Detective Conan: Is Miss Haibara planning to assault a police officer again today?

"Inspector Higashino, did you see anything?" Kogoro Mouri asked instinctively as he helped Ran Mouri up.

Higashino Ning shook his head. "It was already like this when I came in."

He quickly glanced at the toilet, then took the first-aid kit from the hotel staff and began to provide emergency hemostasis for Sato Miwako.

"The cabinet door under the sink over there is open. I don't remember Ran and Sato bringing this kind of flashlight."

"It's likely that the prisoner turned on the flashlight and put it in the cabinet beforehand, then turned off the light, hoping that Officer Sato would pick it up and become a bright target for shooting."

Higashino Ning's eyes were cold. "The murderer clearly premeditated the crime, knowing that an engagement party would be held here today. The suspect can be narrowed down to the guests."

"Takagi, immediately gather everyone except the police to conduct a smokescreen reaction, including the restaurant staff. Also, check their employment dates, paying particular attention to those who joined within the last month!"

Takagi Wataru was now slightly out of breath, his fingers trembling. "Yes!"

Not just him, but all the police officers are now furious.

The ambulance arrived shortly afterward.

Megure pressed down on his hat. "Brother Higashino, I'm leaving everything here to you. I'll go with the car to the hospital."

“Okay.” Higashino Ning nodded. “Thank you for your help, Inspector Megure.”

Megure sighed, "I've always treated Miwako like a daughter. This time... this time, the culprit, Higashino, please solve the case as soon as possible. Everything is in your hands."

Okay, I understand now that you've said that.

We share the same goals!

When Higashino Ning came out of the restroom, he found Director Odagiri outside, presiding over the overall situation and having completely taken over Takagi Wataru's work.

He strode forward. "Chief Odagiri, can I investigate openly this time?"

Odagiri Toshiro narrowed his eyes slightly, casually pointing a finger at his son, "Inspector Higashino, you can investigate as you please. You'd better get to the bottom of this bastard."

At that moment, Conan jogged over and tugged at Higashino Ning's sleeve.

Higashino Ning bent over.

Conan whispered, "Inspector Higashino, two people who attended the banquet are now missing, a man and a woman."

"I'll find you some photos to look at later, to confirm." Higashino Ning patted Conan on the back. "Use your little brain to think of ways to avoid a gunpowder reaction."

His gaze was deep. "Since the other party dared to commit a crime here, they must either be sure they can escape quickly, or they must have a way to avoid the smoke of gunpowder. We should prepare for both possibilities."

Chapter 177 Could that little boy be a little special?

Conan paused for a moment, "Are you so sure those two people are in the photos you're going to show me later?"

Higashino Ning nodded. "I can roughly guess who it is, I'm just confirming it. Now you go and figure out the method, and hurry up."

Conan: "..."

Well... I can only say that it's a little different from the cooperation model he envisioned, but not too different.

In the end, it was always Higashino Ning who helped him solve the case, but now the roles of primary and secondary roles have changed.

Being bossed around is fine too~

Conan nodded and walked away to begin his investigation.

Not far away, Toshiro Odagiri looked puzzled, unsure why Ning Higashino would whisper to a child alone.

After all, Higashino Ning had seemed very anxious just now, and his style of doing things is always swift and decisive, so he shouldn't be wasting time now.

"Could it be that there's something special about that little boy?"

Odagiri Toshiro decided to keep an eye on it, but for now, he needed to get the gunpowder reaction done first.

If the prisoner really is his son, then he accepts it and considers it a misfortune for his family.

If the prisoner wasn't his son, he could finally relax completely and no longer have to worry about the "hidden danger" every day.

Higashino Ning began conducting the gunpowder reaction test, while Conan also began his investigation.

"Avoid the reaction of gunpowder smoke..."

When it comes to this, the first person Conan thinks of is Kenzo Masuyama.

“Kenzo Masuyama used a silk scarf to cover the muzzle of the gun to prevent the gunpowder smoke from spreading. This was obviously the last time the murderer committed the crime, and he even left the gun at the scene.”

“If he used the same method, there’s no reason for him to take the scarf with him, since items used to block gunpowder smoke will themselves retain gunpowder smoke.”

Conan walked and pondered.

"Then I might broaden the scope a bit, could it be items like clothes?"

"Hmm... probably not. Bringing a change of clothes to an engagement party is too illogical, and there's no time or space for it."

"In other words, the items that prisoners use to avoid gunfire must be portable, so that even if they hold them in their hands, they will not arouse the curiosity or surprise of others, and they can be disposed of on the spot in a very short time without being easily discovered by the police."

Conan stopped in his tracks.

Does such a thing really exist?

If it exists, where is it now?

Conan felt it was really hard to think about, and he also felt a vague sense of guilt.

Higashino Ning was trying to buy time for the prisoner, but he himself couldn't find a breakthrough and was unable to help the other side.

"hateful...!"

Conan scratched his head in frustration.

At that moment, Kogoro Mouri, Eri Kisaki, and others walked over quickly. The former walked hurriedly and spoke with considerable impatience, "Conan, hurry up and come to the hospital with me! What are you dawdling here for!"

Ran Mouri and Miwako Sato were just taken to the hospital because they were unconscious.

However, since she showed no signs of bleeding, Kogoro Mouri was still patient enough to wait until the smoke test was completed before leaving.

Conan really wanted to go to the hospital to check on Ran Mouri, but when he thought about how Higashino Ning urgently needed his help to find the culprit, and that Ran's condition wasn't too serious, he shook his head.

"Uncle, I'll stay here and help..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kogoro Mouri grabbed him and lifted him up without saying a word. "What nonsense are you talking about? Ran took care of you day and night when you were hospitalized last time. You should at least repay her kindness!"

Conan was forcibly taken away.

However, he did not actually struggle or resist.

The bumbling detective was right. No matter what, Xiaolan was someone he loved and who treated him with all her heart. How could he not go to her side immediately?

It’s different in the past.

If Ran woke up and found Shinichi Kudo watching over her bedside, she would be extremely happy.

Conan doesn't think he has any special ability to bring Ran Mouri a different kind of joy, but he can still satisfy her expectations and delights.

After going downstairs and getting into the car, Conan immediately sent a text message to Higashino Ning to explain the situation and briefly recount his earlier speculations.

It's actually quite useful.

After reading the text message, Dongye Ning immediately realized that there was no point in him conducting gunpowder reaction tests on people, since they had already avoided it.

He should be checking all the items in the hotel now!

Higashino Ning waved his hand and instructed the forensic personnel, "After the personnel tests are completed, do not leave. Arrange for someone to go back and retrieve the reagents or reaction strips."

"The rest of the detectives who are not currently assigned any tasks, go to the entire 15th floor immediately to collect all kinds of items scattered outside, especially scarves, clothes, or anything else that can be used for covering."

"Quickly, quickly, let's get started!"

Higashino Ning's words made Odagiri Toshiro frown, but then the other man relaxed his eyebrows and sighed.

"Inspector Higashino reacted so quickly. I hadn't even realized that the criminal dared to make a move in this kind of situation because he was prepared to successfully pass the smoke reaction test."

"and many more......"

Odagiri Toshiro suddenly widened his gaze, beginning to search for Conan.

Before giving the order, Inspector Higashino glanced at his phone. Could it be that the kid sent him some message?

Unfortunately, Conan is gone now, and he couldn't find him.

Toshiro Odagiri changed his position, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.

He was initially quite relaxed, since no gunpowder reaction was detected in his son.

My dear, there is more to come after this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. There will be more exciting chapters later!

But now... suspicion has resurfaced.

Twenty minutes passed in a flash.

"Reporting to the Inspector, all members have completed the gunpowder reaction tests, and no abnormalities were found!"

Higashino Ning nodded and casually pointed to the table beside him, "Next, we'll test these things."

After saying that, he sighed and got up, picking up a transparent umbrella from the table. "Forget it, let's just test it directly; that should save us some trouble."

The transparent umbrella has a round hole with burn marks, and the surface is still wet.

It hasn't rained yet today.

We can be fairly certain that the key piece of evidence is this umbrella.

as predicted.

"Inspector...! Gunpowder residue has been detected on the umbrella!"

Higashino Ning nodded and looked at the detective beside him, "Go to the front desk and find out who owns this umbrella."

He then turned his gaze to all the guests' faces, "Does anyone here claim this? If you have any clues, please step forward."

The crowd looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.

At this moment, Toshiya Odagiri, with his unruly purple hair and exaggerated sunglasses, stood up and said, "We've already investigated everything that needed to be investigated. Now, let me leave this smoky and disgusting place immediately."

"Damn it!" Toshiro Odagiri slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "If we can't find the owner of this umbrella, then everyone here is a suspect. Do you think you can just walk away like that?!"

Higashino Ning rubbed his right thumb and forefinger together vigorously, his eyes turning dangerous. "I'm warning you in advance, I'm not in a good mood right now."

"I just want to find the culprit as quickly as possible, please cooperate."