"Another painting... Why did it feel like Kaito Kid hadn't seriously stolen any gems in ages? Was that just my imagination?"
"It sounded like you were muttering something very rude, Dad."
"Ahem..."
Conan, who had come around from the other side of the car, heard their conversation and wore a similarly subtle expression.
It really did seem that way...
Well, not entirely. That time with Suehiko Ito, Kaito Kid had stolen a gem from Suehiko Ito's upperclassman...
As they let their thoughts wander, the group followed the trampled path through the mountain forest and gradually arrived at the client's location.
...Then they saw a huge swarm of reporters, packed so tightly in front of the villa that not even water could pass through.
"They actually came all the way out here..." Conan rubbed his forehead as he looked at the several off-road vehicles scattered across the ground a few meters from the villa.
It was perfectly normal for Kaito Kid's appearances to attract media attention. He could be considered one of Tokyo's biggest media draws.
But did they really have to overcome all those hardships just to stake out a place like this?
The client's residence had been built amid steep mountain terrain. Dense tree shadows formed layer upon layer of darkness beneath the gloomy clouds, giving the place the ominous air of a coming mountain storm. But with all these reporters around, something suddenly felt off.
"So that was why Tangze was dragging his feet. He'd predicted this." Mori Kogoro pursed his lips, finally understanding what Tangze had anticipated.
As usual, Mori Kogoro had brought the whole family along for his assignment.
Not only was he used to it, but so were his clients, the police, and the reporters.
Therefore, when Mori Kogoro had invited Tangze—who had happened to