Police have identified three suspects.
The first suspect is Hojima Ryo, who was resting in the living room with the deceased, Tokuhiro Komura. He had the closest relationship with the deceased, and he was the only one present in the living room at the time of the incident, which greatly increased his suspicion.
The second is Yoshihiko Negami, who has a key to the rental apartment and thus has easy access to the room.
The third is Keizen Karata, who invited Yukiko to the preview screening. He was also included on the suspect list because he had the key.
The prime suspect is currently Hojima Ryo, because only his voice was recorded from the video camera that fell to the ground, and he was the only person present at the scene between the time the crime occurred and when Conan ran away.
However, based on his many years of detective experience, Conan believes that the person who was initially the prime suspect is probably not the real culprit.
Therefore, he now focuses his main suspicions on Yoshihiko Negami.
This Yoshihiko Negami, who used to be his mother's image technician and is also her fan, enthusiastically took them on a tour of the Phenomenon Institute all day today.
“Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of malice or theft…” Conan murmured to himself.
The great detective knew in his heart that he couldn't count on his mother.
Although the other party said on the phone that they would come right away, knowing his mother as he did, he didn't know how long that "right away" would actually take.
And it's very likely that Mom drank again late at night.
Thinking this, Conan sent a message to his best friend.
...
Half an hour later.
Heiji Hattori truly lives up to his reputation as Conan's best friend.
Upon receiving the news, he immediately jumped out of bed, got dressed, and rode his bright green motorcycle at breakneck speed, without stopping the accelerator the entire way.
After the two met up, they immediately found a relatively quiet corner and carefully discussed the details of the scene.
Ultimately, it was unanimously agreed that Yoshihiko Negami was the prime suspect.
However, what troubles them is that there is currently no substantial evidence to directly prove that Yoshihiko Negami is the murderer, so they can only try to make him reveal himself.
Conan's current identity makes it inconvenient for him to show his face, so Heiji Hattori volunteered to come forward, which is also the purpose of his visit.
At this moment, Inspector Megure was conducting his deduction with the three suspects. His expression was serious, and his gaze swept back and forth between the three suspects. He said, "In short, what we know now is that around 11 p.m., Mr. Tokuhiro Furumura, who was sleeping on the sofa, was stabbed to death in the dark by someone."
“If the murderer fled after killing the person, he would definitely bump into something in such a dark environment, making a sound.” He said, gesturing to illustrate the possible scene.
As he spoke, he gestured to illustrate the possible scenarios that might have occurred.
"However, the three children sleeping next door didn't hear anything. Therefore, this means the murderer was sleeping on the sofa next to the deceased..."
At this point, Inspector Megure paused deliberately, his eyes sharpening, before turning sharply to the three of them and saying decisively, "Mr. Hojima, the only possible murderer is you."
"Why!"
Suijima was shocked and hurriedly tried to explain, "Wait a minute..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Hattori Heiji, who had been waiting to appear, jumped out and casually adjusted his hat: "The officer is right. I also think that the only culprit is Mr. Hojima."
"Huh? Heiji, what brings you here?"
Inspector Megure was somewhat surprised to see who had arrived.
He was quite familiar with Hattori Heiji. After all, since Hattori Heiji transferred to Tokyo for school, although it seemed that Beika's cases were increasing, it was undeniable that the other party had helped him solve many tricky cases.
He can be considered the second tool after Kudo... oh no, the right assistant.
"Conan called me and said that the police have encountered another problem and need me, the great detective, to step in." Heiji Hattori proudly adjusted his hat. He had come in a hurry and hadn't noticed that he was wearing a green hat, but it looked quite good and had a unique kind of handsomeness.
Inspector Megure: "..."
Takagi Wataru: "..."
Police officers at the scene: "..."
Although it's the truth, isn't it a bit blunt? Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up?
Conan hid in the corner, silently rubbing his forehead—Hattori was still as tactless as ever.
However, now was not the time to complain, so he quietly observed Yoshihiko Negami's reaction.
Sure enough, when Hattori Heiji pointed the finger at Hojima, Negami Yoshihiko's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, before quickly returning to a worried expression.
"There's something I'm curious about: where's the third button on the deceased's clothes? If it didn't fall into the room during the argument, then it's on the murderer. Inspector Megure, please make sure to search it thoroughly when you bring Hojima back to the station for questioning later..."
Following the plan the two had discussed beforehand, Hattori Heiji quietly released bait, attempting to lure the snake out of its hole.
Next, following procedure, Inspector Megure took all three suspects present to the police station for questioning. Considering that the children might know some relevant clues, they were also taken along.
As everyone left, the once lively room instantly darkened, leaving only silence and darkness.
...
It was late at night.
The lights in the police station seemed particularly glaring in the darkness.
After a thorough questioning, the police found no substantial evidence and released two other suspects, Yoshihiko Negami and Keizen Karata, from the police station, in addition to Hojima Ryo, the prime suspect.
In the darkness, a figure appeared at the foot of the building where the rented apartment was located.
Yoshihiko Negami stood in the shadows, looking up at the lights that had suddenly come on in the room above, his fingertips tracing the screen of his phone.
[Mr. Murderer, the button would have looked more natural if it had been placed in the crevices of the sofa. —From: A kind-hearted person]
He stared at the message, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
In fact, he still can't figure out how that young man had anticipated all the police's actions before he even made a move.
He felt as if he were in a giant chess game, and the young man was the chess player who controlled the whole game, while he was just a piece that could be manipulated at will.
Yoshihiko Negami knew who had sent the unfamiliar message.
When Yukiko returned to the hotel that evening, her son, Nanami Hanyu, who inherited her idol's looks, came over and asked for her phone number. He then patted her shoulder meaningfully and said:
"Mr. Gensho, do a good job. The imaging work after Mother's comeback will still need the help of old friends like you."
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