Conan: The Heart Thief

"Hmph, he can't run away!" Sato Miwako snorted lightly, then rushed over. With the help of high heels, her speed was extremely fast, leaving behind a graceful line and a gust of fragrant breeze.

It didn't take long before, with a "bang", Sato Miwako successfully caught the criminal, and with a beautiful shoulder throw, she threw the criminal into the toilet of the building.

"The time was 6:43 in the afternoon. The escaped suspect was arrested in time." Sato Miwako said happily. She looked very happy and took out a small notebook to record it.

Lin Xiao walked over calmly, feeling quite emotional. This kind of healthy and strong woman is a perfect love partner. She has good physical strength, can stand roughness, and can unlock many postures.

He persuaded the prisoner who had a bitter face: "Sir, you can't escape. You have met the strongest detective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."

"Officer, I am innocent! I didn't kill anyone, I really didn't kill anyone!" the prisoner said weakly.

"Hmm?" Hearing this, Sato Miwako frowned. This case was not handled by her. She only knew the process, but not the specific details of the investigation, so she couldn't judge. "Tell me clearly, how did you get wronged?"

"Officer, listen to me, I haven't lied in my words!" The prisoner begged Sato Miwako to believe him, "On the day of the incident, when I woke up in the morning, Miss Muranishi was already dead. Her death had nothing to do with me."

"Don't be ridiculous. Mr. Higashida, according to my colleague, the deceased is Ms. Muranishi Mami, who lives in the same apartment as you and is your superior in the company. The crime scene was the bathroom in her room. When she was found strangled to death, you were still drunk, and you were in her bed.

The key to the entrance door and the chain lock inside the house were locked at the time, which means that this is equivalent to a secret room. No one except you can enter. The most important thing is that your fingerprints are on both the door lock and the murder weapon. How do you explain this? "Sato Miwako asked seriously. She is very responsible for her work. If it is really a mistake made by the Metropolitan Police Department, she will definitely clear Mr. Higashida's name.

"I was drunk that night and can't remember what happened. Officer, just think about it, how can a drunk person commit a crime?" Dongtian muttered with a depressed look.

"Lin Xiao, what do you think?" It was obvious that Meiko had already regarded Lin Xiao as her backbone.

"Lin Xiao...are you the detective?" Dong Tian's eyes lit up immediately when he heard Lin Xiao's name. "Detective Lin, you must believe me. Please, give me back my innocence."

Lin Xiao remembered whether Mr. Dongtian was the murderer, but he had forgotten all the details, so he asked Sato Miwako: "What was Mr. Dongtian's motive for murder?"

"The suspect, Mr. Higashida, often had conflicts with the victim, Ms. Muranishi, at work. On the day of the incident, Mr. Higashida was in the bar and threatened to his friends that he would teach Ms. Muranishi a lesson," Miwako explained softly.

"Does Mr. Dongtian's colleagues know whether he was half drunk or completely drunk at the time?" Lin Xiao continued to ask.

"He must have been completely drunk. No wine bottles were found at the crime scene, which means he did not continue drinking after the murder. But he was not sober until we from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived, which is enough to show how much he drank last night." Miwako thought for a moment and answered softly.

"So that's how it is." Lin Xiao's starry eyes flashed.

"Is there anything wrong?" Miwako asked.

"Being half drunk and being completely drunk are two different concepts. When a person is half drunk, he may do something bold, but if he is completely drunk, let alone killing someone, even walking will be a problem." Just like Mr. Higashida's self-defense, he could not commit a crime when he was unconscious.

"So..." Sato Miwako's face changed. She would rather trust the high school detective than the Metropolitan Police Department.

"So... Mr. Dongtian did not lie."

Lin Xiao sighed softly. There was a reason why the Metropolitan Police Department had such a bad reputation. Without the help of detectives, the Metropolitan Police Department would not be able to solve the case.

When Miwako Sato learned that Mr. Higashida was probably wrongly accused, she was confused: "Mr. Higashida, since you are wrongly accused, just tell the police. Why are you running away? Your behavior will make the police think you are absconding for fear of crime."

"Because I have to go somewhere," Dongtian said seriously, with a hint of determination.

"What place do you think of?" Miwako was a little surprised. If she was willing to escape to go there, then it must be very important to him.

"For my daughter in Chicago, after my divorce, my daughter was raised by my ex-wife. Recently, my daughter sent me a wedding invitation. I thought my daughter had hated me for the past 17 years. How could I be absent on my daughter's most important day? So I must go, please," Dong Tian pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes.

"This..." Hearing this, Meiwako could only turn her gaze to Lin Xiao.

"Mr. Dongtian, it is indeed important for you to accompany your daughter, but you are now suspected of a murder case, do you understand? If you can't clear yourself of the crime, you will be arrested by the police for murder. As a murder suspect, how can you face your daughter?"

Lin Xiao felt that Mr. Dongtian was just adding drama to his story. It was natural for his daughter to send him an invitation for her wedding. What special meaning could it have? They hadn't contacted each other for 17 years. If they contacted each other again, it would be nothing more than expecting something and breaking down his defenses. Compared to this, finding a way to clear his suspicion was the most urgent task, unless he wanted the country to help solve the problem of old-age care.

Chapter 157 The Policewoman's Reasoning

When Sato Miwako heard Lin Xiao's words, she originally sympathized with Mr. Higashida, but immediately felt that Mr. Higashida was being unreasonable.

"Mr. Dongtian, you are suspected of a murder case. Human life is at stake. Please cooperate with the police investigation and don't cause trouble for everyone. Do you understand?"

"Yes……"

Mr. Dongtian was taught a lesson and became obedient.

Miwako Sato took out her cell phone and notified her colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Department to take the person away.

After Mr. Higashida was taken away by the Metropolitan Police Department, Sato Miwako said to Lin Xiao: "Detective Lin, my colleagues are completely unreliable. In order to prevent Mr. Higashida from being wrongly accused, I have to rely on you again."

"No problem." Lin Xiao shrugged. He already knew that the Metropolitan Police Department was full of rubbish, so there was nothing strange about it. Moreover, for the system's reward, he was happy to help.

Next, Sato Miwako and Lin Xiao went to the bar where Mr. Higashida had stayed before the incident.

"The bar in front is where Mr. Higashida stayed before the incident." Sato Miwako did not avoid suspicion. She took Lin Xiao's hand and walked over.

After entering the pub, Sato Miwako immediately asked the proprietress about the situation.

"Yes, he was indeed very drunk at that time. He also said that he would teach Miss Muranishi a lesson today, but I really didn't expect Dongtian to really do such a thing." The proprietress sighed softly. She didn't expect that someone would die.

"So did he leave alone later?" Miwako continued to ask.

"No, in the end it was Mr. Beichuan who was drinking with him who helped him leave." The proprietress thought for a moment and said in a soft voice.

"Madam Landlady, does Mr. Kitagawa often go to the bar and drink?" Sato Miwako's beautiful eyes flashed. This also confirmed Lin Xiao's previous speculation. A drunk person who even needs someone to support him to walk has no strength to kill anyone. So the most important thing now is to find out who framed Dongtian.

"Yes. He is a frequent customer of the store. He and Mr. Higashida work in the same company. He and Mr. Higashida often come to the pub to drink." The proprietress gestured.

"Come to think of it, it seems that Mr. Beichuan was the first person to discover the body, right?" Lin Xiao raised the corners of his mouth slightly. The person was found, but evidence was needed to arrest him.

"That's right. According to my colleague, the day after the incident, because Mr. Higashida and Miss Muranishi did not come to the company, he asked the administrator to open the door. The body was found at that time. Are you suspicious of him? Do you want to go up and ask him?" Sato Miwako explained, and she also understood what Lin Xiao meant.

"Don't alert the enemy. Even if you ask him now, he will just repeat what he said before. It's meaningless and will only alert the enemy." Lin Xiao shook his head. He knew very well that since he dared to commit the crime, he must have thought of the words long ago. In order to avoid mistakes, he would just repeat the same words no matter how many times he asked.

In addition, the proprietress also told some other stories about Miss Muranishi.

……

If you want to find clues and evidence, you naturally have to go back to the crime scene. The apartment where Miss Muranishi lives is the starting point and the end point of the whole case.

"Why is it the Metropolitan Police Department again? Didn't those people who came during the day just go back not long ago?" When Sato Miwako and Lin Xiao came to the apartment, the administrator couldn't help but complain.

"Sorry to bother you because there are some things I need to recheck." Sato Miwako was still very polite and smiled gently.

"Forget it. You've worked hard, so just return the key to me later." The administrator took them to the room where the crime occurred and left.

"Colleagues from the Forensic Department checked it and didn't find many useful things. Even the floor was very clean. It seems like it will be a bit difficult to find new clues." After entering the room, Sato Miwako looked around carefully.

"There are four suspicious points at the moment." Lin Xiao looked at her and made a judgment.

"Huh?" Miwako blinked her beautiful big eyes. She was still confused as to how come it was already four o'clock.

"First, look at the items on the bed. The quilt, sheets, pillows and curtains are all gray. But then look at the layout of the entire room, including the kitchen utensils and other interior supplies, which are all beige in color. Don't you think it's too awkward?" Lin Xiao pointed at the layout of the room and made a comparison.

"It's indeed a bit strange, maybe it's just a coincidence." Sato Miwako didn't think much about it.

"Having said that, I've looked in the closet for beige sheets and curtains." Lin Xiao shook his head. If something is too abrupt and gives people an uncomfortable feeling, then there is usually something wrong.

"Do you mean that it was replaced by someone?" Meiko instantly understood what Lin Xiao meant.

"Do you remember those things that the boss lady talked to you about just now that have nothing to do with the case?" Lin Xiao did not respond but asked back.

"Hmm. The proprietress said that the deceased liked beige the best color, and that Miss Muranishi liked the Soul Team and cacti very much. She also mentioned some of Mr. Higashida's habits, but the strange thing is that these are not in the confession." Sato Miwako was a little confused.

"That's because these things sound like they have nothing to do with the case. If we say too much, we'll be reprimanded by the Metropolitan Police Department. And the proprietress herself doesn't want to bring herself into trouble." Lin Xiao spread his hands. The Metropolitan Police Department had a bad reputation to begin with, so naturally the proprietress didn't want to say more.

"Ah? The image of the Metropolitan Police Department can't be that bad." Miwako muttered. No matter how bad it can be, there must be a limit.

"Then, there is a calendar next to the bed that was taken away for some unknown reason?" Lin Xiao pointed to a calendar at a certain location.

"Is there anything strange about this?" Miwako frowned. Not everyone likes to use a calendar, especially now that mobile phones are so convenient.

"Look at this calendar issued by the Dongxi Soul Team this year and put in the closet. Doesn't it completely match the print on the wall? The most important thing is that you have written all the plans on it until December." Lin Xiao handed over the calendar.

"That's true, Detective Lin, you're very observant." Sato Miwako praised sincerely, the detective was always able to find clues that were not easy to detect. "Since there are so many plans written on the calendar, it should not be put away under normal circumstances. This is really strange, what's the reason?"

"Officer Sato, please look carefully again. The furniture in the room shows signs of having been slightly moved." Lin Xiao reminded Sato Miwako.

"Oh, what does this prove?" After being reminded by Lin Xiaoyi, Sato Miwako did not become smarter, but dumber, like a little fool.

Lin Xiao tapped Sato Miwako's head gently.

"Use your brain, Officer Sato."

"Well--"

Sato Miwako felt ashamed. Is it my fault for being so stupid? She was good at catching criminals, but her reasoning ability was not much better than that of her colleagues.

Lin Xiao picked up a box of matches on the ground and sighed softly: "This is an important piece of evidence that fell when the cabinet was moved."

Conan can always find evidence at the crime scene that the forensics class cannot, and the same is true for Lin Xiao.

"Isn't this just a box of matches?" Miwako Sato exclaimed softly. She couldn't understand why the evidence would be lost in the forensic class.

"There's something inside. Open it and you'll know the truth." Lin Xiao handed the matchbox to Sato Miwako.

"Hey! There's a note!" When Miwako opened it, she suddenly exclaimed. "This, this is——"

"This is Miss Muranishi's marriage application form." Lin Xiao naturally read it first.

"But, the other party's name is not written on the application form, but there is a seal on it?" Miwako was very confused. Moreover, why would such an important thing be hidden in an inconspicuous matchbox? It was obvious that they didn't want people to see it, but it was not something shameful.

Lin Xiao did not answer Sato Miwako, but pointed to the last remaining suspicious point - the cactus pot.

"The cactus pot is also very strange. It had been raining since early morning on the day of the incident. Since Miss Muranishi likes cacti so much, how could she leave the cactus alone and go out?" Lin Xiao came to the balcony and pointed to the cactus to Sato Miwako.

"That is to say, the murderer moved a lot of things in order to achieve a certain purpose, but why did he do that?" Miwako was quite puzzled.

"This is actually a means for the real murderer to conceal the fact that he committed the crime."

"This is... the method of murder used by the real murderer!"

Sato Miwako stroked her chin and fell into deep thought. Then, an idea suddenly occurred to her: "I know, someone misled Mr. Higashida!"

Miwako Sato couldn't wait to come to Mr. Higashida's room, and it was exactly the same room as Miss Muranishi's.

In this way, Sato Miwako also deduced the truth. Mr. Higashida was set up, and the real murderer who killed Miss Muranishi was Mr. Kitagawa!

Then, Sato Miwako brought Lin Xiao to Mr. Kitagawa's room immediately. Mr. Kitagawa and his colleagues lived in the same apartment but in different rooms.

"You are also from the Metropolitan Police Department, but haven't I explained this to you many times?" Kitagawa looked impatient after opening the door.

"Having said that, we still have a few questions we would like to ask you, and I hope you can cooperate with us," Miwako said seriously.

"That's all I know. Because we didn't see Toda and Muranishi going to the company that day and no one answered the phone, we asked the administrator to go and open the door. However, the door was chained and couldn't be opened. I don't know why Toda was in her room, so I woke him up with a loud voice and asked him to open the chain lock. But I didn't expect to find Muranishi dead after entering the room." Kitagawa explained again.

"You mean that after Mr. Higashida killed someone, he not only did not leave, but was kind enough to open the door for you, allowing you to discover the body, right?" Sato Miwako's eyes flashed. The murderer could not be so stupid.

"Uh...how would I know? Besides, it was your Metropolitan Police Department who said he was guilty, not me." Kitagawa felt guilty for a moment, but quickly reacted.

"Then you were drinking with Mr. Higashida that night. Was he very drunk?" Miwako didn't rush to explain to him and asked back.

"That's right, he was already drunk, otherwise he wouldn't have let me help him go back," Beichuan said without thinking.