A Crooked Staple

The police officers from the First Investigation Division arrived at the exhibition hall to find the scene cordoned off. Several officers were gesturing around the body, discussing how to remove the deceased, who was impaled on the wall.

Tang Ze looked up at the victim, remaining silent.

"Tang Ze-kun, are you alright?" Ran Mouri, realizing Tang Ze was from out of town and likely unaccustomed to murder scenes, gently patted his back, worried the gruesome sight might traumatize him.

"Hm?" Tang Ze snapped back to attention. "Oh, I'm fine. I just feel like the killer is quite capable."

"Huh?" Ran Mouri blinked in surprise.

"That's an art exhibition sword, isn't it?" Tang Ze pointed to the greatsword stuck in the wall. "It's not very sharp, and it's a heavy iron sword. For the killer to lift such a fat uncle and pin him to the wall with it, they must have incredible strength..."

Conan's mouth twitched. Considering his current identity, he refrained from commenting.

Is that the main point?

Tang Ze glanced at Conan. Or what else?

He subtly observed the museum staff being questioned by the officers. The curator, a man with a long beard and mustache, was calmly providing answers.

I can't just point at him and say he's the killer, can I? That would be like giving away the answer on the first page of a mystery novel and ruining the show.

Besides, he genuinely thought the killer was impressive. He'd felt that way reading the manga, and seeing it in person, he couldn't help but admire the old man with the mustache. Being able to wield an iron sword meant he was in great shape, but to lift a living person with one hand and pin them to the wall...

The criminals in Conan's world truly have extraordinary talent.

"Were you the ones who discovered the body?" a stout detective approached, holding a notebook. He paused upon seeing their faces, "Aren't you Kogoro Mouri's daughter..."

And wasn't she Shinichi's classmate too... A high school girl who's practically a regular at crime scenes...

Ran Mouri offered a wry smile. "Inspector Megure, we meet again."

She didn't want to be here either. Who would want to encounter a murder while visiting an exhibition?

She skillfully recounted how they found the body. Tang Ze, after a quick assessment of the well-known detective, turned back to watch the officers set up two ladders to carefully lower the photographed victim.

Seeing Tang Ze looking away, Conan sidled closer and whispered, "What are you looking at?"

Talking like that, without addressing me properly or using honorifics, he's not even trying to act. With that level of acting, can his disguise really hold up against those two undercover agents?

Tang Ze mused for a moment, preparing to give the detective a little push. Just as he was about to speak, he lowered his head to gauge the distance and simply crouched down. "Look at the wall where the body was hanging. There are several exhibit labels there, but no paintings. And in the victim's right hand, is he holding something?"

"Oh, that's strange. It's like the spot for the body was prepared..." Sonoko Suzuki, who had been following closely behind Tang Ze, nodded in agreement.

Conan narrowed his eyes, entering a state of contemplation. Inspector Megure, already behind them, had spotted the surveillance camera directly facing the body and was calling for someone to retrieve the footage.

Tang Ze pondered for a moment, feeling he had provided enough clues for now. He would feed Conan a few more hints once the surveillance video was ready.

Go for it, little detective.

Speaking of this case, it's rare for Kogoro Mouri, who isn't asleep, to solve it. But with four high school students present today, the probability of the tranquilizer dart appearing has increased.

If we rank them by who gets injected, when Kogoro Mouri isn't around, Sonoko Suzuki is second in line.

Tang Ze glanced at Sonoko, who was trailing closely beside him.

I feel like I can orchestrate something...

Half an hour later.

"Sir, we found this in Kubota's locker!"

An officer walked into the exhibition hall and unwrapped the object in his hand, which was tightly wrapped in cloth. It was the helmet, stained with the victim's blood splattered in the surveillance footage.

Inspector Megure frowned, staring intently at the visibly nervous museum employee. "The note in the victim's hand has your name on it, and the murder weapon was also found with you. Do you have any explanation?"

Kubota, seeing the officers subtly closing in, stammered, "I didn't kill anyone, I'm innocent!"

"Your illegal sale of exhibits was discovered by the victim. His phone contains emails demanding huge compensation from you for it, providing a strong motive," Inspector Megure gestured for his subordinates to step forward and make the arrest. "You can explain any issues at the police station."

"I..." Kubota, unable to defend himself, broke out in a cold sweat and looked around helplessly.

He really didn't do it. Conan's brow furrowed. No, I can't wait any longer. If I don't point out the problem soon, Kubota will become a scapegoat.

He flipped his wrist and opened his watch face.

Tang Ze, who had been observing the entire scene with his arms crossed: ...

What's with the criminal investigation process in this world? They all act like once you're in the station, you're convicted. If you didn't do it, why panic? Can't you just argue your case at the police station?

Conan, of course, couldn't receive Tang Ze's silent commentary. He was contemplating who should deliver the deduction.

Ran, bored from waiting, had wandered off to look at paintings on the other side of the exhibition hall. The only acquaintances in a suitable position were Sonoko and Tang Ze.

Actually, Tang Ze, who observed the entire process keenly and provided many clues, would be the better choice... However, I've only known this new classmate for a few days, and I'm not familiar with his personality or speaking style. Imitating him might lead to mistakes.

With that thought, Conan aimed his sights at Sonoko Suzuki, who was resting her chin on her hand, waiting for the killer to be apprehended.

He pressed the button, and the tranquilizer dart shot out.

Unexpectedly, Tang Ze shook his head, seemingly intending to step forward and stop the police from making the arrest.

Conan's eyes widened. Damn it, they're standing too close!

As Tang Ze took a step forward, the dart, which should have hit the back of Sonoko Suzuki's neck, instead struck Tang Ze's arm.

Tang Ze's movements faltered. He staggered back two steps, losing his balance, and fell onto one of the ladders the officers had used to move the body. He lowered his head, motionless.

He hit the wrong person!

Conan gritted his teeth and could only play along, hiding behind the ladder and taking out his bow tie voice changer, turning the dial to adjust it to Tang Ze's voice.

"Tang Ze-kun?" Seeing the person beside her suddenly slump down, Sonoko Suzuki turned her head to look. "What's wrong, are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine, Suzuki-kun, I just want to sit down and think about the suspicious points properly." Tang Ze's voice came out clearly, stopping Sonoko Suzuki from stepping forward to check. "It's still too early to determine the culprit, Inspector Megure."

"Oh?" Inspector Megure, filled with doubt, turned around to look at Tang Ze, who had inexplicably sat down. Several high school detective faces flashed through his mind, and his eyes gradually lit up. "Do you have any thoughts, young man?"

Several high school detective faces flashed through his mind, and his mood lifted.

Could it be that Tokyo was about to gain another outstanding high school detective? He had felt that this was a promising talent when surveying the scene earlier!

Inspector Megure, long accustomed to various external brains pointing fingers at crime scenes, skillfully gave up thinking.

(:з」∠) One more chapter will be updated later, going to sleep for a bit.