Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 451 The Wounded Megure

Early Friday morning, Shiraishi specifically summoned Munakata to inquire about the prosecution of the Shikishima attack case...

"Aside from the fact that 'the main perpetrator did not admit to beating the deceased' and 'mistakenly believed that he had injured someone else,' the comprehensiveness of the main perpetrator's testimony and evidence is almost equivalent to a model confession. The four accomplices have also been vying to identify the scene..."

"Now it's just a matter of who hit more and harder, and who hit less and lighter. They're arguing about it. The murder case itself, from the evidence to the testimonies, is already a tightly closed loop."

Munakata was clearly quite confident about the case...

As for who hit more and harder, it can be seen from the evidence of the murder weapon and the autopsy results. There's no need for them to talk nonsense!

At this point, let alone a mere "member of Congress," even if Congress wanted to bail someone out, it would have to consider the backlash from public opinion—there is very little room for rebuttal left!

"And I heard that Representative Shikishima is also preparing to defend himself on the grounds of 'manslaughter.' Originally, Ikukura Yukio wanted to do the psychiatric evaluation thing, but Shikishima Jundai refused." Munakata said, mentioning something he had heard.

If we're talking about "accidental killing," then it really was accidental—after all, Junji Shikishima didn't actually intend to kill anyone.

As for the "psychiatric evaluation," that's utter nonsense...

After all, this is not an isolated case; there have been hundreds of assault cases in the past!
There are already dozens of cases that have been filed, and now they're all being brought to light. Does this mean they have to prove that they lacked the ability to make judgments each time they committed a crime?
"Yes, although the prosecution process is underway, don't let your guard down regarding the previous attack case. Dig up everything you can!" Shiraishi specifically instructed.

In this murder case alone, Junji Shikishima has every chance of receiving a sentence of less than ten years—manslaughter, multiple perpetrators (split the sentence), voluntarily submitting evidence…

Even the ringleader would almost certainly not be sentenced to more than ten years!
However, if all the previous dozens or hundreds of attack cases were filed and prosecuted at the same time, he would probably end up like a heinous murderer, spending his life in jail.

After all, "accidentally killing someone" and "accidentally killing someone once out of dozens or hundreds of beatings" are completely different concepts.

Just then, Shiraishi's phone rang. After seeing the caller ID, Shiraishi first said to Munakata, "Section Chief Munakata, go ahead and get busy..." before answering the phone.

"Hello, this is Shiraishi... Councilor Katayama, I haven't had a chance to thank you for what happened before." After Munakata left, Shiraishi exchanged pleasantries with the person who called.

It was none other than Hinako Katayama, whom I had met during the Celisabeth incident—a female member of parliament with intricate connections within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!
Previously, in order to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see the materials, Shiraishi had specifically asked Katayama Hinako for help, which is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it easier for the detectives from the Beika Police Station.

"Inspector Shiraishi, you've really made my life miserable..." Katayama began to complain as soon as he opened his mouth.

Indeed, Katayama originally thought it was just a case of a foreigner being murdered, and that it was normal for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate. He never expected that it would turn into a case of another member of parliament's son committing murder!
"Huh? Could it be that Representative Shikishima can put pressure on Representative Katayama?" Shiraishi asked knowingly.

"He's nothing, of course..." Katayama said dismissively.

Katayama is the heir to a long-established political family's political legacy. Among members of parliament, even if he is not as powerful as a powerful figure like Atsumori due to age or prestige, he is not someone like Shikishima, who relies on incitement and campaigning, to be trifled with.

Moreover, Shikishima will most likely retire after this, and if he doesn't care about his dignity, the outcome of the next election will be very unseemly. Not to mention, the accompanying civil damages will be enough to make him suffer a lot...

“But now you’ve lifted the lid on discrimination against foreign workers, causing a series of diplomatic problems, and now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in for a headache,” Katayama said helplessly.

Katayama didn't care what Shikishima thought, but she did care about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—after all, it was her base of support!
“On the bright side, this also gives the Ministry of Foreign Affairs an opportunity to get involved in this matter!” Shiraishi comforted him.

"Chief Shiraishi owes me a favor this time," Katayama said without pressing the issue.

Shiraishi wasn't surprised by this—given Katayama's personality, if he were truly furious with Shiraishi, he wouldn't have made this call. When Shiraishi saw the number, he knew... Katayama was calling to ask for a favor.

If there was anything unexpected, it was Shiraishi's somewhat unexpected reaction to Katayama's directness.

“Associate Katayama is certainly straightforward. Of course… I consider him a friend. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come to me,” Shiraishi added.

Of course, Shiraishi didn't mention nonsense like "not violating principles," but as adults, these are things that are generally accepted.

This was exactly Katayama's intention—to expect Shiraishi to help her with such a small matter by resorting to bribery and illegal means was definitely wishful thinking. However… having more friends always means having more options.

Despite his reputation for being unyielding and ruthless, it doesn't mean that others have few opportunities to seek his help.

Just like if it were that fat bastard Zeden...

His principles are less rigid than Shiraishi's, but is it really easier to ask him for help? Shiraishi won't compromise when it comes to violating his principles, but he won't compromise if it comes to offending Zeden's interests either.

And considering the things he could ask of Shiraishi, he actually had far more opportunities than people like Zeden…

Putting aside other things, even Ninomiya, who had always disliked Shiraishi, had a time when he came to ask Shiraishi for help.
“That’s settled then… As friends, let’s start by changing how we address each other, Mr. Shiraishi,” Katayama said, changing his address.

“As you wish, Ms. Katayama,” Shiraishi echoed.

Of course, "friends" is just a broad term, and it's clear from their way of addressing each other that they still maintain a sense of boundaries. They don't call each other by their first names, and they even use honorifics.

……

After Katayama hung up the phone, Shiraishi called Iwata instead...

In order to ensure that Yan Tu and Shikishima could quickly hear the "gossip", Shiraishi naturally asked the "god of the Metropolitan Police Department who controls gossip" to quickly spread the false information released by Kenmochi!
Iwata was an old friend. Originally, Shiraishi only planned to have a few lighthearted conversations on the phone and then meet up for drinks that evening. However, from Iwata, Shiraishi heard some news that was quite concerning.

"I have to go home early tonight, maybe next time... By the way, do you know about Inspector Megure's attack?" Iwata reminded him specifically.

Iwata and Megure weren't close; they were just acquaintances. However, Iwata knew that Shiraishi and Megure were very close, so he brought it up specifically this time.

"Attacked? What happened? Is it serious?" Shiraishi asked hurriedly.

Shiraishi hadn't heard about this at all. After all, it wasn't an attack in Beika, and no one would have specifically notified him. Besides... Megure himself wouldn't be so pretentious as to specifically tell Shiraishi to visit him.

"It shouldn't be too serious. I heard that he was attacked with a crossbow while jogging this morning... but it didn't penetrate the fat layer on his stomach, so it's just a superficial injury. He's at the police hospital now."

Judging from Iwata's description, it's clear that he had indeed heard the "gossip" news.

Well, as you can imagine, the core point of this gossip is "Inspector Megure's amazing fat"...

"Okay, I understand." Shiraishi breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Megure was alright.

During his lunch break, Shiraishi simply left the police station—it was already Friday, so what was wrong with leaving half a day early? Who said visiting an injured colleague wasn't official business?
Before leaving, Shiraishi visited the Criminal Investigation Division...

"Chief, what are your orders?" Gray Valley asked as soon as he saw Shiraishi enter.

Munakata had already finished get off work. Friday was a half-day at Teitan Elementary School—he felt that it wasn't safe for Kotomi to be with the Detective Boys... As for Haiya, he was munching on bread, while his partner, Miwako Kobe, was eating a high-class bento box that was either ordered from a fancy restaurant or made at home, complete with everything from sea urchin to king crab.

Of course, Kobe had long ago said it would "share," but Haiya himself did not accept it.

"Nothing... Hmm? Are you short of money lately?" Shiraishi asked after glancing at the obvious contrast.

While there's no need to compare her to Miwako Kobe, but...

Ash Valley looks exceptionally shabby!
“No, I… I quite like this bread,” Ash Valley said after a moment’s hesitation.

"Don't be so stingy! Otherwise I'll suspect you've been gambling," Shiraishi scolded.

“Yes…” Ash Valley said awkwardly.

Shiraishi knew that this wasn't due to any special reason, but rather Ashiya's own family issues, so he didn't say anything more.

Then Ash Valley saw that White Stone walked straight towards "Flower City"...

Given the high rate at which the criminal investigation department solves cases, they certainly don't lack flowers and banners—although they can't accept other gifts, they can have as many flowers and banners as they want.

After selecting, Shiraishi chose a large bunch and carried it away.

Gray Valley:......

Haidani really wanted to remind Director Shiraishi—don't be so stingy!

Whenever they need to send flowers to someone, they come to our criminal investigation department and get some ready-made...

……

At the police hospital, Shiraishi didn't need to show any identification; the nurses at the station recognized him immediately and told him Megure's room number.

Just as Shiraishi arrived at the door, a woman with short hair and simple clothes came out...

"Huh? Shiraishi?" The other person recognized Shiraishi at a glance—anyone who knew Shiraishi could recognize him instantly.

"Mrs. Megure, how is Inspector Megure's injury?" Shiraishi recognized the person who had come.

Although Megure was always afraid that people would say he was "an old cow eating young grass" and kept his young wife well hidden, and usually wouldn't mention her to his colleagues, Shiraishi had known him for a long time and had known Megure Midori for a long time as well.

"It's nothing serious. I never thought that the fat I usually hate would be the one to take the fall... Now he'll have an even better excuse to urge him to lose weight in the future," Megure teased.

Hearing that Mrs. Megure still had the mind to joke, Shiraishi became even more certain that Inspector Megure's injuries were not serious.

"That's good……"

"Is that Brother Shiraishi?" Megure's voice came from the hospital room at that moment.

"Alright, I'll get him admitted. You go see him." Megure said as she left.

When Shiraishi entered the room, he saw that even though Megure was wearing a hospital gown and lying on the nursing bed, he was still wearing a hat—Megure didn't want anyone to see the scar on his head.

While scars are considered "badges of honor" for police officers, for Megure, this scar was from a case he was injured while saving his wife, who was still in high school, when they first met. So... to avoid anyone asking about it, Megure always wore a hat to cover the scar.

"Huh? You even brought flowers... Where did you get them from?" Inspector Megure asked in surprise.

Since no one else was present, Megure didn't try to cover for Shiraishi—knowing Shiraishi as he did, he was certain the flower wasn't handmade.

"Spending money on things like that is really a waste, since it loses 90% of its value the moment you buy it," Bai Shi said confidently. Bai Shi didn't think he was stingy; he was just concerned about cost-effectiveness.

Upon hearing this, Inspector Megure pursed his lips, while Shiraishi followed up by asking, "I heard that fat blocked the arrow? What kind of arrow was it?"

"It should be something like a crossbow... but luck is the main factor, fat and such are not important at all!" Megure emphasized.

"Who was it? Did you catch them?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

"I don't know. It was a guy who shot from the bushes and ran away after the attack... Probably one of the guys I arrested before. Shiratori and the others are checking the prisoners I arrested who were recently released." Megure wasn't surprised that he was attacked—after all, he had arrested many vicious criminals in his life.

Shiraishi didn't take it too seriously at the time; being a criminal investigator is inherently a dangerous profession, and he was just visiting.

Shortly after, the white bird arrived.

"Inspector Megure... Ah, Superintendent Shiraishi is here too, my apologies." Shiratori greeted Shiraishi upon seeing him.

"Hmm, do you want me to recuse myself from the case?" Shiraishi asked half-jokingly.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached, and the ward door was flung open with a "whoosh"...

It was Kogoro Mouri, who barged in without even knocking: "Inspector Megure, you... um? Are you alright?"

Clearly, the "rumors" Mori heard suggested that Megure's situation was far more critical, and he almost thought he was going to see him one last time.

"It's nothing, don't worry, it didn't hit any vitals... well, it was just luck." Megure emphasized this point.

"However, he'll need to stay in the hospital for a few more days of observation," Shiratori added. Previously, Inspector Megure had wanted to be discharged immediately to personally investigate the perpetrator.

"Ah! Detective Mouri, you don't really think Inspector Megure is dying, do you? You didn't even bring a gift to visit him in the hospital," Shiraishi teased.

"This... hahaha." Mori chuckled twice.

At this moment, Ran Mouri and Conan, who were following behind Mouri, also walked in.

The three little detectives, along with Kotomi, also came. Munakata, who had left work early due to "childcare priority," naturally followed along with his schoolbag...

(End of this chapter)