Suzuki Byakuya was very aware of his limitations, knowing that reasoning wasn't his forte.
Therefore, he remained silent, waiting for the police to gradually uncover clues and then make their judgment about the perpetrator.
"When the surveillance footage was being played, I was also present. I believe everyone has seen it. After the first attack on Mr. Machida, the killer didn't rush to act. Instead, they turned towards the camera and struck a pose, as if deliberately giving Mr. Machida enough time to discover the paper and pen on the table."
Suzuki Byakuya walked over to the detective next to the search team and pointed at the note with the name "Wada" written on it:
"Regardless of how paper and pen ended up in the art museum, for someone whose life is under threat, to have the time and composure to write the name of the perpetrator so neatly is truly leisurely."
Inspector Megure noticed the suspicious point and asked in a supportive manner:
"Suzuki-san, are you saying this note wasn't left by the deceased?"
"That's right, look here."
Byakuya pointed at the scratches on the note and explained:
"The two characters 'Wada' were written beforehand. The handwriting is so neat, it doesn't seem like something scribbled in haste. Look at the scratches on top, they indicate that the deceased, upon seeing the note, tried to erase and modify it, but discovered the pen couldn't write. Realizing the killer's framing scheme, he was filled with rage and slammed the pen down."
Inspector Megure suddenly understood and looked at the speechless Director Ochiai:
"Please let me see that pen."
His tone was a request, but it was actually an order.
He took the ballpoint pen and scribbled a few strokes in his notepad, only to find that it couldn't write:
"Suzuki-san, the pen was swapped by the Director, but why do you say Mr. Iijima is the killer?"
"It's simple," Byakuya replied matter-of-factly, "This armor is too heavy."
"Enough!" Director Ochiai, his face ashen, admitted his guilt frankly, "I am the one who killed him."
The real culprit hadn't been brought to justice, and Suzuki Byakuya, who wouldn't get any points for it, refused to let it go:
"If you are the killer, please explain."
"I've confessed, what's there to explain?"
"Wearing such heavy armor, your agility would be greatly hindered. The first attack didn't strike Mr. Machida's leg. I'm curious, why didn't he bypass you and escape to call for help?"
Officer Megure nodded, finding the point valid.
At Director Ochiai's age, it was very strenuous to move in heavy armor.
If the deceased wanted to escape, there was definitely an opportunity. There was no reason for him to stay in the corner and wait to die.
"I, how would I know why he didn't escape?"
"It was this action in the video that made me suspect Mr. Iijima."
Suzuki Byakuya finished speaking and made a gesture of choking with one hand.
Conan grinned slightly, his previous smile vanishing.
Damn it, I actually overlooked such an obvious detail!
Even if Director Ochiai was full of energy and could move agilely in armor.
Choking Mr. Machida by the neck with one hand and lifting him up, it's not something ordinary people can do.
"If Director Ochiai insists on taking the blame, please demonstrate for everyone. How to lift an adult with one hand while wearing armor. Oh, wait, it should be lifting a burly man."
Mr. Machida was stout and corpulent, weighing at least one hundred and fifty kilograms.
If the Director could lift him with one hand, his strength would be truly absurd.
Looking at the six employees, five of them were thin. The only one who fit the description was Mr. Iijima.
As for conclusive evidence, all they had to do was check his body for traces of the deceased's blood.
Conan was best at finding evidence of guilt.
Recalling their previous conversation, he resolved many doubts in his mind.
For example, it was Mr. Iijima who added fuel to the fire when Mr. Wada refuted his motive.
When Kogoro Mori lamented the art pieces turning into scrap metal, it was also Mr. Iijima who stepped in and explained.
They were a team!
Seeing Director Ochiai speechless, Inspector Megure raised a question:
"Suzuki-san, there's one thing I still don't quite understand."
"Go ahead."
"If it was Mr. Iijima in the armor who committed the crime, why didn't the deceased run away?"
Before Byakuya could answer, Conan interjected:
"Because the Director was also there, blocking the exit."
Any normal person in such a situation would escape as far away as possible.
A killer hiding in armor ahead, and the Director blocking the way behind.
Knowing he couldn't escape, Mr. Machida gave up his intention to leave.
It's like many high school students want to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, don't they want to take the exam? No, they just can't.
"Oh, I understand!"
Kogoro Mori stood up, like a wise king in the world:
"Mr. Iijima said before that Mr. Machida had promised to run the art museum, so they sold it. However, after he bought it, he went back on his word and couldn't wait to turn it into a restaurant! The two of you were unhappy, so you conspired together to kill Mr. Machida and framed Mr. Wada. Mr. Iijima is the killer, and the Director is his accomplice!"
"No, I am the culprit! I killed a hopeless demon!"
Director Ochiai took the blame on himself, unwilling to explain much about other issues:
"I did it all, Mr. Iijima has nothing to do with it. Come on, officer, take me away."
Inspector Megure gestured to his subordinates to arrest him.
An accomplice would also be sentenced, it was impossible for him to take all the blame alone.
Suzuki Byakuya walked between them, sighing softly:
"To be honest, I understand your love and passion for art. But killing is killing, it can't be generalized. All these exhibits here, they are your heart and soul, right?"
Iijima gave him a cold look and snorted:
"What's the point of saying this now?"
"Of course there is, maybe I can help you save these art pieces."
"What?!"
Director Ochiai's eyes widened in surprise as he stared at Suzuki Byakuya:
"As long as you can save these art pieces, prevent them from being ruined by outsiders, I'll do anything you ask!"
Come on, don't be so heavy-handed.
I don't have that kind of fetish for elderly people.
"I'll help you connect with channels and find someone to buy these art pieces."
Director Ochiai looked at him in disbelief, his face full of incredulity.
There are five exhibition halls, with thousands of collections. Buying them all wouldn't be a small sum.
Ran Mori was amazed and asked:
"Mr. Suzuki, do you have that much money?"
Hearing the surname Suzuki, the Director's eyebrows were almost completely hidden:
"You... you're from the Suzuki Zaibatsu, one of the four great families in Tokyo!"
Byakuya detected a hint of "son-in-law" in his tone and slightly tilted his mouth:
"Yes, are you satisfied now?"
He might not have money, but Sonoko Suzuki did.
Buying an art museum was just a few months of pocket money for his cousin.
If Sonoko didn't agree, Byakuya had a backup plan.
He could claim that Kaito Kid had his eye on this place and wanted to buy it for his collection.
As the president of Kid's fan club, Sonoko Suzuki wouldn't refuse.
Byakuya hadn't solved the riddle from last time.
But he had a feeling he would meet that person again.
"Satisfied, extremely satisfied."
Tears streamed down Director Ochiai's face, he knelt down despite his old age, his knees together.
He raised his head and chest, his hands first clasped together on his thighs, in a formal seated posture.
Then his hands spread out, forming an inward eight shape, pressing against the ground, his body leaning forward, his upper body rising until his forehead touched the ground.
This was the ritual of dogeza, used in Japan to express the deepest apologies or sincere requests.
Director Ochiai's eyes revealed a sense of tragic entrustment:
"Suzuki-kun, I'm entrusting you with this from now on!"
He was helped up by the officers, tears of mixed emotions flowing down his cheeks:
"My children, it's my fault for not taking good care of you. I'm sorry. Please forgive this incompetent person. I can't continue to watch over you."
The scene was touching and heartwarming.
Even Ran Mori cried, saying she would help persuade Sonoko to buy the place.
Things went smoothly afterward.
Mr. Iijima confessed to the crimes he committed, saving the process of blood testing.
The falsely accused received justice.
The perpetrators were punished.
The Mifa Police caught the criminals.
The art collection had a new home.
The scene should have been a happy ending for everyone.
Except for the deceased who couldn't speak, and the elementary school student who was feeling down...
PS: The art museum murder case is a very classic case. I'm personally very satisfied with this reversal.