Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 188 Shuichi Akai: I'm innocent
Inspector Megure sighed inwardly.

He keenly observed this shift in collective sentiment.

People tend to explain events using logic that they can understand.

When the most direct logical link of motive is missing, some people begin to subconsciously try to exonerate this seemingly unfounded suspect.

Of course, it may not necessarily be an unconscious attempt to excuse him.

It could also be intentional.

It's possible that someone was the first to discover the missing link in the logic of the motivation and was deliberately guiding the discussion.

Inspector Megure looked at Kogoro.

He was the one who said that first.

"Motive..." Megure pondered, his gaze sweeping sharply over Shuichi Akai once more, trying to find any flaw in that cold, stern face.

"Perhaps it's hidden deeper, maybe it's under someone's orders? Or..."

“Inspector Megure,” Shoichi interrupted Inspector Megure.

He said softly, "Do you think I'm the one who ordered him around?"

"Instructed?" Su Fang's adopted daughter immediately came over, shook her head, and said:
"This is just speculation. Mr. Zhengyi and the teacher are collaborators and have a good relationship."

How could his bodyguards possibly be instructed to murder his boss's business partner? It simply doesn't make logical sense.

Nagara's eyes flickered.

Their relationship doesn't seem to be very good.

Zheng Yi wanted to buy Ms. Su Fang's mask, but was refused.

Zheng Yi wanted to acquire Ms. Su Fang's company, but was rejected.

Masakazu wanted Touya to join his company, but was refused.

Rumor has it that anyone who refuses Zheng Yi once should choose a beautiful burial plot for themselves.

Ms. Su Fang, however, did it a full three times.

Inspector Megure asked Shuichi Akai, "Morohori Moroboshi."

"Why were you alone in the west wing before and after the incident? Your original job did not seem to include patrolling this area."

Everyone's eyes, including Kogoro and Conan's, instantly focused on Shuichi Akai.

Shuichi Akai's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The feeling of weakness in my body had not completely subsided, but my brain was working at lightning speed.

"I didn't take any equipment. I was going to the first floor to get some equipment, and I passed by there on the way."

"Didn't you take your equipment?" Inspector Megure looked at Shuichi Akai suspiciously.

You're a bodyguard, and you didn't even bring any equipment.

Does this make sense?

It all seems like they're just making excuses for their departure.

Shuichi Akai said, "And I saw it..."

As they were talking, Shuichi Akai noticed a photograph in Shoichi's hand.

Although he didn't see whose photo it was, Shuichi Akai could guess.

He decisively stopped what he was about to say.

"What did you see?" Inspector Megure asked.

Shuichi Akai remained silent.

Inspector Megure frowned.

Are you planning to fight to the bitter end?
Who gave you the courage to ignore the police's questions?

Is it Zhengyi?
“Mr. Shoichi, I need your employee file,” Inspector Megure said as he walked up to Shoichi.

Zheng nodded and said cooperatively, "No problem, but it will take a little time."

Shoichi's attitude was completely opposite to that of 'Moroboshi Dai'.

But this does not mean that Inspector Megure believes that Shoichi is innocent.

There was no way to deal with the stubborn Shuichi Akai.

Inspector Megure began investigating the house.

"This door was locked from the inside, right?" Inspector Megure asked.

"That's right, it still has two locks."

"Why would the victim sleep with two locks on?" Inspector Megure asked, puzzled.

Kogoro replied, "According to the victim's adopted daughter, it was the hired medium who sealed the letter and cursed the mask."

Several rules I previously instructed Ms. Su Fang to strictly adhere to.

“Then this medium is also very suspicious,” Inspector Megure said.

So many strange instructions.

Inspector Megure said, "So, it was Ms. Su Fang who opened the dormitory door and let the murderer in."

Therefore, it's highly unlikely that this bodyguard, who is a complete stranger to Ms. Su Fang, would get her to open the door.

"I don't think so."

Su Fang's adopted daughter said on his behalf, "Teacher has been suffering from insomnia lately and needs to take sleeping pills to fall asleep."

"No wonder she didn't seem to have resisted," Inspector Megure nodded and said.

"Then what is this door?"

Kazuyo said, "This door was sealed off two years ago, and nails were driven in."

Inspector Megure took a look.

There were indeed no signs that the nails on the door had been pried open.

Above the door, there are several wooden planks placed diagonally, which seem to be part of the door's artistic design.

There are gaps of the same size between each of the wooden planks.

"Are there any signs that the panel in the door seam has been removed?" Inspector Megure asked.

Takagi said, "I've checked, and there's no removable design on the board."

The distance between the boards was about 5 or 6 centimeters; you couldn't even stretch an arm through them.

Inspector Megure frowned.

If that's the case, then how exactly was Ms. Su Fang killed?
They can't get in from other places.

The door that allowed entry was also locked from the inside.

"Inspector Megure, the file you requested has been retrieved," Masakazu said as he walked over.

"it is good."

Inspector Megure took the file that was sent via fax.

The file was so detailed that even Inspector Megure was somewhat shocked.

"Zhuxingda, male.

I lived in Japan for 15 years, and after my mother passed away, I went to the United States to develop my career.

About two months later, I returned to China and joined Zhengyi Security, where I worked in security...

The records in the archives are very detailed.

In these files, Inspector Megure discovered the connection between Dai Moroboshi and Ms. Suho.

Moroboshi Dai's mother was seriously ill at the time and was helped by Ms. Su Fang's charity.

Shuichi Akai remained silent.

The file he submitted to the security company was not this one.

These files were all fabricated by Zheng Yi.

Inspector Megure scratched his head. "It seems like there's even less of a motive for murder now."

Although Moroboshi Dai's mother could not be saved, she still received a favor from Ms. Su Fang.

"Brother Zhengyi, what is that thing in your hand?" Conan asked curiously.

Zheng Yi was holding a report in his hand.

This was sent along with that file.

Zheng Yi seemed to want to avoid being noticed by others, hiding behind his back and gently trying to crumple himself into a ball.

"It's nothing, just useless scrap paper," Zheng Yi said.

Zheng Yi's eyes darted away.

Conan didn't believe it was true.

Taking advantage of Shoichi's inattention, Conan snatched the item from his hand.

"Hey! You!"

Conan dodged Masakazu's outstretched hand and hid behind Inspector Megure.

"Cough cough."

Zheng Yi coughed and said in a low voice, "By the way, I was going to tell you this too, but Ms. Su Fang's charity has problems."

"has a problem?"

Zheng nodded and said, "That's right, maybe she's not really doing charity." "Since you think she's not really doing charity, then why are you donating?" He asked.

"The answer lies in this survey report."

Conan held up the report he had just snatched and handed it to Inspector Megure.

"It was only after I donated money that I started investigating this charity, and the results were absolutely shocking," Zheng Yi said seriously.

Inspector Megure glanced at Shoichi's report.

The findings of the investigation above are shocking.

What kind of embezzlement of donations from people from all walks of life?

When using donations to buy medicine, some people buy inferior products, pass off substandard goods as superior ones, or even dilute the medicine with water.

Their actions were simply appalling.

Inspector Megure glanced at Shuichi Akai.

Could there be another hidden story behind his mother's death?
Shuichi Akai kept his head down.

He didn't know either.

"Then, Mr. Shoichi, why did you conceal this report?" Inspector Megure asked.

"Is this report related to the case?" Zheng Yi asked.

Inspector Megure said seriously, "Of course, it's very relevant."

Zheng nodded, revealing an apologetic expression.

"I'm really sorry, but I didn't know. If the police need it, I will definitely take it out immediately."

Inspector Megure looked at Masakazu.

I always felt that what he said was fake.

“I believe you are deliberately protecting your employees,” Inspector Megure said.

"Impossible!" Zheng Yi said with a dissatisfied expression.

How can you slander someone's innocence out of thin air?

I've been framing him the whole time!
Inspector Megure snorted coldly.

You can't believe a word you say.

It seems he now has a motive for killing.

Inspector Megure then asked, "What about the items found at the scene?"

“Here.” Takagi walked over with those things in his hands.

He first showed Inspector Megure the murder weapon, a short knife.

"One thing is certain: there's a lot of blood on the knife, and also a lot of blood on the handle."

"If the murderer was holding the knife, the blood should have splattered on his hands, not on the handle," Takagi said.

Takagi then took out a wooden stick and said, "This was also something left at the scene, but I don't know what it's for."

Inspector Megure asked, "Were fingerprints taken from it?"

"The data has been collected and is being compared," Takagi said.

"it is good."

"Officer Megure."

At that moment, a police officer walked over and said to Inspector Megure, "There were no fingerprints on the knife, but we compared the fingerprints we collected on the wooden stick with those from the scene, and we found..."

"Officer Megure!"

Chosoka suddenly ran over and said, "I've discovered a big problem."

"What's the problem?" Inspector Megure asked.

Choso said with a serious expression, "I believe the murderer committed suicide."

Inspector Megure: ...

“Very good, I think I know who the murderer is now,” Inspector Megure said.

Someone has already come forward to claim that the murderer is guilty.

Sometimes, even though this forensic doctor doesn't like to tell the truth, he's still very useful.

"Inspector Megure, this is my professional judgment," Choso said with a serious expression.

"The wound on the killer's neck..."

“Alright, Mr. Choso, I don’t want to hear your professional judgment,” Inspector Megure said.

Zhengyi is covering things up, while Changzong is trying to confuse the public.

Is there any need to guess who the murderer is?

Conan also frowned.

Inspector Megure asked the officer who had spoken earlier, "What were the comparison results?"

"The fingerprints of that man, Moroboshi Dai, match the fingerprints on the wooden stick very well," the officer said.

"very good."

Inspector Megure adjusted his belt, walked up to Shuichi Akai, and asked in a loud voice:
Do you admit to your crimes?

"I……"

"Don't worry, with me here, no one else can wrong you," Masakazu interrupted Shuichi Akai.

With me behind you, you have nothing to fear.

Inspector Megure gritted his teeth.

Is this a direct provocation against the police?
"Brother Zhengyi, you..."

"You don't need to say anything more. I believe my employees are innocent," Zheng Yi said.

Shuichi Akai was being protected by Shoichi, but he didn't feel very warm.

I didn't feel that Zheng Yi treated his employees very well.

I just felt that Zheng Yi really wanted him dead.

Masakazu turned to Shuichi Akai and said, "Don't worry, with me here, you will definitely not be wronged."

And even if you are wrongfully imprisoned, your family and company will help take care of you.

Inspector Megure couldn't say anything when facing Shoichi.

He could only bypass him and ask Shuichi Akai, "Can you explain why there are your fingerprints on that wooden stick?"

“I don’t want to explain,” Shuichi Akai said defiantly.

With Zheng Yi around, he had no desire to explain.

That bastard Zheng Yi has been threatening him with his family.

Damn!

Shuichi Akai glared at Masakazu, his eyes flashing with malice.

Inspector Megure also saw Shuichi Akai's gaze and took a step back.

With such a fierce look in his eyes, this is definitely not an ordinary bodyguard.

Since Inspector Megure was standing right in front of Shoichi, he naturally assumed that Shuichi Akai had been glaring at him.

At this time, Zheng Yi was still protecting his employees.

"Inspector Megure, even if there are my employee's fingerprints on the wooden stick, it doesn't prove anything, does it?"

Whether that wooden stick is related to Ms. Su Fang's death is still uncertain.

He pressed on, asking, "Furthermore, the police haven't yet determined how Ms. Su Fang died, have they?"

Inspector Megure took a step back.

Zheng Yi's further pressure made him more certain of his judgment.

Su Fang's death is definitely related to Zheng Yi.

"Forehead!"

"Kick~"

Everyone heard a sound and looked toward the source of the sound, where they saw Kogoro, who was fast asleep, once again accurately finding a chair and sitting down.

"I already know the killer's method."

Kogoro's calm, reassuring voice, emanating from his sleeping body, reached everyone's ears.

Inspector Megure looked serious.

Is Kogoro about to make his move?
Who are you going to make the murderer this time?
Masakazu said with a look of surprise, "So Mr. Kogoro already knows the murderer's method. He truly deserves to be called the great detective who is famous throughout Tokyo."

He said in a cryptic tone, "Then tell Inspector Megure... and everyone else, how Ms. Su Fang was killed."

"it is good!"

Inspector Megure walked up to Kogoro and said in a cold tone, "Brother Mori, I'd also like to hear your opinion."

"hehe."

Akai Shuichi sneered.

What other opinions would you have?
Zheng Yi is about to "sacrifice his own family for the greater good" later.

(End of this chapter)