"Yeah, Conan's the same—always saying stuff we don't get," Ayumi nodded.
"Those two aren't hiding some big secret from us, are they?" Genta said, eyeing them.
"A big secret…"
Mitsuhiko and Ayumi both blushed.
Clearly, their minds were going somewhere else.
"No doubt about it! They're probably robots made by Dr. Agasa…" Genta trailed off, picturing the terrifying face of a mad scientist.
So scary!!!
Dr. Agasa rubbed his head, looking helplessly at Genta.
I'm sitting right here, you know. I can hear you…
Miyano Akemi chimed in, gently scolding her sister not to say such weird things anymore.
"Yes, yes, yes," Haibara nodded, signaling she got the message.
Tsune rubbed his chin.
If we're talking about who's most like a robot…
I'd say Dr. Agasa's more like a certain blue cat who pulls bizarre gadgets out of nowhere.
If I were a robot, I'd pick the one with rocket launchers for feet…
Before long, an array of exquisite dishes arrived at the table.
Just as Haibara said, those vouchers packed a punch. The flavors and presentation were flawless, and the service was lightning-fast.
"So good!" Genta, like Tsune, forgot all his worries the moment he saw delicious food.
Not that either of them had many worries to begin with…
Dr. Agasa, lately watching his sugar and oil intake, could only drool over some of the dishes.
"No way!" Haibara personally moved the meat dishes away from the doctor, placing them near Tsune.
"Doc, you've gotta tough it out," Conan said with a grin.
The situation's serious—strict diet control is a must, or all sorts of problems will crop up.
"Here they come, alright?" Conan muttered.
"Help! Someone, help!" a shout rang out from outside.
See? Problems already.
Conan snapped to attention, slipped on his shoes, yanked open the wooden door, and bolted out.
"Hey, Conan!" Genta shoveled down his food at sprint speed, then raced after him with Mitsuhiko and Ayumi in tow.
"Don't we need to check it out?" Miyano Akemi asked, looking at the three still seated like statues.
Haibara: Not interested.
Dr. Agasa: If Haibara leaves, maybe I can sneak a bite. Akemi's not as strict.
Tsune: Even if the sky falls, I'm eating.
"Ugh." Akemi sighed, rubbing her forehead, and stood to go keep an eye on the kids.
"Miss Akemi."
Tsune suddenly called out.
Akemi paused, turning to him.
With Mr. Tsune going, there's nothing to worry about.
"Could you call the waiter? I need to order more," Tsune said.
"Huh?" Sadly, Akemi had misread the situation.
…
In the restaurant's corridor.
Conan crouched, checking the pulse of a young woman. He waved his hand near her open mouth and caught the familiar scent of a poison.
The detective looked up at the first witness. "Miss, did you see what happened?"
Coincidentally, the one shouting for help was the same pretty waitress who'd led their group in and taken their order.
Still pale with shock, she nodded. "I-I'd just left this lady's private room to check on your group."
"She was walking ahead of me, talking on the phone while drinking a beer."
Beer?
Conan glanced at the can that had rolled to the edge of the wooden floor but didn't touch it.
The corridor, built through the courtyard, had rooms lining both sides.
Was she on the phone, heading to meet someone?
"Yasuko!"
As Conan pondered, two men and a woman rushed over from the other end of the corridor.
"Stay back!"
"I'm sorry, but she's already dead," Conan said, stopping them from approaching.
"How could this be?" A young woman with long, curly hair and extravagant clothes sank to her knees, tears welling in her eyes.
The two men—one fat, one thin—in suits exchanged a glance, clearly struggling to accept the truth.
…
Ten minutes later.
Inspector Megure arrived with his team.
"Conan, what are you doing here?" he asked, puzzled by the bespectacled kid.
If he's here…
Is Mouri here too?
"We're the ones who called the police!" Genta waved a hand in front of the inspector, who was scanning the scene.
Akemi smiled, patting the three kids' heads.
"Good job. When something happens, always call the police first," Megure said, praising the Teitan Trio before turning to Conan. "Conan-kun, who'd you come with today?"
"Tsune-nii…" Conan didn't need to think to know what the inspector was getting at.
"Then where's Tsune?" Megure asked, confused.
"He's… probably almost done eating by now…" Conan said, exasperated.
Just then, Tsune strolled out, eyeing the gaggle of police.
"God of death…"
Yup, he's talking about Conan.
Can't even eat a meal in peace.
Who knows, maybe another company president bit the dust.
…
"The victim's name is Eto Yasuko, twenty-six, currently unemployed," Officer Takagi said, reading from his notebook.
"Unemployed?" Tsune and Conan both looked at Takagi.
Sure, her outfit wasn't from any recognizable brand, but that necklace and earrings didn't look cheap.
"Yes, her father's the president of a company. He covered all her expenses," Takagi confirmed, then went on to introduce the two men and one woman who'd been dining with her.
All three were also heirs of wealthy families.
"We found cyanide in that beer can, the same substance that killed her," Takagi added.
"Also, that phone call was from her father. She likely stepped out to talk privately, away from her friends."
Tsune, curious, turned to the waitress. "Did you hear what she was talking about?"
"Yes, something about not wanting to marry some guy, and mentions of money and funds," the waitress nodded, answering honestly.
Tsune and Conan exchanged a glance, then looked at the two men and one woman standing nearby.
The culprit had to be one of those three—no other possibilities.
(End of Chapter)
--+--
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