Detective Conan: Developing a younger version of Ran Eri, and the stunning Yukiko.

"Detective Shiraishi, have you thought of any clues?" Eri asked anxiously.

"Not yet. I still have some questions that I'd like to ask the person involved in person."

Eri Kisaki looked at Ninzaburo Shiratori: "Officer, Detective Shiraishi wants to question the person involved. You should have no objection, right?"

Shiratori Ninzaburo nodded, acknowledging his agreement. He was convinced that Eri Kisaki was the culprit, but considering her identity and fearing a false alarm, he reluctantly agreed to let the detectives intervene.

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No. .

179. Their perfect teamwork with Hattori Shizuka reached its peak.

Chapter 179

In the flat building connected to the private clinic, Shiraishihara questioned the three, who were quite cooperative.

“My husband often stays at the clinic even on his days off. To be honest, it’s more relaxing for both of us than for us to stay home all day on holidays… My husband only told me last night that he would be meeting with a few people today.”

The above is Ms. Natsuki Hodohara's testimony.

As for the people he was scheduled to meet, there were only two: Hodohara Nagayoshi and Miss Akie Shoko.

When pressed further by Shiraishihara, Ms. Natsuki stated that she and her husband had not seen each other since they woke up this morning.

Hodohara Nagato gets up alone, eats breakfast alone, and then goes to work at the clinic next door alone.

Ms. Natsuki said that this is how they usually are.

“My husband works at a pharmacy. He’s been a good friend of Mr. Changsheng since college. They still often go out for drinks together. I remember they used to frequent the hotel where Miss Zhuangzi worked…”

This is the testimony of Ms. Kano Mayuka. Her husband is a pharmacist, and the pharmacy he works for has business dealings with this clinic.

"...Oh, I'm sorry, my husband called me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ms. Mayuka left her seat to answer the phone. She explained that she had mentioned the death of Mr. Hodohara Chosei in a text message she had sent to her husband earlier, so even though he was at work, she took the initiative to call him back.

"Whether it's a cold from the 410°C or a hangover, I often come here for IV drips. Today I'm here to return the watch that Mr. Changsheng forgot in our shop. Um... anyway, is it okay if I give the watch to my wife?"

This is Miss Qiujiazhuangzi's testimony. The watch to be returned, as confirmed by Ms. Xia Shu, is indeed Mr. Changsheng's watch.

“I met with Nagatoshi Hodohara because I was retained by his lawyer. As for the contents of the entrustment, even though he has passed away, I am obligated to keep it confidential.”

Eri Kisaki, as one of the suspects, also explained the situation.

At this moment, Ms. Kokoro, who had left to answer the phone, returned to the living room.

“Detective Shiraishi… there’s something else I need to tell you. I told my husband that Mr. Changsheng died from potassium cyanide, and as a result… he seemed extremely flustered, even saying things like ‘That’s outrageous!’ and ‘It’s no different from me killing him myself,’” Ms. Mayuka added.

This shocking new development is enough to completely change the course of the entire case.

"Judging from this, the person who gave the potassium cyanide to Mr. Hodohara Chosei must be my husband. He said that Mr. Chosei personally asked him for it a few weeks ago," Ms. Mayuka said.

　(agab) In other words, the person who prepared the potassium cyanide was the victim himself.

It was out of the individual's own free will that a potentially lethal dose of medicine was prepared.

Suicide—these two words naturally came to Shiraishihara's mind.

Could this not be homicide, but suicide? Rather than concluding that this is the final outcome, it's more accurate to say that no other cause of death could explain this case.

but……

"Given this, why did the police conclude that it was likely a homicide?"

For example, people who intend to commit suicide usually don't arrange to meet with others. Even if they intend to commit suicide by poisoning, the likelihood of them choosing potassium cyanide is relatively low.

After all, the deceased was a medical professional and should have known many easier ways to die.

Another major reason is—

"The victim's phone cannot be found..."

Shiratori Ninzaburo, who was standing nearby, did not hinder Shiraishihara's investigation and even added a clue.

"Whether it was on the victim's body, the table, the bookshelf, or the floor... the police searched the office where the murder occurred from top to bottom, but they still couldn't find the victim's cell phone; even when they tried to call the phone number, they couldn't get through because the phone was switched off."

"Officer, does that mean the phone was stolen by the killer?"

Shiratori Ninzaburo shook his head and said, "I don't know about that."

At this point, the deceased's wife, Natsuki Hodohara, said, "Actually, it's quite possible that it was lost. My husband was still using his phone to handle business late last night. From the time he went to the clinic early this morning until he was found dead by Attorney Kisaki, there was no indication that he went anywhere other than the clinic."

Regardless of the type, mobile phones are indispensable tools for modern people.

For people of a certain age, this is an item that everyone carries with them.

Under normal circumstances, one would definitely carry their mobile phone with them; not carrying it would seem unusual.

Therefore, if a person dies and their belongings lack communication devices such as a mobile phone, the police will suspect a homicide. The mobile phone would likely contain information extremely damaging to the killer.

"I see,"

"—Fine, you are the murderer, Miss Zhuangzi!" Shiraishi Yuan suddenly stood up, pointing his finger directly at the Qiu family estate.

"...What? Wait...What nonsense are you talking about? Am I the murderer? Stop spouting nonsense here."

Miss Zhuangzi retorted with a displeased expression.

Everyone else looked at Shiraishihara in surprise, wondering how he could find the culprit in such a short time.

"why?"

Eri Kisaki couldn't help but wonder, she hadn't expected Shiraishihara to identify the culprit so quickly.

"The reason is simple: the clinic was closed on the day of the incident. Attorney Fei came on behalf of someone else, so Ms. Zhuangzi, what brings you here?"

"Ah? I'm here to discuss my illness with Hodohara."

“I don’t think so. You killed Hodohara and took his phone. There must be information on the phone that is extremely detrimental to you, Miss Shoko. I think it must be evidence of your improper relationship.”

"Huh? What!" Ms. Natsuki asked in surprise, "How could such a thing happen?"

Eri Kisaki sighed and said, "Dr. Hodohara asked me to collect evidence for his divorce case without his wife's knowledge. He plans to divorce his wife and then marry Ms. Shoko."

Ms. Natsuki was shocked, never expecting her husband to be so despicable and shameless.

"Miss Zhuangzi, did you really kill my husband?"

Zhuangzi naturally wouldn't admit it: "Of course not."

Zhuangzi raised his hand and pointed at Baishiyuan, questioning, "You say I am the murderer, where is the evidence?"

Since there was no evidence, Shiraishihara had no choice but to resort to the Phantom Thief of Hearts technique to steal hearts!

"Wait a moment, I'm going to the restroom."

Shiraishi Hara turned and left, disappearing from everyone's sight. He took out his business card and wrote a notice of the Phantom Thief of Hearts on the spot, then used his heart-stealing technique on Zhuangzi.

Zhuangzi's spiritual sanctuary is a rose garden full of contradictions.

It is called the Rose Garden of Contradictions because the roses in the garden are of different forms: some are in full bloom, some are withering and decaying, and some are half-dead...

When Shiraishihara met Shoko, the owner of the Rose Garden, he raised the question that had been on his mind.

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No. .

180 Eri Kisaki: You don't mind if Ran and I go together, right?

Chapter 180.

“Miss Zhuangzi, since Mr. Baotuyuan was willing to divorce his wife and marry you, why did you still kill him?”

"Who said I killed Mr. Hodohara?"

Zhuangzi appeared quite flustered.

There's no point in lying here.

"Okay. I only had an affair with Hodohara because I was short of money. But that guy actually wants to divorce his wife and marry me. Of course I won't agree to that."

"what!"

Bai Shiyuan was somewhat confused; Zhuangzi's words sounded contradictory.

Zhuangzi noticed Bai Shiyuan's doubts and then expressed her astonishing view: "Marriage is nothing but a Ponzi scheme created by mankind, and I have no interest in joining this scheme."

That bastard Hodohara actually used intimate photos of me and him to blackmail me, forcing me to marry him. Of course, I won't give in to something like that!

Shiraishihara neither agreed with nor directly refuted Miss Zhuangzi's extreme remarks.

After all, everyone has the space to think independently, and there is no absolute standard for judging whether an idea is right or wrong.

However, it is undoubtedly unacceptable that Miss Zhuangzi committed murder because of these thoughts.

Bai Shiyuan earnestly persuaded Miss Zhuangzi, appealing to her emotions and reasoning with her, hoping that she would voluntarily turn herself in.

Miss Zhuangzi was forced to commit the crime by Baotuyuan. She was not an evil person at heart, so there was no need to use the Heart-Stealing Technique on her. Moreover, the demon deep in her heart had not yet fully formed, so it was not too late to stop it at this time.

Under Shiraishihara's persistent persuasion, Akie Shoko in the mental palace was successfully convinced, and Akie Shoko in reality also confessed to the crime to the police, and the case was successfully solved.

"Shiraishihara, thank you so much for everything this time."

Eri Kisaki sincerely expressed her gratitude to Shiraishihara. If it weren't for Shiraishihara, she would probably have been taken back to the police station for questioning by those incompetent detectives long ago, and it's unknown when she would be able to clear her name.

"Aunt Fei, you're too kind."

Shiraishi scratched the back of his head shyly, a warm, sunny smile spreading across his face.

"Shiraishihara, how much do you plan to charge for this commission?"

"Aunt Fei, let's not talk about the commission fee. Xiao Lan is a very good friend of mine, how can I accept your commission fee?"

Even so, the commission fee should still be paid.

"If we really have to talk about fees... how about this, Attorney Fei, you treat me to a meal, and that will be considered the fee."

"Okay, let's set it for tomorrow noon then."

Most upscale restaurants in Tokyo operate on a reservation-only basis. Kisaki Eiryu was planning to find a classy restaurant for Shiraishihara to dine at the next day, and also invite her daughter along.

……

At noon the next day.

Shiraishi used to work at a kaiseki restaurant in Ginza.

This is a Michelin three-star restaurant. Even with advance reservations, you usually have to wait for half a year. I really don't know how Eri Kisaki managed to get a table.

It must be said that Eri Kisaki, as a top lawyer in the Japanese legal profession, does indeed have her exceptional qualities.

As soon as Shiraishi arrived at the store entrance and gave his name, the staff led him to his reserved table.

To Shiraishihara's delight, besides Eri Kisaki, who was dressed in an office lady outfit and exuded beauty and intelligence, a beautiful young woman in a long skirt and sandals was also sitting at the reserved table.

This beautiful girl is none other than Shiraishihara's girlfriend, Ran Mouri.

"Aunt Fei, I've arrived." Shiraishihara greeted her warmly.

"Yes. Shiraishihara, please have a seat."

Eri responded to Shiraishi, and after he was seated, she continued, "I've also brought my daughter. Detective Shiraishi, you don't mind, do you?"

Shiraishi smiled and replied, "Of course I don't mind. Ran and I are very good friends."

When Ran saw Shiraishi Hara, her face instantly lit up with surprise and delight. She had no idea that her mother had invited her out to dinner and had even brought her beloved boyfriend, Shiraishi Hara.

Xiaolan said happily, "Mom...you're so kind! You even invited Yuan Jun. I'm so happy!"

Eri asked curiously, "Haru-kun? You call him that so intimately, how far have things progressed between you and Shiraishihara?"

Ran Mouri lowered her head shyly and whispered, "Lover."

"They're already a couple?" Eri Kisaki couldn't help but rub her forehead, realizing that her precious daughter was indeed with Shiraishihara.

"Aunt Fei, don't worry, I will definitely take responsibility and take good care of Xiao Lan!" Shiraishi said confidently.

"You and Ran are still students, and your studies are the top priority, you know?" Eri Kisaki said seriously.

"Ran, if you start dating Shiraishihara, what will happen to Shinichi?"

Eri couldn't help but ask her daughter. She remembered that her daughter had always liked Shinichi, so how could she have changed her mind so quickly?