Chapter 180
Because the deceased was an actor, there were many fans around him before he got on the cable car. Some took photos, and some recorded videos. In the absence of surveillance, this was important information. Kenji Hagiwara originally planned to go there later to ask around and see if anyone could provide a video so they could see the details.
Although he was observing from the side at the time, people's memories can be biased, and having a video recording would provide evidence and be more convenient.
Unexpectedly, before he even descended the mountain, Xiao Shenliu had already uncovered this crucial information and informed him.
If the person who got on the cable car wasn't the deceased, then how did the deceased end up on the cable car?
There are only two possibilities: either they were already on top from the beginning, or they boarded the cable car midway.
Countless details pieced together possibilities in Kenji Hagiwara's mind.
All he needs to do next is find evidence to prove his hypothesis.
Unfortunately, the detectives in Yamagata Prefecture were not very willing to let Kenji Hagiwara get involved in their cases, and their cooperation was somewhat lacking.
It's certainly painful for detectives to solve cases before the police, but it's even harder to accept when detectives from other districts solve cases for them.
Fortunately, despite the competition, they all agreed on the goal of solving the case and finding the culprit. However, Kenji Hagiwara couldn't effectively command the police officers here and had to rely on the responsible detectives, which resulted in a somewhat low efficiency.
Compared to the police who only act when ordered, the two free junior high school students were much more efficient, busy checking video footage and watching the actors' previous movies and behind-the-scenes clips.
Finally, all the questions were answered, and Hattori Heiji immediately rushed to the police's temporary office, while Kudo Shinichi also got the phone number of the detective in charge of the case.
Almost simultaneously, one in front of the police and the other on the phone, they explained the modus operandi of the case.
"So, the murderer is stuntman Mr. Mimata! Because the deceased didn't want to reveal that his skiing skills were mediocre, he had Mr. Mimata wear a hat, wig, and goggles to impersonate him, skiing and showing off in front of fans, and then carrying the deceased's bag, he carried the deceased into the air and killed him... Because the deceased was so thin, weighing less than 60 pounds, it was very easy for Mr. Mimata..."
After Hattori Heiji finished speaking at length, he noticed an unusual silence in the atmosphere.
"...Uh, did I say something wrong?"
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Mr. Mitsumata said expressionlessly. “It’s just that the police had just finished speaking before you arrived, and everyone was already shocked.”
Hattori Heiji: "..."
Shinichi Kudo on the other end of the phone: "..."
Kenji Hagiwara smiled and smoothed things over: "You guys were also helpful, for example, you discovered the mechanism to fake the gunshots, which was very useful... Here, the director mainly knew the method beforehand, so we came to assist the police in solving the case."
During his investigation, Kenji Hagiwara keenly noticed that the director's attitude was off; it wasn't the tension after the murder, but rather a hesitation about whether or not to speak out.
So Kenji Hagiwara used his persuasive skills, affability, and the clues he already had to get the director to reveal his suspicions about the male actor's murder methods from four years ago to the police.
Knowing the method of the murder four years ago makes this case much easier to handle. Other evidence is still uncertain, but Mitsumata was still wearing his clothes when he boarded the cable car disguised as a male actor, only a jacket. So when his method of committing the crime was exposed, he didn't try to deny it and directly admitted that he was avenging the victim from four years ago.
The male actor killed the stuntman from four years ago because he was worried that the stuntman would write a memoir and spread gossip about him if he didn't make money. Mr. Mimata could not forgive such scum. Since he was discovered, he had no choice but to go to prison.
Because Mr. Mitsumata was very cooperative, the police didn't have time to handcuff him during the conversation, and Heiji Hattori didn't notice anything amiss.
After hearing about the shortcut the police took, Hattori Heiji looked at the director speechlessly: "Since you already knew what was going on, why didn't you tell the police sooner? Did you have to wait until another person died before you told them?"
The director was also very upset: "I have no evidence, I'm just guessing. I made this movie hoping that after reading the script, that guy would repent and turn himself in, but I didn't expect..."
Heiji Hattori felt that the director had seriously affected his experience of solving the mystery, but since the director was trying to help the police solve the case, he couldn't say anything.
Furthermore, Hattori Heiji felt that it was only after his father reminded him that he understood some details. The middle school student who didn't come and only talked about it on the phone must have relied on himself, so that middle school student was better than him.
From any perspective, the case could be solved regardless of whether he was involved or not, so he became somewhat disinterested.
On his way down the mountain, Hattori Heiji received a phone call from Usui Saiki.
"I heard you've solved the case, congratulations!" Bo Yezaki said with a smile. "How does it feel?"
Hattori Heiji was still a bit emotional: "We lost."
"Huh? You're giving up so easily?"
"Thank goodness my dad reminded me, otherwise I still wouldn't understand what was going on with that bag full of snow..."
Usoya Saiki immediately said, "The other kid also had his father remind him! When I called him just now, he said he lost to you!"
"...Huh? That guy has someone helping him too?"
Hattori Heiji's previously low spirits lifted instantly. He was a little happy, but also a little doubtful: "Really? Are you just trying to comfort me?"
Usakabe Saiki countered, "Do you think I have the personality to comfort people?"
Hattori Heiji said sincerely, "No, I think you're more suited to kicking someone when they're down."
"...You're so honest."
"So this time it's actually a draw, right?" Hattori Heiji said excitedly. "There's no winner."
Bo Yezaki said coldly, "Of course the police won. You two go and get the director to tell the truth. The director definitely doesn't trust you as much as he trusts the police. Being able to extract information from others is also an important skill."
"...The policeman doesn't count! I'm talking about me and another guy!"
Usoya Saiki exclaimed in anguish: "You can't even beat the police, what kind of detective are you!"
Heiji Hattori: "??? Isn't that a bit too much...? I'm just a middle school student... I just want to know who's better, me or another middle school student..."
Bo Yezaki thought for a moment and said, "I think he's a little better than you."
Heiji Hattori, who actually wanted to hear a draw, thought: "...Huh? Wait, why is he stronger than me? Isn't this obviously a draw?"
But the other end of the phone had already hung up.
Heiji Hattori felt like he was being manipulated.
Although he had already accepted that his opponent was stronger than him, this guy came up with a series of explanations that made him think a draw would be more reasonable. In the end, he told him that his opponent was still stronger, but he wouldn't tell him why... What the hell?!
Is this some kind of "adversity training"? To prevent him from getting too arrogant? Or maybe he used the same approach when talking to someone else?
Or was it really that he did something wrong, and that guy just happened to see it?
Heiji Hattori reviewed his actions that day over and over, trying to find the flaws to ensure that the same problem would not happen again.
Sigh, while self-reflection and caution are essential qualities for a detective, it's just too frustrating not to get a reference answer...
I wonder if the other side receives the same treatment.
Although their investigations happened to coincide, if the other party also intends to become a detective, they will probably meet sooner or later.
When they reminisce about today's case, it will be a precious memory... Detectives of the same age? I can't wait for the day we officially meet...
Kenji Hagiwara wasn't a police officer from Yamagata Prefecture, so now that the case was solved, there was no need for him to stay there any longer, lest he seem like he was trying to steal the credit.
He made a phone call to his partner, who, though not physically present, always managed to deliver useful information to him.
"Yeah, I've taken care of it here. I'll be coming down the mountain in a bit. Thanks to you for finding the problem, you helped me get the director to talk... Huh? What did you say?"
"...That bomber, he's been released from prison?"
--------------------
Extra chapter tonight
.
That director knew everything, but he just wouldn't say anything. I was speechless while watching it.
.
If Heiji and Shinichi didn't dwell on everything and just figured it out, they could directly tell the police any clues they had. Even without the director saying anything, the case would be solved quickly.
However, in the world of Detective Conan, the Red Team's intelligence is not shared (x)
.
I'm eager to enter the first year of Detective Conan, but there are still a few scenarios to explain.
.
Hattori: I want to know who won.
Thin Leaf Vest is a Policeman - Saiki: Of course he's a policeman.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
