Chapter 35 The case came to an abrupt end, and the director of the Roka Gallery was released!
Director Roka indicated that he understood.
After reaching an agreement, the two parted ways.
Moments later.
Limited by the fact that the art gallery was on the verge of bankruptcy, not many people came here to play, so Li Ze easily found Conan and Ran.
"How was it, successful?" Ran asked with a smile.
Li Ze nodded with a smile, then said with a chuckle: "Of course everything went smoothly. Director Roka has already agreed and has gone to talk to Mr. Machida now."
Conan gritted his teeth.
Looking at the two laughing and talking, he was so angry he wanted to go crazy.
But, it was useless!
Every time he went crazy and wanted to cause trouble, Ran was so angry that she wanted to punch him, but each time she was easily stopped by Li Ze.
Even…
He often used a doting gaze, saying that Conan was still young and didn't understand, and then began to comfort Ran.
Good heavens!
This kind of thing happened so often that even Conan had a strange sense of déjà vu.
This is… a family of three?
Li Ze and Ran are like a married couple, while he, Conan, is… more like a mischievous child?
Oh, crap!
Conan's heart instantly collapsed, and he felt stifled to death.
And, at this moment.
A series of sirens rang from outside, and then a large group of police officers led by Inspector Megure completely sealed off the art gallery.
Li Ze's eyes narrowed slightly.
Ran and Conan were first stunned, then quickly greeted them.
"Inspector Megure, has there been an incident?" Conan couldn't help but ask.
And, in response to this.
Seeing the three of them, Megure Juzo had cold sweat on his forehead, and he couldn't help but say: "Ran, Li Ze-kun, Conan, it's you three again!"
"Indeed, there's been an incident. Where's old man Mori?"
Yes.
In Megure Juzo's eyes, although Kudo had disappeared, he still couldn't relax.
Because, another Mouri Kogoro had appeared.
Especially, recently.
Whenever a case occurred within his jurisdiction, there was basically Mouri Kogoro there.
"Haha, dad didn't come." Ran said awkwardly: "It's just the three of us today."
Next.
Li Ze also greeted Megure Juzo, and after briefly understanding the situation, Megure Juzo coughed and said.
"Alright, let's stop chatting."
"Who's the person who called the police? Lead us to the crime scene."
Hearing this.
Director Roka stepped forward and led everyone to the crime scene.
Then.
After they were able to truly see the deceased, everyone gasped.
The person was directly pinned to the wall, very similar to the surrounding paintings of 'Divine Punishment', filled with religious elements.
Ah!
Ran let out a scream.
But beside her, Conan's brows furrowed slightly, and he rushed forward.
It was obvious.
Summoned by the case, he had already forgotten about Li Ze.
"Ran, let's go outside and wait." Li Ze's face was full of gentleness.
To this.
Ran nodded without any resistance.
Yes.
Although because of Kudo Shinichi and his dad, he had been exposed to many kinds of murder cases, frankly speaking, he had never seen a dead body so horrific.
Before.
Mouri Kogoro and Kudo Shinichi basically didn't pay much attention to Ran.
But, now.
Li Ze certainly wouldn't.
So, next.
The two walked out of the crime scene, and no police officer stopped them.
After all.
Neither of them could be considered eyewitnesses, nor were they the first to discover the murder. Moreover, both Ran and Li Ze were considered frequent visitors to the murder scene, and they had already become familiar with each other.
On the other hand.
The police investigation continued, and they soon discovered the surveillance camera.
Through the surveillance footage, they found the armored figure.
However.
Because Conan didn't arrive at the crime scene in advance, he naturally didn't have the same understanding of many details as in the original story.
Not to mention.
The note and the ballpoint pen, with Li Ze's reminder, had been taken away by Director Roka in advance.
Therefore.
After a round of investigation, it ultimately came to nothing.
There was no way.
Although they could identify a few suspects, the police had to have evidence to make an arrest.
So, in the end.
They simply secured the scene, took statements from the suspects, and the Metropolitan Police Department began the cleanup work.
This was helpless.
There were too many murder cases in Tokyo, yet there were very few police officers in the Criminal Investigation Department.
Therefore.
Unless they could capture the murderer immediately, they could only let the case file gather dust in a corner.
This was also a helpless situation.
Unless new clues emerged, but the odds of that were too slim.
Conan, of course, understood this.
So.
He did his best to investigate, but unfortunately.
Because Li Ze had cut off the clues in advance, he was helpless.
…
In the evening, on the street.
Li Ze and Ran were chatting and laughing, but Conan was still frowning.
It was obvious.
He was still thinking about today's case.
"Ran, did you have a good time today?" Li Ze asked with a smile.
Ran nodded, smiling and said: "Although there was a murder in the end, today was still quite fulfilling. It's just a pity about Mr. Machida."
However, in response to this.
Li Ze indeed expressed disdain with a contemptuous expression, not taking the matter to heart at all.
After pondering for a moment, he said with an evaluation.
"He's just a fool. In my opinion, he deserves it."
"Someone like him will never go far."
"I don't deny that competition is needed when running a company, and playing some tricks, even being a bit shady, is normal."
"But, the problem is."
"When you do things, you have to be trustworthy. Either you don't agree in the first place, but if you agree, you must do it."
"When he accepted the art gallery, he clearly promised to keep it running, but he immediately went back on his word after signing the contract."
"That fool didn't think about it, how can he waste his own reputation? Who would dare to work with him in the future?"
"So, there's no need to be sorry."
"With his personality, even if he didn't die today, he would have been killed by someone else in the future."
"Character issues cannot be saved."
Ran was slightly surprised.
It was clear.
She didn't expect Li Ze to say such things.
Although she admitted that there was some truth to it, Mr. Machida's character was indeed terrible, but Li Ze's words were still a bit too blunt.
So, for a moment.
She didn't know what to say.
"No, you're wrong." Conan, who was deep in thought, immediately began to refute: "People only have one life, and it's the most precious thing."
"Although Mr. Machida did wrong, this matter should be left to the law to decide!"
"I don't approve of personal vengeance!"
Ran nodded slowly.
It was clear.
She also agreed more with Conan's statement.
No matter the reason, this extreme behavior was always wrong.
However.
Looking at Conan's solemn face, she felt a hint of suspicion.
Like.
Too much like!
Conan's gaze when he spoke was almost identical to Kudo Shinichi's.
But.
Before Ran could think it over, Li Ze's words interrupted her thoughts.
"Conan…"
"Your way of thinking is too arrogant."
"I, don't agree!"
"But you're just a kid, I'm too lazy to argue with you."
"Let's go."
"Think about what we're having for dinner tonight."
"Ran, do you have any recommendations?"