Drinking Party

"That really was dangerous. It's fortunate that neither of you was hurt." After hearing their account, Ayako couldn't help feeling a lingering chill herself.

"They even had smoke bombs prepared. It seems they had considered the possibility of failure." Shiraishi became even more convinced that the culprit came from a professional group like Genji Fire.

However, Shiraishi still couldn't understand the motive for trying to kill Heiji and Conan.

"I think that guy just now was probably the culprit who killed the Genji Fire members," Heiji said.

Conan nodded. "Very likely. But why would he target you?"

Conan was puzzled by that as well, and he didn't think the other party had been targeting him at all!

"Who knows?" Heiji spread his hands helplessly. After a pause, he guessed, "Could it be... because he was worried I'd uncover the truth?"

Conan curled his lip at that. So many people were investigating this case, yet he came specifically to assassinate you? Think you're that capable, do you?

"It could have been you, too. Attacking Heiji first doesn't prove anything. Since you're a child traveling with him, anyone trying to attack you would shoot Heiji first," Shiraishi reminded him.

"If I was the target..." Conan was even more at a loss.

"Shiraishi, don't scare the child," Ayako reminded him.

"Y-Yeah, I'm so scared." Conan put on a cute act for the moment.

By then, it was almost completely dark. Shiraishi checked the time—it was already past six—and made a suggestion.

"It's getting late. Let's go meet up with Mr. Mori first. For safety's sake, neither of you should act alone these next few days," Shiraishi emphasized.

"Got it." Conan and Heiji nodded, then got into Shiraishi's car and headed toward the city center together.

On the way, Shiraishi asked, "Why are you