Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 160 Appraiser Kido Takamori

Suzuki Museum of Modern Art.

Police were everywhere outside the venue, and helicopters patrolled overhead from time to time.

Loud.

Last month, Gao Mo found and successfully identified the Egg of Memories in the Suzuki family's treasure vault.

The historically significant treasure egg was originally scheduled to be exhibited in Osaka for a week, but suddenly received a notice from Kid that it would be stolen.

This has now evolved into a joint operation between the Metropolitan Police Department and the Osaka Prefectural Police, with an unprecedented level of effort to capture Phantom Thief Kid.

"From the lion of dusk to the maiden of dawn, when the clock without a second hand engraves the 12th character, I will descend from the luminous celestial palace to pay homage to the Egg of Memory—the magician of the end of the century, Phantom Thief Kid."

Sonoko showed Gao Mo the photo of the announcement letter on her phone.

"The police originally forbade us to disclose this information... but it should be fine if it's Kido-san."

"Miss Sonoko..."

Secretary Nishino, who was driving, had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Mrs. Suzuki told him to keep a close eye on things and report to Kido Takamori if he had any improper intentions.

But now it seems that it's Sonoko who has ulterior motives...

Sonoko kept talking the whole way, but Kido Takamori couldn't see anything wrong with it.

"The first sentence refers to the period starting from the last day of Leo, which is August 22nd, starting this evening," Sonoko explained excitedly to herself, "and the early morning of the first day of Virgo, the 23rd..."

The police officer, Nakamori, said that Phantom Thief Kid would appear at Osaka Castle's keep at this time and steal the Egg of Memories.

Why the castle tower?

This was Gao Mo's first time in Osaka. As the car drove by, he saw many iconic buildings and, in the distance, the heavily guarded Museum of Modern Art.

It's much more impressive than the Mihana Museum of Art, which is managed by Director Ochiai.

I heard that it hasn't been open for long. This time, the Suzuki family wants to use the Egg of Memories to gain fame. Being targeted by Kid might not be a bad thing.

"It's probably because the notice mentioned the Heavenly Tower, right?" Sonoko said uncertainly. "And the castle tower is right near the art museum, look over there..."

Gao Mo looked past the art museum.

An ancient Japanese castle stands in the park; it is indeed the legendary castle tower.

Would Kidd use such a simple code?
That guy likes to be mysterious and play word games; he definitely wouldn't be so straightforward.

"However, the police haven't solved the second sentence, 'When the clock without a second hand engraves the 12th character.' What are your thoughts, Kido-san?" Sonoko asked expectantly.

"cough!"

Nishino coughed and stopped his car in front of the art museum entrance.

“Miss Sonoko, the president is still waiting for Mr. Kido… Besides, Detective Mouri and the others are already solving the mystery. If they could solve it, they would have done so already. Mr. Kido was invited here as an appraiser.”

"Hmph, Kido-kun, he..."

"Let's go up first."

Gao Mo called out to Yuanzi, who was about to speak again.

They're not little kids anymore.

Showing off is a matter for pseudonyms; he personally prefers to make a fortune quietly.

President's room.

Led by Secretary Nishino, the group passed through a magnificent corridor and entered a spacious room suspended in the air.

The circular viewing window offers a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery of the art museum.

"Kirouto-nii!"

Heiji Hattori, who had also received an invitation, greeted them.

"Are you here because of Kid's teaser too?"

“No,” Chairman Suzuki said with a smile as he stood up. “Mr. Kido was actually the one who discovered the Egg of Memories. It was thanks to his identification that this treasure was not buried.”

"what?"

Not only Heiji Hattori, but also the mustachioed man and Conan and the others present looked completely bewildered.

“Kido boy,” the mustachioed man asked in surprise, “when did you learn how to appraise antiques?” “It’s just a hobby; I just happened to learn a little bit.”

"It's not just a little bit I've learned; Mr. Kido's professional knowledge is something even our foundation's full-time connoisseurs are ashamed of."

Chairman Suzuki smiled and turned to the several strangers beside him, each with a different expression.

A tall, burly Russian man, an old man with a small, rat-like mustache, an elegant, long-legged beauty, and a photographer who seemed somewhat nonchalant...

After hearing that it was Gao Mo who discovered the Egg of Memories, the group's eyes lit up with excitement.

Chairman Suzuki, oblivious to anything amiss, introduced them one by one: "This is Mr. Siru, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy; Mr. Inui, the art dealer who is cooperating with us; Ms. Pusi Qinglan, a researcher of the Romanov Dynasty; and Mr. Hanchuan Long, a freelance photographer who applied to interview and photograph the Easter Egg."

"Hello." The long-legged beauty stood up and said a slightly strange-sounding Chinese sentence.

Gao Mo's expression shifted slightly as he scanned the room and then observed the long-legged beauty dressed in Chinese style.

These are the people Ai was talking about, right?

Scorpion might be among them...

It's hard to tell who it is right now, but everyone seems to have something wrong with them, especially this long-legged beauty who looks like a well-bred lady.

"Is Miss Pu Si Chinese?"

“My mother is from China, so I know a little Chinese.”

Pu Siqinglan's voice was soft and her smile gentle.

"Mr. Kido, are you also very knowledgeable about the Romanov dynasty? I read your appraisal report and didn't expect that Japan had experts in this field."

"He can hardly be called an expert..."

Gao Mo glanced at Xiao Ai, who had her eyes slightly closed, out of the corner of his eye.

He had almost no knowledge of the Romanov dynasty and relied almost entirely on Ai Haibara's explanations.

"You said in your report that this Egg of Memory holds another secret," a glint of light flashed in Pu Siqinglan's eyes, "Is that true?"

The others also turned their gazes towards it.

Although due to the war, relevant information is severely lacking.

But after years of observation, some clues have still emerged.

"Can you tell me what the secret is?" the art dealer asked, swallowing hard. "Does this hidden Easter egg hold some kind of message?"

“That’s right,” Han Chuanlong said, filming with a camera. “Just tell us, after all, it doesn’t make sense that the Emperor’s Easter egg is decorated with ordinary glass. This egg disappeared along with a large amount of treasure back then…”

"I'm just an appraiser, how could I possibly know such things?"

Gao Mo instinctively avoided the camera, letting the man with the mustache block his view.

Aren't these guys being a bit too blatant? They're making no attempt to hide their covetousness for the Egg of Memories.

"Everyone, let's talk about the egg another day," Chairman Suzuki interrupted. "Right now, we need to deal with the trouble caused by Phantom Thief Kid, and we have no intention of selling the Memory Egg..."

"I'm willing to offer 10 billion!" the art dealer said reluctantly.

Even if the Egg of Memories has no secrets, its value is still over 6 million, especially since it was targeted by Phantom Thief Kid, which indirectly boosted its fame.

Either way, you won't lose out.

If it's truly related to the Romanov dynasty's treasure, then it's an even bigger windfall.

"10 billion?"

The long-legged beauties looked at the art dealer in surprise.

They actually invested such a huge amount of money.

This guy……

"Chairman Suzuki, we can't sell the Egg of Memories to this kind of businessman of unknown origin!"

"I see you guys want to buy it too, but you just can't afford it," the art dealer sneered. "Do you expect Chairman Suzuki to give it to you for free?"

"Alright everyone, let's not talk about this anymore. It's not about money."

Chairman Suzuki politely dismissed the group.

"I originally just wanted to promote it a bit, but I didn't expect them to be so competitive... It was their strong request to bring Mr. Kido here this time. It turns out they're eyeing some kind of treasure."

(End of this chapter)