I'm in Conan, I'm not a gangster

Chapter 614 I said I'd be suspended from duty, but you didn't believe me (2nd update)
Inside the Metropolitan Police Department building, a somber atmosphere pervaded Matsumoto Kiyonaga's office.

On the heavy solid wood desk, documents were neatly arranged, and sunlight from outside the window cast fine stripes on the floor through the blinds.

Megure stood in front of his desk, reporting with a serious expression the details of Sato Miwako's "unauthorized interrogation of a prisoner."

Matsumoto Kiyonaga crossed his hands and rested them on his chin, his brows furrowed, his sharp gaze sweeping over Sato Miwako.

“Officer Sato,” Matsumoto Kiyotaka’s voice was deep and authoritative, “you should know very well that violent interrogation and drug abuse not only violate the National Police Agency’s discipline, but also constitute criminal offenses.”

Miwako Sato straightened her back, her gaze firm: "Yes, Superintendent. I am willing to bear all the consequences."

Matsumoto Kiyonaga remained silent for a moment, then gently tapped his fingers on the table.

He knew, of course, what kind of person Sato Miwako was—she was upright and brave, and would never resort to vigilante justice against criminals without cause.

But the Metropolitan Police Department's rules are rules. If things escalate, not only will her career be ruined, but the entire First Investigation Division will be implicated.

“Following procedure,” Matsumoto Kiyonaga began slowly, “you may face suspension pending investigation, or even prosecution—”

Jingle Bell--!
The phone on his desk suddenly rang, interrupting Matsumoto Kiyonaga's words.

He frowned and reached out to answer the phone: "Matsumoto Kiyonaga."

A deep and authoritative voice came from the other end of the phone.

Matsumoto Kiyonaga's expression instantly became subtle. He sat up slightly and said respectfully, "Yes...yes, Minister. I understand...okay, I will handle it."

After hanging up the phone, Matsumoto Kiyoshi's gaze returned to Sato Miwako, his expression complex.

“Officer Sato,” he said slowly, “given that your actions did indeed violate police discipline… you are suspended for one week and sent home to reflect on your actions.”

Sato Miwako nodded subconsciously: "Yes, I accept—"

Suddenly, she abruptly raised her head, her pupils dilating slightly: "...Suspension for a week?"

This punishment is ridiculously lenient!
She had prepared herself for being fired or even facing criminal charges, but it turned out to be just a symbolic suspension?

Megure stood to the side, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly. He cursed inwardly, "Silly girl, she thinks the punishment is too lenient at a time like this?"

Matsumoto Kiyonaga noticed her confusion and explained calmly, "Minister Odagiri just called me personally."

He paused for a moment, then said, "He believes that although your actions were not in accordance with regulations, you did prevent a terrorist attack that could have caused significant casualties. The merits and demerits cancel each other out, and he will not pursue the matter further."

Sato Miwako's eyes widened, and she was speechless for a moment.

Toshiro Odagiri—the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police Department, a powerful figure among the police force's top brass—actually got involved in her case personally.
"Thank you, thank you, Superintendent! Thank you, Minister!" She bowed quickly, her voice trembling slightly with surprise.

Matsumoto Kiyonaga waved his hand: "Go, get some rest. Be back in a week."

Sato Miwako bowed again, then quickly left the office.

In the corridor, Sato Miwako's steps were so light that she almost jumped.

She turned to look at Inspector Megure who had followed her out, her eyes filled with joy: "Inspector Megure, I can't believe it! It's just a suspension! That's fantastic!!"

Inspector Megure, however, was not as relaxed as she was.

He frowned, deep in thought: "Strange..."

"What's wrong?" Sato Miwako's smile faded.

“I just reported this case to Inspector Matsumoto,” Inspector Megure stroked his chin and said in a low voice, “He hasn’t had a chance to ask his superiors yet. How did Chief Odagiri find out?”

Sato Miwako was taken aback, only then realizing the strangeness of the situation.

According to normal procedures, her case should at least have been reviewed by the Internal Investigation Division before being reported to the Criminal Investigation Department by Superintendent Matsumoto. It would have been impossible for it to reach the ministerial level in such a short time.

Unless... someone gave prior notice.

Megure shook his head: "Never mind, it's good that nothing happened. You should get some rest this week and not think too much."

Miwako Sato nodded, but the doubts in her heart did not disappear.

After completing the suspension procedures, Miwako Sato walked alone to the Metropolitan Police Department's underground parking lot.

In the empty parking lot, her footsteps echoed through the concrete structure.

She got into the driver's seat, took a deep breath, took out her phone and dialed Shiraishi E's number.

"Hello?" On the other end of the phone, Shiraishi E's voice was lazy, and the sound of a TV program could be faintly heard in the background.

“It was me.” Sato Miwako lowered her voice: “Just now… Department Head Odagiri personally intervened and said that my punishment was only a one-week suspension.”

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a soft chuckle: "Oh? That's not bad." Sato Miwako narrowed her eyes: "You did this?"

Shiraishi E's tone remained relaxed: "I just called President Suzuki and mentioned your heroic deeds."

"President Suzuki?" Sato Miwako was taken aback. "President Suzuki of the Suzuki Group?"

“Hmm,” Shiraishi replied, “After all, if we hadn’t discovered the bomb in advance, the Suzuki Tower would probably have been bombed again.”

"The Suzuki Group doesn't want its newly built landmark to make headlines again."

Miwako Sato suddenly understood.

The Suzuki Group wields immense influence in both political and business circles, and Minister Odagiri's ambition to advance further naturally requires the group's support.

President Suzuki's words are more effective than any internal investigation.

"I see..." She breathed a sigh of relief, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up: "You, you're quick-witted."

Shiraishi E smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you beforehand? Nothing will happen... At most, I'll just be suspended from my duties and go home to rest."

In high spirits, Sato Miwako casually asked, "By the way, our First Investigation Division is having a dinner party tonight, would you like to come along?"

"No, thank you." Shiraishi E refused decisively: "I won't join in your colleagues' gathering."

Miwako Sato didn't press the issue, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, she hung up the phone.

She leaned back in her seat, stretched, and then drove home to rest in a cheerful mood.

--------------

Miyano Villa.

Shiraishi hung up the phone, put it away, and looked up at Ai, who was walking out from the direction of the laboratory.

She was wearing a loose white lab coat, and her short, brown hair was slightly messy.

"What's your decision?" Shiraishi E leaned back on the sofa, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "Want to collaborate?"

Ai walked over and sat down opposite him, picked up the coffee on the coffee table, took a sip, and then nodded: "Cooperation."

Her voice was calm and firm: "Only through cooperation can we accelerate the progress of drug development."

Shiraishi E's lips curled slightly: "A wise choice."

Ai put down her coffee cup and looked at him calmly: "However, in my current state, it's not convenient for me to show myself directly."

She looked down at her small hands. "So, my job is just to provide the drugs and let them conduct the experiments. They'll then give me feedback on the results."

Shiraishi E shrugged: "No problem, he won't refuse."

Ai handed a sealed metal box to Ei Shiraishi.

“There are a hundred pills inside, all of which are my latest research and development drugs,” she said. “Although the efficacy is not as good as the original version of APTX4869, the success rate is higher.”

Shiraishi E took the box, gently weighed it in her hand, and then opened it to take a look—inside were dozens of dark red capsules neatly arranged, each one gleaming slightly.

"What is the success rate?" he asked.

“15%,” Ai replied.

Shiraishi E raised an eyebrow: "It's already very tall."

A 15% success rate is enough to drive many people crazy.

Ai shook her head, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "This is for my mother."

Her voice was deep and firm, “Anything below 80% is not considered high.”

Shiraishi clicked her tongue in amazement, but quickly understood her feelings.

For Ai Haibara, this is not just about experimental data, but about whether she can see Elena Miyano again.

This is her mother.

If it were him, he would probably push the success rate to 95%!

"Understood." Shiraishi E picked up the box and said, "I will talk to Kudo Yusaku as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)