Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 395 The Real Stalker
"Do you look like you're good at housework? I always thought it was the opposite..." Shiraishi looked speechlessly at Shima, who was dressed in a medic's uniform.

"Director, that's not the point..." Zhi Mo was also helpless—but that's how the hotel arranged it.

After all, it required all four detectives to be in positions where they could directly interact with customers, so...

Narcissistic, with his best-looking appearance at first glance, became the concierge, greeting guests at the main entrance; Suzuki Atsushi, who looked honest, became the porter, able to observe guests up close and weigh their luggage; Maki Takashi, who looked least like a detective, became a room service worker, making it easier to check on guests; and Shima, who best fit the stereotype of a detective, became a medic!
It's true that the sanitation worker can have contact with guests, but only with their rooms—since there are usually no sanitation workers visiting when guests are present.

However, the positions of these four criminal police officers, plus Teng as the "front desk receptionist," do indeed cover almost all positions that involve contact with guests.

Shimo wasn't there to clean up in Shiraishi; he was there to report on the current situation...

If other people from the same positions were to rashly come to Shiraishi, it might arouse suspicion if the murderer saw them. However, Shima and Maki could come directly to the guest room without worrying about arousing suspicion!
……

"A stalker?" Shiraishi frowned upon hearing Shima's report, then asked to confirm, "But Ms. Anno didn't book a room, did she?"

"Hmm, it seems like it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, and the guests weren't booked," Shimo replied.

Shiraishi nodded slowly, then said, "Observe closely! But don't focus all your attention on her."

Based on previous reasoning—unless the killer committed the murder randomly, the target must have planned to stay at the "Suzuki Hotel" during this period, or been lured there by the killer…

Entering the hotel on a whim does not fit the characteristics of the victims in this serial murder case.

"By the way, what about narcissism?" Shiraishi suddenly asked.

Upon hearing the director mention his "former partner," Shimo felt a pang of embarrassment—what could he say? Could he simply accuse him of lust? If not, then he had nothing more to say…

Seeing his reaction, Shiraishi's expression immediately turned serious, and he pressed, "What's wrong? Could it be... that he's fallen for someone?"

"Eh? This... counts as being moved? Cough cough... I mean, since... Detective Kogure might just be a little enthusiastic," Shima said awkwardly.

Shima thought that Chief Shiraishi was being so serious because he wanted to punish Narcissism, and besides, he had just arrived at the Beika Police Station, so it seemed inappropriate for him to directly report on his former partner and senior colleague to the chief...

However, that's not what Shiraishi cares about at all!

"Who is it?" Shiraishi asked more clearly immediately.

"Huh?" Zhimo was taken aback upon hearing this.

“I asked who he was targeting when he was in heat!” Shiraishi pressed.

Ayako, who was standing to the side, rolled her eyes at Shiraishi, and then led Ai into the inner room, afraid that Shiraishi would corrupt her younger sister.

"Yes... that Ms. Anno, but it's not exactly... being in heat, just a bit too enthusiastic." Shima even said a few nice things to him.

However, Shiraishi was already on guard...

Contrary to Shima's expectations, Director Shiraishi was not on guard against narcissism, but rather against Ms. Anno, who claimed to be being followed!
"What is Ms. Anno's room number?" Shiraishi asked directly.

"Seventh floor, room 718." As an experienced police officer, Zhimo had naturally been observing her for some time, but he wasn't "on guard" against her; his focus was more on protecting her.

Although Yamagishi had always tried to keep guests' room numbers a secret—even when Ayako asked Shiraishi for the room number she needed to take a shower, Yamagishi consulted Shiraishi first, since there had actually been a "female stalker" incident at the hotel at that time—the situation is different now. The police have intervened directly, and it's all for the sake of protecting Ms. Anno, so Yamagishi has stopped keeping it a secret from everyone.

Shiraishi started paying even closer attention to Anno!
If she is the murderer, then there is no issue of "not matching the victim's characteristics"...

"If the man she mentioned shows up, or if anything happens to her, notify me immediately," Shiraishi instructed.

"Yes!" Zhimo replied.

At the same time, Yamagishi at the front desk tensed up again—the man from the photo Anno had shown her earlier walked into the hotel!
The moment the man stepped into the hotel, the staff at the front desk recognized him. Suzuki, who was carrying the luggage, also gave Yamagishi a stiff wink, but…

Unfortunately, Teng, who is skilled at dealing with stalkers, is not in the spotlight at this time.

The plainclothes police officers in the lobby, though noticing the man because of Suzuki's signal, but...

It's very difficult to catch a stalker in the act, especially now. Ms. Anno hasn't even applied for a restraining order, nor has she filed a valid police report. The officers have no reason to question him or arrest him.

(Until 2017, in Japan, "stalking and harassment" was a private prosecution offense, meaning that the individual had to file a police report for the offense to be established.)
More importantly, the police officers did not actually believe that this matter was related to the "serial murder case"!
On the one hand, Anno's move-in seemed to be a spur-of-the-moment decision; on the other hand, the probability of a stalker or something escalating into a violent incident was actually not very high.

As Yamagishi watched the man approach, he became somewhat nervous.

To be honest, this man doesn't look like a typical stalker.

Generally speaking, stalkers, regardless of gender, tend to appear somewhat eccentric and cowardly, often exhibiting introverted behavior and a lack of self-confidence.

However, the man looked to be quite old, around forty or fifty years old, but his expression was very calm. Even from Yamagishi's perspective, who was used to judging people, the man had the air of a "successful person".

Although he is the kind of arrogant successful person, he doesn't seem like a stalker at all.

"Hello, I'm very sorry, our room is already..." Despite his nervousness and confusion, Yamagishi still wanted to refuse him the room.

but……

"Hmm? I'm Guanlin, I made a reservation." Guanlin frowned—he felt the hotel receptionist's reaction was a bit strange this time—even if there were no rooms available, it shouldn't be said so as soon as they meet, right? And... you can't possibly have all the rooms, regardless of class? It's not even peak season...

However, Guanlin didn't investigate further, since he already had a reservation...

"Huh?" Yamagishi was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Huh? What?" Guanlin was even more puzzled by her reaction.

“No, it’s nothing…” Yamagishi said, quickly taking Tatebayashi’s business card—which had his phone number on it.

I checked, and it turns out I really did book it three days ago!

In this way, Yamagishi had no reason to refuse his check-in, so he had to process the check-in for him, while hoping in his heart that it was just a coincidence and that he had not actually discovered Ms. Anno.

As Yamagishi checked in, he reflected on the situation and found it strange that he had booked the room in advance.
Is it...

Was Ms. Anno deliberately "driven" here?

Or perhaps he made reservations at many hotels, and had accomplices at those hotels tipping him off?

At this moment, Yamagishi couldn't help but think of what Fuji had said earlier... After Yamagishi handed the room key to Mr. Tatebayashi and gave Suzuki a look to lead the way, as soon as the two turned around, Yamagishi immediately turned around and went to the staff ladder in the work area behind the front desk!
at the same time……

Ding--

The elevator in the lobby arrived, and Shima came out, while Tatebayashi went in.

Because Shima wasn't used to it, he didn't even let the guests pass first. Instead, he was wearing a sanitation worker's uniform and squeezed Tatebayashi at the door, causing Tatebayashi to frown deeply—what's wrong with this hotel today?

And then Zhimo brazenly stepped into the limelight...

Upon seeing this, Kuga, the receptionist, quickly pulled Shimo aside and led him through the staff entrance, scolding him, "What's wrong with you? Did you act like this at your hotel too? Didn't we tell you that you should always stand still and greet guests politely? And don't walk around the lobby in a uniform that isn't from the front desk..."

Unaware of the truth, I was also quite surprised—what kind of hotel were these people who came for training?

This is so unprofessional!

Although the general manager agreed to it, it's simply a disgrace to our Suzuki Hotel!

Shimo responded with "uh-huhs" as well, knowing he couldn't reveal his identity, but he managed to ask in a moment, "Where are Supervisor Yamagishi and Fuji?"

Only the two women at the front desk knew the truth, and of course, the director's instructions could only be given to them.

"Fuji is resting. Head waiter Yamagishi... The stalker that lady on the seventh floor mentioned has appeared. Head waiter Yamagishi went to warn her to be careful. You should also be careful in the future," Kuga said softly—after all, it hadn't been confirmed that it was a "stalker," so he couldn't really address the guest that way right now.

Upon hearing this, Zhimo immediately turned around and ran towards the service stairs!
"Hey... I haven't finished yet... really!" Hisako sighed helplessly at the sight.

……

"What are you guys doing? Didn't I tell you, that guy is very dangerous... He might kill me!" Anno complained after learning from Yamagishi that "that man" had still checked in.

"I'm so sorry..." Yamagishi could only apologize—but since the person had made a reservation and wasn't a criminal as identified by the police, the hotel couldn't refuse.

Yamagishi could only say, "However, he doesn't seem to have discovered you at our hotel. Please be careful. I will also have my colleagues keep an eye on you. It's best if you don't go out before Mr. Tatebayashi checks out... Also, I can call the police for you!"

"What I need right now isn't to call the police! Forget it... just tell me that man's room number first, I need to be careful." An Ye said impatiently.

"Yes, it's on the thirteenth floor, room 1313," Yamagishi quickly reminded him.

"The thirteenth floor... Okay, I understand." An Ye said, closing the door.

Although Anno's attitude wasn't great, Yamagishi could understand it.

After reminding Anno, Yamagishi still planned to go and discuss it with Fuji...

Ding--

When the elevator reached the seventh floor, Yamagishi entered the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Shima emerged from the employee entrance, just missing Yamagishi...

Seeing that Yamagishi was not there, Shima hesitated for a moment in front of room 718. After glancing at the security cameras in the corridor, he turned and left, intending to notify Chief Fujiwa first. After all, Ms. Anno was not in immediate danger, and there were security cameras in the corridor so that any bad guys would be detected immediately.

……

"That man has appeared?" Fuji asked suspiciously—standing before her was Yamagishi, who had just informed her of the matter.

Teng Zaisan reviewed the matter in his mind, but something still felt off...

"'Stalker' Mr. Tatebayashi had booked the room long ago, while Ms. Anno, who was being stalked, booked the room at the last minute?" Fuji asked, frowning.

“That’s right…” Yamagishi also felt something was off, but it wasn’t really her forte.

"Wait! Did you just tell that Anno Mr. Tatebayashi's room number?" Fuji suddenly realized.

"N-No, that's right... Could it be..." Yamagishi was a little flustered when he heard her ask this, but he still answered truthfully.

Before Yamagishi could immediately react to what Fuji was about to say, the walkie-talkie rang!

"Fujito! Watch out for the thirteenth floor... no, watch out for the seventh floor... no, anyway, watch out, Anno has left the room and entered the elevator!" Muto's voice came from the monitoring room.

"Oh no..." Teng said, immediately running towards the elevator.

Yamagishi suddenly realized he'd been tricked!

Mr. Tatebayashi, who booked the room in advance, did not follow anyone at all. The real stalker was Ms. Anno!
After entering the elevator, Teng pressed "13" immediately, reminding everyone, "Let's go straight to the thirteenth floor..."

However, the staff elevator stopped briefly on the 22nd floor, where the executive suites were located, and there stood Shimo.

"Ah, Officer Fuji, I just found you. The chief said to be careful of that Anno... Eh..." Shima was halfway through his sentence when Fuji pulled him in, and then Fuji anxiously pressed the "close door" button repeatedly.

"What's wrong?" Zhimo asked, puzzled.

"What did the director say?" Teng asked directly.

"The chief said... the real stalker might be that Ms. Anno." Shima had just gone to the chief to report on Tatebayashi's stay, and then asked, "What are you doing here...?"

"The director must have guessed right!" Teng said with a straight face.

Ding--

The elevator finally arrived at the thirteenth floor.

But they were too late!
When the three of them ran to the door of 1313, they saw a disheveled woman running out of the room in a panic.

"Darling...please, please let me explain...I...I just came here to learn a foreign language..."

"I don't believe your nonsense! What else do you have to say? I just felt something was off when you came to Dongdu on your business trip..."

Yamagishi, Fuji, Shima:...

(End of this chapter)