Chapter 278: Did the World Skip a Beat?
Chapter 278: Did the World Skip a Beat?
Ninzaburo Shiratori and Wataru Takagi looked at Conan in surprise.
Conan Realized and quickly laughed, "Uncle Mori told me about this!"
"I know about this Case too, I've seen it on Television several times," Wataru Takagi recalled, "It's a meticulously planned Case, and the only Clue is the Scene of less than 10 seconds captured by the Bank Surveillance Video. Moreover, no one knows how the deceased Police Officer identified the Suspect. The whole Case is shrouded in Mist... I didn't expect Officer Sato's Father to be that Police Officer."
"Of course," Sato Miwako walked back, her Expression tinged with sadness, "While the Incident and the main Criminal may remain in people's Memory, only those connected to a martyred Police Officer will remember his Name."
Wataru Takagi was stunned, "Officer Sato..."
Sato Miwako recovered herself and laughed, "However, our Work isn't exactly about being remembered by everyone..."
"It's also to protect the Family Members of Police Officers," Chi Feichei said, "Especially when the Criminal is still at large. It's hard to guarantee that they won't harm the Family Members out of Resentment or fear that the Police Officer might have revealed something to their Family, so Reports rarely mention the Police Officer's specific Name."
Sato Miwako paused for a moment and said with a smile, "That's Also Correct!"
"Didn't that Truck Driver See the Culprit's Face at that time?" Genta asked.
Sato Miwako bent down to look at Genta and explained, "No, and because the Culprit was wearing a long Raincoat, we don't even know if it was a Man or a Female. In the Surveillance Video, they were also wearing Sunglasses, a Mask, a Hat, and an Overcoat..."
Ai Haibara looked at Sato Miwako and said in a low voice, "Looks like she's taking it well."
"Mm." Chi Feichei responded.
Actually, Sato Miwako is quite Gentle at heart. She bends down to speak to Children whenever possible, to avoid them straining their necks looking up. When speaking to people who have difficulty standing, she also squats down.
"Is the Culprit's Name Chou Silang?" Mitsuhiko also asked.
"But, no one with that Name is a Suspect! And Chou Silang..." Sato Miwako suddenly paused, as if in thought.
"What's wrong?" Wataru Takagi asked with concern.
"Ah, didn't I See July this morning? I got a bit impulsive at the time and ran up to ask him to Help investigate this Case, even saying that as long as it could be investigated, I'd Promise anything," Sato Miwako straightened up, laughing a little embarrassedly, "Thinking about it now, it's really embarrassing! But I was telling the Truth. No matter who it is, as long as they can solve this Case, I'm willing to do anything..."
"Anything at all..."
Wataru Takagi and Ninzaburo Shiratori imagined marrying Sato Miwako, but in the next second, their blissful Mood vanished.
Officer Sato also made this Promise to July, and given July's efficiency, it seems a bit ominous...
"No way!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's too rash!"
"Huh?" Sato Miwako was a little confused.
"Then if I find the Criminal, can I have a thousand portions of Eel Rice?" Genta asked.
Ayumi: "I want to stay in the Castle at Tropical Land."
Mitsuhiko: "If it were me, I'd want Tickets to the International Space Station!"
Conan also joined in the fun, asking with a smile, "Could I get Admission Tickets to this year's World Cup soccer match?"
Ai Haibara thought for a moment, "For me, a new import Handbag from Field would be good, or 100,000 Japanese Yen."
Chi Feichei: "..."
Ai is still hung up on half of the Arsonist Bounty.
Didn't we agree to give her a Salary of 300,000 Japanese Yen tonight?
Also, there's No Need to buy a Bag from Field, right? He can Call and have them send over all the styles.
"Su-sure, sure..." Sato Miwako laughed, sweating profusely inside.
Are Children these days all so realistic?
And shouldn't we solve the Case first...?
"Did July Promise to investigate this Case?" Conan's Expression became a bit serious, "Did he Say anything?"
"He didn't Promise," Sato Miwako recalled, "He Said I should investigate this Case Oneself, and that Chou Silang means to Surrender... just these two Sentences, very Weird, right?"
Conan pondered, his Eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked, "Were his exact Words something like, 'Only you can investigate'?"
Sato Miwako paused, "Yes, he said this Case is something only I can do..."
"Then that's it!" A smile appeared on Conan's face.
"Do these two Sentences have any other meaning?" Wataru Takagi pondered, "Chou Silang means to Surrender... to Surrender... ah! I Know, 'Chou Silang' and 'go Surrender' have similar Pronunciation. If spoken intermittently, it's very likely to be misheard. July means this, right?"
Ninzaburo Shiratori glanced sideways, unexpectedly, Takagi was faster than him. No, he has to work harder too...
"I also guessed that's what it meant," Sato Miwako said, "But the first Sentence..."
"Hey, Officer Sato," Conan reminded in a cute way, "Your Father looked at the Culprit's Figure and said 'go Surrender,' indicating he hoped the Criminal would Surrender. They probably talked Before. Under what Situation would your Father first go to the Criminal to talk about Surrender?"
Sato Miwako froze in place, "Cou-, could it be..."
"Yes, if you've understood this Case, you should Know that the martyred Police Officer grasped a core Clue, a core Clue that others Don't Know. Just relying on a Surveillance Video of less than 10 seconds to discover the Criminal, plus talking to the Criminal about Surrender..." The Lens on the left side of Conan's Glasses reflected light, and with a raised corner of his mouth, he affirmed, "The Criminal is someone he knew and was familiar with. That's why July Said this Case can only rely on Oneself, because only you, as Family Members of the martyred Police Officer, Understand best who his Friends were!"
Silence.
Ninzaburo Shiratori and Wataru Takagi were still surprised.
Besides... a Kid is stealing their Limelight!
As they were speaking, four Older-looking people walked over carrying White Bouquets.
One of the older women sized up Sato Miwako, "Huh? Are you... Miwako?"
Sato Miwako Turn Head and looked at the four people.
Her Old Dad's Friends?
Isn't this four delivered right to our door...?
Wataru Takagi and Ninzaburo Shiratori Turn Head and stared.
This age group...
The Junior Detective League, all five of them, raised their heads and stared.
Carrying White Bouquets...
They're Officer Sato Masayoshi's Friends, no mistake!
Chi Feichei also raised his eyes to size up the four people.
The four people: "..."
What happened?
Why did the Atmosphere suddenly become a bit Weird?
Sato Miwako was the first to Realize. It's not time to tip off the snake in the grass yet. She greeted them with a smile, "Ah, long time no See."
"You've grown up so much..." an Uncle said with a dry laugh.
Just now, for a moment, did the World skip a beat?
Genta looked at the four people with a Suspicious Expression, "I'm saying, is it possible that one of you..."
Ayumi and Mitsuhiko immediately Reached Out their hands and seriously covered Genta's mouth.
"Shush, shush..." Wataru Takagi also gestured to the Children.
Sato Miwako continued to smile, "This Child is just curious about who you are!"
"Yes," Wataru Takagi scratched his head and smiled in cooperation, "I was trying to tell them that it's not good to randomly inquire about other people's Friends. If Officer Sato wants to introduce you, she will introduce us!"
Ninzaburo Shiratori: "..."
Is Takagi's Reaction Speed too fast today?
"It's alright," Sato Miwako laughed, "Then let me introduce you. These four are Friends from my Father's High School baseball club..."
While listening, Chi Feichei checked online Reports, especially those about the Surveillance Video of less than 10 seconds.
Pitcher Sarawatari Hideo, now 50 years old, is a High School teacher.
Kano Shuji, 49 years old, runs an Italian Dining Room.
Inoho Mankuma, 50 years old, is the President of a financial company.
The only Female, team manager Kandori Chouko, 49 years old, is a clothing Shop Boss.
The four people didn't stay long. After paying their respects, they agreed to go to an Izakaya for Liquor.
"Actually, besides what's been Reported, there's another Clue," Sato Miwako watched the four people Watch Leave and wrote in her Police Handbook, showing it to the others, "My Old Dad wrote three Weird Katakana in his Police Handbook, 'カンオ'..."
"I've never heard of it..." Ninzaburo Shiratori stroked his chin.
"The Police Seemingly haven't revealed this," Sato Miwako recalled, "Judging from my Old Dad's Investigation History before and after, it Seemingly has a close Relationship with that Case. When I was a Child, the Police came to ask many times, asking me and my mother if Father had ever mentioned anything about 'カンオ'..."
"And then?" Wataru Takagi pressed.
"Unfortunately, I've never heard of it, and I fundamentally Don't Understand its meaning," Sato Miwako spread her hands with a bitter laugh, "When I was a Child, I used to stare at these three Characters all the time, trying very hard to figure it out."
Conan touched his chin. July's Analysis should be right. If 'Chou Silang' means 'go Surrender,' then the Criminal is among Officer Sato Masayoshi's Friends... Is it a Code Name?
Ninzaburo Shiratori's Phone Call suddenly rang. He quickly answered it to the side, "Inspector Megure? Now? The three of us are currently in the 4th district of Beihu Town... What? You Say someone witnessed a Man suspected of being the Arsonist?"
Apart from Chi Feichei, who was always staring at his Mobile Phone, everyone else successively Turned Head to Look.
"6th district of Shinagawa Town? They encountered Police Officers lying in ambush, and he ran? The characteristics are, long Hair, wearing a Hat, wearing a Gray long Overcoat... Good, Takagi and I will go over immediately!" Ninzaburo Shiratori hung up the Phone Call and looked at Wataru Takagi, "Did you hear? Takagi, we're going over there immediately!"
"Ah, good!" Wataru Takagi turned his Pocket, "My Police Handbook, and Handcuffs... Oh no!"
"Police Officer Takagi?" Ninzaburo Shiratori was already in the Car, urging in confusion, "What are you dawdling about?"
"I left the Handcuffs on the Table in the Investigations One Division Office..." Wataru Takagi laughed embarrassedly.
"What are you doing?" Ninzaburo Shiratori reminded helplessly, "We don't have Time to go back and get them now."
Sato Miwako was also helpless, "Are you going to be alright, Takagi?"
"It's alright, it's just an Arsonist anyway," Wataru Takagi comforted with a laugh, "Besides, the Fortune Telling in the Magazine said I'd have Great Luck and Super Good Luck today!"
Sato Miwako froze in place, recalling the Day her Father had the Incident. Before Going Out that day, he had also Said something like, 'Today's Fortune Telling says my Luck is extremely good,' and he had also forgotten his Handcuffs at Home...
(End of Chapter)