this the place? Atsuya asked.

Um. Shota squinted at the house and tilted his head. I thought it was.

Was? What the hell does that mean? Isnt this it?

Yeah, I think were good. Its just that the last time I came, it felt different. Like, I could have sworn it was a little newer or something.

You came during the day, right? Thats probably why.

Yeah. Maybe.

Atsuya took a flashlight from his bag and aimed it at the shutter. Above it was a sign. He strained his eyes and barely made out the part that read G ENERAL S TORE . There was more, but the characters were indecipherable.

A general store? Whos gonna come all the way out here to shop?

Nobody, said Shota. Thats why theyre out of business.

Right. And? How do we get in?

Theres a door out back. The locks busted. This way.

Shota led them down a narrow passage between the house and the shed, no more than three feet wide. As he slipped through it, he looked up at the sky. The full moon was right overhead.

As promised, they reached a door. Fixed to the wall next to it was a small wooden box.

Whats this? muttered Kohei.

Seriously? Youve never seen one of these before? Atsuya asked. Its a milk crate. For deliveries.

Huh. Kohei stared at the box with fascination.

They opened the door and stepped inside. The place smelled stale and dusty, but it wasnt too bad. They were in a mudroom beside a banged-up washing machine flaked with rustbroken, no doubt.