"What did you say?!"
Kogoro snatched the invitation from Conan's hands. After carefully reading its contents, realization dawned on him.
"Twelve years ago, Keiji Aso, and two years ago, Isamu Kameyama, both played Moonlight Sonata before they died. In other words, this invitation is hinting that whenever the moonlight plays again... someone will die!"
"Y-You mean... there will be another murder on this island?!" Ran covered her mouth in disbelief.
So the letter her father had received wasn't simply an invitation, it was a murder warning.
'Is the culprit challenging Dad, a famous detective...? How could someone do something like this?'
Conan cautiously shifted his gaze toward the smiling man standing nearby.
'Who exactly is this guy? Was he deliberately reminding me just now? But... I don't sense any hostility from him.
Shinichi Wada... is that really his name, or just an alias?'
Then Conan noticed something.
Wada's eyes weren't on him at all, they were on Kogoro.
'So the person he was trying to remind wasn't me... it was the old man?
...I get it now. He's probably just one of the old man's detective fans.
Honestly... after everything that happened with Mom and Dad, I've become way too suspicious of everyone.'
Out of the corner of his eye, Ritsu noticed Conan visibly relax.
Seeing that, he enthusiastically applauded.
"As expected of the great detective Mouri-san! Amazing!"
"Hahahaha! You're giving me too much credit!"
"Still, Mouri-san," Ritsu continued, "there's a good chance the killer will return to the community center. If they tamper with the body, it'll complicate the investigation. Why don't we spend the night here?"
"You're right."
Kogoro nodded before turning to his daughter.
"Ran, take the kid back to the inn. I'll stay here alone tonight and guard Kawashima's body."
Although Ran didn't like the idea of spending the night with a corpse nearby, the thought of leaving her father alone on an unfamiliar island where a murder had just taken place frightened her even more.
She shook her head.
"No. Conan and I will stay with you."
"Yeah, Uncle!" Conan chimed in. "The more people there are, the less likely the killer will show up!"
Inside, Conan was secretly thrilled.
'I was just wondering how to come up with an excuse to stay. Nice one, Ran!'
"Honestly..." Kogoro sighed. "Just don't get in the way."
He stepped outside and looked at the elderly police officer dozing off on a bench.
"Sir, could you wake up? Would it be possible to get us some blankets or futons? We're staying here tonight."
The old officer instinctively reached up to rub his eyes, only to realize he was still wearing his glasses.
Standing up with a yawn, he said,
"My, my... You're actually planning to sleep beside a corpse?"
"Sorry to trouble you."
"We'll need four sets," Ritsu added politely. "Thank you, sir."
Kogoro looked back in surprise.
"Wada-san, you're staying too?"
Ritsu nodded enthusiastically.
"That's right! I've always loved detective novels. I've even dreamed of experiencing a supernatural mystery in the middle of the night. Please let me stay as well, Mouri-san. I promise I won't cause any trouble."
"Oh... I see."
The old officer nodded. "Then come with me. We'll go get the bedding together."
Smiling, Ritsu waved the two men off before turning and walking into the piano room. Inside, he found Ran staring blankly at the sheet music.
He walked over.
"Ran-san, do you think there's something strange about the score?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"I think the fourth section is odd. It almost looks like it's written incorrectly."
'Written incorrectly?'
"Ran-san, could I take a look?"
"I want to see too, Ran-nee!" Conan said.
Ran blinked twice before smiling and motioning for Wada to crouch down beside her. The three of them huddled together over the suspicious sheet music.
The moment Ritsu saw the fourth passage, he immediately understood its meaning. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
'As expected... the killer really is him. But what exactly is his relationship with Keiji Aso?'
'Judging from his age... Could he be...?!'
A sudden realization allowed Ritsu to understand why the murderer had committed these crimes. He slowly stood up and looked toward the full moon shining outside.
His conviction only grew stronger.
'I have to stop him from making another mistake. There are other ways to bring those people to justice.'
"Ran, this might actually be a message left by the culprit. If that's the case, then the murderer may come back—"
Creak—
"...?!"
All three of them immediately turned toward the door.
When they realized it was Narumi, two of them breathed sighs of relief. Only Ritsu narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
The moment Narumi looked toward him, he calmly shifted his gaze elsewhere.
"Dr. Narumi? What brings you here?"
"I called the inn just now," Narumi replied, holding up a green lunch bag with a smile.
"They told me you were all still here. So I brought everyone some late-night snacks."
"Come to think of it..." Ran smiled awkwardly. "I am getting a little hungry."
By the time Kogoro and the elderly officer returned, everyone sat down on the floor and enjoyed the simple midnight meal together.
There were handmade rice balls, tamagoyaki, pickled daikon in miso, and warm cups of roasted brown rice tea.
It was plain fare, but comforting nonetheless.
Narumi noticed that Ritsu hadn't touched any of the food. Tilting her head curiously, she asked,
"Wada-san, aren't you going to eat?"
"The restaurant you recommended was excellent."
Ritsu smiled.
"I ate quite a lot there, so I'll pass on the midnight snack. Thank you."
Silently, his gaze drifted toward the corpse lying beneath the white sheet nearby. The corner of his mouth twitched.
'These people really have healthy appetites and nerves of steel. They're actually sitting right next to a corpse while eating a midnight snack.'
Listening to everyone chatting, Ritsu simply took out his phone. His trading partner, Mayor Kuroiwa, had probably already sent a message.
[Kuroiwa: Sir, there's been a murder on our side. Could we postpone the exchange?]
Ritsu casually made up a sender name for himself before replying that he agreed to the delay. He ignored Kuroiwa's follow-up messages.
He was about to put away his phone when another email arrived.
It was from Rei.
[Augier: Community center. Beside the corpse.]
Back at the inn, Rei frowned after reading the reply.
'What exactly is he trying to accomplish?'
He quickly typed back.
[Bourbon: Mr. Augier... do you have some kind of unusual fetish?]
Ritsu's eye twitched.
[Augier: How would you like to die?]
Rei couldn't help smiling.
[Bourbon: Just kidding. Then I won't join the excitement. Good night, Mr. Augier.]
Ritsu stared at the screen with half-lidded eyes.
'As if you're actually going to sleep. You're probably already off investigating where Moon Shadow Island is storing the heroin.'
Then again, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
This island had been rotten to its core for a long time. It was about time someone cleaned it up properly.
Resting his chin on one hand, Ritsu fell into thought.
'The only troublesome part is figuring out how to explain all this to the Organization afterward. Maybe... I'd better get the money first... then stab them in the back.'
Ding!
Already hidden within the darkness of the night, Rei was startled by the notification sound. Frowning, he took out his phone.
It was another message from Augier. After reading it, an unexpected smile appeared on his face.
[Augier: If you follow the trail too far, the police will probably notice something. Once you find the stash, destroy all of it.]
[Augier: Of course, get the money first. I'll leave that part to you. Bourbon... just don't leave any evidence for the police.]
"Heh."
Rei slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"That suits me perfectly."