Vodka listened to Sato Miwako's question, and the corner of his eye twitched. Why am I wearing a hospital gown? You should be asking the thing behind you that!
Just as he was thinking that, the thing turned to look at him and made a surprised sound. "How did you end up like this? Are you all right?"
Vodka: "..."
Heh. That little thing currently being kidnapped should really come back and see what real acting looked like.
Grumbling inwardly, he dusted himself off. "It's nothing. I was avoiding a flowerpot that fell from upstairs and accidentally took a tumble."
Officer Sato froze, immediately sensing something was wrong. "A flowerpot that fell from upstairs?"
Just then, Inspector Megure returned from the Nurses' Station, interrupting the conversation.
The inspector was first delighted to run into his capable junior, then revealed an expression of sudden realization. "Then my deduction was correct—based on the nurses' descriptions, the ones who came to visit Kataoka Jun not long ago were Conan and the others.
"However, the nurses said the four of them came together and left together. Shojun wasn't with them."
As he spoke, Mr. Kataoka's phone suddenly rang.
Startled, he carefully answered it. After listening for a few seconds, his face changed drastically. "What did you say? Shojun is in your hands?!"
Jiang Xia glanced at him, signaling him to turn on the speakerphone.
Mr. Kataoka nodded and discreetly pressed the speakerphone button. The next instant, the kidnapper's voice came clearly through the receiver. "Listen carefully. Immediately prepare thirty million yen in old, unmarked bills, and get a bag sturdy enough to hold them. I'll tell you later where to put the money."
Mr. Kataoka kept his voice steady. "Where's Shojun? Let me confirm that he's safe first, or there's nothing to discuss."
The