"Intentional homicide?"
Heiji looked at Officer Shiratori in the interrogation room, then walked straight to Sato Miwako's desk.
"Can I look at the case materials?"
Sato Miwako paused, then looked toward Inspector Megure nearby.
Inspector Megure thought for a moment and nodded.
"Let Hattori take a look."
In his mind, Shiratori's situation was already settled; even Heiji would not be able to save him.
Sato Miwako glanced at Heiji apologetically and handed him the documents she had.
Even if they were dating, protocol still mattered in a situation like this.
Heiji gave a faint smile and did not mind.
Heiji read aloud:
"March 13, Heisei Year 20. MPD Assistant Inspector Shiratori Ninzaburo, while intoxicated, intentionally killed Ito Kazuki, who attempted to intrude into his apartment, and misused a firearm. Prosecutor Kujo Reiko prosecutes Shiratori Ninzaburo for intentional homicide and misuse of a firearm. Court opens tomorrow!"
Heiji paused.
"Court opens tomorrow?"
Inspector Megure nodded gravely.
"This caused major public panic. Superintendent Matsumoto ordered that the trial be conducted quickly. Otherwise, it will cause serious unrest."
"Is all the evidence in place?" Heiji asked.
He put the materials down and leaned against Sato Miwako's desk.
Sato Miwako stood, went to make coffee, and brought a cup back to Heiji.
Heiji smiled, took a sip, then looked at Inspector Megure, waiting.
Inspector Megure pulled another file from his desk and handed it over.
"Hattori, this is the crime scene investigation report."
Heiji handed the coffee back to Sato Miwako and opened the report.
"Deceased: Ito Kazuki. Prior record: served time for theft. Also involved in fights due to disputes. Cause of death: gunshot to the heart, fatal instantly."
Below were photos from the scene.
Photo 1: Officer Shiratori lying face-down, gun in his right hand, eyes closed, unmoving.
Photo 2: Ito in the flowerbed, lying in a pool of blood, eyes wide open.
Photo 3: A wider shot of Ito in the flowerbed.
Photo 4: Close-up of the balcony of Shiratori's apartment.
Photo 5: A wider shot of the balcony.
Photo 6: Autopsy photo of Ito.
Photo 7: Close-up of Ito's wound.
Heiji flipped further. There was nothing else.
He closed the file, his expression turning serious. He set the report on Sato Miwako's desk, put his hands in his pockets, and lowered his head in thought.
Sato Miwako did not interrupt. After setting the coffee down, she began reading as well.
After a long time, Heiji shook his head.
"I don't have a lead."
Inspector Megure sighed, forcing a bitter smile.
"Hattori, don't overthink it. There's no room to reverse this."
"Miwako, let me use your car," Heiji said.
"Heiji, where are you going?" Sato Miwako asked.
"To the scene."
"I'll go too."
"Miwako, you can't," Inspector Megure said, stopping her. "We need to prepare for court tomorrow."
Sato Miwako halted, looking at Heiji with clear disappointment.
Heiji smiled slightly.
"I'll be back later."
A smile immediately spread across Sato Miwako's face.
The red Mazda drove through the streets, heading toward Officer Shiratori's apartment.
If you want to act natural, you have to commit to the act.
"Conan, why did we have to come here?" Ayumi asked curiously.
"I know," Mitsuhiko said confidently. "Conan definitely got some amazing mission and needs us—the Detective Boys—to mobilize."
"Not at all," Genta said, drooling a little. "Conan probably wants to treat us to eel rice."
Conan laughed awkwardly in his head.
"Ai, what do you think?" Ayumi asked the quiet girl beside her.
Ai glanced at Ayumi, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"What?"
"So you haven't been listening at all. That's sad," Ayumi said, disappointed.
Ai gave a cool smile.
"I was thinking about something. Sorry."
"Haha, I tricked you, Ai!" Ayumi's expression changed instantly, and she laughed happily.
Ai glanced at Ayumi, brushed her hair back casually, and looked toward the roadside.
Conan shook his head, then pinched his chin and thought: Shiratori is MPD. He knows how foolish it is to kill someone in public. Why would he shoot and kill a thief? With his status, there are plenty of ways to deal with a thief without doing that.
"This doesn't feel right."
He said it out loud without realizing.
Ai looked at Conan, then looked away again, her eyes cool.
"Conan, what doesn't feel right?"
"Is it a case?"
"So you really snuck out again to investigate something."
"Exactly. If we hadn't stopped you halfway, you would've tried to ditch us and go claim all the credit…"
Conan laughed inside. That was not "stopping" him—this was just a coincidence.
He suddenly grinned.
"Well, I just came to take a look out of curiosity, hahaha—"
"That laugh is so fake!"
His laughter cut off.
Ai glanced at Conan with a flat expression.
"It seems you didn't take what he told you seriously at all."
"He?" Conan froze, then realized. "Right—Ai, what exactly is your relationship with Hattori?"
He asked it again.
Ai stopped walking and answered coldly.
"None of your business."
Just then, a horn sounded from the roadside.
Heiji had pulled up next to them. He looked at Ai in surprise.
"Ai, where are you all going?"
Ai froze. A flicker of happiness crossed her eyes—then, noticing the red Mazda, she immediately pouted.
"Living off a woman's car again."
"Living off a woman's car?" Heiji's face tightened in annoyance.
Conan smirked to himself: It really does look like he's relying on a woman—new car again.
The kids crowded forward, excited.
"Big Brother, you're here!"
"We haven't seen you in a long time!"
"Are you solving a case again?"
They looked at him with pure admiration.
Heiji gave them a faint smile.
"Get in."
Ai got in first and sat in the front passenger seat.
Conan climbed into the back and asked, "Hattori, where are you going?"
Heiji leaned over and carefully fastened Ai's seatbelt. Then he smiled slightly at Conan.
"To look at the crime scene."
Conan's eyes sharpened.
As expected.
So Hattori noticed suspicious points too.
"Conan, how can you act like that?" Ayumi suddenly snapped, glaring at Conan.
"Huh?" Conan looked confused.
"You should call him Big Brother Heiji, or just Big Brother like we do. How can you call him by name? That's rude," Ayumi said firmly.
"Exactly, Conan is rude!"
"Conan definitely doesn't listen to his mom and dad!"
"Conan is a bad kid!"
The three kids scolded Conan all at once.
Conan sat there with a dark expression.
Heiji curled his mouth into a smirk.
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