He's in Detective Conan, and he's the mastermind behind everything.

Although the latter had already confessed to the police that morning, a sense of shame as an "informant" still made Shinichi Kudo feel somewhat uneasy.

He usually prefers to investigate these kinds of things privately rather than immediately telling the police.

However, Amuro Tooru's crimes, the police casualties, and the brutality of the research institute deeply moved him. Even he had to temporarily put aside his personal heroism to prevent things from getting worse.

Upon hearing his question, Inspector Megure and the two people in the back row looked over. Shinichi Kudo felt heavy-hearted. He thought that Hotaru would have a hard time answering this question because Hotaru couldn't possibly be unaware that the police were listening to the phone call.

But to his surprise, Ying Sheng answered very readily.

"You had tried to contact me a few times before, but haven't reached me since the day before yesterday. Didn't you say something happened at the research institute? Maybe that's why you've been too busy."

"What, are the police going after them? I have their contact information, should I give them a call?"

Shinichi Kudo was silent for a few moments: "Won't this interfere with your participation in the mixer?"

Ying Sheng chuckled: "Business is important. Where are you now? I'll come find you."

Shinichi Kudo looked at Juichi Megure.

Inspector Megure hesitated for a few moments, then said in a deep voice, "Tokyo Police Hospital, Mizuki-kun, are you still near the stadium? I'll have Kanagawa, who's stationed there, bring you over, is that alright?"

Shinichi Kudo's heart sank. Sure enough, Inspector Megure had already identified Suigetsu as a suspect.

“Of course, I’m right by the square, in that yellow bus. Have him come over, and I’ll tell Xiaolan,” Ying Sheng said.

"Can I not hang up?" Inspector Megure asked.

"OK."

They're being treated as if they need to be monitored.

Ying Sheng sighed softly, took his phone and walked towards the bus. It seemed that things had developed to this point entirely because he hadn't cared about the brewery at all before, and had just casually mentioned it after Sherry met with Kudo.

Now Kudo has completed an information exchange with the police, and it is estimated that he has also inexplicably connected some other things, linking Amuro Tooru and the brewery together.

Ugh, what bad luck.

When they reached the bus door, Ying Sheng didn't get on. Xiao Lan, who had already turned around, looked at him with a puzzled expression. Ying Sheng showed her his phone and shrugged helplessly.

"Kudo, no, the police called me over, it seems to be about the research institute and Mr. Amuro."

Xiaolan's eyes sharpened immediately. After noticing the ongoing call on Yingsheng's phone, her tone remained normal, even carrying a hint of complaint: "Honestly, why at a time like this? Can you come over tonight? Do you want me to come with you?"

This question is undoubtedly asking: How serious is the problem, and is it necessary to resort to force?

Ying Sheng chuckled: "It should be fine, I'll just answer whatever they ask."

Well, it seems like he's turned Xiaolan into a bad kid.

Why would you fight with the police? What are you thinking?

Behind Ying Sheng, Jin Chuan, the police officer who was guarding the crime scene, ran quickly toward them. Xiao Lan looked up at him, then looked at Ying Sheng again: "You must come."

"Don't say such strange things. Is there any other possibility?"

Ying Sheng stepped forward and gently hugged Xiao Lan: "Yuanzi is preparing a barbecue tonight. I'm planning to try your cooking. Wait for me."

The hug lasted for two seconds. Ying Sheng left, and Xiao Lan smiled and nodded at him: "What you said is also strange. Come on, see you tonight."

"See you tonight."

Ying Sheng turned around and left with Officer Jin Chuan.

Standing at the car door, Xiaolan watched Yingsheng's departing figure and put her hands in her pockets.

She felt two things that hadn't been in her pocket before.

A pistol.

a cell phone.

She took out her phone and glanced at it; an email pop-up window appeared on the screen.

——OK.

Chapter 278 Hotaru's Farewell to Shinichi Kudo, Goodbye

While keeping their phone on, and with Officer Kanagawa in the driver's seat occasionally glancing over, Ying Sheng in the passenger seat remained silent the whole way, eventually closing his eyes to rest. Before long, they arrived at the Tokyo Police Hospital.

Shinichi Kudo and Juzo Megure were waiting for him by a police car at the entrance. As soon as they saw him, they came to greet him.

Police officer Kanagawa whispered a few words to Inspector Megure, while Shinichi Kudo kept his eyes on Hotaru.

Ying Sheng yawned.

He surveyed the Tokyo Police Hospital in front of him. The gate was heavily guarded and the hospital looked imposing. He hadn't been able to see it clearly when he came at night last time, but now, under the sunlight, the white walls of the hospital shimmered with gold, and it did look quite impressive.

“I’m sorry, Mizuki, but this is very important.”

Shinichi Kudo suddenly spoke.

Ying Sheng tilted his head and looked at her: "It's nothing. I wholeheartedly agree with the police going after the research institute. Anyway, those guys don't look like good people. I didn't call the police before only because I was intimidated by their power, and..."

Ying Sheng lowered his voice: "Those people told me that there are many of their people in the police force, and if I call the police, I'll only be asking for trouble."

Shinichi Kudo felt a chill run down his spine. After what happened with the traffic police, he was now at least 70% sure he believed that statement.

But when he glanced at Inspector Megure, who was already looking at Hotaru, he felt a little more at ease. He had been working with Inspector Megure to solve cases since he was a child. Inspector Megure was definitely a good person and couldn't possibly be involved with the research institute.

Megure Juzo glanced at Hotaru a few times, his eyes filled with apology, and said, "Mizuki-kun, security checks are required to enter the police hospital. I hope you don't mind."

"It's nothing, citizens naturally need to cooperate with the police."

"Thank you for your understanding, please follow me."

As Inspector Megure was about to turn around, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, he added, "Actually, the management here used to be more relaxed, but after the poisoning incident, the management has become stricter, and cameras have been installed everywhere."

Hotaru shook his head and chuckled: "I won't run around, and do I look aggressive? Inspector Megure seems to be overreacting."

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant at all..."

"OK, let's get down to business. I think everyone's time is of the essence."

Ying Sheng interrupted with a smile, and walked past the group towards the hospital entrance.

Megure Juzo was slightly taken aback, then gave a wry smile and quickly followed.

He didn't mind Ying Sheng's rudeness. It's normal for an innocent bystander to get angry when they encounter something like this for no reason, no matter how good their personality is.

The premise is that he is truly innocent.

On his way here, Shinichi Kudo told the police everything he knew: the problems between the Mizuki couple and Hotaru, Kiyoko's abnormal physical condition, the research institute's problems, and all his speculations.

When Inspector Megure learned of this, he was naturally shocked and also told Shinichi Kudo some news.

It wasn't a natural gas leak explosion at Itakura's place, but a large-scale explosion caused by human intervention. The specific details were unknown to the Third Division, but after further investigation, they determined that snipers and even armed helicopters had been deployed there.

This time, it was Shinichi Kudo who was shocked.

Isn't Tokyo a cosmopolitan metropolis? How could such a violent incident occur?!

In short, after this exchange of information, they concluded that Shuiyue and her husband must hold a very important position in the research institute. As their son, and having subsequently become involved with the institute, Yingsheng might know something.

Inspector Megure came to this hospital with the intention of having Shinichi Kudo observe the survivor from last night and see if he could glean anything from him.

After that, no matter what, we will cooperate with the special police operation, using that black BMW as bait to lure the snake out of its hole.

After the incident with Ying Sheng, let's add one more step along the way, and that's how we got to this point.

Upon entering the hospital and passing through security, the groping of Ying Sheng by an unnamed policewoman was more of a body search than a routine security check.

At the entrance of the passageway, Inspector Megure, who had only undergone a symbolic security check, looked rather embarrassed, while Hotaru remained calm and cooperated perfectly.

Well, that's what happens when you're too arrogant.

Ying Sheng thought with a sense of helplessness.

Just like when he was arrested on the spot by Shinichi Kudo in Kabukicho last time, Hotaru's idea remained unchanged. Since the police had gone astray, he would guide them back to the right path. In any case, he couldn't get involved himself.

Otherwise, it would be too boring.

The security check was finally over. The policewoman nodded to Inspector Megure. Hotaru stepped off the concrete platform, straightened his clothes, looked at Inspector Megure, and pointed to a small red mesh basket next to him, which contained his cell phone, keys, and belt.

"Can I take it back?" he asked.

“Of course.” Inspector Megure nodded quickly.

After Hotaru finished tidying up, he followed Inspector Megure to a lounge. The lounge was small and had no windows. Two rows of cheap linen sofas were placed against the two walls, with a transparent glass coffee table in the middle. The exhaust fan on the ceiling was whirring.

Ying Sheng entered first and sat on the right, in the innermost position, with Inspector Megure and Shinichi Kudo sitting opposite him.

Ying Sheng glanced towards the doorway, where Sato Miwako was standing against the wall, her left leg hooked against the white wall.

Click——

A slightly fleshy hand reached out from the other side of the door and slowly closed it.

"Ask me any questions you have. I know the principle of honesty leads to leniency." Ying Sheng took out his phone, turned on the screen, and placed it on the coffee table. "Or should I just call them directly? I have the contact information for two people in the research institute here: Shiho Miyano and Jin Kurosawa."

Megure Juichi chuckled awkwardly twice: "Mizuki-kun is not a suspect, we just have some questions to ask."

Ying Sheng shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

Shinichi Kudo didn't dwell on these questions and asked directly, "Who is Jin Kurosawa?"

Ying Sheng said, "A handsome guy with long silver hair and a cool demeanor, one of the yakuza who came to find me at the beginning."

Shinichi Kudo thought for a moment, and after confirming that he did not recall this person, he continued to ask, "What was his position in the research institute?"

"He's probably the security supervisor type; Ms. Shiho needs to report to him when she goes out."

What's your relationship like with him? What have you talked about?

“The relationship between superiors and subordinates is that we don’t have any contact except when I’m asked to donate blood. Oh, right, the day before yesterday was an exception. Do you remember? I was in your ward at the time. I ran out to answer a phone call. He asked me to take Ms. Shiho out for a walk to relax. After I contacted Ms. Shiho, she said no.”

Firefly's Way.

Upon hearing the news of the day before yesterday, Shinichi Kudo's mind immediately raced. Did Shiho Miyano initially intend to leave first and then escape? That would indeed be more convenient.

She later dismissed the idea; was it because she couldn't bear to involve Shuiyue?

In other words, in her eyes, Shuiyue is innocent?

Shinichi Kudo continued, "How much do you know about the drug research your parents are involved in?"