"Ah!"
Piercing screams erupted from the crowd. The dignitaries' faces turned pale as they retreated from the corner of the banquet hall, staring at it in fear.
Reporters rushed forward like sharks smelling blood, frantically snapping photos to secure first-hand material.
A death at a banquet filled with social elites was explosive news. It would undoubtedly make tomorrow's headlines.
Toru also looked toward the corner along with everyone else.
A magnificent chandelier had fallen from the ceiling, crushing someone beneath it. Blood spread across the floor.
His brows furrowed slightly. The scene felt familiar, as if it had appeared in a certain episode of Conan.
But there were too many episodes. Including his current life, it had been at least thirty years since then. How could he possibly remember every detail clearly?
The chairman of the Suzuki Group wore a grim expression, while the general manager of the Beika Hotel looked utterly devastated, as if his soul had left his body.
This responsibility would definitely fall on him. His position as general manager would likely be terminated immediately.
A fatal accident at the Suzuki Group's sixtieth anniversary celebration.
The chandelier falling meant the prior safety inspections had not been done properly.
And of all times, it had to fall during an event attended by dignitaries. This was enough to cost him everything.
"Everyone, please disperse immediately!"
Megure quickly stepped forward, ordering the crowd to move back while instructing his subordinates to set up a cordon.
He had arrived so quickly because he was already inside the banquet hall.
Kaitou Kid had announced he would appear tonight. Although he had committed many thefts, he had never injured anyone.
Still, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department did not dare relax.
The guests attending the Suzuki Group anniversary were all influential figures. If Kaitou Kid caused harm here, it would be a major incident.
Megure had been ordered to bring elite officers and remain on-site.
What he did not expect was that instead of Kaitou Kid, a death would occur first.
He walked to the fallen chandelier and looked up at the broken metal on the ceiling.
"What terrible luck, to encounter something so rare."
"Yes, Inspector, you are right. This person had terrible luck."
Megure was startled and turned to see Kogoro beside him.
"Mouri, why are you here?"
"Hahaha, Megure, didn't you see me earlier? I received an invitation from the Suzuki Group."
Kogoro looked smug. In the past, he had been Megure's subordinate. Now, as a private detective, he was doing quite well.
Megure was speechless.
"Every time I see you, something bad happens."
"Hey, Inspector, I do not want to run into cases either."
"Alright, step aside. You are not a police detective anymore. You cannot stay here long."
The authority of his former superior still had an effect. Kogoro obediently stepped back.
In his view, this was simply an accident, not a murder case. There was no need for him to stay.
"Who is the deceased?"
"It seems to be Congressman Tsunamori."
"Wasn't he under investigation for corruption and bribery? I did not expect him to die like this."
"His luck was truly terrible."
Low murmurs spread through the crowd. Looking at Tsunamori crushed beneath the chandelier, blood everywhere, many people shook their heads.
There were professional doctors present for emergencies.
Several quickly stepped forward to check for signs of life.
After examining him, they all shook their heads. He was dead beyond saving.
Conan stared at the body with a grim expression.
Only he believed this was not an accident, but murder.
Sherry had said earlier that someone would die here. That meant the Organization was killing someone.
Hearing the crowd mention corruption and bribery, Conan immediately connected the dots.
This congressman must have had ties to the Organization.
If the police investigation continued, it might expose them. So the Black Organization eliminated him first, cutting off the case entirely.
Now he had to find evidence and identify the murderer, who had to be someone from the Organization.
This was when a detective had to step forward.
Just as Conan prepared to search for clues, he saw Toru step out from the crowd.
What is he doing? Did he also realize this was murder?
That makes sense. Mom said before that his reasoning skills were strong. As a CIA elite, it would not be strange for him to notice something.
Then I have to solve it faster than him.
Conan's fighting spirit ignited. In deduction, he did not want to lose to anyone.
"Fujiwara-kun? Is something wrong?"
Megure looked at Toru in confusion as he approached the chandelier.
Others also watched curiously.
"This was not an accident. It was premeditated murder."
Toru spoke confidently.
It was time for Detective Toru to step forward.
In truth, he had suddenly remembered the murder method from that episode.
As soon as he spoke, the crowd erupted.
"A murder?"
"How is that possible?"
"If this is murder, that is terrifying."
"Does that mean the killer is among us?"
The guests did not care whether the congressman died by accident or murder. What frightened them was the possibility that the killer was standing among them.
The crowd instinctively spread apart, eyeing each other warily.
"Hey, kid, how could this be murder? It was clearly an accident. What evidence do you have?"
"Dad, stop talking. Let Fujiwara-kun explain first."
Ran elbowed Kogoro, causing him to cry out in pain and fall silent.
Toru looked at him speechlessly. Was he here just to be a comedic foil?
Or was he meant to jump out, deny everything, and then get proven wrong?
There was no satisfaction in proving Kogoro wrong.
Megure glared at Kogoro, then turned to Toru.
"Fujiwara-kun, do not mind him. Please explain."
Toru held up a broken piece of metal.
"This is part of the chandelier's connector. I found it in another corner of the hall."
Conan's eyes lit up. He instantly understood.
Megure still looked confused.
Toru sighed.
"Inspector, look at where the chandelier broke. The fracture is clean, without signs of shattering."
"Even falling from a height would not cause such a large piece to break off and fly so far."
"This means the metal was struck by an external force, causing the chandelier to fall."
Megure finally understood.
"What kind of external force?"
"A gun. When the lights went out, I heard the sound of a suppressed gunshot. I was not certain at first, but immediately afterward, the chandelier fell and someone died. That confirmed it."
"If the police search carefully, they should find the bullet."
Kogoro spoke up again.
"That is impossible. It was pitch dark. No one could shoot that accurately."
Many nodded in agreement.
Toru sighed and took out his phone, turning on the flashlight. He shone it on the broken metal, revealing a faint glow.
Everyone understood at once.
Fluorescent powder had been applied in advance.
"The killer lured the victim under the chandelier, then shot it down, creating what looked like an accident."
"Finding the killer is simple. The shell casing and handgun must still be on them."
"Searching everyone present would reveal the culprit."
"Of course, if that is inconvenient, there is an even simpler method, Uncle Suzuki."
Shiro blinked.
"What is it, Fujiwara-kun?"
"Do you remember the equipment I asked you to install? If we play those images on the big screen, the killer will be obvious."
Shiro suddenly remembered.
"Right, you asked me to install hidden cameras in every corner."
"They are infrared cameras, so they record clearly even in darkness. Quickly, play the footage from when the lights went out."
The chairman gave the order, and within a minute, the video appeared on the large screen.
Even in darkness, every detail was captured clearly.
In the footage, someone raised an object wrapped in a handkerchief and aimed at the chandelier.
Everyone turned toward the person in the video.
Masuyama Kenzo, chairman of a major car company.
People near him screamed and scattered.
Only Conan's expression darkened.
Solving it this easily with cameras made him feel completely useless.
Masuyama Kenzo stood frozen.
Why were there hidden cameras everywhere?
If he had known, he would never have used this method.
Cold sweat covered his body. Fear filled his face.
If he were only arrested, that would be manageable.
But as a senior member of the Black Organization, the Organization would never spare him.
In overwhelming fear, he lost rational thought.
He only wanted to escape.
His eyes scanned the hall and locked onto Mutsumi not far away.
That girl could serve as a hostage.
As long as he escaped, he might survive. He could trade Sherry's information for his life.
Even if it meant abandoning his identity and wealth, it was better than dying.
Masuyama Kenzo made his decision. He pulled out his handgun and rushed toward Mutsumi.
(To be continued.)