Chapter 94: Unequal Distribution of Benefits
Tsukikage Island Community Center.
The community center was packed tonight. The four deceased were all prominent figures on the island.
Well... except for Nishimoto Ken.
"Mouri-kun, everyone's here. Can we start the deduction?"
Inspector Megure waved for seven or eight officers to block all the exits.
Clearly, he knew that when the Sleeping Kogoro deduced, the murderer would be among those present.
Though there were quite a few people gathered today.
"Based on the time of death and when Asai Narumi arrived at the crime scene, my initial deduction was that Asai Narumi had an accomplice.
One person handled the killing, while the other staged the scene.
It all seemed perfectly logical, and it was precisely this coincidence that misled me."
"Coincidence?" Inspector Megure prompted.
"That's right—just a coincidence. Kuroiwa Tatsuji's death proves it.
If Asai Narumi had conspired with someone, he would have left the sheet music and recorder immediately after Kuroiwa's death, not waited until the early morning hours.
As for Kawashima Hideo—
Perhaps Asai Narumi went to the Kawashima residence intending to kill him, but the man was already dead when he arrived. Yesterday's video evidence confirms this.
Asai Narumi only reached the Kawashima house when the killer was disposing of the body, which doesn't match the timeline.
In fact, when he discovered Kawashima's death, Dr. Asai Narumi had likely already abandoned his plan to kill him. Isn't that right, Dr. Asai Narumi?"
Asai Narumi nodded. "I thought Kuroiwa Tatsuji's death was merely coincidence, so my plan remained unchanged. I still intended to kill Kawashima, which is why I placed the sheet music and recorder in the bathroom where Kuroiwa died—mainly to draw the attention of the police and detectives.
But when I arrived at the Kawashima residence, I found him already dead. At that point, I suspected someone shared my purpose. So I left the sheet music and recorder, then departed.
Actually, I'd given up on killing anyone by then. The main reason I went to Nishimoto's house was to confirm whether things were as I imagined, but before I could even enter, Natsukawa-san discovered me."
"Here, I have a few questions for Dr. Asai Narumi."
Mouri Kogoro spoke again, and everyone's attention shifted to Asai Narumi. The real showdown was beginning.
Asai Narumi nodded. "Go ahead. I have nothing left to hide."
"How did you escape the fire twelve years ago? Logically, they shouldn't have let you survive."
Mouri Kogoro cut straight to the heart of the matter. This was actually what Natsukawa wanted to know, but no information could be found.
Over a decade ago, the internet was underdeveloped—quite primitive, really—making many things impossible to verify.
"Twelve years ago, I was sent to Tokyo because of a high fever. That very night, my father and mother died in the fire."
"I see. Can you tell me who sent you to Tokyo?"
Asai Narumi paused, his brow furrowing. "What does this have to do with the case?"
"Just answer directly, or I can ask Shimizu Masato-san instead. As far as I know, Shimizu-san has a relative living in Tokyo, and their surname is Asai."
This was information Conan had Professor Agasa investigate. As a top-tier detective, having such resources wasn't surprising.
Upon hearing this, the Tsukikage Island residents exchanged bewildered glances. Two mayoral candidates had already died—could the last remaining candidate also be connected to the case?
At least the mayor's secretary was still safe. Even if all three candidates encountered problems, the secretary, Hirata Kazuaki, could step in.
Asai Narumi glanced at Shimizu Masato and sighed.
"That's correct. The person who saw me off was Shimizu Masato-san, a good friend of my father's. He also helped me find a family willing to adopt me. For over ten years, he's been quietly supporting my education. I'm deeply grateful for everything Shimizu-san has done, but what does any of this have to do with the case?"
"This leads to another story I'm about to tell—a story about Shimizu-san.
According to files investigated by the local police, Shimizu-san served as secretary to the former mayor, Kameyama Isamu, for thirteen years. Furthermore, according to the letter of recommendation, Aso Keiji-san was your recommender.
As the mayor's secretary, you should know what kind of deal they were conducting—just like Hirata Kazuaki-san, secretary to Mayor Kuroiwa Tatsuji. Or rather, you were one of the participants."
"What deal? I don't know what you're talking about!"
It wasn't Shimizu Masato who spoke, but Hirata Kazuaki, Secretary to Mayor Kuroiwa.
Cold sweat had appeared on his face, and his expression looked almost panicked.
Good grief.
Isn't that basically announcing to everyone that you did something wrong and won't admit it?
The village officials around him were all sharp-minded and immediately began distancing themselves from Hirata.
Damn it, all the higher-ups are dead.
Unfazed by the interruption, Mouri Kogoro calmly continued,
"Whether Secretary Hirata knew or not, a simple search of his residence would reveal the truth, wouldn't it? You've spent the entire day helping search for the murderer—you probably haven't had time to go home and dispose of certain evidence."
Before Hirata could speak, Inspector Megure waved his hand. "Go search Hirata's house!"
Sure enough, having more personnel made things much easier.
"How did Kameyama Isamu die two years ago, Dr. Asai? Can you tell me now? He died the day you arrived on Tsukikage Island. I don't believe that's a coincidence."
Asai Narumi frowned, pondering for a moment before answering truthfully. "Two years ago, after I returned to Tsukikage Island, the first thing I did was visit the community center to check on the only keepsake my father left behind—the piano in the piano room. While I was playing my father's favorite piece, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Kameyama Isamu discovered me.
I wanted to explain, but because of the dim lighting, Kameyama Isamu seemed to mistake me for my father's ghost. He gave a rough confession of what they'd done to my father. Then he suffered a heart attack, and by the time I realized what was happening and tried to help, he was already dead."
"What does Kameyama Isamu's death have to do with Shimizu Masato hiring an assassin?" Inspector Megure asked.
"That's exactly what I'm about to explain.
I previously fell into the trap of Asai Narumi's disguise, linking all these deaths to Aso Keiji. I also assumed Kameyama Isamu was murdered by Asai Narumi—since he was the coroner, there was plenty of room for manipulation.
But if Kameyama Isamu's cause of death was truly an accidental heart attack, that changes everything.
Kameyama Isamu's death directly affected the distribution of profits within their criminal organization—that's the main trigger for these three murders. And I have a bold theory!
The killer isn't necessarily an island resident. It's far more likely they're a hired assassin."
Natsukawa nodded in complete agreement. "The murderer's methods were brutal, and the victims' neck wounds were clean—this definitely isn't something an ordinary person could accomplish. The possibility of a professional assassin is very high."
Conan's deduction is quite brilliant. I didn't expect him to uncover so much in just one day.
(End of Chapter 94)
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