In the apartment.
Hattori Heiji and the others were unaware that their plan had been exposed by someone with an omniscient perspective.
The police officers and two detectives remained in the room, waiting for their prey.
However, things always turn out differently than people expect.
Time passed slowly, until the sky began to lighten, but the door to the rented room showed no sign of opening, and the setup they had made for Yoshihiko Negami was never put to use.
"Brother Hattori."
In the corner, Inspector Megure yawned and glanced at his watch. "It's already four in the morning. Are you sure the killer will come?"
Hattori Heiji was starting to lose some confidence, but he still forced himself to say, "Y-I should... My judgment is rarely wrong..."
Conan was equally puzzled.
According to his reasoning, Yoshihiko Negami should be eager to return and look for the button that doesn't even exist.
Did they miss something?
Hattori Heiji kicked the sofa in frustration: "Impossible... that guy will definitely come back!"
His plan with Conan was flawless; every detail had been carefully considered.
First, they deliberately pointed the finger at Sujima Ryo, creating the illusion that Sujima Ryo was the murderer. Then they released false information about the key piece of evidence, the button. If Genjo Yoshihiko was the real culprit, he would definitely return to the scene out of concern for the evidence, and then they would catch him red-handed.
As a result, they have been waiting until now, but they still haven't seen anyone.
Could it be that Yoshihiko Negami really isn't the murderer?
The thought simultaneously crossed the minds of Heiji Hattori and Conan. They exchanged a glance and saw the same confusion and resentment in each other's eyes.
Considering that Heiji Hattori had helped the police solve many cases in the past, Inspector Megure waited with them at the scene for another half hour.
The result was still the same: nothing happened.
"Hey, Hattori," Inspector Megure rubbed his sore eyes, glanced at his watch, and said with obvious impatience, "It's already 4:30 in the morning. Are you sure the murderer will come? There are so many of us, we don't have time to waste with your nonsense."
Heiji Hattori scratched his head, tilting his green baseball cap askew. "Should we wait a bit? I have a feeling the culprit is about to arrive..."
Conan crouched by the window, his brow furrowed.
This doesn't make sense. Yoshihiko clearly gave himself away when he heard about the button, so why didn't he come back? Did he realize it was a trap?
Regardless of what the two said, Inspector Megure was not going to stay any longer.
After all, all sorts of cases happen in Mika City every day, and the police force is limited. They don't have time to endlessly waste time on this one case.
"Prepare to regroup."
"Yes, sir!"
The lights in the rented room were turned back on.
Police officers, who had been lying in ambush in various corners, emerged yawning.
Just as Hattori Heiji was trying to dissuade him, Inspector Megure's phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious.
Conan keenly noticed that Inspector Megure subconsciously straightened his back when reading the information—this was a reaction when facing a superior, and the other party's identity was definitely not ordinary.
Otherwise, a single message wouldn't have prompted Inspector Megure to act so respectfully.
The message is brief.
After reading it, Inspector Megure walked back calmly, glanced at Heiji Hattori, and said, "No need to say anything more, the case is solved."
"Resolved?" Hattori Heiji's eyes widened. "What do you mean? The culprit has been caught?"
"The murderer?" Inspector Megure shook his head without changing his expression. "Sorry, there is no murderer. This case was a suicide. Where would there be a murderer?"
"Suicide?!" Hattori Heiji almost jumped up. "Are you kidding me?! How could someone stab themselves in the chest and then hide the weapon?"
"Hey Hattori, are you questioning our police's judgment?"
Inspector Megure sternly interrupted him, his expression turning serious, his eyes revealing a sense of authority. "According to the forensic investigation, Tokuhiro Furumura has a history of depression. There were no signs of forced entry at the scene, and no fibers from a struggle were found on the deceased's clothing—it is entirely consistent with suicide."
He spoke with an air of seriousness, as if this evidence were irrefutable facts.
Conan: "..."
Hattori Heiji: "..."
Both of them were stunned.
This is blatant manipulation behind the scenes.
They had already found clues and were just missing the decisive evidence when they were suddenly told it was suicide?
Are you kidding me?
However, Inspector Megure didn't care about the two people's reactions. As the police, they didn't need to explain to two unrelated people.
Of course, the most important thing is that he just received a message from someone.
As his greatest benefactor, Inspector Megure only needed to see the line in the message, "[Yoshihiko Negami and Roshi Hoshima were Yukiko's former behind-the-scenes team]," to immediately understand what it meant.
"What a joke!" Seeing the police about to leave, Hattori Heiji angrily ran over and grabbed Inspector Megure's sleeve. "The deceased was clearly stabbed in the heart, how could it be suicide?"
Inspector Megure shook off his hand and said sternly, "The deceased had a huge gambling debt before his death. The knife only had his own fingerprints, and there were no signs of a struggle at the scene. This is suicide!"
"But the video recorder clearly recorded Hojima's voice!"
Conan panicked and almost forgot to disguise his identity.
"What does a child know!" Inspector Megure glared at him. "That's just Mr. Hojima talking in his sleep!"
Hattori Heiji's face turned green with rage—a look perfectly suited to his hat: "Inspector Megure! You're derelict in your duty! Negami Yoshihiko is clearly the murderer!"
"Where's the evidence?"
Inspector Megure countered, "Do you have solid evidence?"
Hattori Heiji was speechless for a moment.
"Making accusations without evidence is dereliction of duty!" Inspector Megure sneered, turning to wave at the officers. "Fall back! Release Mr. Hojima as well!"
Conan stared intently at Inspector Megure's phone, then suddenly realized something. He grabbed Hattori Heiji: "Hattori, it's Hanyu Kusunoki!"
"What?" Hattori Heiji hadn't reacted yet.
"Don't you think this style looks familiar?" Conan gritted his teeth, his anger clearly visible. "It was that guy, Hanyu Nanasu, who sent the message to Inspector Megure! He must have known the truth all along, but deliberately covered for the culprit!"
Hattori Heiji's eyes widened: "That guy! What makes him...?"
"Just because he's Hanyu Nanasu," Conan said with a wry smile. "Even your dad, a superintendent of police, can't do anything about him..."
The police car sped away, leaving the two detectives standing in the morning light, their faces full of resentment.
Having figured out the situation, they were actually at a loss.
If it were Yuzuru Hanyu who made a move, with their current strength, they really wouldn't have any way to deal with him.
They've been fighting with Yuzuru Hanyu for so long, and although they've always been the ones getting beaten up, they have to admit that the other party's background is terrifying. Bringing them to justice won't be easy.
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