In the reception room.
Gathered around the central sofa, everyone including Luo Shu listened attentively to Utaha Kasumigaoka's investigation findings.
"The person who killed Mr Robert was the gardener, Mitsui."
"The murder weapon was an iron shovel used for digging in the garden."
"According to memory examination, he took advantage of Mr Robert's unpreparedness, entered the unlocked prayer room, and struck Mr Robert's head from behind with the shovel, causing immediate death."
"After committing the act, he quickly fled the scene, briefly cleaned the murder weapon, stored it in the warehouse, and pretended to be repairing equipment there until the Metropolitan Police Department arrived."
Looking at Utaha Kasumigaoka, who was reporting with documents in hand, Luo Shu took a deep breath and exhaled, then turned to Matsumoto sitting beside him.
This high-ranking Metropolitan Police Department official had immediately suspended his work upon hearing about the case and rushed to the scene, arriving just moments ago.
"So this is the complete sequence of events for the diplomat's murder?" Matsumoto pressed his fingers to his temples with an evident headache.
He had just begun preparing reports about several Hong Kong tourists dying in Akihabara, and now there was this diplomat murder case.
The key issue was that Luo Shu was involved in both incidents, leaving Matsumoto truly at a loss for words.
Fortunately, Director Luo still possessed some professional ethics, at least knowing how to conclude the cases he had interfered with properly - otherwise, Matsumoto might have needed to stock up on more emergency heart medication.
Utaha glanced at Luo Shu and, after receiving his nod of approval, explained to Matsumoto:
"According to the memory investigation, this is indeed the complete sequence of events."
Hearing this, Matsumoto nodded in acknowledgement and fell silent, indicating his acceptance of these findings.
After all, Luo Shu had forcibly taken over the case. Regardless of the investigation's outcome, the responsibility would fall on him. All he needed to do was represent the Metropolitan Police Department in accepting the results, so naturally, he had few questions.
Compared to Kiyonaga Matsumoto, who only wanted a conclusion, Sayuri Sawamura was more concerned with the motive:
"What was the reason for the murder?"
Sayuri's expression was rather complicated as she spoke:
"Mitsui had worked for our family for nearly twenty years. His lineage has been subordinate to the Sawamura Family for generations—he served us as a retainer."
"Given that, why would he kill Robert?"
Eriri, who had been listening nearby, also raised her head at this point. She couldn't understand either—how could that kindly gardener uncle, who often brought her small gifts as a child and comforted her when she was scolded, have killed her father?
Seeing the mother and daughter's expressions, Utaha Kasumigaoka sighed:
"According to the hypnosis results... Mitsui discovered that Robert-san was secretly investigating Madam Sawamura's affair and confirmed that Robert-san had identified the other man. To protect Madam, he resorted to murder."
"Preposterous!!"
Sayuri actually laughed in anger:
"Over something like this?"
"He killed my husband over something like this?"
"Did I ever ask him to cover for me? Did Robert ever show any intention of forcing a confrontation?"
"Without any of that, he just killed him—is he some kind of psychopath?"
Watching Sayuri lose control of her emotions, Luo Shu sighed, stood up, and walked to the window nearby. With his back to everyone, he asked:
"Has the gardener's mental state been evaluated? Was there any sign of external interference?"
"The current evaluation report shows none. A more detailed investigation would require bringing the suspect back to the department for testing with the equipment developed by the professor."
Hearing Utaha's words, Luo Shu's brow gradually furrowed as he asked uncertainly:
"So this really was just a common crime of passion?"
"At present, that appears to be the case,"
Utaha spoke calmly, not daring to look at Eriri's condition beside her.
With the family shattered over such a ridiculous matter, she had no idea how to comfort Eriri now.
In contrast, Madam Sayuri seemed unable to accept it:
"A reason? There must be some reason, right?"
"My retainer suddenly kills my husband? There must be some reason, right?"
Hesitating briefly, Utaha finally replied: "The reason... was likely that the gardener harboured feelings for you, Madam."
For a moment, Sayuri fell completely silent. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes vacant, as if her ability to think had shut down.
After a long pause, she exhaled deeply:
"Completely! Incomprehensible!!"
Having said this, Sayuri fell silent again, her mind seemingly thrown into chaos.
"Mum?" Eriri tentatively called out, then, without hesitation, walked to Sayuri's side and embraced her.
Mother and daughter held each other tightly, not saying a word, their eyes filled with endless confusion.
Seeing this, Kiyonaga Matsumoto immediately stood up, sighed, bowed to Sayuri, and then left with Juzo Megure in tow.
Soon, with the sound of the door closing, only the quiet sound of breathing remained in the room.
Utaha Kasumigaoka glanced at the mother and daughter embracing each other, shook her head, then turned and walked to Luo Shu's side:
"Earlier, you seemed to have taken Mr Robert's blood and hair. Have you already used the Mysticism Encyclopaedia for divination?"
"What were the results?"
"The divination showed that Robert was indeed killed by the gardener Mitsui." Luo Shu lowered his voice as if wary of something.
"Just that?" Utaha's expression turned peculiar. "Because of some unrequited love from a gardener – the kind of plot that wouldn't even sell a hundred copies if written in a novel?"
"Though I also find it absurd and ridiculous, it appears this really is the answer."
At this point, Luo Shu didn't know how to explain further:
"Let's just say... thanks to that Reaper Elementary School student, even the most ludicrous murder motives have become plausible..."
"That child called Conan..." Utaha paused, then said with complexity, "No wonder you called him a harbinger of misfortune."
She had now witnessed its potency firsthand.
Utaha helplessly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Should we archive the case file?"
"Not for now."
Luo Shu still harboured doubts. Robert's death was too nonsensical, and the timing – right when he was being dragged to meet parents – left him deeply unsettled:
"I'll handle it later."
Luo Shu planned to enlist the ever-capable Miss Kurumi Tokisaki, having her clones covertly monitor the Sawamura household, keeping everyone – suspicious or not – under surveillance.
If no issues emerged after some time, they'd proceed with archiving.
Of course, Luo Shu assumed this would be the outcome, given Conan's involvement...
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the sound of flapping wings echoed from the sky.
He quickly pinpointed the source – a white pigeon circling the Sawamura residence.
"A pigeon? And on its leg is..."
Squinting, Luo Shu focused on the small note tied to the bird's leg.
Simultaneously, the pigeon fluttered down before Luo Shu, pecking at the window with its beak.
Exchanging glances with Utaha, Luo Shu watched as she opened the window, allowing the bird to alight on his hand.
Frowning, Luo Shu removed the note and unfolded it:
[Divination isn't omnipotent. Everything is an illusion. As payment for this warning, could you ask your little sweetheart to stop sending those eviction notices after me?]
[The above comes from Nia Honjo, who'd rather not reveal herself but was persuaded by a Angel (laughs in brackets)]
Staring at the message, Luo Shu froze...