"I need to find the culprit fast…"
Conan watched Tsuneo's expression grow darker as he crossed out a name in his client's phonebook.
The great detective's heart raced, and he began scurrying around, dodging here and there, hunting for clues to help the police crack the case quickly.
Tsuneo tucked away the phonebook, looked up, and stared blankly at the tree in front of him.
Killing someone and going through the trouble of burying them under a tree.
What was the culprit thinking?
Did they not want the body found quickly?
Then why not dump it elsewhere? No tools?
"Officer Takagi, is anything missing from the house?" Tsuneo called out to Takagi.
"No signs of rummaging. Valuables in the drawers are untouched," Takagi shook his head.
Jewelry, cash—nothing was taken, ruling out robbery-murder for now.
No signs of forced entry on the doors or windows. Mrs. Minagawa was in casual clothes when she died, suggesting a higher chance of an acquaintance being the culprit.
"Got it. Conan just ran back inside," Tsuneo nodded, promptly ratting out the scampering detective.
"Huh?" Takagi rushed in, grabbed Conan, and handed him to the repairman.
"Detective games are over. Leave the rest to us!"
Conan stared at Tsuneo, exasperated. "What are you up to?"
"The suspect in this case isn't hard to find. No need to trouble yourself," Tsuneo said, holding Conan and informing Officer Megure before stepping out of the villa's yard, tossing the kid to the chubby old man at the police line.
"Doc, he's all yours!"
"Hey!" Conan, caught in Dr. Agasa's arms, shouted as Tsuneo drove off.
Is this guy planning to interrogate suspects one by one?
"Shinichi, let it go…" Dr. Agasa advised.
Tsuneo seemed in a foul mood.
From the crowd's chatter, he'd pieced together most of the case.
If the neighbor's dog hadn't dug up the yard, Mrs. Minagawa's body might've stayed hidden for who knows how long.
This was just too much!
And people were gossiping about their repairman, too…
"But…" Conan locked eyes with Dr. Agasa, then drooped his head, climbing into the yellow Beetle and leaving.
It was getting dark, and he couldn't stop that guy.
…
Night fell.
In a narrow alley in Beika Town, a young man with shoulder-length hair, dressed gaudily, strutted home.
His clothes screamed money, but his taste was abysmal.
And judging by how he whistled at random women, he deserved a couple of slaps.
At the alley's corner, Takeya Ryūji, still leering at some passing high school girls, didn't notice a large hand emerging from the shadows.
Like an iron clamp, it seized his mouth, pinning him against the wall.
"Shh!"
Takeya Ryūji stared in terror at the dark figure stepping out of the shadows.
"Heh heh, got you!"
The voice was chilling, utterly terrifying. The gloved hand pressed over his mouth and nose, suffocating him. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't budge it an inch.
What… what are you going to do to me?!
"Let's go…"
In the quiet, dark alley, someone's cold laughter echoed in Takeya Ryūji's ears.
…
The next day.
Teitan Elementary, Class 1-B.
"Big news!"
"They found a guy buried at Beika Shrine this morning!"
As soon as school started, Mitsuhiko gathered Genta and Ayumi for a huddle.
"Buried?!" Ayumi's face paled with fear.
Another death?
But why buried at Beika Shrine?
"A murder?!" Genta perked up.
The Detective Boys' chance to shine again!
This time, they'd beat Conan to the culprit!
"Not quite. The guy was buried up to his neck, battered and barely alive, but not dead," Mitsuhiko said, tapping his head. "They say his mind's gone—can't even speak properly."
"Really?"
"That's awful."
Conan rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
That guy went out last night after all.
Wonder if he's calmed down.
This wasn't good.
Conan didn't doubt Tsuneo's accuracy, but he couldn't stomach this kind of revenge.
"Conan, where's Haibara been?" The trio, done with their ghost story, noticed the empty seat beside Conan.
"She's busy with research at home…"
The great detective propped his chin, recalling the pile of lab rats Dr. Agasa bought yesterday, and gave a wry smile.
Since getting the A-drug from Pisco, Haibara hadn't shown much excitement but had thrown herself into work.
She probably wouldn't show up at school for a while.
"Research?"
The trio leaned in, staring at Conan curiously.
"Helping Doc with a new game," Conan said, blinking innocently and waving his hands, lying with practiced ease.
"A new game?!" The three lit up, diving into excited chatter.
Conan sat at his desk, exhaling deeply, staring at the classroom ceiling in silence.
Seriously.
When will these days end?
…
After school.
Conan was surprised to see Uncle Mouri at the school gate, picking him up with Ran in tow.
"The hospital?"
On the road, Conan and Ran both looked at Uncle Mouri, puzzled.
"Yeah, I'm heading to the hospital to pick up last week's test results," Uncle Mouri said, his expression heavy.
"Feeling unwell?" Ran asked, concerned.
"Lately, I've been drained all the time."
"Too much drinking!" Conan poked out from the backseat, grinning.
"Yeah, no need to pick us up just to drag us to the hospital with you," Ran added, nodding, blaming the booze.
"Dad, aren't you overreacting?"
Despite their words, Uncle Mouri's face didn't lighten. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. "The doctor told me over the phone."
"He specifically asked me to bring my family along…"
This is them telling me to prepare my last words, isn't it?
(End of Chapter)
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