With the restaurant staff's testimony and "Tsuneo's" deduction that the killer returned to the dining room, the police began questioning the fan meetup attendees.
The event was only an hour in—aside from Kogoro and the victim, Taku Maeda, most were still sober.
Through mutual accusations, it emerged that thirty to forty minutes earlier, after Maeda stepped out to make a call, only three people left for the bathroom.
Yukihiro Naito, 32, a Maeda Construction employee, tasked with driving his boss home, stayed sober. He was often scolded by Maeda, even during the meal, though any resentment was unclear.
Yoshito Ishikawa, 24, unemployed, had a debt-related tie to Maeda. Nervous, he spilled everything before being pressed.
Keiko Fukui, 29, a company clerk, tall and striking, still wore her office skirt suit, her figure alluring and style fashionable. Naito revealed she'd had an improper relationship with Maeda.
…
In a vacant second-floor private room, the police questioned the three suspects alongside Tsuneo and the others.
"Who I'm with is my business, officer," Keiko said, shrugging off the exposed affair with a casual smile.
Conan, beside Tsuneo, fixated on the sparkling ring on Keiko's left middle finger.
"True, but please allow a search of your belongings," Officer Megure said, sending a female officer with her to another room.
The two male suspects' bathroom trips were brief—two to three minutes—making them less suspicious.
Keiko, however, was gone for seven to eight minutes, drawing Megure's focus.
Officer Chiba, mimicking a dagger strike, frowned. "Ms. Fukui, in heels, is only 1.7 meters, but the stab angle suggests a taller killer."
The upward tilt was steep—an awkward strike for her.
"Exactly. The other two seem more likely," Kogoro, sobering up, said, ready to lead Megure astray.
"What are you blabbing about, Mouri?!" the other suspects snapped.
"No need to investigate further," Tsuneo said, glancing at Megure nodding along with the bumbling detective.
"Heh," Conan rolled his eyes, raising his watch and aiming at Kogoro.
Tsuneo was nearby, but his help would drain Conan's savings. Kogoro was the cheaper bet.
A silver glint flashed.
Kogoro, hit by a tranquilizer dart, slumped against the wall, eyes closed, in "sleeping" mode.
"Here it comes, Brother Mouri!" Megure, despite his complaints, loved this state.
Conan crept beside the dozing detective, starting his deduction.
"Officer Megure, I know who killed Maeda."
"Who?" Megure eyed the two male suspects.
"It's you, Ms. Keiko Fukui!"
As the words landed, Keiko returned from her search.
"Me? You're joking, Mr. Mouri," she said, her smile returning after a brief pause.
"If I'm right, Maeda was threatening you, wasn't he? Is that an engagement ring on your left hand?" Conan deduced, linking her past with Maeda and his harsh demeanor.
Keiko hid her ringed hand behind her back. "We ended long ago. No threats."
"Then why…" Conan, ready to press with his voice-changing bowtie, was cut off.
"Conan, what are you doing here? Don't interrupt Dad," Ran said, yanking the flustered boy from behind a cabinet.
Seeing Conan's pleading look, Tsuneo stepped in to keep the momentum. "Why attend the meetup, Ms. Fukui? An engaged woman would avoid her ex, no?"
"I'm a Yoko fan. Just here for the event," Keiko said, her pretty face finally showing panic.
"Or you were threatened, forced to comply," Tsuneo said, taking an evidence bag from Conan.
Kogoro's position wasn't ideal for hiding, so Tsuneo took over.
"You claimed a bathroom break but met Maeda on the outdoor stairs, stabbing him when he wasn't looking."
"I didn't kill him! You have no proof!" Keiko snapped, glaring as the police eyed her.
"Proof?" Tsuneo said. "The stairs are cleaned daily—no footprints. The door handle, railing, and dagger are wiped clean. You flushed the tissue used."
"But you forgot this." He raised the evidence bag, smiling at Keiko's shifting expression.
Being a detective is thrilling!
Inside the transparent bag was a red ribbon, no wider than two inches, with yellow text: "Yoko, Go!"
(End of Chapter)
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