Late at night, Juzo Megure, fast asleep, was suddenly woken up by a ringing telephone.
Climbing out of bed and glancing at Midori Megure, who was still fast asleep, Juzo Megure walked into the living room and answered the phone. "Hello... Who is this..."
"It's me, Fujino Doji. I worked with you a few days ago, Inspector Megure."
From the other end of the line came Fujino's somewhat muffled voice.
"Fujino?"
A still-half-asleep Juzo Megure muttered in confusion. After pondering for a moment, he asked in surprise, "Fujino, my boy? What are you calling me for so late? Don't tell me you've stumbled into another murder case?"
Strange, why did I say "another"?
Recalling what he had just said, Juzo Megure frowned.
Fujino on the other end of the line continued in a calm tone, "I haven't encountered a murder case as such. It's just that I solved a twelve-year-old murder case, and incidentally uncovered a drug-trafficking syndicate..."
Hearing the other end say he hadn't encountered a murder case, Juzo Megure finally breathed a sigh of relief.
A moment later, however, the realization hit him. "What?! You said you found a drug-trafficking syndicate?!"
"That's right. I've already finished gathering the evidence, which is why I'm calling you."
"Where are you right now! I'm bringing people over right now!"
Juzo Megure repeatedly questioned the other end of the line.
"Moonlight Island... Wait, Inspector Megure, the drug dealer's contact seems to have come over. Hang on!"
"Hold on, Fujino, my boy, don't act rashly!"
Before Juzo Megure could finish, the beep of a hung-up call already came from the other end.
"Honestly, Fujino, my boy, tomorrow is the weekend and you're still finding me work..."
Juzo Megure's expression gradually turned stern, and he dialed his phone again. "Manager Matsumoto, it's me, Juzo Megure!"
"The murder case from twelve years ago on Moonlight Island has been solved... Also, quickly notify the Fourth Investigation Division. That kid Fujino discovered a large drug smuggling syndicate on Moonlight Island, and he's probably been caught by them by now..."
Meanwhile.
"Still, I really didn't expect this guy to take the bait the very night... Looks like I'll have to make it quick!"
Having hung up the phone, Fujino let out an amused, light chuckle and fixed his gaze on the man walking into the community center not far away.
Because it was late at night, Fujino didn't see the man's face clearly, but judging by his build, he could confirm that the man was none other than Kawashima Hideo.
Kawashima Hideo was already in his fifties, and Fujino reckoned he would be relatively easy to deal with.
This was all part of the plan.
"Ah—"
Suddenly, Fujino's nose felt itchy, and before he could make a sound, he quickly covered his mouth.
The sneeze was forcibly choked back, and for a moment, his head felt a dull ache.
"This body really is frail... Just freezing outside for a little while and I'm about to catch a cold."
Fujino rubbed his slightly aching head and complained.
Then he turned on the phone's camera function, hung it on the breast pocket of his suit, and casually took off the necklace around his neck.
Carrying the wooden sword, he trailed after him.
Inside the community center.
In the dimly lit piano room, Kawashima Hideo took a packet of white powder out of the piano's hidden compartment, his mood exceptionally joyful. "I never expected this guy to actually find a cheap new source of goods. Looks like this batch can keep selling for another few weeks."
At that moment, a dark figure crept up silently behind him.
Kawashima Hideo, his attention focused on the flour, didn't notice the slightest abnormality.
The wooden sword in the dark figure's hand rose and fell, smashing heavily onto the back of Kawashima Hideo's head.
"Bang!"
"Ah!"
Accompanied by a crisp striking sound, a scream echoed throughout the entire community center.
"Who is it?!"
Staggering forward a few steps from the pain, Kawashima Hideo turned his head fiercely to see a young man in a black suit holding a wooden sword standing behind him.
Notice, Detective Time has started, countdown 0-0-59
"My name is Fujino, and I'm a detective!"
Fujino raised the wooden sword and said, "Mr. Kawashima, I suppose this batch of yours can make quite a bit of money, right?"
"Damn it!"
Kawashima Hideo glared fiercely at Fujino. "You found out about all of this?!"
Then, Kawashima Hideo broke into a seductive smile and made a proposal to Fujino, "As long as you help me keep this secret, I'll give you a huge sum of money..."
"My price is very expensive, you know!"
Fujino gave an amused smile. "How about five million yen?"
"Deal."
Kawashima Hideo agreed right on the spot without the slightest hesitation.
"What about the murder?"
Fujino didn't accept, but instead upped the ante with a taunt, "Shouldn't you give me an extra sum of money as well? How about fifty million?"
"Fifty million? Why don't you go rob a bank!"
Kawashima Hideo cursed angrily, froze for a moment, and then asked in confusion, "This murder you're talking about, what's that all about?"
"That's right, murder."
Fujino nodded. "Just yesterday, I received a commission from someone named Aso Keiji to investigate the truth behind his death on this island twelve years ago."
"Through my inquiries, visits, and meticulous investigation, I've tentatively deduced that the murderer who killed him was precisely those four people who were the first to discover the fire scene."
"Twelve years ago, it was you, acting in collusion with Kuroiwa Tatsuji, Kameyama Isamu, and Nishimoto Ken, who murdered Aso Keiji, wasn't it?"
With that, Fujino stared into Kawashima Hideo's eyes and said in a deep voice, "All because he didn't want to help you transport drugs anymore, so you were afraid the matter would be exposed and killed him!"
"As childhood playmates, we didn't actually want to kill his whole family and burn him to death with a fire."
Kawashima Hideo shook his head. "But you can only blame that guy for being too rigid... Actually talking about wanting to quit after saving up enough money for his child's medical expenses. Did he really think we would let him go?"
"You're right, Great Detective, we killed him. So what can you possibly do about it?"
Kawashima Hideo nodded, a gratified smile then appearing on his face. "Still, I really admire you. Your deductive ability and wisdom are second to none, and we need a talent just like you..."
With that, he spread his arms and continued his invitation to Fujino, "If you can join us, we can give you wealth and glory you could never enjoy just being a detective!"
"You're full of crap! Who would side with scum like you who murder and traffic drugs!"
Fujino shouted righteously, and immediately activated Detective Enhancement.
Detective Enhancement has been activated for the host; countdown 0-1-59
To be honest, if he hadn't turned on the camera, Fujino really might have considered blackmailing them for a sum of money before turning them in... Too bad he couldn't.
It would be a miracle if these drug dealers didn't throw him into the ocean to reclaim land, let alone give him money.
"Hmph... Heh-heh-heh!"
Hearing this, Kawashima Hideo lowered his head and broke into a maniacal laugh. "I never would've thought it—all these years of accumulation, ruined by a tiny little detective... Since that's the case, then go to hell!"
With that, he snatched up the stool from in front of the piano nearby and swung it straight at Fujino.
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