"Even if we hadn't come, the police would've found this accident too suspicious."
"A timer for the blackout can't escape investigation."
"The situation would've been messier."
Conan took a deep breath, delivering a long monologue.
"I don't care much about murder without a compelling reason," Tsuneo said, stuffing the sandwich wrapper back into his tool bag.
While fixing the hospital bathroom that afternoon, he'd said people should live well.
Mrs. Shinichi, you chose this path. Even in handcuffs, keep going…
Tsuneo pulled Inspector Megure aside. "Found the timer?"
"After questioning, I sent Takagi to look," Megure nodded.
The orange-fat inspector was convinced it was murder.
He and Mouri Kogoro agreed: Miss Koguang was the likely culprit.
Her switch activation was dozens of seconds late.
"The mystery's solved," Tsuneo said, glancing at Conan. "But we need a small favor from the police."
Maybe not small, but Megure would likely agree.
As expected.
Megure listened to the reasoning, fell silent, then nodded with a serious expression. "I understand. Let's do it."
Honestly, Tsuneo's request was unexpected.
"Brother Tsuneo, well done!"
Megure left the comment and approached the group.
He suddenly understood.
Tsuneo's reasoning paused in the bathroom because he'd considered this.
Yes, don't let more people bear this burden.
"He's praising you," Tsuneo said, ruffling Conan's head with a grin.
Getting more human, little brother!
Conan, unusually, didn't resist, standing lost in thought.
"Next, we'll question everyone individually," Megure announced, hands behind his back, tone stern.
"Individually?" Dr. Shinichi started to object but was silenced by Megure's glare.
"Mrs. Shinichi, you first. Follow me."
Mrs. Shinichi trailed Megure into a room.
To her surprise, no other police were there—just two figures by the wall.
"Mr. Tsuneo, Conan-kun…"
"The chawanmushi was delicious," Tsuneo nodded in greeting.
"Thank you," Mrs. Shinichi smiled, thanking him.
"I'll step out," Megure said, exchanging a look with Tsuneo, leaving and closing the door.
Just three remained: Tsuneo, Conan, Mrs. Shinichi.
"No police for individual questioning?" she asked, confused.
"From the start, there was only one suspect."
"You, Mrs. Shinichi," Tsuneo revealed.
"I was on the phone with a friend before the blackout. The police confirmed it. How could I have time?" Her face shifted, defending herself.
"Not hard. A cordless phone does the trick," Conan said, holding up a small phone.
As long as the base wasn't hung up, the cordless kept the call going.
"Of course, a mobile phone was essential too."
"When Koguang checked the switch, your plan began."
"On the way to the bathroom, you talked on the cordless, used your mobile to call the landline, faking a dropped call."
"During that window, you entered the bathroom, spoke to Mr. Shinichi, and slipped the razor into the tub."
"After, you acted normal, chatting with your friend."
"Then stood at the kitchen door, switching to the wired phone."
"Mobile call records and the timer are evidence you couldn't dispose of."
Tsuneo recounted her crime as if he'd seen it.
"Mr. Tsuneo…" Mrs. Shinichi bit her lip, about to speak.
"You stood at the door to give everyone an alibi, didn't you?" Conan asked, looking up.
Tsuneo added, "But you didn't expect Koguang to take thirty or forty extra seconds, ruining her alibi."
"In the kitchen, I saw clearly: she dropped a chawanmushi, didn't flinch at the heat, tucked the unbroken cup under her arm, and ran."
"Those extra seconds were to hide it upstairs."
"Maybe she feared Mr. Shinichi's scolding."
Mrs. Shinichi slumped, sighing. "So the burn on her arm was from that?"
"She's such a fool. Hiding the cup wouldn't work—the count would give it away."
Tsuneo shook his head. "I knew it was you from the start."
"Really?"
"Worthy of a detective," she said with a skeptical laugh.
"When you stood at the door, alibiing everyone, who else could it be?" Tsuneo said, pulling another sandwich from his bag.
Chawanmushi wasn't enough; he was hungry…
Mrs. Shinichi exhaled, revealing her motive.
Not just Mr. Shinichi's philandering, but the truth behind her best friend—Dr. Shinichi's mother, Chiaki—dying four years ago.
Not a drunk driving accident—she was deliberately intoxicated.
Tsuneo pursed his lips.
The repairman didn't buy it.
Avenging her friend? Maybe a bit.
But the real motive was likely marital strife.
"I'd prefer you confess to the police," Tsuneo said, following Conan's script.
After all, he was his silly, rich little brother…
"Didn't expect you to be so considerate," Mrs. Shinichi said, seeming lighter after unburdening.
"This private talk was for Koguang's sake," Tsuneo said, revealing the plan with the police.
Conan saw her shocked expression and said, "You haven't realized: you set the trap, but Koguang pulled the trigger."
"If she knew, she'd blame herself forever."
The bespectacled detective turned and left.
"So that's it…" Mrs. Shinichi understood.
She looked at the boy's back. "Mr. Tsuneo, who is he?"
"Edogawa Conan, a detective!"
Tsuneo said with a smile.
(Chapter End)
------------------------------
🌟 Hi everyone! 🌟
If you love my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ] 💖
By joining, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and some special perks that I have prepared just for you. Every support really means a lot and helps me strive every day! 🙏✨