"Mori Detective, this way, please."
Secretary Takada stood at the conference room entrance, smiling as he welcomed Mori Kogoro as he approached.
Since there had been no special screening this time, Suehiko Ito, who had no idea who they really were, gave no additional instructions. His gaze naturally skipped over the child following at Mori Kogoro's feet, and he merely made a welcoming gesture.
Once the two of them entered, he closed the conference room doors, took out a remote control, switched off the lights, and turned on the projector.
"Good evening, Detective. So, how has your investigation into my request been going?"
On the large screen across the conference table sat Suehiko Ito, who had clearly been waiting for some time.
The surrounding screens cast his figure into a sharply defined silhouette. This time, Mori Kogoro and Conan, already familiar with his identity, needed no further explanation to recognize him at a glance.
Compared to the spirited figure he had still cut in those group photos, Suehiko Ito was now far thinner even without a clear view of his face. The scars left by illness and his sunless confinement went far beyond mere mental despondency.
He had once been a promising university student, born into a wealthy family. Even if he might not have gone on to make any great contribution to society, he had been a young man with a bright future ahead of him, someone who never needed to worry about making a living...
Mori Kogoro felt a twinge of emotion, but his movements did not relax.
He slowly walked toward the projector—or rather, the camera. As he walked, he slipped his hands into his pockets and used the motion to send Conan several signals.
Suehiko Ito had to be nearby. While Mori drew his and Takada's