Science: The Little Shota of the Maori Family

Watanabe Toru finished his shower and walked into the bedroom.

Seeing Xiaolan hang up the phone, he put down the phone and asked, "Sister Xiaolan, are you talking to Aunt Fei on the phone?"

"Well, I asked my mother what happened when she came home today, and why she didn't wait for me to come back before leaving."

"Then what did aunt say?"

"She said she came to discuss work with Dad, but she had other things to deal with, so she left first." Xiaolan sighed slightly: "Actually, I still had some expectations... I thought Dad and Mom would..." 2.9

Watanabe Toru roughly guessed what Xiaolan was thinking and comforted her: "Uncle and aunt will make up."

"I hope so." Xiaolan smiled bitterly. "My mother moved out of the house when I was only seven years old. Although she always came to accompany me when I missed her, I still hope that our family can be together forever. Many of my childhood memories of my mother are vague. I remember when I was three years old, I was naughty and accidentally knocked over a teapot filled with hot water. If my mother hadn't taken me away in time, I might have been scalded. The hot water still spilled on my mother's thigh, and that red spot scared me and made me cry..."

It turned out that there were burn marks on Kisaki Eri's thighs.

Looking at Xiaolan who was lost in her memories, Watanabe Toru said secretly.

086. Ayumi was kidnapped

The next day.

Kogoro Mouri got up early, which was rare for him, and had breakfast with Toru Watanabe and Ran.

The morning news was playing on TV.

[Latest news: The body of the young girl who was kidnapped three days ago was found today in the Beihu River. This is the second kidnapping and murder of a young girl this month. The perpetrator remains at large...]

Maori Kogoro took a bite of his sandwich and said, "This murderer is quite cunning. The police haven't arrested him in such a long time."

"This is the second girl who has met with misfortune this month." Xiaolan looked at the photo of the murdered girl on the TV screen and sighed: "She looks like she was about the same age as Xiaoche."

"Judging from the three incidents, the murderer's targets were all girls around seven or eight years old." Maori Kogoro said solemnly, "But we can't rule out the possibility that boys are also the murderer's targets. Xiaolan, please take care of yourself for a while and go pick up Xiaotetsu after school."

"Okay, I understand." Xiaolan nodded seriously.

"It's okay, don't bother Sister Xiaolan, I can come back by myself." Watanabe Toru did not take this case that caused social panic to heart17. He was very confident in his abilities. If the murderer stretched out his claws to him, he would not mind chopping off his claws.

"No, it's better to be cautious." Xiaolan disagreed: "Xiao Che, after school you have to wait for your sister at the school gate, you are not allowed to leave first."

Seeing Xiaolan's insistence, Watanabe Toru had no choice but to agree: "I understand, Sister Xiaolan."

Didan Primary School.

After the first class.

Looking at Ayumi's empty seat, Mitsuhiko came over puzzledly: "Strange, why didn't Ayumi come to school today?"

"Is he sick?" Yuantai guessed from behind.

"Unlikely." Conan shook his head: "Ayumi looked very good yesterday, and the weather has been good recently. I don't think it's likely that she fell ill suddenly. Maybe there are other things."

Watanabe Toru was more inclined to Conan's opinion and said, "Why don't we go ask Teacher Kobayashi later? If Ayumi asked for leave, she must know."

"Okay." Everyone agreed.

The second class was Kobayashi Sumiko's class, and she happened to bring some news that concerned the children.

"Yoshida-san needs to take two days off due to family matters. Please don't worry..."

Is there something wrong at home?

Watanabe Toru thought to himself that Kobayashi Sumiko's explanation did not dispel his doubts.

What could happen to Ayumi? The one who got into trouble might be Ayumi's mother, Mrs. Yoshida.

……

After school.

Toru Watanabe left the classroom with Conan and others.

When I walked to the school gate, I saw Xiaolan already waiting there, and Yuanzi, whom I hadn't seen for a long time, was also there.

"Sister Xiaolan." Watanabe Toru stepped forward, called Xiaolan, and then looked up at Sonoko with a smile and said hello: "Sister Sonoko, long time no see."

Sonoko has always had a good impression of Watanabe Toru. After responding, she glanced at Genta and the others. Seeing Conan, she was slightly startled and pointed at him and said, "Xiaolan, do you think this kid looks like that arrogant guy Kudo?"

Conan: "..."

"His name is Conan. He is a relative of Dr. Agasa and now lives in the doctor's house." Xiaolan explained, looking at Conan with a smile: "Conan, long time no see."

"Sister... Xiaolan." Conan greeted Xiaolan somewhat awkwardly.

He was obviously not used to calling her sister yet.

Xiaolan took Watanabe Toru's hand and said to everyone, "Since we are all together, I will take you back."

"Good~"

……

After sending their friends back, Toru Watanabe and Ran returned to the Mouri Detective Agency.

As soon as I walked in, I felt the atmosphere inside was a bit solemn.

Unlike the quiet office of the past, today's office was bustling with activity. Mrs. Yoshida and Kogoro Mori sat on the sofa, facing Inspector Megure and Takagi Wataru, who was taking notes in a notebook.

Seeing Watanabe Toru and Xiaolan coming back, Maori Kogoro glanced up and then continued to say to Inspector Megure: "Officer, what we need to do now is to collect the ransom of 100 million yen as required by the kidnappers. Even if we don't have that much, at least we can use counterfeit money to confuse the kidnappers first."

"No." Inspector Megure shook his head and rejected Maori Kogoro's proposal: "It's too risky to do this. If the kidnappers are angered, the hostages might..."

"What then? Should we do nothing?"

"Ma'am," Officer Megure looked at Yoshida Akiko. "Although it may be rude to say this, please think carefully about whether there are other ways to raise money."

Mrs. Yoshida bit her bloodless lips and shook her head slightly.

Seeing this, Inspector Megure and Kogoro Mouri both sighed.

"Uncle Maori, is Ayumi in trouble?"

Toru Watanabe walked over. Judging from the people who appeared in the house and their conversations, the most likely person who got into trouble was Ayumi, who did not come to school today.

Maori Kogoro glanced at Officer Megure, and seeing that he didn't stop him, he said in a deep voice, "This morning, Ayumi was kidnapped on her way to school. Afterwards, my wife received a call from the kidnappers, who demanded a ransom of 50 million yen or else they would kill her. 627 According to police investigations and confirmation, the kidnapper who kidnapped Ayumi is likely the same person who committed three consecutive kidnapping and murder cases of young girls."

"How...how could this happen!" Xiaolan was stunned and exclaimed in disbelief.

In the morning they were still discussing the murderer who had not yet been caught, and now the danger has come to the people around them.

Mrs. Yoshida covered her face and burst into tears, blaming herself: "It's all my fault. If I had taken Ayumi to school myself, this wouldn't have happened."

"Madam, how can you be blamed for this?" Maori Kogoro consoled her. "The kidnappers were so cunning. No one could have predicted such a thing would happen."

Inspector Megure's mouth twitched slightly.

Is this a disguised way of saying that our police are incompetent?

"But these 50 million yen..." Mrs. Yoshida's voice choked with sobs, and her tearful face showed helplessness and despair.

When it comes to the ransom, Kogoro Mori also fell silent.

Fifty million is undoubtedly an astronomical figure for most families.

"How about I call my uncle and ask?" At this moment, Toru Watanabe broke the silence.

Maori Kogoro turned his head to look at Watanabe Toru: "Your uncle?"

"Yeah." Watanabe Toru nodded. "Perhaps he's willing to help."

087, A mere fifty million

"But, it's only 50 million yen after all..." Kogoro Mouri frowned, thinking that Watanabe Toru was being too idealistic.

Mrs. Yoshida's hopeful eyes suddenly turned dim again.

Yes, it is 50 million yen after all. Even a rich person would not lend such a huge sum of money to a stranger.

Watanabe Toru smiled and said, "How do you know if you don't try? How about this, I'll call my uncle first."

Having said that, he turned and walked into the bathroom.

Half a cup of tea later, Watanabe Toru came out with a cell phone in his hand and said to Maori Kogoro, "Uncle, your uncle wants to talk to you."

"Eh? Me?" Kogoro Mouri took the phone from Toru Watanabe with a confused look on his face.

Watanabe Toru returned to the bathroom again.

"Hello? Mr. Tanaka, long time no see." Maori Kogoro held the phone in both hands and spoke respectfully, "Yes, just as Xiaotetsu said, we've encountered some difficulties here... Um... You, what did you say? You are willing to advance the ransom? Is this true? Okay, I'll give her the number right away..."

Maori Kogoro covered the receiver with his hand, handed the phone to Mrs. Yoshida, and whispered, "Mr. Tanaka wants to talk to you. Maybe he's willing to pay the money."

Mrs. Yoshida took the phone tremblingly.

In the bathroom, Toru Watanabe spoke to Mrs. Yoshida using the voice of Kentaro Tanaka.

"Madam, I understand everything that happened. As an employee of my store, and your daughter is Xiaotetsu's friend, I won't stand idly by. I will advance the 50 million yen ransom demanded by the kidnappers. You don't need to feel any pressure. Let's rescue your daughter first. I will discuss the specific matters with Mr. Maori and the police... Okay, let's leave it at that for now..."

Listening to Mrs. Yoshida's sobbing voice of thanks on the phone, Toru Watanabe sighed softly.

There must be a reason why Ayumi was kidnapped. It was because of my appearance that many things changed subtly.

Coming out of the bathroom, Watanabe Toru could clearly sense a slight easing of the atmosphere outside. Maori Kogoro, no longer in a state of helplessness, spoke excitedly, "Mr. Tanaka's willingness to advance the ransom means Ayumi's life is safe for now, and we'll have more time to investigate the kidnappers."

"That's right." Inspector Megure nodded. "Mr. Tanaka has been a great help to us."

As he said this, he glanced at Mrs. Yoshida.

Inspector Megure was a little skeptical that Mr. Tanaka had no relationship with Mrs. Yoshida, as he could give out 50 million yen without hesitation.

He couldn't help but ask, "Madam, how is your relationship with Mr. Tanaka?"

Mrs. Yoshida didn't understand what was going on, so she answered truthfully, "Mr. Tanaka is my boss. Although I haven't met him yet, I'm afraid I'll never be able to repay his kindness in my lifetime..."

Never seen it before? Inspector Megure was a little surprised.

Seeing Watanabe Toru coming out, Mrs. Yoshida called him to her side, took his hand, and said softly: "Xiao Toru, Auntie also wants to thank you. If it weren't for you, Ayumi might be..."

Watanabe Toru smiled and said, "Auntie, don't say that. When something like this happens, no one will stand idly by. Don't worry, Ayumi will be fine."

"Yeah." Mrs. Yoshida wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

……

After all, 50 million yen is not a small amount. Even if Kentaro Tanaka trusts Kogoro Mori, he still needs a close person to be a witness.

For this reason, Toru Watanabe asked for leave from school the next day.

On the coffee table, a black leather suitcase was opened outward, with stacks of tens of thousands of yuan in bills neatly packed inside.

"The person who delivered the money gave you the box and left?" Kogoro Mouri took his eyes off the banknotes and asked Toru Watanabe who was chewing bread.

Watanabe nodded: "Well, he said he is a friend of my uncle, and this 50 million is his company's reserve cash."

"Cash reserves! No wonder they gathered it so quickly." Maori Kogoro suddenly realized, "Come to think of it, a company with 50 million yen in cash reserves must have a very wealthy friend of Mr. Tanaka's."

Watanabe Toru remained silent.

The company president and the cash reserves were all just nonsense he made up. The 50 million was just something he exchanged with a cash withdrawal card and put into a suitcase as a formality.

"I have to call your uncle and tell him that I've got the money." Maori Kogoro took out his cell phone: "Then contact Inspector Megure and Mrs. Yoshida."

Watanabe Toru walked towards the bathroom: "I'm going to the bathroom."

Ten o'clock in the morning, Maori Detective Agency.

Officer Megure looked at Mrs. Yoshida, who was fidgeting and looking nervous, and asked, "Madam, the kidnappers said they would contact you at ten o'clock today, right?"

"Yes." Mrs. Yoshida nodded.

"Don't be nervous. If the kidnapper has any demands, you can agree to them first. In short, ensure Ayumi's safety first."

"I see."

About three minutes later, Mrs. Yoshida's cell phone rang.

"It's a call from the kidnappers." Mrs. Yoshida looked at Inspector Megure, and after he nodded, she answered the call and pressed the speakerphone button.

The male voice with a voice changer sounded mechanical and weird: "Is the money ready?"

"It's ready." Mrs. Yoshida asked anxiously, "Is my daughter okay?"

The other party was silent for a moment, then continued, "I didn't expect you could actually scrape together 50 million. Don't worry, your daughter is doing well. Take the money now to the third locust tree at the back door of Mihua Park. Only one person is allowed to come here. Do not call the police or send anyone to follow you. Once I get the money, I will release your daughter."

"Beep...beep..."