A Crime Committed by an Acquaintance

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 thinking 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 and opened the door, then greeted Fujino, who was standing outside, with practiced ease.

Is Mouri-niisan home?

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

"Dad left early this morning..."

Ran asked in confusion, "Senior Fujino, what do you need from my father?"

"It's like this..."

Fujino quickly explained, "Inspector Megure just called to tell me that Conan encountered a shooting, but he couldn'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 when she heard this.

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

How did we end up with another shooting?

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

"There shouldn't be any."

Fujino offered a word of comfort, "Inspector Megure and the others said that Conan was involved in a shooting, but the actual victim was a police officer. I think he was probably not injured."

"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 that had been set up at the Beika Police Station to investigate this heinous shooting case.

Beika Police Station, Investigation Headquarters Meeting Room.

Fujino pushed open the door and saw a simple storage room. The window was fitted with blinds, and there was a whiteboard and two filing cabinets in each corner 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 on his left, and three police officers, including Takagi Sato, sat on 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 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 don't know where he went..."

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

'Yeah, that guy is still as unreliable as ever 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 explain it in more detail now."

Juzo Megure walked toward Fujino and began to explain the case, "This time, the victim was our First Investigation Division's Assistant Inspector Narisawa. He was shot and killed by a criminal with a handgun when he came out of a phone booth. Before he died, he grabbed the police handbook on his chest. Apart from that, there were no other clues."

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

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 should be 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 a heart representing a psychologist is too abstract.

"Brother Fujino, do you have any ideas?"

Seeing Juzo Megure thought, Fujino Megure couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Yes, there should be some."

Fujino responded, "I feel that it might have been done by a murderer who had previously committed a crime 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 far too many cases. Looking at just the cases he's handled, there's absolutely no clue..."

"That's right."

Juzo Megure sighed. "The only ones who can confirm the suspect's identity right now are the children who witnessed the killer shooting the Sergeant Nara."

"However, I do have other ideas."

At that moment, Fujino narrowed his eyes 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 his schedule was known, 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 may 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 the two of them were quite taken in by 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 would try their best to avoid.

"However, this is just my unfounded speculation."

Fujino knew this topic was sensitive, so he 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 see what happens if we continue the investigation."

"Right now, the only ones we can confirm the identities of 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 are?"

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

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

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

At this moment, Takagi, who was sitting opposite the little ones, couldn't stand it anymore and took the initiative to speak up and change the subject, "What color was the umbrella he was holding at the time?"

"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 kids 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 something 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: 'Yes, you've grasped the knack.'

Conan recalled for a moment and replied, "I remember that his raincoat and umbrella were both gray. I don't know 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 the gun was fired with the left hand... then the killer must be left-handed."

At that moment, the conference room door was pushed open, and a chubby policeman walked in, holding a report. He came to Juzo Megure's side 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 gunman used a 9mm automatic pistol."

"Nine millimeters caliber..."

Juzo Megure narrowed his eyes slightly. "These low-recoil bullets can be easily used by women or laymen 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 asked, somewhat puzzled, "Fujino- kun, what makes you think that?"

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

After a pause, Fujino explained, "From this point of view, 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."

"So that's how it is."

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 3. He's a newcomer."

Juzo Megure introduced them briefly, 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 the first time I've met the Great Detective Fujino Doji. I'm also a big fan of the detective novel 'The Black Detective: Reality Samonji'!"

Fujino was speechless for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed, 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 came out of the conference room, Fujino ran into Shiratori Ninzaburo.

"Shiratori Detective".

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, my younger sister Sara's celebration is this weekend. 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 to the request.

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 is from a wealthy family, and with his position as a police inspector, he can be considered quite a figure.

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

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's 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 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 reports. Since the second police officer who was killed also had a police manual 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 to it as soon as they smelled it."

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, love is sad and carries, strong is strong."

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...