Detective Conan: Becoming a Zaibatsu - Starting with Joining the Winery

Shiratori Ninzaburo revealed a faint smile!

Obviously.

He himself was well aware that he had come out on a huge advantage this time, and he would not lose out no matter how the outcome was.

If Hattori Heiji can solve this case, he will have another credit to his record and will also gain a favor from the Hattori family.

Even if Hattori Heiji can't handle it, it won't affect our side.

Although this matter does not follow the proper procedures, as long as you find any excuse, no one can find fault with it, and you can easily get away with it.

Incidentally...

I can still win the favor of the Hattori family!

That's a favor from Hattori Heizo, extremely valuable throughout the entire island nation. Although the other party is at the Osaka Police Headquarters while I'm at the Metropolitan Police Department, I might need to use that favor someday.

As for...

Was my behavior today just fooling a child?

Will Hattori Heizo hold a grudge against me?

will not!

First of all, this was Hattori Heiji's idea, and if Hattori Heizo were reasonable, then he would have to accept the situation.

after all……

Since Hattori Heiji had already spoken up, he couldn't just refuse outright, could he?

If I were to do that, wouldn't that be disrespectful to the Hattori family as well?

……

That afternoon.

Lin Mo and his group returned to Tokyo first, and the Metropolitan Police Department, after securing the evidence, also returned to Tokyo by helicopter.

Beika Town, Hayashi Moku's Residence.

Lin Mo was drinking tea after returning home when Butler Ochiai approached him: "Sir, we have a guest."

"Conan and Heiji Hattori?" Lin Mo asked, his tone unchanged.

Yes!

He had expected this long ago.

After all, Heiji Hattori has gone all out this time, so he will definitely be eyeing Kimie Shimabukuro. And since this woman is currently working at his family's manor, Heiji Hattori and Conan will definitely come to visit his manor.

Butler Ochiai began, "And Ran Mouri, and Ms. Kazuha Toyama."

"Please come in."

Lin Mo put down his teacup, his tone very gentle.

Butler Ochiai nodded in agreement and then left the living room directly.

Ten minutes later.

Conan and his group walked in, and the servants immediately brought out tea.

"Welcome, it's an honor to have you here."

"These Biluochun teas were specially sourced from China. Please don't be shy—enjoy them!"

Lin Mo smiled, his tone remaining gentle.

Xiao Lan and He Ye were both quite naive and didn't dwell on anything else. They sat down and started drinking tea, chatting casually with Lin Mo.

Conan and Heiji Hattori, however, showed absolutely no interest in drinking tea and chatting.

Hattori Heiji was also childlike, and given his background in the Hattori family, he naturally didn't understand formalities. He immediately said, "Lin Mo-jun probably already guessed why we're here."

"I want to see Kimie Shimabukuro!"

And, in response to this.

Lin Mo shrugged: "She's in the servants' quarters. I'll have someone take you there."

"Butler, you may go."

As soon as Lin Mo spoke, Butler Ochiai nodded immediately.

He walked up to Hattori Heiji: "Mr. Hattori, please!"

Hattori Heiji stood up, and after taking only a couple of steps, he turned to look at Lin Mo: "Oh, by the way, by the way, could you tell me something?"

Are Lin Mo-jun and Shimabukuro Kimi friends?

Lin Mo narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

He knew perfectly well that they were starting to doubt him!

but……

Since I dare to do this openly and honestly, I must have already made all the necessary preparations.

Therefore, he simply smiled and said, "I am not familiar with Miss Shimabukuro Kimie. As for why she came to work at my manor, I suggest you ask my butler for details."

"I will not personally oversee the recruitment of staff for the manor!"

Lin Mo's meaning was simple: I'm a big boss, after all. I can't possibly have to personally oversee the hiring of a maid for the manor.

Hattori Heiji, upon hearing this, also felt that it made a lot of sense!

In fact, let alone Lin Mo, even other bosses wouldn't personally hire maids.

only……

What a coincidence!

Even though Lin Mo's words made a lot of sense, his intuition told him that there was definitely something wrong with this. What kind of coincidence could there be in the world?

But there's no evidence!

Heiji Hattori knew very well that arguing with Lin Mo was pointless.

and so.

He decided to start with Shimabukuro Kimie. With that thought, he took a deep breath and followed Conan behind Ochiai the butler to the servants' quarters next to the main building.

along the way.

Heiji Hattori also asked Ochiai the butler, who then gave him an answer.

My son and Kimie Shimabukuro were high school classmates. Although they were not in the same class, my son had a crush on Kimie Shimabukuro. A few years ago, when my son went to Mermaid Island for a trip, he met Kimie Shimabukuro again by chance, and the two became friends.

yesterday……

Her own son called her, saying he wanted to find a job for his classmate, and the housekeeper, Ochiai, recommended her to work at the manor.

The head maid is also part of the management team!

Especially if you work at the manor, as long as you perform well, you will definitely be valued by the boss, and you might even be able to work for Lin Mo's company in the future. It was precisely because of this that Shimabukuro Kimie agreed to come to the manor as the head maid.

Hattori Heiji frowned slightly.

This reason is too solid; it's not far-fetched at all, and it makes sense from any angle.

but……

It was precisely this flawless appearance that made him increasingly wary.

However, he didn't say anything more and went directly to Shimabukuro Kimie's room.

"Hello, Ms. Shimabukuro Kimie!" Hattori Heiji said.

Kimie Shimabukuro frowned slightly: "Speak, what do you want to ask?"

Her tone was icy, giving off an aloof and unapproachable vibe.

Hattori Heiji was somewhat taken aback, and even a little confused.

after all……

The two had just met yesterday, and Shimabukuro Kimie's attitude wasn't like this at all!

Thinking of this, Heiji Hattori couldn't help but ask, "I don't quite understand, you weren't like this yesterday."

"Heh, how interesting!" Shimabukuro Kimie said with a disdainful look. "You think my attitude is problematic?"

"You're treating me like a criminal suspect, how can you expect me to be nice to you?"

"Anyway, I think I had a good attitude. Otherwise, if I had a bad temper, I would have slapped you across the face long ago."

Hattori Heiji was somewhat embarrassed.

Although what they said was very harsh, it seemed to make a lot of sense.

He felt he was seeking the truth and giving the victim justice, but if the situation were reversed, Shimabukuro Kimie would certainly have reason to dislike him.

Taking a deep breath, Hattori Heiji spoke: "Now that you know you're a suspect, you should cooperate even more to clear your name!"

But, unfortunately.

This statement works for most criminal suspects, but Kimie Shimabukuro is an exception.

Because she had received temporary training from Lin Mo, she immediately retorted upon hearing Hattori Heiji's words: "Mr. 'Famous Detective,' I cannot agree with what you have said."

"You've reversed cause and effect. If you suspect me of being the murderer, then you should provide evidence to prove that I am the murderer."

"The burden of proof lies with the one who raises doubts!"