(Thud)
When they arrived at the Editorial Department, the three got out of the car and found Niina Nintaro's editor.
Seeing Niimi Kaori, the editor sighed helplessly. But she was the daughter of their cash cow, and a pretty one at that, so he composed himself and went over to greet them.
"Mr. Niimi's manuscript?" The editor glanced at the calendar and smiled. "Then you've come at just the right time. Every Saturday at midnight, Mr. Niimi faxes his manuscript over—why don't you look around nearby first and come back tonight?"
Jiang Xia nodded. "We'll deal with midnight when it comes. Do you have any faxes he sent before?"
"I do. Let me look." The editor began rummaging through drawers and boxes, glancing at Niimi Kaori as he did so.
Remembering how this young woman insisted that her father had vanished, he gently tried to persuade her: "Although the manuscripts are typed, the font is exactly the same as the one Mr. Niimi always used. And every time, Mr. Niimi writes his own signature beside the title."
"Ah, here they are."
He quickly pulled out several Original Manuscripts, each fastened with a paper clip, and handed them to Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia took the manuscripts and examined them. The serialized novel was called The Apex of 1/2, and beside every title was indeed the handwritten name "Nintaro."
He handed the manuscripts to Niimi Kaori. "Is this your father's handwriting?"
Niimi Kaori nodded.
The editor reassured her, "Miss Niimi, don't worry too much. Your father must be absorbed in his writing and doesn't want the outside world to disturb him, so he refuses to contact anyone. I've seen plenty of authors like that. Once he finishes this novel, he'll definitely come back on his own."
Conan said, "But Mr. Niimi disappeared