Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

The two people who got out of the car were Officer Matsumoto and Officer Megure.

Matsumoto Kiyonaga maintained his serious expression, while Inspector Megure appeared slightly more relaxed, though his brows were furrowed, indicating he had something on his mind.

When the two entered the izakaya, Hayashi Hideichi and the others were chatting about the Arai family.

Ruri sat on a chair in the corner, her face still looking unwell. Kogoro Mouri stayed by her side, patting her shoulder from time to time to offer words of comfort.

Yukiko and Eri Kisaki sat at the bar, exchanging casual banter.

Upon seeing the two police officers walk in, Yukiko asked in surprise, "Officer Matsumoto, Officer Megure? We're not open for business yet."

She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was 2:30 PM, which was indeed not yet time for the izakaya to open.

"Stupid fox."

Eri Kisaki snorted and pushed up her glasses.
"It's working hours now, so if Inspector Matsumoto and Inspector Megure come here at this time, they must have something to do."

"Do you think everyone is like you, spending all their time eating, drinking, and having fun?"

Although Yukiko knew that Eri Kisaki was right, she still stubbornly said, "Hmph, maybe they're just tired from patrolling outside and want to rest and have lunch!"

"Police officers are human too; they need to eat!"

"Patrol?" Eri Kisaki scoffed. "Inspector Matsumoto and Inspector Megure are detectives in the First Investigation Division, not patrol officers."

"Have you ever seen a detective in a suit patrolling in a police car? You've been watching too many TV dramas."

"you!"

Seeing that the two girls were arguing again, Inspector Megure quickly interrupted them.

He raised his hand and made a "stop" gesture, his expression a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

"Um... you two, we do have a case we'd like to ask Mr. Lin for help with."

Upon hearing this, Eri Kisaki immediately revealed a smug smile.

She glanced at Yukiko sideways, her eyes seeming to say: See? I told you so, didn't I?
Yukiko pursed her lips in annoyance, turned her head away, and refused to look at her again.

"What case?" Lin Xiuyi asked curiously, stepping out from behind the bar.

He gestured for the two officers to sit down and then asked Yukiko to pour tea.

Just as Officer Matsumoto was about to speak, his gaze suddenly fell upon Ruri standing to the side.

His gaze lingered on Liuli's face for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were trying to recall something.

"You're not..."

Ruri also noticed Officer Matsumoto's gaze. She looked up, her expression showing the same surprise.

"You are... that police officer from last night? What are you doing...?"

"You met yesterday?" Lin Xiuyi asked in surprise, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two.

"Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police Department received a report that someone had hired someone to run over people with a car."

Officer Matsumoto explained, his gaze still fixed on Ruri.
"The girl who came to report the case was this student. I happened to be on duty last night."

"Ah."

Ruri nodded in agreement with Officer Matsumoto's words, her expression somewhat unnatural, clearly recalling what happened last night.

Although Officer Matsumoto and Officer Megure are regulars at the izakaya, often coming here to eat and drink, they are also quite familiar with Hayashi Hideichi and others.

However, after Ruri entered high school, she moved away from Beika Town because of her parents' work.

Therefore, she did not recognize the two officers. "We came to you for help with the case this female student mentioned," Inspector Megure continued.

He accepted the tea from Yukiko, thanked her, but didn't drink it; he simply held it in his hands.

"What, is there a new development in the case?"

Lin Xiu asked a question and sat down beside him.
"Didn't they say they had already taken Mrs. Arai away for investigation? Ruri said she saw her being taken away last night."

“Yes.” Officer Matsumoto nodded, his expression becoming even more serious. “We did bring Mrs. Arai back to the police station for questioning last night.”

“We questioned her carefully, but Mrs. Arai did not admit that she hired someone to run over her husband.”

"She insisted that she had just gone out with friends for two days and was completely unaware of the accident."

"As for the van driver who brought her back, she said he was just a regular friend who was giving her a ride home on his way."

"Do you believe it?" Yukiko couldn't help but interject.

Officer Matsumoto did not answer directly, but continued, "Afterwards, through interviews and investigations, we found witnesses to the scene of the hit-and-run."

“An elderly person living nearby happened to be watering flowers on the balcony at the time and witnessed the entire accident.”

Inspector Megure picked up where he left off and continued, "According to the eyewitnesses, it was a white van that had been parked on the street corner for about ten minutes."

"When Mr. Arai's car drove up, the van suddenly started and crashed into it."

"Witnesses said that it was definitely not an ordinary traffic accident, because the van deliberately accelerated and rushed over."

He took a sip of tea and continued,

"Afterwards, based on the license plate number provided by the witnesses, we found the van that hit the person, as well as its owner, a 32-year-old man named Otsuka, who is currently unemployed."

“We found bloodstains in the van, and they matched the victim’s DNA,” Officer Matsumoto continued. “The driver, Otsuka, later confessed that he hit the person with his car. But he insisted that it was an accident, not intentional.”

"An accident?" Lin Xiuyi frowned slightly. "Is he trying to say it was a car accident, not premeditated murder?"

“Yes.” Officer Matsumoto nodded. “He insisted it was an accident. He said he happened to be passing by that area that day, was a little tired, so he parked his car on the side of the road to rest. As a result, just as he started to leave, he didn’t see the road clearly and crashed into Mr. Arai’s car.”

After saying that, Officer Matsumoto gave a cold laugh, clearly dismissing the statement with disdain.

“However, our investigation revealed that this driver, Otsuka, had previously worked at Mr. Arai’s company,” Inspector Megure added. “He was fired from the company about three months ago.”

"What's the reason?" Lin Xiuyi pressed.

"Um……"

Inspector Megure hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering his words.
"This involves some privacy issues. According to our investigation, Mr. Arai and Otsuka's wife had an improper relationship."

"After Otsuka found out, he went to Mr. Arai to demand an explanation. The two had a big argument at the company and even got into a physical fight."

"After the incident, Otsuka was fired by Mr. Arai."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Wow……"

Yukiko sighed softly, her eyes wide open.
"Isn't this the one...that one...the one from the TV series..."

“An extramarital affair,” Eri Kisaki said for her.

“Yes! An extramarital affair!” Yukiko nodded vigorously.

"The boss and his subordinate's beautiful wife..." Kogoro Mouri uttered a series name he was familiar with. (End of Chapter)