Conan and Hattori Heiji walked down the corridor.
Conan asked, "Hattori, what do you think of Aizen's reasoning?"
Hattori Heiji replied, "Aizen's reasoning is sound, but judging from Mr. Sakuraba and Ms. Kaede's expressions, they weren't lying; they were probably together at the time. And for some reason, I feel Aizen's reasoning is wrong."
"I think so too,"
Conan nodded in agreement, then said, "However, on the surface, Aizen's reasoning seems flawless, and now the murder weapon has been found in Mr. Sakuraba's box. If nothing unexpected happens, Mr. Sakuraba will be considered the murderer." Hattori Heiji said, "Let's go to the crime scene and see if we can find anything. Otherwise, once Inspector Megure and the others take Mr. Sakuraba away, we won't have another chance."
"Okay!"
Conan nodded in agreement, and the two of them jogged upstairs. While
Conan and Hattori Heiji went to the crime scene to look for clues, Takagi Wataru returned to Sakuraba Tsukasa's room on the second floor shortly afterward.
Before Inspector Megure could ask any questions, Wataru Takagi said, "Inspector, it's confirmed. The bloodstains on the clothes belong to the deceased, Akio Shigematsu."
"Is that so?"
Inspector Megure said in a deep voice, "Take Mr. Sakuraba back. He's the murderer."
"Yes, sir!"
Wataru Takagi responded, and he and another officer each grabbed one of Yuji Sakuraba's arms, leading him outside.
"No, I didn't kill anyone, please believe me!"
Yuji Sakuraba's explanations were useless; Wataru Takagi and the other officer showed no sign of stopping.
"Mr. Sakuraba! Mr. Sakuraba!"
Kaede Katagiri called out, but she could only watch helplessly as Yuji Sakuraba was led outside. Seeing this, she lowered her head, covered her face, and wept, utterly powerless.
Kikuhito Morizono saw this and went over, taking out a handkerchief and gently comforting her.
Seeing this, Aizen didn't react. He was determined to have Katagiri Kaede. If the wedding continued, then Kikuhito Morizono would be unlucky; if it was canceled, then Kikuhito Morizono would be lucky to have survived.
Inspector Megure said to Mikio Morizono, "Mr. Morizono, we apologize for disturbing you today. Tomorrow, our police will be coming to take statements. We hope you will cooperate with us. I'll take my leave now."
"You're too kind, Inspector Megure,"
Mikio Morizono nodded. Inspector Megure
immediately led his team away, and Aizen followed.
Arriving on the first floor, Aizen didn't see Ran Mouri and the other two women. However, he found them chatting in the villa's courtyard.
"Aizen, is the culprit Mr. Sakuraba?"
Ran Mouri asked as she saw Aizen approach. They had just witnessed Yuji Sakuraba being taken away, and they found it hard to believe that the culprit was Yuji Sakuraba.
"Yes, he's the culprit."
Aizen nodded and revealed the truth, though it was an altered version of the truth.
"Brother Aizen, thank you so much for your help this time!"
Inspector Megure walked over and thanked Aizen.
Aizen waved his hand and said politely, "Inspector Megure, you're too kind. Solving the case is what I, as a detective, should do."
Inspector Megure sighed, "It's fortunate that you were here, otherwise this case would have been very difficult to solve."
"Inspector Megure!"
Hattori Heiji's voice rang out at this moment, and the group turned to look, only to see Hattori Heiji and Conan running towards them.
Seeing Hattori Heiji run over, Inspector Megure asked, "Hattori-kun, what's the matter?"
Hattori Heiji replied, "Officer, I have a different opinion about this case." Just as Inspector Megure
was about to speak, it suddenly started to rain. Seeing this,
Aizen said, "Let's go to the villa to take shelter from the rain. Since Hattori has a different opinion, Inspector Megure, why don't you take some time to listen?"
"Alright!"Megure Juzo didn't refuse and nodded in agreement.
The group then ran towards the villa and entered the hall.
Morizono Mikio was also in the hall; he had originally intended to see Aizen and the others off, but upon seeing them enter, he naturally went to greet them.
Seeing Aizen and the others patting the water off their clothes, Morizono Mikio said, "Is it raining outside? If so, Mr. Aizen, please stay overnight."
"Then we'll have to bother you,"
Aizen replied. Actually, staying wasn't a problem, but staying would be nice; he could have some more time with Yurie Morizono.
Megure Juzo spoke up, "...Hattori-kun, what are you trying to say?"
Hattori Heiji replied, "We heard the sound of breaking glass and looked up at the third floor, then went to the crime scene. When we arrived, we saw a trail of blood leading to the next room, so we were all drawn to it and went straight to the next room. What if the culprit hadn't left? The culprit was hiding behind the curtains and came out when we were drawn to the next room; we wouldn't have noticed."
"I remember that half of the other window was boarded up,"
Aizen said, knowing that even if he didn't say it, Hattori Heiji would definitely mention it.
"It seems you noticed that too."
Hattori Heiji nodded in agreement, then continued, "After the culprit left, it could easily be assumed that he came after hearing Kazuha's call. The body was moved only to distract the first person to discover the body, and the cat was only there to obscure Mr. Sakuraba's alibi. Once the cat disappears, Mr. Morizono will definitely make Mr. Sakuraba look for it."
Morizono Mikio nodded, "If the cat disappears, I will ask Sakuraba to look for it. Does that mean Sakuraba isn't the murderer?"
"Hattori, your reasoning is highly probable, but what about the murder weapon?"
Aizen asked. "If what you're saying is true, the culprit wouldn't have had time to dispose of the murder weapon, let alone put it in Mr. Sakuraba's box. Even if the culprit had the key to the box, it's only plausible that the culprit had an accomplice."
He admitted that Conan and Heiji Hattori were very capable, but he himself was no less so. Plus, he had anticipated this and used his mirror image to teleport and place the murder weapon in Sakuraba's box. The two of them were far from being able to beat him.