An Acquaintance Commits the Crime

Was it the Metropolitan Police Department detective who was shot?

Fujino had some recollection of this case...

If he remembers correctly, it should be that theatrical version.

After pondering for a moment, Fujino hung up the phone and then rushed to the Mori Detective Agency across the street.

"Jingle!"

Fujino, holding an umbrella, went to the detective agency across the street and rang the doorbell.

"Fujino- Senior."

Ran quickly came out to open the door, looked at Fujino standing outside, and greeted him familiarly.

Is Mouri-niisan home?

Fujino glanced inside the door but did not see Mori Kogoro.

"Dad left early this morning..."

Xiaolan asked doubtfully, "Senior Fujino, do you have anything to do with my father?"

"That's how it is..."

Fujino quickly explained, "Inspector Megure just called to tell me that Conan encountered a shooting, but he can't get through to Mouri-niisan or the detective agency, so he thought I should let him know."

"Conan encountered a shooting?!"

Ran was stunned upon hearing this.

She remembered that it hadn't been long since the last shooting...

How did another shooting happen?

Coming to her senses, her tone became somewhat worried. "Is the child alright?"

"There shouldn't be."

Fujino offered a word of comfort, "Inspector Megure and the others said Conan was involved in a shooting, but the actual victim was a police officer. I think he was probably unharmed."

"So that's how it is..."

Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

"But then again, it's normal that Uncle Mori's cell phone is unreachable, but why is the detective agency's phone also unreachable...?"

"..."

Ran hesitated somewhat when asked Fujino's question.

She glanced back at the detective agency's landline...

She broke it by accident.

Fujino: "..."

As expected of you, Unicorn Orchid.

No wonder I couldn't get through; it turns out they'd been brutally murdered.

Unable to find Mouri-niisan, Fujino had no choice but to take Ran with him to the Investigation Headquarters established at the Beika Police Station to investigate this heinous shooting case.

Beika Police Station, Investigation Headquarters Meeting Room.

Fujino pushed open the door, and what came into view was a simple storage room. The window of the room was fitted with blinds, and there was a whiteboard and two filing cabinets in the two corners of the room.

In the very center of the room was a large rectangular round conference table.

Juzo Megure sat in the main seat, while Conan and the Junior Detective League sat to his left, and three police officers, including Takagi Sato, sat to his right.

"Brother Fujino."

Juzo Megure saw that it was Fujino, he quickly stood up and greeted him.

"Brother Megure."

Fujino also gave a greeting, and then led Ran, who was wearing a pink vest and a light purple skirt, into the conference room.

"So, what about the Maori people?"

Juzo Megure glanced behind the two of them and asked in confusion, "Didn't he come over?"

"Hmm, Dad left early this morning, I wonder where he went..."

Ran bowed slightly. "So I'll have to trouble you to come over, Fujino- Senior."

'Yeah, that guy really is unreliable when it matters.'

Juzo Megure silently complained to himself.

However, he was still quite satisfied that Fujino was able to come.

At least Fujino is much more reliable than that guy who's always sleeping.

"Brother Fujino, I've already explained the situation on the phone before, but I'll go into more detail now."

Juzo Megure approached Fujino and began explaining the case, "This time, the victim was Assistant Inspector Narisawa from our First Investigation Division. He was shot and killed by a gunman as he came out of a phone booth. Before he died, he clutched his police handbook to his chest. Apart from that, there were no other clues."

Fujino: "Did you find anything about the pistol's ballistics or the police handbook?"

Juzo Megure shook his head. "The case just happened. Even with expedited processing, we still can't draw any useful conclusions in such a short time."

Is that so?

Fujino twitched his chin.

Clearly, this time the killer was much smarter.

Sure enough, the simplest way to kill someone is to take advantage of a heavy rain and shoot them a few times in the street...

As for the police handbook, in Fujino's mind, it was probably just a cover-up.

The real clue should actually be the heart.

The culprit this time is Kazeo Kyosuke, a police psychologist.

It's no wonder they misunderstood this clue.

After all, the idea of the heart representing a psychologist is far too abstract.

"Brother Fujino, do you have any ideas?"

Seeing Juzo Megure thought, Fujino couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Yes, there should be some."

Fujino responded, "I feel it might have been done by a murderer who had committed a crime before and fled."

"Yes, that's what we think too."

Wearing a red blazer over a black shirt, Sato Miwako and said softly, "But Inspector Narisawa has handled just too many cases. Looking at his past work alone, there's absolutely no clue..."

"That's right."

Juzo Megure sighed. "Right now, the only ones who can confirm the suspect's identity are the children who witnessed the killer murdering the Sergeant Nara."

"However, I do have other ideas."

At that moment, Fujino narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly made a comment.

"Other ideas?"

Sato Miwako and Juzo Megure looked at Fujino with suspicion.

Under their gazes, Fujino said in a deep voice, "Since the murderer specifically targeted the phone booth, it means that Inspector Narisawa was being watched, and that someone knew his itinerary, which means it's very likely..."

"The perpetrator was someone you knew?"

Juzo Megure darkened.

Sato Miwako's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant.

The fact that an acquaintance committed the crime means that it was an internal matter for the police.

If what Fujino said is true, then this case could even implicate high-ranking officials in the Metropolitan Police Department.

At that point, it won't be something that ordinary police inspectors and assistant police officers can handle.

The case is still under investigation, and they dare not speculate...

But they both fell for Fujino's guesses, or rather, his deception.

But if that's really the case, then it means there's a traitor within the police force.

Its nature then becomes extremely bad.

This is a topic that the police try their best to avoid.

"However, this is just my unfounded speculation."

Fujino knew this was a sensitive topic, and chuckled lightly to ease the tension.

"No, Fujino, I think you make a lot of sense."

Juzo Megure's expression remained grave, completely trusting his younger brother Fujino's words. "Although this speculation is sensitive, it's still quite possible... but if that's really the case, it's beyond my control."

Knowing that her position made it inappropriate for her to Sato Miwako could only nod and remain silent.

"Well, it's still too early to say for sure about the specifics."

Fujino nodded. "We'll have to wait and see what happens with the continued investigation."

"Right now, the only ones whose identities we can confirm are those children..."

Juzo Megure returned to his seat and asked the group of younger members to his left, "I've asked you many times before, but could you please tell me again what the killer's characteristics were?"

Mitsuhiko spoke first, "I remember he was a young man."

Genta immediately retorted, "No, I remember it was an older sister!"

Ayumi added, "It wasn't an older sister! I saw a middle-aged man."

At this moment, Takagi, who was sitting opposite the group of children, couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up to change the subject, "What color was the umbrella he was holding back then?"

"It's black!"

"No! It's green!"

"I remember it should be blue..."

Mitsuhiko spoke first, followed by Genta's rebuttal, and finally Ayumi offered a different opinion.

The group talked all at once, but they couldn't offer any useful clues.

This gave Takagi and the Megure a bit of a headache.

So, did these children really see the suspect?

It feels like they're just making this up.

Sato Miwako was quite patient.

She was already used to this kind of situation.

In this situation, the observant younger brother would usually notice and provide some clues...

She glanced at Conan, then asked softly, "So, Little Brother Conan, do you remember the culprit's features?"

Conan: 'Finally, you've asked me?'

Fujino: 'You've grasped the knack.'

Conan thought for a moment and replied, "I remember his raincoat and umbrella were both gray. I'm not sure if he was male or female, but he was holding the umbrella in his right hand."

Sato Miwako, then rubbed her chin thoughtfully and said, "So that means the murderer fired with his left hand."

Juzo Megure: "If it was fired with the left hand... then the killer must be left-handed."

At that moment, the conference room door opened, and a chubby policeman walked in, carrying a report. He approached Juzo Megure and said, "Inspector Megure, the investigation results are in. Judging from the power, the bullet that hit Sergeant Nara was a 9x17 Browning pistol short, and the assailant used a 9mm automatic pistol."

"Nine millimeters caliber..."

Juzo Megure narrowed his eyes slightly. "These low-recoil bullets can be easily used by even a woman, or a novice, with simple training."

"Low-recoil bullets?"

Fujino twitched his chin. "If that's the case, then the assailant's left hand is very likely injured."

"Um?"

Juzo Megure, somewhat puzzled, "Brother Fujino, what makes you so sure?"

"I remember these pistol bullets weren't very powerful. If he wanted to kill, he could have easily used a more powerful one, but he didn't..."

After a pause, Fujino explained, "From this perspective, the opponent's dominant hand is his left hand, but due to some reason, he cannot use high-powered bullets, or rather, he is hiding his dominant hand."

"I see."

Juzo Megure nodded, agreeing with Fujino's statement.

"So, who is this person...?"

Fujino looked up, glanced at the chubby police officer, and narrowed his eyes, feeling that he looked somewhat familiar.

"This is Chiba. He was recently transferred to our department three; he's a newcomer."

Juzo Megure gave a brief introduction, then turned to Chiba Kazunobu: "Chiba, this is Fujino. This must be your first time meeting, right?"

"Fujino, Detective Fujino. My name is Chiba Kazunobu. Nice to meet you."

Chiba Kazunobu chuckled sheepishly, then extended his hand to Fujino: "Speaking of which, this is my first time meeting the Great Detective Fujino Doji. I'm also a big fan of the detective novel 'The Black Detective: Reality Samonji'!"

Fujino was momentarily speechless, feeling a little awkward, but finally extended his hand and shook hands with him. "This side too."

After a brief investigation, the children couldn't recall any useful clues, so the police released them.

"Detective Fujino."

Just as he stepped out of the conference room, Fujino ran into Shiratori Ninzaburo.

"Detective Shiratori."

Fujino greeted her, "Are you here to investigate this case too?"

"Yes, the higher-ups are taking this case very seriously."

Shiratori nodded, paused, and continued, "By the way, Detective Fujino, this weekend is my younger sister Sara's wedding celebration. They've invited the bride and groom's friends. If you have time, would you do me the honor of attending?"

"Yes, I'll go when I have time."

Fujino nodded and readily agreed.

After a pause, Fujino continued, "By the way, when is the weekend?"

"Um?"

Shiratori looked at Fujino with a puzzled expression. "It'll probably be three days from now, Detective Fujino, don't you remember?"

"Cough."

Fujino coughed lightly. "I was busy and forgot, thanks for reminding me."

Shiratori comes from a wealthy family, and with his position as a police inspector, he's quite a figure.

Although he was originally from a certain social class, he should have been quite familiar with those celebrities and the like.

But as the eldest son of the Fujino Zaibatsu Company, he rarely appeared in public before.

As a result, his current identity Great Detective has completely overshadowed his original social reputation.

The wedding ceremony of this kind of person's sister will naturally attract many socialites... It would be good to get acquainted with them, and hand out a few business cards along the way, which might bring in a few clients...

Of course, most importantly, Kazeo Kyosuke will also be attending the wedding ceremony.

And they will carry out an assassination plan to kill Sato Miwako...

Although the gunshot wound didn't kill her, it still caused her serious injuries.

Furthermore, Ran will also lose her memory because of this incident.

That same evening, another police officer was murdered in the underground parking lot of his own home.

The next day, the newspapers were full of news about it. Since the second police officer who was killed also had a police handbook in his hand and was from the same department, all sorts of unfounded speculations emerged.

For example, it could be what radicals call retaliation by violent groups, shrouded in mystery, or based on personal grudges.

Even gossip and scandalous news are included.

"These news media outlets, as expected, rushed in as soon as they smelled something."

Fujino put down the newspaper and sighed softly.

Sure enough, the news media are the most unscrupulous of all.

The person's body is barely cold, and they're already spreading baseless rumors just for clicks.

"オルフェンズ, は Sad し み を い, くなれるから."

Just then, Fujino's cell phone rang.

He took out his phone and saw the contact name [Juzo Megure] displayed on the screen.

"Um?"

Fujino frowned upon seeing this.

Why did Juzo Megure call him?

In his memory, this case should have already become an internal police investigation...