Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 464 The Logic of Sword Control
"Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda of the National Police Agency? Before dawn... It seems the culprit is indeed a dangerous individual." Hakuba Saguru remarked after Shiraishi hung up the phone.

Although Hakuba Saguru is still a student, he is, after all, the son of Director Hakuba, and has some understanding of "dirty adults".

"But now it seems it's good that he did it himself." Bai Ma breathed a sigh of relief, thinking of the waiter's identification earlier.

“No, I’d be happier if he were doing dirty work for some gangsters,” Shiraishi said matter-of-factly.

That would be a perfect match for Shiraishi's major.

Immediately, Bai Shi shook his head and said, "Let's talk about Xiao Zhongda now. Before dawn, we need to find concrete evidence of his crime!"

"What constitutes a practical approach for small, medium, and large-sized businesses?" Hakuba Saguru asked, frowning.

Hakuba Saguru had already realized that ordinary "evidence" was probably of little use to small, medium, and large-scale criminals...

“Even if his fingerprints or other biological evidence were found at the crime scene, it’s hard to say that it’s ‘conclusive,’ right? After all, that’s Ayasato’s office…” Hakuba then ruled out the “wrong answer.”

Indeed, O-Naka is also the president of "O-Naka Culture Company". Who can say it's "impossible" for him to seek legal counsel from Attorney Ayasato?
Chihiro Ayari herself is quite eloquent...

The problem is that Shiraishi can't just send the judge and jury to "see the ghost," can he?

As for Phoenix Wright...

Although he is also a lawyer at Ayasato's office and is usually at the office, he is not always by his side. If Okada says "I forgot when I came here", I'm afraid Naruhodo will not be able to prove that he did not come here!

"There are also listening devices... According to Ayari-san, judging from the disappearance of crucial evidence from the murder weapon, the murderer clearly knew this very well, which is why they were able to take the evidence so accurately. In other words, Ayari-san and Ayari's lawyer's phone calls were very likely tapped, and we've noticed anything wrong with Ayari-san's phone..."

"In other words, the most likely scenario is that there's some kind of listening device in Attorney Ayari's office!" Hakuba analyzed at this point.

Bai Shi shook his head upon hearing this and said, "Although the Eighth Bureau is a bit weak, the forensic team has already arrived at the scene. If there were any listening devices at the scene, they would have found them."

Normally, the Eighth Division doesn't bring forensic teams to crime scenes, but...

Shiraishi called Inogari directly, asking him to ask the head of the forensic department to intervene in the case. He also called Kenmochi, asking him to work overtime.

In this way, even if there were things at the crime scene that Shiraishi hadn't discovered before, they couldn't possibly have been missed or deliberately hidden by the prosecution.

“The listening devices have most likely been taken away. Even if he was planning to frame Aya, he wouldn’t leave such damaging evidence at the scene. However… what I’m talking about isn’t the listening devices at the scene, but his receiving devices!” Hakuba reminded him.

"Receive? You suspect... he didn't carry the receiving device on his person?" Shiraishi frowned upon hearing this.

“Attorney Aya has been involved in many dangerous cases and is not lacking in vigilance. To eavesdrop on her office, she would need to use relatively professional equipment, especially since Ooka is rather flamboyant... If he is using professional equipment, then the size of the receiver is not something that can be easily carried around to commit a crime!” Hakuba said matter-of-factly.

If it's professional equipment, it's not just a matter of a pair of headphones; it's a device that's not portable at all—you can't possibly take it to kill someone!
"So that's how it is..." Shiraishi then understood what Hakuba meant.

It has just been confirmed that Okabe Oki did indeed move in with Matsutake Umeyo. Before the attack, Okabe Oki would likely have been keeping an eye on Attorney Ayasato to make sure no one else was in the office, which means...

“That’s right. If we search 703 now, we might still be able to find the receiver,” White Horse analyzed.

"Then let's go quickly!" Mayoi said impatiently.

Although the fact that her sister was "rounded up to be not dead" made her feel a little better, Maya still felt extremely resentful towards the person who killed her sister's body!

However, Hakuba shook his head and said, "Not to mention that President Koichi's network of connections is very sensitive, even for an ordinary person, a search warrant is needed to conduct this kind of search..."

Of course, this is entirely a "theoretical" statement.

Even if it weren't Shiraishi here, but any other police officer, they would definitely have to think things through at this point!
Kunikida a few months ago might not have done this, but even now, if Kunikida were in Shiraishi's position, he would have some "clever ideas".

For example, they could lure out Matsutake Umeyo, and then, under the guise of cleaning the room, have police officers disguise themselves as hotel cleaners and go in to look for her. If they don't find her, they could pretend nothing happened; if they do find her, they could "get on the bus first and pay the fare later!"
However, Shiraishi didn't explain the meaning of "the clever ideas of front-line police officers" to the director's son at this moment. He simply said, "Well, we'll talk about that later."

It seems they really aren't planning on going to look for it...

While speaking, Shiraishi kept fiddling with his phone, which puzzled Hakuba greatly—from the beginning, Shiraishi seemed to be constantly texting someone, and his phone calls were also strange…

Even when it's a call from the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the National Police Agency, Shiraishi answers it in person without any hesitation. However, there was one time when Shiraishi secretly went out to answer the call.

……

Meanwhile, at the front desk of the Beihu Hotel.

"Excuse me, which room is Shiraishi Kuro in?" At this time, Mitsurugi also came to Beika Hotel to work overtime. Inspector Itokozuke had told him that Inspector Shiraishi was staying at Beika Hotel.

"I'm sorry, we can't disclose guests' privacy." The receptionist at Beika Hotel smiled awkwardly, then said, "Why don't you call Director Beika?"

Although Yujian frowned deeply, he didn't make things difficult for her. Instead, he actually called Shiraishi...

"909, right? I understand." Yu Jian nodded.

Seeing Yu Jian heading towards the elevator, a receptionist from the front desk quickly came over and pressed the elevator button for him: "You need to swipe your card to go up to the 9th floor. I'll help you go up."

The presidential suite where Shiraishi stayed wasn't open to ordinary guests, but since Yujian had already made the call, they didn't verify his identity again, and even...

"Sir, would you like us to arrange transportation to the Akihabara Comic Con tomorrow? This is a complimentary service offered by our hotel," the receptionist said, showing great tact.

“No need!” Yu Jian said with a dark face.

Ding-dong-

We've reached the ninth floor.

"Okay, have a good time." The receptionist smiled politely and even held the elevator door open for him.

Yu Jian walked out of the elevator with a dark expression...

Do I look like a cosplayer?
Upon arriving at the entrance of room 909, Shiroishi, having heard the noise, had already instructed Hakuba to open the door…

Sword Control: ...

Looking at Hakuba Saguru's outfit, Mitsurugi understood why he was being mistaken for someone going to a comic convention.

"Please come in." Hakuba Saguru didn't seem surprised by Mitsurugi's attire. Mitsurugi, ignoring the whole "Chief Inspector" thing, walked straight in past Hakuba Saguru, saying, "Inspector Shiraishi, is the prime suspect in this case with you... uh..."

After seeing Maya Ayasato, Mitsurugi finally understood why he was mistaken for someone going to a comic convention!

Normally, Reiji's outfit could be described as "a slightly strange and unconventional personal style," but once placed with the two people in the room, he is undoubtedly one of the three cosplayers.

“First of all, Prosecutor Mitsurugi, I have to tell you that, based on our initial investigation, the prime suspect is no longer Ms. Mayoi Ayasato, but a political and business broker named Oki Konaka. The reason why Attorney Ayasato sought my help and sensed that she might be in danger was because of this person,” Shiraishi corrected at this point.

"Small, medium, and large? Are you sure it's because of this person?" Yu Jian completely filtered out "political and business brokers" and the like, which shows that he himself is upright and has nothing to fear... at least that's what he thinks.

“OK.” Shiraishi nodded.

"How did you determine that?" Yu Jian pressed.

“Attorney Ayari told me…” Shiraishi said, smiling as she looked at Mitsurugi.

In Shiraishi's view, Mitsurugi Reiji was just picking a fight, but he really couldn't say anything about it—after all, Shiraishi did hear it from Attorney Ayari... but only after she died!

Seeing Shiraishi's attitude, Mitsurugi unexpectedly did not question Shiraishi, but instead said, "Well, in that case... if you can say it in court, then I think it can serve as evidence... well, but you've forgotten when Attorney Ayari told you, so there's nothing I can do about it."

Shiraishi:……

That's right, Shiraishi could tell that Reiji had seen through his "lie"—although he hadn't actually lied, since it was Chihiro Ayasato who told him, but... could something said after death count?
However, slightly different from what Shiraishi had imagined, perhaps because no charges had been filed yet, Mitsurugi wasn't pressing Ayari Mayoi's case, and even...

After Shiraishi subtly pointed out the small, medium, and large sizes of the characters and gave testimony that was unfavorable to him, Mitsurugi immediately began to reflect on "how to lie in court."

Is this the true value of a "disciple" of a demon hunter?

"Huh? I didn't realize you were such a nice person, not like what Brother Shiraishi said!" Mayoi looked at Miken with surprise.

Mikage, Shiraishi: ...

Mayoi spends most of her time in her secluded hometown, rarely seeing anyone, and her personality is rather... primitive and wild.

"She's Attorney Ayari's sister?" Mitsurugi frowned as he looked at Mayoi—Ayari often handled criminal cases, so she had dealt with Mitsurugi more than once... The difference between these two sisters was just too great!

“Yes, Attorney Ayasato originally intended to hand over some of the evidence, including the minor and major incriminating pieces, to Mayoi for safekeeping.” Shiraishi said, playing the recording of a phone call for Mitsurugi.

After nodding, Yu Jian added, "However, there is a lady on the seventh floor who claims to have witnessed the prime suspect committing the crime."

Maya:......

Mayoi then realized that she was still the prime suspect.
"Hey! Brother Shiraishi has already said so... so I should at least be the second suspect, right?" Mayoi said angrily.

"Your demands are really not high..." Yu Jian and Bai Ma looked at her speechlessly.

"Regarding this, I think that as long as we investigate social relationships after dawn, we can find out that the suspect, Xiao Zhong, and the so-called eyewitness, Song Zhu, know each other... and have a close relationship," Shiraishi said confidently.

This means that Songzhu's words were likely false testimony given to cover up Xiaozhong's false testimony!

"So what?" Yu Jian asked matter-of-factly.

Bai Shi frowned upon hearing this.

Shiraishi then realized that the sword-wielding wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but rather...

This person "only looks at the evidence"!
Moreover, it has gone beyond the concept of fairness and objectivity; he doesn't even recognize simple "logical thinking," let alone "reasoning"...

Matsutake Umeyo's "direct eyewitness testimony of the moment of the murder" is theoretically the most compelling type of testimony!
As for how suspicious Matsutake Baiyo was...

That's a different matter. Unless there's real evidence that she lied, in Yujian's mind, this is "important testimony".

As for Shiraishi's testimony and the telephone recordings, they can only be considered indirect evidence. Therefore, even if we take into account the small, medium, and large sizes, they should be ranked after Ayasato Mayoi.

"The youngest first-class prosecutor in the Tokyo Prosecutor's Office, surely he can't even think for himself?" Hakuba remarked sarcastically, unable to bear it any longer.

after all……

Bai Ma still has the mindset of a detective. For him, evidence is only used to force the murderer to confess; logic and reasoning are the real "gods".

“Thinking? Naive remarks from a young man…” Yu Jian said, as if he had heard something that gave him a headache. He sneered and tapped his temple, then looked him up and down and said, “No wonder you’re wearing such laughable clothes… Detective? Do you know how many criminals will turn around and overturn their convictions in court after you detectives have supposedly ‘solved a case’?”

Miken believes he has seen far more "despicable and cunning criminals" than any so-called detective.

"Hey! You have no right to comment on someone's clothes, do you?" Mayoi retorted, displeased with his arrogant attitude.

Sword Control: ...

You're the one who's least qualified!
However, not wanting to get into a verbal argument with a young girl, he didn't say it aloud.

“Witnesses may not be able to provide a complete account for various reasons, and murderers may deny everything, or even deliberately create confusion… If everything has to be clarified and every word of a witness has to be verified, then prosecution becomes impossible!” Yu Jian said righteously.

"Hmm? Did the Tokyo District Prosecutors Office rush to file charges without clarifying the situation?" Hakuba asked rhetorically.

"Go ask your father!" Yu Jian said dismissively.

Hakuba then looked at Shiraishi, seemingly wanting to see why he hadn't spoken, only to discover... that Shiraishi was actually "playing on his phone"?
At that moment, Shiraishi's lips curled into a smile...

“There’s new evidence… A receiver for a bugging device was found in room 703, the witness’s room,” Shiraishi said calmly.

White horse, sword: ? ? ?

You didn't send people to forcibly search the place, did you?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Dongdong: It's so awkward typing on a computer that's not properly tuned... I won't distinguish between "de" and "di".

(End of this chapter)