"What a magnificent house..." Standing in front of the Tsujimura family manor, Mao Lilan exclaimed softly, "This should be called a mansion, right?"
"Madam, you are back." The butler standing at the door bowed to the people getting out of the car. "Who are these people...?"
"This is Mr. Mouri's family. They are friends of mine and Mr. Mouri." Tsujimura Kimie walked into the entrance, took off her fur coat and threw it to the butler, then asked casually, "Where is Mr. Tsujimura? The invited guests have arrived, but he hasn't come out to welcome them?"
"The master is still in the study on the second floor. Maybe he's busy with something important." The butler respectfully took the coat she threw. "Master Guishan and Miss Xingzi have also returned."
Tsujimura Kimie frowned. Just then, a clear female voice came from inside the house. Katsuragi Sachiko, wearing loose-fitting home clothes, walked to the entrance and said, "Ah, Mom's back. Sorry I didn't tell you in advance. Sorry for the sudden visit."
Hearing her name, Mouri and his group instantly looked at her face.
After seeing her in person and comparing carefully, they found that what Kazawa said earlier made sense. Katsuragi Sachiko and Tsujimura Kimie really did look alike in many ways...
Maybe Tsujimura Kimie also recalled Kazawa's earlier comment. Her face froze, and she scolded stiffly, "Why did you come back today? Also, don't call me Mom. Know your place!"
"Mom!" Tsujimura Takayoshi quickly stepped in front of Katsuragi Sachiko to protect her. "Why are you suddenly so angry? Father didn't want to see Sachiko, but I thought at least you supported us..."
"Takayoshi, we have guests." Katsuragi Sachiko tugged on her boyfriend's sleeve to stop the argument from breaking out.
Tsujimura Takayoshi took a deep breath, suppressed his frustration, and forced a smile toward Kazawa and the others: "I'm sorry, everyone. We didn't mean to be rude."
The others all shook their heads with sympathetic eyes.
Except for Kazawa, everyone had already filled in the entire story just from the resemblance between Tsujimura Kimie and Katsuragi Sachiko. Their heads were now full of tragic, dramatic plotlines. Poor young couple — they had no idea what was about to happen to them.
"Ahem..." Tsujimura Kimie's mouth twitched. She could probably guess what these people were imagining... She gave an awkward glance at the culprit Kazawa and cleared her throat. "Well, your father and I have something to discuss with our guests. We'll go upstairs first."
She led everyone upstairs to the closed study door. Faint music could be heard from inside.
She took out a key, opened the door, and took a deep breath.
Kazawa walked at the back of the group, entering the study leisurely.
"Why is the music so loud... Husband, husband, Mr. Mouri is here." Tsujimura Kimie raised her voice and walked to Tsujimura Isao, who was slumped over the desk. She leaned closer and called in his ear, "Husband, wake up."
With Kazawa's eyesight, he clearly saw her hand brush past Tsujimura Isao's ear — a silver needle gleamed faintly from her fingertips.
He blinked and turned his head as if he hadn't seen anything, pretending to be casually browsing the bookshelf.
Spectators don't need to know anything. Don't ask. Just assume it's a locked-room murder... huh?
"Husband!" Amid Tsujimura Kimie's shouts and everyone's shocked gazes, Tsujimura Isao's plump body fell heavily to the floor.
However, Kazawa's attention was already drawn to the bookshelf photos.
The photo on the left showed young Tsujimura Kimie and Tsujimura Isao — the key motive for the murder. The frame on the right showed the plump Tsujimura Isao affectionately hugging another suited man. They looked like old friends, each holding a glass of champagne and smiling warmly.
Tsujimura Isao knew Tsuchiguchi Shigehiko?
Wait, what's surprising about a diplomat knowing a congressman?
But considering Tsuchiguchi Shigehiko's unorthodox behavior...
Kazawa turned around slower than the others, pretending to be shocked as he looked at Tsujimura Isao lying on the floor, eyes closed and dead.
No way... Could this unlucky guy really be connected to the organization?
Even someone like this can be linked to the organization...
Just asking — is the grassroots division of the organization a recycling station?
Although his reaction was a beat off, it still looked normal enough. The detectives on the scene didn't notice anything off about Kazawa. Three of them rushed to Tsujimura Isao's body to check his breathing and heartbeat.
"It's too late..." Hattori Heiji said gravely. "He's already gone."
"What happened?" The commotion quickly drew others over.
"No one else is allowed in until the police arrive. Mrs. Tsujimura, please wait by the door." Mouri Kogoro, very experienced with such scenes, quickly gave out orders to protect the scene. "Someone go call the police."
The two high school detectives, as if they hadn't heard Mouri Kogoro, immediately rushed to the body, checking for external signs and looking for clues nearby.
"The body is still warm... the time of death must have been recent." Hattori Heiji pulled open the deceased's eyelid.
"His lips are bluish, but not seriously. The poison didn't take effect too long ago." Conan sniffed and lifted the man's lower lip, muttering to himself.
Kazawa stood on his toes to watch the two of them work in sync, then confidently took a step back and leaned against the wall.
No need for him to step in right now. He could just stand aside and act as background scenery.
So, he took out his phone and started typing.
"Ding dong."
"Ding dong."
"Ding dong ding dong."
Gin tossed the blood-stained black briefcase into a plastic bag, threw it onto the back seat, and climbed into the passenger seat with a frown.
"What is it?" He had just stepped out to execute someone who'd been exposed to the police. It had taken about ten minutes, so he didn't bring his phone. The non-stop notifications annoyed him, so he asked Vodka directly.
"Uh… Looks like a message from Kumail…" Vodka didn't dare open his boss's phone. He just glanced at the screen showing new message notifications and handed it to Gin.
"Kumail…" What now?
Gin opened the emails one by one.
[Senior Gin, it's Kumail ^_^ I wanted to ask — is there a grassroots member in the Tokyo organization named Tsujimura Isao?]
[I just saw him get murdered by his wife. Hmm… is his wife connected to the organization? Should I step in?]
[Oh, never mind. No need to confirm.]
[He's definitely grassroots. I found a photo of him with my dad. Wow, cool. Even had my dad's signature on the back… I destroyed it for him. You're welcome.]
[Oops, I talked too much. His wife definitely isn't involved. I found some clues… It's just a personal grudge.]
[No offense 😊 I just want to ask, who's in charge of personnel in the Tokyo branch? Can I get a name or codename? I'd like to help with some internal financial inquiries... maybe check for misused funds?]
[Whoa, Tsujimura Isao once used the organization's channels to smear his rivals and secured a key role in Foreign Affairs… impressive efficiency.]
[Oops, I got it wrong. He didn't want a promotion. He just had a crush on the other guy's wife.]
[I might be overstepping, but I really want to see how funds are allocated for talent recruitment. My sniper rifle budget request was rejected yesterday. I have a few immature ideas. I think it'd be better if the budget went to me and Senior Bourbon…]
[I heard some codenamed members were implicated in revenge killings before, uh…]
At that point, Gin had had enough of Kumail's smug tone. Bang — his phone almost smashed into the windshield, then slid across the dashboard.
"Trash!"
His furious roar echoed far into the dark tunnel from the Porsche.