Conan, I'm an actor

Only after Inspector Megure left did a weary-looking Koshimizu finally ask, "Why did you insist on getting involved in this case?"

“Because Okakura Masaaki is one of the targets.” Shinjo took out his briefcase and pulled out a document. “You stay here for now, I’ll go find someone to make a copy of the document.”

"Photocopying documents?"

"Yes, information about a fire." Shinjo said, then left his seat.

When Xincheng returned to his seat, he was holding a stack of documents. At that moment, all the officers' eyes were on this unfamiliar stranger.

Xincheng returned to his seat as if no one else was there, opened his laptop and began taking notes.

“The common thread in all these cases is that the stabbings were all carried out with large props. Judging from the shape of the wounds, the killer must have swung his right hand down with great force. The victims in these four cases are suspected of being kidnapped with stun guns, then murdered and their bodies dumped at the location where they were found.” Officer Shiratori glanced at the officers present. “However, this raises a question: why would the killer take the kidnapped victims to other places before committing the crime?”

All the police officers present began to take notes and think, but there were too few clues at the moment, and they really couldn't find a breakthrough.

“Mahjong tiles with red circles, English letters written on the back, and vertical black lines were found on the bodies. It is believed that these are messages left by the murderer.”

"Um, I only saw information for three people on the whiteboard: Junpei Jinno, Shizuko Kaga, and Azusa Kitajima," Shinjo suddenly said. "What about the fourth victim's information?"

Faced with Shinjo's question, everyone's eyes turned to Officer Shiratori on the stage.

"Regarding this issue..." Shiratori's expression was somewhat awkward, "Because the case occurred yesterday, the information is still being compiled, um..."

"Is there a map?"

"A map?" Officer Shiratori seemed a little confused, but still said, "Yes, I have one. I'll send someone over right away..."

"There's a map in the office, I'll go get it right now!" Takagi said obsequiously.

Watching Takagi disappear through the doorway, Sato sighed helplessly.

"Brother Shinjo, just say what you have to say," Inspector Megure said with a dark face. "This is a serial murder case, and the killer may continue to commit crimes."

“Alright, I’ve found the common thread among these people; they are all survivors of a fire.” Shinjo handed the information to Officer Shiratori. “Officer Shiratori, please send this out.”

"Ah, okay!" Officer Shiratori distributed the stack of documents and then returned to his seat at the bottom.

"One of the victims in that fire was named Nanako Honjo," Shinjo said with a smile. "The hotel was on fire, and the escape elevators only allowed seven people to ride at a time. There were eight people trapped inside. Ironically, the three people announced now are among those seven survivors. We just don't know about the fourth victim..."

"The fourth victim is Kozo Zaitsu, who is also on the list." Inspector Shiratori suddenly looked up. "Inspector Megure, I request..."

"Immediately protect the survivors," Inspector Megure ordered decisively.

Every second that passed increased the danger to the survivors. In the face of the Metropolitan Police Department's violent machinery, no secret could be hidden. The remaining survivors were quickly found, except for Masaaki Okakura.

"What did you say?" Inspector Megure's expression changed upon hearing the message from his subordinate.

"What's wrong, Inspector Megure?" Superintendent Matsumoto looked at Inspector Megure with some confusion.

The other officers also looked at Inspector Megure with strange expressions, not understanding why he was making such a fuss.

“We just received news that Masaaki Okakura has disappeared,” Inspector Megure said. “Furthermore, someone witnessed his car being chased on a mountain road in Gunma, suggesting that someone is pursuing him.”

The other officers' faces turned extremely grim. The killer had acted far too quickly; four were murdered, one was missing, and only two remained.

"By the way, Mr. Shinjo, what's the explanation for the mahjong tiles and the letters on them?" Officer Shiratori asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Oh, has the map arrived yet?" Shinjo asked with a smile.

"Here it comes!" Takagi said, holding the map.

Shinjo hung the map on the blackboard, then took out a pen and handed it to Officer Shiratori. "Officer Shiratori, please mark the location where the victim was found on the map."

“Okay.” Shiratori nodded and then drew four “X” symbols on the map.

Xincheng connected the four points directly, then took out his phone and glanced at it, before adding three more "X"s on top.

"What is this?" Yokomizo Shigego stood up abruptly.

"The Big Dipper, can't you see it?" Shinjo asked with some doubt. "It shouldn't be hard to guess, right? There are already four dots, plus the hint of the seven of bamboo. Even an idiot should be able to guess it. Even if you can't guess it, the information says that Nanako Honjo likes to stargaze, and you should be able to make the connection with such a famous constellation as the Big Dipper."

"Brother Shinjo, Brother Shinjo, come down first. We can discuss some things later. The current intelligence is enough." Inspector Megure looked at the embarrassed officers and immediately tugged at Shinjo's sleeve, afraid that he would say something outrageous again.

After receiving the intelligence, the Metropolitan Police Department, in conjunction with local prefectural police, quickly launched an operation. Only a portion of the elite officers remained at the Metropolitan Police Department to track down the murderer.

The officers' expressions were quite complicated, and even Kogoro Mouri looked frustrated.

Solving 99 cases last night boosted his confidence, and he was ready to show off his skills at today's search meeting. However, before he could even demonstrate his abilities, Shinjo intercepted the opportunity.

“By the way, Inspector Megure, go ask Shinjo how he found this information,” Matsumoto asked. “Just ask him, he might know some other clues.”

Megure's expression instantly fell. Superintendent Matsumoto felt it was better for him to lose face than for the entire Metropolitan Police Department to lose face. However, since Superintendent Matsumoto was his superior, and everyone was watching, he couldn't easily pass the task to Takagi.

Watching Inspector Megure leave, Kogoro Mouri coughed. "According to the data, there are two people who might be seeking revenge for Nanako Honjo: one is her brother, Kazuki Honjo, and the other is her boyfriend, Kosuke Mizutani."

Chapter 198 The News of Okakura Masaaki's Death

Meanwhile, in the reception room, Shinjo was drinking tea, while Yue Shui looked like a wronged person next to him.

"Alright, don't be angry. I'll give you the chance to speak next time, okay?" Shinjo said with a smile.

"No need." Yue Shui rolled her eyes. "You just didn't bring me along. I hate being a mere accessory."

"That won't do. The Metropolitan Police Department invited a detective, not me. How can I presume to do this?" Shinjo placed the teacup on the table. "These guys are really something. Couldn't they have gotten some better tea?"

Just then, Inspector Megure walked in from outside, carrying the documents.

“Brother Shinjo.” Inspector Megure smiled somewhat awkwardly, “What was your reason for this lead…?”

“Okakura Masaaki entrusted me with protecting him; someone wanted to kill him.” Shinjo’s expression turned serious. “But the other party acted too quickly; Okakura Masaaki was already dead before I could act.”

"He's already dead!" Megure's voice instantly rose an octave.

When he first heard that Okakura Masaaki was being hunted, he still held onto a sliver of hope that Okakura Masaaki might still be alive. Now, out of the seven survivors, only two remain.

“He should be dead. We still can’t get in touch with him.” Xincheng sighed. “That’s why I thought of investigating to see who the killer was, and that’s how I found out about this series of murders.”

"Wait! Didn't you say before that the killer would take the victim to a designated location and kill them?"

"What if the body is gone? For example, during the chase, it ran off the mountain path and fell off a cliff."

"I'll go investigate right away."

Yue Shui remained silent, watching Xin Cheng spout nonsense with a straight face.

Just as the investigation meeting was discussing how to investigate the two, news came from below that Honjou Kazuki had been arrested. He had been trying to drain the brake fluid from a car at a rest stop, and the owner of that car was one of the survivors, Ryuzaki.

"That's it?" Kogoro Mouri looked bewildered.

“It should be considered finished.” Takagi stretched. “Next, it’s time for the investigation book and Itsuki’s work, but we also need to investigate Mizutani Kosuke’s side.”

Just then, Officer Shiratori whispered something in Inspector Megure's ear, and Inspector Megure's expression turned quite grim.

"Inspector Megure, what's wrong? Has something happened again?" Kogoro Mouri asked, somewhat puzzled.

"It's information about Masaaki Okakura. He may have driven off the mountain road and plunged into the valley during the chase," Shiratori said after receiving instructions from Inspector Megure. "The fuel tank exploded due to the impact, leaving no trace of his body. I think that's probably why the killer didn't move the body to the designated location."

The officers present all looked rather grim; yet another one.

Just as the Metropolitan Police Department was considering how to wrap things up, Shinjo had already taken Koshimizu into the car and headed to a nearby shopping mall to solve their hunger problem.

"You came here to confirm that Okakura Masaaki is dead, right?" Koshimizu frowned and said, "Why do you need to confirm that he is dead? The Metropolitan Police Department could easily find out this with a little investigation."

“I never said the deceased in the car accident was Masaaki Okakura.” Shinjo looked at the red light ahead. “That was the Metropolitan Police Department’s deduction. Even if it wasn’t, it was a mistake on their part. Besides, I’ve already confirmed that both bodies in the accident were burned to a crisp, so it’s unlikely that the Metropolitan Police Department found out.”

"What if..."

“Those two guys are low-level members of the organization. They remove everything that could identify them before they take action.” Shinjo shook his head. “They’re afraid that after they die, someone will trace their identity through those things.”

Are you like that too?

"Yes," Xincheng said with a smile, "This is also to avoid harming those around me..."

Just then, his phone rang, forcing him to pull over. A smile appeared on his face the moment he saw the number.

Whose call was it?

"Don't make a sound." Shinjo pressed the answer button and asked with a smile, "Gin, what made you think of calling me? I just came out of the Metropolitan Police Department."

“I’m in the opposite lane.” Gin’s cold voice came through the phone.

Xincheng looked towards the opposite lane and quickly spotted a black Porsche 356A. The window was rolled down, revealing Vodka's face.

“It’s a cloudy day, tell Vodka to take off his sunglasses.” Shinjo leaned back in his chair. “You’re here to ask about Binga and Curaçao’s whereabouts, right?”

"Yes."

“Dead. I killed him. It’s that simple. Tell Rum that if he wants revenge, I’ll take it all.” Shinjo snorted. “However, he should also be prepared to face retaliation.”

"Are they still alive?"

How did you come to this misconception?

"Because you haven't made a move yet. You're the kind of person who holds grudges. If they had really attacked you, your revenge would have been far more than just killing the two of them. There would definitely have been more to come."

"You're the one who knows me best." Shinjo chuckled. "Rum's two henchmen are quite skilled. I'm injured and recovering now. Once I'm healed, I'll find a way to get my revenge."

Gin hung up the phone immediately, and then Vodka started the car.

"Whose call was that?" Yue Shui asked, frowning.

“A very dangerous guy named Gin.” Shinjo watched the Porsche drive away. “If you see this car or hear his name, remember to stay away.”

Meanwhile, Porsche

"Boss, what did that guy say?" Vodka asked, looking puzzled.

He said it was cloudy today and told you to take off your sunglasses.

"Clam?"

“He killed Curaçao and Binga, and he was injured in the process.” Gin lit a cigarette and looked out the window. “Besides, once he recovers, he will take his revenge.”

"Should we leak the information to Rum?"

“No need, let’s keep him hanging,” Gin said with a smile. “I also want to see how many tricks this old fogey still has up his sleeve.”

Vodka shut up immediately. His boss was just going to watch others fight amongst themselves. The organization was probably going to be in chaos for a while, and he wondered if it would affect him.

Thinking about the gunfight that night, he couldn't help but shudder; he was genuinely a little scared.

Gin glanced at Vodka. "The people who ambushed you that night were from the Japanese Public Security Bureau. The operation was planned by the Security Planning Section. Masaaki Okakura probably defected to the Public Security Bureau. I just don't know if that list has fallen into their hands."

“If the list falls into their hands, should we…” Vodka looked at Gin and made a beheading gesture.

That list is extremely important; it contains most of the organization's undercover agents in Tokyo, including several members of parliament. If it falls into the hands of the Public Security Bureau, the organization's power in Japan will be severely damaged, even more so than the losses from the Minato Warehouse bombing.