The underground parking lot was quiet. Conan faced Vermouth in disguise.
That's right, the hostage was Vermouth. She had let herself be taken on purpose, just to get away from the police's eyes so she could interrogate the suspect. Because this case wasn't only being investigated by the police—the Black Organization was on it too.
One of their members had been killed in the serial murder case. That member had been dutiful enough to copy Organization data, but now the serial killer had it. Any intel about the Organization could never be leaked. The memory card had to be retrieved. So the Black Organization made their move. They had to find the killer before the police.
"I'm curious. How did you see through my disguise?" Vermouth prided herself on her makeup skills. Nobody could see through them.
"Because your ankle was bulging. I figured it was a handgun."
"Can't hide from you, can I? My clever little detective boy."
Conan stood tall, confident. Facing an Organization member, he showed no fear. "I only want to ask one thing. Why does the Organization care about this case?"
"Haha." Vermouth peeled off her disguise, clearly impressed. "Straight to the point." Then she laid out the Organization's goal, bit by bit.
In this world, Conan had two big insiders. At the Metropolitan Police Department, he had the ever-accommodating Officer Takagi. Inside the Organization, he had the self-serving Vermouth. Takagi told Conan everything about investigations without holding back. And Vermouth enjoyed feeding crucial clues to this shota detective.
So that's it. Conan realized he had to get the memory card. That was the only way to get close to the Organization and uncover the truth.
"Tell me. Who's your mole inside the investigation team?"
"Detective boy, your insight is dangerous. Didn't think you'd see this far already. Yes, one of my partners is hiding in the investigation team. But that's for you to find out yourself." As she spoke, Vermouth unstrapped the holster from her ankle. It was uncomfortable. No point carrying it if she wasn't using it.
??
No gun?? Conan and Vermouth looked at the holster at the same time. Empty.
Vermouth was sure she had brought a weapon. So why was it empty now? When had it disappeared? Even she wasn't sure.
Conan didn't believe someone from the Black Organization could make such a rookie mistake. So what happened? Who could take Vermouth's weapon without her noticing?
Bang!
A gunshot?
Whoosh—
A bullet curved around a pillar and struck the ground right at Vermouth's feet.
Impossible.
This was a sealed underground parking lot. There was no chance of a sniper. But neither of them had seen any shooter. Where did the bullet come from?
Judging by the bullet hole, both of them looked at the pillar. Nobody there. It was like the bullet had grown legs and run around the corner by itself.
Haibara was terrified. Vermouth was one of the Organization's top killers. She had slaughtered countless people. Even though she was already over 50, she still looked like she was in her 30s. A venomous, cold-hearted femme fatale. A beautiful killer.
Haibara didn't want to see Vermouth, but Liu A'dou dragged her into the underground parking lot. Hiding behind a pillar, she listened to Conan and Vermouth's confrontation and learned the reason for the Organization's operation. But Vermouth was terrifying. Just one look from her felt like falling into an ice cave. Haibara absolutely didn't want to face her.
Then Liu A'dou suddenly pulled a revolver from behind his waist—the very gun he had stolen from Vermouth. "Haibara, don't be afraid. In front of the Liu family, the Black Organization is nothing but chickens and dogs. Now open your eyes wide and see my real identity."
White. At first Haibara thought her vision had gone blurry, like a white veil covered her. But it was Liu A'dou using the White Lantern ring to put on his uniform. This wasn't some magic trick—it was straight-up magic.
Haibara never expected her foster father to be Kaitou Kid.
"Don't be shocked. From now on you'll see even more things that surprise you." Liu A'dou whispered, "Now watch me show you how I deal with the Black Organization."
Whoosh~
Kid flicked his wrist and fired. He didn't even aim, just shot from behind the pillar with no target in sight. Yet the bullet didn't miss. It curved sharply and bit into the ground at Vermouth's feet.
"Ada-jie's signature move," Kid laughed. "A bullet that bends."
A bullet that bends? Haibara was stunned. But just like Liu A'dou said, there would be many more shocking things in the future. For today, revealing his identity and firing curving bullets was already unbelievable enough.
"Who is it?" Vermouth grew alert. Conan too. Was this person friend or foe?
Kaitou Kid decided the timing was right. Holding the gun, he slowly walked out from behind the pillar, dressed all in white like a model on a runway.
"Kaitou Kid?" Both of them were shocked. It was too unexpected. Kid had no stake in this case, yet here he was. It didn't make sense.
"That's me," Kid said with a smirk. "Didn't expect a detective and a Black Organization member to chat so happily together. The world really has changed. Black and white mixed, snakes and rats in one nest—that's the picture, isn't it?"
'Damn it.' Conan thought. 'Who asked a thief to lecture us like this?'
"The gun in your hand is mine, isn't it?" Vermouth frowned. She still had no idea when he had managed to steal it.
"You say it's yours, so it's yours? Call it, see if it answers you."
"…" Vermouth had never suffered this kind of humiliation from a thief, but she couldn't say anything. The worst part was, she suddenly found herself in a very passive position.
Bang! Another shot. Kid's arm barely moved, yet the bullet seemed to grow eyes, circling wide before striking at Vermouth's feet.
What kind of shooting was this? This wasn't scientific! Detective or Organization member, both were stunned by Kid's technique.
But while they were still reeling, Kid casually tossed the gun aside. "Relax, I just came to take a look. Nothing more. It's rare for the three of us to meet—why not trade some intel, form an independent group? What do you think? I even have a name ready. A Three-Man Summit. Made up of Thief, Detective, and Killer. Cool, right?"
No one responded. Kid shrugged—it was expected. "Looks like you're not interested. Fine. But this offer is always open if you change your minds. That's all. Goodbye."
With a smoke bomb, Kaitou Kid vanished.
The detective and the killer exchanged a glance. Both saw the same disbelief. Just what was this Kaitou Kid? He was like a ghost that never went away.
"So, Haibara, now you see the Black Organization isn't so scary. As long as you have enough strength, you don't need to fear them." Liu A'dou seized the chance to reveal his plan. "I want to teach you my Kaitou skills. Do you want to learn?"
Still no answer. But as always, Liu A'dou could wait.