The surrounding officers were busy collecting evidence. Sakata was a bit anxious, but he didn't dare disturb Heiji's deep thought.
Heiji raised his head. "Sakata, are there any electronic cameras in this neighborhood?"
Sakata froze for a moment, then shook his head helplessly. "The residents in this area didn't agree to the installation, so there aren't any."
"Heiji, what did you find?" Sakata asked expectantly.
"The killer this time is likely the same hitman who killed Uekusa."
"Are you sure?" Hearing Heiji's words, Sakata's expression instantly became serious.
"He was killed at close range; the scorched flesh around the wound is the evidence," Heiji said indifferently.
Sakata nodded fiercely. "When a bullet is ejected from the barrel, it often carries high heat. If someone is hit at close range, the area around the wound will indeed be scorched black. But..."
He paused. "...even so, it doesn't prove it's the same hitman."
Heiji smiled faintly. "When you found Oguchi, he was lying face down, right?"
Sakata blinked. "Yeah, he was indeed face down."
"Dying face down with a shot to the forehead means he was once face-to-face with the killer, or even kneeling before them. Faced with an unarmed middle-aged man, the killer pressed the muzzle against his forehead and fired a precise shot. This kind of mental fortitude is quite incredible for an ordinary person."
"Heiji, your deduction fits the current situation perfectly. However, we can't conclude this killer is the same one who killed Uekusa without concrete evidence." Sakata felt very helpless.
"Didn't you say the bullets found in the victims are of the same model?"
"That could be a coincidence."
"Is it really?"
Sakata was left speechless by Heiji's counter-question.
Heiji smiled faintly. "In the same area, separated by only one night, killed by the same type of bullet, by a killer who is equally experienced... Sakata, don't you think these coincidences are too convenient?"
Sakata fell silent.
Heiji turned to leave. "I don't believe in coincidences; there must be a connection between the two. Sakata, you should investigate what they have in common."
After leaving the snack street, Heiji took a look at Kaiho Academy in the distance and simply turned away. Studying... had absolutely nothing to do with him.
"Kudo?" Heiji took out his phone. Seeing the name on the screen, he was slightly surprised. "Kudo, something up?"
"Heiji, a strange murder case happened in Tokyo." On the phone, Shinichi's voice was unusually serious.
"Oh?" Heiji's heart moved. "Tell me the details."
"Heiji, that tone... could it be that something similar is happening in Osaka?" Shinichi's voice carried a trace of surprise.
Heiji smiled faintly. "Correct. The same thing is happening in Osaka—two murder cases, in fact."
"Tell me, do you think there's any connection between them?"
Heiji's face darkened. "Tell me what happened in Tokyo first."
"Two nights ago—the night you returned to Osaka—Junichiro, who lived in Beika-cho 5-chome 18-ban, was killed."
"Isn't one death normal?" Heiji asked indifferently.
"But there was a camera near the scene. It captured two men in black before and after the crime."
"Men in black?" A sharp light flashed in Heiji's eyes. "You suspect the Black Organization?"
"I don't know, but I feel like it's them." Shinichi's voice was very low and grave.
Suddenly, Heiji's phone indicated an incoming call.
"Another call is coming in. Maybe there's no connection at all and you're just overthinking it." After saying that, he hung up and answered the new call.
"Hey, Heiji, where are you? Hurry up and come pick me up."
Hearing the voice, Heiji's brow furrowed. "Yukiko?"
"Of course it's me. Hurry, I'm at the station."
Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Heiji's face filled with black lines. He quickly dialed Shinichi back.
"Hey, Heiji, did you think of—"
"Think of your head!" Heiji interrupted Shinichi directly. "Did Yukiko come to Osaka?"
On the other end, Shinichi was silent for a moment. "She said she got bored in Tokyo, so..."
"So you let her come find me?" Heiji's mouth twitched fiercely.
"Heiji, you know my mom's temper; I can't control her at all. But if she's allowed to wander around, it'll be a problem if we can't find her. So, I'm counting on you."
"She's not a child, what are you worried about?"
"It's not that I'm worried, but if she goes missing, my dad won't be able to find her when he gets back. Heiji, I'm leaving my mom to you. Bye!"
Listening to the busy tone, Heiji was speechless. This family was truly eccentric. He shook his head slightly. He had no choice but to go home and get the car.
Shinkansen - Osaka Station!
A black Mercedes stopped at the entrance, and Heiji stepped out.
"Oh my, Heiji, you're finally here!"
Yukiko, wearing casual clothes, pulled out her earphones and stood up to wave at Heiji, walking toward him with her long legs.
Heiji suddenly looked in one direction, his brow furrowing tightly. Killing intent? It wasn't aimed at him.
[Forget it, none of my business.]
Since it was only a fleeting sensation, he could only be sure it wasn't directed at him. Looking at Yukiko walking over, Heiji breathed a secret sigh of relief; at least he hadn't moved house.
Aside from one large bag, Yukiko didn't have much luggage. The distance of a dozen meters wasn't far, and she soon arrived.
"Oh my, Heiji, you're so lacking in gentlemanly grace. Seeing such a charming and lovely girl carrying such a heavy bag, you didn't even offer to help."
Heiji curled his lips. "Yukiko, what did you come to Osaka for?"
Seeing that Heiji still didn't reach out, Yukiko gave him a fierce look. "I'm going to tell Shinichi that you're bullying me." As she spoke, her beautiful eyes welled up with a layer of crystal mist, looking ready to cry.
Heiji's face darkened. "Stop. I'll take it for you."
As expected of a former world-famous actress, the tears came right on cue.
"Really? Thanks, Heiji!" The tears vanished instantly. Yukiko happily handed the large bag to Heiji.
Heiji was past the point of complaining and reached out to take the bag. Suddenly, his scalp tingled.
"Watch out!"
Without a second thought, he pulled Yukiko into his arms and dove, rolling with her behind a large pillar.
At the same time!
Bang! Bang!
Two crisp sounds rang out, and two bullet craters appeared exactly where Yukiko had been standing. Heiji supported Yukiko as they stood up, preparing to step out from behind the pillar.
"Heiji, don't go out." Yukiko's face was somewhat pale.
"The hitman has already left."
Heiji walked to the two bullet craters, his brow furrowing deeply. The distance between the centers of the two craters was no more than one centimeter. The stability coefficient of the sniper rifle used was extremely high; it should be a PSG-1.
Precise technique, professional firearm—who on earth was trying to target Yukiko?
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