Upright Devil, Reversed Empress, Upright Death.
"Hmm… a simpler reason than I imagined."
"A year ago, three robbers successfully robbed a bank and got 300 million yen. A dispute arose over the split. One less person meant an extra 50 million yen. So the two of them killed the third in a hidden location."
"But during the shooting, the gunshot sound was recorded and even adapted into a song. This is a crucial piece of evidence. Once someone notices the problem in it, their alibi from that year will completely collapse. Forget 150 million yen, they will not see a single penny."
"This is a life-threatening problem."
The main reason for the two kidnappers' actions was confirmed through Divination.
Yes, it was still an economic issue. Although it was not to extort money from the two singers, it was to permanently silence them so that the wealth obtained through illegal means would not be reclaimed by the Police.
The Miyano sisters understood and nodded slightly.
"A matter of money, a matter of human life."
"I think those two kidnappers must have learned about Takayama Minami's exclusive interview through some means, and also about that recording that serves as evidence. That is why they decided to act, kidnapping the two to take the recording."
Shiho immediately understood what was going on.
After all, do popular singers not attract most TV shows? Promoting a new song and explaining its inspiration during a special interview is common on talk shows.
"Participating in some projects to promote their new song, and it just so happened the suspects found out… In a sense, it means Two-Mix is popular enough."
Akemi followed her sister's analysis, thought for a moment, and concluded this was the most likely scenario.
If it were a less popular group, even if they appeared on a show, promoted their new song, and explained where the inspiration came from, it probably would not attract much attention.
At this point, Akemi did not know whether to say Two-Mix was unlucky or something else.
Ren also found it difficult to comment on this.
"So the key to this kidnapping is not Two-Mix, but the sound they recorded."
"However, it should not be a problem now."
Ren rested the back of his hand against his right cheek, looking straight ahead.
At this moment, Conan had already put on his headphones and was listening to the tape, seemingly having noticed some problems.
"The curious detective seems to have already found some clues using his child identity. However, without any reminders, even the most sensitive person would not think the tape contained such a thing."
Shiho nodded in agreement.
"Who would think a gunshot would be accidentally recorded? Without additional clues, no one would be sensitive enough to detect the problem in the tape."
As she was thinking this, Shiho suddenly caught a glimpse of the man who had been using the public phone at the entrance of the family restaurant.
"Huh? He left?"
Turning her face to look out the window, she saw the man wearing a hat and sunglasses walk out of the family restaurant. He did not go far, but stood nearby, as if waiting for something.
"Ding-a-ling!"
The public phone at the entrance of the family restaurant suddenly rang. The staff quickly picked up, then after hearing a voice from inside, nodded slightly, covered the receiver, and asked inside the store:
"Miss Takayama, is there a Miss Takayama among the customers?"
Shiho and Akemi understood that it seemed they were about to make their move.
Indeed, they saw Takayama Minami already walking toward the staff. However, both sisters noticed she did not carry a backpack or anything in her hands. She simply went to answer the phone herself.
The man standing outside would definitely act, taking advantage of this opportunity.
"Huh? You're in the car outside?"
"Don't come over? What is wrong with you?"
They heard Minami hang up with a hint of complaint and walk out of the family restaurant.
She was a little puzzled. In her impression, Nagano Shiina was not someone who would disregard a concert so much. Why would she suddenly disappear like this?
After disappearing, a call came, as if she knew Minami was there.
The voice on the phone was a little strange, even telling her not to come over.
Minami thought it was some kind of special surprise that Shiina and some TV crew had temporarily put together.
With that thought, Minami walked out of the family restaurant and directly pulled open the car door.
"...!?"
But the situation inside the car made her freeze.
She saw her partner, Nagano Shiina, tied up with rope and slumped in the back seat, with some purple bruises on her face and fresh red blood on her forehead.
Even more critical was the man pressing Shiina down in the back seat, pointing a dark gun barrel at her.
It was not a temporary show. Shiina was kidnapped.
Minami had already understood the meaning of "don't come over" from the phone call, but now it was truly too late.
"Bang!"
A force from behind made her lose balance, and her body fell into the car.
She looked up and saw the gun pointed at Shiina's head.
"Get in."
The man's voice from behind left her with no choice, so she obediently followed the instructions.
Despite the pain in her feet, she could only sit obediently in the car. Otherwise, a bullet might pierce Shiina's head.
The man who pushed her into the car sat in the driver's seat, and the vehicle started to move.
"Take care of this big star."
"Do not even think about moving around randomly, big star. My companion is not the only one with a gun."
Minami had no doubt that the driver also had a gun, so she dared not make any drastic moves.
Now, she did not understand why she and Shiina were kidnapped, but she knew that only silence could ensure their survival. Otherwise, both she and Shiina might end up with holes in them.
(To be continued.)