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

Higashino Ning entered as Conan's older brother and officially joined the group chat.

The waitress even offered him a drink, but he declined, saying he had to drive later. However, various snacks and juices were still served.

“That customer named Muraki is really strange. Every time she comes, she orders a drink, but she doesn’t drink it herself; she prepares it for a man.”

Nobuko Muraki was the victim in the natural death case.

"We've reached a crucial clue," Higashino Ning said with a serious expression, gesturing for the waitress to continue.

The waitress leaned against the bar, reminiscing, "That man always wore a black suit when he came in, and he looked like a rather intimidating yakuza member."

Black suit!

Conan was so nervous that he pulled his feet back.

"It seems that they meet roughly every 3 to 5 days, but sometimes it can be more than a month apart."

"Because they usually choose a corner where they meet, away from the restroom, and they only order one drink, so we almost never go there."

"However, once when I was delivering wine, I overheard Ms. Muraki saying something like, 'Please give me back my freedom.'"

The waitress stuck out her tongue, looking embarrassed. "Well...maybe that gentleman was too controlling, little brother. Although you said Ms. Muraki died of natural causes..."

"But I think it might also be related to depression, after all, that kind of relationship is too oppressive."

At this moment, the male bartender suddenly spoke up, "If that's the case, I remember once when I was waiting for the restroom, I heard something like 'Boss, we've got the new information' coming from inside."

"Then the man came out of the toilet. When he saw me, he seemed to want to leave quickly, and a business card accidentally fell out of his pocket."

Before he could finish speaking, Conan hurriedly asked loudly, "Is there any way to find that business card?"

Perhaps Conan's attitude was too serious, because the bartender was taken aback for a moment. "Usually, we keep these kinds of items for about a month in case customers come back looking for them."

"I think... those things should have been cleaned up a few days ago, right?"

Tsk, why are we a few days late!

Conan felt utterly overwhelmed.

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But there is still a chance for things to turn around.

The bartender closed his eyes and thought hard, "I remember the business card said something like Li-Ling Motors Corporation, and the person's name was... Takuya Shibata?"

"Anyway, the surname must be Shibata, but I might remember the given name wrong."

Now that we have a clear clue, right?!

Conan was overjoyed and jumped down from the high stool. "Thank you, brothers and sisters! I'll take my leave now. If he comes again in the next few days, please keep an eye out for him. Thank you!"

After saying that, Conan gestured for Higashino to proceed to the next stop.

Without lingering, Higashino Ning quickly led Conan away after performing basic courtesies.

Back in the car.

Conan's expression turned grave. "Inspector Higashino, the deceased's company seems to be in the automotive industry, right?"

Higashino Ning nodded. "Yes, their company mainly deals with automotive electronics technology."

In Conan's view, the general outline is already quite clear at this point.

The deceased, Nobuko Muraki, was controlled by a man named Shibata who used certain methods to steal the technological achievements of Asuka Corporation.

If this Mr. Shibata is connected to the organization, then the Liling Motors company he is backing is definitely also connected to the organization.

Liuling Motors is a large-scale car manufacturer that sells its products both domestically and internationally. If a company of this level is associated with an organization, it's unimaginable how powerful the organization truly is!

However, this seems to make more sense.

After all... that organization has the ability to develop new drugs and can even reverse aging. It's not an exaggeration to overestimate the organization!

Chapter 82 Dude, you're so steady?

Conan quickly sorted out his thoughts, but suddenly felt that he shouldn't continue the investigation with Higashino Ning.

In such a large company, if a young kid casually asks a question or conducts an investigation, others might just kick him out. Moreover, even if he goes there alone, he must be extremely cautious when conducting the investigation.

But if Higashino Ning also goes along, things could become very dangerous.

Officer Higashino is actually a pretty good person; there was really no need to kill him.

But another problem soon followed.

Higashino Ning already knew about Liuling Motors and that man named Shibata.

Given that the other party already harbors doubts about the natural death case, how can you dissuade them from continuing the investigation?

This problem seems unsolvable. Conan thinks that even if he yells a couple of times now and forces Higashino Ning to stop the investigation, the other party will continue to investigate later or tomorrow.

"Let's investigate together then."

"If all else fails, we'll find a way to tell Officer Higashino that this is dangerous."

Conan made up his mind, but Higashino Ning didn't start the car for a long time.

He asked, puzzled, "What's wrong, Officer Higashino?"

Higashino Ning's expression remained calm. "We can't go directly to the remaining investigations; it's too risky and could lead to our deaths."

Sudden death?

Higashino Ning continued, "It's just too dangerous. It seems that there are many complicated things involved. I, a mere patrol chief, can't handle such a big deal."

“It would be extremely unwise to conduct an investigation now. Let’s investigate the company from another angle first, or perhaps we should stake out that man named Shibata.”

Conan was utterly shocked.

Wodefa?

Dude, are you really that sure?

It feels like if it were Officer Takagi, we'd already be on our way to Livina Motors by now.

"Having a sense of justice but knowing how to make choices, knowing how to be flexible and adaptable when one cannot fight against overwhelming odds."

Conan thought to himself, "Inspector Higashino's performance has really exceeded my expectations."

Just as he was thinking about it, Higashino Ning suddenly started the car.

He glanced at Conan. "Since you're already here, why don't you help me investigate another case and see if you can find out anything new?"

Conan: "???"

What do you take me for?

A tool for solving crimes?

Who's really using whom now?

But Conan didn't refuse.

Higashino Ning is right. We really need to plan carefully before launching a follow-up investigation. It would be good to investigate other cases now.

So, with Conan's tacit approval, Higashino Ning took him to investigate another drunken murder case.

Conan's performance was still outstanding, but not much new information was revealed, and the value of the information overlapped with what Higashino Ning had asked for.

Before we knew it, it was evening.

Too lazy to go back to the Metropolitan Police Department, Higashino Ning simply drove home and dropped Conan off along the way.

He returned very suddenly; no one was home.

After resting for a while, Higashino Ning went to Professor Agasa's house across the street.

There are quite a lot of people here. All three little ones are here, and a few of them are sitting on the ground playing the video game developed by Professor Agasa.

But Ai Haibara still didn't see it.

Higashino Ning stood on tiptoe and looked around. "Doctor, where's Ai?"

Dr. Agasa smiled nervously, "Ai is using the computer in her room. I'll go and call her out."

"Use the computer?" Higashino Ning asked casually. "I was just looking up some information too, let's do it together."

Upon hearing this, the old man waved his hand repeatedly, "You should sit outside and rest for a while."

Professor Agasa finished speaking and ran away.

Higashino Ning shrugged helplessly and went to sit down on the sofa.

It seems that Ai Haibara is conducting drug research.

But that shouldn't be the case. All three of them are here. There's no reason for Ai Haibara to risk being discovered while conducting drug research.

Are they researching computer viruses?

possible.

Less than half a minute later, Ai Haibara emerged from the underground laboratory.

"Why are you back so early today?"

Ai Haibara sat down next to Ning Higashino, her curious gaze sweeping over his face. "You didn't skip work, did you?"

Seeing that the little girl had stretched her head several tens of centimeters in front of him in order to look at him, Dongye Ning simply raised his hand and pinched her cheek.

"I did skip work, but there's no need to make a special trip back to the Metropolitan Police Department for the remaining time."

Ai Haibara instinctively asked, "The case you've been investigating for a long time?"

She didn't push Higashino Ning's hand away or anything.

Anyway, the stupid policeman didn't pinch her hard, and it felt nice to have her slightly cool face pressed against his warm hands.

Hearing her words, Higashino Ning nodded after a brief moment of thought. "Today, Conan suddenly came to the Metropolitan Police Department and said he wanted to investigate the natural death case that was mentioned at the banquet that night, so I went with him to investigate it."

There's no need to hide this. If we do, once Ai Haibara finds out about it from Conan, a lot of unfounded speculation will pop up, which will be very disadvantageous for Higashino Ning.

Moreover, saying it outright now might even prompt Ai Haibara to reveal her true identity to him.

Although his character design has changed, Higashino Ning can tell that Ai Haibara is still not very willing to let him get involved in things related to the organization.